Summer 2018 by WillowsfordLife

WillowsfordLife Summer 2018

FARM STAND

OPEN

2 - 7 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday & Sunday

May 1 - November 20 23595 Founders Drive, Ashburn, VA 20148

ALWAYS LOCAL, IN SEASON & ON SHELVES Vegetables, fruit, herbs, free-range eggs, milk, butter, yogurt and ice cream. Goat’s and cow’s milk cheeses. Sauerkrauts, pickles and relish. Kombucha, granola and popsicles. Beef, lamb, pork and chicken. Flowers and coffee. Prepared foods. Seasonal fruit spread, ketchup and sauces. If we don’t grow or raise it here, we work with local producers and artisans who operate with the same principles and standards for their animals, the earth, and the quality of their products as we do. If we don’t grow or raise it here, we work with local producers and artisans who operate with the same principles and standards for their animals, the earth, and the quality of their products as we do.

Connecting people to the land, to their food and to each other. check WillowsfordFarm.com for upcoming Farm events

Paths to Gateway: • Innovative Learning • Seasoned Teachers • Faith-based Environment

New! GVCC is now offering... Full Day Private Kindergarten

Enroll Now for 2018! Half-Day Preschool After School Programs

Summer Camps Half-Day Camps for Preschool

Small class sizes Meals and snacks included Literacy, Math, STEAM and Music

Call or Schedule a Visit

GatewayVillageCC.org 703-327-0707 42350 Tall Cedars Pkwy South Riding, VA 20152

Manager’sLetter

Manager’s Letter A Note from Willowsford Lane

by Rebecca Lyons, CMCA, AMS, PCAM HOA Community Manager Welcome to your summer issue! I’m sure by now you’ve had the opportunity to take a dip in the pool, kayak around Willow Lake, or enjoy a refreshing frozen treat from the Farm Stand. There’s a myriad of activities to experience in Willowsford this season. However, this Note from Willowsford Lane is focused on another important topic: resident leadership and involvement in the HOA. As the community develops,

so do the opportunities to be even more involved in Willowsford. Let’s start with this publication, which is exclusively for and about you, our residents. Whether it’s submitting pictures, writing articles, or providing general feedback; become part of WillowsfordLife. Or, consider joining one of our Community Clubs, even step in to an administrator role, or work with staff to develop something new. Furthermore, a newly added opportunity is joining the Neighborhood Watch Committee whose charter was recently approved by the Board of Directors. While we’re on the topic of resident leadership, please join me in welcoming residents Mike Russiello and Bill Atwill who were elected to the HOA Board of Directors in March. They both have extensive and dynamic backgrounds making them exceedingly capable to fill these new leadership roles. As our community progresses toward completion, the next transition will be electing residents to occupy all five seats on the Board of Directors. Today’s committee or club volunteer might be tomorrow’s Board Member. If these, or any other volunteer ideas interest you, let us know!

WillowsfordLife Vol. 1, No. 3: Summer 2018 Copyright © Willowsford Homeowners Association, Inc. WillowsfordLife is a quarterly publication of Willowsford Homeowners Association, Inc., 23506 Founders Drive, Ashburn, VA 20148. Willowsford Homeowners Association, Inc. reserves the right to reject or edit any articles or other content submitted to it for publishing. Any opinions expressed by the authors of articles or other content published herein are the opinions of such author and in no way, represent the opinion of Willowsford Homeowners Association, Inc. Willowsford Homeowners Association, Inc. reserves the right to reject advertising determined to not be in keeping with the publication’s standards. Acceptance of advertising by WillowsfordLife does not constitute an endorsement of products or services advertised herein. Willowsford Homeowners Association, Inc. does not take responsibility for and does not undertake effort to validate any representations by advertisers. Willowsford, Willowsford Conservancy, and are all trademarks of Willowsford, L.L.C. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any material in this publication is expressly prohibited. Liability in the event of an error is limited to a printed correction. Printed in the USA.

WillowsfordLife

WillowsfordContacts SycamoreHouse

TheLodge

23506 Founders Drive Ashburn, VA 20148

41085 Willowsford Lane Aldie, VA 20105

(571) 297-2586

(571) 297-2584

Monday

9 AM - 5 PM

Monday

CLOSED

Tuesday-Friday

9 AM - 9 PM

Tuesday-Friday

9 AM - 9 PM

Saturday

11 AM - 6 PM

Saturday

11 AM - 6 PM

Sunday

11 AM - 4 PM

Sunday

11 AM - 4 PM

WillowsfordContacts

ImportantContacts

HOA@willowsford.com HOA Questions, Comments & Concerns

LCSO Non-Emergency – (703) 777-1021

DRC@willowsfordlife.com Exterior Modification Applications lifestyle@willowsford.com Lifestyle Programming & Amenity Rentals questions@willowsford.com Willowsford Development Team info@willowsfordconservancy.org Conservancy, Trails & Campsites farm@willowsfordfarm.com Willowsford Farm Team

LCSO Emergency – Dial 911 Animal Control – (703) 777-0406 Republic Services – HOA@republicservices.com Trash – Tuesday & Friday Recycling – Tuesday Yard Waste – Wednesday NOVEC Electric – (703) 335-0500 Washington Gas – (703) 750-1000 Loudoun County Sanitation Authority – (571) 291-7880 Verizon Fios Phone & Cable – (800) 837-4966 Verizon Fios Internet – (800) 438-3467 SFMC, Inc. – (703) 392-6006

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9 26

11 16

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Summer 2018 9

Enjoy Nature Up Close

Tips for Making a Campfire

Kayaks & Canoes

What to See, Where to Go, When to Do

Save-the-Date

Studio PinkFIT

Meet the Callands Family

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From the Farmer

Fun Facts About Chickens

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Make a Difference

Community Clubs

Just For Kids

Stars & Stripes Etiquette

Spring Roundup

Designer Decks and Patios by Armor Since 1992, Armor Fence has been installing fences, decks, and patios throughout Northern Virginia. With over two decades and thousands of satisfied customers and builders, Armor Fence is proud to announce our Designer Decks and Patios division. DDP is a high-focus, design-build firm that creates complete, outdoor living spaces of all scales, custom tailored to each homeownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique need and vision. Family owned and locally operated, DDPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention to community and quality exceeds its competition and only partners with the best-backed products, providing some of the longest warranties in the business.

WillowsfordConservancy

Enjoy Nature Up Close Conservancy Venues for Camping, Cookouts, & Family Events by Iris Gestram Conservancy Executive Director Throughout the community, Willowsford Conservancy offers unique spaces to enjoy nature up close, to relax, and to rent for events such as family picnics, birthday parties, and campouts. Visit WillowsfordConservancy.org/Venues/ for rates, reservations, and more information.

Grant Family Campground With seven large tent pads—each with its own grill, fire pit, picnic table—and ample space for games and activities, this wooded campground is ideal for family camping, grilling, and daytime or overnight group events including picnics and birthday parties. The campground connects with the 8-mile Grant Loop hiking trail; perfect for nature exploration, walking, trail running, and mountain biking; and has nearby parking off Everfield Drive. It also features “Connect Four” and “Ring Toss” games, a balance beam course, and hammock stations to hang your hammocks. Open May through October.

Cedar Pond Pavilion The rustic, three-season Cedar Pond Pavilion is nestled in a woodland overlooking scenic Cedar Pond, with easy access onto the Bull Run Overlook Trail for wildlife watching, hiking, and mountain biking. The beautiful structure was handcrafted in Tennessee from old cedar logs and raised on-site by the craftsmen who built it. Stop by to enjoy a picnic on the spacious deck

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WillowsfordConservancy while watching nature. The Pavilion accommodates Conservancy programs and events and can also be rented by residents and resident-sponsored groups for family and group events. Open April through midNovember.

Hidden Meadow Event Field & Group Campground Coming soon; scheduled to open in fall 2018! Surrounded by dense red cedars, this hidden field in the southern portion of The Greens is an ideal setting for community events, and for large families and other groups to experience camping adventures within the â&#x20AC;&#x153;wilds of Willowsford.â&#x20AC;? With a rustic pavilion, groupstyle fire pits, and space for tents of any size, Hidden Meadow is well-suited for larger group campouts, family cookouts, small concerts, scout groups, and similar gatherings. The site will host Conservancy events and can also be rented by residents and resident-sponsored groups.

Recreational Target Archery Range The ancient sport of target archery combines skills of strength, precision, and consistency, and builds focus while enjoying the outdoors. Residents of all ages can practice at this outdoor range which features a rustic pavilion that covers the shooting zone, picnic tables for archery instruction, a storage shed, and 10 archery lanes with targets at distances of 10 to 60 yards. The archery range serves as a venue for the Willowsford Archery Club. To learn more about the Willowsford Archery Club, or to join, residents can contact willowsfordarcheryclub@gmail.com.

WillowsfordLife

WillowsfordConservancy

Tips for Making a Campfire A campfire under the stars, roasting s’mores, and enjoying time with friends and family around the fire are highlights of any outdoor adventure. Before starting a campfire, make sure weather conditions are safe for an open flame, and avoid fires when the weather is windy, very hot, or dry.

Starting and Maintaining Your Campfire • Start the flame with small pieces of dry wood. Keep the fire inside the fire pit and at a manageable size. Avoid “towers” of firewood that could erupt in flame or topple over. • Place unused firewood upwind and away from the fire.

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• Only burn firewood. Grease and petroleum products are highly combustible and can quickly spread a fire. Paper creates burning ash that floats away and lands in dry leaves (or on your tent)! • Keep a bucket of water nearby. • Once the fire is going, add larger pieces of dry wood for a steady burn. • NEVER leave your campfire unattended.

Extinguishing Your Campfire When ready to put out your fire at night or before leaving the campsite: • Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible. • Pour lots of water on the fire; drown ALL embers, not just the red ones. Make sure everything is wet and cold to the touch. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave! • Do NOT bury the fire as the fire will continue to smolder.

TheLifestyle

Kayaks & Canoes Take an Adventure on Willow Lake by Alex Burkett HOA Community Coordinator The boats at Willow Lake are available for use now through Labor Day. Hours of operation are Tuesday – Sunday from 11 AM – 8 PM on a first-come, first-served basis. Although boat usage is free of charge, residents must complete boat usage agreements and show their key fob prior to use. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by adult. Please see the boat attendant at Willow Lake to start your adventure! No experience? No problem! Here are a few essential pointers to get things going and keep you safe:

• Paddle in sync with your partner. Find your rhythm. It is the bow (front) paddler’s job to set the pace, and it is the role of the stern (back) paddler to match that tempo. This insures that you are maximizing your forward momentum. Call a “switch” regularly to change sides, which will help keep your boat going in a straight line. • Always wear a lifejacket. You never know when something goofy is going to happen and you may end up in Willow Lake unexpectedly. The boat attendant will help you find the right vest. • Apply sunscreen in all the right places. Sun reflected off the water will burn in some unlikely places – including under your nose and the back of your ears. Be sure to lather up before paddling off. • Pack something fun for a little floating flair. In addition to ample water, consider packing fun snacks, a picnic for a floating dinner date, fishing poles, or binoculars for wildlife watching. Take your creativity to the water. Source: vobs.org/blog/10-essential-canoeing-tips/

• Paddle on opposite sides of the boat. This will keep your craft from pitching back and forth, and make the boat more stable under motion.

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TheLifestyle

What to See, Where to Go, When to Do Summer in Willowsford by Susan Walters HOA Lifestyle Manager Longer days and warmer nights mean summer has arrived at Willowsford! Spend these days with family and friends relaxing poolside, kayaking around Willow Lake, or grilling at Sycamore House or The Lodge. At Willowsford, summer means outdoor community events such as summer camp, family movies, concerts, and culinary experiences.

Date Night in Greece Saturday, August 18

One thing you can’t miss is our Celebrity Chef Pop-Up Restaurant in July. Chef Amanda Cohen, owner of Dirt Candy, will delight you with her award-winning culinary creations. Dirt Candy was the first vegetable-focused restaurant in New York City, and has been recognized by the Michelin Guide, the New York Times, Gourmet Magazine, and the Village Voice, among others. On this special night, Amanda (and Jamie Leeds and Elizabeth Faulkner) will be working side-by-side with Chef Bonnie in the Willowsford Kitchen to prepare scrumptious farm-fresh eats. Join us for a lavish evening of food, drinks, entertainment, and more! Enjoy swimming AND watching movies? Come to a Dive-In Movie and swim until 10 PM while a familyfriendly film plays on the big screen. There are also concerts to enjoy. Bring a picnic, listen to music, and enjoy the beautiful Willowsford landscape. In August, we are featuring Marsha and the Positrons at the Tenant House Amphitheater. This kid-friendly band will have the little ones movin’ and groovin’ to their energetic songs and upbeat music. And in September, Jameson Green, a resident favorite, wraps up the season. Come out and enjoy Willowsford this summer!

Visit WillowsfordLife.com > Calendar to keep up with everything happening at Willowsford.

Summer Concert Friday, September 7

WillowsfordLife

TheLifestyle

Dive-In Movie Friday, July 13 & Friday, August 17

Parent & Child Culinary Workshop Tuesday, August 7 & Thursday, August 9

Kids Summer Concert Saturday, August 4

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Celebrity Chef Pop-Up Restaurant Saturday, July 28

LocalBusiness

Studio PinkFIT Fitness Happens Here by Kacie Ward HOA Administrative Coordinator In March of 2017, Willowsford partnered with Studio PinkFIT to bring boutique fitness classes right to you. Programming has since expanded, and now a variety of classes are offered each week at both Sycamore House and The Lodge. Try Bootcamp MAX, Gentle Yoga, Early Express, and more; your first class is free! Kathy Corbey, Studio PinkFIT owner, started out her journey by teaching fitness classes when she was a student at Virginia Tech. “I’ve always enjoyed music, movement, and helping people. What started as a way to earn some extra money at school grew into my lifelong passion,” says Kathy. Studio PinkFIT classes began over 12 years ago at the Dulles Sportsplex. Back then, only Bootcamp was offered, and their main focus was helping moms get back into shape. The classes were such a huge hit that Studio PinkFIT opened a facility of their own in Ashburn in 2012 and began to add more class formats. “We were the first boutique fitness studio to open in Loudoun County, even though at the time we didn’t know what boutique meant! We just wanted to offer great classes without being a gym with weight machines, and that is what we are still doing today,” says Kathy. The studio offers unique classes that you won’t find at your local gym, led by some of the area’s finest instructors. And now you can experience all that Studio PinkFIT has to offer, without ever leaving Willowsford. To view the fitness schedule or register for classes, please download the Studio PinkFIT mobile app (in iTunes or GooglePlay) or visit StudioPinkFIT. com. Bring some water, bring a towel or yoga mat, and bring your neighbor!

WillowsfordLife

LocalBusiness Q&A with Kathy Corbey, Studio PinkFIT Owner Q: Why is fitness important?

A: Adding exercise to your life will make you happy! I’ve learned that any type of movement is good movement. Go out for a walk around your beautiful neighborhood or come to a yoga class. If you can mix up your exercise routine it will keep you from getting bored, plateauing, and reduce the risk of injury.

Q: Tell me about your partnership with Willowsford?

A: I was introduced to Willowsford by one of our instructors, Erica Hall. She is a resident and thought it might be a good partnership for us to bring classes to Sycamore House and The Lodge. Willowsford is so beautiful and we are happy to be help strengthen the community offerings as we strengthen the residents!

super mom! You might have seen her running around the neighborhood or at the pool with her four daughters. She has been teaching Bootcamp classes for over 8 years with Studio PinkFIT. Erica makes everyone feel welcome and her energy is contagious. Even if you’ve never done a burpee before, Erica will help you feel like a Bootcamp rockstar! Jody Bung is also a Willowsford resident and moved here from Hawaii last summer. Jody stepped into her first yoga class in 2005 and knew instantly that was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life! Yoga goes far beyond the mat for Jody. It is a complete physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual practice. She believes that yoga is for everyone at every level. It is not about how flexible or strong you are, but about having an easeful body, peaceful mind, and useful life.

“I enjoy taking Bootcamp with Erica because she is a fabulous and motivating instructor who tailors the workout to meet the needs of the buff and not so buff.”

Q: Who are the Studio PinkFIT instructors?

A: Erica Hall is a Willowsford resident and

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— Lilly Marion, Willowsford Resident

Laurie Hudicek is so motivating that you want to wake up early to work out! Laurie has a wide range of formats she’s certified to teach, ranging from Bootcamp to PiYo. She leads our Early Express classes and is also the owner of the Leesburg School of Music. Laurie is a multi-talented instructor that will challenge you to give every workout your best effort.

Meet the

WillowsfordLife

FamilyFeature

Callands Family Life in The Greens by Kacie Ward HOA Administrative Coordinator “We live in a culture where people keep to themselves, heads buried in technology. But Willowsford promotes something different, something better,” James remarks. And it was that exact difference which brought James and Alrue Callands to The Greens. Their home on Haybine Lane is shared with two energetic shih tzus, Pepper and Onyx, plus NaShawn, James’ 17-year-old son, who lives in Maryland but visits Aldie as often as he can. He recently graduated from high school and will attend Morgan State University in the fall. The Callands family has resided in Willowsford for less than a year but has already developed strong connections to their neighbors, to the nature that

“There are so many opportunities to be a greater you. It’s breathtaking.” surrounds them, and to the larger community. “There are so many opportunities to be able to be a greater you. It’s breathtaking,” says Alrue. James and Alrue’s story began at Virginia Tech, where they were enrolled in the same Differential Equations class. James suggested a study session to prepare

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for an upcoming test. Alrue was hesitant at first but, after a little convincing from a friend, she relented. Study sessions led to date nights, and soon the two were inseparable. After graduating with degrees in Electrical Engineering, they moved to northern Virginia to be near NaShawn, Alrue’s family, and for career opportunities. They first discovered Willowsford 5 or 6 years ago and were captivated. “We could feel the energy, almost immediately,” James explains. They were drawn to the accessibility of agriculture, trails, and the myriad of community activities. It all struck a chord with them, but the timing wasn’t right. Willowsford hovered in the back of their minds, however, and last year they signed a contract on a lot in The Greens that backs to picturesque Conservancy land and is just a short stroll to Ellenvale Park. They had an opportunity to see their home built from the ground up, since they were already living in the area at the time. “It was really special for NaShawn to see and experience the whole process, and he has a much deeper appreciation for what we have because of it,” says Alrue. Not to mention it was during those initial visits where they met their next-door neighbors and began to form relationships before they had even moved in. James was raised in rural Lynchburg, VA while Alrue grew up closer to the city in Lanham, MD, though her family is originally from Liberia. Alrue remarks that “the community is a nice blend of both of our backgrounds and was just what we were looking for - what was important to our family.” The Callands clan is excited to be here and is looking forward to experiencing even more of what makes our community so unique.

FamilyFeature

Do you know a family that should be featured in the next issue of WillowsfordLife? We are looking for candidates who have unique, interesting stories to share and are actively involved in the community! Nominate a fellow household by emailing HOA@willowsford.com. Please include your reason why the family should be featured.

WillowsfordLife

“Your wings already exist; all you have to do is fly!” ~ Unknown

LOUDOUN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Preschool - 8th Leesburg, VA

www.LCDS.org

Schedule A Tour New for 2018! Bus Service From Willowsford

WillowsfordFarm

From the Farmer Laying Hens, Odds & Ends by Alex Hencin Livestock Farmer When I came to the Farm in 2014 as a crew member, I always volunteered to do chicken duties. Back then, we only had 200 chickens, so cleaning their coops, changing their water, and collecting eggs was a much shorter chore. Since then, my role here has evolved and I now manage all of the livestock on the Farm property in The Greens. We are up to 800 laying hens – four times the amount we started with. Because our core mission here includes caring for the soil as well as the highest standards of living for animal welfare, I rotate the birds on 115 acres throughout the year using mobile coops and electric fencing, both of which protect the birds from predation. Moving the birds from place to place, with plenty of room to run around, helps fertilize our fields and also keeps the hens healthy. Over the years we have hosted other poultry on the property, too: more than 2,000 meat chickens, which

we call broilers, and 20 turkeys. In 2017, we added pigs to our pasture (and pork to our Farm Stand offerings) and this year, have continued with pork production. Our first batch of 2018 pigs were processed and transitioned to pork in June. Our next batch is currently enjoying mud puddles and lots of space. All of our animals are raised on high quality, non-GMO feed, fresh grass, and both pigs and chickens also consume insects and occasional vegetable scraps. The majority of our eggs are sold through our CSA program. When folks sign up in the winter, we can gauge how many chickens to purchase for the year. We don’t process the hens at the end of the year, but rather, we sell them off to other farms and homesteaders. At our scale, we need birds at peak production age and only keep a couple hundred for the winter, mainly for our winter CSA. Eggs that aren’t sold through CSA are on shelves at the Farm Stand and are frequently on the ingredients list in Willowsford Kitchen. Pork, too. If you haven’t tried our eggs, sausage, or pork chops, I urge you to. You will not find a source any closer to home than this. And I am so proud of the care with which we raise animals and the product we produce, I hope you will join me in enjoying it!

WillowsfordLife

WillowsfordFarm Deviled Eggs by Chef Bonnie Moore Willowsford Culinary Director

Ingredients

Fun Facts About Chickens What I’ve Learned from Living by Willowsford Farm by Anna Weisberg Willowsford Resident, Age 13 1. Chickens don’t need a rooster to lay eggs 2. Hens lay an egg a day 3. Unless a rooster is involved, the eggs will never become chicks 4. Different chicken breeds lay different colored eggs 5. The chickens we eat as meat are not the same chickens that lay eggs

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• • • • • • • • •

6 large Willowsford Farm eggs 2 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper fresh dill

1. Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. 2. Gently place the eggs in a large saucepan. Fill with enough water to cover the eggs by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat. When the water begins to boil, cover, turn the heat to low and cook for 8 minutes. 3. Drain the hot water from the pan and immediately plunge the eggs in the ice water. 4. When the eggs are cool enough to handle, crack the shells carefully and peel them under cool, running water. 5. Using a sharp knife, slice each peeled egg in half, lengthwise. Gently remove the yolk halves and place in a small mixing bowl. Arrange the egg white halves on a serving platter. 6. Using a fork, mash up the yolks. Add mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice or vinegar, smoked paprika, Tabasco, salt, pepper and stir to combine. 7. Spoon egg yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Sprinkle with smoked paprika and garnish with sprigs of dill.

WillowsfordFarm

All About Eggs At the Farm Stand We raise free-range, pastured laying hens, fed no antibiotics or growth hormones; they are happy birds and lay great-tasting eggs! The grass diet gives the yolks a deep, orange color and rich flavor. Eggs come ungraded and unsorted. They are freshly laid within days of your purchase. $5.99/dozen at the Farm Stand

How to Store Eggs will keep up to 30 days from the time they are laid. They may be washed, and we recommend refrigeration.

Easy Preparations Eggs are one of the few foods that are delicious at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Jazz up scrambled eggs with fresh goat cheese, mushrooms and onions, chives and sour cream, tomatoes and herbs, or spinach. Take egg salad to the next level by adding dill. Eggs poached in tomatoes and served with crusty bread makes for a classic Italian supper. Visit WillowsfordFarm.com for more information.

WillowsfordLife

The sun is hot, the water is cool. Host your next party at the pool! $100 - 2 Hour Rental or $150 - 3 Hour Rental + $50 - Refundable Security Deposit Pool party space rentals are available at both Sycamore House and The Lodge Pools. Perfect for birthdays, team celebrations, family reunions, & more! 25 people maximum per pool party space rental. View the Rental Application and Contract online at WillowsfordLife.com > Document Center. Call us for availability and more details.

CommunityClubs

Let’s Make a Difference Willowsford Cares Club Spotlight by Becky & Mark Danzenbaker Willowsford Residents In November of 2014, we attended our first Big Give in Haymarket, which was started by our friend Kat Holroyd several years prior. The Big Give is an annual, family-friendly day involving a multitude of charitable activities, benefitting mostly local residents and organizations. At the end of the event, which was attended by over 100 people, Kat suggested we break up into smaller groups throughout Northern Virginia the following year, and having been so inspired by the day, we immediately raised our hands and offered to lead an Ashburn group. Partnering with our friend, Michele Paganin, we hosted the first Ashburn Big Give in November of 2015 at Sycamore House with 30 families, and participation has grown every year since! Some of the charities that we’ve worked with are Semper K9, It Takes a Village

Baby, LAWS, Preemies Today, Sprout Therapeutic Riding Center, Backpack Buddies, and dozens more. Each year, the Big Give supports 10-15 charities and causes. Following each Big Give, friends and attendees who were likewise inspired by the excitement of the day, suggested we do events like this more often; hence the idea for a new community club, Willowsford Cares. Willowsford Cares brings together service-minded residents for the purpose of giving to and assisting our broader community. Our goal is for resident Event Leaders to host quarterly events that allow residents of all ages, across all four Villages, the opportunity to work hands-on with local charities and community members in need. Our first quarterly project was a series of events that took place in May. Organized by residents Ken and Meredith Taylor, the event focus was to assist and draw attention to food-insecure families in our area. On May 19th, we hosted a food drive for Backpack Buddies at Walmart and put together snack packs at Sycamore House for the Loudoun Emergency Homeless Shelter. Throughout the following week, we collected food from Willowsford residents to benefit the Dulles South Food Pantry and then on-site volunteers helped to organize and stock the shelves with the new donations. Finally, since you cannot truly understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes, we had families try a SNAP Challenge for a week. Participants ate on

WillowsfordLife

CommunityClubs the same budget allowance as people who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only $151 a week for a family of four (just over $7/meal to feed the whole family). What we love most about doing events like these is that they are both addictive and contagious! We get so excited for the next one, and it really energizes each family and the community. Our next quarterly event will likely take place in early September, likely benefitting It Takes a Village, Baby. In the fall, we plan hold our fourth annual Big Give, Willowsford Cares edition!

Community Clubs Archery Club Bourbon Club Brew Club Bunco Babes Community Garden Club Mountain Bike Club Recreational Sports Club Social Club Willowsford Cares The Wine Club North The Wine Club South Joining a Willowsford-Sponsored Community Club is a wonderful way to meet your neighbors, become familiar with the community, and make real world connections. Visit the Community Calendar online to view all upcoming club events and details. Each club also has a Facebook Group which residents can request to join.

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JustForKids

The Art Gallery My Favorite Summer Activity

Going to the Pool Alia Massey, Age 7 & Bella Massey, Age 5

Camping in the Woods Evelyn Murphy, Age 8

Next Issue Want to be featured in the next issue of WillowsfordLife? Halloween is just around the corner! Children ages 3-13: please submit a drawing of your jack-o-lantern masterpiece.

A Day at the Beach Brynn Deo, Age 5

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Kindly drop off artwork at Sycamore House or The Lodge by August 20th. On the back of submission please include: childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and age (may be published), plus parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names and address (used for verification purposes only). All submissions become the property of Willowsford HOA and may be published in a future issue.

CommunityStandards

Stars & Stripes Etiquette Flying the American Flag by Christine Massey HOA Assistant Manager On Flag Day in 1923, a group of organizations headed by the American Legion outlined the National Flag Code as a set of advisory rules for displaying the flag. These rules became law during World War II and form the bulk of what is now the U.S. Flag Code. We thought it might be a good time to take a look at some of the rules for respectfully displaying the American flag. These rules are all governed by the same basic principle: the flag is one of the more visible and important symbols of our country, so we should treat it with respect. When hanging an American flag on your home, ideally it should hang from a staff that angles out from the front wall, a windowsill, or balcony. Fasten the flagstaff securely so the flag won’t become soiled or damaged. Do not allow the flag to touch the ground, floor, water, or anything else beneath it.

Whether the flag hangs from an angled or horizontal staff, be sure the union or canton (the rectangle with the stars) is at the peak. Hanging the flag with the union down signals extreme distress. When the President declares the flag to be flown at half-staff, it is acceptable to hang the flag from a horizontal staff with the union down, though your neighbors may not understand why you’re doing this. The next time you see our country’s flag, think of the unique and wonderful freedoms we enjoy as Americans!

Excerpt from the Willowsford Design Guidelines Flagpoles Permanent, free-standing flagpoles must be installed and maintained in a vertical position. The height, color, and location of the flagpole must be consistent with the size of the property and scale and design qualities

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CommunityStandards of the house. In any case, the maximum height of the flagpole shall not exceed 24’. One standard-sized United States and/or Commonwealth of Virginia flag may be displayed in a manner consistent with Virginia and Federal law; provided the Reviewer may impose additional restrictions relating to the placement, duration and manner of placement or display of the flag on a unit. Flags flown in patriotic display shall be respectfully flown in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code (Title 4, Chapter 1, United States Code). Permanent flagpoles may not be used to fly seasonal or decorative flags or commercial logo or college/ school flags. A maximum of one temporary flagpole, which does not exceed 6’ in length and is attached to the wall or porch of the dwelling unit, is allowed and does not require approval of the Reviewer. Temporary flagpoles may be used to fly seasonal or decorative flags or college/ school flags.

August 29th DRC Meeting Application Deadline – August 20th Pre-Review – August 22nd September 26th DRC Meeting Application Deadline – September 17th Pre-Review – September 19th

How do I submit my Design Review Application? • Applications are accepted by mailing or hand delivering your application package to the following locations: {{

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Looking to Install a Flagpole or Other Exterior Modification? Design Review Committee Information Throughout the busy season the DRC meets more frequently, every three weeks. Below are upcoming DRC dates to keep in mind. Note that DRC dates are officially advertised through the Willowsford Weekly emails and on the Willowsford Community Calendar online. Dates listed herein are subject to change. If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to DRC@willowsfordlife.com. August 8th DRC Meeting Application Deadline – July 30th Pre-Review – August 2nd

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Sycamore House – 23506 Founders Drive, Ashburn, VA 20148 The Lodge – 41085 Willowsford Lane, Aldie, VA 20105

• Electronic submission of initial application is no longer accepted.

What is a Pre-Review? Pre-Review is the process in which the Community Standards Coordinator (DRC Liaison) and a member of the Design Review Committee sit down with all submitted applications to determine if additional information is needed prior to the official DRC meeting. All submitted applications are pre-reviewed and any comments will be sent via email. If you are feeling like the pre-review comments are a bit picky, it’s probably because they are. It’s our goal to try to minimize any issues that may prevent your application from getting approved, so we err on the side of caution. Better to have too much information than not enough! Since not all Committee members are part of the prereview process, there is the possibility that additional comments or questions may be posed during the official DRC Meeting. Please note that responding to pre-review comments or having your application prereviewed is not a guarantee that your application will be approved by the Design Review Committee.

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