Locals We Love
Written by Shayda Windle | Photos by Caroline Gray
In a town known for its history, horses, and enduring traditions, it’s the people behind the scenes who give Middleburg its heart. From longtime locals to quiet leaders and familiar faces, these are the individuals who show up day after day — building community, preserving legacies, and making this small town feel like home. This month, we celebrate a few of the Middleburg residents whose stories reflect the spirit, dedication, and deep-rooted connection that define life here.
Vicki Bendure, Philanthropist and Owner of BCI Communications
To call Vicki Bendure the face of public relations in both Washington, D.C., and Middleburg would hardly be an exaggeration. A public relations executive for more than two decades, Bendure has spent the past 17 years leading her own firm, BCI Communications, with offices in both the District and Middleburg.
Under her leadership, BCI has grown into one of the region’s most respected PR firms, earning a spot on the Washington Business Journal’s list of top 25 PR firms each year since 2015. The business serves a diverse roster of clients, from Fortune 500 and publicly traded companies to nonprofits, restaurants, medical associations, environmental organizations, celebrities, national sports franchises, and more.
Closer to home, Bendure has quietly shaped the public image of many of Middleburg’s most beloved institutions. BCI has led public relations efforts for some of Hunt Country’s most iconic equestrian institutions and community events, reflecting both her professional expertise and deep personal connection to the region.
A lifelong horsewoman, Bendure hunts with the Snickersville Hounds and competes in three-day eventing. “I’ve been horse-crazy my whole life,” she says, adding that she also helps rescue horses from kill pens, saving them from the slaughter pipeline. She also serves on the board of the Middleburg Humane Foundation and is chair of the Middleburg Economic Development Committee — roles that amplify her dedication to preserving and strengthening the town she calls home.
Michelle Dupwe, Singer and Manager at Hunter’s Head Tavern
More than 20 years ago, Michelle Dupwe took a job as a waitress at Hunter’s Head Tavern in Upperville while between positions working in the health care industry. A self-taught singer performing in a band at the time, she was introduced to the tavern through a bandmate’s wife, who was a manager there. Dupwe joined the staff — and has never looked back.
After several years as a server, she stepped into a management role, helping foster the warm, welcoming atmosphere Hunter’s Head is known for. She even launched trivia nights to bring people together. “It was a great way to let people get to know one another,” she says, noting the steady stream of returning customers on Thursday nights.
“I’m very social and enjoy being around people, so I’ve loved working at Hunter’s Head Tavern,” Dupwe adds, “even though singing has always been my passion.”
That passion has carried her through more than 25 years of performing with various bands, covering artists from Fleetwood Mac and Jefferson Airplane to Alanis Morissette. She has also sung with the Piedmont Symphony and the Frederick Symphony, highlighting her range and versatility as a vocalist.
Locals can catch Dupwe performing at The Barns of Hamilton Station Vineyards on February 13 at 7 p.m. with three other women, and again on March 19 alongside Robbie Limon.
Mickey Bettis, Safeway Associate
A Fauquier County native, Mickey Bettis was raised near Middleburg at Friendship Farm and Hickory Tree Farm. After graduating from Fauquier High School, he explored several career paths before joining the Middleburg Safeway in September 1985, a decision that would shape the next four decades of his life.
Bettis began as a courtesy clerk earning $3.25 an hour and went on to work nearly every role in the store, from stocking shelves to serving as a full-time cashier. His dedication eventually led him into management and later to a general manager position. Seventeen years ago, health concerns prompted him to step back from management, a change he calls “a blessing” that allowed him to continue doing the work he loves.
Over 40 years, Bettis has witnessed major changes at Safeway and in Middleburg, from store remodels to the shift from hand-punched registers to modern systems. He has also crossed paths with notable figures, including Willard Scott, Elizabeth Taylor, and Senator John Warner. In 2023, he was named Frontline Employee of the Year by the Middleburg Business Association. Today, Bettis still works the morning shift, greeting customers with the warmth and dedication that have made him a community favorite.
Betty Atchison, Administrator of the Middleburg Spring Races
Betty Atchison is a true Middleburg local, raised on Wolver Hill Farm, a Holstein dairy farm owned by the Iselin family for two generations. Her father and uncles worked the farm, and she grew up alongside her cousins, immersed in farm life and the close-knit Middleburg community.
Atchison attended Middleburg Elementary School, Simpson Middle School, and Loudoun County High School before earning her cosmetology license at the C.S. Monroe Technology Center in Leesburg. After several years at Mane Event in Marshall, she began a 21-year career at the Middleburg Bank, where she served as a trusted customer service representative and often managed the bank on weekends.
For nearly nine years, Atchison has been the administrator of the Middleburg Spring Races at Glenwood Park. She manages everything from permits and equipment orders to wristband sales and board meeting records, quietly ensuring that one of Middleburg’s most cherished traditions runs smoothly. The races remain Virginia’s oldest continuous steeplechase, enduring wars, economic shifts, and even the spectator-free 100th running in 2020.
“Even though Middleburg is a small town, it has grown a lot over the past several years,” Atchison says. “I used to know everyone — and still run into many familiar faces from the bank.” ML
Featured photo: Vicki Bendure.
Published in the February 2026 issue of Middleburg Life.