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THE MAKERS BEHIND THE MUSIC

World-class violins made in Fauquier County

Fauquier’s own

‘Baseball Hero’

Negro League player from Remington to be commemorated

Whats in a Name?

Familiar places.

Surprising origins.

LiveLiFeHealthiest Your LiveLiFe

Compassionate. Caring. Nationally recognized.

LiveLiFeHealthiest Your LiveLiFe

Fauquier Health has earned Leapfrog’s Top General Hospital award for outstanding quality and safety—the only hospital in Virginia and one of just 36 in the nation to receive this distinction.

Compassionate. Caring. Nationally recognized.

This honor acknowledges the efforts of our caregivers to keep our patients safe. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the safest hospitals in America.

Fauquier Health has earned Leapfrog’s Top General Hospital award for outstanding quality and safety—the only hospital in Virginia and one of just 36 in the nation to receive this distinction.

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

This honor acknowledges the efforts of our caregivers to keep our patients safe. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the safest hospitals in America.

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

See all we have to offer at FauquierHealth.org

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

See all we have to offer at FauquierHealth.org

Make Your Bedroom Your Nighttime Castle

How Your Sleep Environment Shapes Your Health, Mood and Energy

We spend nearly one-third of our lives asleep yet many of us treat sleep as an afterthought. We power down our phones but forget to power down our nervous systems. We crawl into bed surrounded by light, noise, clutter, and stress, then wonder why rest feels elusive.

Think of your bedroom not as just a place to sleep, but as your nighttime castle; a protected space designed to restore, repair, and recharge your body and mind.

Why Your Sleep Environment Matters

Sleep is not passive. While you rest, your brain consolidates memory, your body regulates hormones, your immune system repairs tissue, and your cardiovascular system recalibrates. But these processes are highly sensitive to your surroundings. Light, sound, temperature, air quality, and even visual clutter can all interfere with deep, restorative sleep. Over time, a poor sleep environment can contribute to fatigue, mood changes, difficulty concentrating, and increased cardiovascular stress.

Your bedroom should signal one clear message to your brain: You are safe. You can rest now.

• Defend the Darkness: Darkness is one of the most powerful sleep signals your brain recognizes. Even small amounts of light can suppress melatonin. Use blackout curtains, remove glowing electronics, choose warm low-light lamps, and avoid TVs or bright screens in the bedroom.

• Create Quiet or Control the Sound: Noise can disrupt sleep cycles even if it doesn’t wake you fully. Silence phones, use white noise or a fan, and address environmental noises like ticking clocks or rattling vents.

• Cool is King: Most people sleep best between 65 – 68F. A cool room with breathable bedding helps the body transition into sleep.

Sleep is Not a Luxury—It’s a Foundation

When sleep is supported, learning, mood, immunity, and heart health improve. We work closely with sleep physicians to orchestrate your treatment. Your nighttime castle doesn’t need to be perfect, just intentional.

• Protect the Bed: Avoid working or scrolling in bed. Choose supportive pillows and mattresses, and keep bedding clean to support air quality.

• Reduce Clutter: Visual clutter increases cognitive stress. Keep surfaces simple and calming.

• Mind the Air You Breathe: Open windows when possible, use air purifiers if needed, and avoid strong scents or chemical sprays.

• Build a Bedtime Ritual: Create a wind-down routine 30-60 minutes before bed with dim lights, no screens, and calming activities.

FAUQUIER inFOCUS

Photographers with all levels of experience, send us your Fauquier County-themed photos for a chance to have them published in the June issue of the Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine. Winner and top finalists will be included in the magazine, and one will be chosen for the cover!

Opening Doors, Strengthening Community:

Access, Opportunity, and Belonging at Wakefield

BY ELISE SCALISE

At Wakefield School, community is not an abstract idea - it’s something students experience every day. It’s found in classroom conversations shaped by many viewpoints, on athletic fields where teammates learn to trust one another, and in moments of kindness that quietly define the Wakefield Way. This sense of belonging is strongest when students come together from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their own story to campus.

That belief is what drives Wakefield’s commitment to access and opportunity.

Opening Doors, Together

For many families, the path to an independent school education is filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Wakefield understands that choosing a school is not just an academic decision, but a deeply personal one. The Financial Aid Program exists to walk alongside families, meeting them where they are and honoring the realities of their lives.

Need-based financial aid helps make a Wakefield education possible by bridging the space between what a family can afford and the cost of tuition. Each family’s story is considered with care and confidentiality, recognizing that circumstances change and that no two journeys look the same. Awards are reviewed annually, allowing the School to respond thoughtfully as families grow and evolve.

Because resources are finite, financial aid is distributed with intention across all grade levels. In the Upper School, grants

“When students learn alongside peers with different experiences and perspectives, classrooms become richer, relationships deepen, and understanding grows.”

can reach up to 60% of tuition, ensuring that access today is balanced with sustainability for future generations. At its heart, the process is rooted in partnership, fairness, and trust.

Celebrating the Students Who Shape Our Community

In addition to financial aid, Wakefield offers scholarships that recognize students who help shape the spirit of the School. These are students

whose presence is felt not just through achievement, but through engagement, leadership, and care for others.

Some arrive at Wakefield as new students, bringing curiosity, energy, and a readiness to contribute. Others are already woven into the fabric of the community - artists who elevate performances, athletes who lead by example, classmates who model respect and kindness,

and learners who persist with determination and heart.

These scholarships are not defined by a single standard of excellence. Instead, they honor the many ways students strengthen the Wakefield community: by asking thoughtful questions, showing up for teammates, creating space for others to belong, and living the values that make Wakefield feel like home.

For some families, scholarships may be paired with needbased financial aid, creating additional pathways for students whose talents, character, and commitment align deeply with the School’s mission.

A Community Built on Belonging

Wakefield’s approach to affordability and opportunity reflects a simple truth: a diverse and inclusive community benefits everyone. When students learn alongside peers with different experiences and perspectives, classrooms become richer, relationships deepen, and understanding grows.

Each year, Wakefield renews its commitment to opening doors, strengthening community, and supporting students who are eager to learn, lead, and contribute to a culture grounded in excellence, belonging, and the Wakefield Way.

LEARN MORE:

Some students realize partway through high school that they are capable of more—more challenge, more connection, more opportunity. Wakefield’s Finish Strong Scholarship is for students entering grades 10-11, ready to be known, stretched, & prepared for what comes next. JK - 12th Grade | wakefieldschool.org | @wakefieldschooltheplains

Explore the Finish Strong Scholarship

Selective merit scholarships available for Upper School entry.

Best Bets

TOP EVENTS IN FAUQUIER & NEARBY

What to do? There's lots going on in our area — and there's never enough time! This page and our free weekly Best Bets email newsletter (scan the code below to subscribe) aims to help you make plans and have fun.

Fauquier County Cultural Heritage Festival

Sunday, April 26, 1-5 p.m. WARF, 800 Waterloo Road, Warrenton

Back for its second year after drawing more than 400 attendees, the Fauquier County Cultural and Heritage Festival celebrates the cultures that make up the local community. Festivalgoers can enjoy culinary tents and food trucks offering local and international flavors, along with cultural exhibits, art, music and interactive performances highlighting traditions from around the world. The festival provides a welcoming space for residents to connect and experience the diverse influences that shape Fauquier County. Free admission, all are encouraged to attend.

Virginia Gold Cup Races

Saturday, May 2, gates open 10 a.m., first race 1 p.m.

Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains

The Virginia Gold Cup is galloping into town at the beginning of May! Started in 1922, it has become one of the Washington, D.C., region’s largest outdoor events with some of the best steeplechase racing you’ll find anywhere. Race day activities also include terrier races, shopping, hat contests, tailgate contests and parimutuel wagering. The rolling hills and magnificent scenery surrounding Great Meadow make this the perfect setting for gathering, socializing and networking.

PSO-LIVE! Presents

Raul Midón

Sunday, April 12, 3-5 p.m.

Michael A. Hughes Center for the Arts, 597 Broadview Ave., Warrenton

Singer, songwriter, and guitar virtuoso Raul Midón joins the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable afternoon of genre-defying music. Fresh off back-to-back GRAMMY® nominations, Midón brings a breathtaking program blending jazz, soul, and pop with signature brilliance. Blind since birth, he has forged a trailblazing international career, including collaborations with Vince Mendoza and the National Symphony Orchestra. With a new album on the way with the WDR Big Band and performances with major orchestras worldwide, Midón delivers an electrifying concert you won't want to miss.

Sperryfest

Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sperryville’s biggest and brightest day of the year returns with Sperryfest, the town’s annual spring celebration. The festival features live music from local favorites, more than 40 artisan vendors, food trucks and beverages, and a lively Community Zone with over 20 local nonprofits. Don’t miss the crowd-favorite Great Rubber Duck Race on the Thornton River, along with a free kids corner packed with activities for younger festivalgoers. It’s a fun-filled day for the whole community— and admission is free.

Spring Native Plant Sale

Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m.

The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton

Turn your yard into a wildlife haven by starting at The Clifton Institute’s Spring Native Plant Sale. Native plants fuel the local ecosystem, feeding insects that in turn support birds and other wildlife. Since fall 2019, the Clifton Institute has been collecting seeds from native grassland plants right here in the region, producing seedlings that are not only native to Virginia but grown from plants originally found in this local area. Choose from a wide selection of perennial wildflowers, native grasses and a few trees, including favorites like butterflyweed, upland ironweed, scaly blazing star, narrow-leaf mountain-mint and gray goldenrod. Partner organizations will also offer additional plants and nature-inspired merchandise.

Disney Double Feature

April 18, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., April 19, 4 p.m. Brentsville District High School, 12109 Aden Road, Nokesville

Allegro Youth Theatre presents a celebration of musical theatre featuring two beloved Disney productions. The adventure begins with Disney’s “101 Dalmatians KIDS,” a joyful, high-energy show full of music, mischief and plenty of puppy love performed by the Explorers (ages 8–11), with a special appearance by the Mad Skills students (ages 5–7). After intermission, the Adventurers (ages 12–18) take audiences under the sea with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid JR.,” bringing the classic story to life with unforgettable songs, colorful characters and big Broadway-style moments.

The Gott Library Open House

Sunday, April 19, 2-5 p.m.

The Gott Library, 4110 Winchester Road, Marshall

Step inside one of Fauquier County’s most fascinating hidden gems at The Gott Library, the home of the Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation. Explore a remarkable collection of local historical documents, photographs, maps, and family records, all housed in the beautifully restored Old Stone Academy—a building with a story of its own spanning centuries. Meet the passionate volunteers, discover how the library can help with your own research, and see why everyone is saying “Gotta Get to The Gott!” Whether you’re a serious researcher, history buff, genealogy enthusiast, or just curious about Fauquier County, this is a fun and welcoming chance to connect with Fauquier’s past and your community.

Fauquier Public Library to host New York Times bestselling author Sy Montgomery

BY CASSANDRA BROWN ANDERSON FOR FAUQUIER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Imagine having an orangutan undress you, only to put your clothes on itself and run into the remote Bornean jungle. Or having a wild octopus stretch out its tentacles, grab your hand and lead you to its hunting ground in the waters off French Polynesia.

Few people can say they have had such intimate interactions and friendships with animals. For author, naturalist and explorer Sy Montgomery, these experiences have shaped who she is.

Montgomery will be the featured speaker for Fauquier Public Library’s annual Barbara and

Keith Severin Lecture on April 29. The lecture series honors the Severins who were active members of the Fauquier community, ardent supporters of the library services and devoted nature lovers. Montgomery will share exhilarating stories and images from her work with animals around the world.

“What I learned was how to be a good creature from getting to know these individual animals,” Montgomery said. “I have learned how to find my path in life; how to forgive, how to learn, how to overcome loss and trust in the future.”

Sy Montgomery

A National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author, Montgomery is best known for her books “The Good Good Pig” and “The Soul of an Octopus.”

Montgomery has spent decades researching wild and domestic animals, from studying Matschie’s tree kangaroos in the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea to raising a pet pig, Christopher Hogwood, in her backyard in New Hampshire.

Drawing from her real-world scientific adventures and personal experiences, she has published 38 books for adults and children.

“I think I’m more likely to enjoy spending time with any given animal than any given person,” Montgomery said. “I know what it's like to be a person, but I don’t know what it’s like to be a kangaroo or an otter. It’s inherently fascinating to me.”

To research her books, Montgomery immerses herself in other countries and habitats for weeks and months at a time.

In her 1991 biography “Walking with the Great Apes,” about female explorers Jane Goodall, Dian

Fossey and Birute Galdikas, Montgomery studied chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in Africa and orangutans in Southeast Asia.

Research for her first children’s book, “The Snake Scientist,” published in 1999, entailed working in a pit with 18,000 snakes in Canada.

“I want kids to know they can do anything, and we need their talents to help save the world,” Montgomery said.

Learning lessons from animals is something she hopes everyone can experience—whether it be through pets or the observation of creatures in the wild.

“We are all surrounded by animals all the time,” she said. “Even if you don't live in a forest…there are pigeons on the street, and ants in your bathtub; flies and multicolored lady bugs; and snakes—they are all teachers for us.”

“We are being supported, cared for, taught, and looked after by the natural world around us,” Montgomery said. “Knowing that makes you feel more at home in the world and far less powerless…” L

Taking Steps Together

The VetConnectWalk brings veterans and neighbors together for real conversations and real connection.

BY PAM KAMPHUIS

As a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, James “Jay” Pinsky knows firsthand the challenges veterans face—one of the most pressing being mental health.

“I’ve struggled with my own mental health. I know what it’s like to carry invisible weight. I know what it feels like to smile in public while fighting battles internally. I know what it’s like to wonder if anyone really understands,” said Pinsky, who serves as chairman of the Fauquier Veterans Task Force for Mental Health and Commander of American Legion Post 247.

Because of those experiences, veteran mental health awareness and suicide prevention have become deeply personal causes for Pinsky.

He believes compassion is essential, but it is only part of the solution. Veterans also need purpose. Too often they are viewed solely as recipients of care, when in reality they possess valuable skills and qualities that strengthen their communities.

“Veterans are leaders,” Pinsky said. “We are problem-solvers. We are small busi-

James “Jay” Pinsky is the chairman of the Fauquier Veterans Task Force for Mental Health, a valued group of individuals and veteran-serving organizations working to increase connection and communication.

ness owners, volunteers, coaches, mentors and public servants. We bring discipline, resilience, teamwork and mission focus into every room we enter.”

Just as important as purpose, Pinsky emphasizes, is community. A strong, supportive community can make a meaningful difference in a veteran’s life.

Step up on April 18

That belief is the inspiration behind the VetConnectWalk, an event designed to create genuine connections rather than simply raise awareness.

Working with Christine Craddock of the Fauquier Mental Health Association and Rachael Brinson with the Town of Remington, Pinsky has developed an event centered on conversation and shared experience rather than lectures or slogans.

At the VetConnectWalk on April 18, veterans and community members will pair up—one veteran with one community participant—and walk two laps (680 feet each lap) around the Remington Community Garden.

APR 18

Step forward. Walk together. Stay connected. Whether you are a veteran, a first responder, or someone who simply wants to show support, all are welcome to join the walk. Friends, families and neighbors are encouraged to participate. After the walk, stay awhile to visit local vendors, connect with others, and enjoy time together as a community. Sign up here:

Saturday, April 18, 8 a.m. Remington Community Garden, 160 W. Bowen St., Remington

During the first lap, the veteran leads the conversation, sharing as much or as little as they feel comfortable about their experiences, transitions, challenges, and goals. On the second lap, the community partner introduces themselves, shares resources or connections they may have, and explores ways they might support veterans in meaningful ways.

The goal is simple: real human connection.

By the end of the walk, participants will leave with new perspectives and a clearer understanding of how they can support— and be supported by—one another.

Following the walk, participants will gather at the Remington Community Garden for a community fair featuring local partners and resources.

“We know that connection is vitally important for our own mental and physical health and the health of our community. This event will help participants discover common ground and gain a better understanding of each other, which improves self-confidence, mental wellbeing, and builds a stronger community,” said Renee Norden, executive director of Mental Health Fauquier.

Pinsky hopes the event will help build the kind of community where veterans are understood, valued, and never left to carry their burdens alone. L

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Embrace the opportunity to live life on your terms – schedule a tour and join our welcoming community today!

Up-close animal adventures

NOVA Wild zoo and safari just around the corner

BY JACKI DYRHOLM

Got an animal lover in the family? If you’re looking for an unforgettable family-friendly experience where you can get up close and personal with incredible animals, NOVA Wild is the perfect destination. Tucked away in a quiet residential area in Vienna, the small non-profit zoo sits on over 30 acres and is home to over 200 animals, from friendly farm favorites to exotic wildlife. The zoo features both a traditional walk-through zoo and a drive-through safari, providing the perfect mix for a few hours of education, adventure and hands-on fun for children and adults alike!

*Expires December 31, 2025

The Zoo

As you enter the zoo’s welcome center, you will have an opportunity to buy some dry food to feed the animals in the petting zoo. The buckets are large so one is usually enough. After exiting the building, turn to the right to head to the petting zoo. After a short stroll you will immediately spot some animals you can pet and feed, including goats, pigs and even a miniature zebu. All the animals are very friendly and will rush to the fence to greet you.

*Expires December 31, 2025

Then continue on to the rest of the zoo where you will see other habitats featuring cheetahs, kangaroos, monkeys, red river hogs and other exotic animals. Sadly, you cannot feed or pet these animals. You can, however, book an up-close and personal encounter with a sloth, kangaroo or capybara for an additional fee. And for the ultimate experience, you can splurge on a behind-the-scenes experience as a zookeeper for the day. Like most humans, the animals also enjoy a midday nap, so if you want the best chance of seeing and interacting with all of the animals, plan your visit for morning or later in the afternoon.

Pool Blue LLC, formerly Payne Pools & Spas, is open in Warrenton.

The Wild Wings Butterfly Exhibit

For an extra $8 per person you can visit the Wild Wings butterfly exhibit. Inside you will be surrounded by hundreds of colorful butterflies. There’s definitely something magical about walking around a room with butterflies flitting around you and feeding on slices of fruit and flowers. Keep in mind that this exhibit is a seasonal experience and is open late May through the fall.

Nova Wild

1228 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna novawild.org

Hours:

Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Admission:

$15 children, $20 adults (ages 12 and up) advance online purchase

Food: Food trucks visit occasionally, but bring a picnic lunch to be safe. Picnic tables available in a covered pavilion inside the zoo.

Special exhibits:

Keep an eye on the website and social media for upcoming special events.

The Drive-Thru Safari

After you are done in the zoo, you can purchase another bucket of food to take through the 12-acre drive-through safari park. From the second your car clears the gate you will be greeted by more hungry animals (make sure don’t give all of your food away right at the beginning). Move on at your own pace and see deer, lamas, a bison and other animals. The slow drive through the safari is fun, whether you’re 9 years old or 90. There will be a lot of laughing at the antics the animals put you through to get the food. The llamas especially can be quite wily in their efforts to gain access to the food — they don’t hesitate to lean their heads all the way into your vehicle to see what you’re offering. And watch out for the 2,000 pound bison that tries to stick its head in your car! L

Jacki Dyrholm lives in Warrenton with her family and a menagerie of animals. Follow her travels at jackigoesplaces.com and on Facebook.

GRADES 1-4

GRADES 5-8

GRADES 9-12

$215 $215 Weekly Fee

JUNE 8 - JULY 31 • 7:30AM - 5:30PM

Dive into a summer full of pool days, hands on creations, epic camp games, exciting field trips, surprise guest visitors, and nonstop fun from start to finish.

JUNE 1 - AUGUST 7 • 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Discover a wide range of camps designed to match your child’s interests and your family’s schedule! No need for a full‑day commitment, pick the sessions that work for you. From dance and adventure to arts, sports, and so much more, there’s a perfect camp waiting for every young explorer!

THE MAKERS BEHIND THE MUSIC

World-class violins made in Fauquier County

BY WHITNEY PANDIL-EATON PHOTOS BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER

Just off Lee Highway, traveling down a single-car lane you arrive at a beautiful but unassuming home nestled in the wooded hills outside of Warrenton in Fauquier County. Instead of the typical signage you would expect to greet your arrival, visitors are presented with a sign that reads “Moes & Moes Violin Makers.”

For more than 50 years, Peter and Wendela Moes — pronounced like shoes — have handcrafted violins, cellos, and violas of their own design for musicians around the world, including renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who owns two Moes & Moes cellos.

The couple, who met while attending Violin Making School in Mittenwald, Germany, relocated to Warrenton in 2021 to be closer to family after living and working around the world and the United States. Out of their home workshop, the Moes offer new

instrument builds, restoration and repair services, and a rental program with professional set up.

Both musicians, Peter and Wendy emphasize the importance of having a well-crafted instrument.

“If you can make an instrument so that a professional musician, a good musician, can actually do whatever he wants on it, it becomes a tool that works without him being hindered or handicapped because the instrument has faults. Most of them do have those. Most of them are difficult to play in some ways or another. To [be able to] make something where they have freedom of choice and they can pretty much do everything with it [is satisfying],” said German-born Peter Moes in his charming accent.

After receiving their journeyman diplomas in 1975, the pair moved to Los Angeles to hone their expertise in restoration and repair skills before moving to London and then to New York City, where they opened their own violin shop on West 57th Street.

Despite splitting the work 50-50 throughout much of their career, Wendy said there was a common misconception about who was doing the work from customers during the 10 years they owned the shop in view of Carnegie Hall.

“Do you know how often I get asked, ‘Can women really make violins?’ A lot of people are

The Moes’ storefront window of their shop near Carnegie Hall

Left: Wendy and Peter with a cello the couple made in 1987 for a customer. The Moes later bought it back, and it became Peter’s personal cello.

Above: When crafting instruments, the Moes use spruce sourced from old farmhouses in the Alps and northern Italy, and maple from the mountains of Bosnia.

BEYOND THE MUSIC SAIL AWAY

Eternal craftspeople, when the couple aren’t jointly creating a cello or violin, they can be found working on another wood crafting project. Impressed by the beauty of a friend’s wooden sailboat, the Moes, having the space on their property and already possessing expert woodworking skills, were inspired to build their own. They travelled to France to obtain the plans from a Bordeaux boat architect and work on the “Miss Simplette” design 19-foot wooden beach cruiser is well underway. Working with larch wood, sapele mahogany and American cherry, the Moes are determined to finish the sailboat, which sleeps two, this summer and are looking forward to taking it on its maiden voyage on the Chesapeake Bay.

FULL THROTTLE

While living in Connecticut in the 90s and early 2000s, both Wendy and Peter were avid vintage racecar enthusiasts, racing with the Vintage Sports Car Club of America around the northeast. They are restoring their much-beloved red 1954 ArnoltBristol convertible roadster that they raced during that time. Now street legal, Peter said the entire family enjoys taking scenic trips around town.

surprised that women make violins,” she said. “I was the first person that they would see when they came in and I’d say, ‘Can we help you?’ And they would always say, ‘I have to talk to Peter.’ And half these people were women. And this is New York, hotbed of equal rights and everything. There’s nothing about violin making that a woman can’t do. Women have good ears. There have been traditionally fine motor skills, handicrafts, and things.”

While Wendy and Peter continue to jointly craft new instruments, each has gravitated to different problem-solving elements when it comes to repairs and restorations.

“He gets very interested if something’s broken, really cracked. And I just feel sick when I see them like that,” Wendy said. “I’m more interested if somebody says, you know, it’s not sounding the way I like. When there are any sound problems or it’s not functioning properly, that’s when I get interested. It’s a very good combination because you cover everything that way.”

Spending upwards of 24 hours a day together, the couple said open communication has been key to both their professional and personal relationship.

“I’m not the most tactful person,” Wendy admitted. “When you work together, you have to both be open to what the other one thinks about what you’re going to do.”

The Moes craft new instruments working together in their home workshop just outside of Warrenton.

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“I think we’ve kind of added to each other,” Peter continued. “Very often people together, especially if they’re in the same profession, they play music together, there’s always competition, and so actually they subtract each other a little bit. We always take on the benefit that we add to each other.”

The benefits of the Moes’ hard work and craftsmanship have extended beyond themselves. Owners of Moes & Moes instruments travel regularly to the workshop from all over the world to have them repaired and serviced by the hands that built them.

Recently, a woman traveled from hours away to bring her 1983 violin — created entirely by Wendy — in for tuning.

“She came in because it wasn’t sounding right,” Wendy said. “We got that straightened out. And now she’s really happy and it looks great too.”

For the Moes, it’s the holistic experience music provides for people and the world.

“It makes you feel like you haven’t wasted your life,” Wendy said. “You start a whole wave of just fun to make them. People have fun playing them and other people have fun listening to them play. You start a nice continuum.” L

moesandmoes.com

The Moes are both amateur musicians, mostly playing in a string quartet just for fun. Wendy plays a viola the couple made about 10 years ago, and Peter, a house-made cello.

Fauquier’s own ‘Baseball

Hero’

Early 20th century Negro League player from Remington to be commemorated with historical marker

BY JOHN TOLER

During a recent meeting of the Fauquier County Architectural Review Board (ARB), the topic of historical markers was discussed, and candidates with Fauquier connections that may deserve recognition were considered.

One board member from Southern Fauquier posed the question, “Who is the only person from Fauquier in the Baseball Hall of Fame?”

Representatives from the Southern Fauquier districts knew the answer — Ernest Judson “Jud” Wilson, born in Remington in 1896. So, research into Wilson’s background and career began.

Although there is a lot of information about Wilson’s long baseball career, his hitting record and posthumous induction to the Hall of Fame, finding details about his life in Fauquier County was more difficult. Old census and military records, chancery suits and funeral home bills provided clues.

It became clear that Wilson’s family had deep roots in Fauquier County. The 1880 census revealed his great-grandmother, her daughter, and her grandson, Ernest Wilson (Jud’s father) living in Remington.

The 1910 census revealed Ernest Wilson and Eliza Harris were married in 1909,

but that in 1910 Eliza was listed as head of household with five children, likely her stepchildren, including Wilson, age 13. Jud’s occupation was listed as a laborer, probably on a farm, and a student.

While the location of their home has not been definitely determined, it was believed by those familiar with the history of Remington that it was likely in the Piney Ridge community outside of town, where School No. 15 (Colored) was located.

The next reference to Jud Wilson was found in his Draft Registration, dated June 5, 1917, and signed by Remington Precinct Registrar R. A. Fifield.

Initially, Wilson claimed an exemption from service because he was the sole support of his younger sisters Blanche and Bettie, but this only delayed his induction into the U.S. Army until July 1918. He served in the final months of World War I in Co. D of the 417th Reserve Labor Battalion

Jud Wilson posed with his teammates on the American Negro League’s Homestead Grays in 1931.

Early 20th century map of Remington, where Jud Wilson was born and raised in the Piney Ridge community east of town.

In 2006, Jud Wilson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Discharged from the Army at the rank of corporal, the 1920 U.S. Census showed Wilson living in Washington D.C. working as a butcher. It was then he started playing baseball on the sandlots of his Foggy Bottom neighborhood. He was a left-handed hitter who threw from the right. “It was there that he was discovered in 1922 by Scrappy Brown, shortstop of an independent Negro League team, the Baltimore Black Sox,” according to Joseph Gerard of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).

In the Negro League

“It didn’t take long for Jud to make his presence known,” wrote Gerard. “His teammate (Satchell Paige) quickly tagged him with the nickname, ‘Boojum,’ for the sound his line drives made when they smashed into the outfield walls.”

In February 1923, Wilson married Betty, a girl from rural Virginia. “Jud was all man,” Betty later recalled. “He was a man of few words, but when he said those words, he meant them.”

The Black Sox joined the new six-team Eastern Colored League in 1923, and after the 1925 season, Wilson went to

in U. S. Census reports and his military draft registration.

Cuba to play for the Habana Leones of the Cuban Winter League. He led the league with a batting average of .430, and hit a rare 400-foot home run, earning another nickname, “El Jorocon” – The Bull.

Over his career in the Negro League, Wilson also played for the New York Lincoln Giants, the Homestead Grays traveling team, the Pittsburg Crawfords, the Philadelphia Stars and the New York Cubans. He also served as the manager of the Homestead Grays and Philadelphia Stars, retiring in 1945.

Wilson’s talent did not go unrecognized. In 1927 and 1928, Jud was the Eastern Colored League batting champion, and in 1943 and 1944 was the Negro League World Series Champion.

In addition to his fierce hitting style, Wilson was known for his explosive temper and the brawls he had with players, umpires and spectators. He was known to crowd the plate at bat, resulting in “bean balls,” causing head injuries and broken bones. In the outfield, he could be injured while stopping ground balls with his body.

“In an era noted for rough play and a lack of respect for arbiters, Jud often set the standard for bad behavior,” noted

Recognized for his powerful batting style, Jud Wilson hit over .400 for several seasons.

Fauquier’s

Top Sales

The ten highest-priced homes that sold between mid-February and mid-March, 2026 in Fauquier County. Data and photos from Zillow.com.

2573

$1,700,000

$1,480,000

The Big Picture

“The February housing market remained steady across our four-county region. Home sales edged up slightly from last year, with 104 homes sold, and home values continued to rise with the median price reaching $585,000. Buyers are also seeing more choices, as active listings increased to 340 homes compared to 309 last February. Homes are taking about 52 days to sell on average, showing a market that continues to move at a stable and balanced pace. Remember when thinking about buying or selling your home, please consult a Greater Piedmont REALTOR® with any of your real estate transactions.”

—Wendy Johnson, 2026 Greater Piedmont REALTORS® President

The February Details for Fauquier County

Compared to February 2025

Median Sales Price: $690,000, up from $580,000 Sales Activity: 46, down from 49 Days on Market: 21, down from 39

Greater Piedmont REALTORS® is a trade association representing 650 REALTORS® in Fauquier, Culpeper, Rappahannock, and Madison counties.

4612 GATES ROAD, WARRENTON

$1,005,000

7819 WELLINGTON DRIVE, WARRENTON

$1,000,000

7483

7329 RILEY ROAD, WARRENTON

6226 LIBERTY ROAD, BEALETON

ABOUT THE CHEF

Chef Asha Clare of Warrenton is the owner and creative force behind The Kitchen Fairy, an artisan hospitality company that artfully weaves dining, event design and guest service into unforgettable culinary experiences. Growing up in Madison County, Clare was introduced to cooking with fresh garden ingredients by her grandmother, and developed a lifelong appreciation for food made with love and intention. Known for her elegant yet rustic and chic style, she handcrafts meals that are as thoughtful as they are delicious, rooted in local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. KITCHENFAIRY.CO

Simply Impressive

Smoky ham and nutty Gruyere with a few key additions make a no-fuss but impressive addition to high-brow or low-key gatherings

BY CHEF ASHA CLARE

I’ll be honest, breakfast and brunch are not my favorite meals to prepare. It always feels tedious to pull together an early morning/afternoon meal at a time I’d rather be relaxing with a cup of coffee. However, the need for a crowd-pleasing breakfast or brunch is an inevitable occurrence for anyone with a handful of friends and family. What’s my solution? Stuff a pre-made croissant with something really yummy and bake! With a few light trimmings, you have a meal fit for mid-day noshing at a breakfast, brunch, lunch or teatime.

This classic bistro-style sandwich boasts savory layers of smoky ham and nutty Gruyere cheese tucked into a golden, lightly crisped, buttery croissant. The addition of the sharpness of the Dijon and the tart sweetness of the apricot jam balances the richness of the sandwich for an unexpected elegance and complexity. I have served it more times than I can count, to rave reviews from young and old alike.

There are several reasons I love making this sandwich. The ingredients can be found easily in most grocery stores, and the sandwiches come together and bake up quickly. They can also be made a day ahead and kept in an airtight container until you are ready to bake and serve, minimizing the early morning fuss.

These sandwiches are a battle-tested remedy that allows you to serve your guests food that is handcrafted and thoughtful without all the fuss. I have served it more times than I can count, to rave reviews from young and old alike.

BEVERAGE PAIRING

Serve with coffee, black tea, a “bubbly” such as Prosecco Champagne, bellini, or mimosa.

SIDE DISH PAIRING

Consider a dish of raspberries or blackberries, a light salad of field greens and herbs with a simple champagne or sherry vinaigrette, pasta salad, potato salad, or a light soup.

Ham and Cheese Croissants with Dijon and Apricot

INGREDIENTS

6 – 8 medium or large pre-made croissants*

12 – 16 oz. Black Forest ham

8 oz. Gruyere cheese, grated

1 jar quality apricot jam

1 jar quality Dijon mustard

Sea salt

Black pepper, freshly ground

TIP

You can make Ham and Cheese Croissants with fresh croissants, but day-old ones are best as they are drier and hold up better against the moisture of the ham and cheese while baking. You want a soft interior and crisp, flaky exterior. For a dainty presentation, use mini croissants.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bring all ingredients to room temperature to promote fast and even baking.

2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Prepare a baker’s half sheet pan (18×13) with tin foil and top with a sheet of parchment.

4. Cut croissants ¾ of the way through, lengthways. Open croissants without tearing the pieces completely apart.

5. Spread the bottom half of the croissant with 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and the top half with ½ – 1 tablespoon apricot jam. Repeat for all croissants.

6. Sprinkle the inside of the croissants with a pinch of salt and pepper. Be judicious with the salt if you are using a particularly salty brand of ham.

7. Fold two thin slices of ham lengthwise, stacked on top of each other, and put them on the bottom part of the croissant. Top with some grated cheese, close the top of the croissant, and place on the prepared sheet pan. Repeat until all sandwiches are made and assembled on the pan.

8. Completely cover croissants with a sheet of tin foil and bake covered, on the middle rack of your oven, for 15-20 minutes. When the croissants are done, they will begin to smell toasted and fragrant, and you should hear a little of the cheese sizzling on the pan.

9. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully remove the top piece of foil. Return the uncovered croissants to the oven for 5 minutes, or until crisp and deep golden brown. Watch carefully so they do not burn on the top or bottom.

10. Remove the pan from the oven. Transfer the croissants to a drying rack to cool slightly.

11. Serve warm and enjoy. L

NOTE: History is rarely black and white, especially at the local level. We did our best to get it right, but sources can conflict and records are often hard to locate. Consider these tidbits a starting point — and if you have a correction or a better story, we’re all ears.

What’s in a Name?

You pass these names every day, but do you know where they came from?

In this recurring feature, Warrenton Lifestyle gives a quick peek into the stories behind the names of our local towns, streets, and landmarks.

“Bealeton”

THE NAME’S ORIGIN:

The name Bealeton originates from the Beale family, who owned a prominent plantation in the area. The family trace their American roots to Thomas Beale, who arrived in Virginia around 1640.

MASSIVE FAMILY TREE:

Historical records show that some early Beales were exceptionally prolific; Thomas Beale was the father of 21 children.

ETYMOLOGY:

The name “Beale” actually derives from the Old English words “beo” (bee) and “hyll” (hill), essentially meaning “Bee Hill.”

“Meetze”

THE NAME’S ORIGIN:

The community was named after Captain George Washington Meetze, a Confederate veteran. After being wounded at the Second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862, Capt. Meetze was brought to a nearby household where he was nursed back to health by the family’s daughter, Mary Weimar. The two eventually married and settled in the area.

GEORGE AND MARY’S DAUGHTER

Sarah Richardson Meetze became a prominent artist. She studied in Paris for three years and eventually headed the art department at Mary Baldwin College.

ETYMOLOGY:

The name Meetze is German in origin, likely from a place called Meetzen. Historically, the name “Metze” can also refer to a knife maker (from the Old German “messer”) or a mill operator (from “metze,” a medieval measure for corn and flour).

“Catlett”

THE NAME’S ORIGIN:

The name traces back to a land grant given to John Thornton Catlett in 1715. The grant was for approximately 358 acres located on both sides of Brent Town Road and the east side of Dorrell's Run.

ETYMOLOGY:

FAMOUS CONNECTIONS:

Catlett’s specific linguistic roots vary and have been debated by historians, but the name is strongly associated with Kent, England, where the surname was first recorded as early as the 15th and 16th centuries.

A Railroad Connection

ALL THREE areas grew up around the railroad that cut through Fauquier County in the mid 1800s — whistle stops on the Orange and Alexandria line where mail was sorted, goods were loaded, and small communities took root.

Catlett’s grandfather, Colonel John Catlett, an immigrant from England, was the great-grandfather of James Madison and also the first European owner of the land that became Ferry Farm in Stafford County, the boyhood home of George Washington.