from throughout | | 6 kitchen | cottage lighted stream, acres
SPRING GLADE
MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA
hand-painted coffered ceilings, and exquisite mahogany doors and windows 5 spacious bedrooms, 5 full baths, and 6 fireplaces Exceptional kitchen and elevator. The compound also includes a separate gallery/studio, a stone cottage, guest house, spa pool, tennis court, and lovely grounds with a stream, waterfalls, orchards, gardens, and river frontage.
$8,300,000
Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930
French Country home, with renovations in 1999 & 2017 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA, 5 FP, hardwood floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop stetting overlooking pond, lake & mountains | Improvements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | Kitchen allowance to be provided | 79.89 acres
$3,900,000
Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 540.454.1930
$4,950,000
SALEM HILL
MARSHALL, VIRGINIA
MARSHALL, VIRGINIA 240.1 acres in 4 lots | Property is in a Virginia Outdoor Foundation Conservation
Well protected Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | 4 full and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great views | Pool with large flagstone terrace | Large county kitchen | 4-car detached garage with apartment/ office | 9-stall barn | Covered arena | Outdoor ring | 4 stall shed row barn | 51 fenced acres
$3,690,000
Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905
Period
PURCELLVILLE, VIRGINIA
GAME CREEK
MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA
A remarkable property located within a private enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco manor house with main level master suite | 7 additional BR | 5 stone FP | Beautiful gardens, terraces, salt water pool, cabana, carriage house & stable with 2 paddocks | Lovely finishes throughout & sweeping lawn to private trails to Goose Creek | 31 acres | Private, elegant & convenient
$2,650,000
203 acres in River frontage 4 full & 3 1/2 Gunnite pool and private | 5 stall Jim paddocks, pasture | Old d
HILL
RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA
Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868
17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village of Rectortown | Convenient to both Routes 50 & 66 | Newly renovated | Private setting with magnificent mountain views | 4 bedrooms, 4
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ON THE COVER
Blue Ridge Hunt hounds eagerly move off for a fun day of sport. Read Sherri Buston’s “All About Hounds” article on page 6. Photo by Joanne Maisano.
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ON THIS PAGE
A look back at Long Branch in 2018. For more on Long Branch and other historic homes at the heart of foxhunting, read Bill Kent’s article on page 10. Photo by Joanne Maisano.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Shannon Ayres is a Reston-based freelance photographer. His work has appeared in Arlington, Chesapeake Life, Northern Virginia, Virginia Business, and USA Today magazines. He has an MFA in fine art photography from San Francisco’s Academy of Art University. His editorial work can be seen at sdayres.com
Callie Broaddus is a Warrenton native and graduate of the University of Virginia. 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 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.
Caroline Gray is a D.C.-based conservation and freelance photographer. A Virginia native and MBA graduate from the University of Virginia, her work blends a love for exploration, nature, and horses with her fashion background. When not behind the camera, Caroline enjoys hiking with her Labrador, Captain, visiting her retired horse, Cleverly, and exploring new restaurants in Washington, D.C.
Diane Helentjaris chose Loudoun as her “forever home” in 1990. A former clinical physician and public health administrator, she has returned to her humanities roots. Diane’s latest book, “I Ain’t Afraid — The World of Lulu Bell Parr, Wild West Cowgirl,” is a rollicking biography. Her novel “The Indenture of Ivy O’Neill” won the 2024 Maryland Writers’ Association novel competition in the historical/romance category.
Sherri Holdridge is a freelance photographer based in the D.C. area. An avid equestrian, she finds herself drawn and connected to the world of equine photography. Though she spends a lot of time with the horses, her portfolio also reflects her love of travel, nature, and portraiture. Sherri’s photography has been published in various magazines and exhibited in galleries around the world. Her work reflects both her passion and commitment to storytelling through the camera lens. More of her work can be found at sherriholdridgephotography.com.
Bill Kent’s journalism has appeared in more than 40 national and regional publications including The Washington Post, Art & Antiques, Philadelphia Magazine, Baltimore Magazine, New Jersey Monthly, and The Hunt. A former correspondent for The New York Times, he taught writing and journalism at the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers, and Temple universities, and is the author of seven novels, a Fodor’s Guide, and a history of Atlantic City. When not writing, he enjoys walking his westies on Washington Street.
Gracie Savage is a local photographer who grew up in the village of Aldie and has been photographing local weddings, portraits, and events since 2016. Her passion began when she received her first camera in middle school and she continued to study the craft in high school and in college. She was a photographer at Georgetown University for over three years and joined Middleburg Life as a contributor in the spring of 2022.
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. 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. More of Michael’s work can be found at butcherphotography.com
Laticia Headings is grateful to call Middleburg home. She discovered Middleburg by attending the first annual Middleburg Film Festival in 2013 and has come back to the event every year since as a volunteer and attendee. Laticia is the founder of Latitude Media and has 23 years of experience as a producer, writer, and camerawoman for television (Discovery, National Geographic), and for the documentary film
“Everest: A Climb for Peace.”
Lia Hobel is a freelance journalist, known for her blog, Uplift Loudoun. In addition to her work for Middleburg Life, Lia writes periodically for online platforms with articles appearing on GOBankingRates, Forbes, Huffington Post, and Yahoo! She is a Loudoun 40 Under 40 honoree and a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the county.
Dulcy B. Hooper and her husband Richard moved to the country from Washington, D.C., nearly 10 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!
Beth Rasin graduated from Middlebury College, where she studied nonfiction creative writing. She worked as a writer and editor at The Chronicle of the Horse for more than 25 years, including 10 years as the president and executive editor. As a freelancer, she’s contributed since 2015 to Middleburg Life, as well as Northern Virginia Magazine, Blue Ridge Outdoors, the former Loudoun Magazine, and many others. She lives in Hume, where she and her husband and daughter run a boarding facility for retired horses. She enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her adopted dogs and cats.
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.
Also in this issue: Sherri Buston, Shannon Finney, Sarah Hickner, Joanne Maisano, and Bill Stoler Photography.
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ALL ABOUT HOUNDS
Written by Sherri Buston
by Joanne Maisano
For over 20 years, I’ve had the chance to listen to huntsmen. They talk of how the countryside and their hunt territory have changed, how staff has changed, and how hound management has changed. The only thing that has not changed is the desire to breed the best hunting hound. The most common line I hear from huntsmen is, “You have to breed a hound for your territory.” That may be true, but how do you breed a hound that you like, that has good conformation, and can hunt? And after all that, how do you find one that “suits” your territory?
All huntsmen look for three things in the ultimate hunting hound: a great nose, great voice and drive, and great conformation.
TYPES OF HOUNDS AND THEIR STRENGTHS
The English foxhound, known for its hunting drive, strong sense of smell, stamina, and
size, was originally bred in the U.K. and Europe, where hunting conditions are very different. A few packs in the U.S. and Canada have kept the breed 100% pure, while others have introduced English foxhound bloodlines into their packs by crossing them with the American foxhound and/ or Penn-Marydel foxhound to create the crossbred foxhound. With that option, the opportunity to create the hunting hound of your choice in North America is wide open.
American foxhounds and Penn-Marydel foxhounds are best known for their tremendous voices and low-scenting capabilities with dryer conditions in the U.S., making them great choices for packs that may have been lacking those traits. There are also several packs across North America that have 100% pure American foxhounds or 100% pure Penn-Marydel foxhounds.
Many hunt packs breed annually and have a large breeding program. Their programs rotate
seasonally and allow for the retirement of older hounds or the drafting of hounds to packs that don’t breed as many hounds.
In conversations with huntsmen, I’ve asked the simple question: what does a hound do on a day’s hunt that impresses you most? I posed this question to huntsmen who work with foxhounds of all breeds.
While the answers were all worded differently, they revolved around the same qualities. Huntsmen breed hounds that are “reliable,” “steady,” and “independent”; those that have a “good nose,” a “good voice,” and “great drive”; and hounds that are “busy,” “keen,” have “good conformation,” and “put pressure on the game.”
Steve Farrin, a member of the Norfolk Hunt, an English foxhound pack in New England, explains, “I look for voice, consistency, work ethic, and good conformation to maintain soundness,
Hounds | Page 7
Photos
Hounds of the Middleburg Hunt.
Hounds | From page 6
speed, and drive.”
Richard Roberts, huntsman of the Middleburg Hunt, which breeds American hounds, said that in a pack, he looks for “honesty, both with each other and with their huntsman. Honesty is the glue that binds the team. The importance of this trust and teamwork is critical for hounds finding their game well and for a good, solid start.”
One of the biggest traits with a ripple effect for generations is hound conformation, a physiological standard for each breed type. The perfect hound may not have been bred yet, but many a hound has been judged outside of the hunting field on its athleticism and movement.
In these dog shows, enthusiasts and breeders, hunt staff and masters attend to have a good look over the hounds in their appropriate rings: American, crossbred, English, and Penn-Marydel.
Good physical fitness and correct conformation play a role in the longevity, athleticism, and career of a hunting hound. But when asked what they look for, most judges talk about “presence.”
When a hound first walks into a show ring, its appearance, confidence, and presence make an impression before judges look to its conformation.
“Whenever I have judged, as explained, presence is first. A flowing free movement comes next, with a good length of stride,” said Martin Blackmore, huntsman of the Princess Anne Hunt.
Judging hounds was once described to me as “a picture you read from the toes up to the nose and left to right.” But overall, like any show, to the judges’ eye it always goes.
The next time you see a hound, you might see it differently knowing all the different qualities that are considered when breeding the next generation. ML
Top: An English foxhound. Middle: An American foxhound. Bottom: Crossbred foxhounds.
A Place Where Every Pour Feels Like Home
Yuri Gorbachev Celebrating his 22 Annual Exhibition nd Exhibition Dates: November 4 - December 30
HISTORIC HOUSES AT THE HEART OF THE HUNT
Written by Bill Kent | Photos by Joanne Maisano
The grand old houses of Hunt Country rise like monuments at the end of long driveways. To see them crowning a hill framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains is to go back to an age when things moved slower.
Except on some 90 days each year, from September through March, when the houses form a backdrop to a dignified gathering of horses and riders, and the morning stillness erupts with the baying of hounds and the thunder of hooves that signal a hunt is on.
The houses, and the land they command, are linked to a hunting tradition and equestrian lifestyle that predates the founding of America. The most famous of these is roughly equidistant between Middleburg and Upperville. Dating to 1775, Welbourne and its 520 acres have been in the Dulany family for eight generations.
It was here in 1840 that Colonel Richard Henry Dulany founded the Piedmont Fox Hounds, the nation’s first and oldest organized hunt. Thirteen years later, he established the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, to promote better care of horses. UCHS remains the oldest equestrian show of its kind in the country.
“Welbourne was recognized as the epicenter of foxhunting in Virginia, if not the United States. The same case could be made today,” says Dulany Morison, an avid foxhunter and member of the same family. In 1905, Welbourne was home to the opening hunt of the Great Hound Match, a two-week competition pitting English-bred foxhounds (some traveling from Britain, Ireland, and Canada) against their American cousins to determine which breed was the world’s best.
The results favored the Americans.
Since the 1930s, Welbourne — still home to
Historic | Page 11
Piedmont Fox Hounds’ Johnny Dean in front of Welbourne.
Historic | From page 10
the Dulany family — has operated as a bed-andbreakfast, whose guests have included novelists Thomas Wolfe and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Dulanys also have a horse retirement farm on the estate, where steeds who have been put out to pasture can spend their final years in tranquility.
In addition to being a launching pad for at least two other hunts throughout the season, Welbourne also hosts an annual hunt breakfast the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Rebecca Dulany Morison, who manages the Welbourne manor house, says many guests book stays when the hunt is meeting. “Our guests love seeing the hunt off and learning about the sport. Others come expressly because they already appreciate our local history and want to experience it firsthand. We strive to make it clear that without stewards of the countryside, this rural way of life and, by extension, hunting, would no longer exist.”
She adds that “Dulany and I, and the rest of our siblings and cousins, were taught that Welbourne is bigger than all of us and we are merely the stewards. To that end, we put the whole farm in easement, forever protecting it from development. It also means that if we ever did need to sell the farm, it would go in one parcel, keeping together the original 520 acres that our greatgreat-great-great-grandparents bought in 1830. I suspect if we ever had to sell, we would put a restriction on the sale that foxhunting would always be allowed.”
She assures us that a sale is not likely. “The time and effort we invest does not come back to us in financial reward, but in the satisfaction of knowing that we are preserving our family farm for future generations to enjoy.”
Further west, in Clarke County, Anne McIntosh, a Realtor and master of the Blue Ridge Hunt, has some advice for anyone considering owning a Hunt Country historic house: “Take some time and figure out what you’re going to do with it.” And, while you’re working it out, she adds, let the hunt meet on your lawn. “It’s part of the house’s heritage. It’s a tradition that goes way, way back, and there’s nothing like it anywhere else.”
Though she has hunted throughout Northern Virginia, McIntosh’s all-time favorite place for
meets remains Carter Hall, the grandest of several historic houses in and around Millwood.
“Carter Hall not only looks great, but so many people in Millwood and Clarke County are connected to it in one way or another,” she continues. “Some are descendants of the family. Others know it from the mills and the church Nathaniel Burwell built. When the hunt meets at Carter Hall, you feel that connection.”
Begun in 1792, the house was one of several homes of Revolutionary War Colonel Nathaniel Burwell, whose holdings, including an inheritance from his father, made him at one time the largest landowner in Virginia. The house today includes less than 280 acres of what was once more than 10,000.
After passing from the Burwell family, it was
bought in 1930 by Gerard Lambert, who made his fortune marketing the Listerine oral antiseptic. His eldest daughter, Rachel, known to her friends as “Bunny,” would study at Foxcroft School, marry philanthropist and horse breeder Paul Mellon, and become one of the America’s most admired gardeners and landscape designers, residing at her Upperville home at Oak Spring, 16 miles to the east.
Carter Hall is now owned by Langdon and Blakeley Greenhaugh, whose plan to transform it into a bed-and-breakfast was thwarted by zoning issues. The house is not open to the public, but spectators who join the hunt when it meets there can view the immediate surroundings.
“I think it’s a miracle when somebody comes
Historic | Page 12
The Blue Ridge Hunt’s opening meet at Carter Hall.
along and buys these old houses to be their stewards for 50 years of their lives,” McIntosh says. “As properties are sold off and carved up to the east, we can still hunt here. We couldn’t be happier.”
This year, when the Blue Ridge Hunt meets at Long Branch on Thanksgiving morning, visitors
can watch on the sidelines and cheer the hounds and riders as they go by.
Then they can go back to the house, climb the floating staircase to the second floor, and watch the horses wandering over the rich pastures. They may admire the painting of Henry Z. Isaacs, a Baltimore clothing businessman and horse breeder, and be grateful that he saved the property in the 1980s.
As administrator of Long Branch, an 1811 house on 400 acres named for a stream that runs behind it, Amanda West has seen the estate host art shows, Easter egg hunts, and weddings. What moves her the most is the story of how one man fell in love with the house, rescued it from ruin, and turned it into a community center for everyone to enjoy.
The house was constructed by Robert Carter Burwell — grandson of Nathaniel Burwell — who died in Norfolk during the War of 1812. The house went to his sister, passing to relatives who lived in it until 1957. By 1982, the house was in serious disrepair. When the owners defaulted on their
horses here, and he loved it so much, he decided to restore it and live here,” West says. “He spared no expense in his renovation of the house and property.”
Before Isaacs died in 1990, he created a foundation that would maintain the house in perpetuity. Then he decreed the house and its gardens
operates out of Millwood, and a Baltimore-based endowment established a horse retirement program like Welbourne’s on the property, where 75 horses from as far away as New York and Florida live out their lives. The retirement program helps fund the house’s operation.
“The thing about these houses is that they
mortgage, Henry Isaacs, planning to extend his Maryland-based horse breeding operations into Virginia, bought Long Branch at auction.
“Mr. Isaacs originally was going to breed
Branch.
would be used as a place for community events and public and private celebrations. It is open to the public and beloved by all who visit.
Long Branch is run by a local nonprofit that
are not frozen in time,” West says. “For people who hunt, for those who get married here, or just visit for a nice picnic or walk, the history continues.” ML
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MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR:
DR. MARGARET SALAZAR-PORZIO
New Oatlands Executive Director Envisions an Oatlands for All
Story by Kaitlin Hill
With a Ph.D. in American studies and ethnicity from the University of Southern California and a resume that includes research scholar at Columbia University Law School, 12 years as a curator at the Smithsonian, and deputy director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, Dr. Margaret Salazar-Porzio’s reputation might be as intellectually intimidating as the institutions that have shaped her. However, while undeniably sharp, Salazar-Porzio, who prefers “Margie,” is intensely inviting and infectiously warm
— two qualities that are obvious in her strategic planning in her new role as executive director of Oatlands Historic House & Gardens.
“I had been feeling like I was getting further and further away from community and being in the work,” she says of her decision to take the position. “Then I saw this job offering at Oatlands and thought, ‘What an exciting new possibility.’”
Her shift from museum corridors to the halls of historic houses not only played to her career strengths, but offered her the opportunity to, as she says, “work with the community of descen-
dants of people who have lived, labored, and loved here,” as well as the National Trust to develop a stewardship strategy so the next generation and beyond can experience and enjoy Oatlands.
Just a few months into her new role, for Salazar-Porzio, that work started with “learning and listening” and has developed into an all-encompassing mission of historic preservation and future programming.
At Oatlands, preservation comes in two
Oatlands | Page 15
“If there is something we can do to support our community, we would love to do it.” – Salazar-Porzio
Left: Dr. Margaret Salazar-Porzio. Right: Oatlands Historic House & Gardens.
Oatlands | From page 14
forms: structural and storytelling. During an October 9 meet and greet at the estate, Salazar-Porzio pointed out the greenhouse that was being restored before turning her sights on the mansion’s over 200-year-old columns, which are her next project.
Restoration also looks like rejuvenation, making the land a resource for locals. She explains, “This is 418 acres of really amazing landscape, some of which has been over-farmed. We would really like to lean into stewarding the land in a different way for what is needed today.” With that in mind, Oatlands leases land to Wegmeyer Farms for strawberries and, she adds, “we are working with Brookfield Dairy. Greg is amazing. He is helping us reintroduce nutrients into the land and then he’ll hay it for his cattle.” She continues, “We really want to be a resource to farmers, especially up-and-coming farmers, because we have the land. If there is something we can do to support our community, we would love to do it.”
For Salazar-Porzio, community engagement also plays an essential role in preserving the stories of Oatlands and shaping the next chapter. She says, “We have an amazing staff on our interpretation team who already started the process. And working with the descendant community is essential.” Additionally, “We have an amazing ad-
“I would love for people to come experience the complexity of the place.”
– Salazar-Porzio
visory council, where there’s a seat for the Carter descendants, the Eustis descendants, and a seat for the descendants of those who were enslaved on the property. They are important voices.”
Looking to the future for Oatlands, “I really want to create a youth advisory council,” Salazar-Porzio shares. “We have started the conversation with young folks who have run cross-country here or taken prom photos here. We’ve asked them what they would like to see from us and what programs we can offer to bring the next generation into the fold.”
Expanded programming is an important part of making Oatlands a place of interest for the evolving demographics of Loudoun County, especially young families. In addition to bringing the Loudoun Sketch Club back, there are plans for art galleries, themed teas (notably for Halloween, Christmas, and in the style of “Downton Abbey”), and a textile exhibit. “We have garments that are part of the Oatlands collection from the late 1800s and early 1900s… I think the magic of the garments is that they embody the people
that wore them, right?” she says. Guests “can get a feel for what the holidays and fancy events would have been like in the early 1900s at Oatlands.”
Salazar-Porzio’s razor-sharp focus on purposeful preservation and curated programming is intended, in her words, to create an “Oatlands for all.” She says, “We are really redefining what land and history stewardship looks like. We are doing it in responsible ways and in service to our community.” As her strategic plan rolls out over the next year, five years, or 10 years, her immediate hope is as welcoming and well rounded as she is. “I would love for people to come experience the complexity of the place. The crux of American history and culture is that there is always going to be contradictions, but that is a really rich learning opportunity. You can have majestic gardens alongside the history of enslavement, the history of the Eustis family, and their national engagement.” She finishes, “All those pieces together provide such a beautiful microcosm of our history.” ML
Left: A garden pool that is being “rewilded” and inviting frogs back. Right: Inside the house.
THE FINAL MIGLIA
Written by Kaitlin Hill and Chris Bernard | Photos by Michael Butcher
“What do you want to do with the time you have left?” The question indicates something inevitable yet uncertain — a difficult road with unknown mileage. When Middleburg’s Chris Bernard asked his father, Paul, this question, mileage was the last thing on his mind. But as it turns out, it was at the top of Paul’s.
“I really want to try to finish the car,” Paul said, referring to the 1965 Shelby Cobra replica kit sitting in the garage. Chris shares, “It’s the most beautiful American car ever
and raising me.” He continues, “He’s also done a lot of caregiving for his mom in the recent years. He’s never really had a lot of time to focus on something for himself.”
However, the fire was reignited years later when Chris, who serves as the vice mayor of Middleburg, had the chance to participate in the Mille Miglia USA Warm-Up and invited his dad to attend the week’s festivities. Paul “was really hyped up about it and … we were talking with one of my buddies who builds classic car engines.” Chris adds, “We kicked it around a bit, and a few
“It’s something we’ve talked about for a million years — since I was a kid.”
– Chris Bernard
made, and something we’ve talked about for a million years — since I was a kid. But it never went anywhere.”
It’s not as though anyone needs a good reason not to build a classic kit car, but over the years, things certainly got in the way. “My mom was really sick when I was younger,” Chris recalls. “When I was 8, she was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer and had to go through years of treatment. So at that time, [my dad] was doing a lot of caregiving for her, all while working full time
months later, [my dad] emails me a receipt and says, ‘I bought the kit.’”
In June of 2024, just after Middleburg Day, they received the delivery of a Factory Five Mark IV Roadster kit. “There’s thousands of parts — bolts, the seats, the windshield, wires, tires, big things, little things,” Chris says. “And then you just start cracking at it.”
He shares, “We had been chipping away at it; we probably did about 10%. Then, over the winter, my dad got sick.”
Miglia | Page 19
Chris Bernard and his dad, Paul.
Miglia | From page 18
The diagnosis was an abdominal tumor that had found its way into his bones. Some very tough decisions followed. “He did a few months of chemo … but his follow-up scan showed more growth and spreading. The feedback was that further treatment was extremely unlikely to work and would really diminish his quality of life.”
When given the choice, Chris remembers his father saying, “I don’t want to do the chemo. If I only have a certain amount of time, I guess we’ll see how this goes and enjoy what’s left.” And when asked how he wanted to spend that time,
“He said, ‘I just really want to work on the car,’” Chris recalls.
With neither of them being an expert mechanic and no time to learn “on the job,” Chris kicked into high gear and got to work. He had to source an engine, transmission, and some other components, but the real key was finding a specialist to join the project and help expedite the process. “Thank goodness we found Brendan. He and his dad help people with these builds, specifically from these kits. He’s built hundreds of them, and when I called and explained our situation, they knew exactly what to do.” Brendan would become like part of the family. “He came down to help build the car, ended up staying at the house for two weeks, and was even there for my birthday dinner,” Chris laughs. “We never
learned during the process is that [my dad] and I really shouldn’t do projects together.” He continues, “We have a great relationship. We see each other all the time, we talk on the phone, he comes to my office, and we go out to lunch. I’m so glad we did it, but putting the car together was frustrating at times.”
He concludes, “But we knew what we had to do, we stuck to it, and we figured it out.”
Certainly, that is one of life’s most important lessons. And from his time in the garage, Chris offers a few more when reflecting on his relationship with his dad and his son, Maverick. “My dad
hard things, and they don’t have to be the negative ones. You just have to be creative enough and dream big enough to have the idea, realize you can follow through, and do it.”
Finally, Chris reflects on a big takeaway from his experience with both parents: “Don’t assume that you’ll get to things later or that you’ll have time, because you might not. You want to be able to do things that are important and special to you, and share them with the ones you care about, and we can’t control everything along the way.”
While a car like this is a living, breathing project that will never be “done,” Chris and his
“My dad is a huge role model for me. I watched how he took on every challenge that got thrown at him and he handled it.”
would have gotten halfway through without him.”
When asked if any life lessons resulted from the process of building a car with his father, Chris shares lovingly with a laugh, “The one thing I
– Chris Bernard
is a huge role model for me. I watched how he took on every challenge that got thrown at him and he handled it.” Chris continues, “If I could teach Maverick one thing, it’s that you can do
dad have completed the initial build. It still needs professional finish work (body and paint) and an official VIN, but they achieved their goal of firing up the engine and taking it for a spin. ML
Brendan Daugherty of The Traveling Builder, Maverick, Paul, Chris, and his wife, Michelle.
New Reads
fRom delaplaNe’s J. NoRmaN Reid
Written by Diane Helentjaris | Photos by Michael Butcher
Fences spool across Virginia’s Piedmont, adding intrigue to the rolling hills of the countryside. Whether drystack stone, wattle, zigzagging timber, barbed wire, or pristine painted lumber, each fence line claims its own charm and adds to the distinctly Hunt
J. Norman Reid.
Country aesthetic.
Local author J. Norman Reid’s newest book, “Metes & Bounds: Virginia’s Walls and Fences in Photographs,” is an ode to the Commonwealth’s fences. Released this September, the book pairs 130 photographs with a piece of poetry or a
saying that captures the illustrated fence’s essence and offers a moment to reflect.
On the premise of his book, Reid explains, “Fences are everywhere and we don’t see them. They blend into the background, yet [all] are worth noticing — not just stone walls, which are so iconic and transfixing. A lot of wooden fences are magical in the way they are laid out: painted, the plants next to them, the nearby woods and trees.” He continues, “Fences are deeply embedded in our psyche. They show up in our speech a lot… ‘breaking down walls,’ ‘mending fences,’ ‘don’t fence me in.’ [My] book talks about that, about building and repairing stone walls.”
Reid recently released a new murder mystery, too. “The Miasma Murders” hit bookshelves two months before “Metes & Bounds.”
The second in his Capitol Hill Mystery series, this one has his “well-meaning but fumbling amateur sleuth,” Henry Wright, discovering the body of a slain Washington Post reporter. “I try to make the protagonist a bit quirky,” Reid says. He succeeds, infusing humor along with the mayhem.
As the story unfolds, Reid offers his insights on the current political climate. The background of “The Miasma Murders” underscores what he characterizes as “the twin perils of gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics… Democracy is terribly important to us. It’s very delicate,” he says, and people need to “stay informed. … I hope there’s something educational in the book as well as an interesting crime-solving example.”
Reid, who lives in Delaplane, has authored and coauthored a number of books and publications. They reflect his personal interests (for example, “Shooting Iron Horses: Photographing Your Model Railroad” and “On Living Well: Reflections on Creating a Good Life”) and his
prior career in government (such as “Rural Government Capacity: Institutional Authority and Local Leadership” and “Disaster Management Handbook”). In a previous life, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. His tasks included community development, public health, and economic research on rural societies.
Growing up as the eldest child of a Methodist minister, his family of six spent most of their time in small-town Ohio. Reid recalls having “a lot of different interests.” As a child, he “fished, ran around in the woods, had a newspaper route, and delivered papers at age 6.” When he left home for Muskingum College, he thought he’d be a doctor but quickly found the coursework boring. A respected history professor, cued in by Reid’s interest in people, steered him toward political science. The subject piqued his interest and Reid went on to earn a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree in the discipline.
Now 80, married, and a father, he explains that he remains vibrant and productive by rarely watching television. He writes in his journal and reads “a lot.” In his study, he always has music playing or listens to his favorite Cleveland baseball team. “I can’t sit still. If I don’t have multiple projects going at the same time, I get bored.”
His advice to others? “Find a hobby. Find something that excites you and dive into it. Get really absorbed in it. So many things a person could do… I’m more absorbed by reading or writing. Think [of] any kind of interest — woodworking, quilting… Stay involved.”
When asked about his next project, Reid says he has a book already “75% completed.” The book, written in collaboration with another photographer, is about macrophotography. After that, “who knows?” ML
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LIMESTONE FARM 67 acres | $6,695,000
Boyce – The estate features a federal style manor house (circa 1839) which has been beautifully refinished, updated and expanded. Also: charming guest house and 8-stall barn.
John Coles | 540-270-0094
MORNINGSTAR FARM 31 acres | $3,150,000
The Plains – Sophisticated, French country home. Designed by renowned architect. Great entertaining spaces. Pool. 2 barns, 10 stalls, paddocks, arena. In OCH hunt territory. Great ride out.
Emily Ristau | 540-454-9083
BARRON ACRES 16+ acres | $2,480,000
Bluemont – Contemporary all brick residence, in pristine, turn-key condition. Brand new 2 stall barn, pond, and perennial gardens. 3 levels of stunning living space, must be seen to appreciate!
Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233
WILLOW BROOK 359 acres | $5,000,000
Front Royal – Deep in horse country, and only offered for sale 4 times in 245 years, this historic estate is surrounded by serene farming country in the Rockland Rural Historic District.
Maria Eldredge 540-454-3829 | Anne McIntosh 703-509-4499
OAK RIDGE FARM 54+ acres | $2,925,000
Markham – Renovated stone and cedar house with stunning views of the Cobbler Mountains. Includes 2-car garage, separate office/ studio, pool house & pool. 3 BR / 2 BA cabin. Pond. Starlink internet Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201
CHARTWELL 24+ acres | $2,295,000
Marshall – In Bellevue Farms, w/ 30+ miles of trails. Custom 7,700+ sq. ft. stone 5 BR / 5.5 BA house with great views! 1 BR / 1 BA guest house, horse barn w/ barn apt, ring, paddocks & pond. In 2 parcels. Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201
Aldie – Charming historic home, ca. 1820, with kitchen and baths recently renovated. Move-in ready. Verizon FIOS, 2-car garage, a party barn, a studio/office, gardens and mature landscaping. Rebecca Poston | 540-771-7520 LITTLE RIVER TPKE. 2+ acres | $899,000
Boyce – First time offering! Custom home with spectacular views. 6 BRs / 5 full & 2 half BAs. No details spared. Greenhouse, garage, and separate 4-season room. A mix of open pasture and woods. Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201 SALTERHILL 145 acres | $4,875,000
PANTHERSKIN 10 acres | $2,500,000
Middleburg – Elegant Atoka Chase home, masterfully renovated in 2023 for today’s lifestyle. 4 BR / 4 BA home w/main level primary suite, private with beautiful terraces, gardens, lawn and woodland.
John Coles | 540-270-0094
TILTHAMMER MILL 79+ acres | $2,199,000
Boyce – Built in 2020, house is 4,800 sq. ft. with 10’ ceilings, 8 foot doors, hardwood floors. Hardiplank and stone exterior, fabulous mountain views. Totally restored bank barn. Maria Eldredge 540-454-3829 | Anne McIntosh 703-509-4499
RECTORTOWN RD. .83 acres | $849,000
Marshall – American Four-Square home offers 4 BRs / 4.5 BAs w/ over 3,700 sq. ft. on 3 finished levels. Beautiful fenced yard and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Comcast Internet. Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201
FIELD
The Plains – Ideally located 5 BR / 4 full, 2 half BA home on a knoll overlooking protected land. Open pastures, hayfields and mature trees. Stabling for 10 horses. In OCH territory with great ride out. Emily Ristau | 540-454-9083
Middleburg – Enjoy a refined lifestyle in a picturesque setting. Updated 4 BR w/ mountain views. 2 stall barn, 4 paddocks, 2 run-in sheds. Ride out w/ permission. Middleburg Hunt territory. Kristin Dillon-Johnson | 703-673-6920 OLD MILL FARM 18+ acres | $2,390,000
Middleburg – Southern Living designed home is elegant and inviting w/ oak-milled interiors, pastoral views, flagstone terraces, and turnkey equestrian facilities. Middleburg Hunt territory. Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201 WHITE OAK 12+ acres | $1,925,000
HOUSE 900 sq.ft. | $1,950/mo
Spacious offices with high ceilings, hardwood floors, kitchenettes and bathrooms. High speed Xifinty available. Private parking. 1,100 sq.ft. $2,950/mo; or 2,000 sq.ft. $4,900/mo. Text preferred. Rein duPont | 540-454-3355
We are passionate about Horse Country–it’s our home. Thomas & Talbot agents are your neighbors, fellow board members and teammates. Our goal is to pass along the properties, traditions and Horse Country lifestyle for many generations to come. This intimate knowledge makes us uniquely prepared to ensure your real estate experience is nothing short of extraordinary.
LA SELVA CREPES & COFFEE
Written by Heidi Baumstark | Photos by Gracie Savage
“One day I was driving through the little village of Aldie on Route 50 and thought it would be a great spot for my trailer.” – Duncan
First come crepes. Then comes coffee. Now comes La Selva Crepes & Coffee — offering both.
Juliana Duncan, owner and founder of the mobile coffee shop, operates her business out of a spiffy, retro-looking trailer designed in mocha shades of beige and caramel, complete with a curvy-body style.
“People say it has a vintage feel,” she says, “but it’s actually new.”
Duncan first started in May by going on the road to wineries, breweries, farmers markets, craft shows, “basically anywhere,” she says, including private gatherings like weddings, parties, and corporate events, selling her sweet and savory crepes perfectly paired with rich, authentic Colombian coffee.
“One day I was driving through the little village of Aldie on Route 50 and thought it would be a great spot for my trailer. So, I stopped at Mercer Tavern Antiques and asked the owner, Mary Ann, if it was allowed to park a trailer there.” When she said yes, Duncan knew she and her team had stumbled on the perfect destination. They’ve been parked there since early September, and Duncan has since added picnic tables so people can enjoy their treats surrounded by the village’s historic setting.
THE INSPIRATION
“I’m Colombian born and raised and moved here in 2018,” Duncan shares. After graduating from high school in Colombia, she took a
gap year and lived in Léon, France. “When I lived in France, I’d eat crepes every single day and I loved them,” she says. “So, when I was thinking what I could do to combine my love of crepes and coffee, I came up with this business.”
La Selva is a Spanish word for “the jungle.” Drinks are made from 100% arabica coffee beans from Colombia’s Cocora Valley, known for Quindío wax palms, which is why Duncan chose these palm leaf images for designs on her website. While crepe recipes aren’t traditional Colombian cuisine, the entire brand is rooted in the vibrant spirit of Colombia and the bold personality of its jungles.
“When I would buy what’s called Colombian coffee here, it never tasted like back home,” Duncan says. “My biggest pride is my coffee; we want people to experience how real, authentic Colombian coffee tastes.”
Choices range from cold brews, lattes, cafe au laits, espressos, cappuccinos, and cortados. For added flavor, she offers a variety of syrups and milk options, including oat milk. To keep things interesting and new, she offers weekly specials and unique varieties.
Duncan and her team prepare crepes cooked on-site in the trailer. Her two sons — Max, age 10, and Matias, age 8 — serve as her taste testers. “They love to try my crepes,” she shares. Duncan even has a kids happy hour on Fridays from 3 to 5
Selva | Page 25
Top: La Selva Crepes & Coffee. Bottom left: La Selva’s coffee. Bottom right: A freshly made crepe.
p.m., which includes crepes with unlimited toppings. “We had to do something just for the kids. With cooler weather coming, we’ll start offering hot chocolate,” she adds.
Sweet crepes are the most popular. “I incorporate Colombian flavors like ‘arequipe,’ a caramel flavor similar to dulce de leche, and crepes with Nutella and strawberry are also popular in my ‘Toucan’ crepe,” she says. Other sweet toppings include caramel, fresh fruits, mascarpone cream, whipped cream, kataifi (thin, noodle-like pastry strands), milo powder (chocolate-flavored malted powder), marshmallows, and fruit drizzles. The business is also on Uber Eats, so people can order online for delivery. In a hurry? No problem: customers can order and request curbside pickup.
BOOK IT
The trailer can be booked to hit the road for special occasions. Whether it’s for a festival, private party, wedding, corporate gathering, or community event, customers can complete an online form on the cafe’s website. On Saturdays, La Selva can be found parked at Stone Springs Hospital Farmers Market in Aldie.
Duncan said about her business, “It’s basically a crepe shop that sells coffee, but the biggest pride is our coffee. I’m also doing all these specialty lattes and that brings people in. So many customers post photos of our crepes and coffee on Instagram.”
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“I feel it’s definitely filling a void
in the village,” says Mary Ann Withers, the owner of Mercer Tavern Antiques. “Two other eateries are now gone, but now we have La Selva. I’m very happy for them; they’re having consistent customers. Their coffee is delicious, nice, and strong. The crepes are great, too.”
Steven Uzaldin, a local, is a regular. “One day, I was on my way to a winery and saw the trailer on Route 50,” he said. “The way Juliana has incorporated her Colombian roots into her wonderful creations is topnotch. Her yummy ‘Manatee’ crepes with Dubai chocolate and pistachio cream and her blueberry cheesecake latte are to die for.”
For those in need of a pick-meup, Uzaldin recommends the “Anaconda” (sliced turkey breast, provolone, avocado, arugula, avocado lime salsa, and chipotle ranch) and the “Capybara” (mozzarella, tomato, arugula, basil, and balsamic drizzle). “They’re both delicious for a quick protein gym snack,” he says.
Withers adds, “The trailer is adorable — it’s really eye-catching. Just with any business, you need to build up the clientele, and they’re doing that. They serve fresh ingredients and they’re reaching out in all the right places, networking, and getting the word out.”
Uzaldin says, “I have recommended this little spot to family, close friends, and colleagues, and I’ve heard nothing but raving comments. From the beginning, La Selva has been an outstanding experience.” ML
La Selva Crepes & Coffee 39359 Little River Turnpike Aldie, VA 20105 laselvacoffeeco.com
“I feel it’s definitely filling a void in the village.” – Withers
Top: Juliana Duncan. Bottom: Specials on display.
Selva | From page 24
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day Happy
Thursday, November 27th, 11AM - 4PM
Gather your loved ones for an unforgettable holiday experience. Indulge in an exclusive, multi-course menu thoughtfully crafted by our chefs, all while surrounded by the elegant and festive ambiance of our historic estate.
The Cellar Club presents...
Thursday, November 13th, 6PM - 9PM
A special wine dinner featuring Willowcroft Winery. This exclusive event pairs the masterful creations of our Resident Executive Chef Jan Van Haute with the exceptional wines of Owner and Winemaker Lew Parker.
TRINITY, THERE ’ S A PLACE FOR YOU
Sunday, November 30 & December 7, 14, & 21:
Advent services each Sunday at 8:00am, 10:30am, & 5:00pm
The Nativity of Christ - Christmas Day 10:00am Festive Eucharist & Carols
Sunday, December 28
The First Sunday after Christmas 10:30am Christmas Readings & Carols
On Rt 50, Upperville, VA, just 15 minutes west of Middleburg. 540-592-3343.
ViRgiNia is foR loVeRs, HoRses, HouNds, & Road safety
Written by Sarah Hickner | Photo by Joanne Maisano
Middleburg’s title as the nation’s horse and hunt capital isn’t a relic from a bygone era. Local hunts are alive and thriving, drawing riders from around the world to Virginia’s rolling countryside.
Drive along almost any country road, and occasionally even a main thoroughfare, and you might come across a loose hound or a horse and rider. Next, local social media groups light up with posts that start with “Found Hound!” followed by a flurry of advice and opinions on what to do next.
Those unfamiliar with the rules of the road might wonder: do you leave it and hope it finds its way home? Do you stop and pick it up? If you do add a new furry passenger to your car, what happens next? And if it’s a horse on the side of the road, do you speed past, stop and wait, or honk to say hello?
Part of the beauty of Hunt Country is that horses, hounds, residents, and visitors to the area all have the opportunity to cross paths. With that in mind, experts familiar with Middleburg’s unique niche share their thoughts on horses, hounds, humans, and safety.
TIPS FOR DRIVERS
The average car in the U.S. weighs around 4,300 pounds, while the average horse weighs about 1,000. When the two meet at speed, it’s often fatal for both horse and driver.
The best way to pass a horse on the road? Imagine you’re passing a baby in a stroller, except this baby can move fast and unpredictably. Drive slowly enough that if the horse jumps in front of you, you can stop in time.
If you or your passengers want a closer look at a horse, stop at a safe distance rather than driving up close. Some riders may not be able to pause; their horse could be young, nervous, or on a mission to get home.
HORSE RIDERS AND ROAD SAFETY
According to Betsy Donley, honorary secretary of the Old Dominion Hounds, “Horses are legally supposed to go the same way as traffic — meaning that, like a bicycle, you’re supposed to ride on the right side of the road. Hug the shoulder as much as you can if you’re on horseback, and try to stay on the grass if there’s a safe verge.
Safety | Page 29
Most horses that travel near roads are accustomed to cars, so it’s not always the vehicle they are afraid of. Horses are flight animals, and the list of things that can spook them is long: falling branches, buzzing bees, or a plastic bag drifting on the wind are just a few.
A rider, horse, fox, and van meet on the road.
Safety | From page 28
Riders should stay single file to allow traffic to pass.”
Visibility also matters. Bright orange vests with reflective strips are an easy, affordable way to help drivers see you. They may not be glamorous, or particularly equestrian chic, but they do have pockets for your phone and a few horse treats.
A quick wave and a friendly smile can go a long way in keeping harmony between riders and drivers.
FINDING STRAY HOUNDS
A working foxhound lives a very different life from the average house dog. These hounds are lean, fit, and used to spending much of their time outdoors with a pack. They’re trained to listen to their huntsman, not strangers, so don’t be surprised if a stray hound ignores your calls.
Several hunts ride across Middleburg and the surrounding countryside, and it’s not unusual to see hounds near roads during a hunt. If you spot one, first make sure it’s truly separated from the pack. Often, a hound will catch a scent and wander off, only to return when called.
Pull over in a safe spot and observe for a moment. If you don’t hear the sounds of a nearby hunt, such as horns or baying in the distance, try calling the hound to you. Most wear collars with GPS trackers and contact information. If you know where the hunt meets, you can deliver the hound there. Otherwise, call the number on its tag.
If the hound won’t come, a photo can be very helpful. Hunt staff know their hounds well and can identify them by sight. You can text or email the photo to the contact on the collar, if provided.
If all else fails — whether you’ve caught the hound, snapped a photo, or simply spotted one alone — share a post in a local Facebook group with the location. Many Middleburg residents are well connected online and can usually track down the right hunt or owner in short order.
KEEPING TRADITION ALIVE
In a place where horses are commonplace and hounds sound off across the hills, sharing the road is part of sharing the beauty of Hunt Country. Slowing down, showing courtesy, and lending a hand when a hound goes astray are small acts that can protect a cherished tradition.
Virginia may be for lovers, but here in the heart of Hunt Country, it’s also for riders, hounds, and neighbors who care enough to keep it that way. ML
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Remembering Kim Ileen Mickley
Kim Ileen Mickley, a beloved sister and cherished friend, graced this world with her presence on July 2, 1955, in Erie, PA Her journey came to a peaceful close on April 15, 2025, at the age of 69 Though Kim's last days were spent in The Culpeper's Memory Care residence, her heart and spirit remained connected to the many places and people who shaped her remarkable life
Kim's life was a testament to her adventurous spirit and unwavering faith. A proud graduate of Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA, Class of 1973, she went on to further her education at St. Francis College in Latrobe, PA, and then at SUNY Stony Brook, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology Her passion for understanding the earth's mysteries led her to serve in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone as an Agricultural Instructor, an experience that enriched her life and those whose lives she touched Her professional journey took her to the Department of Defense, where she contributed her expertise in the Geological Survey Division in Cheyenne, WY. Kim's career was a testament to her dedication and brilliance in her f ield
Outside of her professional accomplishments, Kim was a pillar in her community. Her faith guided her volunteer efforts at St Mary’s Cathedral in Cheyenne, where she taught Catholic Sunday School, and at Cheyenne WY Senior Services Her kindness and outgoing nature left a lasting impact on everyone she met Kim's family was the cornerstone of her life She is survived by her loving sisters, Pamela Mickley Albers (son Carter Albers) and Michelle Mickley Elgin (Robert Elgin) She joins in eternal peace her sister, Tamra Ann Mickley, and her parents, Eileen Killmeyer Mickley and Robert Elmer Mickley, who predeceased her.
A service will be held November 6, 2025 at 9:00am, at St Mary Cathedral in Cheyenne, Wyoming, interment will follow at Olivet Cemetery and reception at St. Mary’s Cathedral Hartmann Hall where Kim's life and legacy will be celebrated by those who knew and loved her. Her adventurous spirit, deep kindness, and unwavering faith will continue to inspire and guide those she leaves behind
In closing, Kim Ileen Mickley was a beacon of light and love Her life was a testament to the power of faith, kindness, and adventure She will be deeply missed and forever cherished in the hearts of her family and friends.
Given Kim’s love of animals in lieu of f lowers, please make a donation to the Cheyenne Animal Shelter, 800 Southwest Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82007 www.cheyenneanimalshelter.org
Step into the joyful world of antiquing at Another Blue Moon, where each visit promises an adventure filled with nostalgia and discovery.
Situated in the basement of the Middleburg Professional Center, Another Blue Moon has found a renewed purpose, reopening this Sep-
a New life foR aNotHeR Blue mooN
Written by Lia Hobel | Photos by Caroline Gray
tember in a new home. The shop, owned and managed by Kerry Dale, is now accessible one long weekend each month — a rhythm that allows Dale the freedom and joy of “the hunt.” Dale says she enjoys scouring near and far for antiques, vintage gems, and seasonal curiosities to fill her shelves and delight loyal patrons and treasure seekers alike.
Previously, Another Blue Moon operated in Middleburg as a consignment shop. Now it’s a fully curated retail experience. Each monthly event features a special theme, adding a fresh twist to the array of goods on offer. In October, featured items captured an “Au Natural” ambience, with
pieces crafted from bamboo, rattan, wicker, and woven materials — both real and faux. While the themed selections are a highlight, most of the shop’s inventory remains delightfully eclectic.
“The feature is just an added element, like a handful of trees in a forest,” she explains. Future monthly features may include painted furniture and — just in time for November — themed items for holiday entertaining. Dale’s commitment to sourcing unique finds ensures there’s always something new for visitors to discover.
The decision to operate just one long weekend a month reflects Dale’s passion for the acquiring phase of her business and for fostering a sense of anticipation. She opted to keep the barn location, favoring its destination appeal over the daily foot traffic of Main Street. “I don’t need street traffic; I need people putting it on their calendar and coming down when I’m open,” Dale shares.
No visit to Another Blue Moon would be complete without meeting Kylie, the shop’s canine mascot. Adored by customers, Kylie continues to “work” for Dale — so long as treats and belly rubs remain part of the job description.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just looking for a weekend adventure, Another Blue Moon welcomes guests to explore the ever-changing tapestry of vintage finds. Every experience reveals fresh surprises and curated collections, ensuring new delights and unexpected gems for all who enter. ML
Another Blue Moon 119 The Plains Road Middleburg, VA 20117
Top left: Kerry Dale and Kylie. Middle right: A gorgeous pillow. Bottom left: Dishes for every style. Bottom right: A new sign
AN MFF DISCUSSION: ai & film
Written by Laticia Headings
The meteoric rise of artificial intelligence in the past few years has sparked controversies and engaging conversations across industries, including Hollywood. At this year’s Middleburg Film Festival, two prominent AI experts, Zeke Koch and Neil Barrett, shared their thoughts on how AI is reshaping the filmmaking landscape.
The birth of AI began in the 1950s, when computer science pioneer and mathematician Alan Turing posed a radical concept: “Can computers think?” Most AI innovation since then has largely been developed in the arenas of technology, health care, government, and media. However, Hollywood is one of the first visual frontiers where these advancements could be seen by mainstream audiences. In the 1970s, films like “Westworld” and “Star Wars: A New Hope” broke new ground by using computer-generated images, a precursor to AI, created by animators and artists who controlled every aspect of modeling, lighting, and rendering.
Today, many facets of the filmmaking process are AI-assisted. With these platforms, “just type a few sentences and you’ll immediately see something that blows the mind of a person who’s not thinking about it carefully and crushes the soul of anyone who really cares about it,” said Zeke Koch, who specializes in product and AI strategy.
“None of us want to create a world where you hit the auto-generate button and start creating movies with AI at the center,” added Neil Barrett,
a former cinematographer and now principal product manager at Adobe. “I’ve never been on a film set that had too much money or too much time, so what I’m interested in is making that day more manageable.”
AI can now transform words, data, and contextual cues into still or moving imagery, a tool that can be invaluable for visualizing concepts before filming or enhancing scenes during editing. “The camera shows what we see in the world,” Barrett said. “What AI generates is what we imagine. And if you use it for imagination, then it’s an incrementally great technology.”
Still, Barrett acknowledged that some tech companies intentionally aim to disrupt Hollywood. “The majority of these companies scrape the internet and record imagery created by professionals in order to create a technology that may affect their work. That’s both an ethical and emotional issue,” he explained.
He continued, “You’ve got creative professionals who are very rightfully worried about this technology. The key is for the media industry to limit it not as a way of saving money… That’s just going to put more pressure on the film industry. Let’s hope that it’s embraced as much for its creative potential as it is for productivity gains.”
In this new era, trust is a major hurdle for creators and audiences alike, who question if what they see on-screen was filmed or AI-generated. “In the next five years, it’s going to be about, ‘Can we trust what we see?’” Barrett said.
Koch, who was the former VP of product for Adobe, agreed: “I think AI’s another tool that humans have, like cameras and paintbrushes and pens, to help people who have the right sensitivities to tell the truth.”
The conversation doesn’t end with ethics; legal challenges such as potential copyright infringement also come into question. “I’m hoping that lawyers spend a long time arguing that over. The longer they argue, the clearer things will be,” Koch said.
He added, “If you care about knowing whether a picture was taken with a camera or generated, there is now technology to do that.”
As the film industry continues to evolve, technology will undoubtedly change how we tell stories, but it will always be the human touch that gives them meaning. “I think we can use this technology to talk about profoundly complicated subjects in very sensitive ways, as long as the people who are using it deeply understand those communities,” Koch said. “It’s about their eye and not the tool that creates the emotional connection.”
Conversations like the MFF panel are vital in shaping a future where AI is increasingly impactful. “There’s still time for us to shape a smart, sustainable relationship with filmmaking that benefits everyone,” Barrett urged. “The key is putting these tools into the hands of professionals so they can continue to do human-centered work with AI assistance.” ML
Since the 1878 “Horse in Motion,” a set of pictures made to move, or 1888’s “Roundhay Garden Scene,” widely considered the first motion picture film, movies have always had the ability to elicit emotion from viewers. Laughing, crying, or, in the case of horror films, the desire to look over one’s shoulder or keep a light on at night, memorable films of any genre can have an effect that attendees of the Middleburg Film Festival are all too familiar with.
But it’s a rare film that captures the true complexity of the human experience and demands something deeper from its audience: self-reflection.
From October 16 to 19, as shuttles passed between Salamander Resort & Spa, The Hill School, the National Sporting Library & Museum, and the Community Center, as tickets were scanned, seats filled, and credits rolled, three films screened at the 2025 Middleburg Film Festival accomplished just that. “Sentimental Value,” “Ask E. Jean,” and “Hamnet” — three very different movies — examined three fundamental questions: what do we owe our parents? What do we owe ourselves? And, finally, what do we owe our children?
Set in Oslo, Norway, “Sentimental Value” centers on the relationship between a screenwriter father and his two semi-estranged adult daughters. Viewers quickly learn that the father, Gustav Borg, played by Stellan Skarsgård, left his family home and young kids, only to reappear in their lives at the funeral of their mother. As the film
The 2025 MFF Spotlights Self-Reflection
Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photo by Shannon Finney
progresses, Gustav asks daughters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) to participate in his new film project and indirectly, but more importantly, to forgive him. As the daughters struggle with the question of what they owe their father for simply being their father, the story that unfolds is a beautiful expression of unconditional and at times conditional love, an examination of obligation, and a period of introspection for all of the film’s characters and by extension the audience.
“Ask E. Jean,” a documentary about the life of American journalist, author, and advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, was perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend. Far from a dry retelling of events, the film was often humorous and filled with relatable moments sourced from Carroll’s 1990s television series. During the Q&A that followed, director Ivy Meeropol shared, “The hardest thing was getting that tone right.” And Carroll, also in attendance at the film festival, mused on the “tightrope” that women have always had to walk in personal and professional contexts. Set against the backdrop of the life of a working woman, Carroll flips the script from, “What do women owe to society?” to the much more valuable question of, “What do we owe ourselves?” As she ponders the prompt, viewers are asked to as well, proving that a relationship with oneself is as complex as any relationship with another.
While in many ways an exercise in escapism with period costumes, English accents, and
A crowd gathers outside the Middleburg Community Center for the Sunday screening of “Hamnet.”
Shakespearean dialect, “Hamnet” was far from worlds away in its core messaging. The film follows a young William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), his wife, Agnes (Jessie Buckley), and their three children as the family navigates the challenges of budding success in the time of the plague. For Shakespeare, his time and attention are divided between his career in London and his children at home, while his wife dedicates herself entirely to the family’s success, happiness, and safety. As the Globe Theatre is built and the plague closes in, both parents grapple with the best approach to balance their fraught yet rewarding lives while protecting their children from harm. While originally a moment of personal crisis in “Hamlet,” the play, viewers of “Hamnet,” the film, might ponder the question, “To be or not to be,” through the lens of what a parent can reasonably accomplish and control when both sheltering their children from and exposing them to the world.
All three are examples of a film’s ability to explore, mirror, and question the human psyche, and each speaks to the beauty of the Middleburg Film Festival experience. No two people among the trailing lines that spilled out of the screening venues were the same. Attendees of different ages, genders, belief systems, hometowns, and life stories filled the streets of Middleburg, yet were all united by the common human experience of a day at the movies and the opportunity to reflect. ML
SCENES FROM RALLYE MIDDLEBURG
October 18, 2025 | Photos by Bill Stoler Photography
Art Around Town: Exhibits You Won’t Want to Miss
Written by Kaitlin Hill
As fall settles into winter, art exhibits worth seeing are popping up all over town. We’ve rounded up what’s on display starting this month, each show perfect for a cozy outing with friends and family or for a solo stroll and even shopping.
30 Years of The Byrne Gallery
The Byrne Gallery is celebrating 30 years in business and Yuri Gorbachev’s 22nd exhibit with Susan and Bill Byrne. Gorbachev's oil and enamel paintings will be on display from November 4 through December 30. A portion of the sales from the exhibit will be donated to families in Ukraine through the International Rescue Committee (IRC) for Ukrainian refugees — even more reason to stop by and celebrate with Gorbachev and The Byrne Gallery.
“Rose Marie Bogley: Elegance Aside”
Running from November 7, 2025, to March 22, 2026, in the National Sporting Library & Museum’s Forrest E. Mars, Sr. Exhibit Hall, the display will showcase Rose Marie Bogely’s archives, which were recently donated by her daughter, Hilleary Bogley, and the Rose Marie Bogley Revocable Trust. The donation includes photos and awards collected by the local equestrienne over six decades. A selection will be on display in addition to Rose Marie’s portrait by Richard Stone Reeves and other objects of importance on loan from her family. Many of the photographs feature Rose Marie’s travels and portraits of her with notable figures like Mamie Eisenhower, Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter, and even Rose Marie playing golf with
professional golfer Sam Snead. For more information, visit nationalsporting.org.
Plenty
to See at the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America
MHHNA will have three noteworthy events in November and beyond. Though finishing its run on November 9, there is still time to see the work of Heather St. Clair Davis, on loan from the private collection of Matthew and Wingate Mackay Smith.
Later in the month, Cathy Zimmerman returns to the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America’s Middleburg location on November 14 through December 28. In addition to the exhibit, Zimmerman’s art will be for sale, just in time for holiday shopping.
Speaking of shopping, MHHNA will also have a Fine Equestrian Jewelry Trunk Show on November 22 and 23 from 12 to 6 p.m. The show will feature designer Lisa Harris of Savenac 1821.
For more information on all the happenings at MHHNA, visit mhhna.org.
GASP: “Great Art, Small Prices” at AiM
On November 22, the Artists in Middleburg will bring back its annual exhibit, GASP, where all subjects and mediums are accepted but prices on the pieces are $500 or lower. The exhibit is the perfect opportunity to purchase a unique piece of local art to give as a gift this holiday season. The exhibit is open through January 4, 2026. For AiM’s full exhibition schedule, check theartistsinmiddleburg.org. ML
BEYOND THE FINISH LINE: Natalie Wales Finds Next Chapter for Thoroughbred Horses
Written by Sarah Hickner | Photos by Shannon Ayres
For horse racing fans, the finish line marks the end of a story. For lovers of Thoroughbreds like Natalie Wales, it’s often where the next chapter begins.
Wales, a horsewoman originally from En -
gland, has spent nearly two decades helping Thoroughbreds transition from the racetrack into successful second careers. Now, she’s turning that passion into the Thoroughbred Transition Project (TTP), a nonprofit organization devoted to helping retired racehorses start again and find new homes where they’ll thrive.
Wales came to the United States in 2001 and got her stateside start with Dr. Kent Allen at Virginia Equine Imaging. After five years, she launched her own boarding, training, and sales business. For many years, her focus was eventing. She developed young horses and competed them up the levels.
took a backseat. She is now an amateur whipper-in with the Orange County Hounds, and hunts with the many Thoroughbreds who have found a forever home with her.
One of Wales’ most memorable horses was
markable starts at Charles Town, Spotty retired from racing and came back home to Wales. Spotty started foxhunting at the young age of 3 and eventually Wales took him to the two-star level in eventing. They were together for nearly 20 years. Wales says, “I believe given the right training and patience, a retired Thoroughbred can thrive well beyond the racetrack — proving that their greatest potential often comes after the final race.”
Not every horse stays in her barn, though. What Wales considers her greatest success is helping a horse find its perfect home. A few years back, she was retraining a horse that had retired from the Charles Town racetrack. When a friend reached out looking for a mount for her student, Wales matched the young rider with the horse.
A few years back, Wales suffered a head injury from a riding accident, and her eventing career
Natalie Wales with Leather Cut, aka “Topper.”
Wolfe Tone Lad, known around the barn as “Spotty” because of a white spot on his side. She had Spotty as a weanling, and at 2 years old he went off to start race training. After two unre-
They started jumping little crossrails, and now that pair does training-level eventing together. Not only are they successful in the arena, but the
Thoroughbred | Page 39
two are best friends.
Wales says, “For the Thoroughbred, retirement isn’t an ending — it’s a transition. The same heart that once drove them to run now drives them to learn, adapt, and excel in new arenas.”
A PURPOSE BEYOND PROFIT
The mission of the Thoroughbred Transition Project is to provide bright futures for bright horses. Wales explains, “While training and reselling/rehoming are important to what we do, our goal and passion is guiding these horses into the right careers and homes.”
Retraining a Thoroughbred requires time, resources, and expertise. The costs of shipping, feed, farrier care, and veterinary work — sometimes including surgeries and rehab — often far exceed what can be recovered through resale. By creating a nonprofit, Wales and her team have removed the pressure to sell quickly, allowing them to focus solely on what’s best for the horses.
Once a horse is ready for retraining, Wales can determine what discipline would suit the horse best. Living in Middleburg, there are a plethora of options. Is it a big mover who will wow the judges
in the dressage arena? Does it thrive on chasing baying hounds through the Virginia countryside? Or maybe the horse wants to event, show jump, play polo, or be someone’s trail companion. Thoroughbreds are versatile, but when they find their niche, they truly shine.
Another key tenet of the program is longterm accountability: every horse remains traceable. If an owner can no longer provide care, TTP will take the horse back, ensuring it never falls through the cracks.
Before founding TTP, Wales and her team were doing this work for many years. The new nonprofit simply allows others in the community who share a passion for Thoroughbreds to join in and support the effort.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Thoroughbred Transition Project currently has two recent retirees housed at Wales’ farm off Zulla Road in Middleburg. Both of them, Come Rain or Shine and Spin It, are enjoying a well-earned break before beginning their retraining this spring. Wales also plans to bring a horse to next year’s Thoroughbred Makeover, a national competition celebrating the versatility of off-track Thoroughbreds as they begin
their new careers.
With her deep ties to Virginia’s foxhunting, eventing, and racing communities, Wales and her team are uniquely positioned to connect the right horses with the right people. The finish line is only the end of a chapter when it comes to the Thoroughbred Transition Project; there’s a whole beautiful story left to write for retired racehorses. ML
For more information on the Thoroughbred Transition Project, visit thoroughbredtransitionproject. org.
Thoroughbred | From page 38
Left: Wales, Bob the horse, Gail Figgins, Dr. Jacob Crotts, and Bodie the dog. Right: Natalie Wales.
Our Favorite Local Fall Finds
by Callie Broaddus
Photos
Vintage Painting, $39, Available at The Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America
Claudia Firenze Small Tote, Handmade in Italy, $195, Available at Zest Clothing & Co.
Solar Print Paper, $10, Available at The PLAYroom
“The Three Question Journal,” $30, Available at Every Little Something
Joy of Hunting Bandanas, $24.95, Available at Horse Country
Fabio Valenti Belt, $42, Available at Brick & Mortar
Trade
“Highland Harvest,” $35, Available at Middleburg Books
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MARCEL PENZES AND THE MARDI GRAS PARISHIONERS
November 9 | 5 to 6:30 p.m. | gracetheplains.org
Enjoy the sounds of New Orleans jazz with Marcel Penzes and the Mardi Gras Parishioners performing at Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains. Attendees can expect a lively performance and even join in a second line parade. Tickets are required and can be booked through the Grace website.
SOPHIE GRANDVAL’S “FRAGMENTS OF EDEN”
AT OSGF
November 13 | 5 to 7 p.m. | osgf.org
Experience an exclusive screening of the documentary “Fragments of Eden” about artist Sophie Grandval. Prior to the screening, guests will have the opportunity to view a selection of Grandval’s original works, collected by Rachel “Bunny” Mellon and housed in the Oak Spring Garden
Library. For tickets, visit osgf.org/oneday-events.
FALL PIE COOKING DEMO AT SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA
November 15 | 1 to 3 p.m. | salamanderresort.com
Join the Salamander pastry team as they guide class participants through the tips and tricks of perfect fall pies. This cooking demo is beginner-friendly but also great for seasoned bakers to up their game. Visit Salamander’s website for more information.
PINK FRIDAY IN MIDDLEBURG
November 21
Support small businesses by shopping at the fantastic local shops that make Middleburg so unique. Participating locations include Posh Pixies Kidswear, Lost Barrel Brewing, Brick & Mortar Mercantile, Crème de la Crème, Just K.A.D.E,
and Lou Lou Too. For more information, visit Lost Barrel’s Facebook page.
SNOW BIRD WALK AT BLANDY EXPERIMENTAL FARM
November 21 | 8 to 10 a.m. | blandy.virginia.edu
Spend a morning spotting purple finches, pine siskins, northern harriers, and other snow birds with birding enthusiast and Blandy Director Dr. David Carr. The walk will take place over a mile of gently rolling terrain. Tickets are $8 for members and $12 for non-members.
“FINERY & FESTIVITY”: GARMENTS FROM THE OATLANDS COLLECTION
November 22 - December 28 | oatlands.org
“Finery & Festivity,” the latest exhibit from OatCalendar | Page 43
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
lands Historic House & Gardens, celebrates the craftsmanship, culture, and personal stories woven into historic clothing, transforming the mansion interiors with period garments, accessories, and holiday décor. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event to kick off the holiday season! For more information, visit the Oatlands website.
THANKSGIVING CENTERPIECE FLORAL ARRANGING
November 23 | 1 to 3 p.m. | cpkfloraldesigns.com
Construct a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece with the help of CPK Floral Designs during a two-hour workshop at 868 Estate Vineyards. Tickets are $100 per person and include all floral arranging supplies, instruction from a professional florist, a glass of wine, and light snacks.
Tickets can be booked through Eventbrite.
FARM-TO-TABLE THANKSGIVING FEAST AT GOODSTONE INN
November 27 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | goodstone.com
Indulge this Thanksgiving with a three-course feast at Goodstone Inn prepared by Executive Chef Jan Can Haute. The menu will include the best of fall flavors and can be optionally paired with wine. There will also be a children’s menu available. To make a reservation, visit opentable. com/r/conservatory-at-goodstone-middleburg.
WARRENTON HUNT BALL
November 29 | 6 to 11 p.m. | warrentonhunt.com
Enjoy cocktails, dinner, dancing, and silent and live auctions to celebrate the start of the holi-
day season with the Warrenton Hunt. This year’s theme is “It’s All About the Huntsman,” and offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in Hunt Country culture. Tickets are required and can be booked through Eventbrite.
SUNDAY SKETCH AT NSLM
November 30 | 2 to 4 p.m. | nationalsporting.org
Guests will have the opportunity to refine their sketching skills during this in-person, guided session at the National Sporting Library & Museum. Participation is free and all materials are provided. RSVPs are not required, but those interested in attending can email JBanner@NationalSporting.org to reserve a spot.
For more Hunt Country events, visit MiddleburgLife.com or scan here:
Calendar | From page 42
Holiday Traditions Await
Experience the magic of the season in our enchanting holiday town. From the festive glow of the Tree Lighting Ceremony to the joy-filled moments at Brunch with Santa, each tradition is designed to create lasting memories for your family this season.
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