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Foxes on the Fence 2023 Recap

Written by Willow Podraza | Photos by Callie Broaddus

Last month, the streets of Middleburg underwent a stunning transformation. The return of the beloved annual event Foxes on the Fence brought a menagerie of butterflies, marine life, bunnies, and more to East Washington Street. As the installation wrapped on May 13, two artists shared what the event meant to them.

Foxes on the Fence is a celebration that brings together artists, residents, and businesses in a shared vision of promoting the arts and beautifying Middleburg. The installations are not only admired but also auctioned off, with the proceeds supporting various projects that beautify the town and promote the arts. This commitment to community and to nurturing the local arts scene is what attracts so many artists year after year. Lydia M.E. Schraeder, a returning artist, explains, “I love participating in Foxes on the Fence because it’s a positive and public-facing event that encourages the arts. In Roger Scruton’s ‘Beauty’ he says ‘art moves us because it is beautiful, and it is beautiful in part because it means something. It can be meaningful without being beautiful; but to be beautiful it must be meaningful.’ I think this perfectly captures why I continue to donate my art to this cause — because it’s meaningful.”

Schraeder’s entry “The Call Home” is a meditation on the community that raised her and on the meaning she as an artist finds in home. This year, Schraeder was sponsored by The Red Fox Inn and took the opportunity to express the depth of what the Inn symbolizes to her: home. She says, “Middleburg is my own glimpse of Heaven … painting Hunt Country is one of the greatest honors of my life.… This particular painting for the Foxes on the Fence depicts the roads I ran and walked throughout my years in Virginia — through childhood and into adulthood … that have made such an incredible impression on my life.”

Another returning artist, Margaret Caroll has been participating in Foxes on the Fence since its inception in 2017. Her first entry was a landscape-adorned fox, and since then she has strived to embrace more creativity in her art. This year, her Beatrix Potter-esque hare did just that. Her entry was composed of “three little paintings in one” in which bunnies dine in their burrow, hedgehogs do their laundry, and a duck strolls through the garden with a smartly suited fox. Like Schraeder, Caroll finds Middleburg to be a well of artistic inspiration. She describes her entry as “a peek into the lives of those who live under Middleburg.” “There is so much going on in the town, but there is also so much happening underneath the town as well,” says Carroll.

However, Caroll sees Foxes on the Fence as more than just an art installation. She emphasizes the event’s ability to draw in artists of all ages and is continually impressed by the contributions of young artists. She believes the “whole community embraces the youth pulse” and recognizes the importance of nurturing and showcasing young talent. In her opinion, it is the young artists who infuse the annual event with a sense of freshness. Malena Beach’s fourth-grade class and their “Kaleidoscope Hound” are just one example of some of Middleburg’s youngest artists embracing the opportunity to contribute their creativity. Their abstract design was the result of a group effort, in which each student painted their own swatch of color, epitomizing the community-minded spirit that lies at the heart of the event and makes Foxes on the Fence such a meaningful event for artists and residents.

More 2023 Foxes on the Fence entries:

Posted on June 1, 2023

Go for a Drive in Loudoun’s Countryside for the Western Loudoun Art & Studio Tour

Written by Lia Hobel | Photos by Wade Creative

Western Loudoun’s serene countryside, sprinkled with villages and towns, boasts many working artists who choose to call the area home. On any given day, a traveler can see how this portion of Loudoun could inspire creators with its beauty and tranquility. However, artists may not always have their studios open to the public. That’s why for the last 16 years, volunteers have collectively hosted a three-day, self-guided tour for the community known as the Western Loudoun Art & Studio Tour. The tour is entirely free.

“One of the great things about the studio tour is that the artists are in their studio,” shared G’Ann Zieger, chair of the planning committee. “They’re working studios and they’re demonstrating their process, so they get a chance to engage with the public.” The tour is the largest of its kind in Northern Virginia, notes Zieger.

The variety of art is what makes this tour spectacular. There are paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, drawings, fiber, sculptures, and more. Those who’ve been on the tour in the past know the brilliance showcased.

This year’s event will be held on June 2-4. Over 50 artists are participating in more than 30 locations. The public is given a map, available in person and online. From there, they can choose where they wish to stop on their road trip. There are a handful of newcomers to this year’s tour.

For more, visit WLAST.org. ML

2023 Virginia Gold Cup Hat Contest

Written by Kaitlin Hill
Photos by Callie Broaddus

On Saturday, May 6, Middleburg Life was honored to return to Virginia Gold Cup to judge the annual hat contest. The beautiful weather with no shortage of sunshine made for an impressive selection of hats and fascinators from which to choose. See scenes from a wonderful day at the races captured by ML photographer Callie Broaddus below, and a list of the hat contest winners at the end.

Most Glamorous or Elegant: Maranda Smith
Best Racing Theme: Frazer Hendrick
Funniest or Most Outrageous: Ann Franzese
Best Child’s Hat: Riley Whitley
Best Men’s Hat: Wesley Harris

Posted on May 20, 2023

Windy Hill at 40!

Written by Dulcy B. Hooper
Photos by Richard Hooper

Windy Hill celebration welcome at Salamander Resort & Spa.

Two weeks ago, Salamander Resort & Spa was the site of a well-deserved — and well-attended! — celebration of Middleburg’s Windy Hill Foundation. A full crowd of over 300 volunteers, staff, board members, and partner organizations attended the May 4 event, sharing stories of their involvement with Windy Hill and praising its mission: that of providing affordable housing, programs, and services that make a difference in the lives of residents. Fittingly, Windy Hill at 40 had over 40 sponsors, and was pleased to announce a generous $50,000 match contribution made by a local donor.

Eloise Repeczky, executive director of Windy Hill Foundation,
with Shannon Davis.

“Windy Hill creates a better community for everyone,” said Eloise Repeczky, executive director of Windy Hill Foundation. Windy Hill currently has 310 units, with 116 of those units located in Middleburg, The Plains, and Marshall. Slightly over 16% of Windy Hill residents in the local area are seniors and 37.2% are children.

Windy Hill started with one woman’s vision to improve the living conditions of her neighbors. From her living room, Irene “Rene” Llewellyn began what would become the Windy Hill Foundation. At that time, the community was comprised of 15 families, some in homes with dirt floors. Residents shared six outhouses and two cold water spigots. All household water had to be carried home in buckets or jugs.

Windy Hill Foundation provides safe and affordable housing to low-income individuals, families, older adults, and adults with disabilities in Loudoun and Fauquier counties and encourages self-improvement and self-sufficiency among residents. In 2019, Windy Hill Foundation provided 310 units of housing in both Loudoun and Fauquier counties. The foundation also supports no-cost on-site programs and services for residents.

Kiernan Patusky with Christopher Patusky, treasurer of
Windy Hill foundation.

Specific resident programs include after-school academic and social programs for children, including tutoring programs during the school year, family programming, and personal enrichment, social, and health programs for both younger and older adult residents. Windy Hill Foundation commits more than $200,000 annually to these programs, with help from many generous individual and organizational donors and grantors from Middleburg, Marshall, and The Plains, as well as the greater Washington, D.C., area. The goal of the Resident Services programming is to help residents to overcome some of the barriers — affordable housing, childcare, financial management, employment — that are making it difficult for them to move themselves and their families from affordable to market rate housing.

For more information about Windy Hill Foundation, contact Eloise Repeczky at (540) 687-3997 or by email at [email protected]. To make a donation to Windy Hill at 40, visit windyhillfoundation.com/volunteer/online-donation/2023-windy-hill-at-40-event-donation-page.

Posted on May 19, 2023

Morven Park Hosts Duke of Edinburgh for Philanthropy Summit

Local leaders engaging more young people in life skills development and equity promoting activities.

LEESBURG, VA — Today’s young people are facing extraordinary challenges and change. For nearly 70 years, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award equips young people with the skills and confidence needed to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. The program encourages young people to improve their mental and physical health, give back to their communities, and find their purpose, passion, and place in the world. The Award just announced it is expanding its availability in the D.C. Metro area and across the USA.

This past week a gathering of local leaders with The Duke of Edinburgh International Award USA focused on how to expand the Award in the D.C. metro, Virginia, and Maryland regions. The Award is a global, non-formal education framework which challenges young people to develop new skills, get physically active, learn about teamwork and leadership through adventurous journeys, and volunteer within their communities. Throughout they work with multiple mentors. Once achieved, the Award is a globally recognized resume credential and Award holders join a prestigious global alumni network.

“We are excited to grow the availability of the Award in the D.C. metro area. As always, we are working to be sure the cost to participate and undertake activities is not a barrier as the Award is open to all young people inclusive of their background, circumstances, and self-defined interests,” shared CEO Buffy Higgins-Beard.

The event was attended by Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is especially passionate about organizations and causes which provide opportunities to young people around the world. A Gold Award holder himself, he is patron and chairman to the global Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and has previously chaired the International Council covering 130 countries and territories for 17 years. Prince Edward continues the legacy of his father, Prince Philip, who founded the Award, and His Royal Highness was named the Duke of Edinburgh by King Charles III earlier this year.

Loudoun County Virginia’s Morven Park was the location for a recent gathering of philanthropists determined to assist young people’s wellbeing, civic engagement, and sense of potential. Exploring how the framework of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award can impactfully increase confidence, community connectedness though service, health, and leadership skills for all young people, the gathering was borne of seeing synergy in the Award’s aims and Morven Park’s Center for Civic Impact. Morven Park through its center works to empower young people to know their voices matter and that they can impact the world around them.

“We were honored to host HRH and the members of Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA in Morven Park,” shared Stacey Metcalfe, executive director to Morven Park. “Their mission resonates deeply with our Morven Park Center for Civic Impact’s goal of empowering children to find a confident voice that will inform the actions of engaged and motivated citizens. We are inspired by the long-term commitment to young people around the globe exemplified by the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.”

The event was hosted by Lara and Eric Major. Joining them was HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, US Chair to Award USA Ryan Ruskin, and CEO Award USA Buffy Higgins-Beard, as well as Executive Director to Morven Park Stacey Metcalfe along with 14 other guests.

To find out more about the Award in the United States, please visit usaward.org. To find out more about Morven Park, please visit morvenpark.org.

Photos by Genevieve Leiper Photography.

Posted on: April 27, 2023

What a Time to Be Alive! Renowned Oceanographer and Ocean Advocate Dr. Sylvia Earle Speaks at Foxcroft School

MIDDLEBURG, VA — Dr. Sylvia Earle, renowned oceanographer and the 56th Alison Harrison Goodyear 1929 Fellow to speak at Foxcroft School, found her love of water and the ocean very early in life.

“I got knocked over by a wave when I was three,” she shared with Foxcroft students during her recent visit to the School’s campus. “The wave took me underwater, and at first it was a little scary, but then I realized it was fun, and I’ve been submerging ever since.” As a pioneering oceanographer, explorer, author, and conservationist with more than 7,000 hours spent underwater, that is no exaggeration.

Dubbed the “First Hero for the Planet” by Time Magazine and a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, Dr. Earle is the president and chairman of Mission Blue, an Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society, founder of Deep Ocean Exploration and Research Inc. (DOER), chair of the Advisory Council for the Harte Research Institute, and the first woman to become chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She is also the subject of the Emmy Award-winning Netflix documentary “Mission Blue” and has received more than 100 national and international honors and awards.

Ever the optimist and pragmatist, Dr. Earle wove her thoughts on the current climate and what can be done throughout her presentation, including this moving observation, “Earth is a biogeochemical miracle, and what we do to the rest of life on Earth determines what will happen to us. Again, I think we’re so lucky to see it, to understand we are one little piece of this amazing fabric of life, and we’ve been doing damage to that fabric, but you can also solve the problems. We could not do it a century ago, even 50 years ago. You can. You’ve come along at a moment when the technology exists, and the knowledge exists to really shape a future where we have a future.”

She also spoke with students about her early years as a botanist and two pivotal opportunities that helped solidify her career trajectory. The first was an opportunity to spend six weeks at sea studying seaweed and fish. Ultimately realizing she would be one woman among 70 men, she said it really wasn’t a problem. “I was focused on what I was there to do as a botanist. I was there as a professional.”

The second was an opportunity to live underwater for two weeks. “They didn’t expect women to apply, but some of us did. They allowed five of us to be chosen, but they couldn’t tolerate the idea that men and women could live [together] underwater. So they made a women’s team, and that created big headlines.

“When people say ‘you can’t do that’ for whatever reason (you’re a girl, or you’re too young, or too old),” she advised students, “don’t let anybody for whatever reason steal your dreams, whatever your dreams are.”

In addition to speaking with the Foxcroft community, Dr. Earle visited the AP Biology and AP Chemistry classes and enjoyed lunch with several students interested in oceanography and ocean conservation. Later that evening, the local community was invited to campus to hear her speak.

A leader in STEM education for girls, Foxcroft recently announced an extraordinary gift for the Mars STEAM Wing to enhance its program to encourage girls to pursue studies in STEAM fields. The School offers an innovative curriculum that addresses challenges facing tomorrow’s workforce and provides relevant and stimulating learning experiences. A signature program at the school, the STEM initiative emphasizes inquiry-based labs, using technology with confidence and ease, and hands-on problem-solving that extends well beyond the classroom.

The Alison Harrison Goodyear ’29 Fellowship program, offered through the generosity of the family and friends of Alison Harrison Goodyear, Foxcroft Class of 1929, brings distinguished speakers and provocative performers to Foxcroft to deliver a keynote address and conduct small group seminars with students.

Fellowship recipients during the program’s 56-year history include such remarkable voices as Maya Angelou, James Baker III, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David McCullough, Sally Ride, Barbara Walters, tech entrepreneur Sheena Allen, National Geographic “Adventurer of the Year” Jennifer Pharr Davis, “Hello Fears” founder Michelle Poler, NPR’s Morning Edition host Rachel Martin, GenHERation founder Katlyn Grasso, The Social Institute founder Laura Tierney, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. Marcia Chatelain, Former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, and Haitian-American director and global philanthropist Claudine Oriol.

Photos courtesy of Christine McCrehin.

Posted on: April 25, 2023

“Metronome” at the Byrne Gallery

The Byrne Gallery in Middleburg is proud to announce its show for the month of May, “Metronome,” featuring paintings by Andy Hill and sculptures by Richard Binder. The form and structure of Hill’s colorful acrylic paintings and Binder’s stainless steel sculptures evoke the rhythms and cadences of music to the viewer.

This show will be on display from May 3 to June 4. There will be a special reception for the artists on Saturday, May 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. Both the show and reception are free and open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.

Andy Hill

Andy Hill is a D.C.-based artist who creates “art that opposes indifference.” He greatly values his creative process and, much like the music that inspires him, he views his finished works as completed performances. In his canvases, the artist seeks to elicit an emotional response from the viewer, whether negative or positive. This reaction to his work is of utmost importance to him, rather than no reaction at all.

Hill’s art strikes a balance between nostalgia and contemporary aesthetics by combining neon colors with neutrals, and metallics on tan and white backgrounds. The works included in Hill’s latest series, “The Metronome Collection,” form a front of symmetry from afar and can be distilled down to a detailed cadence when viewed up close. Most of his paintings for this exhibition are done on larger canvases which are influenced by his love of music and time spent in the music industry. “The Metronome Collection” is designed with a fluidity that carries the viewer through the paintings.

Richard Binder

I create sculpture using steel as my medium because it has the benefit of permanence, which is very important to me. In my previous profession as a physician, I had hundreds of my patients die, so you can understand why this sense of permanence resonates with me. “Life is transient; Steel has permanence!”

My work continues to evolve as I learn to manipulate steel in new and expressive ways. Many of my pieces are geometric forms; others are forms that are static; while still others appear to have a sense of motion or movement, often rising up into the free space above. They reflect the different dimensions of my own life as an engineer, a physician, and now a sculptor.

My hope is that my sculptures give meaning to those who view them, that they bring beauty into their vision of them, and that they make the viewer smile and feel better about the future.

Visit the Byrne Gallery to see “Metronome” on display for May 2023. The Byrne Gallery is located at 7 West Washington Street in Middleburg, Virginia. Gallery hours are Monday and Tuesday by appointment only, Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Contact the Byrne Gallery for more information at (540) 687-6986, [email protected], or visit thebyrnegallery.com.

Recapping Winter in Wellington: Part II

Written by Victoria Peace

Over the past few months, Middleburg Life spoke with several riders about their time competing in Florida during the winter season. For this month’s issue, three more Hunt Country residents are adding their updates and insights from Wellington. Read on to hear about their experiences spending the winter in the sunshine state!

Conor O’Regan

Conor O’Regan has been showing at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington every year since 2008. O’Regan is the owner of CO’R Equestrian in Upperville and competes internationally in the jumper ring at the highest levels of the sport.

O’Regan grew up in Ireland and began riding around the age of 10. He started out at a local riding school and worked his way up through the pony divisions, eventually competing for Ireland internationally on ponies. He graduated to horses where he had even more success and rode at the European championships for juniors in Italy. From there, O’Regan advanced to the senior ranks of the sport all while studying at university.

After completing his degree, O’Regan had the opportunity to come to the United States. Originally, he planned to simply visit a friend in Wellington before returning to Ireland. However, that visit was in January 2008, and he has been here ever since.

In late 2008, O’Regan accepted a position working for the Firestone family and moved to Upperville. After over six years with the Firestones, he started CO’R Equestrian in 2015.

One of O’Regan’s favorite parts of being in Wellington for the winter is that he doesn’t have to travel to multiple different show venues. During the rest of the year, he is often on the road for two weeks out of every month going to different shows on the A circuit. In Wellington, he enjoys having all of the activity, and all of his friends, gathered in one place.

This year, O’Regan enjoyed a successful season at WEF. He has competed in the Saturday night Grand Prix under the lights and won several major classes. O’Regan is also pleased that his horses have all been “growing, improving, and getting to a point where they are more competitive now than they were at this point last year.” According to O’Regan, this is always the goal. “I’m ultimately trying to make them as good as they can be, and from that point of view, it’s been going really well.” O’Regan is especially thankful for his owners, who make everything possible. “I couldn’t do what I do without those people behind me, supporting me, and believing in me,” he says. His top horse right now is Mendini DR, owned by Erin and Jimmy Walker. He is also currently showing two horses owned by Leslie Kopp.

O’Regan believes that WEF is really about testing yourself against the best people. “It’s one of the most competitive circuits in the world for the amount of time we’re here,” he says. “At the end of the day, it’s about getting horses that are good enough to compete at this level. You have to be on point here to go out and win and be competitive.”

Leslie Kopp

Leslie Kopp spent the winter competing in the adult amateur jumpers at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Kopp trains with Connor O’Regan at CO’R Equestrian and owns two of the horses that O’Regan shows.

After a roughly 30-year hiatus, Kopp started riding again in 2015. When she was a child, she did pony club and local shows in Northern Virginia. However, when her Bethany Beach-based real estate business took off, she didn’t have enough time to continue with the sport. But, she always knew that at some point she wanted to get back in the saddle. Now, Kopp says that she feels “very fortunate to be able to do this again.”

Kopp started coming down to Wellington in 2015, shortly after getting back into riding. She loves seeing the best people in the world come to compete and watching the high-level showjumping classes and polo matches.

Kopp purchased a new horse in October and is in the process of buying another. This winter, she enjoyed geting to know them both better. “Just trying to take it slowly with the new ones and move up is very important to me,” Kopp says. “I’ve learned that patience and taking your time is the only way to go.”

In addition to competing herself, Kopp also enjoys watching O’Regan show her horses. “I love watching how he progresses with them,” she emphasizes. She appreciates that he takes his time and really gets to know their individual personalities.

When not in Florida, Kopp splits her time between Bethany Beach and The Plains, and is grateful for the excellent teams supporting her both in business at Bethany Beach and ringside at WEF.

Wil Ballhaus

Wil Ballhaus, a Wakefield School sophomore and up-and-coming polo player, has been spending the winter honing his skills in Wellington. Ballhaus rides for Beverly Equestrian, a premier equestrian center in The Plains co-owned by his parents. The Beverly Equestrian team is currently entered into three different leagues for the season: a 6-goal league at the International Polo School, a 12-goal league at Port Mayaca Polo Club, and a 16-goal league at the Wellington Polo Tour.

Ballhaus has been around horses his entire life, but it wasn’t until around the age of 9 that he decided to give polo a try.

This is Ballhaus’ third season in Wellington. “Wellington is a beautiful area,” Ballhaus says. “I love having the opportunity to come down here and continue playing this sport at a higher level.” Ballhaus is grateful to the Wakefield School for allowing him to attend classes virtually while he is in Florida so he can train at the most competitive level possible over the winter.

Before coming to Wellington, Ballhaus wrote down his goals for the season, which included becoming a more solid rider and playing his new position better. He used to play one, an offensive position, but now plays four, a defensive position. This was a meaningful change for him because it requires a completely different skill set. “It’s a very stressful position,” Ballhaus emphasizes. However, overall, he feels like he is making progress toward completing his goals.

Among his list of impressive accomplishments this winter, Ballhaus’ team won the International Polo School’s 6-goal tournament, also known as the Palm Beach Open, in January 2023. In the final match of the tournament, Ballhaus was named the MVP.

Ballhaus’ mentor is Tolito Ocampo. According to Ballhaus, Ocampo is the whole reason that he first became passionate about the sport. However, he is thankful for his whole team at Beverly Equestrian, who continue to motivate him to become the best player possible. “I am lucky to have a lot of people who help me and influence me every day,” Ballhaus says. ML

Published in the April 2023 issue of Middleburg Life.

How to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Hunt Country

Written by Kaitlin Hill

Between a whiskey cake at Salamander Resort & Spa and Irish dancing at Oatlands, there is a little bit of something for everyone this St. Patrick’s Day in Hunt Country. Check out a few local events we’re excited about over the holiday weekend!

Live Music and Green Mimosas at Lost Barrel Brewing

Natalie Femia at Lost Barrel Brewing says, “We will be open Thursday through Sunday that weekend with fun all weekend long! There is really something for everyone. We would love to see you!” Throughout the weekend, Lost Barrel will host multiple bands for St. Pat’s Live Music. Visitors to the brewery will enjoy the musical stylings of Robert Mabe & Friends on Friday, the Derek Kretzer Band on Saturday, and the weekend will conclude with Mo & Mary on Sunday afternoon. Ashley Castellano will also be on-site Sunday, March 19, offering family photo mini-sessions that should be booked in advance. Finally, if you forget to wear green, just order a green mimosa, which will be offered in addition to the regular menu, or stick around for the release of LBB’s Irish red ale. For more information visit: lostbarrel.com/calendar

Lost Barrel Brewing
36138 John Mosby Highway
Middleburg, Virginia 20117

Irish Dancing and Traditional Tea at Oatlands

Stop by Oatlands Historic House & Gardens for a weekend of St. Patrick’s Day festivities for everyone in the family. From 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, Oatlands will hold its St. Patrick’s Day Festival with traditional Irish dance performances from Misneach Irish Dance Academy and Irish-themed vendors, food, and beverages. Admission is $10 per person and free for children under 12. Come back on Sunday for a St. Patrick’s Day Tea held in the historic Carriage House. The menu will feature all the classics like scones, Devon cream, tea sandwiches, bite-sized sweets, and Oatlands’ own tea blend. There will be three time slots (10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.), and reservations are required to facilitate social distancing. For more information on St Patrick’s Day weekend at Oatlands please visit: oatlands.org/events

Oatlands Historic House & Gardens
20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane
Leesburg, Virginia 20175

Rock Out at Shamrock Music Shoppe

Shamrock Music Shoppe in Purcellville is any music lover’s dream with the added benefit of owner Scott Kinney’s focus on Irish music. Kinney, who was born on St. Patrick’s Day, offers everything from music lessons, rentals, repairs, and an awe-inspiring selection of instruments from renowned brands like PRS, Fender, Squire, Roland, Boss, and Yamaha. For St. Patrick’s Day, the shop will bring back its “Lucky You” discounts, and those looking for lessons can learn everything from cèilidh and folk to The Pogues and Dropkick Murphys from one of Shamrock’s many instructors. Kinny shares, “Whether a pure beginner or wanting to sharpen your musical chops, Shamrock can help! New students enrolling in lesson slots between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will receive a 10% discount!”

Shamrock Music Shoppe
160 W Main Street
Purcellville, Virginia 20132

Shamrock 5k and 10k in Bluemont

Get your green fix as you run through the gorgeous rolling hills of Bluemont, Virginia, by celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the 9^th annual Bluemont Shamrock 5k and 10k on March 18. The 10k will begin at 9 a.m. and the 5k at 9:05 a.m. Great Country Farms is the starting point for both races and will also serve as the location for the awards presentation. There will be awards for the top three male and female finishers in each race. Visit bluemontshamrockrace.com for race day information and to register.

Great Country Farms
34345 Snickersville Turnpike
Bluemont, Virginia 20135

Whiskey Cake and More at Salamander Resort & Spa

For the month of March, Salamander Resort & Spa has a variety of Irish-themed activities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends. Visitors to the resort are invited to kick off St. Patrick’s Day with beer yoga on Saturday, March 11, and a special menu at Gold Cup Wine Bar on March 17. The menu will include corned beef and cabbage, Scotch eggs, shepherd’s pie, and, of course, plenty of whiskey and Guinness. End the holiday with a sweet treat from executive pastry chef Jason Reaves, who will offer a cooking class on his Irish whiskey cake. Reaves says, “While I’m not a whiskey drinker, I absolutely love it with chocolate! The class will start out with a tasting of different types of chocolate, each paired with Irish whiskey. Then, I’ll lead a demonstration on how to create the most decadent chocolate cake (with whiskey) that you’ve ever had!” More event and ticket information can be found by visiting: salamanderresort.com

Salamander Resort & Spa
500 N Pendleton Street
Middleburg, Virginia 20117

Published in the March 2023 issue of Middleburg Life.

Renowned Oceanographer and Ocean Advocate Dr. Sylvia Earle to Speak at Foxcroft School

The public is invited to attend at 7:00 p.m., March 23, 2023.

MIDDLEBURG, VA — Dr. Sylvia Earle, a legendary oceanographer and ocean advocate who holds the record for the deepest walk on the seafloor, has been named the 2023 Alison Harrison Goodyear ’29 Fellow. Dr. Earle will speak to the community about her life experiences and advocacy on Thursday, March 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the Engelhard Gymnasium of the Athletic/Student Center at Foxcroft School.

The public is encouraged to attend this event. There is no admission charge, but space is limited. RSVP by submitting this form or calling 540-687-4510.

Dubbed the “First Hero for the Planet” by Time Magazine and a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, Dr. Earle is the President and Chairman of Mission Blue, an Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society, Founder of Deep Ocean Exploration and Research Inc. (DOER), Chair of the Advisory Council for the Harte Research Institute, and former Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA).

Dr. Earle is the subject of the Emmy Award-winning Netflix documentary “Mission Blue” and the recipient of more than 100 national and international honors and awards, including being named a 2014 UNEP Champion of the Earth, Glamour Magazine’s 2014 Woman of the Year, member of the Netherlands Order of the Golden Ark, and winner of the 2009 TED Prize, the Walter Cronkite Award, the 1996 Explorers Club Medal, the Royal Geographic Society 2011 Patron’s Medal, and the National Geographic 2013 Hubbard Medal.

The author of more than 225 publications and leader of more than 100 expeditions with over 7,500 hours underwater, Dr. Earle is a graduate of Florida State University with M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Duke University and 32 honorary degrees. Her research concerns the ecology and conservation of marine ecosystems and the development of technology for access to the deep sea.

Before her presentation, Dr. Earle will spend the day with Foxcroft students. In the morning, she will speak with the entire student body about her experiences as a woman in STEM. She will then visit with AP Chemistry and AP Biology students about her research and diving experience and participate in a lunch discussion with students interested in ocean advocacy or marine biology.

Fellowship recipients during the program’s 53-year history include such remarkable voices as Maya Angelou, James Baker III, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David McCullough, Sally Ride, Barbara Walters, tech entrepreneur Sheena Allen, National Geographic “Adventurer of the Year” Jennifer Pharr Davis, “Hello Fears” founder Michelle Poler, NPR’s Morning Edition host Rachel Martin, GenHERation founder Katlyn Grasso, The Social Institute founder Laura Tierney, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. Marcia Chatelain, former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, and Haitian-American director and global philanthropist Claudine Oriol.

Posted on: March 4, 2023