The first Biz Buzz of 2026 brought the Middleburg business community together at The Hill School, celebrating connection, collaboration, and an exciting year ahead. Guests were welcomed with a nod to the school’s 100 years of memories in the community before updates from the Board highlighted a busy start to the year, including the addition of Bernadette Boland of Fields of Athenry to the Board and planning efforts for upcoming seasonal events.
“We are celebrating our centennial here at Hill Schook this year, and it’s important to understand our history because it is intertwined with this community,” said Treavor Lord. Head of School. “If you go back to 1926, The Hill School was incredibly small — just five students meeting in an upstairs room of what is now the King Street Oyster Bar, but what was the old Middleburg National Bank.”
By 1928, the school had moved to a half-acre at the location we know today. From there, it just kept growing — slowly and steadily. Over the next sixty years, enrollment increased, buildings were added, and the campus began to take shape. By 1991, Hill had 178 students, five buildings, a playing field, and even a faculty house spread across five acres.
In the early 1990s, Stephen C. Clark, Jr. and his daughter, Hill alumna Jane Forbes Clark, made an extraordinary gift of 135 acres, three houses, and a barn. That generosity completely changed what was possible. It gave the school room to dream bigger, plan thoughtfully, and step confidently into its next chapter.
Visit Loudoun Updates
Mt. Defiance will host a Certified Tourism Ambassador Class on March 24 from 9 am to 1 pm. Click here to register!
Middleburg was featured in online publications Travel Noire, Travel & Leisure, as well as Explore and Time Out.
The Visit Loudoun Wine Trail Guide and the Visit Loudoun Official Visitors Guide will go into production soon. If you would like to place an ad, contact Dana Henry.
The Marketing Leverage Program is receiving grant applications through February 25, 2025. Please click here for more information and to apply.
MBPA Updates
Winter initiatives are already underway, with Self Care and Winter Wellness promotions running through March ahead of the Town’s April wellness focus. MBPA Members are encouraged to complete the newly revised Member Survey to help guide the Board’s priorities for the year.
“We thank Kathleen Frazier for organizing the first annual Middleburg Burns Night at the Community Center in January,” Punkin said. “It was a huge success, and we look forward to the next installment!”
February is packed with activities, including the annual Winter Weekend Sale, Valentine’s celebrations, gallery exhibits, concerts, environmental programming, and community gatherings. The Town of Middleburg also continues its participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary with special events, including a presentation of oral histories from historic Asbury Church.
The evening also included a heartfelt recognition of Marcia Massenburg of Bendure Communications as Behind the Scenes Person of the Year.
“Talk about someone who stays under the radar,” said Punkin. “She may be petite in stature and rather unassuming when you see her walking her cute bundle of fur, Aretha, down the street, but Marcia Massenberg is a force.”
For nearly two decades, Marcia has worked for Bendure Public Relations, providing strategic communications, media outreach, and meticulous planning support for countless town and business events. Known for her calm presence and attention to detail, she plays a vital role in ensuring Middleburg’s events receive the visibility and coverage they deserve.
“Marcia is wonderful to work with, she plans ahead, is always prepared, and never gets ruffled,” Punkin continued. “She is a real gem to all of us and her media outreach for the many events we have and thank you Marcia for all that you do.”
MBPA welcomed new Members:
Polaris Innovations
Welbourne Inn
Loudoun Lyric Opera
Interim Healthcare of Loudoun
Blue Sky Landscaping
Summit Events Co.
Loudoun Market
Shop Wall
Congratulations to our door prize winners, Mary McEchearn and Will McCollogh!
See you at the next Bizz Buzz, Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Salamander Middleburg.