Country Zest and Style Autumn 2021 Edition by Country Zest & Style

AUTUMN 2021

ROOTS N' SHOOTS

AND OH SO CUTE

Brooklyn, Ronnie and Claire at Piedmont Child Care Center PRSRT MKTG U.S. PoStaGe

PAID

PERMIT NO. 82 WoodStoCK, Va

ECRWSS

POSTAL CUSTOMER

INSIDE:

A TIME TO RETIRE | A DOLPHIN TALE BACK TO SARATOGA | HEMP CAN HELP

Personalities, Celebrations and Sporting Pursuits

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

ALL’S WELL FARM MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

$7,800,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

HALFWAY FARM THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

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

$3,975,000 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

LONG BRANCH THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

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

$1,950,000 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

RUTLEDGE FARM MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

$7,500,000

50 WEST VINEYARDS MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Existing farm winery established in 2015 | 38.47 acres recorded in two parcels | Hilltop setting with magnificent views | 2,500 sq ft wine tasting room, main level consists of tasting room, seating areas, kitchen, restrooms | 2nd story more seating areas & bathroom | Club House of 5,100 sq ft contemporary style, wine tasting bar, seating areas, bathrooms, large deck, terrace & pool | 40 x 60 Butler building, large parking area | Unique opportunity

$4,500,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Sandra Bravo GreenBerG 202.308.3813

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

DEERFIELD

LIGHTRIDGE FARM

UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA

Stately brick manor house c.1844 | 4 bedrooms, lovely kitchen, multiple porches, beautiful pine floors, 7 fireplaces, original mantels, large windows and detailed millwork throughout | Great natural light in every room | Additional outbuildings include the c. 1810 log cabin used as the pool house & a converted barn now serves as a guest house with movie theatre | 2 ponds, miles of trails, 178 acres | Separate workshop and 5 car garage

ALDIE, VIRGINIA

20+/- acres in fast growing Loudoun location | Currently zoned TR3UBF | Willowsford, South Riding, Stone Ridge, minutes away | New county high school under construction next to property | Currently improved by 2 residences, 2 ponds | Northstar Blvd around corner

$3,462,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

$3,900,000 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

5 NORTH HAMILTON MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Nice office building in the town of Middleburg | Private parking (8 spaces) and additional street parking | 2 level building | Additional storage available in lower level

$1,165,000 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

109 THE PLAINS ROAD MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Very private office building in Middleburg | Located on The Plains Road directly across from the Sporting Library | Charming office - 3 levels with lower level used for over flow and break room/kitchen | Surprisingly large parking lot behind the building offers what many other buildings are lacking in town | Building has many potential uses with C-3 Zoning

$589,000 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

For Sheila Whetzel: Time to Close the Book By Marc Leepson

eptember 1, 2021, will be a bittersweet day in Middleburg. It marks the retirement date for Sheila Whetzel, the first and only branch manager of Middleburg’s well-used and cherished public library. She’s held that position since 1988, and during her long tenure has become a treasured and beloved figure.

Thank You

Sheila!

In an email to her staff, Loudoun County Library DiPhoto by Vicky Moon rector Chang Liu wrote that, Sheila Whetzel “Sheila is well-liked and highly respected…She inspires trust and confidence.” She also praised her “impeccable reputation and total commitment to serving the community…and is truly an exemplary public servant.” On Wednesday, Sept. 1 the public is invited to stop by the library from 4-6 p.m. to help honor Whetzel (and have a bit of cake). Whetzel was born and raised in Fairfax City, and has worked in libraries in Fairfax County and in Middleburg her entire career following graduation from Radford University. She met her husband, fellow librarian Steve Matthews, when both were working in Fairfax libraries. They were married in 1980, three years after he became the librarian—and an AP English teacher—at Foxcroft School. She commuted to Fairfax until October, 1988, when, after receiving her MLA from Catholic University, she became the Middleburg Library’s first branch manager. Whetzel said she was thrilled to get the job as it “saved ten hours a week of commuting time” and “I got to see a lot more of my three-year-old daughter.” The Middleburg Library will welcome Lilly Newton, head of the children’s division at Leesburg’s Rust Library, as Whetzel’s replacement in September. The Middleburg branch had been founded in 1984 by a group of book-loving local volunteers who “wanted more than a book mobile,” as Whetzel put it. They operated the tiny independent Middleburg Regional Library, located in the basement of a town-owned building on South Madison Street. Six years later, after being incorporated into the Loudoun County Library system, it moved into a new, 2,200-square-foot building on Reed Street. Whetzel lists the building’s groundbreaking and its opening as two of the highlights of her 30-plus years as manager. Also on her high list: doubling of the library’s size (it had been the smallest library in the county) in 2013. That expansion and interior remodeling was paid for solely with $750,000 in donations from 270 local library supporters raised by the Middleburg Library Advisory Board. Another highlight: “all the people I’ve gotten to know in the community. That’s what I’ll miss most,” Whetzel said. That includes library aides and other staffers who have worked for her since 1988. “Over the years, one of this job’s joys has been my wonderful staff,” she said. “We always have been a small staff and we’ve worked well and depended on each other.”

The Middleburg Library Advisory Board invites you to celebrate Sheila Whetzel’s retirement and 33 years as branch manager of our community library.

Join us for cake and to offer a well-deserved thank you:

WED., SEPT. 1 FROM 4-6 P.M.

That includes Tina Thomas, a library aide who has worked with Whetzel since 2003, and who Whetzel calls her unofficial “assistant branch manager.” “I learned a lot from her knowledge and experience,” Thomas said. “Her door is always open if you have questions or just want to sit and talk. She’s always on your side.” Journalist, historian, and author Marc Leepson served as president of the Middleburg Library Advisory Board, on the Loudoun County Library Board of Trustees.

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

ZES ST T & Sty t lel

Country

of NOTE

ZEST & Style ZES ST TStytlel &

Country

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 798 Middleburg, Virginia 20118 PHONE: 410-570-8447 Editor: Leonard Shapiro, badgerlen@aol.com Wine Editor: Peter Leonard-Morgan Food Editor: Daniela Anderson Art Director Meredith Hancock Hancock Media @mhancockmedia

for the hummingbird.

Country

Distributed and mailed throughout the Virginia countryside and in Washington and at key Sporting Pursuits and Celebrations

Contributing Photographers: Crowell Hadden, Sarah Huntington, Doug Gehlsen, Missy Janes Douglas Lees, Karen Monroe and Tiffany Dillon Keen Contributing Writers: David Augenblick, Pat Reilly, Anita Sherman, Carina Elgin, Caroline Fout, Emma Boyce, Jimmy Hatcher, Philip Dudley, Jimmy Wofford, Jodi Nash, John Sherman, John Toler, Kevin Ramundo, Leslie VanSant, Linda Roberts, Louisa Woodville, M.J. McAteer, Melissa Phipps, Mike du Pont, Sean Clancy, Tom Northrup

For advertising inquiries, contact: Leonard Shapiro at badgerlen@aol.com or 410-570-8447

He appears in two ads and the first two readers to find him (one each) will receive a gift from THE RED TRUCK Rural Bakery, with locations in Warrenton and Marshall. Send your reply to badgerlen@aol.com.

A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

t’s been two years since we took a leap of faith and decided to start Country ZEST & Style, in August of 2019.

Who knew when we began that within six months, the world and our nation would be in the grips of a pandemic that still lingers. And yet, we’ve managed to not only to survive, but to thrive, mostly due to our awesome advertisers, loyal readers and immensely talented staff of dedicated writers and photographers. Folks on the street, in the bank or at the post office stop us all the time to say how much they appreciate the magazine. Better yet, many tell us they read it cover to cover and love the fact that we write about the real Middleburg—so many interesting people, places and other fascinating facets of our unique corner of the Commonwealth. And so, to one and all who have helped make ZEST the most respected magazine in the Middleburg area, we say many, many thanks for all the kind words. Your continued support is what my old boss at The Washington Post, the late and legendary executive editor Ben Bradlee, used to call psychic income (especially at bonus time). There are other important milestones to celebrate with this August issue. We have several significant retirements to report. Sheila Whetzel, the innovative and incredibly accommodating branch manager at the Middleburg Library for 33 years, will be leaving this month. She’ll be succeeded by Lilly Newton, now head of the children’s division at the Rust Library in Leesburg.

ON THE COVER Young children are a treat to have in the studio, as long as you’re prepared for them. They’re extremely active, always looking to have a little fun and occasionally a bit distracted, so you know it’s going to take a lot of images to capture just the right one for the cover. Enter my Paul C Buff Einstein studio strobe. Gone are the days of a single image capture, and waiting for a second or two for the strobe to recycle. The Einstein has fast recycle times for rapid shooting that allow for nearly continuous shooting, and many usable images to select from. All strobes are triggered with a PocketWizard radio control unit. Photo by Doug Gehlsen Middleburg Photo / Country Zest and Style

/ @countryzestandstyle

/ @countryzestand1

www.countryzestandstyle.com 4

BE ON THE LOOKOUT through this Country issue of

Photo by Vicky Moon

Lilly Newton is now the Middleburg Library’s new branch manager.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen Middleburg Photo

A little sprinkle of water offers budding possibilities at Piedmont Child Care in Upperville.

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

Ken Quinn, Middleburg’s do-it-all postmaster the last ten years, will focus on playing golf and softball umpiring after a long and distinguished four-decade career with the U.S. Postal Service. And Jo Motion, the octogenarian long-time owner of the Tack Exchange, has also decided to call it a career. We’ve profiled her in a past issue, and now have stories on Sheila and Ken in the current issue. There’s much more to savor, including several back-to-school offerings, features on several new area businesses—antiques, toys and flowers (don’t miss the story on Roots and Shoots at Piedmont Child Care Center). And, we have a wonderful profile of veterinarian Rae Stone, one of the world’s foremost authorities on Dolphins, who makes her home in the Middleburg area. And so, as lazy summer days dwindle and fall quickly approaches, take a little time and help us celebrate our two-year anniversary by adding a little more ZEST to your reading pleasure. Leonard Shapiro Editor Badgerlen@aol.com

EXCITEMENT

right out of the gate!

Sat., October 9, 2021 Post Time 7:00 pm Featuring the West Virginia Breeders Classic and the breeders classics races

at West Virginia Breeders Classics, Ltd. P.O. Box 1251 | Charles Town, WV 25414 www.wvbc.com | 304-725-0709 Carol Holden, President | Theresa Bitner, Exec. Sec. Sam Huff, Chairman Emeritus

Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center for Equine Athletes

quine sports medicine is a special focus of the diverse strategic plan being implemented at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg. This branch of veterinary medicine supports equine physical Interior view of the proposed indoor facility at Marion fitness and the treatment duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg. and prevention of injuries related to equine sports and exercise. The Steven and Jane Hale Indoor Arena—made possible by a generous donation from Aimee and Frank Batten and a bequest from Steven and Jane Hale—will mark the completion of the center’s extensive facility upgrades that will support top-quality medical, surgical, and preventative sports medicine services. High-performance equine athletes and pleasure horses, as well as more-mature horses, can benefit from recent advances in sports medicine techniques. Sitework for the new arena will commence in the fall, with completion slated for summer-fall 2022. Designed by Blackburn Architects PC, noted for their design of innovative equestrian facilities, the complex will provide a covered, dedicated space for the evaluation of all sports-medicine-related issues. “The indoor arena complex will provide a consistent lameness evaluation area in a comfortable environment for both the horses under evaluation and their owners, offering complete protection from the worst weather that Northern Virginia has to offer,” said Norris Adams, clinical assistant professor of equine lameness and surgery. Designed to allow maximum airflow and plenty of natural light, the indoor arena will feature jogging strips with soft and firm surfaces, two lunging rings, and a large, dust-free area with synthetic footing to evaluate horses under saddle on the flat and over fences.

“Having the ability to assess lameness that may only be apparent when the horse is under saddle on the flat or jumping will be incredibly beneficial,” said Dr. Maureen Kelleher, clinical assistant professor of sports medicine and surgery. The new indoor arena, Exterior view of the proposed Equine Sports comwhich will adjoin the Younplex in Leesburg. gkin Equine Soundness Clinic and the center’s dedicated podiatry unit, will collectively focus on the treatment of cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, podiatry, and neurologic issues and will also offer therapeutic physical rehabilitation options for the horse. The center’s sports medicine services are supported by an unparalleled selection of diagnostic imaging that includes computed tomography (CT), nuclear scintigraphy (bone scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal ultrasonography, digital X-ray, and dynamic and standing endoscopy. In addition, intensive treatment options are available, such as regenerative medicine and therapeutic podiatry services offered by Goodness Farrier Associates, LLC, a group farrier practice known for producing exceptional results with difficult therapeutic cases. “Upgrades to the center’s facilities are part of a multiyear strategic plan to enhance our ability to offer high-level sports-medicine-related treatment and care services, with the goal of ensuring the health and well-being of equine athletes of any breed and at any competitive level entrusted into our care,” said center director Dr. Michael Erskine, Jean Ellen Shehan professor. “Generous philanthropic support by individuals who value our faculty and staff have been a cornerstone of the center’s success since the facility was founded, and we are extremely grateful for our donors’ continued support.” Details: www.Blackburnarch.com and www.emc.vetmed.vt.edu

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

Doc5 Comes Alive in Second Season Charles Carroll IV, MD

Geraldine Carroll

Charles Carroll IV, MD Orthopedic Surgery, Hand, Upper Extremity Surgery and Rehabilitation

Dr. Anthony Fauci is the subject of one of the documentary films being screened at Middleburg’s Doc5 Festival.

109 W, Marshall Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 540-326-8182 | Email: orthomd@ccarrollmd.com

ccarrollmd.com

By Carina Elgin

oc5 Middleburg, a five-day festival featuring carefully curated new documentary films, is coming back to the Middleburg Community Center from September 14-18.

During the event’s pilot year in 2020, COVID protocols demanded limited attendance and careful social distancing. While aware that some restrictions will apply again this year, organizers are ready to build off that success and bring five more engaging films to town. For Doc5 co-founder Tom Foster of The Plains, the goal is to bring the community together to celebrate multiple points of view, where differences of opinion are respected, valued and viewers learn not only from the films, but also from each other. “Docs have the ability to stretch the viewers beyond their normal daily lives,” Foster said. “They introduce new ideas and new ways of thinking, and often challenge conventions. With a quality doc, you can sit down and within five minutes be in the midst of a journey to Antarctica, or living with a nomad in rural Macedonia. They can even take us underwater, to hang out with an octopus.” The Chicago Media Project (CMP), which works with and funds some of the best documentarians in the world, hosts the Doc10 all-documentary film festival in Chicago. They also sponsor various Doc5 events around the country, including Middleburg’s. The highly anticipated movies chosen For Doc5 Middleburg will include After Antarctica, Ailey, and Fauci. Friday evening’s showing has yet to be announced. Saturday features a special “closing night dinner” with CMP founders, and the movie, Paper and Glue. In 2022, Doc5 Middleburg will be a springtime festival, with films shown outside on the grassy amphitheater of the Middleburg Community Center. In bad weather, the ballroom will be appropriately configured. With only one film per day for five days, and audiences capped at 150, conversation will be encouraged in an intimate setting. “There are times when a film ends and the discussion takes off,” Foster said. “Suddenly the film itself takes a back seat. Having the crowd come alive, engage and jump into conversation is what Doc5 is all about.”

Details: www.doc5filmfest.org and, coming soon www.piedmontfilmclub.com.

ROOTED IN TRADITION. GROWING OUR COMMUNITIES.

BCT was founded 150 years ago by local farmers, orchardists and shop owners. It was neighbor helping neighbor. It was that simple, and still is. The communities we serve are the communities we call home. We’re in a unique position to improve the well-being of businesses and individuals in our communities, and we delight in the opportunity to do so.

mybct.bank Virginia Leesburg Middleburg Purcellville

West Virginia Charles Town Kearneysville Harpers Ferry Martinsburg Hedgesville

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

Maryland Hagerstown

At Millwood: Putting the C Photos by Leonard Shapiro

Photos by Vicky Moon and Leonard Shapiro

The entrance to Millwood Country Club.

The driving range consists of two net-framed structures.

A stream runs through it.

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

By John Sherman

sk a member of the Millwood Country Club to describe it and you’ll almost certainly hear "hidden gem." A true definition of a "country" club. And so it remains. Located halfway between Millwood and Boyce, the entrance almost begs to be passed by without notice. "Country Club Lane" and a sign visible from only one direction introduces a quarter-mile dusty bluestone drive, past a herd of Linebacks. The club has no asphalt, period—-no parking spaces, no cart paths. The clubhouse, faced with American flags, bears its 1920s heritage with a wrap-around porch, rocking chairs, and a warning sign that no "spikes" are permitted. Inside, the only room receives limited sunlight. Round dinner tables are spread around for social functions. Silver trophies sit on one. There's no restaurant nor obligatory minimums. The bar, backed with an array of glasses (but no bottles), barely accommodates one person. Fox hunting prints are remnders of the club's origins as a men's fox hunting club around 1910. Bowing to the growing social calendar, the new kitchen is large and fully equipped. Millwood claims just over 200 members. On any weekday, a visitor might conjure up a rural Potemkin club. Virtually empty Har-Tru tennis courts. Likewise, the pool has a lifeguard watching over a handful of swimmers. Most dramatic is the nine-hole golf course where a Saturday may bring two dozen players. On most

Country in Country Club

weekdays, the line of carts is hardly broken. walk in and make ourselves dinner." The club has embraced a conservative approach to change. The club has no tee times, starters or rangers pushing Perhaps the most dramatic in the past half century is the golfers along. The “pro shop" is a shack with a dirt floor. A conversion of the old spring-fed pool to a modern hydro few unclaimed wedges lean against a wall. Tees and divot system. Newcomers simply found the old pool was too cold. repair tools are for the taking. The story goes the club had the chance to expand the The nine-hole course is short by most modern metrics: present nine-hole course to 18, but passed up the land, 2,600 yards. The back nine holes are played from changing concerned that a full course would bring too many tee boxes. Most decent players who have never played the golfers from afar. The course just got an expansive new course tee off with a certain confidence of crushing it. sprinkling and pumping systems. Along the way, that confidence begins to leak. Survey after survey, bearing a series of potential physical The second hole has the only straight fairway on the and policy changes, comes back with the near unanimous course. The rest are up hill and down. Over gullies It’s all on the honor system. declaration: No change. Or maybe a boost in cart rental and streams. Greens are small and not as undulating fees some years ago from $10 to $11. as modern designs demand. If there's a "signature" hole, it's the par-four What binds the members more than membership itself is the "honor system.” seventh—-uphill, dogleg to the left plunging down into a small bowl and a Each facility has a sign-up sheet. Want a beer or a coke? Just write your name. canted green. Lemonade and iced tea are free. The out-of-bounds are thick woods with greenbriar undergrowth. Most "This is a real club of like-minded people, not part of a corporation," said who hit an errant drive into the woods would rather not suffer cuts and member Jeffrey Harris. scratches to find their golf balls. My Paris neighbor, John Miller, and I go Franny Crawford, arguably the club’s best women's golfer, plays in far ranging foraging for lost balls in mid-March before the leaves appear. This year we tournaments. Asked to describe the difference between famous courses and retrieved 540 of vastly varying condition. A shameful number belonged to us. Millwood, she got it just right. And for the rest of the year we hit them back into the woods with abandon. "The Millwood Country Club is like very few experiences in golf ” she said. Tom Gilpin, now in his 60s, grew up just across the road at "Kentmere." "The “Not the golf itself, though it is charming. It’s neither the most challenging nor course was a lot rougher back then,” he said. “We had no irrigation, so on a hot the most closely groomed, though both are more than you could want. It’s the summer day your ball would roll forever on the baked surface. Before fences, we nuances of trust in signing up for carts, guests, drinks and a steadfast desire to used to run downhill and dive right into the pool. I finally reached an age when remain as it has been for over a hundred years. Golf at Millwood is the definition I was presented—-with apologies—-an initiation fee of $500." of a supremely civil experience." He would return to a refrain that the "ambiance" remains exactly the same, and "Back then membership ranged from Paul Mellon to blue collar truck drivers," that's just fine with hidebound members who discourage any alterations. Except, recalled Mazie McGuire, a member since 1952. "A small group of us would simply maybe, an extra buck for a cart.

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

The Sound of World Class Music at Emmanuel

By Pat Reilly

onya Subbayya Sutton is the new president of the Association of Anglican Musicians, an organist and choirmaster for nearly 40 years who has led choirs in the most prestigious settings of Europe. She has now brought her worldclass talents to Middleburg as the new music director at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Just as the 178-year-old church was opening up for in-person services after the pandemic restrictions, its previous music director retired. Rector Eugene LeCouteur heard from parishioners that Sutton might be available. “Two of Emmanuel parishioners sang with me for years at St. Albans,” recalled Sutton, who had just left the Washington, D.C. church in 2016 after 20 years as organist and choirmaster. At their urging, she discussed the Emmanuel Church position with LeCouteur, whom she had met several years earlier. “We have similar ideas on building community through music,” she said. “I’m excited to see what she and God have in store for us in the coming months and years,” said LeCouteur. “We at Emmanuel have been blessed with a woman of extraordinary talents and love for God and the Church. Her creativity and skills are already making a difference in our worship.” That was on full display at the Fourth of July Sunday service, which included a ragtime piano piece, “Through the Gates of Eden” by William Bolcom, and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa in a rousing arrangement by E. Power Biggs that Sutton played on the 8.5 rank tracker

Photo by Pat Reilly

Sonya Subbayya Sutton is the new music director at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. organ custom built for the church in 1976. “I feel like I have a true partner in ministry,” says LeCouteur, whose sermons often reflect his fondness for music. “We speak the same language and have the same hopes for this parish and how music can enliven worship and engage people in their spiritual growth.” Sutton is also music director of the World Bank/ IMF Chorus, which presents large-scale works for chorus and orchestra. She enjoys collaborations

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with other instrumentalists as an accompanist and chamber musician. Sutton writes compellingly about the intersection of life and the arts. She has found many ways to express herself, including a long-running blog Notes for a New Day, and most recently audio books. She has published two audio books on Audible – with music and stories about French composer Mel Bonis in Difficult Women and short stories based on music of John Hausserman titled Symphonic Preludes. Over the course of her long career, she has organized tours for choirs to sing in the great cathedrals of France, England and Wales, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. She considers a onemonth residency at the cathedral in Capetown, South Africa and walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage n Spain with her son as highlights of her own spiritual journey. She earned degrees in piano and arts administration from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. She and her husband, The Rt. Reverend Eugene Sutton, who is the Episcopal Bishop of Maryland, have travelled extensively for work and leisure. They have four adult children in their blended family. In her speech to members on accepting the reins of the Association of Anglican Musicians in June, she said, “It’s time to be fearless, in our creativity, in our relationships, and in all the work we are doing to build up the Episcopal Church as a courageous voice in this hurting world.” Details: To see her work online, go to https://www. emmanuelmiddleburg.org/live-stream

Doubling Their Antique Pleasure, and Maybe More

Opening The Door To Horse Country For Generations

By Emma Boyce

wo horse country staples, Baileywyck’s Lisa Vella and Antique Emporium’s Linda Mason, have joined forces to open a Middleburg antique store with what they hope will be an exciting future for its customers. Vella and Mason have styled Antiques on Washington to evoke the cozy atmosphere Photo by Emma Boyce of an English eating club Linda Mason, Roger Mason and Lisa Vella have or a Ralph Lauren bespoke opened a unique antique store on showroom. The idea is that Washington Street in Middleburg. Antiques on Washington one day will double as an actual club or perhaps a low-key bar. Their customers will be able to sip beverages on handsome brown leather sofas or gather at the bar, while they wait for their lobster roll from the King St. Oyster Bar down the street or their pizza next door. “We already know what Middleburg needs,” said Vella. “We know what’s missing and this is missing. People come into a store like this to relax and have fun so it’s nice to have a little glass of wine.” Though one would never notice the kitchen hidden in the back of the store, in the upcoming months, Vella envisions offering small bites like antipasto plates, cheese boards or even some veggies. She’s already ordered the cutting boards. Meanwhile, Mason is working on the wine. While the store might not have alcohol yet, the bar, stocked with all the accoutrements— monogrammed glasses, silver ice bucket— is still ready to serve. “If we’re here. Friends come by to look around the shop, then they’ll end up coming to the bar and hanging out,” said Mason, whose father, Roger Mason, is also a silent partner in their new endeavor.

White Oak 93 acres $3,800,000 Middleburg – 1st time offering of this wonderful ‘Hanback built’ home with spectacular Blue Ridge Mtn views. 5 BR / 5.5 BAs. 4 fireplaces, hardwood floors. Pool and mature landscaping. 2 BR / 1 BA tenant house, 6 stall barn w/paddocks. 2 ponds.

CI ER

Old Iron Jockey 4,300 Sq Ft $1,500,000 Middleburg – Turn-key commercial building in the village on the corner of Washington and Liberty. Exposed log and stones walls, original hardwood floors and 5 fireplaces. Welcoming covered front porch and a large display window.

“Between the three of us we have over 75 years of experience [in antiques],” said Vella. Each has their own style when it comes to antiques. Vella veers more toward French provincial and Swedish, while Linda Mason focuses on finer American furnishings and brings in more of the art. “Between the three of us there’s almost nothing you can’t find,” Vella said. “There’s gotta be some piece that’s special.” Antiques on Washington offers a little bit of everything. A Herend giraffe sits inside a glass wild animal terrarium. A Renoir hangs next to local artist Anthony Barham. Beautiful American landscapes line the walls against a dark blue background. “I like the fun stuff, the stuff that’s a little bit different,” said Linda Mason, who’s been in the business for more than two decades. “It’s whatever catches my eye. We work with local artists and go to auctions. Lisa gets stuff from all over the world. We’re trying to do a Ralph Lauren antique shop, something a little different than our other antique shops.” When Linda and Roger Mason first leased the space on Washington Street—a French and then a Mexican restaurant in its last two incarnations—they had no idea what was next. In fact, their intention was not to create a second store, but simply to rent storage space for a large shipment that wouldn’t fit in the Emporium down the street. But once Linda Mason saw the space’s potential, she showed it to Vella and all bets were off. “We all work well together,” said Vella, who buys many of her personal items from the Masons. “We try to do cool, fun things.” What’s most clear is how much the two women are enjoying themselves, an energy that’s evident throughout the store. “It’s fun and funny,” Lisa Vella said, sharing a drink with Linda.

306-B Marshall Street .16 acres $845,000 Middleburg – Tucked along a private side street, custom home offering nearly 3,500 sq. feet of living space on 4 levels. 5 BRs and 4 1/2 BAs, open floor plan. Fenced yard has mature trees and lush gardens. Covered porch & open rear terrace.

For more information on these fine properties contact

Cricket Bedford (540) 229-3201 Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118

Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information Office: 540-687-6500 | thomasandtalbot.com contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warranted nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

ZEST-Half_Vert-Cricket.indd 1 Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

8/2/21 10:02 AM

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• Coffee • Slurpee® • Juices • Beer • Wine • Energy Shots • Big Gulp • AND MORE ...

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Hot Foods Hotdogs Pizza Big Bites Wings & more Healthy Choices Sandwiches Bakery Breakfast Pizza Snacks Ice Cream Candy AND MORE...

FUEL

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7-Eleven and their brands are a big part of the American culture and are recognized worldwide. The Marshall 7-Eleven is your go-to convenience store for food, beverages, money related items, fuel, general grocery items and so much more! Check out some of our offerings ... • • • • • •

Milk Bread Cereal Medication Laundry Car Maintenance • Telephone Chargers • Batteries • AND SO MUCH MORE ...

7-Eleven was the first to offer a self-serve soda fountain! 7-Eleven coined the phrase “Brain-Freeze®”!

As a franchise owner and an active member of my community, I’m proud to be a part of the 7-Eleven and Marshall, VA story. Stop by and see us! — Bernice Simpson

It’s Oh Thank Heaven at Marshall 7-11 By Leonard Shapiro

hat’s two x seven plus two x eleven?

In elementary school math, that would be 36. In Marshall, it adds up to two 7-11 franchises, the original at the intersection of Main Street and Rectortown Road and, coming soon, a new store now under construction less than a half-mile away near the on and off ramps for I-66. Bernice Simpson, who has owned the busy in-town store the last 13 years, also is the proud new owner of the second 7-11. Why so close together? The new Photo by Leonard Shapiro operation was being built by corporate, Marshall 7-11 manager Kim the better to attract folks looking for a Doffermire, owner Bernice Simpson, quick stop seconds off the highway. and Brooke Doffermire. A Marshall native who attended the old Marshall High School (a half-block away from the current store), Bernice was offered the second franchise, and decided “why not?” The original is a true local gathering place, where, like the song goes, “everyone knows your name.” Kim Doffermire, the store’s effervescent manager, said, “I still think this will still be the community place. The company was going to build it whether we took or not, so we’re going to do it.” Kim’s daughter, Brooke, is training to take over her mom’s duties and will run the in-town operation. Kim will run the new location and keep an eye on the original.

Get the primary care experience you deserve Same-day or next-day appointments Reach your doctor after hours Unhurried visits that start on time

Call 540.724.2054 or visit mdvip.com to schedule a complimentary getacquainted meeting with Dr. Royston. Norris Royston Jr., MD Family Medicine 8255 East Main Street Marshall, VA 20115 mdvip.com/NorrisRoystonMD

Staffing is the main concern for both stores. Because they’re open 24-7, three shifts are needed, and the work includes far more than standing behind the front counter, operating the cash register and dispensing lottery tickets, cigarettes and big gulps. “There’s a lot to do,” Kim said. “We make the coffee, we make the food, we’re always cleaning, stocking the shelves. For me, the customer service is the best part, what I really enjoy the most.” Thirteen years ago, Bernice was working in real estate in Ocala, Florida when her daughter, Sharon, who lived in Marshall, called one day and told her “guess what’s for sale?” “I was getting bored down there,” Bernice said. “I had two Jack Russells and a husband, the real estate market was going bottom up and we decided to go back. When I first came to the store, it was nasty. The floor was black. It’s the same building now, but it cleaned up really nice.” Bernice is a frequent presence. “I’m here just to see the customers, and I think the customers like to see me,” she said. “I pretty much know most of them. If I don’t know them, I’m probably kin to them.” In addition to the regular staff, the store also has a few volunteers, locals like affable retired truck driver “Mr. Gene” Sanford who is often there in the morning, helping make coffee or other odd jobs. Police officers are regulars,, not so much for law enforcement as to take a break with a cup of coffee, always on the house for volunteers and cops. Security has not been much of an issue under Simpson’s watch. There are cameras inside and out, the better to discourage the occasional shoplifter. Coffee and donuts fly out the door in the morning, pizza and hot dogs at lunchtime and cold beer is a big seller afternoon and nights. Simpson also placed tables and chairs outside so regulars have a place to sit, sip and schmooze. And once in a while they may even say to themselves, “oh thank heaven for 7-11, especially Bernice and Kim.”

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

BOOKS

DEER HEART is about a big-hearted foster family that gets adopted by a fun-loving orphaned deer. A true story lived and told by Lois Tuohy, aka Grammy. Lois is 88 years young and has been a fixture in Middleburg. She is the mother of six, grandmother of 19, and great grandmother of 30 and counting. And the artwork was done by Caroline Elgin, who also lives in the Middleburg area. The book is available through Second Chapter Books or Amazon. And speaking of Caroline, here she is with her dog Shelly from Canine Companions having a visit with Forrest Allen with his Canine Companion, Toliver.

Meanwhile we have news from Book Box Donor and Steward Deborah L. Napier in Rappahannock County. Amissville’s 1st Little Free Library was dedicated on May 8 and is firmly in place thanks to Ken and Averill Ring, Mountain View Dog Training on Viewtown Road, in the heart of Amissville between U.S. Post Office and Amissville Baptist Church. Details at https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/

THE LAST DIVING HORSE IN AMERICA Cynthia A. Branigan’ story about Rescuing Gamal and Other Animals--Lessons in Living and Loving will be out in September. This is an inspiring story of the rescue of the last diving horse in America, and of how horse and animal rescuer were each profoundly transformed by the other.

Local author Tony Wells has a new historical novel ROOM 39 AND THE LISBON CONNECTION. During a recent chat at Common Grounds in Middleburg he told us: It’s “a never-before-told true story. I knew several of the lead characters who trained and mentored me in British Intelligence, and sadly had passed away by the mid 1970s.” So put this on your list. All books available through Second Chapter Books in Middleburg. And please consider donating a book to Amissville’s Little Free Library.

Marshall 540-364-1533 8222 E Main St

Warrenton 540-347-7100 143 Washington St

Jumping into the dog days of summer – visit your local CFC Farm & Home Center for everything you need for your home, garden, pets and livestock. CFC Farm & Home Center

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Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

Recalling Fauquier County’s 100 schools

Photos by Hugh Kenny, PEC.

Built in 1904, Calverton High School had electricity and central heat, but no indoor plumbing. It was typical of the large White high schools built in communities around the county.

By John T. Toler

ublic education in Fauquier County can be divided into three epochs: antebellum, the statewide post-Civil War efforts, and consolidation and desegregation. No records about public education in the early days of the county exist, but it’s clear it was generally insufficient. There was little state aid, which went only to the poorest families. Other options did exist for families who could afford them. The “old field school system” was used, where students were taught by teachers hired by their parents and taught in small schoolhouses on their estates. Often, children from neighboring farms attended. In 1870, Virginia adopted its first statewide system of free public schools, as provided in a new state constitution. As part of Reconstruction, the federal Freedmen’s Bureau established schools for African-American students, although most got their primary education in homes, churches and schools within the bounds of the local communities, according to the Afro-American Historical Association of Fauquier County (AAHA) in The Plains. The statewide system was well underway by 1871, but schools were segregated by race, and would be for years. By 1872, Fauquier had 40 school buildings serving 1,641 White students, and 17 schools for 887 Black students. The following year, enrollment increased to 3,847, taught in 59 White schools and 31 Black schools. In 1884 there were 93 schools, and by 1885, over 100. W. H. Strother was appointed superintendent of Fauquier County Public Schools in 1882. Four years later, he said nearly all of the schools had been “supplied with good furniture and have suitable grounds attached. We have some cause for congratulations, but there is yet room for great improvement.” One of the AAHA museum treasures is a copy of a 1936 report compiled by the Firemen’s Insurance Co. of Newark, New Jersey. It provides detailed information about the 43 White and 35 Black schools then in use in Fauquier County. Information includes year of construction, interior and exterior dimensions, materials used, and if they had electricity or indoor plumbing (most did not). Structure value was estimated, ranging from $400 for the Black school at Double Poplars near Warrenton to $119,000 for the new Warrenton High School for Whites completed in 1936. The staff at the AAHA has used the information in the report to write the histories of the Black schools, now online in the excellent Interactive Story Map on their Website (www.aahafauquier.org)

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

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The Morgantown School property was acquired by Dr. Sheila Johnson and donated to the AAHA. “We are working to preserve and interpret the property,” said AAHA Director Karen H. White.

People are switching for great reasons:

There were White high schools in Upperville, Bristersburg, Calverton, Catlett, Marshall, Hume, Remington and Bealeton, but only one high school for Black The savings of REALLY students. Free Checking In 1930, the Rosenwald School – one of eight Black schools in the county partially funded by Julius Rosenwald – became a four-year high school for Black students living in Warrenton. The convenience of However, the only option for Black students from other parts of the county was to travel to Prince William County to attend the Manassas Industrial School for Video Appointments Colored Youth. This changed in 1952 with the opening of William C. Taylor High School in Warrenton. The peace of mind of Starting in the 1940s, some of the one- and two-room Black schools were closed and sold at auction, usually because of falling enrollment. Others remained, but Debit Card Controls were changed from having two teachers to one. The White high schools were consolidated into Marshall in the northern sector, Warrenton in the center, and Cedar-Lee at Bealeton in the south. By the late 1950s, a multi-million dollar school consolidation plan was underway. The last small White school at Morrisville was closed in June 1960, Make the switch. and the last Black school, No. 18 at Marshall, closed in February 1964. At a branch, In the fall of 1963, students in the three White high schools were assigned to the new Fauquier High in Warrenton. In April 1966, seven closed schoolhouses by video or online were auctioned, including former high schools at Delaplane, Hume, The Plains, Remington and Bristersburg. Under a second multi-million dollar school consolidation plan, elementary schools in the county’s northern end were consolidated into W. G. Coleman at Marshall (White) and Northwestern in Rectortown (Black). Central Elementary was opened in Warrenton and Southeastern at Calverton (both for Black students). White elementary school students were assigned to the new P.B. Smith and C. M. Bradley elementary schools. Desegregation of Fauquier County Public Schools was done in fits and starts, beginning in the fall of 1965 when three Black students were assigned to Fauquier High. Desegregation became a reality in 1969. As the population grew and AtlanticUnionBank.com demographics evolved, the old primary-secondary school arrangement was replaced by an elementary-middle-high school concept. According to the FCPS Website, 11,287 students are currently enrolled in the AtlanticUnionBank.com For J.D. Power 2021 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards three high schools, five middle schools and ten elementary schools, plus the alternative school at Southeastern.

THE SWITCH IS ON!

AUB21013_SWITCH-CountryZest-4-667x12 FINAL.indd Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

5/13/21 12:03 PM

Ready to Ride?

The Bike Stop 19 Main Street Warrenton, VA 20186 www.rideva.com, 540-341-7702 R Riding in Fauquier County Road Rides – Greenway and Bike Paths – Mountain Bike Rides – Gravel Rides. Details: www.rideva.com

By Anita L. Sherman

long-ago knee injury had Bob Leftwich looking for a way to heal and keep active. Getting up on a bike did the trick and paved the way for his 35-year plus partnership with all things that pedal. The Bike Stop opened in 1984. For the past five years, its home has been on Main Street in Warrenton and for Leftwich a perfect location. “We certainly enjoy the foot traffic,” said Leftwich whose store not only carries a myriad of bikes but loads of apparel and accessories for the casual or avid cyclist. The environment has changed the landscape of his business as well. Not only are more people wanting to get out but they want to try new ways to ride. “The dynamics of the town has changed,” said Leftwich, “the town has embraced biking.” Leftwich is delighted with the town’s ambiance, the outdoor dining opportunities and accessibility of bike racks. “We had a couple who bought bikes and then ride into Warrenton and have lunch…it’s nice.” “We never did shut down,” said Leftwich of the impact of the pandemic to his business. In fact, for The Bike Stop, business remains brisk. “There was a big explosion of folks wanting to get outside,” said Leftwich, “and biking is a great way to get exercise for the whole family while remaining distant…we saw a lot of people coming in.” “They sell themselves,” smiled Leftwich referring to a major game changer in the biking world – electric bikes or E-bikes for short. Sophisticated engineering and technology have created a new breed of bike that can literally take you to new heights with their pedal assisted power. “The E-bike takes away the struggle,” smiles Leftwich, “if you’re on an E-bike you can easily make the hill with no problem.” With an E-bike, a motor assists your pedaling giving you the feeling of super legs. Leftwich’s passion and knowledge of bikes has taken him away from his shop on occasions. For 10 years he was an official bicycle technician for Iron Man North America. “It was seasonal and I could make it with the shop…I’ve been just about

Don’t just make donations.

Farm to Fork Fitness Adventures 18 rural farmland destinations from Maine to South Carolina. www. FarmToForkFitness.com. 4th Annual Warrior Ride September 11, The Farm Brewery at Broad Run. www.bikereg.com/warriorride. It’s Back! The Great Pumpkin Ride Saturday, October 23. Photo by Anita L. Sherman

Owner Bob Leftwich is very much at home at The Bike Stop in Warrenton. everywhere…Brazil, Australia…working those races,” said Leftwich, “but at some point, you age out of it…how many races can you follow around…still, what an adventure! After IronMan, Leftwich spent several years with Bikes for the World, a nonprofit committed to changing lives by providing bicycles to offer more than a ride to school or work but empowerment for individuals and communities around the world. “We’d collect and repair bicycles and they’d be loaded…500 in a container… bound for countries like the Philippines,” Leftwich said, “very satisfying to be a part of that.” Being on a bike and encouraging others to do the same is, for Leftwich, his profession and his philosophy. “You’re staying healthy, enjoying the outdoors, appreciating your surroundings…how many more adventures are there?”

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Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

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CELEBRATING AT GREAT MEADOW Photos by Vicky Moon For the 32nd year, the Fourth of July magic returned to Great Meadow in The Plains. A spectacular fireworks display was set off from the depths of its internationally acclaimed steeplechase course. There was something for everyone…including a psychic.

Carrie Hull, executive director of Great Meadow, gets ready for an explosive evening.

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Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

Print Online or In Store Prints, Posters, Canvas Photo Books Photo Gifts Photo Face Coverings

IN FULL BLOOM PHOTOS BY DILLIONKEENPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

harla Kay Bond and Clyde Kessler of C & S Farmstead in The Plains have teamed up to grow breathtaking flowers and fetching vegetables. They can be found at local farmer’s markets, (hint Wednesdays in Upperville), small weddings and for many other memorable moments. They offer sustainably grown greens and seasonal veggies in addition to their astonishing blooms. More at: csfarmstead@gmail.com.

Sharla Kay Bond and Clyde Kessler of C & S Farmstead

Shortcake comes to mind

Gorgeous arrangements

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

Summer salads

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

Answering climate change through a revolution in reforestation. As pioneers in the growth of forest creation, GreenTrees is working with Virginia landowners to plant forests that clean the air and remove carbon from the atmosphere. In the spirit of the coming forest revolution, we are organizing the right principles to honor and protect a more liberating future for all. Learn more about our process at Virginia.Green-Trees.com or call us at 540.253.2513. Because when we plant trees, we plant hope.

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Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

The Potter’s House Aiming to Build a New Future By Carina Elgin

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hile The Plains area is known for its lush farms and rolling fields populated with well-bred horses and well-fed cows, some local residents are struggling, especially during the upheaval and aftermath of the pandemic. Most Saturday mornings, Photo by Vicky Moon a line of people often waits patiently for the doors of a small The Potter’s House in The Plains white building on Loudoun Avenue to open at 9 a.m. It’s the Potter’s House, started in 2010 by the Women of Worship Ministry of The First Baptist Church of The Plains. The nonprofit serves those in need by collecting donations of household goods, clothing and toys, then allowing anyone to come by on Saturday mornings to take what they need. No charge, no questions asked. Carolyn Colbert, The Potter’s House director and its driving force, is there every day. “There are a lot of people in need,” she said. “We try to do what we can to help.” Said the Reverend Weston Matthews from nearby Grace Episcopal Church, “The Potter’s House serves a part of our community that is often ignored. It’s a safe space, where people feel welcomed and loved, and can get things they need.” The invaluable outreach has long outgrown that space, and the current building is in precarious condition, with a flooding basement and unsafe mold issues. Plans are now underway to create a place where people of all religions and cultures can come together to help and get to know each other, according to Pastor Tim Ahl of First Baptist. One generous and anonymous community member has already donated land adjacent to the current facility. Thorough research and planning is taking place, with feasibility studies, engineers and architects working on the best way to address the community’s needs and the town’s regulations. Pastor Ahl points to the architects’ drawings, indicating a large community room in the future building, where donations will be distributed more efficiently. Additionally, local civic groups will be able to use the space for meetings and events. It’s intended for people to find help with social and medical needs, including mental health services. There are also plans for a kitchen, ample parking, and an outdoor pavilion area. The current historic Potter’s House, if salvageable, will become administrative office space. The new building will truly be an opportunity for community members to work together, Ahl said, offering storage space for the toiletry items members of the Long Branch Church in Halfway currently provide, and for the food Grace Episcopal in The Plains makes available through its food pantry, Peas and Grace. With land donated and preliminary funds in the non-profit’s account, the new and improved Potter’s House is off to a good start. Still, Pastor Ahl emphasized the project needs much more financial support. He hopes members of the community will volunteer goods and services, donate items, or make taxdeductible donations. “We’re here to provide opportunity and diversity, to bring people together from every spectrum, to meld our hearts, and to show each other we’re really not different from each other,” he said. “We want to expand on what has been started, where good trust has been built up and where there is a safe place where people feel welcome. But we need the community’s help.” Details: To donate or get more information on The Potter’s House project, contact Pastor Tim Ahl at 540-253-5567.

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

Carry Me BACK

Rummaging For a $6 Coat B By Jimmy Hatcher

ack in the day, and maybe even now, there were always a number of rummage sales in Middleburg, a wonderful source for used riding clothes. I had mostly been a show ring rider in my native area of Richmond but had become interested in fox hunting with the Piedmont Hunt because I was keeping my horse at Mrs. A.C. Randolph’s Salem stable near the village of Upperville. One year, Middleburg’s Emmanuel Episcopal Church was having a spring rummage sale and I walked in the door and immediately headed for the men’s clothing section. That’s where I spied a beautifully cut black hunting coat. I was so excited, I quickly ripped the coat off the hanger, found it to be a perfect fit and happily paid the princely sum of $6 to take it home. Once there, after a closer look, the coat still had a dry-cleaning label that read “Mr. Mills return to Miss du Pont.” That Sunday, I was at a luncheon also was attended by James Mills and his family. I told him I had bought his old hunting coach at the church sale, but he replied that he had never even owned a hunting coat. He was a fine, eight-goal polo player, not a fox hunter. At that point, I told him about the dry cleaning label in the coat I”d just purchased and he replied, “does the lining look like pajamas?” Yes, I said, it certainly did. “You have my father’s hunting coat,” he said. “I was courting Alice and she asked me to come to Aiken and bring my hunting kit, of which I had none. So I went into my parents’ attic and pulled out my father’s hunting coat, never even taking it out of the clothing bag to see its condition. “Well,” he continued, “I got to Aiken, removed the coat from the bag, looked at its disreputable condition and sent it over to the Aiken cleaners. I

Sketch by Wally Nall

Jimmy Hatcher looked like a million dollars in his $6 riding coat. married Alice and I haven’t seen the coat since. I guess she must have sent it off to the church rummage sale.” Needless to say that coat served me well. My friend, the late Middleburg artist Wally Nall even drew a sketch with me on my horse and wearing that wonderful coat. You never know what treasure you’ll find at a Middleburg church rummage sale.

Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden A Lecture by Peter Hatch

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is hosting a reception, lecture, and book signing with Peter Hatch – author and Director of Gardens and Grounds at Monticello from 1977 to 2012. Historic materials from the Oak Spring Garden Library relevant to Jefferson will also be on display. Jefferson’s unique vegetable garden at Monticello was an Ellis Island of new and unusual vegetable novelties from around the globe. Restored in 1984, the garden and the Jefferson legacy continue to inspire the farm to table movement today.

Thursday, September 16 Reception at 5:00 pm and Lecture at 6:00 pm Buchanan Hall, 8549 U.S. Route 50, Upperville, VA 20184

Tickets sold at https://peter-hatch-upperville-lecture.eventbrite.com Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

Dolphin Quest Facilities Have Roots in The Plains

“Everything we do is made possible because we first build a foundation based on trust and mutual respect,” said Dr. Stone. “It’s about let’s have some fun today. What are we going to explore and learn today? That type of creative relationship allows for lots of exploration with guests, visiting scientists, and with each other so that every day is less regimented and more enriching.”

By Louisa Woodville

ourists who visit Hawaii or Bermuda and swim with dolphins there often cite this experience as a highlight. Bottle-nose dolphins with names such as Reef, Kona, and Pele, flip, swim and dive in large lagoons embellished with waterfalls and rocks. “There’s something magical and mystical about a dolphin,” said Dr. Rae Stone of The Plains. “To me part of their beauty is that that they’re so incredibly well adapted to their environment — everything from their echolocation to their locomotion, the way they move in the water is mesmerizingly beautiful.” Being one of the country’s foremost marine mammal veterinarians, she should know. Dr. Stone created Dolphin Quest in 1984 with Dr. Jay Sweeney of San Diego as a bridge between tourism, education and conservation. They provide venues where the public can learn about dolphins and how to protect the marine environments that sustain them. Visitors often have the opportunity to watch the dolphins voluntarily participate in groundbreaking studies underway by scientists working to solve the growing threats to wild dolphin populations. My husband Nigel Ogilvie and I visited Dolphin Quest in Oahu three years ago. Arriving at the Kahala site, we were briefed by staff. They explained that each day, it’s the dolphins’ decision whether to swim and interact, or even to appear with us. On that particular Tuesday, the dolphins seemed thrilled to play. Kohole was especially fun, his powerful flukes motoring him around, and stopping periodically for a belly rub. Then off he’d go, jumping for joy—or at least that’s how it seemed to me. The experience underscored the teeming, vibrant life that lives in the seas, and the crucial steps needed to prevent oceanic destruction. That’s also part of Dolphin Quest’s mission. The dolphins, Dr. Stone said, are not here for the public’s amusement but rather to further a connection that will motivate people to help reduce pollution, marine debris, and overfishing, as well as manage climate change. All are real threats to wild dolphins. Dolphin Quest’s origins began in land-locked Scottsdale, Arizona, where Dr. Stone and her husband, Dr. Kent Allen, practiced veterinary medicine after graduating from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia. Dr. Allen developed one of the largest referral equine practices in the southwest. He now maintains the Virginia Equine Imaging practice at their BrightWood farm in The Plains they share with their son Forrest. Dr. Stone’s original practice entailed traveling to treat patients in her mobile veterinary unit. “It was a really fun and personal way to provide veterinary care to small animals,” she said. “I had a 26-foot custom van that had an exam room and anesthesia and everything I needed. I could do x-rays and could even do surgery there. I was practicing all over Scottsdale.”

Photo courtesy

Dr. Rae Stone gets up close and personal with the dolphins. In the early 1980s, however, she received an unusual request. “I was asked to provide local veterinary services for this collection of three dolphins and five sea lions,” she said. “I said okay, if you’ll send me somewhere to study and learn about them.” She chose to work with leading specialist Dr. Jay Sweeney at Marineland of the Pacific in Palos Verdes California, to learn about marine mammals and their care. Dr. Stone soon made a name for herself thanks to an emerging technology that her husband pioneered in diagnosing horses’ lameness—ultrasound. It was a game-changer in the sphere of dolphin preventive medicine and research, especially natal development. “Kent’s equine referral hospital in Arizona had one of the first ultrasound units in the southwest, in the early 1980s,” Dr. Stone said.” Nobody had ever done ultrasound on a dolphin before. I was able to take his equipment to Marineland in California to develop some of the original applications of diagnostic ultrasound on dolphins.” As leaders in marine mammal science, scientific study, and animal management, Drs. Stone and Sweeney pondered how to create a place where scientists could study dolphins in a more natural habitat, optimally financed by tourism. The initiative had to be both scientifically driven and fiscally sustainable. Wheels started turning. “On a flight to Takoma to treat a walrus, Jay [Sweeney] and I started talking about how we’d like to see dolphins displayed if we could do it any way we wanted,” she said. “We started drawing our vision on a paper napkin at 30,000 feet in the air. And so Dolphin Quest was born.” An optimal habitat, they knew, would consist of natural salt water lagoons of varying depths, filled with

marine life, just like dolphins’ natural environment— an ocean-water sea sanctuary. They also envisioned programs where people could learn about the animals in a more intimate personal way where they could make a real connection, as an alternative to acrobatic shows, the norm at the time. It took four years, but finally they created the optimum setting. The Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii opened in 1988, with a saltwater, sandy-beached tidal lagoon housing eight dolphins. Dolphin Quest has since added sites at the Kahala Hotel & Resort on Oahu; and in Bermuda’s National Museum. As a result of successful reproduction Dolphin Quest now cares for 31 dolphins. “When our dolphins became pregnant, I traveled every month to Hawaii and did ultrasound exams on four pregnancies from conception to birth,” she said. “The animals didn’t even need to leave the water to be imaged. These measurements helped us publish the first fetal growth charts for bottle-nosed dolphins.” The techniques Dr. Stone developed are now used to study the impact of oil spills on wild dolphin reproduction. Dolphin Quest now provides support and funding for scientists who collaborate with the dolphins’ caretakers on critically important studies that could not be done in the wild. “Dolphin Quest is managed by people who know these animals and love them and are there to promote marine conservation,” Dr. Stone said. Dolphins receive top veterinary care and nutrition, not to mention lots of love and attention from marine mammal specialists. “Everything we do is made possible because we first build a foundation based on trust and mutual respect,” said Dr. Stone. “It’s about let’s have some fun today. What are we going to explore and learn today? That type of creative relationship allows for lots of exploration with guests, visiting scientists, and with each other so that every day is less regimented and more enriching.” A critical component of Dolphin Quest is preserving oceans and aquatic habitats. Between 80-90 percent of fish stocks in the world are either threatened or endangered—or will be in the next 10 years—according to many scientists. Ascertaining how dolphins in the future will find enough to eat and how much they need are critically important questions. “How can we design policies and marine sanctuaries or protection of fishing policies if we don’t even know how much energy it costs to be a dolphin in the wild?” said Dr. Stone, also an avid equestrian and currently president of the Orange County Hounds Conservation Foundation. “The reality is, the environmental pressures on our oceans are only increasing. And we can’t solve today’s problems with yesterday’s knowledge, let alone tomorrow’s problems. I think it all comes down to building relationships of trust and respect.” Especially listening to what dolphins and oceans and other fish have to say.

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

Hemp Farming Offers a Feel Good Story

By M.J. McAteer

uke Greer wanted to be “the first car up the roller coaster” after the Commonwealth legalized the growing of hemp in 2018. By 2019, he already had his car in gear, climbing that first hill. He had visited hemp organizations and cultivation operations and applied for a license. “You have to jump through a lot of hoops,” Greer said about getting the go-ahead to grow hemp from a daunting array of regulators. Still, after once training on a trapeze, he apparently had the necessary agility. By last year, he harvested his first hemp crop and started selling hemp-derived items on his web site, Northern Virginia Hemp Company. On a recent steamy afternoon, with dark clouds threatening, Greer showed off his hemp field, located on the family farm in Purcellville, not far from his father Nick’s antique furniture restoration workshop. From the single acre he’s put under cultivation, he explained he could harvest 150-200 pounds of hemp, enough for 1,500-2,500 one-ounce bottles of CBD (cannabidiol oil) along with a handful of other products such as CBD gummies and skin cream. These products, Greer stressed, will not cause a high. By law, the levels of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, must be kept very low, and the plants must be tested repeatedly for compliance. Many believe the CBD in hemp is useful in treating anxiety and chronic pain in humans and some animals. Greer said many clients buy his offerings for

Photo by M.J. McAteer

Luke Greer and his growing hemp. their dogs and horses to help with problems such as seizures (dogs) and cribbing (horses). Greer is not allowed to make any claims about medicinal benefits for his products. If he did, the authorities could come knocking. On this sultry day, Greer’s current crop had grown to about thigh-high. Most plants are of a variety called Painted Lady, which smells like citrus and lavender. Greer said before planting his first crop, he walked the hemp field at Virginia Tech’s research facility and

sniffed every single plant. “Painted Lady smelled the best,” he concluded. Happily, the deer disagree and shun the Ladies, while a cooperative flock of wild turkeys help keep down the insect damage. “The potency is at the top of the plant,” Greer explained, fingering the sticky hairs the female plants produce. Male plants are banished from the field because pollination leads to more seeds and fewer flowers that are the source of CBD products. His Painted Ladies can handle Virginia’s humid heat, and by harvest in October, will have grown to 5 to 8 feet tall and be nearly as big around. He’ll then send his harvest to an extractor, who processes and packages the final products. Before starting his hemp business, Greer had been working as a heritage and conservation photographer, documenting historic sights that have been vanishing so rapidly from western Loudoun County. He’s now able to focus on his field because, even as a start-up, this one-man business has proven profitable. Greer, 43, is living in the house where he grew up and has made a commitment to provide locally sourced and sustainably grown products. His company has been growing almost as rapidly as his plants, and he now gets about 15,000 visitors a month to his Web site. Greer plans to gear up again when the commercial cultivation of marijuana becomes legal in the Commonwealth in 2024. He’ll apply for a license in 2023, the better to be among the first back in that car, safety bar down, ready to climb the first hill on his next roller coaster ride.

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Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

MODERN FINANCE

Show Me The Money

By Philip Dudley he loves me, she loves me not, she loves me, she loves me not.

Digital currencies are loved by some and not loved by others. They’re loved by those who desire autonomy, decentralization and digitalization while reviled by most governments and central banks for the same reasons.

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On July 14, digital currencies received a loving kiss from the European Central Bank (ECB) as it launched the digital Euro project.

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Christine Lagarde, the highlyrespected president of the ECB, stated, “Our work aims to ensure Philip Dudley that in the digital age citizens and firms continue to have access to the safest form of money—central bank money.”

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And so, on the one hand, the ECB is tipping its hat to acknowledge digital currencies. Conversely, they are making it very clear they don’t want to lose control of the money.

October 8 · December 3 · January 14

Basically, this is a validation of the digital currency ecosystem. It’s not going away folks. And if that’s the case, there are three silos to focus on.

First is decentralized cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Ethereum that can be exchanged for goods and services. They are not issued by a central bank but rather a network. The blockchain certifies transactions by uniquely logging each transaction. This is called distributed ledger technology. Second, stablecoins peg their value against an existing store of value like the U.S. dollar, gold, oil or maybe even fine art. All are logged on the blockchain. And third, there is central bank digital currency (CBDCs) which represents a sovereign nation’s fiat currency. The ECB is telling the world that it’s worried about decentralized finance and now is getting in the game. What would CBDCs look like for the Federal Reserve? Unlike our current electronic payment system called the national automated clearing house (ACH), the Fed would have to create a new system or “rail.” These rails are the plumbing of our banking system, with the established ACH network controlled by commercial banks. The Fed, as the counter party, could effectively develop a digital network for CBDCs which theoretically could be better and faster. And so, ask yourself the following question. How do you want an institution to show you the money? I guess the term “check please” has taken on a whole new meaning.

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Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

Hazel Laine Metcalf arrived on June 23 8:20am, 5lbs 11oz. 19in and Finn Carter followed on June 23 8:21am at 7lbs 20in. Kudos to parents Logan and Lilly Metcalf, grandparents Maryann and Tucker Withers and great-grandmother Bunny Shick. Everyone healthy! Withers family photo at birth and one week later.

Photo by Vicky Moon

Chris Wilson with Jennifer Worcester Moore president of the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area with Revolutionary war soldier Travis Shaw, director of education as a member of the 3rd Virginia Regiment, circa 1778.

For the 25th anniversary celebration of the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area at Goose Creek Bridge: Dulany Morison, chairman, with board members Tom deButts and Steve Price.

Snowden Clarke and Bryce Lingo entertained friends Shannon Stichman, Gwenie McCaw and others during and after the finals of the Upperville Horse Show. It was great to chat with George Webb and Nina Gore Auchincloss Straight, here with Snowden.

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Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

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Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

FINE FEATHERED FRIENDS

PHOTOS © BY DILLIONKEENPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

he Poultry and Small Animal auction at the Fauquier Livestock Exchange in Marshall is a happening event. Just ask horseman and real estate agent Snowden Clarke. He has a soft spot for all animals, and a visit to Bryce Lingo’s Orange Hill Farm, right around the corner from the Exchange, will confirm it. At one recent auction, Snowden was armed with bidding Number 67 when “Tom Turkey” was brought into the ring. Within minutes, they were heading back to the farm. The final bid was $110. Tom also has a new friend. And, not to worry. Tom will never grace a Thanksgiving table.

Tom and a friend

Lucky Number 67

Tom Turkey will live happily ever after at Orange Hill Farm.

Tom goes on view prior to auction.

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

The interior of the auction ring

Hi neighbor. Are you really going to run me over? You’re killing me, and Bambi, and hawks, and eagles, and possums, and turtles, and all kinds of us animals every day. Look, I’m thrilled about the growth in the area, but traffic has increased to the point where careless speeding drivers are creating a bloody mess

all over our highways. And, if that doesn’t matter to you, maybe that bill from the body shop for your crushed hoods and fenders will get your attention. Hey, I’m just a racoon but somebody’s got to speak up. Welcome to the neighborhood, but please slow down.

SLOW DOWN and Save Our Wildlife

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

ROOTS & SHOOTS IN UPPERVILLE

Bowen Slater has an over the garden fence chat with friends

Photos by Vicky Moon

he Roots and Shoots program for young children began in the mid1980s in California and has gained momentum across the country all the way to Upperville. The children plant flowers and vegetables and, in the example at Piedmont Childcare, they also learn the alphabet.

The program was launched by Alice Duggan after she took a course in2005 about it at Blandy Experimental Farm at the State Arboretum of Virginia in Boyce. Alice retired as executive director in 2020 and remains a vital force at the center.

The scare-girl’s name is Bucky

Alice Duggan, Sidney Bowers and Joan Eliot help corral the children and the weeds. Executive Director Diana Lichliter oversees it all now.

The bucket list at Piedmont Child Care garden includes reading, planting and clean up

E is for elephant just ask Sydney Bowers

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

It’s Play Time in Middleburg’s PLAYroom

By Leslie VanSant

alking into the PLAYroom, it’s hard to be a grown-up. The shelves of one of Middleburg’s newest shops are lined with colorful toys that beg to be touched, picked up and played with. Whether it’s a doll house, a mini-Vespa, or brightly-colored architecture “building” blocks that catch your eye, the response is immediate. The mind starts to travel and imagine, a smile begins to turn the corners of your mouth, and suddenly, you feel young again. Proprietor Michelle McNaughton clearly encourages this sort of behavior. “Play is what we do here,” she said, sitting on a cushion log around a fabric campfire, holding a soft stick to roast a fabric marshmallow to make a s’more. She explained that toys in the shop help people, children and adults, play, together. They inspire imagination and exploration through open-ended play in children ages two to ten. The toys in the shop are accessible, inviting and sustainably made. There’s something for everyone and any budget. That the toys appeal to both children and parents is not an accident. There are science-based toys, marbles and kaleidoscopes, musical toys, puppets, books, scooters, bug toys, dolls and their houses. There’s even a giantsized custom and locally made “light brite.” On a recent afternoon, customers Ellen and Jim Dyke, former Virginia State Secretary of Education, sang the praises of the PLAYroom. It was their second visit to the shop, and they came back to town

Photo by Leslie VanSant

Owner Michelle McNaughton to purchase gifts for their grandchildren and start their holiday shopping early. “We stopped in a few weeks ago and made a plan to come back. We really like the diversity of the shop and how it reflects today’s families,” Dyke said. McNaughton and Chris Bernard were inspired to open the shop by their own 3-year-old son, Maverick. “We had definite ideas on how we wanted him to play, and how we wanted to play with him,” she said before describing her own childhood in a family that enjoyed spending time with each other.

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

Opening a destination toy store was an easy decision. The couple built their careers in the retail world and met while both worked at Middleburgbased LouLou Boutiques, so they knew exactly what had to be done. It took only three months from their initial idea in February to open in May. “This is a dream come true,” she said. “I am the luckiest person I know” McNaughton and Bernard both grew up in the area, she in Middleburg, he in Warrenton. Their families are here. He serves as a member of the Middleburg Town Council. She has big ideas. “We want to be an anchor in the community,” she said. “We want to give back.” They participated in the “National Night Out” sponsored by the town and Middleburg Police Department in early August. And of course, being part of Christmas in Middleburg goes without saying. She envisions future in-store “events,” including a ticketed “drop-in and dine” evenings for parents and birthday parties. They also donated a private “shopping spree” to the Hill School Auction, Michelle is an alum and her mom, Joan, and sister, Caitlin, are teachers. “We closed the shop and hosted the winning bidder’s family. We had snacks, some wine and cheese. And we played.” Details: Located at 108 West Washington Street, the PLAYroom is open seven days a week. Monday to Saturday from 10 - 5 and Sunday from 11 - 5. There website is www.intheplayroom.com.

DOC5/MIDDLEBURG PRESENTS:

FIVE DOCUMENTARY FILMS IN FIVE DAYS SEPTEMBER 14-18, 2021

Doc5/Middleburg and CMP are pleased to present a diverse mix of this year's newest and best documentaries, shown one per evening, on the side lawn of the Middleburg Community Center. Each film shown at dusk: 7:30pm. Individual tickets are $20 and go on sale Sunday, August 15, 2021. Space will be limited. Also available are a small number of tickets for the gala dinner, to be held on Saturday, September 18, where we will be among the first audiences anywhere to see the groundbreaking new film: PAPER & GLUE. Tickets for Saturday evening are $500 per person, which includes cocktails and gourmet dinner, followed by a private showing of the film and post-viewing discussion.

Please go to www.doc5filmfest.org

Photo by Linda Roberts

Kyle Davis, Blandy associate director, Dave Carr, Blandy director, and Antonio Austin, archival research intern, with a copy of a 1905 plat showing the existence of a cemetery for the enslaved. The area was recently studied and encircled.

Linking Present and Past at Clarke County’s Blandy Farm By Linda Roberts

“H

opefully I will be able to give these people a voice that they didn’t have in their lifetime,” said Antonio Austin, archival research intern at the Blandy Experimental Farm. Austin has spent the spring and summer months working to identify some 40 enslaved people who are buried at Blandy in Clarke County, which is the State Arboretum of Virginia. A Howard University student working on his Ph.D. in history, Austin learned about the position at Blandy earlier this year and was “elated when I got the job,” he said. His days have been filled with researching old records in both Clarke and Frederick counties, as Clarke was once part of Frederick. “Timing is everything,” he said. “With history, you don’t find everything you want immediately. It eventually comes out over the years.” Dave Carr, Blandy director, and Kyle Davis, Blandy associate director, have worked closely with Austin and on another project underway at Blandy. A century-old plat of the property helped identify the likely existence of a cemetery believed to be where enslaved people were buried as early as 190

years ago. Blandy contracted with Leesburg-based GeoModel to survey the site with ground-penetrating radar. Evidence of 40 graves was found within the coordinates. Due to the close proximity of some of the graves, it is believed that some individuals were interred in family groups.

The State Arboretum, or Blandy, didn’t always exist as the 700-acre property we know today. It was once the more than 800-acre Tuleyries tract, which dates back to the ownership of Joseph Tuley Sr. in the early 1800s and later his son, Joseph Tuley Jr. The son directed construction of the Tuleyries mansion west of Blandy. Into the 1860s, it is believed that more than 50 enslaved people worked the land and at the mansion. Other owners followed the Tuley family until Graham Blandy, a New Yorker, purchased a portion of the original Tuleyries tract, about 1924. His will stipulated that upon his death, Blandy would go to the University of Virginia for the purpose of training students in farming practices. In 1927, Orland E. White was appointed Blandy’s first director, and it is he who today’s students, naturalists, scientists, and recreational users can thank for the amazing trees and plantings that make the property so unique. In addition to continuing farming practices

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

and using Blandy as a field research station, Dr. White took a special interest in nurturing the growth of trees not thought to thrive in Virginia soil. In the early 1980s, the property was opened to the public free of charge and it is open daily from dawn to dusk. A wide variety of plant and insect studies, classes, lectures, field trips and summer camps also bring students, naturalists and horticulturists to Blandy. A grassy area on Blandy’s eastern perimeter has been designated as the cemetery of the people the Tuley family enslaved. Another very prominent reminder that slaves were once housed on the property is the eastern wing of the handsome brick, two-story building now known as the Quarters. Historians believe this section was built in the 1820s or ‘30s, while the other two wings were built in 1941. Today this U-shaped building serves as offices for Blandy’s staff and lodging for research students, as well as space for a library and meeting room. According to Davis, “perhaps our research might someday enable us to identify living descendants (of the enslaved) … our efforts will not provide justice for those who lived and died here, but we will strive to ensure that they are not forgotten.” Details: Blandy 540-837-1758 or blandy@virginia.edu.

that run 300 years deep.

Thomas Glascock Slater Upperville, 1933

1500 Crenshaw Road • Upperville • VA • 20184 540.878.1476

Goose Creek Association

Celebrates Fifty Big Ones

he Goose Creek Association (GCA), located in Middleburg, will celebrate its 50+ Anniversary, and Goose Creek’s status as a State Scenic River, with a Family Festival at Historic Aldie Mill from noon until four p.m. on Sunday, September 19.

Over the last half century, GCA has been monitoring water quality, planting riparian buffers, and establishing historic districts. Their work also includes reviewing proposed developments and local government actions that have a potential impact on the environment and quality of life in the Goose Creek water shed of Fauquier and Loudoun counties. The group is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with hundreds of members who share a determination to

protect and preserve the natural resources, historic heritage and rural quality of life found in this stunning part of Virginia. The festival is open to the public, admission free, and will include games and activities for children (face and pumpkin painting), a juried art show, music, a wildlife exhibit, and food trucks. It’s also an opportunity to learn about conservation and the environment with exhibits about the watershed from their many partnership organizations, as well as a documentary about Goose Creek, an essential headwater of the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay water sheds. In 2021, GCA’s documentary was awarded the Grand Prize at the Virginia Environmental Film Festival. GCA was founded in 1970 to protect the water from

The graceful and lovely Goose Creek.

a development that would have deposited effluent directly into the river. Through a proactive board of directors, GCA has gone on to educate the public and advocate for traffic calming on Route 50, riparian buffers, historic districts in the state and national registers, including the Little River and Cromwells Run Rural Historic Districts, gravel roads in the Beaverdam Creek Historic Roadways District of Loudoun County, the continuation of the Virginia uranium moratorium, and other inappropriate developments that would imperil the Goose Creek water shed. Goose Creek also has maintained longstanding programs to monitor the water and plant trees as riparian buffers with adult and student volunteers. Details: www.goosecreek.org. (540) 687-3073

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Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

Music to my ears

GlORIA’S BRINGING BACK THE BANDS

“I

By Anita L. Sherman

t’s good…we’re happy to be back live,” said Tim Dingus, owner of The Gloria Faye Dingus Music Alliance on Main Street in Warrenton. Founded in 2018 in memory of his mother, The Gloria Faye Dingus Music Alliance is dedicated to enriching the quality of life, cultural diversity, mental wellness and vitality of the community through music and the performing arts.

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Courtesy photo

Edgar Loudermilk Band It’s a mission statement that reflects the sentiments of a strong and caring woman who dedicated herself to her family and to the vision that music really does make the world go round. Gloria’s, a nonprofit organization, partners with many groups and individuals in the Photo by Anita L. Sherman community to host a variety of events. Gloria’s Tim Dingus, owner of The is also home to the Fauquier County Youth Gloria Faye Music Alliance Orchestra. No audition is required to join. and Drum and Strum Music “We had so much momentum going…we were Center, credits the community really rocking…and then the pandemic hit,” said for his 30-year plus love affair Dingus, who is thrilled that the stage at Gloria’s can making music and sharing it once again resonate with the sounds of music. with others. “Since Gloria’s is a nonprofit…we need volunteers,” said Dingus, “Feel free to reach out…we need help to set up, to help run the concerts.” “It’s great…really awesome…this community has always been so supportive… I’m very blessed,” said Dingus, who is also the owner of Drum and Strum Music Center, celebrating a 7-year anniversary at their location on Main Street. Opened in 1990, Drum and Strum is in its 32nd year of operation. In 2014, they moved the store from a location on Lee Street to Main Street, a change that took the music store to another level in terms of visibility and customer traffic. “We talked about it many times…thought it would be really cool,” said Dingus of their move to embrace technology by offering a virtual platform for their music lessons and taking their entire inventory online. “We were literally forced into it,” said Dingus, who has seen the benefits that technology can bring even though there are times when he longs for those preinternet days with a cup of coffee and a one-on-one connection with all of his customers. While the majority of music students have returned to in-person lessons, Dingus estimates that 25% remain remote. “We sell a lot of instruments…our business has quadrupled,” Dingus said, “we make a lot of custom guitars…we get customers from out of D.C.” In addition to selling instruments, Drum and Strum also has rentals, does tuning and repairs. Eighteen music instructors provide a variety of private lessons from drums to ukuleles to violins and, of course, guitars. “I have a lot of fun…not working,” Dingus chuckled, “I’ve been very fortunate to live in such a great community…to have been able to build what we have…it’s a tight knit family.” Details: Gloria Faye Dingus Music Alliance, 92 Main Street, Ste 104, Warrenton, VA 20186, www.centerofwarrenton.org, 540-680-2296.Drum and Strum Music Center, 102 Main Street, Warrenton, VA 20186, www.drumnstrum.com, 540-347-7484. Fauquier County Youth Orchestra, info@fauquieryouthorchestra.org.

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Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

At This n’ That, An Amish Touch By Miles Kresic

n Main Street in Old Town Warrenton and at several other Northern Virginia locations, a unique partnership is bringing quality homemade furniture to homes directly from Amish craftsmen of Pennsylvania. With locations in Warrenton, Leesburg, and Winchester, This n’ That was founded in 2012 after a search for a chicken coop in Amish country yielded a new business idea for owners Steve and Michelle Payne. The firm contracts with Amish builders in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area to go on the road to this part of Virginia to construct buildings for customers. Custom-made furniture and structures such as sheds and barns are This n’ That’s specialty. Evelyn Colbert, the company’s marketing director, spoke enthusiastically about the made-toorder process. “Basically we work hand in hand with the Amish,” she said. “If a customer were to come into our business and place an order for a structure, we send that order up to our Amish builders. They build the structure, and we go and pick it up and deliver it to the customer’s home. If it’s a larger structure, then we’ll have our Amish builders come down and build on site.” The company has been working with Amish builders for almost ten years and Colbert said, “It’s not uncommon for them to travel here.” New sheds have been one of the most popular orders. “Our portable structures, that’s what we specialize in,” she said. “Your backyard sheds, garages. We do custom projects as well. We have riding arenas, equine centers, and things of that nature. We can make something to hold your lawn mower all the way up to huge projects.” This n’ That doesn’t just specialize in outdoor projects. Made to order high-quality furniture also is popular among its clients. “Pretty much all of our furniture is customizable,” Colbert said. “You tell us what you need, and we will do our best to make that happen—what kind of wood, what type of stain. It’s very much whatever the customer envisions. “There are companies in the area that do similar things, but what sets us apart is that we take the extra step with using better materials and customer service. I’m not sure there’s anyone else in Fauquier that does what we do. Being able to communicate with our customers on an intimate level and having our specialties is really something unique.”

Photo by Miles Kresic

The Warrenton branch of This n’ That.

Visit This n’ That Amish Outlet at www.thisnthatamishoutlet.com for store locations or email them at sales@thisnthatamishoutlet.com.

Coming Soon - 18291 Calumet Lane, Bluemont, VA 20135 Built in 2000 and inspired by a waterfront property design, providing outstanding panoramic views of this lush, 16 acre country setting, the home has four bedrooms, including a second primary bedroom and attached bathroom on the main level. Recently built 2-stall Amish barn with electrically operated stairs to the hayloft - $2,599,000 Peter Leonard-Morgan | Global Real Estate Advisor | Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty Direct - 443.254.5530 | peterleonard-morgan@hcsir.com | peterleonardmorgan.com © MMXXI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

OPINION

COUNTRY MATTERS:

Uncertainty in Upperville

By Kevin Ramundo

ince late 2016, the Upperville community and nearby residents have faced the possibility that a quaint country restaurant and inn could be expanded by the Easton Porter Group (EPG) to include a 16,000 square-foot event center, a larger restaurant and overnight accommodations for 78 guests. After approximately four years of effort, EPG abandoned its plans for the Blackthorne Inn just west of Upperville and decided to sell the property. EPG’s decision was based on strong community resistance to its plans to expand the Blackthorne Inn well beyond what had existed before and what the county approved for the previous owner in 2014. This decision followed a discussion with Mary Leigh McDaniel, the Fauquier County supervisor in whose Marshall district the proposed facility is located, when she told them that she did not see a path forward for the project given its excessive scale and community resistance. The opposition included a coalition of major conservation non-profits including Citizens for Fauquier County, Goose Creek Association, Piedmont Environmental Council and Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association. The opposition effort included small and large landowners and was well funded so legal counsel and technical experts could be retained to evaluate the proposed project. The Blackthorne property went under contract in late June, but the prospective owner’s actual plans for the property are not known. Since the property is in an area zoned rural/agricultural, the “by-right” permitted uses would be residential and agriculture. To protect the countryside, Fauquier County’s comprehensive plan severely restricts commercial activities in rural areas including restaurants and hotels, and strongly encourages that such activities be located in its various service districts. Meanwhile, approximately two miles to the east, there is another property that has become the subject of community uncertainty as a potential site for an event center. This 152-acre farm, mostly in Loudoun County with a few acres in Fauquier, borders Upperville’s Trinity Episcopal Church to the north and was bought late last year by Noel Sweeney, a businessman from Fairfax County who owns a large event operation in Manassas called The Sweeney Barn. Various community members, including the author of this column, have spoken with Mr. Sweeney who has consistently stated that he does not have plans for an Upperville event center in the foreseeable future. Instead, Mr. Sweeney has explained that he is focused on settling his family on their new farm, expanding agricultural activities there and becoming good members of the community. Concerns about Mr. Sweeney’s interest in an event center were sparked when some thought that he had discussions with the rector of the church about having wedding receptions at his farm for those who got married at the church. Mr. Sweeney has indicated that he did not have this discussion. He has had conversations in the past with Loudoun officials who were receptive to an event center. Mr. Sweeney has said that there are no continuing discussions with the county. The Blackthorne and Sweeney situations are very different. The latter property is under conservation easement and the locations are zoned differently. And Loudoun officials would almost certainly look more favorably upon a major event facility than their counterparts in Fauquier. But what both situations have in common is the intense level of community opposition that either owner would face if they were to try to move forward with plans to introduce commercial operations in the most pristine areas of both counties. For now, however, the community should welcome Mr. Sweeney and his family to Upperville and wait to see what the new owner of the Blackthorne plans to do. Kevin Ramundo is a former communications executive who is president of Citizens for Fauquier County, serves on the Land Trust of Virginia board and is active in preservation and conservation efforts.

Sunday, October 24, 4 pm – 7 pm Come Chill with Us and Enjoy BBQ & Bluegrass! Join us behind the ‘Brick House’ at Oak Spring Farm for the tastiest BBQ from the legendary Shaffer’s BBQ and the iconic Bluegrass Band,

The Seldom Scene while watching the sunset behind the mountains! After all, isn’t the preservation of that spectacular landscape what it is all about?

$65.00 per person Includes 1 BBQ ticket and 2 drink tickets Limited Ticketing available For Tickets and Information please call (540) 687-8441 or go online to www.landtrustva.org No tickets will be sold at the gate. Please join Land Trust of Virginia in celebration of Virginia’s open spaces, natural resources, and cultural heritage.

Proceeds raised from Sunset in the Field will support Land Trust of Virginia’s mission.

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

OUT & ABOUT

HOME SWEET HOME IMPROVEMENTS

HERE and THERE Photos by Vicky Moon

Brian Noyes of The Red Truck sends best wishes to all at the Marshall Farmer’s Market.

Susan Vicidomini (right) owner of the new Petronella Flowers and Gifts on Federal Street (Across the street from her father’s Teddy’s Pizza) made a special delivery to Amanda Shirlkey of the Upper Crust bakery from her husband Robert, on the occasion of their 16th anniversary.

Forget the horses, we love being on the Farmer’s Market circuit. Friday night in Marshall with owner Brian Lichorowic of Johnny Monarch’s for dinner with Chip Maloney while Chanell, River, Kade and John Maloney tended the Dogpatch Farm booth over flowing with fresh beans, squash and more.

Fabulous to see Laura Kelsey, Barbara Fishback and Ava Lee representing Fauquier History at the Marshall Farmer’s Market.

Whether you are planning to remodel your kitchen, transform your master bath, finish a basement or build an addition, you need more than a contractor. You need a partner you can trust with the possession that says the most about what you value and the way you live.

Design Build Remodel 540.439.8890 HomeSweetHomeImprovements.com

In Middleburg, the Saturday morning tradition is called Coffee and Cars at Common Grounds and in Marshall at Callaway Classics they call it Cars and Coffee

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

A Stamp of Approval for Retiring Middleburg Postmaster

By Leonard Shapiro

he town of Hicksville on Long Island is best known as the place where Billy Joel began making so much sweet music. In Middleburg, there’s another reason to thank Hicksville. The suburban town 30 miles east of Manhattan also produced another talented fellow who’s made the Middleburg post office keep humming along over the last ten years. That would be Ken Quinn, the town’s multi-tasking postmaster and a man who has relished becoming an integral part of the community. At the same time, he also described the last two years as “pretty brutal,” mostly due to a couple of closely related stressinduced factors—the Covid pandemic, and Amazon. And so, at age 62 and feeling more than a bit burned out, Quinn has decided to retire effective August 31 after 36 years of otherwise mostly satisfying and enjoyable employment with the U.S. Postal Service. He’d like to take a healthy, stress-free deep breath, the better to avoid more than occasional pandemicinduced disasters when he arrives at the post office from his home in Sterling. And he’d definitely like to play a lot more golf, one of his lifelong passions. Middleburg is a relatively small post office that handles an awful lot of mail for its 1,800 box holders. And since Covid restrictions shifted shoppers away from brick and mortar stores to the convenience of their

computers, the staggering increase in the number packages, many from Amazon, put a significant strain on the staff. At least one Middleburg postal worker missed time recovering from Covid. Another 75-year-old route driver was physically limited in lifting heavy boxes. And Photo by Leonard Shapiro Quinn found himself Retiring Middleburg working longer hours Postmaster Ken Quinn and handling a variety of different tasks, from driving a delivery truck to sorting mail into post office boxes to woking the front window to handling necessary administrative work. The onslaught of often bulky packages from Amazon and other internet shopping services filled Middleburg’s somewhat antiquated postal trucks floor to ceiling and forced constant re-loading and multiple trips. “I’m delivering packages every day,” he said. “We really had too many and not enough help because we couldn’t hire anyone. Then it became dreading the phone ringing at home and wondering if something happened at the office. “I was getting calls when I was off or away on

vacation, and there really was no time to ever just relax. If I was not a supervisor, I’d still be working in the post office. But I’m not complaining, it’s just the way it was.” Quinn, who moved to Northern Virginia at age 17, will keep working once he retires. His wife, Monica, runs the purchasing department of Source One, which sells commercial flooring, and he likely will do some part time hours there. In addition to raising two now adult sons, over the last 25 years he’s also been a busy softball umpire at all levels of the game—youth leagues, high school, adult. He played high school baseball on Long Island, and softball into his 50s, as did his wife. He has umpired as many as 350 games in a single season, though in recent years he’s averaged a more manageable 150. Quinn clearly has throughly enjoyed his time in Middleburg, praising what he described as a dedicated staff “that really works well together.” He’ll most miss “becoming a part of the community. I grew up on Long Island, in a town where I went to grade school through high school with the same kids. “I’ve gotten to meet a lot of great people here. It’s funny, we’ll drive down to Richmond, and I’ll see somebody from Middleburg. That happens a lot wherever we go. I like that, and I’ll miss that part of it. But for me, it’s the right time.”

Antique Arms, Edged Weapons & Armor Since 1957

Dealers and Appraisers for Fine Antique Firearms, Edged Weapons & Armor

www.davidcondon.com Recipient of the United States Department of the Interior Citation for Public Service

(Visit our online catalog) We are always looking to buy vintage guns, daggers,

Purchasing and consigning quality antique arms ofmedals, all types swords, knives, bayonets, uniforms, flags, belts, since 1957. Appraisers and other collectable militaria.We to the Smithsonian, thebuckles National Park Service and also thepurchase National Firearms Museum. sporting gun and military related books, gun related Recipient of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Citation for Public Service. tools, vintage ammunition, etc. If you have any antique

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sell please contact us for more information our Box 7 109 E. Washington St (Rt. 50) Post on Office appraisal or outright sale.VA 20118 Middleburg, VA services, 20117 consignment ratesMiddleburg,

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Middleburg, VA 20117 Middleburg, VA 20118 Tel. 540-687-5642 Fax 540-687-5649 Email: info@davidcondon.com www.davidcondon.com Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

Fauquier NAACP Making an Impact By Anita L. Sherman

or more than a year, local residents have gathered on Saturday mornings at Courthouse Square in Old Town Warrenton. Many hold up Black Lives Matter signs. There’s a table with information about the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Political Action Committee Chair Matt Walker (NAACP), an organization and Fauquier NAACP 1st VP with Mayor Carter Nevill at the signing of the Town Council’s created in 1909 to work for proclamation recognizing June 19, 2021 the abolition of segregation as Juneteenth in the Town of Warrenton. and discrimination in housing, education, employment, Juneteenth celebrates the 1865 end of slavery in the United States. voting and transportation. With the death of George Perry Floyd Jr. in Minneapolis Fauquier NAACP Event on May 25, 2020, protests 66th Annual were held in Warrenton the Freedom Fund Celebration following month in June. “It started with a protest, but August 27, 2021 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Keynote now they are vigils for action,” Speaker: Dr. Cameron Webb, White House said Dr. Ellsworth Weaver, Senior Policy Advisor for COVID-19 Equity president of the Fauquier and Director of Health Policy and Equity at Branch of the NAACP since University of Virginia School of Medicine. November, 2019. “It’s grown from that This year’s theme: incident. It’s a time to reflect and there are educational Affordable Housin. materials about housing and other topics,” said Weaver. “For instance, encouraging people to vote. There are a lot of people in this county who are not registered to vote, who have never voted, they feel that their vote doesn’t count. There’s a stigma ingrained that has polluted minds and souls. We’re trying to change that.” Weaver has experienced segregation firsthand. He graduated from what is now Taylor Middle School. In 1956, it was the town’s only Black high school. While Weaver grew up in Fauquier, he left and spent more than 25 years living in Boston and from there Saudi Arabia and Gambia. “I came back to roost in Fauquier,” said Weaver, who spoke of the generational differences from the “middle, older and seasoned folks and the younger people. They’re doing their own thing. We’ve heard from high schoolers who voice their opinions. We are moving in the same direction.” Weaver said finding solutions is challenging. “It’s changed,” he said. “It’s a different day and different time.” Fauquier County is one of the wealthiest counties in Virginia, with a reported median household income of $100,000. Yet, there are those who still have food insecurity. Particularly around the holidays, local churches and food banks are stretched to fill the gap when food insecurity becomes critical. Fauquier NAACP Health Committee member Brittney Rutledge Carlos initiated the “Nourishing Our Neighbors” project last October. The program’s success allowed hot meals to be delivered not only during last year’s holiday season but into 2021. The committee looks forward to continuing that work and welcomes donations. Weaver said there is much collaboration and cooperation among other local branches of the NAACP in neighboring counties like Warren and Prince William. “It’s family,” said Weaver. “Wherever we are, we know we can count on each other for support. We’re all part of that ongoing collective spirit. We may stumble today but we can’t stop…just need to re-energize, be flexible and remember to keep moving.” Weaver said he looks forward to their 66th Annual Freedom Fund Celebration. “We will be announcing the recipient of Fauquier NACCP’s first Annual Distinguished Citizen Service Award.”

GRADED FEEDER CALF SALE SCHEDULE Take in on the day before. Sale starts at 10:30 am

Sa tuOct rd1a-yCulpeper , April 24th, 2Nov 02121- Marshall Oct 8 & 22 - Marshall Dec 3 - Culpeper Nov 5a - Culpeper t 1:00PM Dec 10 - Marshall th

Aug 13 & 27 - Marshall Sept 3 - Culpeper Sept 10 & 24 - Marshall

Sa turda y, April 24 , 2021 a t 1:0An 0Pimal M Take-In Day of Sale:

POULTRY AND SMALL Animal Take-In Day of Sale: – 12:00PM 7:00AM ANIMAL 7:00AM – 12:00PM AUCTION *No out of state birds*

in cages* (take in 8 am - 12,*All1 poultry pmto beAuction starts) *No out of state birds* *All poultry to be in cages*

Aug 14 - Marshall

*25% Commission on all items* *Food available for purchase*

more information, contact: For more information,For contact: Office: (540) 364- 1566Office: (540) 364- 1566 For more information, contact: Stevens: (540) 631-3523 Office:Stan (540) 364-1566 Stan Stevens:(540) 631-3523 FLX is not responsible for accidents

Stan Stevens: (540) 631-3523  FLX is not responsible for accidents  No guarantee on items sold  No puppies to be sold

 No guarantee on items sold

PO Box 247, Marshall, VA 20116 7404 John Marshall Highway, Marshall, VA 20115to be sold  No puppies (540) 364-1566 FauquierLivestockExchange.com FauquierLivestock@yahoo.com

7404 John Marshall Highway, Marshall, VA 20115 PO Box 247, Marshall, VA 20116 7404 John Marshall Highway, Marshall, VA 20115 540-364-1566 | FauquierLivestockExchange.com | FauquierLivestock@yahoo.com (540) 364-1566

FauquierLivestockExchange.com

FauquierLivestock@yahoo.com

Details: NAACP Fauquier County Branch, 7059-B Fauquier County Branch, P.O. Box 82, Bealeton, VA 22712, www.naacpfauqiercounty.org

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

The Community

Music School

of the Piedmont

WE HAVE

FOR ALL AGES AND ALL INSTRUMENTS, IN PERSON OR ONLINE!

Middleburg, Purcellville, The Plains and Waterford

The Creative Genius of Artist Keith Patterson

By Linda Roberts

alking into Kelli and Keith Patterson’s lush backyard on a hot summer day brings the visitor a sense of immediate delight and a quick escape from the summer heat. Flowers of all kinds are blooming along walkways and borders, thanks to Kelli, and a whimsical gnome greets you from Keith’s nearby gallery. A large canvas is stretched out in the sun in front of Keith’s garage-turned-studio and workshop. It is a charming and Photo by Linda Roberts magical place to spend the afternoon. Keith Patterson with some of his Eyeing some darkening clouds work at the Cosmic Harvest Gallery. and looking at the multi-colored artwork lying flat on the concrete outside his studio, I ask, “What if it rains on it?” “Well,” he said of the attractive abstract piece, “I was thinking of adding more layers to it, but I’ve decided to leave it as it is. And, as to your question, rain won’t hurt it at all, perhaps add even more texture.” His Cosmic Harvest Gallery, located at the Patterson’s circa-1925 home north of Berryville, displays the artist’s large and boldly colored abstract designs of natural scenes done in acrylic paint. This artist uses no easel to hold a work in progress, as the concrete floor in front of his studio will do just fine. His technique is simple. He bends over or kneels and goes to work. Patterson uses a brush to drip or splatter paint and often incorporates a roller to create the finished canvases that are generally as large as 36” x 47”. Once dried, the artwork is stretched on support frames and then pronounced ready to show a client, move to an exhibit, or hang in his gallery. A self-taught artist whose creative mind has led him down numerous pathways including short story writer and musician with his own band, Patterson says his paintings are the result of a fascination with how light is made from the full spectrum of colors. A native of Danville who has lived all over the United States, Patterson began painting at 14 and developed his talent to also include award-winning cartoons, murals and corporate logos. He has studied the work of master artists and the viewer may reflect upon the familiar with a sense of Van Gogh, Monet and Pollack when admiring Patterson’s art. “As a student of art, I’ve endeavored to soak up every secret of those (masters) who have come before me,” he says. Patterson’s work has attracted the attention of collectors who appreciate his large canvases and bold colors. He estimates he’s sold some 400 pieces of art over the past nine years, with those numbers increasing since Kelli recently took on a marketing role for the Cosmic Harvest Gallery. Patterson’s work has been featured in exhibits at his own gallery, at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley and the Barns of Rose Hill, among other venues. He is particularly proud of a feature article in a home and design magazine that shows one of his pieces hanging in the home of a client in Loudoun County. “For as long as I have been sentient, I’ve known that I am an artist,” says Patterson. “Sometimes I endeavor to capture beauty. Other creations tell a story or explore a new technique.” For Patterson, artistic experience and education are the tools that allow him to open the portals through which his creativity can flow. Bidding the visitor an appreciative goodbye after a stroll through the Pattersons’ delightful garden and a visit to Kelli’s tidy horse barn, this self-taught fine arts painter, musician and writer laughs and notes that he has created art during every phase of his existence. “I’m just a creative maniac,” he humbly adds. Details: Keith Patterson 571-235-5786 or www.cosmicharvest.com

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

Firefly Cellars

Vineyard VIEW

By Peter Leonard-Morgan

ndrea Zaidi and her mom, Patty, had for years dreamed of owning a wine property. The dream materialized when they came across Hunters Run Winery, on Charles Town Pike, just outside Hamilton, Virginia, which was quietly for sale. Following lengthy, and at times stalled, discussions with the sellers, Andrea and Patty succeeded in agreeing on terms, and they were off to the races. The new partners, together with Andrea’s brother Zach, did not even consider simply re-branding and carrying on as before. They had plans to reinvent the property and its identity. They set about completely upgrading the main tasting barn, improving customer outdoor spaces and turning the property’s cottage into a destination Airbnb complete with swimming pool. The family’s main business for over 30 years has been a successful pest control company. So, when brainstorming ideas for a new name for their winery, as Andrea jokes, “We had fun laughing at names as a result of our main business, but ‘Firefly’ conjured up a far prettier image!” And thus, Firefly Cellars was born. As no wine production facilities existed at the property, the new owners approached Randy Phillips, the owner and winemaker at Cave Ridge Vineyard in Shenandoah Valley’s Mount Jackson to produce Firefly’s wines. Today the tasting room menu offers several white and red wines, plus a Blanc de Blancs and two dessert wines. The main tasting room is a delightful red, post and

Photos by Peter Leonard-Morgan

Relax to live music on the Firefly deck beam barn, resplendent with contrasting black standing seam metal roof and cupola, in which guests are able to stand at the bar, or sit around one of the tables and enjoy their favorite varietal. Options include a crisp Chardonnay, or a rich aromatic Viognier, a Virginia favorite, or their own Illumination, a white blended wine consisting of Riesling, Traminette and, unusually, white Cabernet Franc. If red wine is your preference, there are five currently on offer at Firefly Cellars, including a nice full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, their Petit Verdot, with its spicy aromas and flavors of dark fruit, or a medium-bodied, smoky Chambourcin, or perhaps their Cabernet Franc, which has been aged in Hungarian oak barrels producing flavors of dark fruit, or last but not least, Twilight, Firefly’s red blend consisting of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. The Firefly Blanc de Blancs is made using Chardonnay grapes and produced in the Charmat method, more of an Italian Prosecco technique, whereby bubbles are trapped via carbonation in steel tanks, unlike the slower Champagne method that creates secondary fermentation in the bottle.

The welcoming interior of the tasting barn And, if you’re looking for dessert wine options, you have found them in the guise of Firefly’s Sweet Traminette, with its floral and lemon flavors and their Moonlight, a sweet Port-style wine that has been aged in Bourbon barrels to produce a chocolaty, nutty flavor--the traditional after dinner tipple! For those planning to visit more frequently, the wine club may be an excellent option with member discounts in return for a minimal annual purchase commitment either three or six bottle purchases per quarter. Firefly Cellars is a short drive west from Route 7 on Route 9, Charles Town Pike, and just minutes from Leesburg, the Loudoun County seat. The property is just under four acres, but offers plenty in the way of parking, outside picnicking, a secluded deck where musicians take the stage on a regular basis, and the aforementioned Airbnb cottage and pool, available by reservation for special occasions for two guests. You’ll usually find Andrea, with her infectious vivaciousness, in the tasting room, where there’s a decidedly friendly atmosphere. Make sure to say hello! Details: Firefly Cellars 703-314-5650

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

Middleburg’s Seven Loaves Fills a Great Need

DEL WILSON, P.T., O.C.S.* MARY WILSON, P.T., O.C.S.* * Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

DEL WILSON, P.T., O.C.S.* American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties DEL WILSON, P.T., O.C.S.* MARY WILSON, P.T., O.C.S.* * Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

DEL WILSON, P.T., O.C.S.* American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties MARY WILSON, P.T., O.C.S.*

MARY P.T., O.C.S.* 204 WILSON, E. FEDERAL ST.

* Board Certified Orthopedic ClinicalST. Specialist 204 E. FEDERAL American BoardP.O. of Physical Therapy BOX 893 Specialties

MIDDLEBURG, VA 20118

204 E. FEDERAL ST. P.O. BOX 893 WILSON, DEL MIDDLEBURG, VA 20118 www.middleburg-pt.com

540-687-6565

P.O. BOX 893 MIDDLEBURG, VA 20118

* Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties

204 E. FEDERAL ST. 540-687-6565 P.O. BOX 893

MIDDLEBURG, VA 20118 www.middleburg-pt.com P.T.,540-687-6565 O.C.S.*

www.middleburg-pt.com

here are several new faces at Seven Loaves these days, but there’s been no change in the noble mission of a faith-based nonprofit that has served many food insecure residents of the Middleburg area and surrounding counties for more than 25 years. “We serve anyone who comes to us regardless of faith, income, place of residence, or other criteria,” the Seven Loaves website reads, adding that it will “serve ANYONE who needs us in a respectful and clean environment. Our ability to continue to meet our mission is entirely dependent upon the continued generosity, goodwill and hard work of individuals and organizations within our community.” Photo by Leonard Shapiro Countless such individuals, both Tami Erickson, the new pantry director on the staff and in the volunteer at Middleburg’s Seven Loaves. ranks, make it all work. Caroline Helmly, a retired attorney from the Middleburg area, is the new president of Seven Loaves. She and her husband, Jack, have been volunteer drivers over the last four years, a vitally important role involving picking up food from area grocery stores like Giant, Harris-Teeter and Walmart and local farmer’s markets. Once a week, a driver travels to Winchester to pick up food distributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There are now about 15 drivers, all with pick-up trucks or vans at the ready, but at least six more are needed. There’s a new driver coordinator, volunteer Katherine Rochester, a highly-successful businesswoman also well known locally as a popular and multi-talented yoga instructor. On the staff side, Seven Loaves also has an energetic new full-time pantry director, Tami Erickson, a Minnesota native who’s spent most of her adult life doing good works in the nonprofit world. For the last two years, she’s been at Windy Hill, specializing in resident services and working with all age groups, toddlers to seniors. Those services included educational opportunities, day care, literacy and financial classes, computer labs, a summer camp and much more, including helping any food insecure residents. “I’ve worked with Seven Loaves,” Erickson said, adding that her new job provided “the opportunity to serve a small community. I love Middleburg. And serving the under-served has always been in my heart. I’m just so excited and so grateful for this opportunity.” Caroline Helmly said she’s thrilled to have Erickson directing an organization that began in 1994 and is now housed at Middleburg’s United Methodist Church. Food is distributed there on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, and some drivers deliver to folks unable to make it to the church. “Seven Loaves doesn’t have a lot of restrictions,” she said. “We don’t ask a lot of questions. If people say they need food, we help them. It’s confidential. We don’t ask your religion, we don’t ask your income. If people are waiting in line for food, we know they need it. We just say we’re here to help. “There are people in this community who are struggling. It could be life circumstances, Covid, they lost a job, medical problems. It doesn’t; matter. One of our patrons was a woman I’d known for many years and I had no idea she was struggling. Then I learned she was going through a hard time, and she needed food assistance. That really opened my eyes. It can happen to anyone. It’s just good that we can help.” Details: 540-687-3489, sevenloavesservices@gmail.com, www.sevenloavesmiddleburg.org.

MARY WILSON, P.T., O.C.S.* Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

540-687-6565

* Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist www.middleburg-pt.com American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties

By Leonard Shapiro

Up, Up and Away with a High-Flying Friend

By Mike du Pont

n the 1970s, Trowbridge Littleton provided his friends in the Middleburg area with lots of high-flying fun. Far more significantly, he also provided the community with important services. After all, he flew his own helicopter. After graduating from college in the late ‘60s, Littleton, a widely-respected local builder and long-time member of the Middleburg Town Council, attended flight school and learned to fly. He was employed by several companies early on, and among his various tasks were spraying cranberry bogs and then, working for Petroleum Helicopters in Morgan, Louisiana, flying executives out to oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and gaining even more flight time and experience. After several years, Littleton developed a relationship with Fairchild Hiller in Hagerstown, Maryland, second only to Bell for helicopter sales in the U.S. Littleton joined the company, quickly proved himself and soon was elevated to a position as a demonstrator pilot/salesman. The job sometimes occasionally entailed some unusual assignments. In December 1970, shortly before Christmas, he was asked by Washington’s favorite NFL team to drop Santa Claus from his helicopter so he could parachute into RFK Stadium. Later in the game, he flew back into the venue to pick up Santa. It was a tricky maneuver because the air in the stadium, filled with thousands of

Photo courtesy Virginia Department of Highways

At the South Terminal of Byrd Airport in Richmond: Douglas B. Fugate (right) greets U.S. Secretary of Transportation John. A. Volpe as pilot Trowbridge Littleton in the background readies his helicopter for an aerial tour. Joe Hirn, far left. fans, was substantially warmer than the ambient air outside, causing some interesting air currents. But Littleton managed his way down and it was mission accomplished. Later in his flying career, Littleton provided a valuable service to Musselman Orchards in southern Pennsylvania. If a cold snap appeared in the spring, Littleton flew in his helicopter, hovered over the orchards and drove the warm air down to protect the trees. Littleton provided critically important ambulance service for persons injured in auto wrecks, picking them up at the scene of the wreck and quickly flying them to the hospital. Many lives were saved.

One January, my father, his wife, brother Vic and I drove to Wilmington, Delaware, for some family business. We hoped to return the next day. On the way home, as we cleared Washington, D.C., it began to snow and soon the weather developed into a true blizzard. By mid-afternoon, we were about three miles east of Middleburg and the snow became so deep, all traffic completely stopped. Not daring to leave our warm car, we sat in the middle of Route 50 for the night. Morning came, but no snow plows. And then, along came Trowbridge Littttleton and his helicopter to rescue my parents. Vic and I stayed with the car until midday when the plows finally dug us out. There were some fun flying times, as well. He took friends on occasional joy rides, occasionally to Maryland’s Eastern Shore for a bushel of crabs or a few dozen oysters. One day, he picked me up and said, “You want to see what this ‘copter can really do?” I immediately agreed. We headed straight for a wooded area 25 feet off the ground at helicopter speed, about 125 miles per hour. At the last moment, we elevated straight up and over the trees. We did loops and several other maneuvers and flew to Paris (Virginia) through the Ashby Gap where Route 50 cuts through the mountain. Littleton eventually changed careers and became one of Middleburg’s most successful home builders, very much anchored to the ground.

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

Pleasant Vale Farm is Long on Legacy “I’ve always loved animals,” said Sarah McDonough, who grew up on a hobby farm in Vermont.

By Anita L. Sherman

here’s a stone wall still standing on the property at Pleasant Vale Farm in Delaplane. It speaks to another century, to another era in 1768 where a horse and carriage would pull up for a visit. Sturdy and stately, it stands as a guardian, a protector of a place whose many acres continue to do what they do best – nurture and raise livestock, food for our tables. Sitting on the front porch of a renovated farmhouse, Sarah McDonough literally glows, perhaps from the sweat from a morning of work or perhaps humidity. Her radiance bespeaks her essence – a woman dedicated to farming and doing it with heart. McDonough is a mother, teacher, gentlewoman farmer, animal lover, nurturer and keeper of history and legacy. At Pleasant Vale Farm, the animals are part of their family, raised humanely and in their natural habitats. Herds are small so that the highest quality of product can be maintained. They currently have 50 cows and 20 calves. They aren’t stressed, they have plenty of water to

Photo by Vicky Moon

Three generations keep it all in the family at the Marshall Farmer’s Market: Luke McDonough, Sarah McDonough and Carol Terwilliger of Pleasant Vale Farm in Delaplane. drink, space to roam. Their feed, when not munching on bright green grasses, is not supplemented with growth hormones or preventative antibiotics. “I don’t want to stray from our core mission and values,” said McDonough, who believes in raising the happiest and healthiest animals who will, in turn, provide top quality taste, nutrients and nourishment for families. Growing the business at Pleasant Vale Farm is measured. McDonough, who teaches 8th grade science at Marshall Middle School, is keen on knowing the right numbers of animals, their ability to care for them and continue to keep

Photo by Anita L. Sherman

Twelve-year-old Luke McDonough enjoys feeding the farm’s two goats – Happy and Sad. They like graham crackers.

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Pleasant Vale Farm in Delaplane is 500 acres with 180 acres for farming. There is a small graveyard on the property and Sarah likes to believe they are being watched over with kind spirits. it ethical and humane. Turkeys and chickens have free reign of a large, twostory aviary where they can fly, roam and interact. But they are also protected. She also has a movable chicken house where they can be observed when re-located from pasture to pasture. “I work the cattle on my own,” she said, crediting the surrounding farmers for all of their help and advice. “And our vet is amazing.” Meat from Pleasant Vale Farm has found its way to restaurants like Field and Main and the Inn

at Little Washington. You can also find it at the Marshall Farmers Market, the Pop-Up Market at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Delaplane and by visiting the farm. Teaching and farming go hand in hand for McDonough. “I love it when people come to the farm…I think it’s necessary for young people to know where their food is coming from.” One young person in her life plays a critical role – her 12-year-old son Luke. “He’s really a good sport… there are times I can’t always get to a football practice

or help him with homework because I’m out in the fields,” said McDonough, “but I believe he’s proud of what we are doing here. “For me, it’s all about building community relationships, school community, farm community… living in this beautiful rural area…what an awesome life, ” Luke concludes. Details: Pleasant Vale Farm, 11032 Pleasant Vale Road, Delaplane, VA 20144, www.pleasantvalefarm.com, 540905-2580, pleasantvalefarm@gmail.com

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By Miles Kresic

he Covid-19 pandemic prevented many schools, including my own, from having in-person classes for many months. I experienced virtual learning for the last semester of my sophomore year at St. Andrews School in Middletown, Delaware and then again for the better part of the fall and winter terms of my junior year this past school year. One of the main differences between inthe-classroom instruction and zoomed computer classes is fairly obvious. While in virtual sessions, students are alone and without the support network of faculty and even their fellow students to help them grasp new concepts and learn subjects effectively. One of my biggest challenges involved learning new material in classes, mainly because there was no opportunity to talk to teachers and faculty after hours or have them explain Miles Kresic in front of the concepts in person. St. Andrews School library in Emailing teachers was an option, but Middletown, Delaware. just wasn’t the same as having a real person help with problems and give instruction. Many fellow students told me they were experiencing the same problems and often struggled most with classes that were not necessarily their strongest subjects. And even the most exciting courses could be challenging, as well. On a positive note, our teachers didn’t need a lot of time to adapt to virtual sessions. Though the students’ support network was somewhat lacking, the classes themselves changed dramatically for the better throughout the course of the pandemic. Some of the first virtual classes were awkward, ill-planned and disrupted by technical glitches. By the time I had my last virtual classes, there was an entirely new schedule in place, teachers had set up virtual office hours and classes were running far more smoothly. My teachers had figured out how to engage students and make classes more interactive. And while it still was not up close and personal learning, classes became more engaging as we went along than in the early days of March, 2020 when virtual sessions began. It also became clear how important it was to find ways to keep busy outside of class when we were away from our computers. It was imperative to avoid having a monotonous cycle of attending classes, then doing nothing for the rest of the day. Because we had somewhat shortened schedules, there were hours of free time in which there was nothing to do during lockdown. Students across the country had to deal with no extra-curricular activities or playing sports, intramural or interscholastic, for the second half of the 2019-2020 year and most of this past academic year. I was fortunate enough to attend school in person for at least some of the last school year. But virtual classes in my home presented a different sort of challenge. Each day I had to make sure I stayed productive and did something useful around the house, the better to avoid boredom and frustration. I did a lot of household chores, and exercise was another healthy and satisfying activity to avoid the pandemic blues. It helped my overall outlook to accomplish something meaningful every day. That being said, I’m greatly looking forward to my in-person on-campus senior year. With schools around the country finally re-opening, I’m sure students coast to coast are probably as excited as I am to get back to the real normal. Warrenton area native Miles Kresic is entering his senior year at St. Andrews School in Middletown, Delaware.

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

Perspectives on Childhood, Education, and Parenting

Mission Impossible: Predicting a Child’s Long Term Future “Presentism—the tendency for current experience to influence one’s views of the future….most of us have a tough time imagining a tomorrow that is terribly different from today.” – Daniel Gilbert, in Stumbling on Happiness

By Tom Northrup

s a kindergartner, the boy received a failing grade in “Self-Control,” and by seventh grade, things hadn’t changed much. His science teacher, frustrated by his inability to pay attention, angrily informed this son of a local physician, “You’ll Tom Northrup never be a doctor!” In Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment (2021), authors Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony and Cass R. Sunstein explain why no one can predict the future with much accuracy beyond a few months. They cite two decades of research by psychologist Philip Tetlock in Expert Political Judgment (2005) in

which he evaluated the predictions of 300 experts, including journalists, academics, and high-level advisors to national leaders. The results were “stunningly unimpressive” due to the ”humbling reality that all of us (expert or not) are limited by intractable uncertainty” (what cannot possibly be known) and “imperfect information” (what could be known but isn’t). The Noise authors concluded that “detailed long-term predictions ….are simply impossible.” I believe that understanding and accepting our limitations as parents in predicting the outcomes for our children help us become more effective. An important corollary to this realization is that trying to micromanage (“helicopter parenting”) our children’s lives is similarly fruitless, and often harmful. Robert Evans’s advice in Family Matters (2004)—“prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child”—is sage counsel. A better approach for parents and teachers to evaluate children’s academic and social growth is to consider every few months whether the child seems to be gaining strength, making progress. Several decades ago, I recall multiple conferences (every four months or so) with the father of one of our students. He would begin each of our meetings with the question, “How is Judy’s (not a real name) trend line?”

In this case, the “trend line” always seemed to be moving in a positive direction. Had it been flat or negative, we would have considered what adjustments we, as parents and teachers, would need to make. Assigning blame to the child or to each other would be counter-productive. Incremental progress is always the goal; patience is essential. As schools reopen locally and nationally after this challenging past year, a major worry for many parents is whether their children can “catch up.” My experience informs me they will—in time— if the adults (parents and teachers) in their lives interact respectfully, establish clear expectations, evaluate progress regularly, and accept that there may be setbacks from time to time. The science teacher’s prediction—made over 75 years ago—cited in the first paragraph, about her student’s prospects of becoming a doctor not surprisingly was inaccurate. This man, now retired, has had a distinguished career as one of our country’s leading medical researchers, and in his “retirement,” edits a renowned medical journal. Despite the teacher’s mistaken forecast that probably was made in frustration, we can be confident she was proud of her former student. And perhaps she motivated him to prove her wrong. Long-time educator Tom Northrup is Head of School Emeritus at The Hill School in Middleburg.

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The 35 Running of the West Virginia Breeders Classics th

By Vicky Moon and Leonard Shapiro

n a recent sweltering Sunday afternoon after lunch at the Locke Store in Millwood, we head out on a dreamy drive to Taylor Mountain Farm in Charles Town, West Virginia. North on Rt 340, east onto Meyerstown Road and then north to Kabletown Road. Photo by Vicky Moon Open fields are filled with John Casey with Juba one of three stallions corn, approaching harvest. The standing at Taylor Mountain Farm. Shenandoah River is just to the east as we make a final turn onto Old Shennandale Road, to the immaculate 220-acre Taylor Mountain horse farm owned by the Casey family. The farm was named after Taylor Mountain where the now 91-year-old patriarch, James Casey, did his final army training while at Fort Dix in New Jersey. It’s a family affair that began when Mr. Casey and his late wife Eleanor bought their first horse in 1963. Royal Sketch had a total of 14 wins, six seconds and three thirds out of 51 starts in her career. Since then, the Casey family--James, a veterinarian and trainer; John, a blacksmith and trainer and Ann, a school teacher and owner--have become one of the most successful racing families at Charles Town Races. John Casey is the farm manager and leads visitors on a tour of the property the family purchased in 2000. There are four barns and two indoor arenas. They now stand three stallions with over 50 broodmares and their offspring each year. All the young horses are broken on the farm and all go on to run in West Virginia and are trained by family members. The West Virginia Breeders Classics races were founded by Middleburg residents Carol Holden, currently the president and Sam Huff, the NFL Hall of Fame player, now chairman emeritus. With the 35th running of the event approaching on Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, the Casey family is gearing up for yet another successful evening. This year there will be purse money of $1 million offered. There are races scheduled for two-year-olds, three-year-olds, a sprint called the Dash for Cash presented by Rockwool at 4½ furlongs and, of course, the Classic for three-year-

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

The 121st

Photo courtesy

Warrenton HorSe SHoW Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

PHOTO BY VICKY MOON

Taylor Mountain Farm

Something New

PHOTO BY SUSAN CARTER

Something Old

Something Borrowed

Photo by Coady.

Taylor Mountain Farm’s Castle Bound, trained by James Casey won the $300,00 West Virginia Breeders Classic in 2019 olds and up at 1 and 1/8th mile. Through the years, Taylor Mountain has had 33 winners and nine of them were bred by the farm. In addition to the purse money, the Oct. 9 races provide an added percentage of money for Foal Nominator and West Virginia Stallion Nominator awards. The additional funds come from the casino slot machines. As yet another added incentive, there is the West Virginia Thoroughbred Development Fund which distributes almost $5 million to breeders, owners, and sire owners of accredited West Virginia-bred and/or sired horses. Awards are based on all of the horse’s annual earnings (up to $100,000 of any single purse) at Charles Town and Mountaineer race tracks and are based on the betting handle. John Casey said Taylor Mountain has received a check each year around Feb. 15 for the past 20 years. “It’s been anywhere between $200,000 to $700,000 each year,” he noted, adding the funds are used to feed, care and train their horses. Keep your eye on the winner’s circle.

Something Blue

September 1-5 Thursday evening features Jumper Classics Saturday evening features Hunter Classic Sunday: Foxhunter classes and Ladies Sidesaddle Warrenton Horse Showgrounds @ 60 E. Shirley Ave. 540-347-9442 and warrentonhorseshow.com adults $10, children under 12 FREE

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

BOOK EXCERPT

Still Horse Crazy After All These Years A

By Jim Wofford

long, glorious summer stretched ahead of me—and in Ireland, too, the Emerald Isle.

Ireland couldn’t have been any greener than I was, but I figured I would substitute speed and enthusiasm for experience. Life was good. As a reward while I was on parole between high school and college, Mom had given me a choice of a summer in Germany doing dressage with Willi Schulteis or riding green horses in Ireland. My choice was to spend the summer working for an old family friend and one of Ireland’s most successful horse dealers. Cyril Harty, “the Captain,” had been on the Irish Horse Show Team in the 1930s…at the same time my father was on the U.S. team. They met as young officers and remained friends throughout their lives. Cyril Harty had 10 children, which meant my siblings and I usually had an instant pal our age when we arrived in Ireland. I was fortunate in my Irish alter ego, John Harty, who went on to be a champion steeplechase jockey as well as riding on the Irish eventing team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. My father was also the U.S. military attaché to Ireland in 1939–40 and made many friends during his time there. This was a serious time to be an Army officer, as World War II had just started, and I have seen some of his letters from that period. Early in his assignment, he writes about beachfront fortifications and machine gun emplacements, items of great interest to professional soldiers. Later, his letters describe the racing and hunting side of Irish life, and one can tell his focus is changing. My magical 1962 summer started as soon as I landed in Ireland. Imagine getting in a taxi at the old Dublin Airport and immediately falling into a serious debate with the driver as to whether Arkle or Mill House was the greatest steeplechaser that Ireland had ever produced, or “was dere a better in all tha’ Emerald Isle?” By the time I got to my destination, I had a lead on two of the “greatest young leppers” the world had ever seen, a tip on the 4:30 race at Punchestown Racecourse, and an invitation to an IRA fundraiser that evening at The Grasshopper, in the village of Clonee. It was a wet summer, even for Ireland. The sun was out the morning I landed in Dublin and shone again the day I left—and it rained every day in between. When I mentioned this, I was told, “Yes, but it’s a dry rain.” The Irish have a subtle conception of the truth. Despite the weather, I rode young sales horses every day for the next few weeks. The Captain had a steady stream of clients, and John and I presented likely prospects to them. Whatever technique and polish I had gained at Culver was going to have to suffice; at that time, the Irish were long on horse sense, but short on technique. It took a fair amount of “git ‘er done” to ride uneducated young stock over colored poles and up and down the few banks and ditches we had on the place. I was on a strawberry roan mare one morning and had gotten the bucks out of her by the time The Captain drove up. I showed him her

new tricks by circling a few times, riding a couple of figure eights, and changing back and forth from trot to canter. The Captain seemed happy enough with the progress of her flatwork and told me to pop her over the bank at the end of the field. “Okay,” I said. “Has she been over it before?” “Ah, no,” was the reply, “but her dam was a great lepper.” I was sad to leave Ireland, where I had spent most of my time with horses, thus continuing my equestrian education. I now faced new challenges. When I left Dublin, I was headed for the University of Colorado, once again sentenced to academic incarceration. Jim Wofford is a three-time Olympian and one of the best-known eventing trainers in the world. The Upperville resident has been listed by the Chronicle of the Horse as one of the “50 Most Influential Horsemen of the 20th Century.” His book is available at Middleburg’s Second Chapter Books and on Amazon.

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

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NSA SANCTIONED STEEPLECHASE RACING Every Monday during the Colonial Downs summer meet *Foxﬁeld Fall Races - Sunday October 3 *Middleburg Fall Races - October 9 *Montpelier Hunt Races - November 6

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Lynn Wiley: A Real Estate Love Affair

By Leonard Shapiro

here are many reasons Lynn Wiley got into the real estate business more than 30 years ago, but it’s not hard to pinpoint several that are always at the top of her list. “I love the opportunity to meet people and assist in filling their wish list and making Lynn Wiley dreams come true,” said Wiley, a long-time resident of The Plains who recently joined Middleburg-based Sheridan-MacMahon Realtors. “Buying or selling a home is a major decision for the vast majority of people,” she added. “An agent gets to know the client and many times they become friends. That’s the bonus part of the job.” Wiley has made countless friends over her career, not to mention made many dreams come true. A native of southwestern Virginia, she’s lived in Norfolk, Richmond and Lynchburg as an adult. Her real estate career began in the fall of 1989. She had recently married the late and much-admired Jim Wiley, then working as an agent for Thomas and Talbot. Lynn Wiley was new to the Middleburg area and initially began looking for a sales job in the Northern Virginia suburbs until the reality of the Washington area’s suffocating traffic became all too clear. “I quickly realized my tolerance for congestion and slow traffic were not a fit, so I started looking for a position close by,” she said. “Jim had been involved in real estate all his life and suggested I pursue a real estate license, learn the local geography and find a company where I could learn the business. “By the summer of 1990, I was licensed and learning. From there my interest level accelerated and eventually Jim and I opened James L. Wiley II Real Estate Inc. in 1992 in The Plains. We worked together for over 20 years until Jim retired.” Lynn Wiley did not, moving to what was then known as Armfield, Miller and Ripley Real Estate. “They were so great to work with,” she said, “and offered the support I needed at the time.” Wiley also has always been interested in architecture and land design, and she said seeing and showing properties clearly has helped enhance that interest. “I am so fortunate to have landed in a beautiful part of the country, where the vistas are amazing and the people appreciate their surroundings,” she said. “Finding someone a home or selling one, its all about being in the right space and place.” Wiley also finds herself in other rewarding spaces and places around the countryside, a major reason she decided on her new firm. “Being a part of the community where I live and work is important and giving back to the community is part of what makes a community tick,” she said. “I’ve worked on projects through the PEC to improve habitats and keep our community from becoming over-developed.” Wiley has been a key figure in the Middleburg Spring Race Association to help provide a first-class steeplechasing venue. And she’s much involved with the Middleburg Community Center. “I find being at Sheridan-MacMahon, these interests are supported,” she said. Not to mention making even more home-owner dreams come true.

One of countless breathtaking views at Halfway Farm.

PROPERTY Writes

Historic Halfway Farm Offers a Full Measure of Spectacular Amenities

he privacy-protected views and charming historic residences at Halfway Farm come to the market for the first time in nearly 60 years. With 107 acres located just four miles from Middleburg and The Plains, the historic property offers a variety of residences of character within a rich array of natural resources and rural amenities.

The residential enclave and farm buildings are tucked far off the Halfway Road. With beautiful views of pasture, farmland, and Turner Mountain beyond, alignment to the east provides extraordinary light across the farm, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Halfway Farm and its neighbors are under conservation easement, promising unspoiled enjoyment of this rural beauty for generations to come. The main house, circa 1820, is a classic Virginia stone and stucco residence with four bedrooms, four baths, living room with fireplace, library with fireplace and bar. There’s an

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

The Little River runs through the property.

An overhead look at the historic property.

The living room includes an often blazing fireplace. enclosed porch, dining room, open kitchen, solarium, and laundry room. Beautiful antique floors and rich pine paneling give great character to the house. Three lovely dwellings flank the main house. There are two one-bedroom guest houses and a spacious stone cottage, with one bedroom and dressing room, a second bedroom or office, one bath, living room, dining room, kitchen and mudroom/laundry. Lawns and gardens within the enclave offer privacy to each dwelling. Sited off the stable entrance, the farm manager’s house also boasts great views, with three bedrooms, three baths, open living room and kitchen, enclosed porch, and a deck. This area includes a stable and large machine storage shed and workshop. A separate stable entrance serves the farm manager‘s house and farm buildings.

The library with exquisite antique paneling. The farm features 39 acres of pasture that is fenced for horses, 19 acres in hay and two stables with a total of nine stalls, feed and tack rooms. The 45 acres of mature forest include poplar, sycamore and oak trees, and is crossed by the Little River. It also contains a dramatic three-story rock quarry that offers scenic walks. Two ponds are managed for wildlife, including kingfishers, herons migrating ducks. For more than 60 years, Halfway Farm has been a historic fixture in the heart of the Orange County Hunt. For many years, The hunt’s Christmas meet on the property has been a popular fixture, and in June, the farm also hosts the local U.S. Pony Club camp for very young riders. With nearly every farm on the Halfway Road now under easement, the beautiful views, farmland, forest and wildlife will be preserved for succeeding generations.

Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2021

The expansive formal dining room.

Halfway Farm Sheridan-MacMahon Realtors Property: Halfway Farm, The Plains, Virginia Price: $3.975 million Listing Agent: Helen MacMahon 540-454-1930 57

Cup of COFFEE

Another Summer in Saratoga: Hello and a Long Goodbye By Sean Clancy

ave Donk looked up and laughed. “It isn’t free anymore, buddy.”

The veteran trainer stood up from a table outside his Saratoga barn on the turn of the main race track and put his arm around my shoulder. “Brother, I’ve been there.” This was about family. Leaving Miles. Leaving Annie. Leaving home in Middleburg. A few years ago. when Miles hit his head and I wasn’t there, when the summer storm hit the farm and I wasn’t there, when Apse won at Saratoga and they weren’t here, when Tom Law grilled in the backyard and they weren’t here.

Sean Clancy

That day, I was struggling with the balance between work in Saratoga and the family at home. Donk read it, knew it, recognized it. Two kids, a barn full of horses and Saratoga in the middle, each summer, a balancing act of purpose and pressure. Donk’s kids, Paul and Holly, had grown up. Well, that summer, they were grown up compared to Miles, the Donks in a different stage than the Clancys, which adds perspective, which gets passed around, one dad to another dad. “See, all you young guys used to laugh at us old guys,” Donk said. “Now you get it.” Yeah, now I got it. I wasn’t freelancing, six, eight, 10 a day for 10, 12, 15 bucks for that bronc anymore. Saratoga wasn’t free anymore. Jonathan Kiser’s motto of a credit card and a tack bag was long gone. The thought of hitting the Northway and never looking back was long gone. The days of long bar tabs and lost security deposits, yeah, long gone. Life changes. For the better, no doubt. As always, Saratoga marks the passage of time. When you’re packing to go and when you’re packing to come home, a moment to think about where you are, where you’ve been, where you’re going. And everyone in your life, where they are, where they’ve been, where they’re going. And, sure, some who aren’t here anymore. This year even more so, after missing out last year. For me, I missed Saratoga but gained a full summer with my family. With Covid stifling all options, it was the definition of a staycation. We relished long breakfasts, appreciated lazy lunches and enjoyed languid dinners. We played all-time-best baseball games in the backyard (Miles always hitting) and wandered around the garden late into the night. There were a few deadlines – The Special salvaging what it could – taken in the guest room, Miles bringing me dinners and wishing me luck. With life as we knew it in upheaval, we did what we could, while worrying about what we couldn’t. I can’t decide if that makes it easier or harder this summer. I guess, I’ll know in eight weeks. Eight weeks. Two months. Forty racing days. Twenty deadlines. Hopefully, Miles and Annie will make a few of those before summer drifts to a close, but for now, it feels like the long goodbye. On the mid-July morning I left for Saratoga, knowing the moment of truth is here, we hesitate, take deep breaths, smile, stifle our emotions and hug. I used to pick Miles up or at least lean over, now he looks me in the eye for one last, long, hard- to-let-go embrace that lasts into the minutes.

Sam the bugler. Courtesy of Terry Lindsey Equidae Gallery, www.equidae.com “I’ll miss you, Miles.” “Same here, Dad. Same here.” We’ve cried before, but stifle it today. On his way to pony camp at Haley Walsh’s, across John Mosby Highway, down the road in Piedmont Hunt Country, Miles is a counselor at Daffodil Hill, a bastion of kids and ponies, trail rides and creek swims, laughs and escapes. Some days, he’s asleep before he gets home, after a long day in the hot sun, full barn, still pond and tall grass. Talk about being free. He picks up a bag of swimming gear, a bag of riding clothes and his Hill School lunch box and walks toward Annie’s car. He’s wearing my shoes. An old pair of Adidas. Sambas. Or Spezials. They’re a size too big. For now.

Go Green Middleburg | Autumn 2021

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178 acres $3,900,000 Upperville – Impeccably restored brick manor house, ca. 1844. Perennial gardens and orchard, guest house with theatre, guest/pool house, pool, 2 tenant houses, 5 bay garage, workshop, 2 ponds, fenced fields and paddocks.

93+ acres $3,800,000 Middleburg – 1st time offering of this wonderful ‘Hanback built’ home with spectacular Blue Ridge Mtn views. 5 BR / 5.5 BAs. 4 fireplaces, hardwood floors. Pool & mature landscaping. 2 BR / 1 BA tenant house, 6 stall barn w/paddocks. 2 ponds.

37+ acres $3,495,000 Bluemont – Just north of Middleburg, stunning colonial 12 rooms, 6240 sq feet of living space with 10 foot ceilings, 4 BRs / 4 ½ BAs, wood burning fireplaces, gourmet kitchen. A 6 stall stable and board fenced paddocks. Blue Ridge Mountain views.

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Ramblewood a

51+ acres $2,800,000 Middleburg – Charming Country Estate in prime Orange County Hunt Territory. Geothermal heating, salt water pool. Horse facilities include 10 stall stable, 2 wash stalls, feed room and large hayloft. Perfectly sited to enjoy privacy and lovely views.

95+ acres $2,100,000 Spectacular parcel ideally located just north of Middleburg outside of the historic village of Unison. Private and secluded, with views of both the Blue Ridge and Bull Run Mountains, and offers open fields, lush pastures and beautiful woodlands.

246+ acres $1,800,000 Markham – Beautiful and protected area of Fauquier County. Pristine forest land with several high points and clearings suitable for building. Spectacular views in all directions.Eligible for division and conservation potential with tax benefits.

10.24 acres $1,650,000 Middleburg – Custom built replica of a Circa 1914 Manor home w/extraordinary attention to period details throughout. 3BR/3.5BA, 5 fireplaces, wide covered porches overlooking a meandering creek, pond & serene countryside vistas. Prime location.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233

Rein duPont | 540-454-3355

Cathy Bernache | 540-424-7066

Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warranted nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

THOMAS & TALBOT

ESTATE PROPERTIES Opening The Door To Horse Country For Generations 2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | thomasandtalbot.com CountryZest-TTEP-BC.indd 1

7/27/21 12:53 PM

Country Zest and Style Autumn 2021 Edition

Articles inside

Cup of COFFEE: Another Summer in Saratoga: Hello and a Long Goodbye

Lynn Wiley: A Real Estate Love Affair

Book Excerpt: Still Horse Crazy After All These Years

The 35th Running of the West Virginia Breeders Classics

Perspectives on Childhood, Education, and Parenting Mission Impossible: Predicting a Child’s Long Term Future

Zoom or the Classroom: Living with Virtual Reality

Pleasant Vale Farm is Long on Legacy

Up, Up and Away with a High-Flying Friend

Middleburg’s Seven Loaves Fills a Great Need

Vineyard View: Firefly Cellars

The Community Music School

Fauquier NAACP Making an Impact

A Stamp of Approval for Retiring Middleburg Postmaster

Out & About: HERE and THERE

OPINIONCOUNTRY MATTERS: Uncertainty in Upperville

At This n’ That, An Amish Touch

Music to my ears: GlORIA’S BRINGING BACK THE BANDS

Goose Creek Association Celebrates Fifty Big Ones

Linking Present and Past at Clarke County’s Blandy Farm

It’s Play Time in Middleburg’s PLAYroom

ROOTS & SHOOTS IN UPPERVILLE

FINE FEATHERED FRIENDS

Celebrations

Modern Finance: Show Me The Money

Hemp Farming Offers a Feel Good Story

Dolphin Quest Facilities Have Roots in The Plains

Carry Me Back: Rummaging For a $6 Coat

The Potter’s House Aiming to Build a New Future

IN FULL BLOOM

Celebrating at Great Meadow

Ready to Ride?

Recalling Fauquier County’s 100 schools

BOOKS

It’s Oh Thank Heaven at Marshall 7-11

Doubling Their Antique Pleasure, and Maybe More

The Sound of World Class Music at Emmanuel

At Millwood: Putting the Country in Country Club

Doc5 Comes Alive in Second Season

Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center for Equine Athletes

of NOTE - Happy Anniversary

For Sheila Whetzel: Time to Close the Book