April 2022

Volume 39 Issue 4 | April 2022 | middleburglife.com

Brewing Beer Sustainably CARBON CREDITS IN HUNT COUNTRY

Eco-Friendly Practices for Horse Health

“VULTURES, A LOVE STORY”

BY KAREN SCHAUFELD

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MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE

ATOKA

PROPERTIES

S I M P LY B E T T E R .

33846 FOXLEASE LN | UPPERVILLE

19492 SHELBURNE GLEBE RD | LEESBURG

$9,500,000 | Welcome to the luxurious Littleton Farm on 153+/- glorious acres*. Equestrian facility: 2 horse barns (12 stalls/17 stalls), 3 run-ins, machine shed, hay barn, riding ring, multiple fenced paddocks, 2 silos. Beautiful stone center building added to existing 19th-century home.

$5,200,000 | This tranquil 229.52+/- acres estate of significant historic importance offers a main house, guest house, and several out buildings in an 18th century setting. It overlooks Oliver Lake and has broad views to the west of the Blue Ridge. Add’l acreage available upon request.

*The final acreage is subject to pending boundary line adjustment.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339

NEW PRICE

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

40213 DOE RUN LN | PAEONIAN SPRINGS

36933 & 36939 CHARLES TOWN PIKE | HILLSBORO

$2,499,999 | This 6 bed/6-full bath & 2-half bath, 6,766 sqft contemporary farmhouse-style compound of 3 buildings, including a main house, guest house, guest tower and detached garage is located on 17+/- acres near Rt 7 & 9 with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and woods.

$1,300,000 | A unique commercial and residential offering, the Hill Tom Market and adjacent stone building, located in the heart of Hillsboro on route 9 are now available for sale! The Hill Tom Market currently operates as a thriving local convenience store.

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Middleburg Brokerages 2022 CLOSED TRANSACTIONS MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE SHERIDAN-MACMAHON THOMAS & TALBOT WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES HUNT COUNTRY SOTHEBY’S

8155 SKELTON CIR | FALLS CHURCH

MCENEARNEY ASSOCIATES, INC.

$725,000 | Spacious, bright, 4-level, 4BR, 3.5BA end-unit townhouse in a great location minutes from the Mosaic District and Dunn Loring Metro stop. Quick access to 495, 66, and 50. Freshly painted and new flooring from top to bottom! This 2,165 sq ft home also has a two-car garage, granite counters, hardwood floors, and a deck.

LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE, INC.

*Statistics taken from BrightMLS 1/1/2022 - 3/14/2022. Transaction totals based on Middleburg office locations only.

Mary Roth 540.535.6854

S I M P LY B E T T E R . | M I D D L E B U R G R E A L E S TAT E . C O M MIDDLEBURG, MARSHALL, PURCELLVILLE, LEESBURG, ASHBURN, WINCHESTER & CHARLES TOWN | CORPORATE: 10 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDELBURG, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 LICENSED IN VA + WV + MD | VA PRINCIPAL BROKER, PETER PEJACSEVICH | WV + MD PRINCIPAL BROKER, JOSH BEALL

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T h e C r i s i s i n U k r a i n e a n d t h e Sto c k Ma r k e t It’s hard to believe it’s spring already. The usual excitement and hope spring brings is clouded by war in Ukraine. Democracy is under attack and innocent lives are tragically being lost. But while we keep one eye on overseas developments, the other remains squarely focused on the fundamentals of the U.S. economy and the stock market to help investors stay the course.

Geopolitical uncertainty can be tough for investors to manage. The natural impulse for many is to sell, which history clearly shows is usually poorly timed. As difficult as it may be to see the spring flowers through the fog of war, these periods usually end up representing good buying opportunities for investors.

Stocks have historically proven to be quite resilient to major geopolitical events and this time shouldn’t be an exception, even if the wait is uncomfortable. Over the past 70 years, only three major geopolitical events took the S&P 500 Index more than nine weeks to recover its post-event losses: 1) Pearl Harbor (307 days), 2) the breakout of the Korean War (82 days), and 3) Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait (189 days, when the U.S. economy was already in recession in 1990). None of these events seems comparable to the Ukraine conflict. Looking at all major geopolitical events since World War II, the average post-event loss for the stock market has been just 5%, with an average recovery time of less than seven weeks. The U.S. economy’s track record of resilience and corporate America’s ability to adapt are unparalleled. We do, however, expect the war in Eastern Europe to carry an economic cost for the United States. Although U.S.-Russia trade is minimal, we use very little Russian oil, and our banks hold a negligible amount of Russian assets, higher global oil prices will be felt by U.S. consumers. But it won’t be enough to stop us from spending, especially as COVID-19 restrictions disappear. For Europe, the cost will be higher due to the continent’s greater reliance on Russian energy, so steering investments away from Europe and more toward the U.S. makes sense for now.

This is a tough time for everyone as compassionate human beings and as investors. Russia’s aggression is unsettling and the images of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine are disheartening. We are inspired by Ukraine’s resistance and pray for the country and its people. While we don’t know how this conflict will play out, we do know that the outlook for the U.S. economy and corporate profits remains bright. Stocks have become more attractively valued following the latest correction, interest rates remain low, the Federal Reserve will likely now take a go-slow approach with its rate hiking campaign, and markets have historically proven resilient to major geopolitical events.

We’ve said it before and we will say it again, “Stay the Course”.

Tom Wiseman

Lucy Zimmerman

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DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok ON THE COVER Local author Karen Schaufeld, pictured in her conservatory, has released a new children’s book titled “Vultures, A Love Story.” She shared the idea behind the new book with Middleburg Life contributor Shayda Windle on page 10.

Photo by Michael Butcher.

ON THIS PAGE Horses enjoy the lush green grass that comes along with spring. Middleburg Life contributor Diane Helentjaris details the importance of good grass ecology for horse and habitat health on page 30. Photo by Callie Broaddus.

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CONTRIBUTORS Heidi Baumstark has been writing for several lifestyle magazines and newspaper publications since 2005, specializing in history-related articles highlighting Virginia’s Piedmont. She has been with Middleburg Life since 2014. Over the years, she has featured hundreds of businesses, leaders, residents, historical sights, lectures, heritage programs, and museums in her work.

Heidi hopes to inspire readers to pause and consider the people, places, and events that have shaped the story of our local history.

Michael Butcher is the owner of Butcher Photography.

Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, he resides in Springfield, Virginia, with his family. For the past 15 years, Michael has specialized in portraiture, event, and editorial photography. When not behind the lens, he enjoys gardening and swimming.

Sarah Hickner was born in Mississippi and pursued her dream of galloping racehorses to the backside of Churchill Downs while at college in Kentucky. Sarah has authored one book, “Stories from the Barn Aisle,” and is the host of the Author Shenanigans and the LiveRideLearn podcasts. She lives in Virginia with her husband, two kids, dog, and horse.

Dulcy Hooper and her husband Richard moved to the country from Washington, D.C. nearly ten years ago.

Shortly thereafter, both began writing occasional articles for Middleburg Life. Dogs are a big part of the Hoopers’ lives and several of Dulcy’s earlier articles focused on the couple’s Chinese crested powderpuffs!

Victoria Peace is a senior at Georgetown University studying French and Art History. On the weekends, she frequently visits her family in The Plains. In her free time, she enjoys playing polo with Twilight Polo Club, riding with the Georgetown Equestrian Team, gardening, walking her family's dogs at Sky Meadows State Park, and visiting her retired horse, Taco. Her perfect “Hunt Country” day would include a stop at the local farmers market in The Plains, a trip to her favorite Middleburg antique stores, and a sunset trail ride in the Virginia countryside.

Shayda Windle is a freelance writer covering the arts, people, and places that make Hunt Country so special.

Her work has been featured in Plein Air Magazine, the Fairfax County Times, and several online media outlets. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying the great outdoors and exploring Northern Virginia with her husband and two children.

Callie Broaddus is a Warrenton native and graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in Architecture.

After seven years as a book designer at National Geographic Kids, Callie founded the nonprofit, Reserva: The Youth Land Trust, in 2019. Callie’s land preservation projects and focus on youth empowerment are aided by her talent for storytelling through her camera lens as a professional photographer. In her spare time, Callie enjoys Earl Grey tea, Harry Potter trivia, and dreaming of getting back into the jumper ring.

Diane Helentjaris chose Loudoun as her “forever home” in 1990 after experiencing Ohio, Michigan, Montreal, San Francisco, and New Jersey. Following years as a clinical physician and public health administrator, she returned to her humanities roots. A finalist in the 2020 Icelandic Writers Retreat, her book “The Indenture of Ivy O’Neill” comes out in June. Diane also writes a monthly newsletter, The Silk Mill, which is dedicated to those in love with fabric in all its glory.

Lia Hobel is a freelance journalist, known in town for her blog, Uplift Loudoun, which she launched during the start of the pandemic to share uplifting stories. In addition to her work for Middleburg Life, Lia writes periodically for online platforms with articles appearing on GOBankingRates, Forbes, Huffington Post, and Yahoo! Lia began her career as a broadcast journalist, but left TV news when she moved to Leesburg, Virginia, with her family. She is a Loudoun 40 Under 40 honoree and a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the county.

Austin Kaseman grew up along Snickersville Turnpike in a foxhunting household. He took a liking to photography when his mother asked him to take photos of her before each meet. Eventually, Austin bought his own camera and some business cards to stick on riders' windshields and the rest was history.

Will Thompson is a writer and photographer interested in all things related to nature, conservation, and outdoor recreation. He has worked in communications and project management roles in renewable energy, international development, and mission-driven journalism.

Will graduated from the College of Charleston in 2010 with a B.A. in Communications.

Also in this issue: Lauren R. Giannini.

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WAVERLY $29,900,000 Langley Farms Estate, McLean, VA Mark C. Lowham +1 703 966 6949

EASTER HILL $21,000,000 1175 Crest Lane, McLean, VA Mark C. Lowham +1 703 966 6949

GRENATA $6,775,000 40483 Grenata Preserve Place, Leesburg, VA Francie Baroody +1 703 622 8550

DELAPLANE $1,795,000 9565 Briar Lane, Delaplane, VA Jeff Wilson +1 301 442 8533 Laura Farrell +1 540 395 1680

MIDDLEBURG $3,750,000 | Development Opportunity 115 Washington Street, Middleburg, VA Bundles Murdock +1 540 454 3499 Laura Farrell +1 540 395 1680

MIDDLEBURG CONTRACT PENDING | $895,000 107 N Jay Street, Middleburg, VA Laura Farrell +1 540 395 1680

PORT TOBACCO $3,500,000 8350 Chapel Point Road, Port Tobacco, MD Jonathan Taylor +1 202 276 3344 Patrick DeLeonibus +1 202 770 7401

SHENANDOAH RIVER WATERFRONT LOT $220,000 Lot 25A, S Page Valley Road, Luray, VA Dylan White +1 202 368 9340

McLEAN $2,800,000 1031 Savile Lane, McLean, VA Cynthia Steele Vance +1 703 408 1810

PALAZZO DELLA FELICITA $11,950,000 3301 Fessenden Street NW, Washington, DC Will Thomas +1 202 607 0364

GEORGETOWN SOLD-RECORD SETTING SALE AT $11,000,000 The Penthouse, Residences at Ritz Carlton, Washington, DC Mark C. Lowham +1 703 966 6949 Matt McCormick +1 202 365 5883

GEORGETOWN $4,490,000 3220 Volta Place NW, Washington, DC Michael Rankin +1 202 271 3344

THE PLAINS BROKERAGE 6474 MAIN STREET, THE PLAINS, VA | +1 540 212 9993 | TTRSIR.COM ©2022 TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, licensed real estate broker. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

Equal housing opportunity. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Price and availability subject to change. US dollar conversion as of 05/28/19.

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Meet Your Neighbors: MIDDLEBURG SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE Written by Lia Hobel | Photos by Kaitlin Hill

T

here’s the adage, “it takes a village.” And when it comes to developing environmentally friendly policy solutions in Middleburg, those words ring true.

Leading the town’s sustainability efforts is a group of concerned citizens who serve on the Middleburg Sustainability Committee (MSC), an advisory body to the Middleburg Town Council.

MSC, formerly known as Go Green, rebranded last year when its initiatives expanded across the sustainability spectrum. The committee is comprised of both town residents and individuals who live just outside the town boundary.

“The Town of Middleburg may be small in size, but it is composed of residents and business owners who really care about the local environment,” says Peter Leonard-Morgan, the vice mayor of the Town of Middleburg and the liaison to MSC. “I think this may, in part, be due to the fact that many of us actively chose to live in the coun-

tryside because we love what nature has to offer and appreciate its fragility.”

Staying mindful of the environment’s delicateness is an ongoing effort, according to Committee Chairman Ric Woodie. He explains that the committee works relentlessly to raise awareness in the community about environmental concerns such as the value of recycling, the importance of preserving water quality, and the best methods for conserving energy. They also present new sustainability solutions to the Middleburg Town Council. “With sustainability you think globally but have to act locally in order to have any effect,” he explains. “MSC focuses on the things that can be done at the local level which, taken collectively, will have a net positive impact on our environment. We focus on environmental stewardship.”

Committee members routinely publish articles in local news outlets regarding sustainable practices in order to spread awareness through-

out the community. Additionally, MSC hosts biannual cleanup events. “We have these in the spring and fall where we organize local volunteers for cleanups downtown,” Woodie says.

Coinciding with these community cleanups are recycling initiatives that include the collection of used batteries, razor blades, cigarette butts, and more recently, the collection of old household paint waste. Woodie says these initiatives have improved the look of the town through reduced litter, and more importantly, have fostered proper disposal practices and reduced the accumulation of these types of pollutants in local landfills.

After nearly four years of effort, MSC will launch the installation of electric vehicle charging stations within the town limits. “MSC researched a variety of companies that install and maintain charging equipment and conducted our own hyNeighbor | Page 7

MSC members: (Front) Cristina Tonda, Falita Liles, (Middle) Lynne Kaye, Alfred Pollard, (Back) Ric Woodie, Peter Leonard-Morgan. Not pictured: Pam Jones.

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Neighbor | From page 6 brid and electric vehicle counts during peak and nonpeak times within the historic downtown area to justify the need,” Woodie says.

After interviewing several manufacturers, the town is finalizing the contract for the installation of these systems in the coming months according to Leonard-Morgan. The company will install two dual port Level 2 charging stations at the Liberty Street parking lot and one additional dual port station either along or close to Washington Street. The final location has not been determined. “Longer term, we are working with the same company to install DC Fast EV charging stations in the parking lot of the new town hall,” Leonard-Morgan adds.

The Town of Middleburg is on track to have its new town hall completed by the start of 2023. Leonard-Morgan notes that the committee has worked in conjunction with construction management firms to make the building as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. “Those companies already adopt best practices to help ensure that their projects are sensitive to the environment so much of what we suggested was already in their plans,” Leonard-Morgan says. He adds that the old town hall will be demolished but will have a “new pocket park built on that site for the benefit of the public.”

Eliminating food waste will be another topic of interest going forward.

MSC will continue to research and explore a composting program which would involve the collection of food waste to redistribute to local community farms. Committee Member Lynne Kaye says food scrap composting is important because food scraps release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, when they decay in a landfill. “This isn’t a theoretical problem. According to the EPA, food scraps are the number one item that arrives at landfills.” She

and another committee member, Pam Jones, have been exploring permanent solutions to allow town residents and businesses to compost their food waste and create cleaner agricultural practices.

With Loudoun County’s recent adoption of a tax on single-use plastic bags, MSC is also working with the town to provide residents with recycled reusable bags for their individual use, according to Woodie. “The idea is not to increase taxes on the population, but rather to foster a behavioral modification by promoting the use of reusable bags rather than the single-use plastic bags and skip the tax,” he says.

All the committee members share a dedication to sustainability, with a few of them working in environmental and sustainability-related professions.

Recently, the committee lost long-time members Mary Woodruff and Kathy Fisher within the space of a few weeks.

Of Woodruff ’s contributions, Leonard-Morgan says, “[She] was regularly the first to volunteer to set up and assist in the running of our annual wellness day events, thoughtfully contributing ideas to improve the event for the following year. Mary was always ready to take part in our town cleanup and battery collection and recycling events, and she routinely offered the committee inspiration for new initiatives based on what she had read was being tackled in other parts of the country.” As for Kathy’s time on the committee, Woodie shares, “Kathy, a longtime resident, was committed to the environmental initiatives of the committee and single-handedly ran the social media accounts for the group. She championed town cleanup events, always providing great direction to focus the committee's efforts.” In time, they plan to fill their open seats with the next generation of eco-focused leaders.

The committee meets at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Middleburg Town Hall. ML

“The Town of Middleburg may be small in size, but it is composed of residents and business owners who really care about the local environment.” – Leonard-Morgan

“With sustainability you think globally but have to act locally in order to have any effect.” – Woodie

Top: MSC Council Representative and Middleburg Vice Mayor Peter Leonard-Morgan.

Bottom: MSC Chair Ric Woodie

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E. Washington St. | P.O. 1380 | Middleburg,VA VA 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.com Washington St. | 110 P.O. Box 1380 | Box Middleburg, 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.co

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ALL’S WELL FARM

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Prime Fauquier County location on the Atoka Road | 88.34 acres with bold Blue Ridge views | Neoclassical brick home with slate roof completely updated & expanded | 5 BR, 5 full, 2 half baths, 5 fireplaces, gourmet kitchen | 10 stall barn with attached indoor arena | Pool, pool house, tenant house | Beautiful gardens | Superb condition

RUTLEDGE FARM

HALFWAY FARM

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Premier Middleburg estate | Main house of stone and frame construction circa 1740 w/addition in 1820. 6 BR, 3 1/2 BA, 5 FP, high ceilings, moldings & detailed woodwork | Equestrian facilities are unmatched | 85 lush acres. 4 barns totaling 27 stalls | 14 paddocks | Derby field | 218 x 80 indoor arena | 250 x 150 all-weather outdoor arena | 80’ lunging arena | Polo field (or 2 grand prix fields) | 4 board, double fencing & automated nelson waterers | Other improvements include 3 BR, 2 1/2 BA guest house | Farm office attached to 3 BR house | Machine shed | Carriage house w/apartment | Stone spring house/office | 3 BR apartment | Pond with gazebo

SPRING GLADE

PLAINS, VIRGINIA

Privacy and 107 acres between Middleburg and The Plains | Residential enclave of great character within a rich array of natural resources | Classic Virginia stone and stucco c. 1820 | 4 bedrooms, antique floors and rich pine paneling Two guest houses, stone cottage, farm managers house, 2 stables, machine shed and work shop| Extensive Little River frontage and 2 ponds | Tremendous views.

SALEM HILL

$3,975,000 MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA VIRGINIA $6,000,000 (also available with 113 acresMARSHALL, for $7,000,000)

$7,100,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

Paul MacMahon Well 703.609.1905 French Country home, with renovations in 1999 protected Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | Sandra Bravo Greenberg 202.308.3813 & 2017 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA, 5 FP, hardwood 4 full and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great views floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop | Pool with large flagstone terrace | Large county stetting overlooking pond, lake & mountains | Imkitchen | 4-car detached garage with apartment/ provements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest office | 9-stall barn | Covered arena | Outdoor house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | ring | 4 stall shed row barn | 51 fenced acres Kitchen allowance to be provided | 79.89 acres

$3,900,000

$3,690,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

P MVINEYARD acMahon 703.609.1905 50aul WEST RABBIT HILL THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA M M 540.454.1930 h Existing farm winery established in 2015 | 38.47 acres Superb Fauquier County location, minutes from Middleburg | MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA elen ac ahon

recorded in two parcels | Hilltop setting with magnificent views | 2,500 sq ft wine tasting room, main level consist of tasting room, seating areas, kitchen, restrooms, 2nd story more seating areas and bathroom | Club House of 5,100 sq ft contemporary style, wine tasting bar, seating areas, bathrooms, large deck, terrace & pool | 40 x 60 Butler building, large parking area | Unique opportunity

$3,950,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

GAME CREEK

Middle of Orange County Hunt, surrounded by large properties on 10.27 acres | Hilltop setting with spectacular views | Residence built in 1988, 4 BR, 3 1/2 BA, 4 FP, attached 2 car garage, in-ground pool, deck, mature landscaping | 6 stall center aisle barn, wash stall, heated tack room, feed room, hay storage, 4 paddocks, board fencing | 140 x 165 blue stone and rubber ring | Excellent ride out

$1,980,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

THE ATOKA STORE

Gorgeous 71 acre parcel in a wonderful location between Middleburg and The Plains | Rolling land with stone walls and 2 ponds | Enchanting property | Property is in conservation easement and may not be divided further

Property has been a landmark for community for decades | Major frontage on Route 50 & Atoka Rd | Commercial kitchen, beer cooler, grocery items, pizza oven, in store seating | Potential to be very lucrative | Property also improved by older home, old gas station has been renovated for potential office space or storage & stone spring house | 2 lots w/ commercial village zoning

$2,700,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

HALCYON HILL Rare opportunity | 2 recorded lots with C-3 zoning in the town of Middleburg | 2 separate buildings with 8 offices, 5 storage bays and ample parking | All buildings are in excellent condition

3 recorded parcels in Markham, VA. Frontage on Goose Creek, land rises to great views, mountain meadows on upper portion.

Access over Railroad and creek. Excellent hunting land, surrounded by large tracts | 162.86 acres

A remarkable property located within a private 17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco of Rectortown | Convenient to both Routes 50 manor house with main level master suite | 7 & 66 | Newly renovated | Private setting with $1,400,000 $997,160 additional$1,950,000 BR | 5 stone FP | Beautiful gardens, magnificent mountain views Paul | 4MacMahon bedrooms, Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 703.609.1905 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930 Brian terraces, salt water pool, cabana, carriage house & MacMahon 703.609.1868 4 full bath, 1 half bath, 2 fireplaces | Heated stable with 2 paddocks | Lovely finishes throughout pool & spa | 2 bedroom guest house | & sweeping lawn to private trails to Goose Creek | Large shed & 2-car garage 31 acres | Private, elegant & convenient

$2,650,000

al

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

LONG BRANCH & 106 PENDLETON STREET JOHN MARSHALL HIGHWAY MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA104MIDDLEBURG, RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA VIRGINIA MARKHAM, VIRGINIA

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

203 acres i River fronta 4 full & 3 1/2 Gunnite pool and private | 5 stall Ji paddocks, pa | Old d

$2,475,000 APRIL 2022

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Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

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Circa 18 rebuilt a beams an Barn a 2 bedroom multiple b outsi 9

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“Vultures, A Love Story”

by Karen Schaufeld Written by Shayda Windle

L

ocal children’s book author Karen Schaufeld is a mom, a lawyer, and the CEO and co-founder of multiple business ventures. An active philanthropist and advocate for early childhood education, Schaufeld founded the nonprofit All Ages Read Together (AART) with her sister in 2006. AART’s initial purpose was to provide children with enriching children’s literature so they would be exposed to advanced vocabulary and better prepared for entering kindergarten.

Schaufeld and her sister soon learned that children needed more than advanced literature in order to lay the groundwork for their first experiences in school. They needed to practice gross motor skills, learn how to sit in a circle, follow directions, and adapt to their surroundings.

With these things in mind, AART evolved into a school readiness program for children in need.

Schaufeld says AART’s mission is to create a world in which “all children, especially our most vulnerable, enter school prepared to learn and succeed. We strive for a future in which public education includes universal access to preschool, making the need for AART obsolete.”

As a mom of three, Schaufeld found joy in Story | Page 11 Karen Schaufeld in her conservatory displaying her new book “Vultures, A Love Story.” Photo by Michael Butcher.

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Story | From page10 reading to her children when they were young but was not impressed by the quality of books available at the time. “Books are segmented by age and if you pick up a book that’s for someone between the ages of 3 and 5, it usually contains very basic words and sentence structure which isn’t indicative of the way we talk to our children,” she says. “We don’t leave big words out just because our kids may not understand them.” In 2014, she wrote the first of her four children’s books, “The Lollipop Tree,” a story based on resiliency, courage, and perseverance.

Schaufeld lives on a farm in Loudoun County so turning to the natural environment for inspiration has always been easy for her. Her latest book, “Vultures, A Love Story,” focuses on “two young vultures whose eyes meet across a carcass.”

She adds, “Living where I do, we often see vultures playing an important part in disposing of carcasses. Imagine if vultures weren’t there to do this job. Sometimes it is the most misunderstood of creatures that perform some of the most important jobs in nature.”

The book’s main character, Igor, pronounced “eye-gor,” was born with a limp and an unusual feather sticking up from his otherwise bald head.

“Sometimes it is the most misunderstood of creatures that perform some of the most important jobs in nature.”

- Schaufeld

Although Igor is clearly different from the other vultures, he has some characteristics that make him very special including keen eyesight and a heightened sense of smell. Still, he doesn’t feel welcome at the communal buffets. Igor eventually meets Ingrid, a female vulture that he senses is as different as he is. The book is beautifully illustrated by local artist Kurt Schwarz who doesn’t shy away from the graphic and gory details that occur so often in nature. Because of this, Schaufeld graciously warns readers that “Children interested in science will enjoy it. It may not be suitable for some children.”

Igor and Ingrid deepen their bond after she nibbles bits of flesh from his stray head feather at which point he feels “a rush of warmth and thankfulness to her for her kindness.” “Vultures, A Love Story” is nothing short of genius as Schaufeld humanizes some of the most ostracized animals in nature to teach children to appreciate “our differences, our skills, and recognize that we all deserve love.” ML You can purchase your own copy on her website karenschaufeld.com or on Amazon. To learn more about how you can support All Ages Read Together, go to allagesreadtogether.org.

“Vultures, A Love Story” was illustrated by local artist, Kurt Schwarz.

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Spring is finally here! It’s time for renewal and fresh starts. In case you hadn’t heard, the Real Estate market is still red hot.

There are so few homes on the market and your home is worth more than you may know. If you are thinking of selling your home now is a great time! I have buyers waiting in the wings to purchase. I promise to take good care of you, your family and friends with my 25 years of experience. I follow the “golden rule”

Joyce Gates 540-771-7544 joyce.gates@LNF.com Middleburg VA Sales Office

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Aldie, Aldie,VA VA

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Your Weekend Awaits with McEnearney in Loudoun County

April 2 Building a Permaculture Garden Bed in Your Backyard Nature Composed, 12 S Pendleton Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 2:00 – 4:00 PM I naturecomposed.com This event is free to the public to come and learn how to build garden beds in your backyard using permaculture methods. A permaculture garden is a design that mimics nature so that you can garden organically, encourage the right wildlife and have a low-maintenance yard all in one hit.

April 10 Sipping for Sprout Stone Tower Winery, 19925 Hogback Mountain Road, Leesburg, VA 20175 12:00 – 4:00 PM I For tickets and more information: bit.ly/SippingforSprout A robust silent auction, wine tastings, live music, food and fun for kids. Join us as we raise funds to support Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center.

April 22 & 23 The Fox & Pheasant Pop-Up Event McEnearney Associates, Realtors®, 11 W Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM I thefoxpheasant.com The Fox & Pheasant, a home decor store, invites you to shop at their pop-up location at McEnearney Associates in downtown Middleburg.

McEnearney Associates, Realtors® Residential, Land, Farm, and Estate 11 West Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20118 I 540.687.5490 I McEnearney.com I Equal Housing Opportunity

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ACRE’S MISSION: GROWING TREES AND HOPE Written by Lauren R. Giannini

“B

y growing trees for carbon credits, we are giving conservation purpose and capitalism a heart,” shares Chandler Van Voorhis, ACRE Investment Management, LLC’s co-founder and managing partner.

Founded in The Plains, Virginia, in 2003, Advanced Carbon Restored Ecosystem, or “ACRE,” is all about putting a price and value on trees, one of the world’s most important resources in combating climate change. Van Voorhis says, “Nature has the answers, and we need to understand that there is genius to nature. What we are doing at ACRE harnesses the principles of nature to grow world-class forests. Trees are mother nature’s technology for repairing the past.”

“We are on a mission at ACRE,” Van Voorhis adds. “We need to clean up the consequences of human technology which began in 1750 with the Industrial Revolution and pushed us to where we are now with the climate crisis. At ACRE we know the answers are found in nature, which is still the most effective and efficient method to remove emissions.”

Here are the basics: each acre is planted with 600 trees. Half are rapid-growing, native pioneering species (i.e. cottonwoods) whose dappled shade protects the slower-growing, mast-producing hardwoods. Their spacing helps to train the hardwoods to grow upward, not outward. Why hardwoods? They are the most biodiverse forest ecosystem and the best producers of clean air because of their height, trunk girth, root systems, and potential for creating a leafy canopy.

Leaves play a vital role in maintaining a healthy atmosphere because they breathe in carbon dioxide and exhale pure, clean oxygen. Every tree — in woodlands, forests, and even your yard — helps to clean the air when allowed to grow naturally.

ACRE’s GreenTrees is the largest carbon credit reforestation project in the world in terms of credit issuance, a remarkable achievement based

in Hunt Country. And, they regularly receive requests to share their expertise internationally.

ACRE’s vision unites scale (measurable value), restoration, ecosystem repair, and climate impact in their mission to plant 500 million trees.

The rewards of cleaner air, reduced carbon, cleaner water, and restoration of wildlife habitats also include profit. ACRE’s landowners earn carbon credits as their trees clean the air and nutrient credits as the root systems of the same trees clean the groundwater runoff feeding the bay.

The more acreage an owner signs up to plant trees on, the greater the owner’s financial reward. It’s win-win all the way.

ACRE already manages more than 130,000 acres with more than 42 million trees for 550 landowner partners. And, the firm manages portfolios ranging from seven to more than 3,500 acres. Van Voorhis recently signed a long-term contract to restore 10,000 acres. ACRE is working toward reforesting two million acres as soon as possible, a goal that can only be achieved with the support of the community.

It’s an intriguing concept, growing trees to meet the demands of corporations that need to offset their emissions. Consider data centers where one cell phone produces 850 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and multiply that by every digital device in the world. The resulting emissions are a frightening menace to the health of our planet and every form of life on it.

For its part, ACRE Investment Management offers a team whose expertise covers the gamut of conservation, ecology, silviculture, education, finance, history, and aerospace defense technology, as well as practical field experience.

Van Voorhis credits his 26 years of conservation experience to the late Magalen O. Bryant for hiring him — and inspiring him — to stop Disney from building a theme park in Haymarket, Virginia, on the historic grounds of Bull Run Battlefield Park.

“Maggie has been an inspiration through this entire reforestation operation, to me and to Rob Banner (ACRE’s senior special projects officer),” Van Voorhis says. “Maggie used to say she wished she were 20 years younger because she’d be right there alongside us planting trees. We have the eagle trophy awarded to Maggie for her numerous conservation achievements, including her efforts to save a virgin cypress swamp in Mississippi.

When you’re there, you can feel the oxygen.”

As more corporations are willing to take on the fight to reverse climate change — especially after last summer’s extreme weather caused one in three Americans to suffer — ACRE is poised to expand.

However, at ACRE, it’s about more than making money. “Our aim at ACRE Investment Management is for landowners to look beyond the revenue and believe that one day this forest or that woodland that was planted will be valuable — not just financially or environmentally, but also spiritually.” ML For more information on the work of ACRE Investment Management or to see how you can be a part of their mission, visit green-trees.com or call Rob Banner at (540) 253 -2509.

Chandler Van Voorhis, co-founder of ACRE Investment Management, LLC. Photo courtesy of green-trees.com.

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LUXURY WEDDING & EVENT PLANNING

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540-687-6747 www.virginiaproroofing.com

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Come experience flavorful new dishes, cooking demonstrations, freshly baked artisan breads and so much more.

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Middleburg Country Estate

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Claytonville

Chilly Bleak

30 acres $5,900,000 Spectacular Country Estate with manicured lawns, lush woodlands and towering trees. Superbly built in a classic Tuscan style architecture, it includes 5 bedrooms 8 1/2 baths, 8 fireplaces and wood, stone and marble floors.

260 acres $5,500,000 Steeped in history and features a stunning first floor primary suite, grand rooms, chef’s kitchen & wonderful porches. Also: guest cottage, 2 tenant houses, machine shop with 2 BR apartment, barns and fenced fields. Easement potential.

102+ acres $4,600,000 Boyce – This exquisite Country Estate is surrounded by some of the finest estates in Clarke Co. and enjoys stunning Blue Ridge Mountain views. Designed for elegant living and grand entertaining.

Protected by a VOF Easement.

152 acres $3,400,000 Open, gently rolling pastures and fields in prime Orange County Hunt Territory.

Historic home dates to 1820. 5 BR / 5 BA with stone terrace and pool. Two Stables - 15 stalls and 6 stalls, Kraft Walker, 8 paddocks, 6 fields, 3 cottages.

Mary Ann McGowan | 540-270-1124

John Coles | 540-270-0094

John Coles | 540-270-0094

John Coles | 540-270-0094

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Swains Mountain Farm

Worth The Wait

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Willwyn Farm

Corgidale Farm

164 acres $2,695,000 Spectacular mountain views! 4 BR / 5.5 BA fully restored estate 3 miles from Marshall and rte. 66. Wraparound porch provides the perfect setting to enjoy unparalleled views.In 6 parcels, 32 acres of fenced pasture, conservation potential.

50 acres $2,289,000 Marshall – Virginia’s horse and wine country w/ mountain, lake and pastoral views. Custom-built home has 5 BRs / 4.5 BAs. High ceilings; HW flooring; 4 fireplaces. Fenced, mature pasture for horses. New 45’ x 70’ equip. building.

21 acres $1,900,000 Purcellville – Stately c. 1780 stone house with 5,300 sq ft of updated living space. Timeless features remain such as walnut 3-story staircase, heart pine flooring and 5 fireplaces.

Guest house, bank barn with 9-stalls / 8 paddocks. FIOS and a backup generator.

10+ acres $1,795,000 Stunning custom built colonial in pristine condition. Over 5000 sq. ft. with a fabulous open floor plan, 4/5 BRs, 5.5 BAs, granite counter tops, refinished HW floors, new carpeting and freshly painted. 2400 sq.ft. stable, 2 fenced paddocks, automatic waterers.

Isabella Wolf | 703-338-7452

Emily Ristau | 540-454-9083

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

Brian McGowan | 703-927-4070

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Craftsman Cottage

5194 Leeds Manor Rd.

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Tanager Place

.13 acres $1,100,000 Middleburg – Turn-key commercial building in the village on the corner of Washington and Liberty. Exposed log and stones walls, original hardwood floors and 5 fireplaces. Welcoming covered front porch and a large display window.

.34 acres $950,000 Middleburg – 2 adjacent in-town lots.

Each Lot consisting of .17 acres. Premium corner location. Reimagine the circa 1923 dwellings classic lines and elevate it to current favor or start from the ground up.

Build on one or both of the Lots.

2 acres $849,000 Hume – BEAUTIFUL, NEW HOME with 3 FINISHED LEVELS and spectacular Big Cobbler Mountain Views. Sited on 2 cleared and fenced acres minutes from Marshall, The Plains, Middleburg, Warrenton and Interstate 66.

5.99 acres $749,000 Parcel offers amazing views and is located in a highly sought after area. Plenty of privacy while also being conveniently located to Leesburg, Rt. 267 and Rt. 15.

Not in HOA. Water source, Public water available. Soil work has been completed.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

Wayne Wilson | 540-622-8520

Rebecca Poston | 540-771-7520

Will Driskill | 540-454-7522

Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warrante

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Here’s to a marvelous way of life Eagle Rest

18+ acres $3,095,000 Exquisite Estate on a picturesque country road minutes from Middleburg! 7 BR / 8 BA, 10,000 SF of spectacular living space for a gracious & luxurious life style. Sweeping lawns & brilliant gardens, plus a free form heated pool & spa – all in a magical setting!

Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233

Aldie Residential

1 acre $1,290,000 Beautiful and completely renovated 4 BR, 4.5 bath historic residence with over 3000 SqFt of charm and superior quality!

All new systems, Anderson windows, silestone counters, plus a one BR apartment, with separate entrance. 2 bay garage.

Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233

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Wickliffe Road

16+ acres $659,000 Berryville – Blue Ridge Mountain views and plenty of privacy. The sellers started a stunning Lindal Cedar Home “Cascade” model. Wonderful opportunity to design your masterpiece. Just minutes North of Route 7 in Clarke County.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

ed nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

Photo Credit: Gomer Pyles

Thomas & Talbot respects the beauty of the land, lifestyle and the place we call home—now, and for future generations. We support and celebrate organizations like the PEC, Land Trust of Virginia and Goose Creek Foundation who make it possible to protect open spaces while enjoying the natural resources.

THOMAS & TALBOT ESTATE PROPERTIES Opening The Door To Horse Country For Generations 2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | thomasandtalbot.com

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PRESERVING BLACK HISTORY IN THE BULL RUN MOUNTAINS Written by Heidi Baumstark

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and has the power to connect — connecting people to nature and with past generations that once lived there. The Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve — a 2,486-acre property — is a local sanctuary of natural and cultural heritage that straddles Virginia’s Prince William and Fauquier counties.

The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) — created in 1966 by the Virginia General Assembly — owns and manages the majority of the Preserve, protecting the mountains’ heritage, its natural resources, conducting research, and sharing it with the public through managed access points. That’s why the Preserve is referred to as a living laboratory and open-air museum. VOF is Virginia’s leader in land conservation, protecting over 850,000 acres in 111 counties and cities. However, long before the property became a VOF-designated Natural Area Preserve in 2002, evidence shows people settled there.

To reveal the Preserve’s past life, VOF has developed a cultural history research program called “Making History Our-Story” that sheds light on the diverse population who lived there from the 1820s through the 1960s. Barinaale Dube, a cultural history interpreter for VOF, is researching a Black community who purchased land tracts there.

Through her research, Dube uncovers remnants of old homesteads and industries and shares those stories during free guided hikes.

Videos and articles about her discoveries are also posted on VOF’s website and social media outlets. On her hikes, participants will see cemeteries, quarry trenches, remnants of stone foundations, and former dwellings.

To piece together stories of this largely unresearched community, Dube sifts through slave schedules, receipts, Civil War soldier registers, census documents and deeds, and images from aerial photos, and collects oral histories from neighbors and descendants. She conducts her research at the Afro-American Historical Association of Fauquier County in The Plains. Karen White, the association’s co-founder and director, says, “We helped Barinaale get started with her research and have been a documentation source.

Our repository has been beneficial to her work.”

Preserve Manager Joe Villari, who came to Preserve | Page 21 Barinaale Dube at the VOF Research Outpost. Photo by Callie Broaddus.

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Preserve | From page 20 VOF in 2016 after working at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, hired Dube in June 2020 as VOF’s inaugural cultural history fellow.

By the end of 2020, she became their cultural history interpreter. “Barinaale has been a major boost to our developing history program — and through her research and hikes — connecting the community to learn about this area’s past,” Villari says.

The Preserve is divided into three sections: North Section, Jackson Hollow, and South Section. The South Section is where Dube leads hikes and it consists of 800 acres with seven miles of trails open to the public Friday through Sunday.

The North Section and Jackson Hollow each have different focuses, research areas, and varying accessibilities.

ON THE TRAIL On a hike in February, Dube led a group of about 20 hikers and highlighted several locations

of cultural significance along the way: Chapman Cemetery, a quarry trench, and sites of significance to three Black families: the Coles, the Corums, and the Robinsons. VOF’s Preserve Specialist Taryn Bromser-Kloeden joined the hike, adding her expertise.

• Chapman Cemetery contains tombstones of the Chapmans, the family who owned and built the 18th century Chapman-Beverley

Mill. This mill had far-reaching importance as an economic engine for the local community. George Chapman is buried in the Chapman Cemetery under a tall obelisk made of artisan stone that was brought in from D.C. which reveals the economic status of this family. His obelisk includes this inscription: “George Chapman By His Wife” with no dates or additional inscription. The phrase “By His Wife” indicates his wife, Susan, commissioned the monument for his gravesite.

Susan’s tombstone reads: “Susan Pearson, a

consort of George Chapman born May 20, 1780 died April 14, 1856.” George (born in 1769 and died 1829) was married to his first cousin, Susanna Pearson Alexander, in 1799, and they had 12 children. Other tombstones have surnames of Pearson, Williams, and Swann. The stone wall around the cemetery is thought to be of local stone quarried from this mountain range.

• A long, deep, and narrow quarry trench is the next stop. It is presumed that rocks were pulled out by hand and pushed down the mountain or transported by wagon. When the Manassas Gap Railroad came through Thoroughfare Gap in 1852, the rock may have been placed on the train for market purposes. There is evidence of multiple rock quarries along Catlett’s Branch stream in the Preserve’s South Section. Were the workers advertising the stone for sale? If so, in local Preserve | Page 22

Left: Barinaale Dube and Joe Villari in front of the Corum House. Photo by Callie Broaddus. Middle: George Chapman’s obelisk in the Chapman Cemetery on VOF’s Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve (BRMNAP). Photo by Heidi Baumstark. Right: Quarry trench in the BRMNAP. Photo by Heidi Baumstark.

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Preserve | From page 21 newspapers or by word-of-mouth? Was the stone used to build local houses and structures? With lumber production as another industry on the mountain, the Gaines’ lumber mill was in the North Section of the Preserve. “Some of our target mountain historical figures worked at this mill,” Villari notes.

• The third stop, located near Catlett’s Branch, is the property of Hampton Cole who was born free in the 1830s. He lived in a house that he built near this stream which no longer stands. “There’s a stone foundation of a house nearby which may be Cole’s. There’s also stone fencing,” Dube says. It is presumed that his job was quarrying rock. In 1856, Cole purchased 16 acres from William Roach, a white slave owner. During the mid-1800s, it’s believed that the Underground Railroad passed through this mountain gap.

During the Civil War, Cole was working as a laborer for the Confederacy and was stationed in Alexandria, Virginia, working at the docks. After the war ended in 1865, his wife and son contracted typhoid fever but Cole was able to bring them to Manassas for treatment. “This speaks of his economic position to be able to afford medical care,” Dube points out. However, tragically, his wife and son died within three days of each other.

More tragedy struck when Cole returned to his house on Bull Run Mountain and found a white squatter living inside. As a Black man, “people didn’t believe it was really his property,” Dube shares. Ultimately, he lost his house and property in 1877 since he was unable to pay the balance. He later remarried and died in 1904.

Patrick O’Neill, professional archaeologist and historian and president of the NOVA chapter of the Archaeological Society of Virginia, believes that Cole’s 16 acres was the first of ten tracts of land held by Black landowners in the South Section of the Preserve. And his land was the first that would be quarried between the 1850s and the 1920s.

• Moving on, Dube leads us to Beverly Corum’s house (known as the Lower Corum

House) near Catlett’s Branch. One end of the house has a stone foundation and stone fireplace; it’s presumed that the stone came from this mountain. O’Neill’s research indicates the oldest part of the Lower Corum house is a log section that could date to the 1740s. A newer section was added circa 1910.

“It’s thought the house was somewhere else on the mountain, was dismantled, and then moved here,” Dube says.

Bromser-Kloeden points to a pear tree and bushes of wineberries near the old wooden house. “We believe they had a small garden despite the less-than-ideal soil conditions,” she adds.

Corum was born on the mountain and worked at nearby Aldie Mill in Loudoun County. He served in World War I and all six of his sons served in World War II. He also had two daughters. In the 1920s, Corum bought ten acres. His wife was Mary Jane Robinson, the daughter of Moses Robinson, who lived nearby. Dube pointed out the rarity that Moses was educated through high school.

• The final stop is the Corum-Robinson Cemetery, which is presumed to hold the graves of the Corum and Robinson families. On top of a high ridge about fifteen graves are marked by field stones tilting up from the forest floor.

O’Neill identified these unmarked headstones and footstones with small white flags for research purposes. This final stop shows the stark difference between the Chapman Cemetery with engraved tombstones enclosed by stone walls and the humble Corum-Robinson Cemetery with stones barely resembling gravesites. The absence of any carvings on these stones speaks volumes.

Dube ends the hike posing this question: “What kind of ancestors do we want to be?”

Tina Boyd of Haymarket came on the hike with her husband, Lance, at the suggestion of their neighbors. “We live at the base of Bull Run Mountain and are blessed with the beauty of it,” Boyd shares. “It’s intriguing to understand who lived here and to hear their stories. As we walked, I imagined their journey. I was most surprised by the cemeteries deep in the mountain woods.”

Barinaale Dube and Joe Villari along one of the Preserve’s trails. Photo by Heidi Baumstark.

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CONNECTING COMMUNITY Villari says, “History is not just about generals and kings; it’s about the common experience.

We’re trying to keep the hikes original and organic, connect people to a sense of place, increase mindfulness, and socio-economic awareness.

Our future plans include incorporating interpretive signage at various sites.”

Much to Villari’s surprise and enjoyment, family members of these long-gone mountaineers have joined in on several hikes. “I’m in awe anytime I’m able to walk with the descendants of those who lived here. There is just something powerful in those moments,” Villari shares.

Dube concludes, “Community is essential in all we do — connecting history to the community.” That’s the power of land. ML VOF’s Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve is located at 17502 Beverley Mill Drive in Broad Run, Virginia. For more information, call 571438-8957 or visit vof.org. For videos and posts of Dube out in the field sharing her discoveries, check out the Preserve’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

These accounts also list the dates of future hikes.

Horse Country

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SEEN AT THE RACES

Sunday, April 10 - Palm Sunday 8:00am Traditional Said Eucharist with Passion narrative 10:30am Choral Eucharist with Passion narrative 5:00pm Sanctuary: Celtic Evening Prayer & Eucharist Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, April 11, 12 & 13 12:00pm Eucharist & Holy Week reflection Thursday, April 14 - Maundy Thursday 6:30pm Remembrance Supper, Cox Hall 7:30pm Eucharist & Stripping of the Altar 9:00pm to 9:00am (Friday) Gethsemane Watch: Prayer Vigil Friday, April 15 - Good Friday 10:30am Family Service & kids Stations of the Cross 12:00pm Good Friday liturgy Sunday, April 17 - Easter Day 6:15am Sunrise Service

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8:00am Traditional Eucharist 10.30am Choral Eucharist 11:30am Family Easter Egg Hunt All are welcome!

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540-592-3343 www.trinityupperville.org 9108, John S Mosby Hwy, Upperville, 20184.

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High Tea with Brahms

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Free Events include: Youth Music Competition Finals • Brass on the Grass Street Performers • Walking Tours APRIL 2022

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Old Bust Head Brewing Company DEBUTS NEW CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY Written by Victoria Peace | Photos by Michael Butcher

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hen Julie and Ike Broaddus founded Old Bust Head Brewing Company in 2014, they set out to create something that would make the lives of Vint Hill community members a little richer. Over the years, Old Bust Head’s robust calendar of events, welcoming atmosphere, and creative selection of beers have made the brewery a favorite of locals and out-oftowners alike. “You can have a plum and honey [beer], a beer that tastes like coffee, you can have a traditional Irish Red,” Julie explains. “It’s so much fun to taste the variety that we have.”

Even with the wide variety, “We do everything as sustainably as we can,” Julie emphasizes.

At Old Bust Head, Julie and Ike want to show the world that you don’t have to sacrifice richness for

Left: Old Bust Head Brewery. Right: Julie Broaddus.

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sustainability. “When you do things sustainably, it makes life richer because you can feel good about what you are doing.”

Last month, Old Bust Head unveiled new CiCi® carbon capture technology that will enable the brewery to further meet this sustainable mission by allowing it to capture CO2 emitted during fermentation and reuse it in other stages of the brewing process. Old Bust Head is one of the first craft breweries to use this type of technology in the nation.

“CO2 is a major ingredient in making beer,” Julie explains. It is used for carbonation, to push beer from one tank to the next, and to clean out the tanks and lines used to transport beer between different stages of the brewing process.

“You don’t ever want your beer to touch oxygen,” Julie says. It can ruin the flavor and drastically reduce its shelf life.

Before purchasing the new technology, Old Bust Head needed to have large canisters of CO2 delivered regularly. However, now, “Our expectation is that we will almost not have to buy any outside CO2,” Julie says. Old Bust Head purchased its carbon capture system from Earthly Labs, a company that is dedicated to developing small-scale carbon capture solutions for breweries, farms, and other industry pioneers. “The technology has existed for a long time for larger breweries but it’s very new for breweries of our scale,” Julie explains.

Brewing | Page 25

Brewing | From page 24 Carbon capture technology is just one of many ways that Old Bust Head is dedicated to sustainability. From the start, Julie and Ike had “a really strong environmental focus.” Before opening the brewery, they dug eighteen 500-foot wells in what is now the parking lot in order to install a geothermal system. Using a geothermal system to heat and cool the brewery’s buildings greatly reduces Old Bust Head’s carbon footprint. In addition, Old Bust Head’s roof boasts the largest solar array of any brewery in the five-state area and the 64th largest array of any brewery in the world.

According to Julie, 50% of the beer produced by Old Bust Head is brewed using solar energy.

Since the brewing process requires large amounts of hot water, “We do everything that we can to reduce the amount of heating we have to do,” Julie explains. “Everywhere that we are cool-

third less water than it traditionally takes to produce a barrel of beer.

Old Bust Head’s sustainability doesn’t just stop with their facility and their technology — they also make sure that they produce as little waste as possible during the brewing process. During one of the first stages of brewing, hot water and barley are combined to make an oatmeal-like mash. The resulting liquid, called the “wort,” is then strained out of this mash and fermented with yeast to make beer. Instead of wasting the leftover barley, the Broaddus’ distribute it to local farmers to feed their cows.

Many small wastewater treatment plants don’t have the resources to adequately deal with the spent yeast that is left over once beer is done fermenting. If it is put directly down the drain, it risks ending up in rivers and ponds where it can cause algae blooms. To prevent this, Old Bust

ronmental statistics for the year in real time. You can see how much energy and how many hours of light the solar panels have generated, how many trees have been saved from being cut down, and how many pounds of coal have been saved from being burned.

The Old Bust Head taproom is also unique for another reason — it was formerly used to house electronic warfare equipment back when Vint Hill Farms Station was used as a listening post for the Army. Vint Hill Farms Station was established in 1942 by the Army’s Signals Intelligence Service as a secure location to use as a cryptography school and as a refitting station for signal units. When the facility closed in 1997, the Virginia state government created the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority (VHEDA) to plan for its future. Ike Broaddus served as a member of this committee. When Old Bust Head’s

“When you do things sustainably, it makes life richer because you can feel good about what you are doing.” — Julie Broaddus

ing things off, instead of just dissipating that heat, we capture it and use it to preheat water.” Through the installation of a series of heat exchangers, less energy is wasted boiling water because the water already starts off significantly warmer than room temperature. Old Bust Head also has a unit that filters rinse water so it can be reused. This system along with other water-saving measures that the taproom employs enables the brewery to use a

Head sends their spent yeast to a special facility where it can be disposed of properly to ensure the waste they are sending to wastewater plants is as clean as possible.

One of the most interesting things about visiting the Old Bust Head taproom is getting to visualize the direct impact that these sustainable choices have on the environment. The taproom has a screen which displays the brewery’s envi-

first brewmaster, Charles King, approached him about using one of the buildings to start a brewery, he loved the idea. There were many developers interested in coming in and buying the land.

However, “There were historic buildings there that deserved to be preserved,” Julie says. And the historic preservation of these buildings had the Brewing | Page 26

Left: Old Bust Head’s taproom. Right: The Old Bust Head team.

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Brewing | From page 25 added benefit of aligning with Old Bust Head’s sustainability goals. After all, as their website states, “The greenest building is the one that is already there.”

In late 2012 when the Broaddus’ first started planning, what is now the Old Bust Head taproom was a single-story cinder block structure with seven-and-a-half-foot ceilings and no windows. Julie describes it as a building that “only a mother could love.” After extensive renovations, it is now a light-filled space with plenty of room for patrons to mix and mingle while enjoying a glass of craft beer. However, the husband and wife team made sure to preserve elements of its historic character. The pillars in the space still sport the original yellow paint that the army used to ensure that drivers moving heavy equipment wouldn’t accidentally knock them over. Recent renovations unveiled last month include a new breakroom, a lab, expansions to the warehouse, and an event space for up to 100 guests.

While both Julie and Ike have had a strong passion for environmentalism since childhood, the driving force behind the sustainable mission at Old Bust Head is their daughter, Finley, who passed away in 2014 at age 18 from a rare form of liver cancer. “Finley was incredibly lighthearted, upbeat, and spirited. Yet, at the same time, everyone knew that she cared about climate change and the environment,” Julie says. “She did every-

thing personally that she could and she tried to get everyone else to do what they could do to be kinder to the environment.”

Each year, Julie and Ike invest in new sustainable practices in Finley’s honor. The solar array at the brewery, the heat exchangers that help preheat water, and the carbon capture technology are all examples of these investments. “We do everything we can to continue the thing she cared so much about,” Julie emphasizes. Last month, the ribbon cutting ceremony for Old Bust Head’s new carbon capture system was held on March 12 — Finley’s birthday. “Finley’s life was rich,” Julie says. “She worked to be as sustainable as possible and she is our inspiration.”

In terms of future investments, Julie would like to expand Old Bust Head’s solar array and switch from using glass bottles to aluminum cans. Many single stream recycling facilities around the brewery have stopped accepting glass bottles so cans have become a more environmentally friendly alternative.

At Old Bust Head Brewing Company, Julie and Ike strive to set an example for other small businesses by being as environmentally friendly as possible while also adding something special and exciting to the community. Like the brewing process for their craft beers, the sustainable methods they implement may take more time, investment, and experimentation to get just right.

However, the end result adds a degree of richness to life that makes it all worthwhile. ML

Top left: The new CiCi® Carbon Capture Technology unveiled in March. Bottom left: What’s on tap. Top right: A few of the brewery’s many craft beers.

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We look forward to seeing you on April 23rd at the Middleburg Spring Races!

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Q&A WITH

Tim Dunn of Terra Alpha Written by Will Thompson | Photos by Callie Broaddus

A

mid the inundation of reports on climate change, deforestation, and an unsustainable demand on freshwater, it can seem like nearly every day, we’re confronted with the overwhelming reality of dire environmental challenges. Challenges of such scale and complexity that the day’s headlines can leave us feeling powerless, as if any effort we could make would be a negligible drop in the bucket.

Not so, says Tim Dunn, CFA, a resident of The Plains and managing partner and chief investment officer at Terra Alpha Investments.

Terra Alpha is an investment management firm working with accredited investors to profitably support corporations who are advancing sustainability. I sat down with Dunn to learn more about Terra Alpha, its approach to sustainable investment, and how the biggest impact that we can have globally may be through our investment portfolio.

ML: To start, what is Terra Alpha?

TD: Terra Alpha is an investment management firm. We manage money on behalf of accredited individuals, foundations, and endowments by investing in large, publicly traded companies around the world who we see as profitably leading a transition to a truly sustainable world. We define a sustainable world as having an economy

that serves the real needs of society and operates within the regenerative boundaries of our planet’s natural resources. We’re interested in investing in companies that will grow revenues and profits in the long term and that provide services that benefit their customers, which is what makes a good business.

ML: Why does this matter? Why only invest in companies that are leading this transition?

TD: We as humans are overusing our planet’s resources to a degree of nearly 80%. So we would almost need two planets to handle the demand that we’re placing on our resources today. And it’s getting worse. That has implications that are starting to rebound back to us including climate change, water stress, massive soil erosion, deforestation, and impact on oceans and biodiversity.

This system is in our control though because we created the economy that has created this demand to serve our needs. We all have different ways that we either benefit or hurt the environment. But we all need the environment. We need clean air. We need clean water. We need soil to grow the hay that our horses eat and the trees that have birds in them. And we want to hike through them. But there’s only so much you can do as a consumer in terms of your purchasing decisions and habits.

Part of our mandate as a firm is to help people to

Tim Dunn, Terra Alpha’s managing partner and chief investment officer.

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recognize that their investment portfolio is likely to be the way that they have the biggest possibility of impacting the world, positively or negatively.

By investing, we all provide companies with capital and those companies are doing things with that capital that are either having a positive or negative impact.

ML: The consequences of human behavior are negative, but if they don’t affect me directly, why should I care?

TD: Most people in their 50s, 60s, or 70s probably won’t see dramatic impact during their lifetimes, especially living in the Piedmont region of Virginia. But the world will see the impact. It’s already happening, and it will have implications for them in different ways. We’re seeing a growing number of major storms which are affecting areas including the Piedmont and growing levels of heat waves, to the point that they are actually attributed to more deaths on a planetary level than hurricanes and typhoons combined. The ramifications for anyone who thinks about broader Questions | Page 29

tively to push them to improve on sustainability and disclosure. And we do a lot of thought leadership to broaden this message beyond the companies that we invest in and to reach other investors and asset owners to build interest in actively having an impact with their investment. We’ve seen many examples of very large companies in the United States and internationally who have actually taken steps to improve their sustainability and disclosure of environmental impacts partially because of our encouragement. We help corporations realize that doing so will make them stronger.

ML: Terra Alpha is employee and investor owned.

What does that mean?

Questions | From page 28 issues for society and the world are clear. And everyone has a responsibility to address them.

We all want to see people, not take blame for the status of our environmental state, but understand it and take some ownership of their own role in it. And then work together to solve it. We’d like to get people thinking positively about what they can actually do about it.

ML: Is it profitable to invest sustainably? Does adopting positive sustainable practices need to come with a commensurate loss – in efficiency, productivity, or even profit?

TD: We were formed to deliver on the idea that you can invest in a way that generates the financial returns you need, as well as make a positive impact on the environment and society. The reality is that the economy is going to be facing significant changes as we globally adjust to the new environmental realities. This will have huge implications for the success of individual companies and sectors. So as we all develop a new economy

that is more renewable and less reliant on fossil fuels, that will have profound impacts that ripple through sectors across the globe from banking, to oil and gas companies, to packaging material companies, to cars… to everything. So if someone is not thinking about sustainability as they’re thinking about investing, they’re putting their portfolio opportunities at risk and probably not maximizing their long term profitability. Everyone can use their portfolio to both support their financial needs as well as their broader human needs. Even if someone feels that they don’t have any responsibility for our environmental state, it will impact their investments. It already has. But, this impact can be positive for your portfolio and for the planet.

ML: Would you define what you do as impact investing, or is it more like hedging for these changes?

TD: We definitely feel that we as a firm are having a significant impact. This is in terms of our portfolio, but we also engage with companies very ac-

TD: We wanted all of our employees to be partial owners so that they all benefit from our success. Some of our investors have also chosen to support the firm by investing directly in it. So we are all in on what we’re doing. We see these environmental challenges as being the issues of the day that are going to affect the world and the investment community for decades ahead. We’re going to make sure that we stay 100% focused on investing in sustainable strategies and by being the owners of the business, we control that. We’re committed to the process.

ML: Are you hopeful for the future?

TD: I am. The future will look different than today in ways that are good in most cases. But let’s not sugarcoat this, we’re going to see some significant impacts. But we’ve shown how resilient we can be as a society and I think the sooner we can be prepared for those changes, the better.

There is serious effort happening within the corporate world to change how companies operate.

We need to be more supportive of those efforts if we’re going to have them happen in the timeline that we need them to. If we don’t move more rapidly, it will be a lot less of a positive future. These environmental impacts are coming whether we decide to do something about them or not. How much of an impact this will have and what impact it will have is completely up to us. We can use this moment as an opportunity to have a better future. It will just take some better understanding and yes, some investment now. ML

Tim Dunn chats with Delaplane native, Nathaniel Schwartz, who has been with Terra Alpha for five years.

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GREENER PASTURES:

Equine Care with an Eye to the Environment Written by Diane Helentjaris Photos by Joanne Maisano

F

ew sights are as peaceful as a band of horses grazing in a pasture. Tails swish, heads are down. The Blue Ridge Mountains rise behind them. A line of trees marks a creek’s path as it meanders through the field. All looks to be in harmony.

Today’s horse owners can tap into new knowledge and tools to preserve this precious sight and keep in sync with the environment. Any horse owner — whether they have a stable or one pet horse on a farmette — can make a difference.

Here are a few ideas to benefit the health of both horses and their habitat: PROPERLY MAINTAINING GRASSLAND Well-maintained grassland makes a positive impact on both equine nutrition and local ecology. Rotational grazing, unlike continuous grazing, gives grassland recovery time. It helps maintain a full, protective, and high-quality covering of grass. In this technique, a pasture is subdivided into several small areas. Horses graze on one section but are moved along to another section before they nibble the grass all the way down.

Typically, they move every few days or so. HorsPastures | Page 31

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shelters can help keep horses dispersed across a pasture. Horses prefer tree shade which is cooler than shade under a man-made shelter thanks to the evaporation of water from the tree’s leaves.

Inadequate opportunities for finding shelter will lead to crowding which can damage the pasture.

In lieu of trees, man-made shelters offer the advantage of being portable so horses can be encouraged to move about.

Mowing lops off weed seed heads before they can germinate but it also destroys native plants that are beneficial for the environment. Small acreages can be hand weeded. However, some resources recommend bringing in non-equine grazing animals – goats, llamas, sheep – from time to time to efficiently pick off weeds in larger areas such as pastures.

Finally, another important step to help make sure grasslands are as healthy as possible is to schedule regular soil testing and proactively correct any imbalances.

Pastures | From page 30 es are kept off the grazed land until the grass regrows. A Rutgers University study found the practice to be cost neutral and especially beneficial to horses with certain metabolic conditions.

The Middelburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MARE) is a 420-acre property donated by Paul Mellon to Virginia Tech in 1949.

Researchers at MARE have created an eightacre model rotational grazing system to study its benefits.

Avoiding horse crowding also takes stress off grassland. Matching the number of horses to the available amount of land promotes equine and environmental health. Too many horses will increase the risk of overgrazing, compacting the soil, and creating bare areas. Trees or portable

PRESERVING WATER QUALITY Controlling the runoff from farms decreases erosion, protects grassland, and preserves water quality. Thoughtful siting of wash stalls can minimize runoff. Planting grasses near their drainage areas can also slow and buffer water movement.

Riparian buffers, strips of vegetation lining waterways, are helpful tools for decreasing the pollution levels of surface water. They filter pollutants and sediment, decrease erosion, shade waterways, and provide habitats for wildlife. They also support biodiversity and native plants. The protective power of riparian buffers ripples all the way down from Virginia horse country to the Chesapeake Bay. Keeping horses out of streams and creeks is another straightforward practice to keep surface water clean.

MINIMIZING MUD Minimizing mud protects horses (and humans) while preserving grassland. Mud carries risk — slips, falls, hoof infections, and more.

Muddy areas dry into bare, compacted soil, and promote runoff.

High traffic areas are prone to becoming mud

pits. As herd animals, horses tend to hang out together in groups at the water trough, gates, and feeding areas. As domestic animals, they hang out at gates and wait for their humans. Constructing gates, troughs, stables, and paddocks in well-drained areas will decrease mud-related problems.

For those unavoidable high-traffic areas, all-weather synthetic pads can be put down. For a more permanent solution, these areas can be dug out and refilled with a combination of geotextiles, gravel, and sand. Geotextiles, common in highway construction, are fabrics which can be buried in the ground to stabilize soil. For wash pads, using pervious concrete as a base allows wash water to filter down into the underlying soil.

MANAGING MANURE Horses have their habits and one is to create manure piles. These moist areas provide a breeding ground for flies, other insects, and weeds.

They can also allow equine worms and parasites to flourish. Horses avoid grazing near these areas which, in turn, may lead to overgrazing other sections of a field. Solutions include dragging fields to disperse and dry out manure which makes it less hospitable for pesky bugs. Manure can also be collected, composted, then reused as fertilizer.

RECYCLING IN THE BARN Any horse owner knows that horses require a lot of products — everything from shampoo to deworming medication. Proper disposal of plastic packaging and empty containers is more likely if refuse and recycling containers are kept handy in the barn.

Horses are a treasured part of life in our area.

They are also important players in creating a sustainable, healthy environment. ML Additional information about the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center is available at arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/middleburg.html.

The center is located at 5527 Sullivan’s Mill Road, Middleburg, Virginia. Their telephone number is (540) 687-3521.

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New in Town:

TREMOLO BAR FROM JARAD SLIPP OF KNEAD WINE Written by Sarah Hickner

N

ew to East Washington Street, Tremolo Bar opened its doors in March offering something most of us could use — an

locations carried the same charm as downtown

one block east of Knead Wine, he snatched it up.

His vision: a place for people to gather and enjoy excellent fare, without the snobbery that often comes with high-end food and drinks.

To experience Tremolo Bar, I stopped by the restaurant for a quick lunch. The space is pristine, offering delicious food and excellent service.

When my fingers were coated in sauce from the Sticky Angry Wings, one of the waiters discreetly slipped me extra hand wipes and we had a good laugh. Excellent food, no snobbery, mission accomplished.

Middleburg. When a space became available just

Town | Page 33

afternoon libation. The latest project of Jarad Slipp, proprietor of the already popular wine shop and carryout pizzeria Knead Wine, Tremolo Bar offers Slipp’s selection of excellent wines, thoughtful plates, and, coming soon, carefully crafted coffee.

Slipp was looking for space to open an eatin shop in a nearby town, but none of the other

Top left: Tremolo Bar on E. Washington Street. Photo by ultrastudio.co. Top right: Jarad Slipp and a glimpse of Tremolo Bar’s impressive wine selection. Photo by Kaitlin Hill. Bottom: Tremolo cocktails: Jarad’s Gin & Tonic, Last Word, and a negroni. Photo by ultrastudio.co.

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Town | From page 32 While dining, I took in my surroundings.

Downstairs, the large windows are perfect for enjoying the scenery and people-watching downtown. And upstairs, I could envision business partners meeting for a glass of wine while talking over papers, friends grabbing an after-work cocktail, and birthday parties celebrating in the stylish space.

For Slipp, a master sommelier, the true source of inspiration for Tremolo Bar is the wine.

“We’re pouring wines that you don’t find anywhere in the world by the glass, but I do it because it’s cool and interesting to me,” he says. It’s a wine bar first and foremost. There are 60 wines from all over including Italy, France, Spain, California, Virginia, and the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The carefully curated selection includes sparkling wines, whites, reds, and fortified offerings like Gatinois, Grand Cru Ay Tradition from Champagne, France, or RdV’s Friends & Family Red from just down the road in Middleburg.

Guests can enjoy any selection by the glass, half bottle, or full bottle.

For patrons interested in cocktails, Tremolo offers Slipp’s take on all the classics: sidecars, margaritas, Manhattans, or a gin and tonic with lime, orange, and botanicals. Slipp is a quality over quantity guy. If you’re more interested in beer, you can expect, “Good, interesting, esoteric

beer.” As Slipp put it, “This isn’t the place to get a Budweiser. You can get that anywhere.”

The food comes in small, snack-sized portions. It’s reminiscent of tapas, but the offerings are internationally inspired. Slipp has lived in many places, including Scotland, Italy, and of course the US, and he brings his diverse background and Culinary Institute of America training to his unique menu. Drop in for a snack like Spicy Lamb Meatballs with Cucumber Raita and Chili-Spiked Honey or Duck Confit with Warm Lentil Salad. Or add a few more small dishes like Lobster Mac n’ Cheese and Pan Con Tomate to make a full meal of it.

Currently Tremolo Bar is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, they are open until 9 p.m.

Slipp plans to add breakfast soon, and of course, excellent coffee. “We’ve interviewed 17 roasters and have narrowed it down to two,” Slipp says.

He adds that it won’t be your typical subpar bottomless breakfast coffee. Tremolo Bar guests can expect a proper cappuccino and Slipp’s take on other espresso drinks.

Whether visitors are hungry for a full meal or are looking for a place to escape for a glass of wine and bowl of Castelvetrano olives, they can expect great things from Slipp’s newest venture.

Tremolo Bar is a welcome addition to Middleburg’s main street. ML

Top left: The spacious upstairs space is flooded with natural light. Middle left: Roasted carrots with pistachio, turmeric, and labneh. Bottom left: Hummus with charred Brussels sprouts, fried shallots, and chile. Bottom right: Sticky Angry Wings with gochujang, scallion, and sesame. Photos by ultrastudio.co.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SPRING FORAGING HIKE April 2, 23, 30 | salamanderresort.com Learn from the experts at Ashby Gap Adventures how to forage for wild edibles that form the basis of the historic cuisine of Virginia. Part classroom instruction and part hands-on field experience, learn proper foraging techniques and discover different recipes to create with your findings. Sample oils, vinegars, sauces, ferments, and spices, and take home your bounty! Tickets are $75 per guest.

Ages eight and up are welcome. Advanced reservations are required. To reserve, please call 540326-4060.

THE WHEATLAND CONCERT SERIES AT SHILOH MANOR FARM April 2 | 8 p.m. | shiloh-manor.com Spring is in the air and what better way to celebrate the lengthening days and fragrant breeze than an elegant evening filled with the harpsichord and flute sonatas of Johann Sabastian Bach. The Wheatland Concert Series at Shiloh Manor Farm will hold its third quarterly baroque chamber music recital and dinner at 14781 Berlin Turnpike, Purcellville, Virginia. Tickets are $70 each and can be purchased at shiloh-manor.com.

EASTER BUNNY EXPERIENCE April 2, 9, 15, 16 | salamanderresort.com Grab your family and hop on a wagon ride leading to a private egg hunt followed by a visit with the Easter Bunny himself! Reservations are available through Eventbrite. The cost $200 per time slot, there is an eight guest maximum per slot.

A SPRING EVENING AT OLD DENTON April 9 | 5 - 7 p.m. | piedmontheritage.org

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After its construction in the antebellum period, Old Denton witnessed dramatic moments in the Civil War, the turmoil of Reconstruction, and was a site for many who engaged in the growing sport of foxhunting in the early 20th century. Experience the incredible history of this home preserved in time. The program will include hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail reception in the historic home. Tickets are $65 for VPHAA members and $75 for non-members and can be purchased via piedmontheritage.org.

FLY FISHING FIELD DAY April 9 | 12:30 - 5 p.m. | buchananhall.com Come to Buchanan Hall in Middleburg for a day of fly fishing activities. Casting lessons will be offered for kids, beginners, and advanced anglers, there will be hands-on fly tying, and Orvis consultants will be present to help attendees get fitted for proper fly fishing gear. Slater Run Vineyards, SweetWater Brewing Company, Auntie RaRa’s Ice Cream, Happy Family Ranch, Inc, and Talk of The Mountain Seafood, LLC will be onsite offering refreshments.

SIPPING FOR SPROUT April 10 | 12 - 4 p.m. | sproutcenter.org Sprout Therapeutic Riding & Education Center will be holding its 11th Annual “Sipping for Sprout” family FUNdraiser at Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, Virginia. The event is family-oriented consisting of a wine tasting (21+) of Stone Tower’s award-winning wines, live music by B.W. and the Danger, catered food, activities for children, and a robust silent auction. Tickets can be purchased at shop.stonetowerwinery.com.

HISTORIC ENCOUNTER DAY April 11 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. heritagefarmmuseum.org/historic-encountersday Historic Encounters Days are a series of handson history events for students, families, and homeschool groups at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum. Each day focuses on a different theme which brings Loudoun’s local history to life. The event on April 11 will focus on STEM. Participants will learn about technology through the ages and see simple machines in action. To learn more or to register, please visit the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum website.

UPPERVILLE GARDEN SHOW DAFFODIL SHOW April 12 | 2 - 5 p.m. | uppervillegardenclub.com The Upperville Garden Club will host its 57th Annual Daffodil Show at Buchanan Hall. All amateur daffodil growers are invited to exhibit. Come enjoy some afternoon tea and flowers!

SALAMANDER UNCORKED: ROSÉS AROUND THE WORLD April 14 | 5:30 - 7 p.m. | salamanderresort.com This casual and interactive wine tasting event will help you hone your wine knowledge and diversify your palate. Pairings will include five wines and five small bites, plus education on the wines and the region. Tickets are $75 per person excluding tax and service charge. Advanced reservations are required. To reserve, please call 855-614-7136.

Calendar | Page 35

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Calendar | From page 34 TALES OF THE WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA April 16 | 1 - 2 p.m. | nationalsporting.org Take a walk on the wild side and join the National Sporting Library & Museum as they learn more about Virginia’s native wildlife with the Wildlife Center of Virginia. In the last 40 years, the Center has helped nearly 90,000 wild animals from every corner of Virginia, including black bears, rabbits, turtles, opossums, raptors, and more! Learn about their work providing healthcare to native wildlife and along the way, meet several of their Ambassador Animals. The event is free but spaces are limited. Please visit the NSLM’s website for the sign up link.

MIDDLEBURG SPRING RACES April 23 | 12 - 5 p.m. middleburgspringraces.com The Middleburg Spring Races feature top Thoroughbred racehorses being tested over one of the oldest courses in Virginia, the historic steeplechase course at Glenwood Park. Crowds have been gathering here for decades to take in the excitement of steeplechase racing over hurdles and timber.

Please call 540-687-6545 to reserve your ticket.

MIDDLEBURG CHERRY BLOSSOM 5K RUN AND POOCH PRANCE April 24 | cherryblossombreastcancerfoundation. org/get-involved/registration Come out to walk, run, or prance with your pooch to support breast cancer awareness and fundraise for a great cause! This year the Cherry Blossom

Breast Cancer Foundation's annual race will be in person at the Middleburg Community Center.

All proceeds go directly to the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation. The Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation supports breast cancer patients, survivors, and families in Fauquier and Loudoun Counties with grants to non-profit support organizations and regional cancer research institutions.

2022 BEER FEST AT LOST BARREL BREWING April 30 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | lostbarrel.com Join Lost Barrel Brewing in Middleburg, Virginia, for Spring Fest 2022 featuring amazing local craft beers, delicious food, live music, and local vendors. All ages are welcome. Leashed dogs are permitted. Parking is free. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. Bring your own blankets and chairs for picnic seating! Tickets can be purchased via Lost Barrel’s website and are valid for any arrival time before 4 p.m.

MIDDLEBURG HUMANE FOUNDATION DENIM & DIAMONDS GALA April 30 | 6 - 11 p.m. middleburghumane.org/gala Middleburg Humane Foundation‘s Board of Directors invites you to join them for a fun evening to benefit the animals in MHF’s care. The evening will begin with a champagne raffle and end with music and dancing. The 25th annual gala will be held at the Middleburg Barn and will feature hors d’oeuvres, a pescatarian buffet, a pasta creation bar, a dessert selection, bar service by Main Event Caterers, and slammin’ tunes by 8 Track Jones.

PURCELLVILLE MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL April 30 | 12 - 7 p.m. purcellvillemusicandartsfestival.com Held at the historic Dillon’s Woods and Bush Tabernacle at the Fireman’s Field Complex, this family-friendly festival is free and open to the public.

There are multiple stages featuring a wide range of entertainment. In addition to musical entertainment, there will be an art show sponsored by the Purcellville Arts Council, a variety of activities, and opportunities to find out about community organizations. There will be several artisan and food vendors onsite. In addition, local organizations will be there with fun activities and demonstrations for all ages.

SLOWFOODVASTWINE™ April 30 | 5 p.m. | slowfoodvastwine.org For 14 years, the SlowFoodVastWine™ event has celebrated the efforts of Shenandoah Valley farmers, vintners, and culinary experts to produce food and drink both delicious and nourishing through natural, traditional, and sustainable methods.

Claiming your ticket reserves your place to sip hand-mixed cocktails, peruse the curated silent auction, savor acclaimed Chef Neal Wavra’s seasonal menu, indulge in hand-selected wine pairings, and dance to live music. Tickets for this select event are $200 each and are available for purchase via SlowFoodVastWine’s website. The event will be held at the Middleburg Community Center.

All proceeds of the event benefit the children of John XXIII Montessori Center in Front Royal, Virginia. ML

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Fascinator W orkshop

Gr ea t

At the National Sporting Library & Museum

GI FT

April 7, 2022 10:00am–1:00pm

ID EA !

Ticket sales close soon!

Participants will learn how to manipulate various materials to create their own fascinator to take home.

As the featured milliner of the 148th Kentucky Derby, Jenny Pfanenstiel will share her hat making skills, tips, and tricks, in this workshop.

Ages 15+, limited availability. $250/$175 NSLM Members Scan the QR code to learn more and to register, or visit www.NationalSporting.org

Photo by Clay Cook

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Your Life is Now Discover the magic of the Virginia countryside with captivating adventures for the entire family, indulge in nourishing treatments at Salamander Spa, or awaken your senses with unforgettable culinary experiences.

888.783.4832

SalamanderResort.com

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middleburglife.com

Our Award Winning 2019 Philosophy Debuts April 9th

Winemaker, Ben Comstock

2019 Philosophy - Winner Best of Class 2022 San Fransisco Chronicle Wine Competition Open daily noon to 6 pm 23595 Winery Lane, Middleburg, VA 20117

experiencegreenhill.com info@greenhillvineyards.com