Badger Len: So Little Space, So Many to Thank
by Leonard Shapiro
It’s a new year, a time to start fresh and list resolutions we’ll probably break by Valentine’s Day. Still, in the spirit of the season, we’d like to wish one and all a very happy new year and offer heart-felt appreciation to so many.
So thank you, thank you, thank you:
To drivers who didn’t pass on double lines on our country roads and obeyed the 25 mile an hour speed limit within Middleburg’s town limits. And Aldie. And Upperville.
To everyone who feeds the parking meters.
To dedicated town employee Marvin Simms for keeping the village spotless.
To all concerned working to complete the road and pipe work on Washington Street, despite heat, cold and rain (but so far, thankfully no snow). Wouldn’t it be nice to have it done by Easter, if not sooner?
To so many selfless charitable organizations that help feed and house countless folks in Loudoun and Fauquier counties, among so many other good deeds all around.
To numerous deep-pocketed benefactors who are constantly asked to donate, and keep on giving and giving and giving, year after year after year.
To all the local and regional conservation and preservation groups working to keep the countryside glorious.
To the spirited Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church men’s choir for their unique and inspiring gospel sound.
To the vendors and consumers who come to the Middleburg Farmers Market every Saturday morning. We could use more of both.
To Mary Kay Garwood for organizing the volunteers at The Pink Box and spending countless hours helping visitors discover the wonders of our town.
To Police Chief A.J. Panebianco and his officers for keeping us safe and maintaining the peace, always with amazing grace and even a bit of good humor.
To Mayor Betsy Davis, all the Town Council members, town administrator Martha Semmes and economic development director Cindy Pearson for all they do to make Middleburg such a fabulous place.
To the Middleburg Business and Professional Association for sponsoring so
many terrific events throughout the year. Shakespeare in the Burg is a favorite.
To Community Center executive director Katy Tyrell and event coordinator Olivia Rogers for dramatically expanding its services,and love those concerts on the steps.
To Melanie Mathewes and her dedicated staff at the National Sporting Library and Museum for making their facility a memorable destination for scholars, residents and visitors.
To our long-time friend and neighbor, weather television personality Willard Scott, for pushing us all toward the century mark. And let’s wish him a well-deserved and very happy retirement.
To Ann Northrup and her staff at Team and TEEN Saturday at Hill School for making a difference in so many young lives over the last 20 years.
To all those students at Hill, Middleburg Charter and the local high schools—Middleburg Academy, Wakefield, Highland and Foxcroft— for all their community service projects.
To all those mostly friendly folks at the local Safeway, but only if they add a deli counter.
To all the locals who shop local.
To the superb staff at the Middleburg Library for always going the extra mile to obtain books, help with research and offer computer solutions, all the while developing countless programs for young and old alike.
To everyone who has the good sense to cease griping about their new neighbors building their dream home, just like the dream home the griper had built not that long ago.
To Jim Herbert and all the other volunteers who help make the Middleburg Christmas Parade an absolute must-see annual event. And just a suggestion: Ask former Coach Stop restaurant owner Brian Jillson to be the grand marshall for next year’s parade.
To President Chris Miller and the PEC, and Middleburg’s Scott Kasprewicz for all they’ve done to help preserve and eventually revitalize 400 acres from Gilberts Corner all the way up to Mount Zion Church.
To the owners of Creighton Farms, arguably one of the least utilized golf courses on the planet, but only if they offer locals a chance to play every once in awhile.
To Windy Hill executive director Kim Hart and so many local benefactors for all they’ve done to provide affordable housing for so many hard-working residents.
To the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Western Fauquier for providing a vehicle for so many to give back, some in perpetuity.
To all of our fabulous writers, photographers and advertisers for making 2015 our best year ever, including a record 72-page issue in December for Middleburg’s oldest locally-owned newspaper.
To our loyal readers who tell us they can’t wait to get their hands on our next issue. We wish you all a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year.
Got a good story or photo idea? Pass it along to Badgerlen@aol.com.