Editors Note: the following correction of inaccuracies about Heronwood and its owner, Robert H. Smith, in our article on the stable tour in our May 2004 issue are offered with our apologies.

For the record:
- The ownership of Heronwood prior to Mr. Smith was Mr. Jack K. Cooke, but prior to that there were several owners after Rear Admiral Phillips. Admiral Grayson never owned Heronwood.
- Robert H. Smith, not his father, Charles E. Smith, is the "creator" of Crystal City; Charles E. Smith, who died in 1995, started the company that carries his name.
- Mr. Smith has not flown out to Heronwood in a helicopter in over 9 years, and he spends the better part of each week here, not just weekends.

We Need Your Help:

On behalf of Middleburg Beautification and Preservation, Inc., I want to ask that our town shop owners take a more protective attitude toward their container plantings. One can not help but notice that there are either dead or dying plants adorning our sidewalks. These beautiful planted containers give so much pleasure while asking very little in return. All they need is a little water!

As you know, our organization has worked diligently toward funding many beautification project in our village. There are the lovely teak benches with foxes carved in relief provided for you and our visitors to "sit a while" and enjoy the small town atmosphere, there are the attractive trash cans provided to keep Middleburg clean and tidy and there are the specimen standard shrubs in pots under planted with colorful petunias at each crosswalk. We have provided funding for the research and publication of the Middleburg Walking Tour booklet and are also preparing for the street side beautification project in front of the Safeway.

Please join us in our common goal of keeping Middleburg beautiful. We ask that you ensure your containers get the water they need. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Elaine Burden
Vice President
Middleburg Beautification and Preservation, Inc.