"From the Bay to the Blue Ridge"
By Julie Reardon ANIMAL RIGHTS IS NOT ABOUT ENDING ANIMAL CRUELTY… …it’s about restricting your rights to own pets, livestock, farms, ranches and more. While I normally avoid politics in my Blue Ridge reports, this is not a Democrat vs. Republican issue. It’s one that affects nearly all of us—if we own and love animals. […]
Give Thanks by Julie Reardon It’s not winter yet, but the chilly nights and early sunsets remind us it’s just around the corner. Fortunately even this close to winter there are plenty of mild days, fall colors and time to enjoy yourself before the rush of the holiday season and the shortest day […]
ICK. TOXIC ALGAE BLOOMS: TOXIC TO DOGS, SICKENING TO PEOPLE About the time dire warnings about dog deaths from blue-green algae hit social media, we had an unusually thick mat of algae in the pond closest to our house. We knew the pond was not draining correctly because of a collapsed drainage culvert that needed […]
Fireworks and outdoor fun in the Blue Ridge By Julie Reardon Enjoying the lazy, hazy midsummer days close to home might require a little research, but needn’t cost a king’s ransom. There are plenty of parks, activities, vineyards and even a few music festivals throughout the state that are affordable or in some instances free. […]
By Julie Reardon Horsing Around The drum of hoof beats kick off the unofficial start of summer in the Blue Ridge as racing over fences winds down and horse shows and polo get into full swing in horse country. This month, fact the oldest horse show in the country is the Upperville Colt & […]
By Meg Mullery MIDDLEBURG TRAINING CENTER “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” Hollywood Actor John Wayne (1907-1979) Early each morning, a parade of horse-athletes leave their respective barns, exercise riders mounted, destined for the adjacent racetrack. The track is just one component of the 149-acre Middleburg Training Center, a crown jewel […]
Blooming in April by Julie Reardon It’s that time of year, when everyone’s invited for an up close look at the homes of the rich and famous in Virginia. Because, we admit, there’s a little voyeurism in all of us. We love to peek through the windows and behind the closed doors and walled gardens […]
Staying Alive on Route 55 By Meg Mullery An eclectic community of local farmers, small shop owners, chefs, bakers, and artisans have turned a once sleepy little town in northern Virginia’s Fauquier County into an unlikely destination for formal and casual dining, antiquing, shopping, and just hanging-out. Interstate 66 to Exit 23 welcomes you to […]
By Julie Reardon And They’re Off…..Let The Races Begin! Colonial Downs Thoroughbred Race Track is reopening in stages later this year in New Kent County. Since colonial times, Virginia has always been known as horse country. Over the years, some world famous race horses were foaled at some of the best nurseries in the racing […]
By Julie Reardon Cut your own Christmas Tree You may notice the cost of a live Christmas tree is a little higher this year. Fewer lots are open for business, and those that are open, have a smaller and pricier selection than in years past. That’s because we’re experiencing a shortage of available trees. This […]
