Blue Ridge Leader
When word got out last February that 34-year Hamilton resident Sue Phillips was planning to sell the Natural Mercantile, the town’s beloved, 1970s organic food store, faithful health food patrons across the region took the news with much trepidation. What if an “outsider” were to buy it and turn it into, say, a ritzy restaurant? …
By John P. Flannery Whatever one thinks of capital punishment, there must be general agreement that the state should never execute an innocent man or woman. Our criminal justice is so badly broken, no one should be sentenced to death. I’ve argued in and out of court to abolish capital punishment. Many have fought…
The group known as Artists in Middleburg is hosting a Bird, Birds, Birds juried art exhibit from Saturday, March 13 through Sunday, April 11. The show will feature a $200 Anita Baarns Award for Best-in-Show. Baarns is an acclaimed author and artist. AiM President and Executive Director Sandy Danielson said the organization is extremely…
By Valerie Cury In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Virginia General Assembly last year passed a bill which extends the approval date of site plans. But the bill didn’t take effect until March 1, 2021. It appears that developers had lobbied for this change, which was introduced by Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr. (D-6) in bill…
John Duncan Marsh, age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 1, at Spring Arbor in Leesburg. He was born Oct. 6, 1931 to Edward Henry Marsh and Helen Hirst Marsh. He grew up in Brooklyn, NY and summered annually in Purcellville, visiting many generations of the Hirst family. In 1950, he and his family…
Oh, for the days of green rivers and joyous crowds celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in parades from Australia to Argentina, Brazil to Boston, New Orleans to New York, and of course, Chicago. While most parades are canceled this year, there are still plenty of other ways to get your yearly boost of leprechauns, shamrocks, and…
By Julie Alexander Ten Loudoun Valley High School seniors got a chance to don their Viking jerseys one last time as they took to the football field last week, months after a traditional season would normally commence. While the pandemic caused fall sports to be pushed to later in the school year, that did not…
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA10) visited to the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter in mid-February. She, along with Rep. David Joyce (R-OH) recently introduced the Domestic Violence Public Health Emergency Guidance Act, which addresses similar issues. Families of all income levels are suffering greatly from the ongoing effects of COVID-19, as they try to hold on to…
By Valerie Cury At the Jan. 12 Purcellville Town Council meeting, the council voted 7-0 to start the process of selling the Pullen House – by sealed bid at a base bid of $330,000. The Pullen house is located at 301 S. 20th Street, across from the Bush Tabernacle. The Town, under the Lazaro administration,…
By Samuel Moore-Sobel When I was in college, I heard author Dr. Shane Lopez talk about his book, Making Hope Happen. In his talk, he spoke about the need for a good leader to both anticipate problems and to spread hope. Years later, I heard Gen. Colin Powell speak about how inspiration was more important than motivation, and that to be…