On Tuesday, March 12, the MBPA came together at the National Sporting Library & Museum for a lively evening of mixing, mingling, and making connections!
“Welcome, everyone, to an evening that almost feels like spring is just around the corner,” said MBPA President Punkin Lee. “It’s a pleasure to be here at the NSLM, and a special thank you to our hosts for welcoming us to this month’s Biz Buzz.”
“Back in 1954, there was no museum—just a growing sporting library housed in the historic Duffy House, now home to the MHHNA,” said Punkin. “Over time, the library moved up Washington Street to Vine Hill, and eventually, a separate building was constructed for the library. By 2011, the addition to Vine Hill and the surrounding six-acre campus became the National Sporting Library & Museum, dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the literature, art, and culture of equestrian, angling, and field sports.”
Today, the Library holds over 26,000 volumes, including historical periodicals, more than 90 archival collections, and antiquarian titles dating back to 1523—all digitized to share with the world. The Museum boasts a remarkable collection of over 2,000 objects, ranging from paintings and sculptures to trophies, works on paper, and much more.
“Living and working in Middleburg is a gift,” said Elizabeth Von Hassel, NSLM Executive Director. “Our team is here tonight, and they are an amazing one. They make this library and museum phenomenal.”
NSLM has an exciting lineup of exhibits and programs coming up, including:
• Intrepid Audubon in partnership with Oak Spring Garden Foundation (April 2-September 13)
• Drawn to Nature: 300 Years of Natural History Illustration (April 12-September 15)
• The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers (May 9-September 13)
• A David vs. Goliath Battle to Protect Virginia’s Land, Water, and Communities on March 19
• Sunday Sketch on March 30
• American Rivers: Connect & Protect on April 17
• The Art of the Angle: An Evening with Author John N. Maclean on April 24
Local wineries celebrated big wins at the 2025 Governor’s Cup:
• 50 West Vineyards‘ 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvee – GOLD
• Cana Vineyards and Winery’s 2023 Albariño – GOLD
• Chrysalis Vineyard at the Ag District’s 2022 Norton – GOLD
Marcy Harris has retired and passed the torch at Stitch to new owners Suzanne Abu-Sharr, Haven Ward, Lee McKeel and Rose Rogers, who have been busy painting, rearranging, and displaying new canvases for you to explore and purchase!
Welcome to our new members, DeeAnn Jeremiah of Imagine Life Coaching, and Job and Suji Woodill from Whitehall Hounds!
March Events in Full Swing:
• St. Patrick’s Day Party at Lost Barrel on March 15
• St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at Hunter’s Head Tavern on March 17
• Raymer’s Chocolate offers a delightful selection of specialty treats for the annual “wearin’ o’ the green”.
Visit the AiM Gallery to experience the Healing Through Color Student Art Exhibit, on display through March 18. Participating schools include Banneker Elementary, Claude Thompson, Foxcroft, Middleburg Community Charter, and Middleburg Montessori.
The Byrne Gallery’s March exhibit, The Poetry of Spring, is on display through March 30 and features six talented local artists: Suzanne Lago Arthur, Miguel Diaz, Gerald Hennesy, Cathleen Lawless, Matt Tymowski and Carolyn Marshall Wright.
Other exciting events this month:
• Karaoke and Shop at Brick & Mortar Mercantile on March 20—shop, sing, and sip with Casey and her team.
• The Basics of Pruning by Oak Spring Garden Foundation on March 22.
• A Taste of Chicago at Boxwood Estate Winery on March 22.
• The Piedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-Point on March 22 at Salem Racecourse in Upperville (Pony races begin at noon, first race post time is 1 pm).
• The Annual Art of the Piedmont Gala and Auction on March 28 at the Middleburg Community Center, showcasing over 30 artists and benefiting Middleburg Montessori School.
Give Choose is here! Early giving began on March 12, and the official day is March 25. This annual 24-hour giving campaign supports local nonprofits across Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. Your donation helps provide essential services, education, the arts, animal rescue, and more—all right here in our community.
Town Updates:
The Virginia Half Marathon and 5k takes place on Sunday, March 23, starting from The Hill School on South Madison Street, with several hundred runners expected.
Middleburg Wellness Day and the Middleburg Wellness Day 5k & Kids’ Fun Run are on Saturday, April 12. Check-in is at 7:30 am at the Community Center, with the run beginning at 8:30 am. Register by March 16 to receive a free t-shirt! The Wellness Fair follows from 10 am to 2 pm, featuring demos such as Tomba!, Women’s Self-Defense, and CPR, along with select vendor presentations.
The Middleburg Farmers’ Market season kicks off on Saturday, May 3, from 9 am to 1 pm.
Foxes on the Fence runs from April 1 to May 10.
Art in the Burg is on Saturday, May 10.
The Second Annual Middleburg Day will be held on Friday, May 30, at the Town Hall.
Thank you to NSLM, Bull Run Turf, Certified Humane and BCT for donating fabulous door prizes, and congratulations to our door prize winners:
Michael Reed
Jennifer Saunders
Susan Hensley
Kim Shelly
Viviane Warren
Kathy Olimpi
We will see you at the next Biz Buzz: Tuesday, April 8 at Lost Barrel Brewing!