Willard Scott’s Strawberry Pie INGREDIENTS 1 baked pie shell 1 quart strawberries 1 cup sugar 1\4 teaspoon salt 1\4 cup water 3 Tablespoons cornstarch 1\4 cup water
Two girls enjoy the fruits of a local farmer’s labor at last year’s Delaplane Strawberry Festival.
exhibits, which are examples from the collections. (One of which is at the Middleburg Library and later this year will be on display at The Hill School.)
It’s Delovely Party planner Sandi Young has teamed up with Judith Chambers to produce “Cape Town in the Country” featuring Lebo M, the award winning recording artist, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of The Lion King. The two-day party will include a polo match – USA vs. South Africa at Great Meadow – and a gala at Jay Fetner’s Coachman Farms. Fetner, a polo enthusiast and photographer, published the book The African Safari.The wine from South Africa and Virginia will flow and many surprises are planned. Watch this space for details. It’s Delicious The annual Strawberry Festival each May first took place at the crossroads in Delaplane in the early 1900s. Back in the good old days, the road next to the country store was blocked off as if for a big party. Owner Teeny Strother dipped out ice cream and the locals came down the hill for a pint of berries. The event was on hiatus until 1976, when it was revived. In 1994, Mary Scott, the late wife of television personality Willard Scott, reinvented it. At the time, the couple lived in the area and were members of the nearby Emmanuel Episcopal Church, which now produces the event. The
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festival outgrew its roots and was relocated down the road to Sky Meadows State Park. The park was a generous gift to the state of Virginia from the late Paul Mellon, who donated a 1,132-acre swath of land for it. In his typical low-key manner, he later gave several hundred additional acres for a pathway to the Appalachian Trail. The park’s name is a derivation of the Scottish Isle of Skye. This year’s Strawberry Festival will take place on May 26 and 27. (Don’t miss the National Strawberry Eating Championship.) And for anyone who may venture out to the countryside, here is a famous recipe for Strawberry Pie, which was previously published in my book, The Middleburg Mystique.
TO PREPARE Wash and hull strawberries. Chill all but 1 cup, mash this cupful, and add to it the sugar, salt and 1\4 cup water heat to boiling. Blend cornstarch with water, combine this with boiling mixture, cook and stir until clear. Add chilled berries; pour into baked pie shell and chill. PH OTO CR E DIT: BIL L BR OH A R D
HUNT COUNTRY CALENDAR MAY
The Virginia Gold Cup Steeplechase Race at Great Meadow, The Plains, Va. General admission car pass $75; other ticket packages available. For more information visit www.vagoldcup.com.
MAY -
The Delaplane Strawberry Festival at Sky Meadows State Park to benefit regional and outreach programs of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Delaplane. Daily admission $20 per car at the gate or $15 in advance. Two-day passes $25 in advance; for more information visit www. delaplanestrawberryfestival.com or call (540) 364-2772.
JUNE -
The 154th Upperville Colt and Horse Show featuring the Budweiser Jumper Classic to benefit local charities. Daily admission $10, children under twelve free. For special arrangements, entertainment, reserved parking and/or box seats visit www.upperville.com or call (540) 687-5740.