Happenings Around the Mountain – September 30, 2021
October 1, 2, and 3 Waterford Fair –– The seventy-seventh annual Waterford Fair will be held October 1st through the 3rd. See demonstrations of contemporary and heritage artisans, sign up for a class and make to take home, stroll through the Old Mill and vintage barns transformed into galleries for painting, handmade artisan crafts.
After last year’s cancelation because of Covid, organizers expect the 2021 event to be somewhat smaller than previous years. According to the Waterford Foundation’s Executive Director the fair will have approximately 60 demonstrations as opposed to as many as 120 in previous years. As always historic buildings in Waterford will be open to public tours – The Waterford 
Mill, John Wesley Church, The Old School, and the Corner Store. All will have displays, sell art, crafts, and seasonal decorations.
Individual homes will not be open to the public this year although the Village gardens will welcome visitors.
Waterford is a National Historic Landmark Village.
Admission ranges from $10 to $35. Hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday 10/1/2021 and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM both Saturday (10/2/2021) and Sunday (10/3/2021).
October 5th Final BOS Vote on AT&T Tower– The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (BOS) once again postponed the final vote on AT&T’s proposal to build a 125-foot monopole on top of Short Hill Mountain. The final vote is now scheduled for their October 5th meeting. This is the second time the BOS has postponed the final decision.
At its June 22, 2021, meeting the Loudoun County Planning Commission denied AT&T’s request for a special exception zoning to build a telecommunications tower on the ridge of Short Hill Mountain. The proposal was denied on the basis that it would be contrary to long established County policy to not allow construction on the ridgeline and a violation of the County Zoning Code.
At their 7/20/21 meeting the BOS voted to override the Planning Commission decision and scheduled a public hearing on the tower proposal for Tuesday 9/14/2021.
At the 9/14/2021 Public Hearing County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said the Board had received 221 comments on the application, with 138 opposed. Chair Randall said that 71 responses were apparently form letters from AT&T signed by individuals, some were not from Loudoun County.
Supervisors voted 7-1-1, with Blue Ridge Supervisor Tony Buffington opposed and Supervisor Michael R. Turner (Ashburn) absent, to send the application to their Oct. 5 meeting for a final decision.
October 8, 2021 – Sustainable Landscape Webinar – Sponsored by the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC). This year PEC has moved its annual Sustainable Landscaping Workshop into a virtual platform (Zoom) with new presentations! Join us during your Friday lunch hour for this free, informative webinar, including three presentations by guest speakers Jim McGlone (Virginia Department of Forestry), Tim Ohlwiler (Virginia Cooperative Extension), and David Wood (Chesapeake Stormwater Network).
This event is sponsored by the Patricia and Nicolass Kortlandt Memorial Grant from the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation.
Building a Garden Ecosystem – Jim McGlone
Learn about the role of plants and insects in your garden and how using native plants can change your garden into a self-sustaining low maintenance garden ecosystem that grows beautiful plants and attracts pollinators like butterflies.
Solutions to Challenging Soils and Locations – Tim Ohlwiler
Virginia gardeners often have problems with drought, high pH soils, compacted soils, sidewalks, and other challenges with planting trees. Tim will talk about evaluating soils in difficult locations and then share some of his favorite trees for those challenging locations.
Build Your Own Rain Garden – David Wood
Looking for landscaping tips that can help attract birds and pollinators and maybe even treat a bit of stormwater runoff? David will discuss how to design and build your own backyard rain garden. Learn how to boost backyard habitat and reduce nuisance flooding on your property in an environmentally friendly way.
Register for this free event: https://us06web.zoom.
October 9 — Co-op Grocery Ground-Breaking – There has been a decade long effort to establish a co-op grocery store in Lovettsville. The groundbreaking will begin at noon on Saturday the 9th.
Lovettsville Square South will be a full-service community-owned grocery store that will emphasize selling local produce and other products including prepared foods, bakery, beverages, floral and meats. At the groundbreaking the layout of the store will be drawn with field paint and there will be tents selling the products that will be available once the store is completed.
October 17 – Purcellville Hail to the Trail — Hail to the Trail celebrates environmental recreation, exploration, and education. Hail to the Trail – the annual Purcellville Green Expo – is hosted by the Town of Purcellville’s Tree and Environmental Sustainability Committee.
This event is free and open to the public, and is great for families, students, and scouts. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy will be leading a hands-on activity about the environment. Come for guided nature walks, tree planting, the town’s annual Arbor Day celebration, live animals, plastic bag collection, live music, nature art projects and games, displays, energy activities, and more. Visit their Facebook page, Hail to the Trail – Purcellville Green Expo.
The 2021 event is scheduled for Sunday, October 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Chapman DeMary Trail. Local organizations focused on nature and the environment may register online to be part of the event.
October 21 – Workshop – How to Keep Your Yard Trees Healthy – Hosted by the Purcellville Tree and Environmental Sustainability Committee.
Join the virtual workshop on Thursday October 21, 2021, at 7:00 PM to learn how to keep your lawn trees healthy. Jordan Herring, Senior Area Forrester, Virginia Department of Forestry will describe and explain common landscape and maintenance practices. Specific topics will include: How and when to prune your trees; the proper way to mulch trees; choosing the right tree, and threats to native trees.
Register online: www.purcellvilleva.gov/176/
Watch the Bald Eagles – The American Eagle Foundation is partnering with several local groups including the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, The Dulles Greenway, and the livestreaming company HDOnTap to install a webcam overlooking the nest of a pair of bald eagles just south of L
eesburg.
In 1995 the company that at the time owned the Dulles Greenway established 149-acre wetlands preserve in which the nest is located. It was established as part of an agreement with the federal government to offset the loss of 64 acres of federally protected wetlands. The property is managed by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.
The livestream camera is online at dullesgreenway.com/eagle-cam. There are two views and a moderated chat to comment and ask questions about the eagles.
Thank you,
Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains
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