Hillsboro
Summer's end, Old Stone School update, 'Light Up the Arts,' HCA, bluegrass jam, naturalist training, yard sale, 'Taste of Italy,' register to vote, rummage sale
By Sue Ulland
Summer's end: The days are noticeably shorter now. Summer was kind to us this year, bringing less humid than normal weather and even clear, blue skies to enjoy. The flurry of activity of folks scrambling for back-to-school necessities, catalogs featuring fall and even winter apparel, Halloween merchandise on display in stores – all are harbingers of the frenetic pace ahead of us. Brace yourselves.
Old Stone School update: HCA President Mark Ware informs me that progress has been made on the restoration of the Old Stone School following the fire in May. The painters are still painting, the kitchen framing has been inspected, cabinets and countertop have been ordered, some of the floors have been sanded (while others are still a work in progress), plumbing and electrical work continue, replacement curtains are being made and everything seems to be going well. They are still hoping to have everything done by mid- to late September. Hooray.
'Light up the Arts': Historic Castle Hall in Round Hill will be the venue for the Round Hill Arts Center’s fabulous fall fundraiser “Light up the Arts” Saturday, Sept. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy music by the Woodshedders, catering by Savoir Fare and a silent auction of artists’ offerings as well as a mobile art gallery. Tickets are $50 per person and may be ordered now by calling 540-338-5050 or by sending your order to The Round Hill Arts Center, P.O. Box 3, Round Hill, VA 20142. In order for the center to continue to provide quality art education, gallery exhibits, its gift shop, music studio and the hugely popular monthly bluegrass jam session, the center seeks community support. Attendees will support the center and enjoy a wonderful night of art, music and fine food.
HCA: The Hillsboro Community Association will meet Thursday, Aug. 28, at the home of Mark and Amie Ware at 7:30 p.m.
Bluegrass jam session: Friday, Aug. 29, is the night set aside for the monthly bluegrass jam at The Round Hill Arts Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. Good food and wine and beer will be sold. Remember, the sessions will be in the back parking lot, so parking will be elsewhere.
Master Naturalist Program: The Banshee Reeks Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program will begin its fall 2008 training course Sept. 9. Class schedule, application and details can be found on the chapter Web site, www.vmnbansheereeks.org. Classes are open to adults 18 and older and the class size will be limited. The curriculum consists of 15 Saturday sessions with time split between the classroom and field studies. Sessions run from September to May. Cost of the total program is $100 per person and includes all of the course materials. The training course is focused on the Piedmont region of Virginia. Topics include Virginia’s biogeography and climatology, basic ecology, identification of organisms found in Virginia’s natural habitats, botany, taxonomy, natural interpretations and teaching skills, resource management and the use of field guides and tools. For more information, contact Susan Abraham, 540-729-4497.
Yard sale: Hillsboro United Methodist Church members invite you to attend their yard sale at the church (rain or shine) Saturday, Sept. 6, starting at 8 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the sale will be in the Fellowship Hall. Light breakfast and lunch will be for sale as well. Questions? Call Patti Moran at 540-882-5862.
'Taste of Italy': Doukenie Winery will host its ninth annual “Taste of Italy” Saturday, Sept. 20, from noon to 6 p.m. The popular event will take place rain or shine. For your enjoyment, there will be wine tasting, vineyard rides, cellar tours, music, crushing demonstrations, grape stomping and Italian delights. Tickets are $20 in advance and may be purchased by visiting www.doukeniewinery.com. Tickets on the day are $25. Admission price includes wine sampling, Italian appetizers courtesy of Positano Restaurant in Bethesda and a souvenir wine glass. Doukenie Winery is located on Route 690 north of Route 9 on the east end of Hillsboro.
Registration deadline: If you are not already registered in Loudoun County, the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election is Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. Extended hours for absentee voting begin Oct. 20. Additionally, the Loudoun County Electoral Board is seeking election officers to help with the record number of voters expected. This is a compensated position requiring one training session and a long day at the polls (5 a.m. until tabulations are complete). If you are interested, e-mail elections@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0548, ext. 5, to find out where to register near you.
Rummage sale: The Ladies Board of Inova Loudoun Hospital continues to seek donations for its 70th annual rummage sale scheduled for Oct. 17-18 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days) at the Morven Park Equestrian Center just north of Leesburg off Route 15 North. All proceeds benefit the hospital. To donate, call 703-771-2985 and leave a message. A member will return your call and set up a convenient time and place to meet. Trailers for storage are conveniently located in Purcellville, Leesburg and at the Inova Loudoun Hospital in Lansdowne. Help the Ladies Board celebrate 70 years of giving to the community by donating your usable items to its rummage sale. Something new has been added this year. As usual, for the normal sale hours, no admission will be charged, but those opting for ticketed early admission (8 to 9 a.m.) will be charged a $5 fee. Tickets for early admission may soon be purchased at the Inova Loudoun Hospital Gift Shop at Lansdowne, Black Shutter Antiques in Leesburg or at the Twice is Nice Thrift Shop in Leesburg.
Birthdays: Happy birthday wishes this week go out to Richard Hyatt II, Stephanie Protopappas, Michael Fraser, Jennifer Rutherford, Ashley Morris, Steven Stulga, Vincent Terreri, Leonard Lineberry, Jason Beans, Cheyenne Henry, Paige Petro and Ashley Payne. Enjoy your special days. Those wishing to submit birthday announcements should do so at least two weeks in advance by either e-mail (BUlland123@aol.com) or phone call (540-668-6331).