August 31, 2014
This is the September newsletter coming to you one day early as we’ll be closed Monday, September 1, for the Labor Day holiday. Hope you’re enjoying the long weekend!
In case you didn’t know, the Bluemont Fair is September 20th & 21st. Bob is the co-chair of the event again this year, so probably pulling out what hair he has left after trying to get the appropriate permits from the County. J Perhaps this weekend is a good time to try out those recipes for the pickle & pie contest . . . There will be a beer garden again this year in addition to wine tasting. And of course vendors with art and crafts for sale, musicians and dancers (to include Celtic Rhythm School of Dance at 3 p.m. Saturday), and lots of activities for children. On Sunday afternoon, the grandchildren of Susie Neal will share their memories from the 1960s and 1970s of living in Bluemont’s first schoolhouse (built in 1825), where the Friends of Bluemont have now completed the foundation, chimney and log wall repairs. To celebrate the Fair, the first 30 customers to make a purchase (no $ minimum) will receive a small gift as a token of our appreciation.
When you come into the store, you may notice the recently acquired drop leaf cherry table, which is on brown porcelain casters. Since it would probably look better refinished, it has two prices: an as-is price and a refinished price. If you’re feeling ambitious, do the work yourself—or just have it done for you. It’s nice to have options! Additional photos are on line at http://irongateantiques.com/recent-acquisitions/ as are photos of a vintage doll who needs a new home—and some TLC. She’s got a 1950’s look about her and comes with several outfits, but really requires a doll lover’s attention.
For those with an interest in history, this year’s Bluemont Fair is dedicated to the memory of Zora “Mac” Brownell. The Brownell’s were owners of Whitehall Manor when the 1st Bluemont Fair was held in October 1972. Mac and friend, Ivy Cochran, volunteered to hold a turkey dinner at Whitehall as part of the Fair. Tickets were sold for the dinner as part of the fundraising efforts. For three consecutive years, Mac hosted the turkey dinner with all the trimmings in the ballroom at Whitehall. All the food was home cooked and teenage girls from Bluemont served as waitresses in period costumes handmade by local citizens. Mac was named the “Washingtonian of the Year” in 1989 by the Washingtonian Magazine and called “Loudoun County’s Natural Resource.” Mac passed away in March 2014, at the age of 94, and is survived by her husband Jim, 3 sons, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The dairy cow featured on the sleeve of the Fair T-shirts is in honor of the Brownell family who operated one of the last Dairy Farms in Loudoun County.
Lynne & Bob McCann