Willowsford Weekly

This Earth Day, take a guided tour of the Willowsford Bluebird nestboxes along the Farm Loop and finish at the Farm Stand where butterfly enthusiasts and the kiddos can hang with Farmer Deb and make Milkweed bombs! What a day! See below for more details.

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. This is a free event! 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!

Willowsford Waves – Registration for our community swim team is now open. If you have a child that loves to swim and is interested in joining the Willowsford Waves for our fourth season, check out our website at Willowsfordwaves.com. The team is open to all swimmers ages 5-18 that are Willowsford residents and to future residents that have a signed contract and are registered with the HOA. For children younger than 5 or those that are not quite ready for the "big" swim team, we have a Mini-Waves program designed to prepare swimmers for the next level. Swimming for the Waves is a great way for kids to spend time with friends and build confidence through daily practices, competitive meets and fun social activities. It will foster a love of swimming as a sport and serve as great conditioning for other sports throughout the year. Registration details, coach bios, and additional team information can be found on our website. You can also check us out on Facebook at Willowsford Waves Swim Team.

Swim Lesson Information– LetSwim will be back this summer working with the families of Willowsford! Group swim lesson registration is now open! Go to LetSwim online to view your community schedule now to begin planning your Summer.

We are offering four 2-week sessions at times convenient for you!

Session 1: June 12 – June 23
Session 2: June 26 - July 7 (note: class on Tuesday, 7/4 will be held on Friday, 7/7)
Session 3: July 10 – July 21
Session 4: July 24 – August 4

*PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO EVENING LESSONS OFFERED IN SESSION 1 AT SYCAMORE HOUSE

Private swim lesson instruction will also be available. We are in the process of finalizing our instructors and private lesson registration should open in mid-May. Thank you and we look forward to working with your children again this Summer!

HOA Office Closure – Sycamore House and The Lodge will close on May 12 at 11 AM and will reopen at 5 PM.

Community Standards Inspection Reminder – The following sections in The Grange can expect to see Elexandra over the next few months: 3A and 4. As well as open space encroachment in The Grant and Grove. 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.

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.

Nursery on Wheels by CLS – Community Landscape Services is excited to partner with Willowsford to bring back our nursery on wheels program. CLS will have a selection of summer annuals, native perennials, and hanging baskets for purchase at Sycamore Pool parking lot during the Willowsford Social Committees Earth Day Event on April 22. We will be also be available to answer any landscape questions regarding your home design, planting projects, and outdoor living needs at the event. Please click HERE to download the order form.

Willowsford 101 – May 25 at 6:30 PM at Sycamore House. If you have not already attended Willowsford 101, please join us! Team members from the HOA, Lifestyle, Kitchen, Conservancy and the Farm will be present to give you an overview of each aspect of our beautiful community. Begin the evening by mingling with representatives from our resident Community Groups. This fun, interactive evening is a great opportunity to learn about your community and mingle with your neighbors! Registration is free - RSVP here!

The next Design Review Meeting, (DRC) is on April 26 at 9 AM. For DRC applications, Design Guidelines and more information, 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

Mother’s Day Brunch – May 14 from 12 to 1:30 PM at Sycamore House. Celebrate Mom with a relaxing and delicious Willowsford Farm-inspired buffet in the Courtyard! $50/adult; $25/child (12 and under). Register here!

On the Menu

Champagne Cocktail, Strawberry-Lemonade & Iced Tea

House-made Bread Basket (Chocolate Croissants, Woodson’s Mill Corn Muffins, Breakfast Beignets) with House-made Jam and Butter

Spring Greens, Local Goat Cheese, Farm Strawberries and Champagne Vinaigrette

Made-to-Order Omelets with Willowsford’s Free Grange Eggs

Hash Browned Herbed Potatoes

House-made Local Sausage with Cheddar Biscuits

Willowsford Farm Strawberry-Rhubarb Shortcake with Whipped Cream

You’re invited to the first annual Wineries at Willowsford event on Saturday, May 20 from 12 to 4 PM! 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!

Ladies (and Gentlemen) 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

Week 2: Beyond the Greens

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!

Upcoming Club Events

The Garden Club is excited to announce The Loudoun County Masters Gardeners session on vegetable gardening tonight from 6:30 to 8 PM at Sycamore House. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about environmentally sound horticulture practices and talk to experts about your specific gardening questions. The session is free to all Willowsford residents!

The Willowsford Social Club is hosting an Earth Day event at Sycamore House this Saturday! 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!

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!

Sign Up for 2017 Community Supported Agriculture Shares – To learn more about CSA and The Farm, including answers to questions like "how, where, when, how much; is right for you; and how to sign up" and more, click here.

Use these coupon codes for a free week of weekly vegetable shares:

VEGALLYEAR (for large vegetable shares)
HOORAYVEG (for small vegetable shares)

Sign up for CSA here!

Willowsford Farm Tour – Sunday, May 7 from 11 AM to 12 PM. April showers bring May flowers! This tour will begin in the Farm Garden, where we’ll see early flowers and herbs, and maybe some asparagus. Then we’ll up to the space the farmers call “the home farm” The Grange. With the start of our CSA just around the corner, you’ll see a variety of plants, in various stages of life, in the fields. We’ll talk about our favorite hand tools and tractor implements and how the farmers’ work day changes as harvesting begins. This is a great tour for veggie-loving neighbors, home gardeners, beginner farmers, students and teachers. *Note: The tour begins in the Farm Garden. Please park in the lot on Founders Drivel across the street from the Farm Stand. RSVP here!

Willowsford Farm Volunteer Hours – Sunday, May 7 from 12 to 2 PM. Let’s plant! The first successions of our annual flowers will be ready to get their roots into the “pick-your-own” beds around the Farm Stand and the battle with weeds, bunnies and groundhogs will be underway. This is a great volunteer day for families with young children, scout groups, gardeners and beginners. RSVP here!