At it's last regular meeting of the year, on December 5, Town Council formally and informally expressed it thanks to all who had contributed to the success of the parade and other events during the snowy, December 5, celebration of "Christmas in Middleburg."

A combination of uncertain pre-storm forecasts, and the reality of a steady, wet, heavy snow, on December 5, made the late planning and execution of the event both difficult and potentially hazardous.

Happily, the celebration appears to have been one of the safest, and for those who made it through the snow to attend, one of the most successful in years.

Council praised the events' organizers and volunteers, and voted to recognize them formally at its next regular session.

Police Chief Steve Webber reported that his team had been made aware of only one personal injury, the result of a fall on the ice. Parking, especially for horse trailers, was made more difficult by the snow, and wet conditions on fields set aside for overflow parking. A few visitors parked inadvertently on lawns and private property, causing some minor property damage.

Asked why the parade seemed to go so well, despite the weather, Chief Webber spoke frankly. "We had a safe and successful parade," he said, thanks to good people, hard work, and probably a little luck as well. The crowds were great. People seemed to be in a great mood, and watched out for each other. Special thanks, he said, should go out to the Virginia State Police, to Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson and the men and women of his department, to First Sgt. Alvin Blankenship, and to all the officers of the Middleburg Police Department.