At its regular Thursday, December 11 meeting, Middleburg Town Council unanimously passed a Resolution of Appreciation praising the work of the 2008 Christmas in Middleburg Committee and the host of volunteers who made the day-long event successful; awarded grants totaling $30,000 to nonprofit organizations serving the community; passed a resolution strongly supporting the County's public libraries; and moved to bring the Town's "vicious dog" ordinances into compliance with County law and policy.

"Christmas in Middleburg"

For thirty years, beginning in 1979, Middleburg has celebrated the first Saturday in December as the "official" beginning of the Christmas season. This year's events, including the traditional Hunt Parade, Christmas Parade, a Craft Show at the Community Center, the Middleburg Garden Club's Flower and Greens Show, Middleburg Elementary's Breakfast with Santa, a silent auction, and horse-drawn hayrides, drew thousands of visitors.

Singled out for special recognition were the event's volunteer co-chairs, Dee Dee Hubbard and Sheila Johnson, Reggie Dawson, Bill Brown, and the members of the Middleburg Garden Club, Middleburg Police Department, County Sheriff's Department, and Town Staff.

Most downtown merchants reported better-than-expected shopping levels. The Hunt's pack of remarkably well behaved hounds this year selected Creme-de-la-Creme for it's traditional browse-en-masse. Santa reported a strangely disproportionate number of requests for tasteful neckties.

"Health Center" Grants

Each year Middleburg distributes a significant portion of the "profits" earned from rents collected from tenants at the Town-owned "Health Center" building to local charities and non-profit institutions.

This year the Health Center Advisory Board and Town Council decided jointly on the following grants, totaling $30,000:

American Legion: $500
Middleburg Community Center: $4,000
Bluemont Concert: $2,500
Middleburg FISH: $2,000
Loudoun Abused Womens' Shelter: $1,500
Middleburg Fire/Rescue: $4,500
Middleburg Public Library: $1,500
Windy Hill Tutoring: $2,000
Seven Loaves: $10,000
Levis House: $1,000
Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation: $500

Council also voted not to increase rents at the Health Center, which also serves as the Town's Police Headquarters.