After 27 wonderful years as Executive Director of the Middleburg Community Center, Joanne Cole is stepping down with distinction into her well-earned retirement.

Interim Executive Director duties are being fulfilled by Rick Stoutamyer and the Board of Directors, while candidates for a new Executive Director are being interviewed.

For more than a quarter century, Joanne Cole ushered an incredible parade of people and events through the Community Center. All the while she managed a host of challenges: the conservation and preservation of the architecturally significant Georgian styled building and its grand ballroom; special events within the Community Center; the community pool operations and ball field facilities; the strategic relationship with Loudoun County Parks, Recreation, and Community Services; the gardens and grounds including the rental cottage; the land on which the Middleburg Library sits; the land used as the Middleburg Farmers Market; and relations with the Town and other community groups surrounding major events organized by the Community Center, like the annual 4th of July celebrations.

Modest to a fault, Joanne presided over an annual calendar of programs and events to celebrate and benefit our community without seeking limelight or recognition for herself, to the degree that many people continue to think the Community Center is a municipal facility, rather than a private non-profit facility run by the Executive Director, staff, and the Board.

Joanne leaves the Community Center in excellent strength and vitality resulting from the long tenure of her stewardship. She will be missed for sure, but an announcement is forthcoming about a near future warm weather event to give her a suitable send off with everyone's best wishes for her health and happiness.