Posted on in lifestyle

Christmas Season Arrives in Middleburg

Neighbors, Friends, and Visitors Gather for the Tree Lighting at the Pink Box,
the Middleburg Visitor’s Center,
Police Chief, “A.J.” Panebianco greets Middleburg Visitors – guests at the Salamander Resort

Dec. 6, 2019 – Middleburg, VA. “Tonight, we stop, pause, and say thank you…” said Pastor, Dan Morgan, of the Middleburg Baptist Church, while he gave the invocation.

Master of Ceremonies, Middleburg Business and Professional Association President, Punkin Lee, spoke about the community saying, ‘Not only are we here tonight to light our town tree, but I think we should take a moment to pause and think about why we live in and around the small town we all call home. We are a generous, caring, and loving community. We will help a neighbor and a friend with volunteers who willingly serve such groups as Seven Loaves, Fish, Middleburg Humane, the Community Center, their churches, and their schools. We love our countryside, our open space, all of our critters, and our people’s way of life. We are all so fortunate to live here and should never take this place for granted. Yes, tomorrow is another fun day of festivities in Middleburg but it is also the 78th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and we should never forget.” With those words Ms. Lee invited Mayor Littleton to the podium.

The Mayor spoke about the importance of  the tree and how to fund its lights and ornaments, volunteers called on businesses and residents for donations, “Not a single merchant or person we spoke to said no. Donations ranged from $2 to $500, and we were able to amass, through a community effort, the lights that you are about to see. Just so you know this is a work in progress. I’d like to ask every community member to bring an ornament and make this truly a community tree.”

The large crowd gave a huge round of applause to the town merchants for their support of the Christmas tree effort. After a 10-9-8-7….3-2-1 countdown, the switch for the tree was flipped and beautiful light streamed from the many strands of lights, casting a violet glow on the surrounding buildings and the street below.  More carols followed with elves and Mrs. Clause mingling with the guests.

  • Elves, Perri Obetz and Madeline Wooden distribute programs
  • Mrs. Clause, Suzanne Obetz, Executive Director of hte Middleburg Museum
  • Meeting Friends
  • Jim Herbert, Middleburg Parade Organizer
  • Mayor Littleton

Many guests came with their dogs. There were straight, pointy, fluffy, and curly tails wagging while friends and neighbors greet one another.  The most prevalent breeds of dogs at the lighting were labs, doodles, and golden retrievers. The dogs, although, amid a crowd, were peaceful and happily exchanged wags for pats on their heads.

  • CHris and Jennifer Chi
    with Kobe and Lucy
  • Hilary Hyland with Harper Lee, the Golden Retreiver, and Eileen Hilvert
  • Ann Rodmna-Shook with Cooper

With the Season officially “open,” a number of social gatherings ensued. Once such event took place just around the corner at the law offices of  Bruce R. Smith where guests toasted the upcoming holidays and friends shared their excitement of the season.

  • Chris Baker, LIzzy Beer, Chalres Carroll
  • Charles Carroll
  • Linda and Bruce Smith
Post Tree Lighting Open House at the law Offices of Bruce R. Smith
  • Lara Muller and Janie Rentz

Middleburg – a tiny town in Western Loudoun County with  a huge heart. Let the revelry begin!

The Community Tree