Keeping it locally real: The Loudoun Grown Expo
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Do you remember a time when milk was delivered in bottles to your door step? When the food you ate emerged from the ground just a few miles away from where you lived? When you knew the farmers who produced your meal? In this fast paced age of eating from a package that was prepared thousands of miles away, our schedules demand efficiency over conscience and health. Through awareness, and a growing interest in eating better, many communities are starting to focus inward when making food choices. Doing so not only results in a healthier lifestyle, but also helps to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the distribution of food. Of course buying from your local farmer, wine maker or baker also supports your local economy, leading to regional reinvestment.
Yesterday, an event was held in support of these beliefs. The Loudoun Grown Expo, held at the Bush Tabernacle (Skating Rink) in Purcellville, Virginia, drew in excess of 2000 residents who mingled with local farmers, producers and artisans. From this event, it is evident that not only a demand exists for locally produced goods, but Loudoun County growers are stepping up to meet them.
As learned yesterday during this event, there are several ways folks can participate in the resurgence of interest in locally grown produce and goods. This may be in the form of member-owned organizations, co-ops or direct purchasing. All of these examples were well represented yesterday during the Loudoun Grown event.
There was a time when cows outnumbered the citizens of this county. The market desire for economic efficiency demanded ways to distribute farm produce that increased profit while consolidating entry points from which it came. Awareness and the desire for conscious purchasing choices are are driving communities to focus on keeping their hard earned money local, while eating better at the same time. Events like the Loudoun Grown Expo not only serve to meet these demands, but also demonstrates our community’s desire to positively influence the world in which they live. Congratulations Loudoun County!
The 2012 Loudoun Grown Expo Exhibitor List
- Lothar’s Sausages: the finest cut meats and sausages can be purchased from Lothar Erbe of Hamilton. You can find Lothar on Facebook or year round at the Purcellville Community Market.
- Singing Frog Farm: Singing Frog Farm is located in the Catoctin Foothills just outside Leesburg, Virginia. The farm is a diversified operation, committed to using organic and sustainable growing methods for production of the highest quality products without compromising the land’s health and beauty.
- Willowcroft Farm Vineyards: Willowcroft boasts breathless panoramic views of Loudoun Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Willowcroft’s personal attention to detail, both in the vineyard and the winery, has resulted in national award-winning wines.
- Quarter Branch Farm: Quarter Branch Farm grows salad greens and vegetables on a two-acre micro-farm, in Lovettsville, Virginia, just 38 miles from the D.C. beltway. Using solar heated high tunnels for season extension and quick hoops for overwintering, they grow fresh greens and vegetables year round.
- Dry Mill Vineyards and Winery: Built by a family with a passion for grape growing and the love of wine, Dry Mill Vineyards and Winery combines old country grape varietals with the latest wine-making techniques to produce deeply satisfying, approachable wines for all palates.
- Fabbioli Cellars: Fabbioli Cellars is a small, family owned and operated vineyard and winery. They focus on growing and making high quality red wines using traditional methods and 21st century knowledge.
- Chicama Run: Chicama Run is a small family run farm located in Purcellville. You will be able to purchase beef, cheese making kits, herbs and teas. CSA information will also be provided.
- Buchanan Farms of Waterford a producer will join us with frozen beef, lamb and pork items for sale.
- Wegmeyer Farms a great farm in Hamilton will be with us. They will provide information about their PYO Club. Visit their web site for more information: www.wegmeyerfarms.com
- Lovettsville Cooperative Market a new organization in our sister community will be joining us to share information on their new community market. Please visit: www.lovettsville-grocery.com for more information about this exciting venture.
- 1st AVE Bakery a wonderful producer of baked goods will be joining us. For more information visit:http://www.1stavebakery.com
- Furnace Mountain Alpacas: Furnace Mountain Alpacas of Lovettsville will join us with alpaca yarn and hand knit items. This is their inaugural attendance at the Expo.
- Potomac Vegetable Farms: They will provide information on their roadside farm stand and their CSA for 2012. For more information about the farm visit: http://www.potomacvegetablefarms.com/
- Catoctin Creek Distilling the award winning and first distillery in Loudoun since Prohibition will return to the Expo. For more information, visit their web site at: http://catoctincreekdistilling.com/
- North Gate Vineyard a great, award-winning winery located north of Town will join us again this year. For more information, visit their web site at: http://www.northgatevineyard.com/. North Gate is a regular participant in the Farmers’ Market held every Saturday in Purcellville.
- Don’s Dahlias, Etc. will return to the Loudoun Grown Expo. He plans to display dahlias, honey, and beeswax hand creams. More information can be found online at http://donsdahliasetc.wordpress.com/
- Stoneybrook Organic Farm a local CSA/Producer will once again be at the Expo. This farm is located at the corner of Route 9 and Route 690 in Hillsboro. They will be offering sign up for their CSA. More information at:http://www.stoneybrookfarm.org/.
- Endless Summer Harvest: Endless Summer Harvest is the premier grower of gourmet lettuces and salad greens in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area. They grow hydroponically in a high tech controlled agricultural environment in Purcellville. The farm’s expertise is in providing delicious, locally grown, pesticide free produce, 365 days a year, for sale at farmers’ markets, up-scale restaurants and specialty stores. They will be selling greens at the Expo.
- Trinity Church Farm: Trinity Church Farm is a small boutique farm certified naturally grown that focuses on purity and taste. This is their first exhibition with us at the Expo.
- Farm-to-Fork LoudounSM: Farm-to-Fork LoudounSM brings the fresh bounty of Loudoun farms and vineyards direct to the tables of its finest eating establishments in a celebration of community and food.
- Loudoun County Department of Economic Development: The Department will be providing information on Loudoun County farms and wineries and giving away “Buy Fresh Buy Local” water bottles.
- Notaviva Vineyards a winery located north of Town has signed on once again for the Expo. For more information, please visit their web site at: http://www.NotavivaVineyards.com/.
- Purcellville Community Market: Purcellville’s year round Farmers’ Market will be in attendance. Their web site is:http://www.purcellvillecommunitymarket.com
- Great Country Farms: Great Country Farms is a 200 acre working farm situated at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains outside the village of Bluemont. Great Country Farms offers produce as well as the farm experience to its customers. At the Expo they will be offering CSA membership information and other materials regarding their farm.
- 8 Chains North Winery and Vineyards: 8 Chains North a winery located in Waterford is joining us for the 2012 Expo. Cheers!
- Loudoun Valley HomeGrown Markets Cooperative: The LVHMC will be joining us for the first time at the Expo. They will be providing information on local farmers’ markets in Loudoun County.
- Triple Treats: Triple Treats will sell home baked goods – cookies, cakes, cupcakes, fudge, biscotti, granola, breads. Raffling a basket which will include a free dozen cupcakes.
- Oakland Green Farm: Oakland Green Farm will be offering information about their locally raised all natural Black Angus beef from their 10-generation family farm.
- Mountain View Farm: Mountain View Farm is making its first appearance at the Expo. Mountain View Farm raises and sells certified organic vegetables and offers seasonally available pastured meats and lacto-fermented foods.
- Greenstone Fields: Greenstone Fields grows specialty cut flowers, berries, shiitake mushrooms and heirloom tomatoes. They are Certified Naturally Grown and produce more than 100 varieties of flowers, known for their long vase life.
All In The Timing – The Play
By · CommentsThe arts are alive and well in Loudoun County. On nearly any given night you can find a art receptions, plays, comedy troops or performances in any one of many unique venues throughout the county. Last night in Purcellville was the opening of the David Ives’ play All In The Timing. The performance was held at Grandale Farm, which hosts dinner theater events on a regular basis. They also happen to offer a fine menu featuring many items grown or raised in Loudoun County. On this night, dinner was not included with the play. However, the balance of show dates do (Saturday, February 11 is sold out).
Produced by Run Rabbit Run Theater, the performance was executed by young, passionate actors who did a fine job with parts that were often challenging. In this humorous study of human expectations, complexity of the dialog lured the audience into thoughtful consideration of understanding, sprinkled with copious belly laughs. One might call this an intellectual play that explores human emotion and relationships. The serious side of this study was frequently offset by sharp wit. The audience laughed out loud throughout the performance. Run Rabbit Run Theater was founded by Meredith Bean McMath. a prize-winning playwright who has produced many plays and performances here in Loudoun County.
The actors faced challenging parts in preparation for this play. One particular scene involved a man and woman. The man spoke in a language where familiar words were concatenated in unfamiliar ways. Some would call this babble. 
By replacing expected words in a sentence, with out of context words, a unique language was used. The man’s job was teach the woman how to speak this language. Remembering the lines for this particular scene must have been difficult.
In another scene, a man and a woman meet at a cafe. As they get to know each other, their expectations are explored in creative ways. When one answers a question with an undesirable reply, a bell is struck and the response changes. When a desired bit of dialog is reached, the conversation continues. This fast paced, and hilarious, scene was a study in the human perception of others.
In closing, this play is highly recommended. It is wonderfully written, well executed and acted. The comfortable small-venue setting of Grandale Farm lent itself perfectly to the level of audience intimacy expected of the script.
First Friday in Leesburg, Virginia – Feb 3, 2012
By · CommentsLast night I had the opportunity to experience First Friday in Leesburg, Virginia. This monthly happening invites all to stroll the streets of downtown while businesses stay open late and temp passerby’s with live music, art, wine and food. Last night the streets were jammed with bundled up folks who were eager to hop from place to place sampling the best the county has to offer. It was quite a lively scene.
Pictured here is the band Joey and the Waitress, who played at the Photoworks studio in the center of Leesburg. As they played, art patrons browsed photographs taken by Loudoun County High School students including Samm Rorke, Emma Weed, Allison Bills and Elizabeth Van Tol. Perched on the second floor, the lively studio overlooked the lit streets below. What a terrific atmosphere!
Neil and KD, who operate Photoworks, feature different artists every month. As it so happens, they are both award winning photographers themselves. Pictured below is a table of snacks with an impressive backdrop. It was enjoyable to listen to the music and watch the folks down on the streets wending their way through their festive atmosphere.
Following the Photoworks visit, I walked a half a block to the Cooley Gallery. This place was filled with people looking at the multitude of art, sipping wine and commiserating. It is just amazing at how lively a galley can be. In attendance were several notables from the Loudoun wine making community.
Stephen Mackey, of Notaviva Vineyards, was on hand pouring, and chatting up, his wonderful wine. Yes, he was wining. But the kind of wining that the room was obviously enjoying. I won’t mention the other notables mingling in the crowd here, we’re not that kind of website. 
Hi Rachel!
Continuing the whirlwind tour of Leesburg on this chilly night, I landed at Tally Ho Theatre which features comedy troops every weekend. This night was the Last Ham Standing comedy show. Modeled after Last Comic Standing, this event offers four comedians who act out impromptu skits driven mostly by participation from the crowd. One skit involved collecting four cell phones from audience members. The comedy team then created instant drama by reciting actual text messages found on the phones. As this happened, friends in the audience texted the phones, which added to the spontaneous insanity of the skit.
The event was sold out this evening, tickets were $10 at the door. You can’t beat the value here. Hilarity ensued non-stop for two hours while the two-male, two-female crew laughed, cried, screamed and waved arms about like drunken scarecrows. This event is highly recommended.
Hardly the world’s worst, these folks had the entire place roaring with laughter. We at Loudoun Arts rate this event four paint brushes.
Following the giggles, I found myself at King’s Court Tavern for open mic night. This place was also filled with people who were obviously enjoying themselves. The evening wound down with a Reuben and a Sierra Nevada. Overall, the First Friday event in Leesburg was simply terrific. Warm faces, high spirits, the historic district setting and the arts. It may not get any better than this.
Meet Amy Manson
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Loudoun County’s Amy Manson not only creates beautiful and functional one of a kind pottery, but she teaches her craft to others! Her style of instruction is engaging and fun for all ages, so if you are like me and always wanted to try your hand at ceramics, contact Amy. You’ll be creating your own art in no time! Amy talks a little bit about her art and inspiration…
“My passion is working with clay – a soft malleable substance – throwing, forming, and urging it into an object of both beauty and function. An object, which can be admired, touched, held, and used in daily life. This process and transformation of the soft clay into a hard and beautiful object meant to be seen, used, passed along, maybe even eventually broken and given back to the earth seems to mirror personal growth and transformation. I use High fired stoneware and porcelain in my work and enjoy glaze colors and themes, which can be found in nature. I try to incorporate a combination of family, prayer, meditation, nature, and the creation of pottery into every single day of my life as part of my own personal growth and transformation. It gives me great insight and joy to create a one of a kind piece of artwork. I hope others enjoy viewing and utilizing the pottery as much as I enjoyed making it!”
Amy Manson is a Leesburg, Virginia potter, ceramic artist and instructor. Visit her blog by clicking here.
Crisp, sunny afternoon at Bluemont Vineyard
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“Wintering” at Loudoun’s vineyards and wineries can be an exhilarating experience, especially when the wind howls and temperatures are stalled in the mid-thirties. However, overlooking this is easy with a warm fire, smiling faces and a spectacular view that nearly reaches Washington, DC. Bluemont Vineyard is such a place, and I had the opportunity to visit the establishment over the weekend.
Winter often renders the Loudoun landscape in tan and ochre hues. Spotted with naked trees, the countryside screams for the lush green of spring, locally referred to as emerald. Bluemont Vineyard sits atop a winding road that meanders through vines and orchards. Temporarily painted in these winter colors, the vineyard was absent of grapes. Alas, they awaited in bottles at road’s end.
The stone and clapboard tasting room juts from the side of the Blue Ridge, wrapped with a generous deck and plenty of outdoor seating. Inside, there are two floors each set in a modified barn setting. Painted with modern clean colors, the warm interior resembles that of a ski resort. The walls are decorated with local Bluemont flair; folk art, farming and wine making.
On this day, a bottle of the Viognier was ordered, which here is called The Goat. Like many Viognier wines, this one offers an aromatic bouquet with the sweet taste of pears and spice. The follow through is a spicy punch that leaves a pleasant aftertaste. I also bought a bottle to bring home. Delicious!
The vineyard offers a full selection of wine, all named after animals. These range from The Ram Merlot, to The Horse, their brand of Cabernet Franc. The complete wine offering can be found on their Wines Page.
Bluemont Vineyeard offers a light fare menu that includes breads, cheeses and meat. I ordered a warm baguette that came with three fruit toppings. Between the Goat, the baguette and warm fire, it was rather perfect. The second floor has a gift shop that offers Loudoun made items, produce and art.
On this initial visit, the tasting rooms were nearly full, upstairs and down. Brave souls would venture onto the deck for brief moments of sunshine, enhanced by spectacular views of our wonderful county. The atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed. Patrons were smiling and enjoying the crisp day on the side of the ridge. While some wineries can be a bit stuffy, that was not the case here. Pictured are visitors who agreed to appear in this post. Their expressions say it all.
The stylings of the Larry Thomas Project ensued on the second floor. The two guitarists played soulful music that blended perfectly with the day. They play throughout the metro DC area, and have a performance at the Ronald Reagan building next week.
The staff was entirely friendly and helpful. I introduced myself Bruce, one of the managers, inquiring about their event listings. We would love the opportunity to add their events to our events calendar. Here at Loudoun Arts, we aim to spread the word on local events in the area.
Do you have events that we should know about? Do you have a location that the Loudoun art community should be aware of? We’d like to hear from you.
Dave
dave [@] LoudounArts.com
The National Sporting Library and Museum
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Historic Middleburg, Virginia, with its reputation as the center of the horse and hunt communities of the region, is a fitting location for The National Sporting Library & Museum. The NSLM sits on a beautiful seven acre campus on the west end of the village. The library was founded in 1954 and originally resided in the original mansion (far right in the photo above). In 1991 the library moved to a new building (left), clearing the way for the renovation and expansion of the 1804 mansion into the museum, which opened its doors last October. Yesterday I visited the museum.
The inaugural exhibition, Afield in America: 400 Years of Animal and Sporting Art was designed to showcase the importance of animal and sporting art in American history and culture. Unfortunately this exhibit is now closed, yesterday was the last day. Furthermore, due to copyright restrictions, I can not show you many photos from the exhibit. But I wanted to share my impressions of the museum and this show, as it is a wonderful museum and I know the NSLM's future exhibits will be equally compelling.
My first impression of the museum was of very soothing light, and I was struck by two large paintings in the first of many rooms that house over 150 works of wildlife and sporting art. The first thing you see when you open the doors is the exhibit's signature painting, William Ranney's On the Wing (1850, pictured above). Immediately to the right is a pleasantly staffed information desk, and to the left is a wall containing some items from the museum's permanent collection. Among them, this fantastic, very large painting, Foxhounds and Terrier in a Stable Interior, by John Emms (1878).
From there I weaved through several rooms on two floors, each beautifully decorated, open and airy, and each featuring a collection of art organized by subject matter. The Wildlife room, for instance, contained paintings and sculptures depicting quail, ducks, geese, deer, buffalo, elk, fox, bear, moose and wolves. One painting in particular draws my attention here. Lone Wolf (1930) by Carl Olaf Seltzer is a haunting image of a solitary wolf in snow.
While horses find their way into almost every genre here, the room dedicated to equine art shows just how diverse the horse's role in American sporting life has been. Polo, trotting, thoroughbred racing, steeplechase and fox hunting are all here. Even bronco busting is represented with one of Frederic Remington's incredible sculptures.
Other highlights of the exhibit for me include a relatively recent work, Tucker Smith's stunning 36"x120" The Refuge, a magnificent portrayal of Wyoming's Wind River Range and the National Elk Refuge, including thousands of migrating elk.
In the 'Hunting with Hounds' room, I was drawn to a lovely series of 9 small portraits of hounds by Gustave Muss-Arnolt (1885). And in the 'Angling' room, I spent some time getting lost in Roy Martell Mason's In a Tight Place, painted in 1936 but a timeless portrayal of a fly fisherman and guide, working together to net a spectacular trout.
As I left the campus I decided to get a closer look at the fine statue marking the center of the circle in front of the library and museum, and I'm glad I did. A plaque below it pays homage to all the horses and mules lost in the Civil War, many of those meeting their fate in battles within 20 miles of where the statue stands. It's easy to forget the vital role horses play in warfare, but this fine work serves as a reminder to all who visit. I know I will be back to this great museum, I look forward to seeing the upcoming exhibit beginning in February. Watch LoudounArts.com for news and updates about this and other museums throughout this county so rich with history.
For more from Ed Felker, visit his blog, Dispatches from the Potomac.
Furnance Mountain Plays Rust Library
By · CommentsDo not miss Furnace Mountain playing at the Rust Library on Saturday, January 14, 2012. They will being playing at 2 pm. This band is one of several in the northern Virginia area who are redefining the music of our area and blending it with modern rhythms. They define themselves as "Ethno Appalachian Roots Music". Either way, this is a terrific group with an incredible sound.
Learn more about this ground breaking band here: www.furnacemountain.com.
While not the Furnace Mountain band, there is at least one member present. Do you know which one(s)? All of these musicians play frequently in Loudoun, and the surrounding northern Virginia area. The arts are alive and well!
Oatlands Plantation’s Historic Greenhouse
By · CommentsIn June of 2011, Oatlands Plantation celebrated the 200th birthday of their greenhouse. Built in 1810, the most advanced materials and techniques of the day were used in its construction. With a glass roof and southern facing glass wall, the facility captures much of the daily sun as it makes its way across the sky. The balance of the building of made of brick.
The pipes, attached to the interior brick walls, are connected to the fireplace. The internal system for heating and cooling were balanced by heat from the sun, the fireplace and cool cellar which served as a multi-functional aspect of this building. This environmentally driven system was highly efficient for growing in cold months, especially for its time.
The greenhouse is noted as being the second oldest such structure in the country. In its restored state today, it looks much like it did 200 years ago, when it provided produce year round. It open and available for the public to see on most days. It is occasionally closed for events or maintenance.
The historic mansion (below) rests a short distance from the greenhouse. A tour of this beautiful historic home provides the feeling of stepping back in time. Plantations can be found all over the state of Virginia, but Oatlands stands out for its grandeur and rich history of early farming. This National Trust location hosts events throughout the year, including the well attended annual horse race know as Point To Point. They also serve the Loudoun art community with several events through out the year. The location is also made available to photographers under an established program.
Locations such as this provide a one stop site for producing Virginia photography. With its rich gardens, long covered roads and paths, staff quarters and mansion, the grounds provide something new upon every visit. Oatlands Plantation is a wonderful place for the family to visit and take in local Loudoun history.
Finale performance at Franklin Park – 1/7/2012
By · CommentsThis video is part of the finale performance at Franklin Park Arts Center on January 7, 2012. Three bands played during the evening performance in western Loudoun County, including the Acoustic Burgoo, The Hot Seats and Jake and the Burtones. At the shows end, all three bands came on stage to play a couple of songs together. This impromptu jam made the crowd cheer as the bands figured out in real time, who is playing what.
Woodshedders Play Franklin Park
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On November 19, 2011, The played to an enthusiastic crowd at the
