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April 2023 LIFESTYLE LETTER

The Healing Power of a Little Outrage Ordinarily, we style April as either our "Eco" or "Explore" edition. This year, just call it "Eclectic." I was so taken by the ability of Hillsboro to raise awareness for the suffering of the Ukrainian people after its year-long war with Russia that our take on exploration sort of turned sideways. In some ways, the war in Ukraine came to NoVa because the people of Hillsboro cared. As Mayor Roger Vance explained, “We support each other and we’re interested in the world beyond ourselves.” So it was that he and other locals took it upon themselves to punch far above their weight class in making art their instrument of outrage and assistance. I have to believe Chip Beck had a lot to do with this. I met Chip nearly 40 years ago when he was running “Cocktails and Cartoons” at the National Press Club and I was covering Capitol Hill for Religious News Service. I even bought his iconic cartoon featuring a Democrat and a Republican in Hell – and on a journalist’s salary, that was a sincere endorsement of his talent in “roasting” all sides equally! He said more recently that ridicule is an effective weapon against dictators, and I agree, especially when those wielding it are sincere in their convictions. At Leesburg Lifestyle, we generally shy away from controversy in favor of the good works that unite us and build a better community. To the extent that war is at all controversial, we respond that humanitarian support for its victims will never be. Our passions are reflected in all we do, including our responses to the challenges God gives us, which is why we so admire Greg and Maya’s work supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at A Farm Less Ordinary. Their outrage created something better for others besides themselves. Thanks to the Business Women of Loudoun for introducing us to this amazing charity. Judy Loose rose above Lyme Disease to build a business that can make your backyards safer. Todd Holtzman’s commitment to both customer service and community support has built one of our area’s most profitable family businesses. And Ayrshire Farm’s commitment to Certified Humane® and Certified Organic regenerative farming inspires us for the example it offers of what stewarding the earth really looks like. We think this issue proves that we can ALL punch above our weight class when it comes to living our best lives. Just ask Lisa Geraci-Rigoni; all we have to do is get rid of the “stuff” that holds us back. M E L I N DA G I P S O N , E D I TO R I A L C O O R D I N ATO R @LEESBURGLIFESTYLE

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Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise Proverbs 3:5-6 Leesburg Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Leesburg area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Leesburg Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

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APRIL 2023

inside the issue The Explore Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

24 Holtzman Propane Brings Full-Service Culture to Purcellville Fireplace Store

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Now Open HO ME + DES I GN

Inspired By PR O FES S I O NA L S ERV I C ES

Artist’s Palette A RTS + C U LT U R E

Giving Back LI FE + C U LT U R E

Eat Right LI FE + C U LT U R E

How To HO ME S ERV I C ES

Realty Report R EA L ESTAT E

Expansion Caps 25th Anniversary Year

36 Hillsboro’s Art of War:

Ukraine Comes to The Little Town That Could

44 The Miracle That is Max and A Farm Less Ordinary Serving LoCo’s Disabled with Dignity

56 Deer Damage and Lyme Disease:

Serving LoCo’s Disabled with Dignity

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Courtesy of Ayrshire Farm Gloucestershire Old Spot hogs are among the rare heritage livestock breeds at Ayrshire Farm in Upperville, where they are raised on pasture near tree lines for shade and protection.

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APRIL 2023

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

7 5

1: Shawn Mitchell of Modern Mechanical organizes Mardi Bras, collecting bras, donations for “Free the Girls” 2: Mardi Bras raised $9,700 and collected 800 Bras to help victims of human-trafficking become entrepreneurs. 3: Ashley Mitchell & Natasha McGrath 4: The Rigoni’s and Hines’ 5: Tony Howard joins the festivities. 6: Always a good time at Tarbenders, or Brooklyn Bites, depending on the hour! 7: Americanmade lingerie is sold at a premium in 3rd-world markets. See freethegirls.org and donate! Photography by Melinda Gipson

CONTINUED >

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HOLTZMAN PROPANE BRINGS FULL-SERVICE CULTURE TO PURCELLVILLE FIREPLACE STORE Expansion Caps 25th Anniversary Year

This month, Holtzman Propane will celebrate the opening of the Holtzman Propane Fireplace Store in Purcellville in the shopping complex the parent company actually created. But, as Holtzman Propane GM Todd Holtzman assures us, the Holtzman’s aren’t newcomers to Loudoun County. Todd’s father Bill Holtzman started Holtzman Oil,

the largest oil company in the region, with just $5,000 cash and a loan on his Thunderbird 50 years ago in 1972. Holtzman Oil now provides gasoline and diesel to more than 150 area gas stations, supplies home heating oil and a full array of lubricants products to commercial and residential customers throughout the area. Holtzman Oil and Holtzman Propane together employ nearly 400 people. Holtzman Propane serves more than 22,000 customers. Holtzman Propane was founded in 1997, the year Todd graduated from Virginia Tech, and is also celebrating an anniversary, in this case, its 25th. For all those decades, the company has been a reliable supporter of community causes and organizations, including Patrick Henry College, adjacent to the shopping

Carltono 46" Fireplace

“We subscribe to the principle that when you make your living in the community you need to be a good member of the community and you need to give back to the community.” — Todd Holtzman

ARTICLE BY MELINDA GIPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELINDA GIPSON, HOLTZMAN PROPANE

NOW OP E N | HOM E + D ESI GN

Holtzman Propane's New Fireplace Design Center

complex where the new fireplace store is located. Such giving has always been done “discreetly,” says Todd, though he added, “We believe that when you make your living in the community you need to be a good member of the community and you need to give back.” Todd prefers to promote offering great, dependable service that makes their customers’ lives easier, which is also an aspect of being a good neighbor. “When we’re your propane supplier, that is one less thing to worry about in your home,” he added. Another reason for Todd’s passion for his business is that, “Propane is a very clean burning fuel, so it’s environmentally friendly. There are no contamination risks with propane because if there’s a leak, it vaporizes.” Moreover, “It’s a domestic product. We have tremendous domestic production of natural gas and propane in North America, so that’s creating jobs here. And, propane is portable, so it can go wherever you need it.” Propane also is versatile: you can heat your home and your water, cook with it and dry your clothes. It supports outdoor living by fueling your grill. It powers gas fireplaces and space heaters which can address specific issues in both heating and decorative needs for homeowners. Gas generators provide power in the case of power outages from other power-generating systems. “You can even heat your swimming pool if you have a home with a pool!” Todd says; “All of those uses can be supplied by the same tank at your home.” Todd maintains that heating with propane, either as the principal source or backup to an electric heat pump, just feels warmer in cold temperatures; in fact, the temperature of the air from a heat pump is around 90°, while the air from a propane furnace is around 120°. “You’re also going to have lower operating costs with propane than you do with electricity, so, I think it provides a better lifestyle, better quality of life.... The technology has come a long way.” CONTINUED >

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Callaway 72" Linear Fireplace

Holtzman Propane Offers a Variety of Log Configurations

NOW OP E N | HOM E + D ESI GN

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Todd Holtzman

What sets Holtzman apart is that it is a full-service operation. “In today’s world where it’s getting harder and harder to find good service and people are getting comfortable with mediocrity, we’re really trying to stand above that. Our highly trained comfort advisors meet with customers in their homes and customize a solution based on their family’s needs.” Because their employees are trusted to work inside people’s homes, “We do it right. I don’t subscribe to all of the excuses about why we can’t get things done, so our customers can depend on us.” In part, that’s because the company was built from scratch and, while its size likens it to a regional utility company, “we are a utility where the customer has lots of choices.” He explains, “If you’re upset with the power company, you stay upset. If you’re upset with your propane provider, you have other options, so we have to take good care of people. Pricing has to be very competitive and the service has to be stellar.” Purcellville will be the northernmost Fireplace Store in a string of seven that run as far south as Holly Ridge, North Carolina. The well-appointed store can be used as a design studio where homeowners can sit with a highly trained consultant to discuss what kinds of fireplaces they envision having for their homes, right down to the look of the logs in the hearth. The company can work either with customers’ architects

and builders from the blueprints on up, or with customers directly on anything from new construction to retrofitting existing homes that have wood-burning fireplaces. They even handle venting if you don’t have a chimney. He explains, “You could take an existing masonry fireplace and put a set of gas logs in it. You could take where a wood stove had been and put a cast iron, gas-burning stove that would look the same. You could also go into a room with no fireplace and install a fireplace along a wall or corner and put a mantel around it, and you could either have it unvented or you can vent to the exterior and cut a hole on the sidewall: the options are endless. If someone wants an additional heating source for a cold spot in the home or they would like the appearance of a gas fireplace, or they’d just like to stop cutting wood and simply push the button on the remote to make the fireplace turn off and on – we offer all of those solutions. Can you convert from electric? Yes, you can make the decision during new construction or at any point when you decide that you’d like to add a gas-burning appliance or furnace to your home. It’s something that we do and offer a turnkey service from start to finish.” Todd adds, “We’ll run your gas lines. We’ll install your water heater. We have an HVAC division, and of course, we can install your fireplaces. Being able to do all those things is what sets us apart. Because working inside the customer’s home can be challenging, other suppliers are moving away from that.” They’re tempted to say, “Let a plumber do that, or let Lowe’s decide what kind of appliance you get. We’re trying to be a full-service company which is why we think having a local presence in Purcellville is meaningful; it’s an extra opportunity for our customers to interact and see us face to face!” The fireplace store has 18 functioning appliances as well as catalogs to help customers compare installations. The store also has a propane cylinder refill station and will fill people’s cylinders for their grills or their RV. “That’s just one more reason for the customer to come in and visit us at that location.” He hopes area builders will take advantage of the design center as well. The store at 1201 Wolf Rock Dr. in Purcellville will celebrate with a grand opening on April 15th, complete with a ribbon cutting with the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. You can learn more at bit.ly/PurcellvilleFireplace or call (540) 751-9292 for information.

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Is Your Ability To Grow Blocked by Too Much Stuff? Start by Counting Your Spatulas ARTICLE BY MELINDA GIPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELINDA GIPSON AND THE ORGANIZING MENTORS

Lisa Geraci Rigoni started The Organizing Mentors 15 years ago and has helped hundreds of people locally and beyond to reclaim their space mentally and physically. Her new book, “17 Spatulas and the Man Who Fried an Egg: Reclaim Your Space Mentally and Physically,” shares her story and that of some of her clients in support of her personal philosophy that decluttering your home isn’t just about your physical stuff. Understanding the reason behind why we are holding on is the first step to letting go and moving on. She writes, “Five years into my organizing career, I recognized a universal theme around holding on and letting go: physical clutter often accompanies mental or emotional

clutter. Many of us have an intense fear that if we get rid of an object, we somehow disrespect the person, their legacy, and events connected with that object. As a result, we struggle with making mistakes in choices that we may later regret.” Lisa’s book asks focused questions that help readers let go with less stress and more personal insight. The story of “Vince,” one client that became a hoarder following a moment of deep personal pain and betrayal, is intertwined with 20 years of other client stories and Lisa’s own personal journey, as encouragement that, regardless of our own personal stories of regret, lost dreams, shame or embarrassment, “you are not alone.”

CONTINUED >

I NSP IR E D BY | PR OFESSI ONAL S E RVI CE S

The Garage Is Not Off Limits

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / L E E S BUR G

The Organizing Mentors Team

As she puts it, the process of making positive choices that enrich our lives and set us free from habits that clutter our minds and our spaces, may not be easy, but, it is simple. Lisa created “The LITL System” to simplify the practical steps helpful in either organizing our spaces OR making any decisions in life, big or small. (See box.) She hopes her book will inspire readers to change, do the work, and embrace anything holding them back from letting go – and it fits with this month’s theme of exploration in two ways. The interior journey you take to understand why you accumulate and keep stuff that doesn’t serve your best life can in fact free you to explore those things you would really enjoy and that would add meaning to your time on earth. Here are just a couple of excerpts we found particularly convicting. “Why do we pack things away in bubble wrap, in a box, and cram them on a shelf for safekeeping? We tell ourselves we’ll use them SOMEDAY, give them away SOMEDAY, or whatever “someday” justification. Grandma won’t mind if you chip or break her china. She intended it to be used and loved. So please use the china. Wear the watch. Love the dress and cherish the memories. .... Happiness isn’t about having more or the newest, shiniest thing. Instead, what is important is being intentional and treasuring what we have, what we keep, and what makes us feel at home and safe.” “Status is another reason why we hold on to things. People keep buying and buying items they don’t need because it makes them feel important and rich. Of course, it doesn’t help that every day, those images of perfection on social media inundate us in addition to the pressure to purchase the latest smartphone, fashion trend, appliance, and car. How much do we really need, and how much money do we spend just to keep up a so-called perfect image? Letting go of a dream is difficult and often painful, as is any change.” Some things we save serve a purpose. “I still have a few of my dad’s sweaters and sweatshirts. And I feel close to him when I wear them. They make me happy, and they are so comfy. I put one on when I miss him more than usual and need a little extra love, because that’s Lisa With Her Book

I NSP IR E D BY | PR OFESSI ONAL S E RVI CE S

“Remember that we will never be truly free until we commit to the inner work and ask ourselves why we hold onto material things, weight, past hurts and family drama.”

what my dad gave me—extra love. Wearing his sweaters and sweatshirts makes me feel like he’s there, giving me a big hug.” But, speaking to the inner journey many take in letting go of “stuff” that doesn’t enhance but rather complicates and clutters our lives, she writes, “When we feel inadequate just as we are, we fill our surroundings instead. And, the insatiable feelings of need and fear also appear in other behaviors – too much food, too much alcohol, and being stuck in negative thoughts and toxic relationships. When all of the ‘space’ gets cluttered – mentally and physically – life becomes overwhelming, smaller and lonelier – the exact opposite of what we think people who ‘have it all’ should feel.” “This brutal cycle of buying too much, showing it off, feeling good for a moment, then feeling ashamed, and then buying more affects all types of people: status seekers, the insecure, or anyone just trying to fit in. It will continue until we decide (or life decides for us) to take an honest look at ourselves, reclaim our power, and do the work necessary to realize our worthiness, lovableness, and happiness dwell within us. Where we always belong.” “Using piles and piles of anything to find safety is another lie. And while it may be true that no one will come looking for us in our tiny cocoon, we unconsciously lose our essential selves among our collections, hobbies, weight and visual distractions. Surrounded by towers of boxes

and papers, away from the shining sun and the sun of friendship and community, our hearts wither a little each day. Worse, the fear that led us to build this fortress of extra, often buries us.” “Remember that we will never be truly free until we commit to the inner work and ask ourselves why we hold onto material things, weight, past hurts and family drama. Otherwise, the clutter will most likely return, and we will stay lost in our pain, not knowing why.” You can find the book on her website: theorganizingmentors.com/book and tap into Lisa’s professional organizing services there, or you can reach her at Lisa@the organizingmentors.com.

THE LITL SYSTEM: Let It Go: What items can you let go of? Start with what you know you don’t want or need anymore. Intentional: Ask the tough questions. Why do you still own it? What does it mean to you? Transform: You will notice you have changed your space, inside and out. Love It: You did it! Love it and live it.

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H I L LSBO R O’S ART OF WAR: Ukraine Comes to The Little Town That Could ARTICLE BY CHIP BECK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELINDA GIPSON, LUDVIG ODMAN

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

When people think of artists, they envision paint-splattered dilettantes dabbling in landscapes and still-life renderings of fruit or flowers. Rarely do they credit artists with shaping public opinion on war and politics. That viewpoint was challenged in February when Leesburg’s westward neighbor Hillsboro hosted a combined literary discussion, art exhibit, and auction related to the “Art of War.” At least three types of artists frequently develop what can be called the fine art of war—not to be confused with Sun Tsu’s treatise on how to conduct warfare. Editorial cartoonists, combat artists, and illustrators each provide visual interpretations of what armed conflicts look like and how they impact local, regional, and global communities. For the second time since the Ukraine War began on February 24, 2022, the Loudoun County hamlet of Hillsboro CONTINUED >

OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: BWOB Meets Contacts Who Will Drive Donated Vehicles to the Front | OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM: Hillsboro’s Old Stone School Displays Hope for Ukraine | THIS PAGE, TOP: Irpin outside Kyiv | THIS PAGE, BOTTOM: This ambulance was filled with food before going to Kramatorsk. AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / L E E S BUR G

(population 120) held a fundraiser to raise relief funds for Ukrainians. Joining myself as a resident Hillsboro artist were award-winning cartoonists Steve Artley, Paul Fell, Stilson Greene, Kevin Kalagher, and Pulitzerprize winners Joel Pett and Signe Wilkinson. Watercolor artists from the David J. Rogers studios in California joined local sculptors Sabine Arndt and Kat Avila by donating fine art. As in the past, the town’s effort was led by Mayor Roger Vance and Paul Hrebenak, the President of the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation (HPF). Contributing to the cause and organization of the 2023 event were many stalwart volunteers of the town’s eclectic community of professionals. For the second time, Ukrainian Embassy First Secretary Katarina Smagliy represented Ukraine at the event. For its first effort in April 2022, Hillsboro held a “Music in the Gap” concert with regional bands donating their time and talents along with multiple local and national artists contributing original, Ukrainian-themed art to raise funds for World Central Kitchen and Save the Children. The effort raised $20,000 via ticket sales, a silent art auction, and cash donations by Loudoun citizens. The February fundraiser, offering up political cartoons, wrought-iron sculpture, paintings and quilts, CONTINUED >

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: The Work of Swedish Sculptor, Artist, Ludvig Odman Anchored the Show | OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM LEFT: Sergey and Olga Polubotko Founders of Blacksmiths Without Borders | OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM RIGHT: Chip Beck with Some of His Cartoons | THIS PAGE, TOP: Metalworks | THIS PAGE, BOTTOM: Ludvig at the start of one of the trips. Småland-Sweden AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / L E E S BUR G

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

along with a Ukrainian-themed buffet, raised another $10,000, primarily for a newly forged humanitarian effort. But more on that later. First, a bit of background on where the most recent effort originated. Around New Year’s, Hillsboro Mayor Roger Vance asked this writer and his wife (both artists) to solicit contributions of political art and editorial cartoons from their American colleagues in support of the war-torn country. But the theme for the fundraiser, Ukraine Aid ’23 (UA23), actually originated west of the Blue Ridge Mountains with West Virginia art promoters Anne Weshinskey and Arni Gudmundsson, who do much of their work in Europe, and so have an extensive network of their own overseas. Outrage and concern about the plight of Ukrainians thus united artists from Sweden and Ukraine with those in Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Hagerstown, Pennsylvania and as far away as California and Hawai’i. The work of a young Swedish artist, Ludvig Ödman, anchored the show. He is married to a Ukrainian artist, Anastasia Polubotko. Ludwig initially was depressed by the Russian invasion and started sketching to raise his own spirits. His work quickly evolved to effectively pillory Russia’s role in the conflict, and – revived – he resolved to draw one pen-and-ink cartoon a day. As the war dragged on, Ludvig’s collection has, lamentably, grown. A book of his “Ukraine Drawings” was published as Special Military Operations on the anniversary of the invasion. (Interested buyers can email Ludvig at ludvigodman@gmail.com.) When the war began, Ludvig’s in-laws, blacksmiths Sergey and Olga Polubotko, were living in Ukraine but were forced to evacuate their homeland. (They currently reside in Brooklyn, New York.) Famous artisans themselves, Sergey and Olga founded Blacksmiths Without Borders, a group of European metal sculptors and artists that are working to keep their brethren inside the war zone alive and functioning, believing that such workers will be vital in rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure when the war is over. So it is that across an ocean, and united by the Internet, a humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine became a family affair. Ludvig has sold hundreds of his prints to buy vans for use inside Ukraine as makeshift ambulances or vehicles for first responders. When the first ambulance was purchased, Ludwig himself drove it from Norrköping, Sweden. “From Norrköping we take the ferry from Karlskrona to Gdynia in Poland. From Gdynia, we choose the most suitable border crossing into Ukraine, then on to

our destination, usually Ivano-Frankivsk, where we deliver vehicles to the medical teams inside Ukraine. It is a very long trip!” That’s an understatement, as the journey takes about 30 hours. Sergey and other blacksmiths have sold metal sculptures, including the iconic Ukrainian sunflowers they brought to the Hillsboro auction. It has all been enough to purchase 30 vehicles, fill them with humanitarian supplies and drive them to the war zone. Their efforts are, with some camouflage to protect the international participants in this supply chain, detailed on their Facebook page, Union for Ukraine-Smeder utan granser. As a longtime combatant, intelligence officer, and U.S. Navy Cold War Combat Artist on the battlefields and backwaters of four continents and twenty countries, the response of Ludvig and his associates over the fate of Ukrainian civilians caught in the crossfire naturally resonated with me – as it did with my editorial cartoonist and fine artist friends. Working together for UA23, we assembled sixty-five works by American artists to add to the hundred-plus drawings and sculptures donated by our new European colleagues. The local charity, Joshua’s Hands, which earlier made hundreds of quilts to send to Ukraine, sold a few that weren’t finished in time for their earlier relief package. For this writer, the chance to do something— anything—for the people of Ukraine, was a privilege. While the subject matter surely draws strong reactions, art has power that sometimes even words do not. As an editorial cartoonist, I have experienced first-hand the power of ridicule to impact public opinion. Laugh heartily at evil doers and they cringe – the more derision, the better. But understand that our overwhelming motivation is not hatred but hope. We all hope that the powers that be soon will be able to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. (I even painted the HOPE sign that now stands in front of the Old Stone Schoolhouse in Hillsboro that is lit every night to share that vision with our neighbors! Ludvig Odman will continue to poke the Bear from Sweden with his cartoons and to deliver small but greatly appreciated love gifts to the long-suffering Ukrainians. What Ludvig and U.S. cartoonists did together in our Art of War fundraiser this February won’t end the war, not by a long shot. Folks in the gap will continue to “care,” using everything in our power for the good of our fellow man and to alleviate suffering however we can.

OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP LEFT: Hillsboro’s Mayor Vance | OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP RIGHT: Ukrainian Buffet | OPPOSITE PAGE, MIDDLE LEFT: Hand of God, a Drawing by Ludvig Odman depicting the Patriarch of Moscow blessing Putin’s efforts in the war in Ukraine. | OPPOSITE PAGE, MIDDLE RIGHT: Ukrainian Embassy First Secretary Katarina Smagliy | OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM: Cars arrived in ivano-frankivsk, after driving trough the night. AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / L E E S BUR G

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The Miracle That is Max and A Farm Less Ordinary ARTICLE BY MELINDA GIPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAYA WECHSLER

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

Greg Masucci and Maya Wechsler had a son, Max, in 2007. In 2009, they gave birth to a daughter named Delilah. In 2010, they learned Max was autistic. Eventually, they would determine that he could not speak and would require one-on-one supervision during his waking hours to keep him safe and engaged in the world around him. Living in DC at the time, Maya and Greg had a particularly difficult time finding Max the appropriate special education resources he needed in the public schools, a challenge shared by other families. Using a combination of publicity, advocacy in front of the DC Council, and private litigation, they waged a successful battle to improve the special education environment in the DCPS. But then, they decided to change their family’s trajectory entirely. Maya and Greg ended up in Bluemont on 24-acres, where they thought they would lead a simpler life. Greg explains, “24 acres was kind of a crazy amount of land for city people. Suddenly we had all this land and we knew that we wanted to continue our advocacy on behalf of the intellectually and developmentally disabled community... and we wanted to do something that we felt would have the most positive impact on the community at large.” They decided that “employment was a real linchpin” – the problem that most needed attention. (In Loudoun County, 62.7% of adults with a disability are unemployed, according to a 2019 American Community Survey.) For background, Greg said, kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) are afforded special education by the state until age 22, at which point they age out of the system, and “fall off the cliff” towards an uncertain adulthood. Parents often suffer a loss of income as they become full-time caregivers. Their adult children, in turn, often become isolated at home, and face higher rates of depression, obesity, and just plain boredom from this sedentary lifestyle. “We felt employment had the means to address all these issues,” Greg said. Employing those with ID/DD would give parents the space they needed to make a living or find respite, and give their loved ones an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society and to experience a fruitful social life. “I think when you take work away from a person, you take a little piece of their dignity with it.” The answer became A Farm Less Ordinary. The employees it serves are called “Growers” – a nod to both the trades they learn and the other social skills they acquire through the friendships and contributions they make to the Loudoun County food-chain.

Put plainly, “By providing training and employment opportunities to adults with special needs, we offer our Growers a chance to acquire new workplace skills and do meaningful work in a nurturing environment.” Because they learn how to process food and make pickles and jams, they also contribute to the “farm-to-table pipeline that will make them valuable additions to other segments of the food industry, such as retail food sales or restaurant work.” Says Greg, “There’s something therapeutic about nurturing something from a seed and seeing it grow and taking care of it and then having this tangible example of your efforts – the endless harvestable product that you can eat. It’s pretty cool. The Growers really enjoy that.” The farm’s naturally-grown produce goes to local farmer’s markets (this year, they hope to work the Saturday market in downtown Leesburg) where the Growers are proud to show off what they’ve accomplished. The opportunity to interface with customers is an important and widely useful workplace skill, as is making change. Greg credits the Virginia Cooperative Extension, USDA and local farming networks for teaching the couple the basics needed to launch a successful farm. While he took on the engineering side of the project like mastering drip irrigation and fence construction, Maya served as the farm’s first manager. In their first year of operation, 2015, they donated all the food to various charities. In 2016, the farm had four Growers. By 2022, a Farm Less Ordinary took on 27 paid Growers, plus another 70 volunteer Growers who come to the farm through the Loudoun County Public Schools, local day programs for adults with ID/DD, and the Arc of Loudoun’s Aurora School. “The long and short of it is there just aren’t enough transitional opportunities for young people with special needs. We need to do better. My wife and I believe that we need to integrate these folks into the fabric of our society and the best way to do that is to integrate them into employment… because when you’re not working, you’re marginalized from the start. Here they feel they’re contributing in a meaningful way and earning income. The way we see it, we’re not only employing people, we’re reducing the amount of resources that the county and other governmental organizations need to spend to take care of people. We feel like it’s a win-win.” Parents recognize that the couple, because of their experience in raising an autistic son with high support needs, is more sensitive to Growers’ needs and more committed to their productive futures.

Opposite Page, Top: Maya and Greg pose with their Growers at the 2021 ribbon-cutting for the Farm's Lovettsville location Bottom: Grower Ian Pham takes seedlings grown in the farm’s greenhouse and plants them in the ground outside CONTINUED >

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / L E E S BUR G

Growers Miguel Aramayo and Jonathan Shearrow show off their broccoli harvest

a ay

Greg

Greg says he and Maya have always believed that people have a greater capacity for growth than we give them credit for. “Often a person with special needs only hears about what they can’t do. There are plenty of things I can’t do: I can’t ride rodeo. But it’s ridiculous to judge people by only one criterion.” When Growers start out at A Farm Less Ordinary, they often suffer from depleted confidence. “We start them out seeding trays until they master that task and move on, building incremental competence and, with it, their confidence. As they master tasks, they become more confident in their own abilities, and they’re more likely to be less resistant to taking on new challenges or changes. They ask ‘what else could I do?’ It’s growth that happens right before your very eyes.”

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

The miracle that is Max gives credence to this conviction. Max stopped speaking when he was three years old. When he was tested by the “experts,” the couple was told he likely had an IQ of around 45. “We always thought he was reasonably intelligent.... So, we tried numerous types of therapies to help him and reach him. He was a black box for basically 10 years until January of 2021 when my wife introduced a program called Rapid Prompting Method.” Using the method, people with autism and other cognitive or intellectual disabilities spell out words letter by letter on a letter board. Max picked it up quickly and within three months he was constructing elaborate sentences using a very impressive vocabulary. He now types

A Farm Less Ordinary is now using borrowed farmland in Lovettsville and Leesburg, but is looking for land it could either purchase or use permanently. Please let them know if you have ideas on this, or ask how to participate in their upcoming capital campaign. Ideally, the organization would have at least 10 acres with access to restroom facilities, and room to build a barn and a commercial kitchen. It’s easy to get involved by either donating at afarmlessordinary.org/take-action or volunteering at afarmlessordinary.com/volunteer. As the site says, “Whether you are an individual, family or company in search of a team-building event, there is always work to be done on the farm!” For employment opportunities, see afarmlessordinary.com/ employment. To read some of Max and Maya’s writing, visit shortbusdiaries.com.

on a computer keyboard. Through this process, Maya and Greg actually learned that Max does not have an intellectual disability. By October 2021, Max’s writing was so prolific and creative that his parents submitted an essay he wrote to the New York Times Middle Schoolers Essay Contest. Max’s essay placed second among some 12,800 entries. “This, from a kid that everybody had written off and told me he was severely intellectually disabled. It just goes to show you that a lot of times, you know, what people see is not necessarily accurate. They only see what they want to see. We need to give people a chance; let them prove what they can and can’t do and don’t make assumptions.” Greg added, “I believe, right now, at this very moment, there are thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of kids out there like Max who are not intellectually disabled – people just assume they are – who are just dying for a means to communicate with the outside world. I can only imagine how lonely and horrible it must have felt for my son to be trapped in his head all that time.” Among the first desires that Max communicated was that he wanted to meet new people and make friends. When asked, what would he like to tell others about himself he said, “’I am not retarded,’ which is heartbreaking. Clearly, that’s not a word we use in my household, so it’s a word that other kids must have taught him.... As heartbreaking as that is, we feel like we have an opportunity to meet our son for the first time and get to know something about him, and that’s been just incredible for us. We believe you shouldn’t assume that, because somebody has a disability that impacts some of their functions, that it determines how smart they are, or how able they are to do a job. All we’re saying is give them a chance.” Max, now 15, wants to go to college and he’d like to become a writer. “I want to be careful to say we don’t care where he goes, we love him as he is, but we think he has the potential to be an important voice for people like himself.”

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At Ayrshire Farm, Little Things Make a Big Difference Ayrshire Farm was doing organic before organic was cool in Virginia. For more than 25 years we’ve been practicing sustainable farming in Upperville as a Certified Humane® and Certified Organic regenerative farm. Sure, call us the proto-hipsters of the local agriculture scene: It’s a badge we wear proudly.

Ayrshire Farm specializes in raising heritage-breed beef and pork, and we also raise poultry seasonally, including turkeys and broiler chickens. Our farm operation is 100% pasture-based and predator-friendly; we pride ourselves on maintaining sustainable practices throughout our businesses.

ARTICLE BY SHEREE MCDOWELL, AYRSHIRE FARM VP | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AYRSHIRE FARM

EAT R IGH T | L IFE + CU LTURE

In addition to our farm, we also have a restaurant, The Hunter’s Head Tavern; a custom processor, Gentle Harvest Abattoir; and a colonial-era grist mill, Locke’s Mill. As a company, we’ve earned a lot of firsts: First Certified Humane® and Certified Organic farm in Virginia, and the first Certified Humane® Veal Operation, Restaurant, and Butcher Shop in Virginia. Our tavern, built in the 18th Century, is a three-star Certified Green® Restaurant — a showcase of our core principles, living with one foot in history and one foot in the future. Similarly, our grist mill, built in the 1770s, grinds exclusively organic grains, providing essential services to the growing local organic food movement. We believe in restoring and using beautiful old buildings, reviving livestock breeds on the brink of extinction, and doing things a little bit differently, because the little things make a big difference. To say that what we do is unusual is an understatement. I’ve worked for Ayrshire Farm for more than 13 years. My journey with the company started in the kitchen, after moving to Virginia about 14 years ago. I was intrigued when I met the chef from Ayrshire at a local food event, and once I learned more about the unique operation, I knew I wanted to join. My first role was executive pastry chef, then food and beverage director, and now I am Vice President of Operations. I have had an amazing opportunity to grow and learn with the company over the years. As I adjusted to each new role, I learned more about how our founder came to build the business, and why. But most importantly, I learned why these differences matter.

One of the most influential stories shared with the team by our leader is from her childhood. Sandy Lerner, owner and farmer at Ayrshire, recalls how her family – who were pear farmers during her childhood – had their business wiped out by a single event. One year, there was a terrible blight and all the trees in the orchard were affected; the orchard was completely lost. There was no diversity in their crop plan, therefore, there was no tree in their orchard that was not affected. Seeing the family farm destroyed taught a painful but valuable lesson about the importance of genetic diversity in farming, and how to farm with the vagaries of nature, not in competition with nature. When Sandy started Ayrshire Farm in 1996, one of her goals was to reintroduce heritage-breed cattle. These breeds have amazing benefits — better flavor, marbling and hardiness — but most importantly, they survive in a pasture environment and do not require the high-input feeds of hybridized commercial cattle. These thrifty “landrace” breeds have been lost to modern consumers during the decades of factory farming. It may seem counterintuitive to eat breeds that are in danger of becoming extinct, but by creating a market for these animals, it ensures their continued survival. It is also truly superior beef. Our cattle herd is composed mostly of Scottish Highland, Ancient White Park, and English Longhorn cows, all rare heritage breeds. We raise Gloucester Old Spot hogs, and in past years we have also had Red Wattle, Mangalitsa, and Tamworth. We have kept the Old Spots as they have proven to have superior flavor and marbling.

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AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / L E E S BUR G

Though my background is not in farming, one thing I have learned is that good data is essential to good farming. We use our own grading system to gather information about individual animals, which helps us make tweaks and adjustments to our breeding program. Heritage breeds take about twice as long as hybridized animals: Beef takes an average of 36 to 48 months to fully mature, sometimes more. Our hogs take an average of

EAT R IGH T | L IFE + CU LTURE

nine months to mature, and they are all raised on pasture, near tree lines for shade and protection. That means each animal we raise is a significant investment, and they are treated as such: Kindly, respectfully and mindfully. Our way of farming is a bit slower, and it isn’t easy. But that’s OK: We know the results are worth it. I’m continually impressed by the dedication of our farming staff and the effort they put into ensuring that

every step is completed to our high standards. Farm animals don’t take days off, and our team works tirelessly to make sure they are well-cared for year-round. If there is any takeaway I can offer it is this: Buy local or bye local. Our founder coined this phrase many years ago, and it still rings true. If we want food systems we can trust and to have a connection with our food, then we need to support local farms, local processors and local providers whenever possible. Food is the medicine and preventative care we need for healthy bodies; everything else is reactive. Many of the things we do in our business appear and sound old-fashioned, and for good reason. I remember my grandparents talking about a time when the food system was more transparent, and people had a greater understanding of their food and where it came from. It was part of your community, part of your culture, and part of your ensured survival. Though I didn’t grow up on a farm, I was part of a family that always gardened. We put up tomatoes, corn, green beans, and okra each summer for the following winter. We shared our harvest

with neighbors when we had too much squash or cucumbers. We picked wild blackberries together and we snapped green beans on a porch swing while my grandpa made fresh ice cream with our foraged berries. Life wasn’t perfect, don’t get me wrong, but at least the food was good. If you want to have control over what you put into your body and the food memories you pass down to your own kids, connect with the people raising food in your community. Shake a farmer’s hand and purchase their products whenever possible. Invest in a deep freezer, buy local meats and vegetables, and put up something for future dinners. Buy local grains and make your own bread. Most importantly, cook with your kids — even if it is just a scrambled farm egg or some local honey slathered on toast. I don’t have delusions that everyone has time to live like Laura Ingalls Wilder, but taking small steps to protect your food system and building relationships with the people raising food in your community is, really, just another little thing that makes a big difference.

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H OW TO | HOM E SERVICES

We introduced you to Judy Loose in our first “Eco” edition of Leesburg Lifestyle because of her efforts to save and propagate an American Chestnut tree. An avid gardener and nature lover, she noticed an American Chestnut growing wild between her and a neighbor’s property in Waterford. (bit.ly/JudyLoose). American chestnuts, once a wildlife food and building staple in North America, were nearly wiped out by a blight in the 1920’s. She first confirmed her chestnut’s bona fides with the American Chestnut Foundation (acf.org), then watched it become a significant pillar in a local effort to breed a tree that is more blight resistant. Offspring of Judy’s tree have spawned second-generation plantings in Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve and Blandy Experimental Farm in Boyce. But Judy is much more than your average nature lover. She has perfected and now markets an environmentally safe deer repellent service that keeps the local deer population from destroying flowers, trees and shrubs. Made from natural oils and rotten eggs, the repellent,

offered by her family-owned business Nova Deer Shield, keeps deer away without harming wildlife or domestic pets. Now their mission is to help homeowners and gardeners protect and enjoy their landscaping by providing deer intervention and tick mitigation. Keeping ticks away is important because of the close association of blacklegged ticks and Lyme Disease, a debilitating ailment caused by bacteria transmitted to humans through infected tick bites. Though mice are the source of this bacteria, these ticks commonly infect deer in wooded areas of the Mid-Atlantic. Symptoms can be treated effectively with antibiotics, but are debilitating if not caught early. While the instances of Lyme Disease in Loudoun County reportedly have fallen by half in the last decade, there were still 131 cases in 2021, the most recent year where tallies are available from the county health department, and many cases go unreported. Judy says, “My family has all had Lyme disease, more than once. We all love to share our gardens with woodland creatures so long as their presence isn’t destructive, either to expensive landscaping or our families’ health! I take pride in the fact that we are able to provide our customers with peace of mind about being outdoors and enjoying their property.” She adds, “I also take great pleasure when a customer expresses their delight in seeing a plant bloom or grow for the first time in years!” Her commitment to environmental safety is evident in one of her hobbies. She and her husband are beekeepers, which is never a dull job. She likes to say, “Keeping bees is like raising girls; there’s always drama in the hive.” Bees, among the most sensitive insects to pesticides, thrive in proximity to Nova Deer Shield’s treatments.

Nova Deer Shield Protects Many Local Venues

The Service Can Protect Plants Year Round

Judy and Dave Loose; It's a Family Business

The company provides natural deer repellent services from March through October (monthly Spring/Summer service), a one-time winter service (protects plants all winter), and monthly organic tick spray. This year they also are introducing a much anticipated environmentally friendly and highly effective mosquito mitigation program. “We not only provide these services to residential customers but protect commercial sites, including homeowners’ associations, horse farms and schools. We pride ourselves on our personal touch and take seriously our ability to provide unrivaled service.” “We truly are a family business, though I started the ball rolling,” Judy says. David, her husband, acts as both COO and CFO. “He is my mechanic as well as my accountant!” He is a registered technician with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and even helps with large properties and farms. Both daughters also are CPAs, helping with her books and the company’s marketing and social media. The company holds both Vertebrate Pest Control (7D) and Public Health Pest Control (8) certification required by the state. Besides Loudoun they serve Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier and Prince William Counties. Give her a call at 540-882-3703 or email info@novadeershield.com. AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / L E E S BUR G

APRIL 2023

realty report A sample of recently sold properties in Leesburg. N E I GH BO RH O O D

OR IGIN AL PRICE

SO L D P RIC E

%SO L D/ O RIG

DO M

B DRM S

B AT H S

Ashburn Farm

$1,275,000

100%

5.5

Broadlands

$1,215,000

$1,101,500

91%

4.5

Crescent Place

$930,000

100%

3.5

East Quarter

$771,903

$747,500

97%

106

3.5

Evergreen Meadows

$875,000

$885,000

101%

4.5

Greene Mill Preserve

$995,000

$980,000

98%

4.5

Heritage Hamlet

$1,025,000

$985,000

96%

Hunt-Belmont CC

$899,900

$900,000

100%

3.5

Lakes at Red Rocks

$824,990

100%

3.5

Lansdowne on the Potomac DET

$1,200,000

$1,100,000

92%

4.5

Lansdowne on the Potomac TH

$868,000

$860,000

99%

3.5

Main Tree Farm

$1,958,620

100%

6.5

Meadow Brook Farm

$1,485,000

$1,200,000

80%

3.5

MetroWalk at Moorefield Sta

$1,124,995

$1,129,950

100%

127

3.55

One Loudoun

$1,650,000

$1,550,000

94%

3.55

Potomac Station DET

$850,000

100%

4.5

$1,215,000

$1,225,000

101%

4.5

River Creek TH

River Creek Detached

$1,300,000

$1,145,000

88%

3.5

Rose Hill

$990,000

$925,000

93%

3.5

When it comes to buying and selling homes virtually, “Rely on Pam”! Shenstone

$1,299,000

$1,145,000

88%

4.5

Tavistock Farm

$899,000

$852,500

95%

4.5

Village of Waxpool

$1,225,000

$1,175,000

96%

5.5

Willowsford at the Grange

$1,398,990

$1,260,000

90%

4.5

After retiring further south, we decided to sell our River Creek home after leaving it on the rental market for over ten years. Selling an older home in a high-end neighborhood, with a tenant in place, with $150k of needed updates, long-distance and during COVID-19 pandemic—this could have been the ultimate real-estate horror story. Instead, it was one

of the easiest, smoothest house sales I’ve ever experienced. Pam handled everything and quickly sold the house for more than the asking price. Pam is the most professional and capable agent that I’ve ever worked with. —Former River Creek Residents

TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT US AT: Pamela Jones, Inc. Dave Jones, GRI

TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT US AT: Pamela Jones, Inc. Cell: (703) 587-7440 Office: (703) 724-9494

R EA LT Y R E P ORT | R EAL E STATE

Dave Jones, GRI Cell: (703) 587-7440 Cell: (703) 587-7550 Office: (703) 724-9494 www.ETSellsFineHomes.com

Cell: (703) 587-7550 www.ETSellsFineHomes.com

Where Quality is Our trademark.

22560 Glenn Dr. Suite 111, Sterling, Virginia 20164 | 703-424-9449 | sunburstdeck.com