JUNE 2019
The Gents Issue
LifestylePubs.com/Leesburg
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LIFESTYLE LETTER
JUNE 2019 PUBLISHER
Hann Livingston | hann.livingston@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Melinda Gipson | melinda.gipson@lifestylepubs.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Michelle Lindsay, Christy Price
It's the Men's Issue THIS MONTH, WE PRESENT OUR “GENTS” ISSUE, CELEBRATING ALL THINGS MASCULINE. Of course, there’s Father’s Day on June 16, but there are so many more reasons why it’s great to be a guy this month. With the summer season underway, the long, sunny days can be filled with backyard cookouts, baseball games, camping trips, fishing excursions and so much more. To gather information for this issue, we looked to the experts: the men of Leesburg! You might even recognize a few faces. Looking for a local getaway this summer? My good friend and avid fisherman, Monte Burke, was kind enough to contribute his take on fly fishing while exploring the history of our area. And for those of you looking to improve your physical fitness, the workout routine from Club Pilates on page 10 is a great place to start. We've spotlighted a local charitable organization working with veterans and give some tips for those of you looking to step out and get a business or charity going. We feature an
CORPORATE TEAM
artist translating the passion of music to the canvas, and our "Life Lessons" shows that,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
even faced with the most dire situation, we can thrive with the right attitude.
CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
So, fellow men of Loudoun, crack open a cold one—perhaps at The Black Olive Bar —because this month is all about you!
ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson EDITORIAL MANAGER Nicolette Martin AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
Hann Livingston, Publisher
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the US Postal Service to some of the Leesburg areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles
Jordan Xu’s Musicians Series on p. 12
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Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
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INSIDE THE ISSUE JUNE 2019
FEATURES 10 Surprise! Pilates Was Invented by a Man
12 Welcome to “Xutopia” Jordan Xu Shares his Passion for Portraiture
20 Life Lessons "Get Up and Go Lift Something Heavy"
12 24
24 Boulder Crest Retreat Healing Heroes and Creating a “PATHH” to Wellness for All
20
10
DEPARTMENTS 4
Lifestyle Letter
8
Good Times
10
Healthy Lifestyle
12
Artist’s Palette
24 Giving Back 28 Hot Spot 32 Lifestyle Calendar 34 Inspired By
GOOD TIMES 1.
2.
3.
MAC-ISA Tree Climbing Championship The 2019 Tree Climbing Championship was held at Morven Park April 6–7. Competitors participated in five events: work climb, belayed speed climb, ascent, throwline and aerial rescue. Leesburg arborist and owner of Tree Life Flint Anderson competed.
4.
1. Aerial Rescue | 2. Speed Climb | 3. Prepping for a climb | 4. Flint Anderson, Tree Life owner
1.
2.
3.
2019 FCA Victory Dinner The Loudoun FCA Victory Dinner was a night of celebration at the National Conference Center April 7. The event was the largest fundraiser of the year and highlighted local stories of impact and showed how 450 attendees could get involved through opportunities to serve/volunteer and financial gifts.
4.
5.
6.
1. 2019 Female Athlete of the Year, Hannah Rogers | 2. 2019 Coach of the Year, Camadi Ford, and his wife, Elizabeth | 3. 2019 Male Athlete of the Year, Carson Turner, and his family | 4. More than 35 FCA student leaders from schools through the area shared with the dinner guests about what FCA means to them. | 5. FCA staff member Barry Cates interviews Riverside High School Boy’s Basketball Coach Mike Koscinski and his character coach, Ben Digges. | 6. FCA Leadership Board member Tim Reichert shares about the impact that local business partners have on helping FCA reach more coaches and athletes. 8
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
1.
2.
3.
2019 Valor Awards A packed ballroom of Loudoun County's business community honored the county's finest and bravest in its 2019 Valor Awards at The National Conference Center April 12. Both civilians—including a 9-year-old girl who called 911 for help—and those who serve the county every day through law enforcement, firefighting, EMT and other first responding units were honored.
4.
5.
6.
1. Capts. Charles Richardson and Ken Dondero, and Major Michael Cox of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office | 2. Joanne Trimmer, Ryan Bartel Foundation; Virginia Sen. Jennifer Boysko, District 33; Del. Kathleen Murphy, District 34 | 3. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) among honored guests | 4. Members of the Loudoun County Fire & Rescue | 5. Members of the honor guard | 6. Grafton deButts, Loudoun Chamber; Scott Price serving Sen. Mark Warner; Geoff Lawson, VP & GM of The National
1.
2.
3.
Loudoun Cares Outstanding Volunteer Awards Volunteers in Loudoun County referred by the Loudoun Cares Volunteer Center return nearly $1 million in goods and services to county residents in need. Emceed by Loudoun County Chamber President and CEO Tony Howard, with a speech by Phyllis Randall (chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors,) the ceremony at the National Conference Center April 19 recognized outstanding volunteers.
4.
5.
6.
1. Loudoun Cares Board Chair Mary Ellen Bowers; Loudoun County BOS Chair Phyllis Randall; Loudoun Cares Board Member Monti Mercer, Howard Hughes Medical Center | 2. Award winners | 3. Bowers; Randall; Service of a Lifetime Award Winner Sherry Fortier; Valerie Pisierra, Loudoun Cares ED | 4. Randall; Christopher Rogienski, Outstanding Public Safety Vol. with Loudoun County Sheriff’s Auxiliary; Pisiera | 5. Outstanding Youth Team, Peers and Students Taking Action | 6. Randall; Esha Venkat, Gabriella Miller Youth Award Winner; Bowers June 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
9
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE LINDSAY
SURPRISE!
RYAN CLUB
ASK ,
OWNER
PILATES
ASHBURN
OF
TWO
STUDIOS
AND
IN
POTOMAC
AND ONE OPENING SOON IN LEESBURG, IS THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT HE, LIKE MOST GUYS,
SOMETIMES NEGLECTS
"CORE STRENGTH" TRAINING IN FAVOR OF CARDIO-HEAVY WORKOUTS AND WEIGHTLIFTING. "From your first class, you feel refreshed because you’re breathing, you’re stretching, you’re working on core strength," he says. "It instantly helps your posture, relieving back pain and engaging smaller muscles you often ignore. It all makes you feel more stable and able to work and play with more energy." Think Pilates is just for women? Hardly. Joe Pilates invented the discipline
by
combining
weightlifting,
gymnastics, boxing, dancing and other movements to provide a complete mind-body workout that lengthens and strengthens the body. He was even instrumental in helping WWII soldiers rehabilitate using springs attached to their hospital beds. So, while it may look like you're "working out while lying down," you'll easily break a sweat. 10
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
You'll activate muscles you didn't know you had.
1 . PI L AT E S E N G AG E S YO U R W H O L E B O DY. Particularly "core muscles" often neglected by just running or playing sports. Pilates also hits your transverse abdominals, those base ab muscles underlying that coveted "six pack." Not only are you toning and lengthening, but you are also strengthening supporting muscles around your back and abdominals to build a stronger, more balanced body.
2 . A C LU B PI L AT E S WO R KO U T I M PR OV E S YO U R F L E X I B I L I T Y. The more muscle mass you build, the less flexible and reactive you become. Pilates’ focus on stretching helps prevent injuries and muscle strains and increases range of motion. That all combines to increases your mobility in everyday tasks and improves your form.
3 . M I N D - B O DY F I T N E S S CO N T R I B U T E S TO B E T T E R OV E R A L L H E A LT H . Heard the expression, "Just breathe?" Club Pilates helps members manage diabetes, reduce blood pressure and recover from numerous injuries. Trainers are just that—highly trained—and can help spot and address issues before they limit the life you want to lead.
Pilates activates the core.
Ryan Ask demonstrates the TRX.
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11
ARTIST’S PALETTE
“A GOOD PORTRAIT IS LIKE A DIALOGUE WITH THE AUDIENCE; IT BRINGS YOU AS CLOSE TO WHAT THE PAINTING IS DEPICTING AS POSSIBLE.”
WE LCOME TO " X UTOPIA" JORDAN XU SHARES HIS PASSION FOR PORTRAITURE Banjo Rhythm (Rachel Eddy)
12
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
Musical Bond (Tony Noerpel and grandchild)
Night Jam at the Bonfire
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S
COMMUNICATION, PLAY OR FEEDING?
ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTY PRICE
BESIDE THE MAILBOX IN RURAL LOVETTSVILLE IS A WHIMSICAL ROAD SIGN THAT SAYS “XUTOPIA.”
(571) 310-5953 LETSPLAYSPEECHTHERAPY.COM In-Home Services for Loudoun County
It’s an obvious play on words for artist Jordan Xu but also a nod to his approach to painting people from every background, culture, race, age and gender. “It’s the human story that I want to tell,” he says. Recently, Jordan learned to play the banjo in the old “claw hammer” style that typified Appalachian music before bluegrass. The experience sparked a masterful series of local musicians that adorned The Barns of Rose Hill gallery through April. (See our Leesburg Lifestyle Facebook page or JordanXu.com for more images.) CONTINUED >
Country Melody (Dakota Karper)
June 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
13
ARTIST’S PALETTE
(CON TI N U ED)
“It’s not just about music; it’s about the bond that you have with other musicians in the community and between loved ones. When the grandfather shows his granddaughter the mandolin, this is a passion that is being developed right there in front of us.” You’ll often find him sharing his own passion, teaching portraiture at the McLean Project for the Arts or in Herndon out of gratitude for the artists who helped him develop his craft. “A good portrait is like a dialogue with the audience; it brings you as close to what the painting is depicting as possible.”
Jamming with Dad
Reggae Player (Cory Harris)
Jordan Xu in his home studio
14
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
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Coming 2019!
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15
ARTICLE MONTE BURKE PHOTOGRAPHY TOM MONTGOMERY
Blues and Grays FLY-FISHING VIRGINIA'S BATTLEFIELDS
THE
AUTHOR Yellow Breeches River in Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Monte Burke wrote The New York Times best-seller Saban: The Making of a Coach, a biography of Alabama head coach Nick Saban; 4th and Goal: One Man’s Quest to Recapture His Dream, which won an Axiom Award; and Sowbelly: The Obsessive Quest for the World Record Largemouth Bass, named one of the best books of the year by Sports Illustrated and Amazon and chosen for Barnes & Noble’s “Discover Great New Writers” program. After a 14-year stint as a reporter, staff writer and editor at Forbes, he is now a contributing editor. He indulges his love of the outdoors as a contributing editor at Garden & Gun and The Drake (DrakeMag.com). In short, he’s pretty much living the dream. This is his take on a perfect local getaway for both body and soul.
16
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
Monte fly-fishing
ROUTE
Years ago, when I lived in Washington, D.C., I became
obsessed with two things: fly-fishing and the Civil War. It didn’t take me too long to find the perfect summer road trip to feed both of those obsessions. A jaunt up Interstate 81, traveling the approximate route Robert E. Lee took the Army of Northern Virginia north of the Mason-Dixon Line, allowed me to fish excellent water in the mornings and evenings and spend my afternoons touring some of the country’s most famous Civil War battlefields. The route, which starts in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and ends 160 miles later in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, can be done in a handful of days. Or, you can stretch it out at a more leisurely weeklong pace. For resting along the way, if you’re in the mood for camping,
try Todd Lake in Virginia’s George Washington National Forest. After your day on Mossy Creek, visit Shenandoah Vineyards to taste some surprisingly good local wines. Woodstock, Virginia, is known for its bluegrass festivals and excellent antiquing. Hit the Woodstock Café to grab a coffee or panini for the road. End your trip with a stay at the historic Allenberry Resort on the banks of the Yellow Breeches, and make sure to take a couple of their famous sticky buns for the drive home.
THE
CONTINUED >
Shenandoah Vineyard View
June 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
17
BLUES AND GRAYS
(CON TI N U ED)
Burnside's Bridge at Antietam National Battlefield
THE
HISTORIAN Harrisonburg is in the heart of the
Shenandoah
Valley,
where
Thomas
J.
From there, march north to the Antietam
National
Battlefield
in
Sharpsburg,
history, leaving some 23,000 Americans killed, wounded or missing.
“Stonewall” Jackson waged his famous Valley
Maryland, ground that feels as profound
The next stop is Gettysburg, the site of per-
Campaign in 1862. There are 30 Civil War sites
as it is hallowed. Here, Lee’s army clashed
haps the most significant battle of the entire war.
in the area, but my favorite is Gen. Nathanial
with the Army of the Potomac, led by
(Do yourself a favor and read Michael Shaara’s
Banks Headquarters at the Hardesty-Higgins
Maj. General George McClellan, and they
The Killer Angels before you get to the battle-
Visitor Center. This is where Banks devised
fought to a virtual stalemate that came at
field). If you’re visiting in early July, be sure to
his grand plan—in vain, as it turned out—to
a massive cost: The Battle of Antietam was
check out the three-day reenactment. The guy
trap Jackson and his troops.
the bloodiest single day in American military
who plays George Pickett is always fun to watch.
18
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
THE
FISHERMAN
Devil's Den, Gettysburg
Mossy Creek is located 12 miles south of Harrisonburg. Here, you’ll find some large-but-wary
near Sharpsburg, Maryland. Hike in and cast your fly behind rocks for smallies in the Potomac.
brown trout that haunt the creek’s chalky, spring-fed
Your last stop is in Carlisle, Pennsylvania,
waters. The fishing, done on 4 miles of public water, is
one of my favorite fishing towns in the country.
technical (small flies, long leaders), so be sure to make
During the day, fish the Yellow Breeches with a
a pit stop at the excellent Mossy Creek Fly Fishing
hopper or beetle for the river’s numerous brown
Shop in Harrisonburg to get some flies and tactical
trout. If you happen to be there in late August,
advice. (They’ll also show you how to obtain the nec-
stick around in the evening for the famous hatch
essary free permit for fishing the creek.) In the summer,
of whiteflies, which seem to bring every trout in
Mossy Creek fishes best early in the mornings and
the county up to the surface to feed. The spring-
then again late in the afternoon until nightfall.
fed Letort Spring Run is the town’s other famous
When you’ve had enough of the technical fishing,
water. This is where Vincent Marinaro pioneered
head north toward Woodstock, Virginia, and stop at
the art of fly-fishing long and light leaders in the
Chapman’s Landing Bridge on the winding, gentle
1950s. They’re still needed to fool the Letort’s
North Fork of the Shenandoah River. Tie on a small
population
popper or a streamer, wade wet in the water and
include a few true bruisers.
of
ultra-spooky
browns,
which
cast toward the banks for feisty smallmouth bass. Keep your smallmouth rod rigged up and then make your way farther north to the old C&O Canal
You can reach the author at monteburke13@gmail.com, via Twitter @monteburke or at MonteBurke.com.
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19
"GET UP AND GO LIFT SOMETHING HEAVY"
Life Lessons
AFTER INITIALLY BEING DENIED TREATMENT FOR HIS THIRD-STAGE HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA LAST JUNE, SAM JUZBASICH RETURNED TO HIS GYM, SAT ON A COUCH AND SAID, “I’M GOING TO DIE HERE.” It didn’t make sense. He’d studied nutrition in college and created a fitness and nutrition regimen he’d used to help anyone from working women to professional athletes train to attain peak physical condition. That business was on the rocks because he was too weak to stand for 45 minutes to help his clients work out, and he was staring into the abyss of a deep depression. Within six months, he had adopted a keto-based diet and rigorous weight-lifting fitness routine that allowed him to compete in and win two third-place trophies in a regional body-building competition, all while undergoing chemotherapy. He’d founded a nonprofit called Fitness Fights Cancer to spread a simple message of hope to cancer sufferers and raised $3,000 to help spread his gospel of well-
ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON
ness to cancer support groups for kids. And, by December,
PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE LINDSAY
he was declared cancer-free. His story is our “Life Lessons.”
20
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
S a m J u z b a s i c h Body Builder and Fitness Trainer Owner, Rock Fitness & Performance Founder, FitnessFightsCancer.com
LIFE IS TOUGH. YOU ARE TOUGHER. LIFE IS PERSISTENT. YOU ARE RELENTLESS. –FITNESS FIGHTS CANCER T-SHIRT
Last June, Sam went to his cancer center to start che-
I decided it’s not about me anymore. It’s about serv-
motherapy and was initially denied treatment. Eventually,
ing others and focusing on me only insofar as I can
a six-month regimen of chemo began, but at that
give back to others who are struggling.”
moment, after returning to his Ashburn gym, "I was com-
He was determined to demonstrate to cancer-care
pletely hopeless. I said out loud, ‘You’re going to die here
providers how diet and fitness training could make a dif-
in this chair.’ Not even a second later, it was if a lightbulb
ference to cancer patients, but it wasn’t until he brought
turned on. I decided, I’m going to control what I can con-
his trophies into his last day of chemo that they listened.
trol; if I didn’t get the care I needed, I was going to take it
That was an important milestone in boosting not just
into my own hands. What I heard in my head was, ‘Get
Sam’s self-confidence, but his serenity that inspiring a
up. Get the [expletive] up and go lift something heavy.’
more health-conscious world was actually his calling.
“I'm convinced our body is our temple. How we treat
“I have a very different relationship with time. It’s
it and how we take care of it all starts with a mindset:
common for cancer patients not to look beyond their
who we see ourselves as, and who we want to be. I
treatment. You know that your chemo is done in
learned the true power of the human mind when we
six months. You plan for that time. Now my relation-
have full determination of will and our heart is in the
ship with time is that there aren’t enough hours in the
right place. The tricky part is keeping that determina-
day. I’m not going to procrastinate on something that
tion going, because we are always going to hit road-
I know I should get done. I’m not going to hold back
blocks. That old self of ours delivers a vicious cycle of
on anything I have my sights on ... because time is
self-sabotage. We just have to realize that setbacks
invaluable. It is a resource that we can’t generate and
are the tests that God gives us because we’ve failed
that we can’t get enough of.
them in the past. By applying what we know, we gain
“People say that you only live once, but the inverse
wisdom on how to overcome depression and can use
is true: you only die once. You live every day, so why
our will to push through. You can apply this to any
not live to the fullest, and be who you were meant
challenge in life, not just fitness and health.
to be? I don’t have time to waste being something
“Creating a diet plan and training plan wasn’t hard; what was hard was changing my mindset.
that I’m not. You have to follow your own path and do what God put you here to do.”
words to live by "I'm not invincible, but I am unbreakable." June 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
21
Loudoun County
REALTY REPORT HUNTCOUNTRYSIR.COM CITY
ACTIVE
PENDING
SOLD
AVG DOM
AVG SOLD/ORG LIST %
Aldie
106
61
42
30
98.98%
Ashburn
186
277
144
62
98.48%
Hamilton
18
10
3
142
97.07%
Leesburg
200
188
120
39
99.01%
Lovettsville
31
27
11
134
95.87%
Middleburg
48
9
6
244
88.63%
Purcellville
70
47
22
65
97.67%
Round Hill
37
21
14
56
98.26%
Waterford
19
10
5
271
88.24%
Other
146
218
142
79
96.94%
Loudoun County Total
861
868
509
53
98.85%
Based on information from Bright MLS for the period of 1/1/19 through 2/28/19.
GIVING BACK
boulder crest retreat
HEALING HEROES AND CREATING A “PATHH” TO WELLNESS FOR ALL
JUST
DOWNTOWN
Boulder Crest’s PATHH program was so successful,
LEESBURG, IN THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE RIDGE
20
MINUTES
FROM
it was studied for 18 months by the researchers who
MOUNTAINS OF BLUEMONT, SITS A 37-ACRE
originally coined the term “post-traumatic growth,”
OASIS OF PEACE, AND ON IT THE COUN-
and certified as sound. Ken Falke, the program and
TRY’S FIRST PRIVATELY FUNDED WELLNESS
retreat’s founder, and retreat director Josh Goldberg
CENTER SERVING OUR NATION’S WARRIORS
captured the process in a book published last year
AND THEIR FAMILIES. More than 2.7 million
called “Struggle Well: Thriving in the Aftermath of
Americans have deployed to war zones in the last
Trauma.” Now, the founder of both this curriculum and
18 years since 9/11, taking a physical, emotional,
the retreat thinks it could address many of the failings
psychological and often financial toll on those
of a much broader mental health system.
who serve and their families—a whole generation
Ken has always been a man on a mission. He
of warriors who now suffer from what collectively
spent 21 years in a Navy bomb disposal unit, in
may be called “post-traumatic stress.”
all services referred to collectively as Explosive
We’ve all heard of PTSD, and many organizations
Ordinance Disposal or EOD. Think “Hurt Locker”
have arisen to try to address the “disorder.” But
only under water. After clearing sea lanes for two
few, if any, have achieved the success of a Boulder
decades he founded A-T Solutions, a counter-ter-
Crest’s band of former warriors who determined
rorism company in 2002, then sold it. He took a year
to take service members’ traumatic experiences,
off to get a master’s degree at Georgetown and
combine them with their combat skills, and lever-
settled into a farmhouse in the hills of Bluemont.
age the mix to build a roadmap for reentry to everyday life, stronger and more resilient than before.
In all his years dismantling ordinance, it wasn’t until after his exit from the military, and after 9/11,
That roadmap is called PATHH, Progressive and
that he first encountered a severely wounded EOD
Alternative Training for Healing Heroes, and it is at
veteran: a young man at Walter Reed who had lost
heart a series of post-traumatic growth-based pro-
both legs. Ken and his wife, Julia, arranged for the
grams and instruction for individuals, couples, caregiv-
wounded warrior’s mother to travel to see her son
ers and families who are struggling with either PTSD
from Kentucky. This happened 11 more times that
or combat-related stress. Put simply, post-traumatic
year alone, leading the Falkes to set up the EOD
growth is a process of helping those crippled by stress
Warrior Foundation, just to serve that community.
recognize and counter its effects in civilian life. It’s the
Naturally, these vets found a home at the
embodiment of what Nietzsche famously explained as
Falkes’ dinner table too. They’d still be barbecu-
“what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
ing for vets off the back porch of their big stone
ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON
24
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
Program participants walk the "labyrinth," a place they can both look back and look ahead to detangle life's stressers.
A gathering of PATHH participants by the fire
Ken Falke with one of the retreat's therapy horses
farmhouse if that same table hadn’t one day birthed the
After the family sold the company to a Clark management
blueprint for something bigger. It was Julia who, with a
team and the founder died, the family again asked Ken
couple of friends, came up with the idea to turn their
what he might do with another donation. Feeling the need
farm’s 37 acres of pastureland into the retreat, able to
for a Western facility to serve more vets, they bought an
host multiple cabins, recreation facilities, stables and a
existing retreat just south of Tucson, Arizona. Annually, it
large retreat center for training sessions and other gath-
costs $5 million to run both, but every dime is still privately
erings, not only for EOD wounded but for every vet from
funded and all services are provided free to those they
any and all generations.
serve, at a fraction of the cost of institutional programs.
When Ken asked, “Who’s going to pay for it?” Julia said,
But the needs continue to rise.
“well we can help, but you’re really good at fundraising
“In our country today, 125 Americans take their
so why don’t you go out and raise some more money!”
lives every day; 20 of those are veterans. Suicide is a
So they did. It took $10 million: $8 million to build and $2
disease of hopelessness and loneliness, and nothing
million to run the facility for two years. One of the largest
the current mental health community does adequately
donors was the Clark family of Clark Construction Group.
addresses it,” he says.
CONTINUED >
June 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
25
GIVING BACK
(CON TI N U ED)
“Our country’s mental health system is broken,” Ken says flatly. “The current mental health approach to life is just to try to put one foot in front of the other—just survive. Our concept here is that [these warriors have] done too much for this nation to just come home and survive; you should come home and thrive and be the productive member of society here that you were on the battlefield there. That’s what our mission is here: to teach people how to live a great life and not to have depression and anxiety rule them.” Ken hopes to take PATHH global, with the recognition its success has earned and the viral reception to “Struggle Well.” They’ve spoken with Israel, Canada, the United Kingdom and South Africa and hosted a delegation from the Embassy of Georgia. Ken looks at the two retreats as “a laboratory,” but one that can only serve 1,500 people a year. “It’s not enough; there are millions of people in need. It’s not just about veterans... but society, because the suicide epidemic has to be stopped.” “We hope we can inspire philanthropists to [see what we’re doing and work to] change the way people live, to believe in a program that we’re proving to be factual and true and that is moving the needle.” FOUR KEYS TO LIVING WELL (adapted from our interview with Ken and “Struggle Well”): 1. REVIEW YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES: understand them, integrate them, and occasionally review and share them. 2. CULTIVATE WELLNESS PRACTICES IN THE AREAS OF MIND, BODY, FINANCES AND SPIRIT. “Set up Guard rails.” When anxiety or depression set in, stress sufferers must recognize that their reactions are hitting up against built-in guard rails, what post-traumatic growth refers to as regulation. When anxiety or depression set in, what do you do to make yourself feel better? Go out for a run. Meditate. Take a yoga class, or do art therapy or horse therapy or whatever helps put you back on the right road. The alternative—“self-medication” or addiction of any kind—is destructive and hard to overcome. 3. BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS. Ken calls this your “three to five,” saying you become like the three to five people you spend the most time with, so they should be empathetic friends who can share your struggles and offer positive advice on how to recover your balance. 4. CARRY OUT ACTS OF SERVICE TO OTHERS.
Military couples use the retreat to find peace.
26
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
FR
EE
AD
M
IS
SI
ON
JULY 26 • 5-8 PM • LIVE MUSIC • LOUDOUN BREWERIES • LOCAL RESTAURANTS • WINE TASTINGS • FAMILY FUN Visit conferencecenter.com for more information.
@TheNationalNoVa 18980 Upper Belmont Pl. • Leesburg, VA
Missed Open Enrollment for Healthcare?
Relax, You Still Have Options Katrina Schlothauer (240) 475-6957
katrina.schlothauer@ushadvisors.com www.ushagent.com/katrinaschlothauer
Insurance underwritten by Freedom Life Insurance Company of America. Not all products available in all states. Exclusions and limitations apply. See Licensed Agent for details. Postcard-PC-FLIC-10-0716
3.458 x 9.875
June 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
27
HOT SPOT
CHEF FRANK INVITESIndulgence Chef Frank and “the world’s best burger”
28
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTY PRICE
THE BLACK OLIVE BAR HAS IT ALL THESE DAYS, LIFE AS A GUY IS COMPLICATED. But unwinding can be as simple as indulging in “the world’s best burger” in The National’s Black Olive Bar, a “private club” that anyone can join (see ConferenceCenter.com/Black-Olive-Club). The National Conference Center’s executive chef, Frank Estremera, has proven he can dazzle your mind and challenge your taste buds or hog-tie you with the perfected simplicity of his unique burger. His competing cooking philosophies show. “Make it something delicious and indulge, or challenge people’s minds through my food,” he says. His innovative “savory hors d’oeuvres” entry for the spring Chocolates Galore and More fundraiser paired garlic poached wild shrimp on pureed water chestnut with candied kumquat and harissa pepper spread intricately combined both hot and sweet flavors for an immediate “Wow! What’s in this?” Meanwhile, on the menu at the Black Olive, you’ll find a perfectly cooked burger, layered with his own kitchen-made pimento cheese, pickles, thick bacon and an onion ring served on a fresh, toasted bun that is to die for. (Or should I say worth dieting for?) Either way, it pairs perfectly with a wide array of local beers, most particularly the rich, brown Wallops Island ale from Rocket Frog Brewing Co. in Sterling. Free Black Olive “Block Parties” feature local food vendors and more than a dozen craft breweries, all available at reasonable prices. And, in June, The National celebrates its fifth year of local ownership.
CONTINUED >
June 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
29
HOT SPOT
(CON TI N U ED)
Black Olive Burger De tails
Black Olive Burger
Beef Two 4-ounce patties of Purcellville’s Silcott Springs Farm-raised ground beef, seared separately to unlock flavor
Bacon A savory piece of thick-sliced, pasture-raised and forest-smoked bacon from Hamilton-based Springhouse Farm
Cheese Chef Frank's own kitchen-made pimento cheddar cheese
Local Brews More than a dozen beloved local beers to pair with any taste treat. Our choice: Wallops Island from Rocket Frog Brewing Co. in Sterling
Expert. Personalized. Guidance. FI N D YO U R C O L L E GE FI T.
Contact Us for Your Complimentary 20-minute Discover Call. 703.940.5757 | creativecollegeconnections.com 30
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
HOW HAPPY
ARE YOU ON A SCALE OF
1-10? BELOW A 9? THEN COME TO
Wine
happy
makes me
with Cindy Battino, your local Happiness Expert
FIRST TUESDAY of every month at the SALAMANDER RESORT 161 fort evans road ne, suite 120, leesburg
703-771-3300 | absolute-kitchens.com open by appointment
FOR MORE INFORMATION (and to register)
meetup.com/transform-heal
(703) 966-7620
June 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
31
1 VINTAGE VIRGINIA WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL Bull Run Special Events Center, Centreville
JUNE
LIFESTYLE CALENDAR
The Virginia Wineries Association presents this two-day festival
featuring 200 different wines with live music, food trucks and kids activities. VIP and general admission tickets are available.
2 SUPERHERO 5K
The National Conference Center
Dress like your favorite superhero, and come run or walk with the kids in this family-friendly event. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes: Best Dressed Adult SuperHero,(2) Best Dressed Kid SuperHero (ages 6–11), Best Dressed Tot Superhero (ages 2–5years
Fine jewelry, accessories and gifts for her, for him, for you… Always!
old), Best Dressed SuperHero Group and Best Dressed Dog.
7 LEESBURG FIRST FRIDAY
Historic Downtown Leesburg
Experience more of downtown as shops stay open until 9 p.m. or later. There’s live music, art exhibits and wine tastings, and many shops offer special sales.
8 LOUDOUN BOOK AND ART FESTIVAL Brambleton Library
This inaugural event features talks by best-selling authors, interactive art displays, culinary demonstrations, local food and beer, and live music.
Blessed to be voted Loudoun’s Best Jeweler for over 20 years and Best Gift Store in 2019.
8 ACOUSTIC ON THE GREEN Town Hall Green, Leesburg
Recurring weekly through Aug. 3, this summer concert series kicks off with Emma Rowley. Bring a blanket and a picnic, and enjoy the night.
38-C Catoctin Circle, SE Leesburg, VA 20175
always@kettermans.com www.kettermans.com
703.777.0033 32
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
8 22ND ANNUAL CAJUN FESTIVAL Breaux Vineyards, Purcellville
Come join your Cajun cousins at Breaux Vineyards. Enjoy wine
JUNE
tastings, live music, craft vendors and more at this annual celebration of Cajun heritage. A variety of food vendors will be on-site, as well as activities for the young (and young at heart!) including clowns, balloon art and face painting. Tickets are $20, and kids under 5 are free.
15 MANASSAS JAZZ FESTIVAL Manassas Museum, Manassas
This festival features live jazz music, as well as wine, beer and spirits from around the area. Bring out your lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy a great event in downtown Manassas! Multiple ticket options available. Kids under 13 are free.
21 FLOWJAM FESTIVAL Lovettsville, Va.
Join Loudoun's three-day universal healing arts festival. Listen to music, dance and learn from healing arts leaders on a 100acre private farm. Come for the day, or buy passes to camp and spend the weekend.
22 WINE GLASS PAINTING CLASS Casanel Vineyards, Leesburg
Local artist Dawn Spruill will teach a class
CARL M. STEGER, DDS
COSMETIC DENTIST
S
MAKE YOUR
YOUR SIGNATURE ACCESSORY
on painting wine glasses with wildflowers and dragonflies. Included with your $40 ticket (available on Eventbrite) is two wine glasses to paint and a glass of wine.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
23 PINTS FOR PAWS
Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, Leesburg
Loudoun Community Cat Coalition and Vanish bring you a fundraising event for local cats! The event is kid-
CARL M. STEGER, DDS creating beautiful smiles for over 20 years
southridingdds.com | 703•327•0327
and dog-friendly and includes live music, a raffle and beer. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite. June 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
33
INSPIRED BY ARTICLE ERIC BYRD, MANAGER OF THE LOUDOUN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
LAUNCHING
YOUR OWN SMALL BUSINESS PREPARATION IS THE KEY, SAYS A MASTER MENTOR
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO LAUNCH YOUR OWN COMPANY AND GET A PIECE OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM? A good idea is not enough. Execution is what makes a business succeed in the long run. Getting clear whether your idea is viable early prevents you from wasting time and money. Here are some fundamental questions to ask at the very beginning. Making sure you understand your customer’s
01 02 03
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM IN THE MARKET? PUT YOURSELF IN YOUR CUSTOMER’S SHOES AND ASK “WHY.”
New companies or products require customers to make a
change. You need to know how badly they really want that change—or if they don’t. The more evidence you have they want to change, the more likely they will actually buy it.
WHAT VALUE ARE YOU CREATING?
YOUR PURPOSE IS TO GENERATE SOMETHING OF VALUE FOR THE MARKET.
"why" often makes the difference between a flash in the pan fail-
The customer is who determines what is valuable. If they
ure and a sustainably profitable business. Don’t get discouraged
don’t see the value, they won’t buy it. Getting crystal clear
if you don’t get the answers you want. Being flexible is all part
on why THEY would think your product or service is valuable
of the process. Your plan won’t go exactly as you envision it, no
determines viability.
matter how well thought out.
HOW DO YOU KNOW THEY REALLY WANT IT? GET OUT OF THE BUILDING AND TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES.
Everyone says they want a cheaper, faster, better widget, but
do they mean it? You need to know who will actually pay you. Asking probing questions about their experience, not just pitching an idea, helps you get clear.
RESOURCES + SBA.gov
+ LoudounSBDC.com + Biz.Loudoun.gov/smallbiz
34
Leesburg Lifestyle | June 2019
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