Issuu

Volume 43 Issue 9 | September 2026 | middleburglife.com

NEW IN TOWN:

NIDO COFFEE + TEAHOUSE

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ac| 35 ahon One of Albemarle County’s elen oldest farm wineries 20.3 acres on New Road, Aldie | Minutes to Middleburg, acres on 3 parcels | 22 acres of producing vineyard | 3 Creighton Farms & Dulles Airport | Zoned AR2 – ideal residences w/mountain views: main house, guest house for horse farm, country inn, or estate | 5BR / 4BA frame & manager’s residence | Winery building w/tasting room, & brick contemporary |High ceilings, 2 fireplaces, office, kitchen & event space | Production facility plus light-filled interiors | 4-stall barn with tack room | 4-car 40’ x 60’ warehouse | Turnkey operation w/potential for garage, storage building | Inground pool | Private setting events & expansion. with Bull Run Mountain views $2,400,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

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Circa 1875 farmhouse, fully restored | 3 BR, 2 BA, 1

main cottage with gourmetproperty kitchen, fireplace | Stucco-over-frame; family property | Plains | ponds | RenovatedA remarkable located withinlongtime a private fireplace, 1 bedroom & 2 full baths | Separate 2 9.50 acres, open and rolling | Mountain views; surrounded ecently bedroom cottage enclave just privacy minutes town | Stone and| Natural stucco offers exceptional for visitorsfrom by large conservation easement farms spring on or multigenerational living | Stonehouse wall, terraced patios main property (possible pond site) | suite Historic barn and family nge manor with level master | 7 | Ideal weekend getaway, full-time residence, or family cemetery | Family connection to Mosby’s Rangers compound | Peaceful natural settingBR with abundant hs, additional | 5 stone FP | Beautiful $875,000gardens, wildlife and timeless charm | Rare opportunity Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 water terraces, salt water pool, cabana, carriage house & $1,450,000 Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868 dio, with 2 paddocks | Lovely finishes throughout Helenstable MacMahon 540.454.1930 d & sweeping lawn to private trails to Goose Creek | 31 acres | Private, elegant & convenient middleburglife.com • SEPTEMBER 2026

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and seclusion | Gently rising terrain with an elevated potential Circ 17 acres of rolling pasture land in| Surrounded the village building site by large tracts | Conveniently located with quick, easy access to Route 66 | Mature timber and rebu of Rectortown | Convenient abundant to both Routes 50 wildlife create a hunter’s and outdoor enthusiast’s paradise | Ideal for a private retreat, weekend escape, or future & 66 | Newly renovated | Private setting withserving as an easement beam homesite | Established drive currently for two neighboring parcels | A combination of natural beauty, Bar magnificent mountain views | 4 privacy, bedrooms, recreation, and convenience $700,000 $447,321 2 bedr 4 full bath, 1 half bath, 2 fireplaces | Heated Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 multip pool & spa | 2 bedroom guest house | Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868 Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868 ou Large shed & 2-car garage

$2,475,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

SEPTEMBER 2026

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SEP T. 2026 middleburglife.com

PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media, LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kaitlin Hill | kaitlin@middleburglife.com COPY EDITOR & DIGITAL ASSISTANT Susan Stark INTERNS William Anderson Emerson Leger ADVERTISING SALES Jamie Null | jamie@middleburglife.com Jennifer Richards | jennifer@middleburglife.com Andrea Ryder | andrea@middleburglife.com ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR Joanne Maisano DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Nicky Marshok ON THE COVER Father-and-daughter team Joe and Kyra Campbell with one of their rescues at Serenity Equine Rescue. Middleburg Life intern Emerson Leger chats with the dynamic duo about their mission to help all horses on page 6. Photo by Sherri Holdridge. ON THIS PAGE Follow the signs to Nido, a coffee shop tucked away behind Nature Composed. Middleburg Life writer Heidi Baumstark interviews owners Pablo and Natalia Enriquez as well as Nature Composed proprietor Jenn Pineau about Middleburg’s newest third space on page 18. Photo by Caroline Gray. ADVERTISE IN MIDDLEBURG LIFE Greenhill Media, LLC P.O. Box 328 | Middleburg, VA 20118-0328 540.687.5950 | info@middleburglife.com All editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. All unsolicited manuscripts and photos must be accompanied by return postage; the publisher assumes no responsibility. Middleburg Life reserves the right to reject any advertising. Distributed in Aldie, Alexandria, Boyce, Centreville, Delaplane, Front Royal, Great Falls, Haymarket, Leesburg, Manassas, Marshall, Middleburg, Millwood, Paris, Purcellville, The Plains, Rectortown, Tysons, Upperville, Vint Hill, Warrenton, Washington, D.C., and Winchester. FIND US ON:

Instagram @middleburglife Pinterest @middleburglife Facebook.com/middleburglife

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Looking for more? Get additional content online! Visit www.MiddleburgLife.com

LAURA FARRELL Senior Vice President Founder of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Ladies Polo Team m +1 540 395 1680 | lfarrell@ttrsir.com | @laura.a.farrell

Look Up Farm | 7316 Old Carters Mill Road, The Plains SOLD | $8,750,000 Co-Listed with Daniel Heider

Wheatland Farm | 15158 Berlin Turnpike, Purceville Coming Soon | $8,400,00 Co-Listed with Theo Adamstein

Piccola Toscana | 2525 Gibson Court, Delaplane Offered at $7,900,000

Knightsbridge Estates Lot 18A | Loudoun County Offered at $3,999,000 Knightsbridge-Estates.com

Idlewild River Farm | 9544 Howellsville Road, Boyce SOLD | $3,250,000 Represented Purchaser

Oak Hollow | 7263 Little River Lane, The Plains SOLD | $3,250,000 Co-Listed with Lisa Abeel | Represented Seller & Purchaser

© TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. The Sotheby’s International Realty trademark is licensed and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. TTR Sotheby’s International Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

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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. 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.” Sarah Hickner is the author of the award-winning Christian memoir “Finding Gideon” and the novel “All the Things That Come Between Us.” A lifelong equestrian and storyteller, she writes about faith, family, and the beauty of life in Virginia horse country. 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. 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.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

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. 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. 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! 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. 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.

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We are pleased to welcome Will McCulloch to Corcoran McEnearney. A Northern Virginia native with deep roots in Fauquier and Loudoun counties, Will is a third-generation Realtor and proud Middleburg resident. Will brings an entrepreneurial spirit, strong community ties, and a deep appreciation for the character and long-term livability of Virginia’s horse country. We’re excited to have him join the team!

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Corcoran McEnearney, Middleburg Real Estate | 10 E Washington Street | Middleburg, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 | corcoranmce.com ©2026 Corcoran Group LLC. All rights reserved. Corcoran® and the Corcoran Logo are registered service marks owned by Corcoran Group LLC. Corcoran Group LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

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Serenity Equine Center is for the Horses Written by Emerson Leger | Photos by Sherri Holdridge

oing what’s best for the horses is what Serenity Equine Center lives by. Located in Leesburg, the center was founded in 2022 by Kyra Campbell and her dad, Joe Campbell. Kyra says the vision started when she met a horse named Bernie. Kyra grew up in Loudoun County and in high school, became very sick. Her mother suggested she try equine therapy, such as riding lessons. Kyra has always been an animal person, so she

thought she’d give it a try. “I loved a challenge and I loved figuring out what I can do best for an animal. As I got more into riding, I kind of fell in love with horses,” she recalls. When she was 18, she met Bernie. “Then I was like, this is how I can apply my love for animals, my love for rehabilitation, supporting animals, and my passion for doing what’s best.”

Kyra Campbell and her dad, Joe Campbell.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

Serenity | Page 7

“I loved a challenge and I loved figuring out what I can do best for an animal. As I got more into riding, I kind of fell in love with horses.” – Campbell

Serenity | From page 6

horses see a dentist and a vet.

That led Kyra to form a 501(c)(3) nonprof-

This process of getting a horse ready for adop-

it: Serenity Equine Center. Since founding, they

tion, Kyra explains, is not a quick one. It takes at

have rescued eight horses. The center is run on

least 90 days and can last up to two years. “Our

the Campbells’ property, and even with the limit-

top priority is ensuring that when our horses are

ed space, they try to help as many horses as possi-

adopted, they’re not going to return either to un-

ble. They collaborate with other properties in the

safe conditions or to a kill pen or an auction.”

area to home more horses and work with a vet to

When a horse is ready for adoption, the center

make sure the health of every horse is properly

runs a background check on the potential owner,

addressed. Serenity’s process is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehouse. However, some horses cannot be rehoused due to age, an illness, or special emotional or physical needs. There are currently three horses that are part of the center’s sanctuary program. The Campbells believe horses deserve the best care, whether they’re in the prime of their life or at the end. With the center’s compassionate end-of-life care, they and a vet make sure horses are pain-free during their final days, providing a haven for horses that aren’t able to be adopted. One of their rescue stories is a mini mule named Moe, who is now a sanctuary resident. When he was surrendered to the center, he was feral and didn’t like to be around people. In the past couple months, with the constant support of the equine center, his personality has blossomed as he’s learned to trust. “There are countless hours that my father and I have just sat outside and interacted with the other horses. He watched us interact with the other horses and he’s seen how trusting they are. And then he slowly interacted with us,” Kyra explains of Moe’s progress. A common problem for the horses they have

asks for references, and schedules 30-, 60-, and 90-day check-ins. “I’m a very morally and ethically driven person,” Kyra says, “so doing what is best for the animal has always been [at the] center” of her mission. Serenity Equine Center’s aid extends to the community as a whole — helping humans, too. For aging owners, the Campbells make sure they have the resources they need to surrender their animals when they are no longer able to care for them. Additionally, they’ve organized an equine feed bank. If owners aren’t able to afford equine feed, the center works with them to provide feed for 90 days. “A lot of people that reach out about that service are either facing job transitions or substantial life changes, but they still want to have their animals — they just need support temporarily,” Kyra says.

“Our top priority is ensuring that when our horses are adopted, they’re not going to return either to unsafe conditions or to a kill pen or an auction.” – Campbell

Looking ahead, the center is focused on building partnerships within the community, fundraising money for the horses, and continuing to work on the individual goals set for each horse. Serenity Equine Rescue will host a fundraiser, Ponies, Pigments & Pinot, on September 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Walsh Family Wine in Purcellville.

taken in is the need to gain weight. When a horse

For Kyra, her dad, and everyone on the board,

first arrives, it usually needs vaccinations as well,

the horses always remain their top focus. “[The]

so it is quarantined before it enters the herd. The

reward of seeing how happy and comfortable the

center also works with a farrier for any corrective

animals become is the thing we all seek out and

shoeing a horse might need. On top of that, all

what keeps us coming back,” she says. ML

Top: One of the Campbells’ rescues. Bottom: Serenity Equine Rescue in Leesburg.

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CRAFT MARKET · HAY RIDES LIVE MUSIC · FOOD TRUCKS LOCAL beer and wine Farm Talks & Family Fun at the

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Art at the

Mill Tag Sale by Audrey Moody

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Meet Your Neighbor:

Drew MacMahon at Windy Hill Written by Diane Helentjaris | Photo courtesy of Drew MacMahon

eacher and child psychologist Haim Ginott believed, “Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.” What impressed little Drew MacMahon as he grew up in Middleburg was a person — his father, Paul. He listened from an early age as his dad spoke to his customers, hearing words like “property,” “square footage,” and “three-bedroom.” But now, as an adult, what really amazes him is that his father somehow managed to ferry his three sports-loving sons to “every game” they played. He “is a great role model,” Drew says. Paul’s dedication to his family and customers — along with his time management skills — left an indelible mark on his son. Drew fondly recalls living amid the swirl of the busy family real estate company his grandmother had established. Now, all three MacMahon sons have continued in the family trade. After graduating from James Madison University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and business, Drew initially worked in property management and sales. In Washington, D.C., and Raleigh, North Carolina, he dealt with many high-end, luxury properties.

Two years ago, in a bit of a career change, he left the private sector, returned to Middleburg, and became the president of operations for the Windy Hill Foundation. Though he also continues to do real estate work for the family business, Sheridan MacMahon LTD Realtors, his primary focus is Windy Hill. The Windy Hill Foundation began in the living room of Irene Llewellyn, an English woman who came to Hunt Country as a war bride in 1945. She became aware of the poor living conditions on Windy Hill Road when she gave one of her music students a ride home. There, on the west side of Middleburg, 15 African American families lived in “cottages” that had originally been horse stables and stalls. They were unheated and had dirt floors. Two spigots provided the only drinking water. Toilet facilities were limited to six outhouses. Llewellyn, who had been presented as a debutante at British court to King George V and Queen Mary, believed in the power of philanthropy. As a young wife and mother in England, she had been active in charity work and continued that after her move to Virginia. In 1970, she established Middleburg FISH, an organization providing temporary financial assistance to those in need. Alerted to the situation at Windy Hill, she enlisted her friends and the Windy Hill families. One friend she took to see the neighborhood immediately wrote a $10,000 check. Her bridge club made an initial donation of $100,000. By 1981, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation was or-

Drew MacMahon.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

ganized. Today the Windy Hill Foundation provides housing to over 850 Loudoun and Fauquier County residents. It also provides scholarships and other supportive services. As president of operations, Drew has overseen recent renovations of the original Windy Hill Road cottages. He taps into skills he developed in the private sector, concentrating on consistent and excellent service. He “tries to uphold himself to the Windy Hill Foundation standard, to make sure people have a safe place to go home to at night.” He finds it “rewarding to apply in my hometown [what he’s learned] and help a lot of people… When people think of Middleburg, they don’t think of affordable housing, but [Windy Hill] owns 18% of the housing in Middleburg.” In addition to the world of real estate, sports continue to be a part of Drew’s life. He is a professional soccer referee for international and US soccer games, and works with the NCAA as well as local high schools. It “keeps me fit,” he says, while acknowledging that both real estate and soccer are “high-emotion, high-intensity” activities. Home can mean many things. Drew MacMahon, with the inherent fairness of a professional referee, believes it should mean housing that is safe, affordable, and decent. He also believes his father is “proud of me. I can honor him in my own way… I can honor his legacy.” ML More information about Windy Hill Foundation is available at windyhillfoundation.org

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Honoring Loudoun’s Roots, Investing in its Future Loudoun Laurels celebrates the leaders who shaped the county and the students who will carry a spirit of service forward. Written by Lia Hobel | Photos courtesy of Loudoun Laurels

n Loudoun County, leadership isn’t measured in personal achievements, but by what those accomplishments make possible for others. That idea is at the heart of the Loudoun Laurels Foundation, which honors residents whose lives have strengthened the county while investing in young people who are beginning their own paths of service. Founded in 2008, the foundation began with what Elaine Attridge, vice chair of the organization’s board of directors, describes as a simple idea: recognizing the people who have helped make Loudoun County a stronger community. Over time, that recognition became something larger. Through recorded oral histories, Loudoun Laurels preserves its honorees’ stories as part of the county’s civic memory, giving future generations a way to understand the people and choices that helped shape Loudoun. The work is also forward-looking. Since 2013, Loudoun Laurels has supported Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) students through scholarships and mentorship, creating a bridge between established community leaders and emerging ones. “At the heart of Loudoun Laurels is a belief in the power of individuals’ contributions to strengthen a community,” Attridge says, “and in the connections that can form when we recognize those contributions, preserve their stories, and invest in the next generation.” That mission will come into focus on September 26, when Loudoun Laurels will host its annual Celebration of Life and Leadership Gala at The National Conference Center in Leesburg. More

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than an awards ceremony, the gathering points to something larger: the passing along of values that have long defined Loudoun County — service, stewardship, generosity, imagination, and civic responsibility. “Punkin Lee, Sheila Johnson, Betsy Davis, Jim Roberts, and Kim Hart — all are past Laureates with ties to Middleburg, and each one has strengthened the community in strikingly different ways,” Attridge says. “They’re part of a broader group of honorees with such varied backgrounds, professions, and perspectives that in the process, Loudoun Laurels has become a community of its own. What I really enjoy is that at a time when people can find themselves increasingly separated by profession, generation, geography, or point of view, Loudoun Laurels creates a place where people come together, form relationships, and discover what they have in common.” This year’s Laureates — Fran Craig and Kristi and Mike Huber — will be honored alongside the 2026 Scholars, high schoolers Abby Byambatseren and Anab Yassin. The scholarship program, launched in 2013, grew naturally from the foundation’s mission. Loudoun Laurels was already honoring people who had demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service; the next question was how to help cultivate those same qualities in the next generation. The program identifies students who show resilience, leadership, academic promise, and a commitment to community, offering not only financial support but also encouragement, mentorship, and a connection to people who believe

SEPTEMBER 2026

in their potential. Scholarships may total up to $40,000 per student. “We select our students because they have demonstrated the very same qualities we celebrate in our Laureates: hard work, resilience, leadership, academic purpose, and a deep commitment to community,” Attridge says. THE 2026 SCHOLARS This year’s Scholars, Abby Byambatseren of Stone Bridge High School and Anab Yassin of Tuscarora High School, reflect those values in distinct ways. Both have faced significant challenges, Attridge notes, “but neither seems defined by those challenges.” Byambatseren came to the United States from Mongolia without her parents, learned English, adapted to a new country, maintained a strong academic record, worked her way into a shift leader role, participated in athletics, and volunteered through school and community organizations. In her interview with the selection committee, she spoke about her family’s sacrifices and her desire to give back. She will attend James Madison University and plans to become a physician. Yassin, who came to the United States from Sudan in 2016, impressed the committee with maturity, initiative, and a strong sense of community. She cofounded the Muslim Student Association — connecting with students at other schools, planning for succession so the work would continue after her graduation, and using the Random Future | Page 15

Future | From page 14 Acts of Kindness Club to recognize people whose contributions are often overlooked. Determined to pursue dentistry, she contacted practices until she found an oral surgeon willing to let her shadow. She will attend George Mason University. To date, Loudoun Laurels has awarded 31 scholarships, totaling $1.24 million. THE 2026 LAUREATES There is no single type of Loudoun Laureate, and the 2026 honorees make that clear. Fran Craig’s work is rooted in technology, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and philanthropy. The Hubers’ story moves from furniture to wine, from family business to farmland preservation. “They built very different things and followed different paths,” Attridge says, “but all three have used what they built to create opportunities for others and strengthen Loudoun.” FRAN CRAIG: INNOVATION AS SERVICE For Craig, being named a 2026 Loudoun Laureate is an acknowledgment of both career and community. “Role models engender more role models performing good work in the community,” she says. That belief helped shape the culture she built at Unanet, where mission, vision, communications, planning, and organizational health were central to her work. Craig was an early coder and spent her career working with emerging technologies. At Unanet, she pushed the company toward web-based applications, even organizing with other companies

to offer Java training when resources were limited. Yet her view of innovation extended beyond software. It included remote work, mentorship, opportunities for women returning to the workforce, and a more human approach to performance and career development. As a woman entrepreneur in technology, Craig faced skepticism and barriers that earlier generations of women often had to meet without formal protections or clear pathways. She learned to stand up for herself and others, and she credits organizations such as Women in Technology for

and because of that, they cared for it and made it better. Loudoun, Craig says, has been fertile ground for both professional and philanthropic work. She describes the county as “a microcosm of America,” a place where people come to live, work, and play — and where many also give back. “Partnering with family and neighbors who care deeply about making Loudoun a better place for everyone has been one of the great joys of my life,” Craig says. She also notes that life at Doverhill Farm and riding with her husband’s horses

providing practical support, professional connection, and community. Her hope is that younger women recognize that a path has been cleared, even as the work of expanding opportunity continues. STEM education has become a natural focus of Craig’s philanthropy and mentorship. At Unanet, she recalls, team members, customers, and partners felt the software belonged to them —

through Middleburg’s countryside have exposed her to the beauty and spirit of the region. Her advice to students is simple: “Do what you enjoy and enjoy what you do.” Her legacy, she hopes, will be understood through the connection between innovation, opportunity, and service. “Innovation opens doors to opportunity,” Craig says, “but service ensures those doors stay Future | Page 16

Left: Abby Byambatseren. Right: Anab Yassin.

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Future | From page 15 open for everyone.” KRISTI AND MIKE HUBER: BUILDING BUSINESSES, PRESERVING LAND For Kristi and Mike Huber, the Laureate recognition came as a genuine surprise. “We’ve never gone looking for awards or recognition,” they share. The honor, they say, feels like an affirmation of the work they have tried to do over decades: building businesses with care, supporting the community, and making a positive difference along the way. That commitment is visible through Belfort Furniture. After time spent in Europe working in Mike’s family furniture business, the couple returned to Virginia and, in 1987, began selling furniture from a remote Herndon warehouse with just three people: Mike, Kristi, and Mike Parry, who remains with Belfort nearly 40 years later. “We certainly didn’t have a grand plan to build a large company,” Mike Huber says. “We worked hard, took care of our customers, treated our employees like family, and kept reinvesting in the business.” Over time, Belfort grew with Northern Virginia, but what remains most meaningful to the Hubers is the community around it — the employees, customers, and partners who became an extended family. In 2008, after Belfort reached Mike’s long-held goal of becoming one of the top 100 furniture retailers in America, he was ready for another challenge. That search led the Hubers back to

family land near Leesburg that would become Stone Tower Winery. The Hubers planted their first grapes in 2009, and by 2013, they were fully committed. Today, Stone Tower includes roughly 100 acres of vineyards under production, additional winemaking facilities, and a wider agricultural enterprise. But the larger dream, Mike says, was always to create a business capable of supporting and preserving family farmland for future generations. That vision found a memorable affirmation when the winery’s Kristi Chardonnay

that work. Their son Matt now serves as president of Belfort, their daughter Lacey is vice president of Stone Tower, and their daughter Lauren has built a career in real estate. Looking ahead, Mike and Kristi hope their family’s commitment to local connections continues through future generations. Loudoun Laurels tells the story of community as an ongoing act of stewardship. “Recognition is temporary, but the stories endure,” Attridge says. As the 2026 Celebration of Life and Leadership Gala approaches, the connection between Lau-

was selected for the White House state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “What began as an experiment ultimately became a way to preserve the land we love,” Mike says. Across Belfort and Stone Tower, the Hubers describe their principles simply: success requires integrity, customers and employees come first, and businesses should strengthen the communities that support them. Family has been central to

reates and Scholars gives the evening its deeper

Left: Fran Craig. Right: Kristi and Mike Huber.

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meaning. The Laureates show what a lifetime of service can look like; the Scholars show what becomes possible when example is paired with opportunity. “Our Laureates and Scholars remind us that every contribution matters,” Attridge says, “and each of us has a role to play.” ML

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A FEW GOOD DEEDS: Locals Going the Extra Mile Written by William Anderson

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unique benefit of living in a town like Middleburg is having opportunities to serve neighbors in both big and small ways. Whether it’s helping local families heat their homes, maintaining Hunt Country’s bucolic vistas even down to the medians we all drive by, or lending an ear to someone in need, a few good deeds go a long way.

MEDIAN CURATORS Residents of Upperville have noticed that the medians on the section of State Route 50 that runs through Upperville have fallen into disrepair. Old bark, cracked concrete, weeds, and a general state of disarray now catch attention on the otherwise scenic drive. Three local women have decided to do something about it. Catherine Boswell, Marky Dewhirst, and Jennifer Clinton are forming the Village Garden Club. “Our goal is to plant native plants in the medians and maybe even slow down traffic,” Boswell says. She notes that native plants require less water, making them lower maintenance and drought-smart. The Village Garden Club will be conscientious of water usage. The group is still getting organized and seeking to add a few more members. They expect to begin planting in October, which means Upperville residents can look forward to a beautiful spring next year. The Village Garden Club recognizes the value of caring for the local community. They hope to improve the aesthetic quality of Upperville by doing what they enjoy: gardening. Because this group is still forming, there is no place to donate yet. However, anyone hoping to contribute should be on the lookout for a website that will be live soon. And if you see someone pulling weeds in a median next time you pass through Upperville, slow down and give them a little honk to say thanks. WOODCHUCKS IN THE PLAINS Since 1988, Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains has gathered volunteers to split and stack wood for families that cannot afford to heat their homes any other way. They call it the “Wood Ministry.” “We probably split 10 to 12 cords of wood every year,” says volunteer April Gaines, who has run the ministry in her retirement. One cord is about 128 cubic feet of stacked wood. This means every year, the Wood Ministry’s small crew of

eight volunteers splits, stacks, and distributes around 1,280 to 1,536 cubic feet of wood. Currently they deliver firewood to about 15 families that depend on them for heat. The Wood Ministry gathers in the parking lot of Grace Episcopal on select Saturdays through the winter. They welcome all volunteers, and rely on wood donated by members of the community. Recently, they’ve encountered an issue where some people dump junk wood in their parking lot. In this case, they actually have to pay to remove the unusable wood. The best way to donate wood is to fill out the form on their website, gracetheplains.org. If you or anyone you know could use this service, this is also the best way to get in contact with the Wood Ministry. Vo l u n t e e r s do not have to be members of Grace Epis cop a l; anyone is welcome to help out. Wakefield School has been a community partner for some time. This service is of vital importance for the families that need it. One client told the ministry, “You were a lifesaver, and I mean that literally.” Another way to contact the ministry is to call the church at (540) 253-5177 or email their food pantry at peasandgrace@ gmail.com.

think it’s not open that day. More likely founder Jeanne Poss is helping a woman see for the first time that there’s hope. Women silently carrying trauma have been coming to Poss for a long time. “We close the door, stop everything else, and give her privacy and time. Some things matter more than business,” Poss says. “Sometimes the most important thing we do that day has nothing to do with what was on the schedule.” Poss’ passion for helping women grew naturally from her own journey with trauma. “I know what it is to carry something quietly. And I know what it feels like to need a safe place,” she shares. Deeds | Page 20

A LISTENING EAR Pedestrians walking by Virginia Regenerative Medicine in Marshall might see closed blinds and

Left page: A stretch of median along Route 50. Photo by Caroline Gray. Top: The Wood Ministry volunteers of Grace Episcopal Church. Photo courtesy of April Gaines. Bottom: Grace Episcopal. Photo by Todd Henson.

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Deeds | From page 19 “I believe that God has a purpose for each of us, and I have come to believe that even our most painful experiences can ultimately have meaning.” Poss believes that because of her own trauma, she has been given a special ability to walk alongside women on their healing journey. Sometimes clients just need someone to listen. “We are often so quick to offer advice or fix something that we forget the power of simply sitting with someone and letting her be heard,” Poss says. She has an offer to any woman looking for assistance. “My door is open. A woman doesn’t need perfect words or even to know exactly what she needs. She can just come in, sit down, and talk. I will listen,” she promises. Poss also recognizes that part of caring is connecting someone with the right support, and she is equipped to point women to the right resources. “I think the message is that we can all do this for one another. Pay attention. Listen. Be present,” Poss advises. “You don’t need special training to show compassion.” ML

Jeanne Poss. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Poss.

www.graciewithersphotography.com 20

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Art, Nature, & the Next Generation:

The Stephen C. Jameson Scholarship Written by Lia Hobel | Photos by Caroline Gray

n Middleburg, where rolling hills and open fields have long inspired artists, a new scholarship is inviting young creatives to look more closely at the natural world around them. Offered through the Artists in Middleburg (AiM), the Stephen C. Jameson Young Artist Scholarship gives local students the opportunity to deepen their artistic practice through mentoring, personal instruction, and outdoor experiences connected to conservation. “You have a lot of really good artists that can help the younger ones improve,” Jameson says. The scholarship reflects Jameson’s belief that art can help young people build a deeper relationship with the environment. The application opens with a quote from Robert Redford: “During times like these, art can foster a deeper understanding and connection to the earth. We desperately need these messages now.” For Jameson, that idea is more than a sentiment. By supporting this scholarship, he hopes selected young artists will not only develop their creative abilities, but also be exposed to conservation work and the responsibility of caring for the natural resources around them. That mission is rooted in Jameson’s own life and career. A global leader in coral reef conservation and a longtime lover of the arts, Dr. Stephen C. Jameson has spent decades working at the intersection of science, public service, and international coastal resource management. As president of Coral Seas Inc., founded in 1996, he has worked to advance the sustainable use, understanding, and responsible enjoyment of coral reef ecosys-

tems. Before that, he served as a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and held senior coastal resources and marine policy roles, including working with the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and the Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment.

Jameson’s conservation work has also extended into international research and policy. He is listed as a lead author of the International Coral Reef Initiative background paper “State of the Reefs: Regional and Global Perspectives.”

Stephen C. Jameson.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

His publications include work on biological criteria for coral reef ecosystem assessment and decision-support modeling for integrated coastal management. Those projects reflect a career focused not only on studying reefs, but also on giving governments, organizations, and local communities the tools to make better decisions for their protection. For all the breadth of that professional work, Jameson says the impulse behind it began in a simpler place: curiosity, observation, and a lifelong habit of looking closely. Long before coral reefs became the focus of his career, drawing was one of the first ways he paid attention to the world. “As a kid, I would always draw,” Jameson remembers. “I continued dabbling in watercolor and drawing all the way up until college.” Though he went on to major in science and build a career in marine conservation, art remained part of how he understood the world. “Science is very much like art,” he says. “Being in marine conservation, I just see there’s such a need for a deeper understanding and connection to the earth and our natural resources — whether it’s coral reefs or the beautiful Piedmont area that we live in.” That belief helped shape the scholarship, which was launched in 2025 and awarded for the first time in early 2026. Originally intended for one recipient, the inaugural year instead supported two young artists after Jameson and the selection committee met with those who had applied. “We had two really great applicants,” Jameson says. Scholarship | Page 25

Scholarship | From page 24 The scholarship provides up to 16 hours of custom personal instruction or mentoring from AiM artists over the course of a year. For the 2027 scholarship, applicants must be between the ages of 10 and 18, complete a free AiM membership application, submit images of their artwork to AiM, and interview with the scholarship committee before December 1, 2026. Finalists will be contacted for interviews, and the winner will be announced in late December. Instruction may take place in the AiM gallery, natural outdoor settings, or other approved locations. The scholarship is intentionally flexible, with instruction tailored by the scholarship committee to the needs and interests of each young artist. All forms of visual art are supported, with no boundaries, and AiM provides supplies as part of the program. For Jameson, the mentoring component is essential. The first recipients, Eva McKinley and McKenzie Ragan, are already approaching the opportunity in ways that reflect their different interests. Jameson says McKinley has been spending time outdoors through plein air experiences and shares an understanding that art can help build public appreciation for nature. Ragan, who is younger and interested in sculpture, has been working with experienced artists to develop her skills. Beyond instruction, the program gives recipients a window into how an arts organization works. Jameson says both young artists expressed interest in learning about the management of AiM, from the gallery to board-level conversations. Sandy Danielson, AiM’s executive director, says that kind of youth involvement speaks directly to the organization’s purpose. “We are a nonprofit; education is our focus,” Danielson explains. “The gallery is our public face, but we work a lot with children, and we work with the local schools.” That youth perspective, Jameson believes, could also help AiM better reach the next generation. “Getting their feedback on ideas — how to better serve the needs of area youth — I think is really going to help AiM come up with new programs,” he says. Those ideas could include art programs, social activities, or even art therapy opportunities that expand the organization’s ex-

isting impact in local schools. Danielson says AiM’s youth outreach has already grown through partnerships with schools in Loudoun and Fauquier counties, where the organization has helped provide guest art teachers, supplies, and art therapy support. Its annual youth art exhibit has also become a point of connection, recently featuring work from six schools and drawing enthusiasm from students, teachers, and parents alike. “The children, the teachers, the parents are all very excited about what we’re doing,” she says. “We just need to continue building the momentum to let more people know what we’re doing.” Jameson’s scholarship, she adds, has helped affirm and expand that work. “It has inspired us,” Danielson says, noting that the support has given AiM renewed energy around its educational mission. The scholarship also creates an avenue for established artists to give back while helping young artists find the right creative match. Danielson says AiM talks with students about their interests and strengths before pairing them with artists who can support their goals, whether in oils, watercolor, photography, acrylics, landscape work, anatomy studies, sculpture, or other visual forms. At a time when financial support for the arts can feel uncertain, the program offers practical help while also building community. But for Jameson, the financial piece is only one part of the story. Decades spent working with reefs, marine sanctuaries, coastal communities, and conservation policy taught him that people protect what they love, and love often begins with connection. “To succeed in marine conservation or any kind of conservation, you have to get the public to love the resource,” he says. While people may encounter land and local landscapes every day, coral reefs and other distant ecosystems can feel abstract. Art and music “get them closer to the resource … so they’ll take care of it for future generations,” he explains. For Jameson, who has lived in the Middleburg area for more than 45 years and now resides in the Bull Run Mountain natural area, the scholarship brings together the threads of lifelong passions: art, science, conservation, mentorship, and Scholarship | Page 26

Top: A peek inside the gallery. Bottom: Nature on display.

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Scholarship | From page 25

access for people of all ages and abili-

community.

ties, especially youth. Danielson hopes

The next scholarship cycle will con-

more families will experience that mis-

tinue that work. Young artists select-

sion firsthand. “Bring your kids to the

ed for the 2027 scholarship will have

gallery,” she encourages. “We would

the chance to receive individualized

really love to see them.” For young

instruction, engage in outdoor expe-

artists, it is an invitation to learn from

riences arranged with local conser-

working artists, step into nature, and

vation organizations, and contribute

discover how their own creative voic-

their voices to the future of local arts

es can help others see the world more

programming.

clearly. ML

For AiM, the scholarship is anoth-

Artists in Middleburg

er reminder that the nonprofit is more

102 W. Washington Street

than a gallery. Its mission is rooted

Middleburg, VA 20117

in education, outreach, and creative

theartistsinmiddleburg.org

Jameson outside AiM’s Middleburg gallery.

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LIFE LESSONS AT MIDDLEBURG MONTESSORI Written by William Anderson | Photos by Gracie Savage

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SEPTEMBER 2026

isitors to the Middleburg Montessori School may

is to give every student a

be surprised to observe

gives them the why behind

children as young as 3 do-

the what.

tailored education that goes beyond a textbook page and

ing dishes, sweeping, or

Part of teacher Cassel-

even preparing a snack for

la Slater’s job is to facilitate

their classmates. This is all

what each child can choose

part of the students’ three-

to learn. “They are growing

hour morning work cycle.

that capability that we rely

Here, students choose what

on, as adults, to wake up in

they would like to work on

the morning and go to work

that day and how they can

and do something that you

help out. “They’re learning

might not really love to do,”

skills of everyday life,” says

Slater says. Montessori be-

administrator Addie Jen-

lieves giving students more

kins. Developing life skills

freedom will help them de-

doesn’t just mean learn-

velop internal motivation.

ing how to do household

In order to become contrib-

chores, but also fosters in-

uting members of society,

dependence and good de-

motivation must ultimately

cision-making. The effort

Lessons | Page 29

Lessons | From page 28

teach their younger peers. It’s not uncommon to

it. They want to show it off. They want to be sup-

come from within.

see a 5-year-old helping a 3-year-old learn how

portive, and it feels good,” Slater explains.

Some might think that going to a school that has math and chores is a child’s worst nightmare. However, Montessori finds that most children are eager to contribute. This is due in part to the three-

to tie their shoe at Montessori. Another unique benefit is allowing students to delve into and then share a passion. For example, one student

Montessori intentionally brings students into the community rather than confining learning to a classroom. They often take field trips to the State Arboretum or Goose Creek. Many students

year cycle in their primary classroom, which has

who has a passion for math is able to share that

students aged 3 to 5. As the students return each

enthusiasm with another student who does not.

also planned a camping trip where students are

year knowing more, they are encouraged to help

The students love this system. “They want to do

encouraged to bring their families. “It’ll be both a

love visiting the library or going hiking. They’ve

learning and also just a fun experience,” says Jenkins. Like with all other parts of the Montessori model, students will be the ones setting up the tents and helping make the food. Jenkins estimates about 70% of students are from Middleburg and Marshall. The school, which has been in Middleburg for 45 years, makes an effort to connect with local artists and businesses, such as with the Art of the Piedmont auction and reception, which is Montessori’s only fundraiser. Beyond being part of the community, the school cultivates its own family-style environment. Older students are more like older siblings than upperclassmen. The ratio of students to adults is about 4-to-1. “We really feel like a family here. We’re so small, and everybody knows everybody. All the teachers know all the kids, and all the kids know all the teachers,” says Slater. Montessori’s goal is to support the whole child, not just push them academically. Teachers like Slater are trying to teach independence and confidence. “It does allow them to reach their fullest potential and not what the adult thinks is possible,” she says. ML

Left page: Curry Johnson and Noah Bingham. Top left: Kaitlyn Nesselrodt. Top right: Tucker Nesselrodt, Curry Johnson, Cassella Frederickson, and Autumn Fitzgerald. Bottom left: A Middleburg Montessori needlepoint. Bottom right: Hugo Bingham and Edington Tyng.

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Nido Coffee + Teahouse: A Hidden Gem in Downtown Middleburg Written by Heidi Baumstark | Photos by Caroline Gray

hink “secret garden.” Visitors to downtown Middleburg can now tuck in at Nido Coffee + Teahouse, a new cafe behind an old house overflowing with flowers, history, and now creative caffeinated drinks and local baked goods. Nido, meaning “nest” in both Spanish and Italian, is an especially apt name for the cafe, as it’s “nestled” literally in the backyard gardens of Nature Composed, a boutique floral design studio and garden shop owned by floral designer Jenn Pineau. The walk-up window is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Pablo and Natalia Enriquez,

who always had the dream of opening a cafe. “Before we even saw Nature Composed,” Pablo says, “we decided on the Nido name. We had already begun collecting artwork with nests, so the name totally fits. It was destined.” When they shared their vision with Pineau, it just clicked, and the couple opened Nido this June. “We were waiting for the right opportunity, and Nature Composed was that opportunity,” Natalia continues. “Flowers, coffee, tea — it just happened organically.” Pablo and Natalia have always been regulars at coffee shops, bookstores, vintage boutiques, and plant shops wherever they have lived. “There’s a sense of community you can build with coffee shops. They bring people together — it’s like a ‘third’ space,” distinct from work or home, Pablo explains. “Nest” perfectly describes the cozy niche in these gardens surrounded by old stone walls, completing the rustic English meadow look. “This space invites you to slow down; it’s a bit of a nature preserve back here. There’s lots of action going on like visiting butterflies, birds, and pollinators. It’s a chance to slow down and sit with it,”

Pineau adds. The garden includes wooden tables with overhead pergolas, hanging vines, and romantic string lighting, perfect for sipping a cup of coffee or savoring a sweet treat. There’s an additional patio bar near a small pond holding Shubunkin goldfish, and indoor seating is available upstairs inside Nature Composed. COFFEES + TEAS + BAKED GOODS Nido serves seasonal coffeehouse favorites, including everything from drip coffee, lattes, and creative artisanal blends made with locally sourced beans to matchas, chais, teas, and, of course, pastries. Specialty drinks include a horchata latte, which includes a creamy mix of warm spices like cinnamon and vanilla, and chocolate milks made vegan and gluten-free. They also prepare infused teas; one has a black tea base with mint and rosemary herbs sourced right from Nature Composed’s garden. The menu will change to reflect the seasons. “We’re playing with making a syrup from a big batch of rhubarb we just picked,” Natalia says. Gem | Page 31

“There’s a sense of community you can build with coffee shops. They bring people together — it’s like a ‘third’ space.” – Enriquez An expertly prepared iced matcha.

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Gem | From page 30 And that rhubarb? Yes, from the garden behind Nature Composed as well. “The rhubarb is so beautiful; it looks like the colors of a sunset,” she adds. With fall around the corner, seasonal drinks like pumpkin-based, maple, and cinnamon flavors will be in the rotation. For dunking, Nido gathers goodies from small, local producers, including biscones (a wonderful mashup of a biscuit and a scone) in

ONE SIP AT A TIME “We want our customers to feel that Nido is a high point of their day. People sit there, draw, or re ad. Some groups meet

“What a dream to have a magical little coffee shop tucked into the garden at Nature Composed.” – Morell lemon blueberry, orange cranberry, and cherry chocolate, as well as blueberry muffins, banana bread, vanilla pound cake, and cookies. TALK AROUND TOWN One day, walking into a meeting at the Middleburg Community Center, where he serves as board president, Jason Vickers noticed a friend carrying a unique, no-plastic coffee cup. Intrigued, he asked about it, was introduced to Nido, and visited after that meeting. He says, “Nido is conveniently located on the property of my friend Jenn’s enchanting flower shop. The coffee transported me back to my beloved New York City days, when I regularly searched for the best java. I’m thrilled to have this hidden gem in our town; it’s truly captured my heart, and it brought a taste of my past to my present.” Mary Beth Morell, owner of Middleburg Books, says, “What a dream to have a magical little coffee shop tucked into the garden at Nature Composed. We’re fueled by their lattes over here at the shop — and love what Natalia and Pablo have created. It’s become our favorite place for an impromptu meeting.” BRINGING COMMUNITY TOGETHER...

under the pergola,” Pablo shares. Pineau adds, “One of the biggest lessons life’s been trying to teach me is to consider who you partner with. There’s so much alignment here. What I want to bring to this corner is what Pablo and Natalia want to bring. Since they’ve opened, I see more people come in the mornings to get their coffee. We started quietly and have been very well received.” Pineau continues, “There’s so much life there. In the middle of a historic district, you can only plant so much; but here, we’re growing so much more — and that’s in the form of connections and gatherings. I think people just love being in the

backyard.” “I want our customers to walk away happy,” Pablo concludes. “I want people to think, ‘OK… when are we coming back?’” ML Visit Nido at 12 South Pendleton Street in downtown Middleburg in the backyard garden of Nature Composed.

Top: Jenn Pineau with Pablo and Natalia Enriquez. Bottom left: Around the back of Nature Composed. Bottom right: Visitors to the cafe enjoying an afternoon brew.

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MEET THE GREAT FALLS PHILHARMONIC

2026-27 SEASON

Your local professional orchestra. NOV 13, 2026

Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale Capital One Hall, The Vault | 7:30 PM

DEC 13, 2026

A Great Falls Christmas The Great Falls Grange | 4:00 PM

FEB 13, 2027

Mahler's Fourth Symphony Capital One Hall, Main Stage | 4:00 PM

Tickets at

www.gfphil.org

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SEPTEMBER 2026

SAT., OCTOBER 10, 2026

GENERAL ADMISSION PASSES AVAILABLE Paul Desmond Brown (American, 1893-1958) Sketch from “Daubs” Sketchbook (page 37), 1944, watercolor, 7 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches National Sporting Library & Museum, Gift of Nancy Searles, the artist’s daughter, 2011, ©Paul Brown

Spend a day in the beautiful Middleburg countryside with plenty of open space for your enjoyment. Enjoy steeplechase racing at its best at Glenwood Park – the oldest continuous race course in Virginia. The Virginia Fall Races: Rich in tradition of the understated elegance and sportsmanship of jump racing.

Vendor Village • Food Truck Kids Fun Fair/ Petting Zoo Held for the Benefit of INOVA Loudoun Hospital Foundation and Glenwood Park

Contact the Secretary for updated information: secretary@vafallraces.com WWW.VAFALLRACES.COM

SCAN TO BUY GENERAL ADMISSION ONLINE SEPTEMBER 2026

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Nine Lives, One Collection:

THE WORLD OF SANDY LERNER Written by William Anderson

rom fine English furniture to cat-themed art and even 16th-century horse armor, Sandy Lerner’s private collection is as

Lerner enjoyed the collection. One might expect centuries-old relics to be on display behind glass. However, unlike a museum collection, Lerner’s

technology industry and helped with the rapid expansion of the internet. This is how many know her, but Lerner also dipped into the beauty indus-

eclectic as the life of the woman who assembled it. Following the sale of her Ayrshire Farm in Upperville, nearly 400 pieces from Lerner’s collection are headed to auction at The Potomack Company. The items offer a glimpse into the interests and passions that have shaped Lerner’s life. Perhaps the most interesting insight is how

objects were not simply for viewing, but integrated into the everyday life of her estate. “There were pieces that were actually used and enjoyed,” says Potomack Company owner Elizabeth Haynie Wainstein. “So it was a lived-in collection.” Lerner was a cofounder of Cisco Systems, a company that went on to become a giant in the

try, sustainable agriculture, history, and writing. She helped found the revolutionary cosmetic brand Urban Decay in the ’90s. Outside the office, she’s a lifelong fan of Jane Austen. Over time, she collected over 8,000 books of 17th- through 19th-century English women’s

Left: Sandy Lerner. Photo by Todd Wright. Right: Ayrshire Farm. Photo by Daniel Heider.

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Lives | Page 35

Lives | From page 34 literature. When she heard Jane Austen’s brother’s house was for sale in dilapidated condition, she purchased it and spent over 10 million pounds restoring it. She later donated her entire 8,000book collection to form the Chawton House library. The house is open to the public, and the library is known as an educational center for early women’s writing. In 2015, Lerner was awarded an honorary Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her efforts to preserve British history. Cats are another great passion of Lerner’s life. She has been acquiring cat-themed art for years, and in 2017 she even published “Caticons: 4,000 Years of Art Imitating Cats,” an illustrated book detailing much of her own collection. In 1996, Lerner purchased Ayrshire Farm in Upperville, a sprawling 800-acre estate, with the aim of transforming it into a model of sustainable agriculture. Under her direction, Ayrshire became the first farm in Virginia to be both Certified Humane and USDA-certified organic. She focused on heritage animal breeds such as Highland cows. Her idea was that if a viable market could be created for heritage breeds, the market would help sustain them. More than that, Lerner

valued the utility of her farm. She approached the farm as one cohesive system, where nothing went to waste. The same is true of her collection. The items she gathered were as much a part of farm life as anything else. When viewing Lerner’s collection, the various passions of her life are evident. “What you learn about a person through their collection and the vastness of her interests is just amazing,” says Wainstein. “It is a window into her deep interest in knowledge. She is a true Renaissance woman.” Lerner had historical information on hand for most of the items in her care; a walk through

her house was not simply observational, but also educational. It is unusual for a collector’s passion and knowledge to be that deep for such a broad collection. From tech founder to cosmetics entrepreneur, author, historian, and farmer, Lerner has moved through a remarkable number of worlds, and through all of them, she has remained a collector. In the words of Wainstein, “She is an incredible person who seems to have lived nine lives like a cat.” ML For more information about the auction, visit potomackcompany.com.

Top left: “A Skulk of Fox” by Frank Paton (British, 1856–1909), from Lerner’s collection. Top right: An English white-painted cast-iron garden bench attributed to Coalbrookdale. Bottom left: Spode Pattern No. 2573 Blue-Ground Two-Handled Chocolate Cup, cover and stand, circa 1825. Bottom right: “Cat and Flowers” from Les Chats, 1869, by Edouard Manet (French, 1832–1883).

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DISPATCH FROM SARATOGA Photos by Joanne Maisano In August, Middleburg Life photographer Joanne Maisano traveled to Saratoga Springs, New York, to capture the behind-the-scenes action at the Saratoga Race Course. While there, she snapped the early morning breezing of exercise riders and more. To see the full gallery, visit MiddleburgLife.com.

Left column, top to bottom: 88-year-old trainer Barclay Tagg, known for training Funny Cide; all smiles on a rare cool August morning; Saratoga Race Course; a yearling sale at Fasig-Tipton. Right column, top to bottom: Riders head out to the track to exercise the horses; in front of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame; Eddie King, at 75, is the oldest exercise rider up there.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

C l a r k e C o u n t y F a i r g r o u n d s • B e r r y v i l l e • VA

OB T C O

ER 16-17-1

The mid-Atlantic’s most celebrated vintage market, showcasing over 200 of the finest “vintage hip” vendors on the East Coast!

SEPTEMBER 2026

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How to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Hunt Country Written by Emerson Leger

ktoberfest began with a

perfect way to spend a September

wedding — and eventu-

Saturday — enjoying good local

ally a whole lot of beer.

beer and wine, festive music, and

In 1810, a royal wedding was held

dancing in the charming setting of

in Munich in honor of Prince Lud-

the Town of Middleburg. The vari-

wig’s marriage to Princess Therese

ety of mouthwatering food offered

von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The

is always a highlight, with local

festivities lasted from October 12

restaurants and vendors offering ev-

to 17 and ended with a horse race.

erything from delicious pretzels and

Today, in the States, Oktoberfest is

sausages to strudel,” Bell says.

celebrated in September and with

The event will last from 11 a.m.

events right here in Middleburg and

to 6 p.m., so bring your friends and

across Hunt Country.

family to make some lasting mem-

MIDDLEBURG OKTOBERFEST Middleburg’s sixth annual Oktoberfest will take place on Septem-

ories. GERMAN GIFTS AT THE CHRISTMAS SLEIGH

ber 19 on South Madison and Fed-

In order to celebrate Oktoberfest

eral Street. Come for the traditional

properly, the right outfit and gifts

German food and live music, stay

are a must. Luckily, The Christmas

for the small-town charm. Vendors

Sleigh in Middleburg offers a variety

will be selling local beers, wine, ci-

of authentic options.

der, and food.

Vests, hats, pins, dresses, and

Unique to Oktoberfest in Mid-

necklaces will help construct the

dleburg are the corgi races, which

perfect outfit. Shoppers will find tra-

have become a signature event, Jen-

ditional lederhosen, too. For shop-

nifer Bell, director of community

pers seeking home décor, the shop

engagement, says. Thirty-two racers

carries idyllic Oktoberfest scenes,

are expected to compete, so come

party supplies, and beer steins. And

see these dogs run their hearts out!

it wouldn’t be The Christmas Sleigh

“Middleburg Oktoberfest is the

Oktoberfest | Page 39

A look back at Middleburg’s 2025 Oktoberfest celebration. Photo by Caroline Gray.

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Oktoberfest | From page 38

plates including two bratwursts, German potato

if they didn’t offer Oktoberfest-themed tree orna-

salad, Rotkohl (pickled red cabbage), a 5-inch

ments to remember all the fun had at the festiv-

pretzel, and Obatzda (German beer cheese) will

ities.

be served. Wash the meal down with Opa’s Fest-

CELEBRATORY BEER AT LOST BARREL On Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lost Barrel Brewing will host its annual Oktoberfest. This family-friendly festival trans-

bier alongside other Black Hoof craft beers. Black Hoof Brewing Co. will make sure this is an Oktoberfest attendees won’t forget. LOVETTSVILLE OKTOBERFEST

forms the brewery grounds into a lively Bavari-

Lovettsville is hosting its 30th annual Okto-

an-style celebration. Guests can enjoy live music,

berfest this year, which will surely be special. On

shop from an array of local artisan vendors, and

Saturday, September 26, the town is moving the

indulge in hearty food.

celebration from the Town Green directly into

The star of the show is the brewery’s limit-

the historic downtown streets surrounding Zol-

ed-release Oktoberfest Festbier. This 5.5% ABV

dos Square, also known as “The Squirkle.” This

crisp, malty lager offers the perfect toast to autumn and this fall tradition. Whether attendees want to gather around firepits with friends, explore all this event has to offer, or relax on the patio with their leashed dog, this all-ages event promises an unforgettable day of community and craft beer. Admission and parking are free, making it the perfect weekend trip for families, beer lovers, and visitors to Middleburg alike.

reimagined layout focuses on local businesses and community spirit. Attendees will be able to sip local craft beer while wandering through the heart of the business district. Running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the family-friendly event seamlessly blends deep-rooted Bavarian traditions with vibrant Southern hospitality. Visitors can enjoy authentic live entertainment, including the traditional oompah sounds of

LIVE MUSIC AT BLACK HOOF BREWING

the Alte Kameraden band. When hunger strikes,

CO.

options span from hearty German bratwursts

Dust off your dirndls and lederhosen, because

to classic local barbecue. The high-energy festi-

on September 19 from 2 to 9 p.m., Black Hoof

val atmosphere will be rounded out by unique

Brewing Co. in Leesburg will host its annual Ok-

crowd-pleasing competitions like stein-hoisting,

toberfest event. The band Lost Lederhosen will be

stein-hauling, and the fiercely competitive wie-

performing traditional German tunes starting at

ner dog races, alongside a dedicated Kinderfest

4 p.m.

packed with interactive children’s activities. This

Guests won’t go hungry, as German dinner

event is not one to miss. ML

Top: Traditional German clothing at The Christmas Sleigh. Second: Beer steins make the perfect Oktoberfest gift. Photos by Michael Butcher. Third: The highly competitive weiner dog races at Lovettsville’s Oktoberfest. Bottom: The stein-holding competition in Lovettsville. Photos by Bakerture Co.

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Our Favorite Local Gifts for Horse Lovers & Equestrians

Braid Charm, $15, & Footzees Boot Socks, $17.95, Available at Tri-County Feeds

Equestrian Clutch, $18.95, Available at The Tack Box

Virginia Fall Races Hat, $20, Available at Journeymen Saddlers

Persian Horse Plates, $39.95, Available at Horse Country

Schleich Horse Stall, $40, Available The PLAYroom

Lady’s Hunt Whip, $210 - $450, Available at The Tack Exchange Horse Treats, $10, Available at Raymer’s Homemade Candies

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SEPTEMBER 2026

Polo Tie, $169, Available at Country Classics

Adult and Children’s Equestrian Books, $10 - $20, Available at Middleburg Books

SEPTEMBER 2026

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

“HORIZONS: WHERE THE EARTH MEETS SKY” ART EXHIBIT September 2 - 27 | thebyrnegallery.com The Byrne Gallery proudly presents this new exhibition for September. Created by local artists Laura Bollettino, Katie Flack, and Gerald Hennesy, it will explore the everlasting beauty of where landscape and sky converge into one. Head to The Byrne Gallery to support local artists by checking out this exhibit. SPIRITS OF SOUTH AMERICA September 4 | 4:45 to 6 p.m. | salamanderresort.com Salamander Resort & Spa offers a combination of history and tasting in this expert mixology class. Guests will learn how regional traditions shape a spirit’s flavor and how to best complement it. With expert instruction, anyone can elevate their own mixing game and learn something interesting along the way. “A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” September 5 - 6 | 5 to 7 p.m. | jupitertheatercompany.com Jupiter Theater Company is putting on William

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Shakespeare’s beloved comedy outdoors at the Middleburg Community Center. Bring a blanket, a group of friends, and sit back and relax for this lovely performance. Tickets cost between $8 and $17 and can be purchased in advance online. ROCK & POPSICLES ON THE PORCH! September 6 | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | visitmiddleburgva.com The Bank Street Band is coming to Middleburg to perform 1960s and ’70s rock and roll favorites. This is part of the “At The Parish House” performing arts series, and the band will play not only rock and roll, but country, doo-wop, and more. Free popsicles will be provided as well. On the lawn in front of Emmanuel Church’s Parish House, come join in on the fun starting at 3 p.m. “BRIDGERTON” WINE TASTING September 12 | 1 to 4 p.m. | boxwoodwinery.com Be transported to 19th-century England in a “Bridgerton”-themed event at Boxwood Winery. Guests are invited to dress the part and in-

SEPTEMBER 2026

dulge completely in the Regency atmosphere. Along with wine will be a themed grazing table. Enjoy a night out in a different world surrounded by the lovely music of the harpsichord. 2026 GALLOP GALA September 12 | 6 to 10 p.m. | sproutcenter.org Enjoy a night out while raising money for a good cause at the Sprout Center’s annual black-tie gala. Valet parking will be provided, and there will be a cocktail hour with signature drinks followed by dinner. The event offers both silent and live auctions, and guests may tour Sprout’s barn and meet the horses. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what Sprout does. Afterward, there will be dancing and live music. NSLM POLO CLASSIC September 13 | 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | greatmeadow.org Experience a day of thrilling sportsmanship and tradition at the National Sporting Library & Museum’s annual Polo Classic. Held at the scenic Great Meadow in The Plains, the event features two top-tier polo matches, a parade of the hounds, and a Champagne divot stomp. Calendar | Page 43

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Calendar | From page 42 Guests can enjoy the festivities through general admission, field-side tailgate packages, or VIP seating at the Founder’s Pavilion. All proceeds go to NSLM’s mission to preserve and share horsemanship and field sports history. THE ART OF LIVING WELL September 19 | 9:30 to 11 a.m. | federalandblack.com Join The Rich Method and Federal & Black for a morning of wellness. The master class will cover whole foods, beauty rituals, and how to create a home that inspires you. Tickets are $50 and available on joinbloomy.com. MIDDLEBURG OKTOBERFEST September 19 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | middleburgva.gov Join Middleburg for its annual Oktoberfest event! Featuring live music, traditional German food, and local crafts, this is a wonderful way to kick off fall. Artist’s Alley is being brought back, where local artwork will be available for purchase. Bring your family and friends!

FALL PAINT & SIP September 20 | 1 to 3 p.m. | canavineyards.com Don’t just enjoy the turning of the leaves; capture it at Cana Vineyards’ fall paint and sip. Art experience is not required. Tickets include supplies, stepby-step instruction, and a glass of wine. Become a plein air painter with your friends while enjoying the spectacular view that Cana has to offer. BEYOND THE GATES OF FARMER’S DELIGHT September 20 | 2 to 4 p.m. | piedmontheritage.org The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area will host an exclusive tour of a local Federal-style house built in 1791. This is a treat for history and botany lovers alike, as the tour covers rich history and includes a special look at the extensive grounds and arboretum. A reception will follow the tour with light refreshments, beer, and wine. ROKEBY COMMUNITY FESTIVAL September 26 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | osgf.org Visit Upperville for a family-friendly day at the

third annual Rokeby Community Festival. There will be live music, local food trucks, craft vendors, regional wine and beer, and more. Explore the beautiful grounds with guided nature walks, activities for children, and educational exhibits. Admission is free, but registration is required. LEESBURG AIR SHOW September 26 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | leesburgva.gov Experience thrilling aerial performances featuring iconic World War II-era aircraft up through modern fighter jets. This is a free family-friendly event with bounce houses, face painting, and the opportunity to meet some of the pilots. There will also be tarmac attractions including the Douglas C-54 Skymaster “Spirit of Freedom,” which visitors are welcome to board. The aerial performances start at 1 p.m. and parking is free. For more Hunt Country events, visit MiddleburgLife.com or scan here:

SEPTEMBER 2026

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Experience 100% Virginia Grown Wine in the Heart of Hunt Country Open Daily 44

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23595 Winery Lane, Middleburg, VA 20117 •

SEPTEMBER 2026

ExperienceGreenhill.com

Belong to the Moment Escape to a personalized wellness journey where nature and intention come together. At Salamander Spa, each experience is customized to your individual needs, combining integrative therapies, regionally inspired treatments, and holistic, results-driven care. Leave feeling restored, fully indulged, and renewed with a lasting sense of balance and vitality.

844.701.7184 SALAMANDERRESORT.COM

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Innovation. Integrity. Trust.

Custom Homes & Remodeling Designed to Evolve with You — Today and Tomorrow GoldenRuleBuilders.com | 540.788.3539 3409 Catlett Rd., Catlett VA Design-Build • Remodeling Additions • Custom Homes