Leesburg’s Memorial Day Celebration Set for May 27

The annual event honoring those who’ve lost their lives serving our country’s military takes place on the Loudoun County Courthouse grounds.

Next Monday, join the Leesburg Town Council and the Memorial Day Host Committee for the annual Memorial Day Observance, starting at 10 a.m. at the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg. Thoughts of the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who’ve given their lives for the country weigh heavy on the minds of Americans each Memorial Day and observances such as Leesburg’s provide the opportunity to our appreciation. During the town’s ceremony, wreaths are placed at each war memorial on the courthouse grounds, while town pays tribute with patriotic music and military presentations. All are welcome to participate. This year’s event features U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, who currently serves as the Deputy Commandant for Combat …

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Heritage High Tree Planted in Recognition of Arbor Day

An Earth Day planting at the school in Leesburg aims at educating residents about the importance of trees.

Town of Leesburg and Loudoun County Public Schools representatives gathered with students at Heritage High School Monday to plant a London Plane tree in recognition of Arbor Day. Arbor Day falls on the last Friday in April, but the celebration came a little early to accommodate the students’ schedules. Earth Day seemed just as appropriate a day for the ceremony. Tom Seeman, chairman of the Leesburg Tree Commission offered a few words about the importance of trees. “They shade our environment. They absorb pollution,” he said, adding that the goal of the annual planting is to “enhance, protect and expand the tree canopy in Leesburg.” The Tree Commission participated in the Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival over the weekend, giving away about…

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Corrections Dept. Returns to Loudoun Street in Leesburg

Authorities continue to seek information regarding the alleged arson that forced the employees from the location.

The Loudoun County Department of Community Corrections employees have returned to 107 Loudoun Street in Leesburg after a fire, deemed arson by the fire marshal, forced them out in November. Substance abuse groups that meet Mondays and Tuesdays at the Shenandoah Building on Heritage Way NE in Leesburg, also will return to Loudoun Street, beginning April 22. The fire at the office broke out early Nov. 14. No one was injured. A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information can contact Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. More information about the programs and services offered by the Department of Community Corrections is available online: www.loudoun.gov/…

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Leesburg to Evict Vultures

Starting Monday, officials will use pyrotechnics, lasers to move vultures from downtown.

Leesburg's vulture problem will get a solution next week, officials said Wednesday, when federal wildlife specialists and town police officers plan to deploy pyrotechnics and lasers to scare the creatures away from areas they're damaging downtown. Starting Monday, and continuing every day that week, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services Program, along with the Leesburg Police Department, will work to remove the vultures from the area of Mayfair Drive NE and Plaza Street NE, which is near the Leesburg Plaza shopping center. From 4 to 5 p.m. on those days, "officials will use pyrotechnics, lasers, and other dispersal devices that are noise and light makers to move the birds nightly just prior to dark," the town said…

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Letter to the Editor

LTE: Atheists Actions Nothing Short of Hypocrisy

A reader makes his thoughts about Loudoun’s courthouse holiday display clear.

So now Rick Wingrove, head of the Beltway (NOVA) Atheists, is rounding up his troops so-to-speak (hope this is a non-offensive word) to speak at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors’ Business Meeting against Supervisor Reid’s recent remark, as quoted in the Washington Times, in which he characterized the actions of this group as it pertains to the Loudoun County Courthouse seasonal displays as akin to those of “terrorist.” While it is obvious that Mr. Reid‘s choice of words was somewhat over the top, and one that he has already expressed his regrets about using, and which pales in comparison to the behavior of the Atheists themselves, the Atheists will take hold of this opportunity to move their agenda forward in the public arena, by …

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Nurse's Letters Come Full Circle

Correspondence from county health nurse completes a long journey back to Leesburg.

Last week I began the tale of a dozen letters that Miss Bess Ott sent to her teenage niece over a six-year period, beginning in 1937. Miss Ott was living in Leesburg, where she was working as the new Loudoun County Health Department’s first public health nurse. Miss Ott never imagined that the letters, which provide a glimpse into life in Leesburg and Loudoun County in the middle of the 20th century, would find their way back to Leesburg more than seven decades later. On February 23, 1941, Miss Ott wrote that her landlady’s sister, Miss Nan McIntosh, had been operated on. She was getting along quite well, but would not be able to go out for some time. Miss Ellen Metzger had been ill in bed with the flu for several days. Miss Ott stayed …

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Romney Calls for Return to American Values

During stop in Leesburg, Romney continued pressing his case against Obama.

While Republican candidate Gov. Mitt Romney ended his campaign stop in Leesburg Wednesday with comments that he wants to bring America together, one of his supporters kicked off the event by seemingly questioning President Barack Obama’s faith. “I know who Romney prays to. That’s the same god that I pray, too,” said musician Andy Griggs, adding that he wasn’t so sure about other folks in Washington, DC. An estimated 8,000 people showed up to see Romney speak at Ida Lee Park in Loudoun County. Both presidential candidates and their wives have each made at least one stop in Loudoun, considered a bellwether of Virginia. And Virginia is one of the key swing states in this year’s campaign, pitting challenger Romney against the president. See …

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Romney, Dennis Miller Rally Fans at Ida Lee

Stop in Leesburg comes day after second debate with President Barack Obama.

Dennis Miller joined Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for a campaign stop Wednesday at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Va. A day after his second debate with President Barack Obama on Tuesday in New York, Romney criticized Obama for not laying out a second-term agenda in front of a crowd of about 8,000. Nationally, experts have been drawn to Loudoun as key to whether Virginia swings red or blue in in November. The presidential candidates and their families have made a number of stops in Loudoun County this election season: First Lady Michelle Obama was at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds earlier this month; Ann Romney led a "Rally for Mitt" at Cavallo Farm in September. President Barack Obama stopped in Leesburg in August. Romney was …

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Romney To Campaign at Ida Lee Park

Register online for the Republican presidential hopeful's swing through closely watched Loudoun County.

Mitt Romney — the Republican candidate hoping to unseat President Barack Obama — will be in Loudoun County Oct. 17 for a free event at Ida Lee Park. While residents are encouraged to get their tickets online, be aware that all attendees must pass through “airport-like” security. No bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids or signs can be taken into the venue. Cameras ARE permitted. The event begins at 6:30 p.m., and doors open at 4:30 p.m. Register online at Romney’s campaign website.

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Photos: Ann Romney Rouses Crowd at Cavallo Farm

Campaigns continue to focus on Virginia, with Loudoun getting plenty of special attention.

The presidential campaign stops in Virginia continued Friday, as Ann Romney took a visit to Cavallo Farm in Brambleton for a rally hosted by Women for Mitt. Mitt Romney accepted the GOP's nomination last week in Tampa, Fla. Patch will post a recap of Ann Romney's remarks later today. For photos, click through the gallery above.

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