SAYING GOODBYE TO A PET AT HOME
THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF THE ASHBURN MILL
NEW TAVERN LOOKS SOUTH FOR INSPIRATION
MARCH / APRIL 2026
The largest collection of Bob Ross paintings in the world is hidden right here in Northern Virginia
Happy Little Trees
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kids. Diamond Bracelet for the 20th anniversary of our first date.
Quartz and Diamond Necklace for ten years of friendship. Garnet and Diamond Ring for getting my first job after raising the
Dr. Hervey Dr Misra Dr Mann
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Ashburn
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 1
PUBLISHER
Bruce Potter publisher@ashburnmagazine.com 571-333-1538
EDITOR
Chris Wadsworth editor@ashburnmagazine.com
ADVERTISING Sales Leader: Connie Fields cfields@insidenova.com
Account Executives: Judy Harbin jharbin@ashburnmagazine.com Steve Dennen steve@ashburnmagazine.com
ART DIRECTOR
Kara Thorpe
CONTRIBUTORS
John Gretka Astri Wee
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
The art lives on
While waiting to be helped in an Ashburn business a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the television was playing an episode from the Bob Ross Channel. I am not and never will be an artist, so I probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought if I hadn’t just read editor Chris Wadsworth’s interview with Joan Kowalski, who oversees the largest collection of the painter’s works – just a few miles down the road from Ashburn. But that made me realize how much of an institution Ross is – even more than 30 years after his death. Indeed, thanks to streaming and YouTube, where he has 6.4 million followers, it struck me that there’s a good chance more people watch Ross’ shows today than did during his lifetime.
And I certainly never knew about his connections to Northern Virginia – where he lived for a while. You can learn more about Ross and the works being stored nearby in our cover story this month, which starts on Page 20. Another feature story in this issue profiles an Ashburn veterinarian who specializes in end-of-life care for pets – in their owners’ homes. You’ll want to make sure you have a box of tissues handy when you read that article, starting on Page 28.
And if you’ve ever wondered what all those buildings are on the south side of the W&OD Trail in old Ashburn, well, local historian John Gretka has the answer, starting on Page 34. Now I know why one of the previous businesses in that location was called Olde Mill Furniture. Elsewhere in this issue, our Around Ashburn section spotlights a local golf academy that found a new home –just in time for spring. And in the Dish section, learn why the owner of the new Juleps Kentucky Tavern wanted the walls to be a certain shade of green.
Finally, we’re excited that our seventh annual Best of Ashburn voting is complete – and once again we’ve received more than 70,000 votes. It’s incredible to see how much passion our community has for their favorite businesses and organizations. As you read this, we’ll be busy tabulating the results – so look for the winners in our next edition.
Ashburn Magazine is published every other month and distributed to about 13,000 selected addresses. While reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to Ashburn Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to any such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. While ensuring that all published information is accurate, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or omissions. Reproduction in whole or part of any of the text, illustrations or photographs is strictly forbidden. ©2026 Rappahannock Media LLC.
In the meantime, wave goodbye to the “snowcrete” and say hello to spring. Maybe you could even try painting a tree.
BRUCE POTTER, PUBLISHER PUBLISHER@ASHBURNMAGAZINE.COM
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"SHE SAVED MY LIFE"
Loudoun county resident Dawn R. had been experiencing the painful side effects of Peripheral Neuropathy, “my feet and legs were extremely painful and my doctor told me there was nothing they could do. That I would have to take Gabapentin for the rest of my life.”
Then she met Ashburn's very own Rachal Lohr, L.Ac.
Peripheral Neuropathy is the pain, discomfort, and numbness caused by nerve damage to the peripheral nervous system. Dawn explained that daily tasks like opening doors and using the bathroom were overwhelmingly painful
“How can you live for the next 30 years when you don’t even want to get out of bed to do simple things?”
She was experiencing the burning numbness, tingling, and sharp pains that those suffering from neuropathy often describe. “The way that I would describe it, it’s equivalent to walking on glass ” Dawn hadn’t worn socks in five years and was wearing shoes two sizes too big so that nothing would ‘touch’ her feet.
Unfortunately, Dawn’s story is all too familiar for the over 3 million people in the U.S. suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy.
If you’re unfortunate enough to be facing the same disheartening prognosis, you’re not sleeping at night because of the burning in your feet You have difficulty walking, shopping, or doing any activity for more than 30 minutes because of the pain. You’re struggling with balance and living in fear that you might fall Your doctor told you to ‘just live with the pain,’ and you’re taking medications that aren’t working or have uncomfortable side effects
Fortunately, two months ago Dawn read an article about Rachal and the work she was doing to treat those suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy, without invasive surgeries or medications.
Rachal Lohr, L.Ac., founder and integrative medicine practitioner of Firefly Acupuncture and Wellness, located in Ashburn, is using the timetested science of Acupuncture and a technology originally developed by NASA that helps increase blood flow and expedite recovery and healing to treat this debilitating disease.
“Now, when I go to bed at night I don’t have those shooting pains. I don’t have that burning sensation. I don’t have pain coming up my legs.”
Dawn enthusiastically describes life after receiving Rachal Lohr's treatments. “I can wear socks and shoes!”
Dawn and her sister now operate a successful dog-walking business, sometimes covering up to 5 miles a day.
“It’s life-altering.
As far as I’m concerned Rachal saved my life!”
Rachal and her team have been helping the senior community for nearly 20 years using the most cuttingedge and innovative integrative medicine. Specializing in chronic pain cases, specifically those that have been deemed ‘hopeless’ or ‘untreatable’, she consistently generates unparalleled results.
What was once a missing link in senior healthcare is now easily accessible to the residents of Northern Virginia
If you’ve missed too many tee times because of pain or you’ve passed on walking through the town centers with friends because you’re afraid of falling, it’s time to call Rachal and the staff at Firefly.
It’s time you let your golden years BE GOLDEN!
Rachal Lohr, L Ac. is once again accepting new patients. And for a limited time will be offering Complimentary Consultations, so call (703)263-2142 to schedule a consultation today.
High-Tech Training
Longtime golf academy finds new home in Ashburn
BY CHRIS WADSWORTH
Victoria Tip-Aucha grew up in the Manassas Park area and has taken golf lessons with PGA pro Chuck Will at his Chuck Will Golf Academy since she was 7 years old.
That investment of time and treasure definitely paid off because Tip-Aucha now is a professional golfer.
After playing in high school, where she won several tournaments, and then for Penn
State, where she was named a Big 10 Golfer of the Week, she went pro. She spent most of 2025 competing in tournaments across Europe as part of the Ladies European Tour.
So when Tip-Aucha heard that the Dulles Golf Center property off Route 28 in Sterling had been sold and was closing, it was tough news to swallow. That’s where Chuck Will’s academy has been based for more than two decades.
north of Route 7. That’s the home to Method (as well as Texas Roadhouse, Burger King, Sheetz and many other businesses) and the new home of the Chuck Will Golf Academy.
The new academy is outfitted with the latest technology, too – namely a launch
monitor and simulator from Foresight Sports and high-speed video analysis tools from Swing Catalyst.
“The technology has advanced so much compared to our original indoor studio at Dulles Golf Center,” Will said. “Most
people’s initial objection is the lack of real ball flight. However, once they experience the accuracy and immersive environment, that concern quickly fades."
It’s also indoors, meaning it’s available in any weather and – because it’s inside a fitness center – Will is now working with Chris Pellegrino – a Titleist Performance Institute-certified personal trainer who can help golfers with the physical assessments and workouts to complement their game.
“The focus was to combine golf instruction, golf specific physical training and custom club fitting into one package,” Will said.
Tip-Aucha plans to continue to train with Will as her pro career progresses and says she’s thrilled with the new Method location.
“It was so exciting to be able to use all his new software and equipment,” she said. “There’s a ton of swing data given after every shot. Also, in this brutal winter, it is so nice to walk into a warm place to take a lesson.” A
“I was quite sad thinking about all the years I had been going there,” she said. But Tip-Aucha needn’t have worried. Because Will was already putting a new plan into action.
It turns out that one of the managing partners at the Dulles Golf Center –famed for its driving range and batting cages – was Andy Stromberg. Stromberg is also the CEO of Method Health Clubs. Will and Stromberg had worked together for more than 10 years. And fortunately there’s a Method Health Club right here in Ashburn.
“We knew the range operation would eventually come to an end, so we decided to develop an indoor golf studio located within Method Health Club,” Will said. Now, instead of heading to Sterling, Will’s clients head to Riverside Square, a shopping center off Riverside Parkway
PLUMBING PROBLEMS
VICTORIA TIP-AUCHA
Above: Victoria Tip-Aucha practices a chip shot. Right: Tip-Aucha with her longtime coach, Chuck Will.
PGA pro Chuck Will works with friend and student Denis McMullan during a recent lesson at the Method Health Club in Ashburn.
AROUND ASHBURN
AUTHOR'S CORNER
Famed American author William Faulkner once said, "If a story is in you, it has to come out.” And it seems as though lots of local writers are following that mantra. Here are just a few books penned by Ashburn area writers in our new occasional “Authors’ Corner” feature.
‘Tails
from Tibet’
AUTHOR: Philip Martin, Belmont Country Club
PREMISE: Tashi and Sashi are two Tibetan Terriers magically transported to the beautiful land of Tibet in the Himalayan Mountains. During their adventures, they learn a variety of lessons that are valuable to young children as well – trust, perseverance, bravery, curiosity and the importance of standing up for what is right.
‘The Girl with the Golden Heart’
AUTHOR: Matt Pociask, Farmwell Hunt
PREMISE: Detective Ava Clark is handed a case that she never expected, one that has her chasing down the ghost of a missing heiress born into wealth and privilege. But as Ava digs deeper, her initial skepticism turns into obsession as she realizes the truth isn’t just buried in the past – it’s tangled up with everything she knows about the present.
‘The Founders”
AUTHOR: Bryan Tenney, Ashburn Village
PREMISE: In 1789, Thomas Jefferson hides a secret amendment to the U.S. Constitution in a White House vault. Fast-forward to the 21st century, and an out-of-control president threatens the nation. Jefferson and his friend, George Washington, suddenly find themselves thrust into the future and a genre-bending adventure they never could have imagined.
ASHBURN ICE HOUSE REMEMBERS SKATERS, FAMILIES LOST IN PLANE CRASH
During a bittersweet ceremony in late January at the Ashburn Ice House, a small sculpture was unveiled in memory of the local skaters and families who perished in the crash of American Airlines Flight 5342 a year ago.
General Manager Brad Surdam spoke briefly and mentioned the names of all the people connected to the Ashburn Ice House who were on the flight. This includes the Livingston family of Ashburn – Donna and Peter Livingston and their daughters, Alydia and Everly.
Brielle Beyer and her mother, Justyna Beyer, of Aldie were also remembered, as was Franco Aparicio and his father, Luciano Aparicio, and Ice House coach Inna Volyanskaya. All the young people trained in Ashburn.
On January 29, 2025, the group was returning from events surrounding the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, when an Army helicopter collided with the American jet as it was landing at Reagan National Airport.
Surdam says the sculpture – which features two skaters reaching and leaping upward – reflects how all the skaters and their families were reaching to be the best that they could be.
Inova Children’s Opens New Ashburn Clinic
Inova, a major regional healthcare provider in Northern Virginia, has opened a pediatric clinic called Inova Children’s-Ryan Park. It is on the second floor at 43490 Yukon Drive and is a co-location with Pediatric Specialists of Virginia.
The 19,000-square-foot facility has 24 exam rooms and brings multiple different specialties under one roof. This includes ophthalmology, cardiology, endocrinology, nephrology, rheumatology and adolescent medicine.
An onsite lab reduces the need for families to have to travel to other sites for testing.
Historic Ashburn Church
Celebrating Milestone in May
The Ashburn Presbyterian Church will celebrate 150 years of worship in Ashburn.
The historic church, at 20962
Ashburn Road, will mark the milestone on Saturday, May 2, from noon to 3 p.m.
Plans include music and games from the era when the church was founded, namely 1876. There will also be tours of the church, a historical video and plenty of food and other activities.
The church, declared a registered Virginia Landmark in 1999, still has 10 of the original 12 windows illuminating the interior.
Ashburn Magazine wrote about Ashburn Presbyterian Church and its unique history in a feature article in 2023. Scan the QR code to read that story at ashburnmagazine.com
LOUDOUN SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES RECEIVES CHECK
FOR $150,000+
It was a happy holiday season for the Loudoun School for Advanced Studies in Ashburn. The nonprofit independent school located on Ashburn Road undertook fundraising that was aided by the Holiday Matching Campaign at the Bank of Clarke.
In February, Diego Riveros, vice president and branch manager for Bank of Clarke in Ashburn, presented the school with a check for $159,390.
Catalina Laurenzano, executive director of the school, said the matching campaign significantly amplified the money that the school raised.
“This extraordinary level of community support speaks to what makes LSAS so special,” Laurenzano said. “Our families believe deeply in a school where students are challenged academically while also supported as individuals.” A
For more events across the region, visit InsideNoVa.com/calendar.
MAC & CHEESE FEST
PARK SPRINGTIME IN THE
TICKETS:
MORVEN PARK, 17195 SOUTHERN PLANTER LANE, LEESBURG SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 10 A.M. TO NOON
Hop into spring at the historic Morven Park Davis Mansion with bunnies and bees, egg-cellent crafts and a can’t-miss photo op with the Easter Bunny!
ASHBURN VILLAGE SPRING YARD SALE
ASHBURN VILLAGE SPORTS PAVILION
44078 CHELTENHAM CIRCLE, ASHBURN SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M.
Get a map and explore the yard sales going on around Ashburn Village along with paper shredding, paint and electronics recycling and leftover medicine drop-off at the Sports Pavilion.
TICKETS:
LOST RHINO BREWING CO., 21730 RED RUM DRIVE, ASHBURN SATURDAY, MARCH 28, NOON TO 6 P.M.
Come for a full day of gooey, melty, mac-filled goodness at Mac & Cheese Fest! Food Trucks slinging next-level mac & cheese, local vendors to browse between bites, Lazy Day Farm’s petting zoo. Grab your crew, wear your stretchiest pants and get mac’d out.
THIRD ANNUAL NON-DUPR PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
LIFE TIME ASHBURN-STERLING 44610 PRENTICE DRIVE, STERLING SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M.
Play for a great cause supporting Tree of Life during National Pickleball Month!
It’s going to be a fun, competitive day, with all tournament proceeds directly benefiting Tree of Life’s mission to help those in need in our community.
SECOND ANNUAL DARYL COLLETTE MEMORIAL CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
LARK BREWING CO., 24205 JAMES MONROE HIGHWAY, ALDIE THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 5:30-9 P.M.
Presented by the Rotary Club of Broadlands, proceeds from this event support the automotive program at the Academies of Loudoun.
Pat and Lenny, BFFs
SIXTH ANNUAL RUN THE GREENWAY
LOUDOUN STATION
43430 LOUDOUN STATION DRIVE, ASHBURN
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 8 A.M.
Get ready to soar down the Dulles Greenway for Loudoun’s most powerful race of the year! Whether you’re running, walking, rolling or flying through the finish line, every step helps local nonprofits continue their heroic missions across our community. The day will be filled with fun – live music, kids activities, food trucks, a pup walk and more.
FIESTA 5K, 10K, AND FUN RUN
ASHBURN VILLAGE SPORTS PAVILION
44063 FINCASTLE DRIVE, ASHBURN SATURDAY, MAY 2, 8 A.M.
Grab your sneakers, your most wild colorful running and walking gear! Ashburn Village is excited to be welcoming runners, walkers, stroller pushers and rollers of all levels. At the finish line, participants will enjoy a morning fiesta filled with great music, yummy food, refreshments and prizes. All proceeds raised from the Fiesta 5K will benefit Loudoun Hunger Relief.
2026 NOOKS & CRANNIES TOUR
THE DAVIS MANSION AT MORVEN PARK 17269 SOUTHERN PLANTER LANE, LEESBURG SUNDAY, MAY 3, 11 A.M. TO NOON
Step off the well-worn path and into the hidden heart of the Davis Mansion on its Nooks & Crannies Specialty Tour. This behind-thescenes experience invites you to slip past closed doors and into rarely seen rooms that most visitors never get to explore. You’ll uncover fascinating details, architectural surprises and stories that bring the mansion’s past vividly to life. A
TICKETS:
Happy Little Trees
Just about everyone knows who Bob Ross is. The longtime host of “The Joy of Painting” on public television was famous for his peaceful landscapes populated with what he called “happy little trees” as well as his noteworthy hairstyle and – most of all – his friendly, calm, almost trance-inducing demeanor.
But what everyone may not know is that the largest collection of Ross’ work sits in a warehouse just a few miles from Ashburn. That same spot off Route 50 – in a nondescript office park – is also the worldwide headquarters of Bob Ross Inc.
The collection is overseen by Joan Kowalski, the daughter of Ross’ business partners in Bob Ross Inc. and a longtime employee of the company.
Kowalski grew up in the area and lives in Sterling today – and indeed, Bob Ross had a home in the Herndon area for many years.
The first major exhibit ever of Ross’ paintings was in 2019 just up the road in Purcellville –and turned out to be an unexpected smash hit.
More than 30 years after Ross’ death from cancer in 1995, Ashburn Magazine spoke with Joan Kowalski in a wide-ranging conversation about her friend’s legacy, the growing business she runs, and recent headlines about some Bob Ross original paintings hitting the auction block.
Here are excerpts from our conversation.
The largest collection of Bob Ross paintings in the world is hidden right here in Northern Virginia
BY CHRIS WADSWORTH
Above: Bob Ross on the set of "The Joy of Painting."
Left: Bob with Joan Kowalski. Today, Kowalski is the president of Bob Ross Inc.
Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc., sits with some of the Bob Ross original paintings in the company's collection.
Inset above: Bob Ross.
About Bob Ross
So how did your family get connected to Bob Ross the artist?
“About 45 years ago, my mom took a painting class with Bob down in Florida. He was just a guy in a motorhome that would drive up and down the East Coast, giving tiny little painting classes, and my mother would go home and tell my dad, ‘This guy is extraordinary … let’s do something to help him with his classes.’ Because they weren’t very well attended, and he was sort of a struggling artist, if you will.”
And that led to a long partnership?
“Yep. One thing led to another and the four of them – my mother and father, Bob and his wife, Jane, all created a tiny little company called the Bob Ross Company – I want to say 1982 or maybe even 1981. And then it was incorporated three or four years later.”
When did you come on board?
“I came to work here in 1988. I started answering the phones – the 800 number that you see after the television show on public television. And then I just worked my way up.”
Has anyone ever been able to get an actual number of how many paintings Bob did in his life?
“Well, he’s quoted as saying he painted about 30,000 paintings. And I think he’s probably right. He probably did paint that many. He painted every day. He was ferocious about making sure that he kept his technique very fresh.”
BORN
Oct. 29, 1942, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
FAMILY
Married three times, two children
How many paintings are there in the collection that you oversee?
"We are going to do an inventory soon because we have been donating some paintings lately. But I’m thinking it’s maybe a thousand paintings that we have.”
Are there a lot of his paintings in private hands?
“Yes, there are. Bob used to give paintings to people as they were walking by when he was in the TV studio. If somebody had come to watch him film and they'd say, ‘Oh, I really like that’ – he’d respond, ‘You want it?’ So there are a lot of Bob’s paintings out in the wild.”
Did he sell many of his paintings?
“He may have sold a few, but not really. He was more interested in the process. He liked to show people how to do their own paintings. He wasn’t really that fascinated with his finished paintings. He was onto the next one and never really gave the finished painting a second look.”
MILITARY SERVICE
Master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force
HOST
“The Joy of Painting” from 1983 to 1994
NUMBER OF EPISODES
403 (some episodes featured guest hosts)
DIED
July 4, 1995, at age 52 in Orlando, Fla., from complications of lymphoma
Bob Ross with some of his painting products. The artist's focus was on teaching people to paint and providing them with the tools they needed.
Is it true that he did three versions of each painting?
“Exactly. He did one at home that he would plan and practice on before he went to the studio [to tape a show]. And then there was another painting that he actually did on air. That’s the 26-minute version.”
The 26-minute version?
“Yes. That’s the one you watch him painting on the TV screen. That’s the painting that apparently – according to the appraiser – has the most value, because you don’t usually get the chance to have an actual 26-minute video proof of the artist creating the painting. So that’s extraordinarily valuable to some people. They get a big kick out of it.”
And what’s the third painting?
“The third painting is the one that he would take maybe two or three hours to paint and those are for his instructional books. Those are where he really took the time to make them extremely gorgeous –very detailed – because he knew that the pages in those books would last forever and he wanted them to be really good.
Are all his paintings landscapes?
Did he ever do portraits or still lifes or anything else?
“He didn’t do anything but landscapes and seascapes. He had attempted other types of painting, but you will hear him talk about it on television sometimes –his teachers would tell him, ‘You should stick to landscapes.’ He preferred mountains and trees and water and that kind of thing anyway. It fit his personality.”
You’ve donated some paintings to the Bob Ross Experience, a museum exhibit in Muncie, Ind.
“This is something very exciting. It opened about five years ago. It’s the actual little house where he filmed his programs back in the day.”
It’s in a house?
“The public television station that he chose to film all his shows in was nothing more than a little tiny historic house owned by the Ball family. Ball canning jars are a big deal [for canning fruits and vegetables]. And the Ball family is a very big deal in Muncie. And so this little historic house that used to belong to the Ball family is where he filmed his programs. And they’ve turned that adorable little house into a Bob Ross museum and it’s fantastic.”
NAME Bob Norman Ross
Bob Ross and Joan Kowalski in New York City.
And now it seems a whole new generation has discovered Bob.
A friend in Ashburn said his grade school age daughter goes to sleep watching Bob’s show each night.
How did Bob and Jane and your parents respond
“It just emboldened them. They just dug their heels in deeper. And honestly, if he’s in the Smithsonian and people are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for Bob’s paintings, then he has jumped the shark in terms
Meaning that should quiet the
Why do you think people love Bob Ross? How did he capture the imagination of so many people?
“We've done studies. Nobody sits down and watches just one episode. The official analysis is that three episodes is the minimum. It’s like eating potato chips, right? Bob just had a special way of making people feel and he knew how to capture that magic and share it in a very slow, quiet way and that’s why it
“If you’re familiar with Twitch TV at all – it’s a platform that kids go on to watch each other play video games.
And it’s wildly popular. Now what does this have to do with Bob Ross, right? Well, they came to us about eight or nine years ago and they said, ‘We want to open up a new sub channel of Twitch and call it ‘Creative.’ And we'd like to have a Bob Ross marathon to sort of launch this new channel.”
That’s a big marathon.
“A marathon of all of Bob’s episodes lasts about 8 days, if you can imagine. There are 403 episodes of ‘The Joy of Painting.’ Now some of those feature guest artists. But 381 of them are with Bob Ross, so you figure 381 half hours.”
So you jumped at the opportunity?
“No. I originally said no. And my nephew – I guess he was probably about 17 at the time – and he said, ‘Aunt Joan, you want to do this.’
So we did. And I remind my nephew of this all the time –this whole thing is his fault. It was amazing. Kids coming out of nowhere in the Twitch chat talking about how they remembered Bob Ross. They had forgotten how much they loved him. It was amazing.”
And this apparently started a whole “We love Bob Ross” wave?
“It was this big surge of new interest. Then came the merchandise – Funko pop figures. A monopoly game. Plushies too. All sorts of things. He’s a really big deal in people’s lives and I only wish that he was here to see it.”
In 2019, a first-ever exhibit of Bob Ross' paintings was held in Purcellville. Long lines formed to see his work in person.
Let’s talk about the recent decision to donate 30 of Bob’s paintings to support public television – a decision that has already raised millions. It must have been hard to hear about the recent funding cuts.
“It was. If you watch a lot of public television – a lot of it is ‘how to’ programming – cooking shows, travel shows, painting shows, sewing shows. It's not politics at all. It's just a way to have comfort in your life. And so, politics aside, when the defunding occurred, we were sort of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. There’s a large part of public television that the president and Congress are missing. Bob was ferociously devoted to public television. He would have never, never, never considered any other venue.”
So how did that lead to the decision to make this donation in support of public television?
“We've never sold paintings before, I’ll tell you that. But it was just totally the right time to do it and I didn’t ask anybody’s permission. I just decided this is the perfect way to get these paintings out and have the proceeds make a difference. I wasn't sure if it was going to be like a really big deal. Would people want to buy them for $25? I didn’t have a clue. I had no idea how it would be received. But at the first auction in Los Angeles, we sold three paintings and raised over $600,000. In January, three more sold in Boston for more than $1.2 million.” [Editor’s Note: The next auction of three Bob Ross paintings is scheduled for April in New York.]
Didn’t a single Bob Ross painting sell for a million dollars recently?
“So that was the John Oliver show [‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’]. They contacted us and they said they really wanted to buy one at auction, but it was too rich for their blood, and I said, ‘Well, we'll give you one.’ So, it's actually 31 paintings that are out supporting public television and the one that the John Oliver show sold went for a little bit over $1 million.”
That’s amazing. “I’m still speechless.” A
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sAying good BYe
Ashburn vet specializes in end-of-life pet care with a special twist
BY CHRIS WADSWORTH
s
erena was a runner. A greyhound by breed, she was born into the world of parimutuel racing and ran 125 races before retiring into her second life as a lapdog and beloved companion to Cindy McConnell.
But after seven years together, McConnell knew the time had come. Serena had been battling bone cancer, and in January, McConnell called and asked Dr. Lauren Silvesti, a veterinarian, to come to her Sterling home.
Silvesti arrived, the women talked –soothingly – to each other and to Serena as Silvesti administered euthanasia medicine. Her final race run, the greyhound slipped away in McConnell’s arms.
“It was peaceful,” McConnell said. “I will never forget holding my sweet girl and telling her how much I loved her –and always would love her – as she took her last breath.”
Silvesti, who lives in Ashburn’s Farmwell Hunt neighborhood, is a vet with a very specific specialty – end-of-life care for pets with the option of in-home euthanasia.
Putting a pet to sleep in the family home may sound shocking at first, but Silvesti says it’s anything but.
“I try to be a family’s professional guide and strength so they can let go of worry and fear and just cherish the final moments with their pet,” she said. “Most importantly, the pet is comfortable in their own house, on their own bed, surrounded by the people they love and trust the most.”
Originally from New Jersey, Silvesti studied animal science at Rutgers University and then earned her veterinary degree from Iowa State.
In 2025, Silvesti affiliated herself with CodaPet, a national brand that specializes in end-of-life care and offers vet-assisted in-home euthanasia in cities and communities around the country.
McConnell had reached out to CodaPet when her first greyhound – before Serena – needed care in her final days back in 2018. She feels the in-home
Serena and her owner, Cindy McConnell of Sterling.
experience – as heart-wrenching as it is –makes the moment as perfect as it can be.
“I was touched by how gently and respectfully Dr. Silvesti treated Serena’s body after death, wrapping her so carefully in soft blankets,” McConnell said.
The Wenger family of Ashburn Village recently had to make a similarly painful decision for their beloved rescue dog Glory. She was a retriever/lab mix and the family’s first dog when they adopted her at 14 weeks old.
“Our kids were so excited to welcome a puppy into the family,” Maggie Wenger said about the joy Glory brought to herself, her husband, Nate, and their five children.
Glory loved going on family vacations. She enjoyed running in the open woods and jumping in the lake. She was an integral part of the family.
“Anytime we were leaving, she would hop in the car to make sure we didn’t leave without her,” Wenger said. But in 2025, when Glory was 11 years
old, an illness led to a rapid decline in her quality of life. The family and their vet tried everything, but it was not to be. Maggie knew Glory didn’t like being at the vet’s office, so they looked for an athome option and found Dr. Silvesti.
“The day we said goodbye was incredibly hard,” Wenger said. “We settled her in the center of the family room so she could be surrounded by everyone who loved her. She was calm and comfortable.”
Everyone said their goodbyes – more than once. A shot was given that put Glory into a deep sleep and then a second shot stopped her heart.
“We let our other two dogs smell Glory afterward, so they could understand she was gone,” Maggie Wenger said. “We helped wrap her in a brightly colored sling, and my children carried her to Dr. Silvesti’s car.”
A few days later, they picked up Glory’s remains, along with keepsakes like a paw print and a nose print.
Glory was a part of the Wenger family in Ashburn for 11 years – and will be in the family's memories forever.
Dr. Lauren Silvesti of Ashburn specializes in end-of-life care for pets at home with their families.
“[Dr. Silvesti’s] calm presence and genuine compassion brought comfort to our family on a very difficult day,” Wenger said.
One can’t help but wonder about the emotional toll a practice like this takes on a vet – to be surrounded by ailing pets and grieving families over and over.
“I often get told, ‘Your job must be so sad,’” Silvesti said. “Of course, it is at times. But more importantly, it reminds you to live every day with gratitude and an open heart. I don’t take for granted the little moments with my pets and family anymore. The time we are given on earth is so very precious.”
In-home pet euthanasia is a growing field. Besides CodaPet, there are similar services around the country with names such as Laps of Love, The Kindest Goodbye and Hearts & Halos.
According to surveys analyzed by CodaPet, among clients who had experienced both clinic and at-home euthanasia for a pet, 98% said that in-home was
far superior. And 100% said they would recommend it to others.
It’s this positive response – and the time she shares with families and their pets – that gives Silvestri purpose.
“I see so many rainbows,” she added. “Even on days there shouldn't be one –more than the average person – and it’s all I need to smile and know I’m doing good in my life and following my higher calling.”
Cindy McConnell, for one, is thankful. She has a grown son and two granddaughters, but at home here in Loudoun County, it’s just her and the four-footed companions she adopts.
She knows nothing will replace Serena’s memory, but she also knows she still has more love to give: “I recently adopted my third ‘off the track’ greyhound, who is helping to heal my broken heart.” A
Learn more about Dr. Silvesti and CodaPet at codapet.com/cities/ ashburn-va
Senior Living at Ashby Ponds
If These Walls Could Talk
Like a sleeping giant, the Ashburn Mill sits at the very heart of the community. A huge complex of structures totaling more than 9,000 square feet just off Ashburn Road, it’s currently empty – newly refurbished and awaiting the right tenant or tenants.
Ashburn Magazine asked local historian and Ashburn Village resident John Gretka to do a deep dive into the mill’s century-long history.
Located in Ashburn’s Historic District, the Ashburn Mill consists of several buildings on the east side of Ashburn Road, behind the Carolina Brothers BBQ restaurant and south of the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail.
The mill is the end result of the construction of two warehouses on this site – with additions by many different businesses – over a period of more than 100 years. One of the warehouses dates to around 1903 and the other to around 1913.
Originally known as the Hutchison Brothers Mill, the foundation of the structure is a combination of cinderblock and brick, and the exterior walls are covered with board-and-batten siding.
Board-and-batten is characterized by wide boards with smaller, narrow boards covering the seams between the wider boards. The current owner has painted the Ashburn Mill a light grey color, but over the decades it has also been painted red, and later green.
The story of the mill is inextricably linked to the construction of the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad, later known as the W&OD Railroad.
In 1859, Dr. George Lee granted the railroad a right-of-way across
his plantation. That plantation went by the name Farmwell. On the north side of the railway, immediately east of what was then known as Ox Road (now Ashburn Road), the railroad constructed a station that was called Farmwell Station.
On January 16,1860, daily roundtrip service began connecting the new station with Alexandria. Initially, the railroad only operated as far west as Farmwell Station. Passengers headed to Leesburg, Winchester and other points farther west had to transfer to horse-drawn coaches. It wasn’t until four months later – May 17, 1860 – that train service on to Leesburg started.
In the years after the Farmwell Station railway stop opened, various businesses, including a grain mill, were built near the station. In 1871, Sally Lee sold the railroad some additional land near the station, and it was here that the warehouses that would become the
BY JOHN GRETKA
Below: A photo of the first mill building when it was owned by the Hutchinson brothers. Bottom: A wartime newspaper ad for the mill.
Ashburn Mill were constructed.
In his book “Loudoun Discovered,” historian Eugene Scheel writes that during the 1870s and 1880s, the Kendrick family operated a general merchandise store and steam-powered feed mill at the site of the present Ashburn Mill.
Scheel goes on to report that in 1903 a new mill built by the Hutchinson brothers – Lawrence and Lucius – replaced the previous mill. Reports of the era say this new mill was one of the best flour mills in the entire region.
“It has every modern requirement in the way of machinery, and its shipping and receiving regulations are perfect,” a 1909 publication from the then Loudoun Mirror newspaper reads. “They are manufacturers of corn meal, feed and grits, and
dealers in fertilizers, agricultural implements and farmers' supplies of all kinds. The trade extends throughout the county and continues to spread in all directions.”
It goes on to say, “Dealers with this house will find that the goods purchased here are of an excellent quality and the prices the very lowest.”
By 1914, a 30-foot by 60-foot warehouse building had been constructed next to the Hutchinson Bros. mill for the Alexandria Fertilizer Company. This building would later become part of the mill building we see today.
In 1917, W.S. Jenkins Grain Co. bought the operation of the Hutchison brothers and in the 1920s, the mill's power source was switched from steam to electricity.
According to a report in the Washington Herald newspaper in December 1921, there was a breakin at the Ashburn Mill.
“Burglars broke into the elevator of the W. S. Jenkins Grain Company, at Ashburn, Loudoun County, seven miles east of here, Tuesday night, and made an unsuccessful attempt to rob the large iron safe in the office. It is not known whether they knew the combination or whether the manager had forgotten to lock the safe. The door was opened and a steel vault inside, weighing about 800 pounds, was taken out and placed on the floor.”
The article continued, “It contained $120, all the cash remaining in the office after the afternoon remittance to the main office here. Apparently, the burglars were am-
ateurs, as they undertook to break the vault with mill picks found on the premises. No impression was made on the steel and nothing was missing.”
Over the next several decades, the mill changed hands several times and in 1957, the then-owner – the Ashburn Milling Company –constructed a storage building east of the mill building. It provided space for an estimated 500 tons of bulk and bagged fertilizer. That building is now a garage on the property.
In that same year, the Blue Ridge Herald newspaper reported that the Ashburn Mill installed a new high-powered, automatic feed mixer. The mixer ground and mixed up to four tons of feed an hour.
On Dec. 30, 1972, the owners of
the Ashburn Mill closed it. A few years later it became a farm supply company that lasted for roughly a decade.
In 1986, the Olde Mill Furniture Company – initially called the Oak Barn of Ashburn – opened in the mill. The company sold a variety of home furnishings. At that time, the building was sometimes referred to as “The Red Barn,” due to the color of its exterior. It was later repainted and was sometimes then called “The
Green Barn” thanks to its new hue.
In September 2016, the Olde Mill Furniture Company closed. The mill was sold several times in the subsequent years. From 2018 until 2021, a portion of the building was the home of A New View, a home
decor shop that was featured here in Ashburn Magazine in 2020. A New View has since moved to a new location just down the road.
The current owner hopes to find one – or even several new businesses – to occupy the space at the Ashburn Mill. A restaurant and bar would be ideal, but so would a landscaping company or an autobody shop or many other commercial uses.
Time will tell. In the meanwhile, the old mill sits and waits for the next chapter in its history to be written. A
(Note: The full title of Eugene Scheel’s book “Loudoun Discovered” referenced in this article is: “Loudoun Discovered – Communities, Corners & Crossroads. Volume One: Eastern Loudoun: ‘Goin’ Down the Country.’”)
ASHBURN'S TOP 10
20148
THE BIG PICTURE:
The local real estate market
continued to slow as the year began with home sales down 25% in the two Ashburn ZIP codes combined in January, compared with January 2025, the fourth straight monthly decline. Countywide in January, home sales were down 19.5% compared with the prior year, the first year-overyear decline since August 2024.
MORE MIXED SIGNALS…
New listings in January were basically flat – up 1.5% in the 20148 ZIP code but down 2.5% in 20148, according to the latest data from the Dulles Area Association of Realtors. Countywide, listings were down 0.7%. Pending sales and median sales prices were mixed. And
are taking longer to sell - now up to nearly six weeks in the
Dance Fever
Four years may have passed, but Josiah Smothers is still dancing up a storm. We first introduced Ashburn Magazine readers to Josiah in January 2022. The then 13-year-old had performed with the national touring company of the Broadway hit “Finding Neverland,” not to mention appearing on stages in Boston, Baltimore, Washington and beyond.
Now, fast-forward four years and Josiah’s passion for performing is stronger than ever. The 17-year-old junior at Riverside High School appears regularly in school musicals while continuing to hone his skills at Ignite the Light, the Ashburn performing arts school founded by his mom, Tina Smothers. He’s also an instructor there.
“I’ve found a passion for choreography,” Josiah said. “Watching my students grow is something that will always bring me joy. Seeing people I
care about succeed is amazing and it’s why I teach. The joy on a person’s face when they get that turn, or hit that step, is absolutely incredible.”
At a recent Junior Theater Festival competition, Josiah and the Ignite the Light team won an award for Outstanding Student Choreography/Direction.
College is on the horizon and Josiah already has his sights set on a bachelor of fine arts in musical theater or dance.
Smothers – who is as proud as a peacock of her son’s dedication to the arts –says Josiah hopes to make it to Broadway as a professional performer and then pursue a career as a choreographer.
“What makes me most proud … isn’t just his talent,” she said. “It’s his work ethic. It’s his hunger to grow. It’s his willingness to serve others while chasing his own dream.” A
—Chris Wadsworth
Josiah Smothers was featured in our January 2022 issue.
Josiah Smothers stands between fellow performers
Mia Templeton (left) and Cassia Price (right) at a recent Junior Theater Festival event in Atlanta.
A promotional photo for Josiah's appearance in a Riverside High School production of "Grease." He played the role of Kenickie.
Josiah (jumping) played the lead role in the Riverside production of "Beetlejuice" last year. He also choreographed the show.
Southern Hospitality
New tavern aims to celebrate one of America’s favorite cuisines
BY CHRIS WADSWORTH
We all know Murphy’s Law – anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. That’s how Reese Gardner sometimes felt when he was opening his latest restaurant in Ashburn – Juleps Kentucky Tavern.
REESE GARDNER
“I picked out a green which I thought was perfect,” said Gardner, talking about the vision meant to evoke the rolling green hills of the Bluegrass State. “My son and I were going out of town for a few days. When we got back, the contractor had finished [painting] the entire place and it looked like a disaster. The green was so bright. It was awful. I had to laugh it off and repaint the entire place.”
Juleps Kentucky Tavern opened in January in the Loudoun Station development off Shellhorn Road. It’s the latest establishment from Gardner, who previously operated the Copperwood Tavern at One Loudoun. Over the years, the serial restaurateur has developed a fondness for
Carpooling is the solution.
taverns. He also owns and operates two others – Nettie’s in Arlington and Olde Dominion in Haymarket.
“Taverns create a gathering place where everyone in the community can come together,” he said. “Whether you’re with your kids, neighbors, or just need that alone time with your favorite barstool.”
As you might infer from the name, Juleps leans into all things southern. The menu includes fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, pulled pork BBQ, and shrimp and grits – just to name a smattering of the extensive offerings.
“Southern food or Appalachian food has always been about comfort, generosity and gathering – and those things never really go out of style,” Gardner explained.
“That timelessness is what drew me to it.”
Over at the bar, you’ll find a Whiskey Sour, an Old Fashioned, and – of course
– a Mint Julep.
“We focus on bourbon and whiskey, fresh citrus, herbs and subtle sweetness rather than anything overly syrupy,” Gardner said. “Ingredients like mint, honey, stone fruit and bitters show up a lot.”
Gardner is confident his new tavern will find success at its spot near the Ashburn Metro stop. He has a slew of other restaurants around him – faith that a rising tide floats all boats – including Señor Tequilas, Famous Toastery and the upcoming Curry Pizza House. And he wants to be part of the momentum as the center grows.
In the meantime, now that the “too green” paint crisis is in the past, he already has his eyes set on his next project at Juleps – something that he didn’t have the budget for before opening, but expects to soon.
“Our bathroom sinks. I hate them,” he said. “Someday soon … I will get those things out of there.”
Servicing Ashburn
DishTRY
There is no shortage of Thai food in Ashburn. Popular dishes like Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Drunken Noodle and Mango Sticky Rice are widely available at more than half a dozen locations around the community. Most readers probably know about the big ones – Sense of Thai at One Loudoun and My Home Thai at Belmont Chase. So we thought we’d highlight a few of the smaller neighborhood joints that have earned rave reviews from the locals.
– Chris Wadsworth
NEWS FROM THE BURN
opened
The latest news from the local restaurant and food scene – powered by The Burn. For more details, check out at TheBurn.com and follow The Burn on Facebook and Instagram.
Haraz Coffee House officially opened in February in Ashburn. It’s in the Ashburn Farm Village Center in a former bank building. The new java joint – part of a nationwide chain – features Yemeni-inspired coffee beverages and pastries.
A new Indian fast-casual restaurant called Amrut has opened in Brambleton. You can find it next door to the Bkd Bagels shop in the Brambleton Corner Plaza retail center at Northstar Boulevard and Evergreen Mills Road. Amrut will also have a full-service, sit-down section, but at press time, that part had not opened yet.
At long last, Sushi Cho is open and serving guests at its new location in the Dulles 28 Centre. That’s near the Wegmans and Target at Pacific Boulevard and Waxpool Road. Sushi Cho – which specializes in sushi as well as many other popular Japanese dishes –has an original location in Fairfax.
coming
A Panda Express restaurant is reportedly in the works for Ashburn. Paperwork has been filed with the county showing plans for a Panda Express at the Belmont Chase shopping center off Claiborne Parkway. It would be taking over the space vacated by the recently closed Mod Pizza.
If you like cake and you like ice cream, we have good news. A new sweet shop called Crispy Cones is in the works for Brambleton. Crispy Cones serves a European treat called a chimney cone – a grilled dough cone, topped with powdered sugar or cinnamon and then filled with ice cream. It’s coming to the Bram Quarter center off Loudoun County Parkway.
Details are still few and far between, but we know that the Massaya Lebanese Restaurant & Bar closed at the Goose Creek Village in December. And we’ve been told that it is expected to be replaced by a Greek and Mediterranean restaurant called The Athenian Attempts to get further details have been for naught so far.
If you ever get the munchies, we have a place for you. Halal Munchies has opened in Ashburn’s Riverside Commons center. That’s north of Route 7 off Riverside Parkway. Halal Munchies features burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, rice platters and more.
Plans for the Xavo Motor Club are moving forward in Ashburn for a spot on Russell Branch Parkway near Topgolf and XCAL Shooting Sports & Fitness. The venue would include storage for members’ high-end cars, plus a full restaurant, bar and music venue. Hiring of construction crews for Xavo is underway.
Texas Donuts a local brand famous for its large yeast-style doughnuts, is reportedly in an expansion mode and has Ashburn in its sites. There are currently four Texas Donuts locations – in Centreville, Manassas, Lorton and Vienna. Now, the owner has said they are considering an Ashburn location and are looking for the right spot.
Big progress at the upcoming Pinstack entertainment venue headed to the Kincora property. The big tower at the front of the building on Russell Branch Parkway has gone up and drawn attention, especially from folks who think it’s another data center. Nope – it will have an arcade, bowling, bumper cars, rock climbing and a full restaurant and bar.
Details on the new YouMin Delights coming to Ashburn are still scarce – but we’re told ice cream treats of some sort will be on the menu. It’s coming to the Cameron Chase Village Center. That’s next door to the Ashburn Ice House off Farmwell Road.
While it’s not in Ashburn, a new restaurant in Aldie has a definite Ashburn connection. Oak & Ember recently opened at 39285 Little River Turnpike. It’s a farm-to-table market and tasting room and is the brainchild of Christian Puccio, the longtime general manager of the much-loved Ahso Restaurant in the Brambleton Town Center.
As we mentioned in the previous news about Panda Express, the Mod Pizza at the Belmont Chase shopping center closed permanently in January. The move had long been rumored as the landlord was actively seeking a new tenant for the space. There is still one other Mod location in Loudoun – out in Purcellville. A
—Charlie Wickliffe
