The Blue Ridge Leader

12/04/2025

Trump administration moves to overhaul Dulles Airport https://blueridgeleader.com/trump-administration-moves-to-overhaul-dulles-airport President Donald Trump said Tuesday, Dec. 2, that his administration will launch a major reconstruction of Washington Dulles International Airport, arguing the facility has fallen far short of its potential.

“We are also going to rebuild Dulles Airport because it’s not a good airport,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. “It should be a great airport, and it’s not a good airport at all. It’s a terrible airport.”

The president praised Eero Saarinen, architect of the airport’s landmark main terminal. “He was one of the greatest architects in the world at the time,” Trump said, noting that despite the celebrated design, “they have a great building and a bad airport.” He said, “It’s got a beautiful terminal.”

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority issued a statement in response, saying it appreciates the administration’s interest in improving Dulles. “The Airport Authority appreciates the administration’s interest in making improvements to Washington Dulles International Airport. We look forward to seeing the results of the U.S.

12/04/2025

Leesburg, Knights of Columbus and VFW Post 1177 collect Sweats for Vets https://blueridgeleader.com/leesburg-knights-of-columbus-and-vfw-post-1177-collect-sweats-for-vets The Town of Leesburg is once again partnering with the Knights of Columbus and VFW Post 1177 to collect sweatsuits that will be donated to in-patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Collection boxes are located at Town Hall and Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. Donations are being accepted now through Monday, Dec. 22.

Donation guidelines are as follows:

- New sweatshirts and sweatpants only.

12/04/2025

Meet the Mayor event scheduled for Dec. 10 https://blueridgeleader.com/meet-the-mayor-event-scheduled-for-dec-10 Evoto

The next Meet the Mayor event with Mayor Kelly Burk will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at SimplyBe Coffee, 208 Church Street SE, in Leesburg.

12/04/2025

TLUC talks rural zoning on food trucks, wineries and restaurants https://blueridgeleader.com/tluc-talks-rural-zoning-on-food-trucks-wineries-and-restaurants By Sophia Clifton

Anyone driving past a Loudoun winery on a sunny Saturday can almost always spot a band, a long line for snacks and sometimes even a food truck or two parked in the gravel lot. County planners and the Board of Supervisors spent their Transportation and Land Use Committee meeting on Nov. 5, talking about exactly that.

Throughout the meeting, the key question under discussion became: How can county staff best update the rules that govern food service, food trucks, short-term events and other uses in western Loudoun’s rural areas so farms and agritourism businesses can survive, without turning country roads into party corridors? The session, the seventh of eight planned stakeholder meetings, focused on Western Loudoun Rural Uses and Standards under a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Zoning Ordinance Amendment.

Staff told the committee that the topics for this meeting were “Food Service, Food Trucks, and Farm Winery, Limited Brewery, and Limited Distillery Events.” The meeting was open to invited stakeholders from business, agriculture/conservation, and residential sectors.

12/04/2025

Tourism zone for thee—but not for me https://blueridgeleader.com/tourism-zone-for-thee-but-not-for-me By Valerie Cury

In 2012, the Purcellville Town Council created a Tourism Zone within the C-4 Historic Downtown District, designating five contiguous parcels along North 21st Street—130 to 144 N. 21st Street, plus a few rear lots under the same ownership—as the “Old Town Tourism Zone.”

The ordinance granted those parcels regulatory flexibility—effectively loosening zoning constraints—and economic incentives, including the potential waiver of hookup fees, real estate taxes, meals tax, and occupancy taxes for up to nine years, if the owner invested in a qualifying redevelopment project. Monetary grants from the Town were also permitted. The incentives were structured to help the property owners of the Vineyard Square project—including a member of the Chapman family—to pursue a boutique hotel on the site.

12/04/2025

Shiloh Manor Farm hosts evening of Baroque music and fine dining https://blueridgeleader.com/shiloh-manor-farm-hosts-evening-of-baroque-music-and-fine-dining-2 Soprano Kerry Holahan will return to the Wheatland Concert Series at Shiloh Manor Farm on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m., offering an intimate evening of Baroque music and fine French cuisine. To sign up, go to www.shiloh-manor.com. Holahan, known for her performances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Folger Consort, and the National Cathedral Choir, will present a stirring program of arias from Handel’s Messiah.

12/04/2025

Tech-Free January: Let’s unplug and recharge for 2026 https://blueridgeleader.com/tech-free-january-lets-unplug-and-recharge-for-2026 By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Each year, “Dry January” sweeps wine, beer, and liquor glasses off the table. But what if this year’s reset is about screens instead?

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Each year, “Dry January” sweeps wine, beer, and liquor glasses off the table. But what if this year’s reset is about screens instead? Enter: Tech-Free January—a modern cleanse for your screen-weary soul. Screens, Screens, everywhere:  Let’s face it—scree...

12/04/2025

FINANCIAL FOCUS® https://blueridgeleader.com/financial-focus-11 Generosity meets strategy with tax-savvy donations

Submitted by Joshua Wolinski, Edward Jones Financial Advisor

Giving to charity feels good, but understanding the tax benefits can benefit both the charity and you. Whether you donate regularly or are planning your first gift, knowing how charitable tax deductions work can help you make informed decisions while supporting causes you care about. Here are things to consider:

The basics: Itemizing vs.

12/04/2025

Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth: Waterford Revisited https://blueridgeleader.com/just-like-nothing-else-on-earth-waterford-revisited By Tim Jon

My Walk in Waterford: The Movie; imagine taking an early-morning stroll around an historic village, on a beautifully refreshing day, and you’ve got the whole place to yourself. This was my experience in a nutshell the last time I visited the quiet little community nestled in the heart of north central Loudoun County. Why don’t you come along, it’s not too late to join me; the palpable hush of daybreak urged me to step softly so as not to disturb the residents—some just a few feet from the sidewalk along the streets.

I had the feeling there was a bit of mutual self-consciousness going on, but—as an outsider—I assume mine weighed heavier.

12/04/2025

Loudoun’s water plan risks drying up our future https://blueridgeleader.com/loudouns-water-plan-risks-drying-up-our-future Dear Editor:

Here in Western Loudoun, we are reckoning with our effect on the water table and its remaining resources. The Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition recently published a groundwater study which found that the water table has decreased between 10 and 40 feet over the past 20 years. We already feel some of the effects.

12/04/2025

It seems to me: a clear and present danger in Western Loudoun https://blueridgeleader.com/it-seems-to-me-a-clear-and-present-danger-in-western-loudoun By Joe LaFiandra

Most people are not fully aware of the danger of injury or death from falling trees in Western Loudoun. Before your eyes glaze over and say “Another thing to worry about” consider the following deaths from falling trees in Loudoun County:

St. Francis de Sales Church pastor, Michael Kelly, in Hamilton, in 2008.

12/03/2025

Rural Loudoun County on Trial https://blueridgeleader.com/rural-loudoun-county-on-trial By Senator Dick Black (Ret.)

The trial of Kwasi Fraser is not about him—it is an epic battle over lucrative land deals. Back when slow growth struggles dominated county politics, a majority on the Purcellville town council planted a time bomb that was designed to eventually force voters to accept high-density development inside expanded town limits. They purposely built a sewage treatment plant far larger than the existing town limits would ever use and more expensive than the town could afford.