A record number of candidates for the 2016-2017 Middleburg Business and Professional Association’s Board of Directors helped to spur interest in the election, with members selecting their preferred choices from a slate of 10 candidates.
That was the message of MBPA Vice President Ken Reid as he noted that 29% of the association’s membership cast ballots in the election, above the expected turnout. The 7 board members elected for the next term will be announced at the association’s next Biz Buzz, Reid said.
Reid also took the opportunity to thank outgoing board members Mimi Dale Stein, Genie Ford, and Jo Ann Hazard for their service to the association.
The announcement came as part of MBPA’s Biz Buzz at Home Farm on Oct. 13, where members and their guests sampled delectable treats such as smoked curry turkey salad, beef pasties, roasted red pepper hummus, pecan pie tartlets, and pumpkin cheesecake.
Also announced at the meeting: Construction on the long-awaited Rte. 50 traffic calming project will begin Thursday, Oct. 15, with no parking on either side of Washington St. between The Plains Rd. and Pendleton St. until Friday, Oct. 16, at the conclusion of work. Parking will be available on both sides of the street for the weekend, but there won’t be parking available in the construction zone on either side of the street from Oct. 19-Oct. 22. Again, parking will be available on both sides of the street for the weekend, as the town hosts the Middleburg Film Festival.
You can find out more about the $4.8 million project, which the Virginia Department of Transportation anticipates completing in November of 2016, on the VDOT website.
MBPA President Punkin Lee also announced that two businesses in town have recently changed hands: Stitch and Middleburg’s Finest Chocolates, formerly known as Shenandoah’s Finest Chocolates. “Lucky for us, the stores are staying,” Lee said.
Also of note: MBPA is seeking nominees for its year-end business awards and will be hosting a professional development workshop run by Google consultant Michael Johnson on how businesses can enhance their presence on the internet search engine. Look for more details soon.
The monthly mixer also served to highlight several important upcoming events, including:
- Concert on the Steps (Oct. 16): Enjoy a festive fall evening filled with bluegrass by King Street Blue Grass, libations by Middleburg Lions Club, and light snacks at the Middleburg Community Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Loudoun Fall Farm Tour (Oct. 17-18): The annual event will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at various farms throughout the county, offering participants a chance to sample Loudoun’s agricultural products. More information about the tour can be found on the loudounfarms.org website.
- Aldie Harvest Festival & Duck Race (Oct. 17): This free event sponsored by the Aldie Heritage Association features antiques, crafts, jewelry, country cooking, bake sales, a moon bounce and face painting for the kids, music, and more. The Aldie Duck Race, which offers the opportunity to win $100,000, will be held at 4 p.m. at the festival. Ducks may be purchased for $5 each or 5 for $20 at the Aldie Fire Station until 3 p.m. during the festival.
- Foxcroft Parents’ Weekend (Oct. 16-18): Foxcroft will be welcoming families to its prestigious campus this weekend, so be on the lookout for families around town. Businesses wishing to display signs in support of the school should contact MBPA President Punkin Lee.
- Middleburg Film Festival (Oct. 22-25): Advance ticket packages are on sale online for this 4-day film festival, which will feature 26 films, including the world premiere of Meg Ryan’s directorial debut, Ithaca.
- Halloween Festivities (Oct . 30-31): Trick-or-treating in the business district is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30, from 3-6 p.m., with a parade through town starting at the Middleburg Community Center at 5 p.m. Also on Friday, from 6-8 p.m., the community center will be holding its Fall Family Night, where families can enjoy roasting marshmallows, building scarecrows, and eating s’mores, hotdogs, and popcorn–all for just $5/family. Following the parade, the National Sporting Library & Museum will also be hosting two movie nights on its outdoor lawn, a kids feature followed by a film for adults. On Halloween, trick or treating in town will kick off with MCC’s “Hot Dog, It’s Halloween!” This free event, held from 5:30-7 p.m., includes a hot dog dinner.
- Christmas in Middleburg (Dec. 5): Christmas in Middleburg will be here before you know it, but there are still opportunities for advertising, both in the program guide and on the shuttle buses. Interested businesses should contact Jim Herbert at organizer@christmasinmiddlburg.org. Businesses that are hosting events during the holiday season should also contact Jim to ensure the event is included on the site’s calendar.
