You’re invited to the first annual Wineries at Willowsford event! For one day only, six of Loudoun County’s famed wineries are coming to one place – The Lodge at Willow Lake. Discover a new favorite wine, and mingle with neighbors and friends. Picnic baskets prepared by Willowsford Kitchen are available for purchase during registration, or you may bring your own basket to enjoy on the terrace and lawn, overlooking Willow Lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Pizzeria Moto will also be on site, serving up the area’s best wood-fired pizza.

Admission is free, tasting tickets are $25/person and must be purchased in advance. Each ticket includes a Willowsford wine glass and a tasting of two wines at each featured vineyard. This event is 21+. This event is in conjunction with Willowsford Marketing. 

Featured Wineries: Tarara, Bluemont, Stone Tower, Bull Run, 8 Chains North and a 6th surprise winery!

Register here!

Community Center Closures – The Lodge and Sycamore House will be closed Friday, April 14 and Sunday, April 16.  

Help Keep Willowsford Streets Safe – Willowsford is an active community. Residents are biking and walking the family dog; children are playing. While we encourage an active lifestyle, we want all our residents to be safe. Whether you are commuting to work or taking the kids to practice, please keep an eye out while driving through the neighborhood.  Unless otherwise stated, residential streets have a speed limit of 25 mph. Please pay special attention to children walking to and from the bus stops. It is also important to always have your four-legged friends leashed while out on walks. 

Community Standards Inspection Reminder – The following sections in The Grange can expect to see Elexandra over the next few months: 2, 3A, 3B, 3C. Click here to determine what section your street is in. Elexandra will be dressed in Willowsford Gear and/or wearing an ID lanyard. You can expect to see her taking pictures and walking along the property.

Community Update Meeting – The Willowsford Development Team has scheduled its next Community Update meeting for April 18 at 6:30 PM at The Lodge. Please attend to learn more about improvements to our road network, plans for the adjacent school sites and parks, the proposed additions of land to The Grove and The Greens and other exciting news. In particular, many Grove residents will be interested to learn more about the revised Preliminary Plan that was submitted, (which required the posting of public notice signage around the proposed new section of homes). Residents are encouraged to register to give the HOA an accurate head count for preparations. Register here.

Board of Directors Meeting – The Board of Directors meets every other month, generally on the second Thursday.  The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 18 at 2:30 PM at Sycamore House.

 The next Design Review Meeting, (DRC) is on April 26 at 9 AM with applications due on April 17. For DRC applications, Design Guidelines and more information, click HERE! To schedule a pre-review meeting, click HERE!

Willowsford Life Facebook Group – You may have noticed that your Lifestyle Team has begun promoting upcoming events and important information in the Willowsford Life Facebook Group (in addition to the Willowsford Weekly e-blasts). If you haven't joined the group yet, click here.

Beer Brunch at The Lodge – April 30 from 12 to 2 PM. Delicious beer brunch featuring food made with Willowsford Farm and local area products paired with a selection of local beer and wine! $65/person ADULTS ONLY. Register here!

On the Menu

Marzan Glazed Sticky Buns

Amber Ale Glazed Heritage Hollow Short Rib Hash with Olive Oil Poached Eggs

Woodson’s Mill Grits with Local Cheddar and Charred Onion Compote

Spring Greens, Walnuts and Wheat Beer Vinaigrette

Chocolate Stout Floats with House-made Vanilla Ice Cream

Mother’s Day Bakeshop – May 13 from 10 AM to 12 PM at The Lodge. Kids hands-on baking class where students will make a box of sweet and savory treats for Mom on her special day! On the menu: Ham and Cheese Croissants, Farm Garden Berry Coffeecake, Sugar Cookie ‘Flowers’ and ‘Butterflies,’ and Chocolate Turtle Cookies. Register here!

• Children ages 8 and up: $50
• Adult/Child pair (children ages 5 to 7 must be accompanied by an adult): $70

Ladies Lunch & Learn – May 3, 10, 17 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Sycamore House. Per class: $70/person OR 3-week series: $195/person.

In this 3-week, technique driven series you will learn what to look for at the Farm Stand, how to store it, and how to prepare the best the season has to offer.  Lunch will be served along with a glass of wine. Register here!

Week 1: Cooking with Herbs

• Steamed Mussels in White Wine and Farm Herbs
• Grilled Flank Steak with Herbed Butter, Gremolata and Chimichurri Sauces
• Herbed Biscuits

• Grilled Asparagus and Shrimp Salad with Romesco Sauce
• Zucchini Carpaccio with Lemon and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Carrot Salad with Creamy Citrus Vinaigrette
• Spring Kale Caesar Salad
• Moroccan Spiced Lamb, Red Onion and Cucumber Salad with Yogurt Mint Dressing
• Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad with Smoked Chili Buttermilk Ranch

Week 3: Farmhouse Kitchen Grilling and Roasting

• Roasted Beets, Local Goat Cheese with Hazelnut Vinaigrette
• Roasted Beet Hummus with Grilled Pita Chips
• Grilled Eggplant and Chickpea Salad with Mint and Feta
• Grilled Eggplant Rollatini with House-made Ricotta
• Skirt Steak with Sicilian-Style Roasted Pepper Salad
• Roasted Potatoes with Spicy Tomato Mayo

Camp Willowsford – Beginning in July, we’re offering a well-rounded selection of camps that will suit your child’s interests and needs. This summer, you’ll find everything from Discover, Lost & Found in the Wilds of Willowsford, Cooking Around the World, to Lego, art and music! Each day ends with pool fun and games with the instructors. Learn more and register: 2017 Camp Willowsford Brochure!

Save these Date for Upcoming Events!

• Movie Under the Stars – May 19 from 8:30 to 10:30 PM at Sycamore House 

• End of School Splash Parties – June 9 from 4 to 8 PM at The Lodge and Sycamore Pools

• Summer Concert Series – June 2 at The Lodge. Ted Garber is back and he’s bringing a band! Guaranteed to be a fantastic evening!

• Child/Parent Culinary Work Shops: Children and parents work together to learn and create culinary dishes with the Kitchen team. More details to come! Ages 5-8 ($70/pair) on July 12 from 5 to 7 PM at The Lodge & ages 9-12 ($85/pair) on July 25 from 5 to 7:30 PM at The Lodge.

Upcoming Club Events: Upcoming Club Events: The Willowsford Social Club is hosting an Earth Day event at Sycamore House on April 22. Meet and mix with vendors who will help teach Willowsford residents how to save money by using utilities wisely and planting and developing their homes and property in ways that ease their impact on the environment and stay for a community picnic and concert. Click here from more information!

For Community Club events and information, click HERE!

Earth Day Bluebird Nestbox Tour – Saturday, April 22 from 1 to 2 PM. Join us on the Farm Loop in The Grange for a nesting box tour led by Conservancy Ranger Andrew Richardson. We will peek into the nesting boxes and talk about the Eastern bluebird’s life cycle, habitat needs, and challenges the birds face. Limited to 18 participants. Meet at the Farm Stand.  RSVP here!

Milkweed Seed Bombs with Farmer Deb – Calling all butterfly enthusiasts and Willowsford kids! Stop by the Farm Stand on Saturday, April 22 between 2 and 4 pm for an Earth Day craft. Join farmer Deb and make your very own Milkweed Seed Bombs.  Seed bombs can be placed on the ground, or tossed into a hard-to-reach area, and when the conditions are right, they will sprout and new nectar and milkweed plants will grow. Help us Bring Back the Monarch by planting Milkweed in your yards. This is a free event!

Voices in the Night Amphibian Program – Thursday, April 27 from 7 to 9 PM at Sycamore House/Grange meadow. Have you ever listened to the nighttime sounds and wondered who was making that noise?  Join us for Voices in the Night and learn how to identify local frog and toad species based solely on the sounds they make.  There is something very rewarding about closing your eyes and knowing what critters are around you.  So, come out and explore our local frogs and toads at Willowsford! $5/person. Register here!