Historic Mulberry Place 2009

Historic Mulberry Place was the site on September 26th of an event honoring Gubernatorial candidate, Bob McDonnell and Lt. Governor Candidate, Bill Bolling. Attending were 1st District Congressmen Rob Wittman, Senator Ryan McDougle, and Delegate Chris Peace. Other elected officials who attended were Bowling Green Mayor, David Storke, Town Councilman Daniel Webb, Clerk of the Caroline Court, Ray S. Campbell Jr and Sheriff Tony Lippa.

Sponsors included Gil and Judy Shelton of Moss Neck Manor, Dr. and Mrs. Angus Muir of Prospect Hill and Dr. and Mrs. Michael Trahos of Mulberry Place. Business Sponsors were Webb and Associates, L.J. Moyer of Century 21 Classic Real Estate in Ladysmith, Roger Cole of Highway Service Ventures and Cheryl English of English Acres Nursery in Woodford. Guests hailed from all over Virginia including Litt and Tommy Thompson of Virginia Land Investments in Richmond, Jim Land, secretary of the NRA, 1st District Republican Chairman Tom Foley of Gloucester and Trish King, Vice Mayor of Colonial Beach.

The day featured a foxhunting demonstration by The Caroline Hunt who opened the morning festivities with a short presentation on the history of hounds and hunting in Virginia. Tours of the historic home, built in 1827, (seecarolinefirst.org) were conducted by docents attired in 18th century garb. Members of the hunt, many attired in scarlet, along with joint Masters of The Foxhounds, Bob and Elizabeth Ferrer, soon joined the guests in the huge cathedral tent on the lawn of Mulberry Place. Guests also enjoyed the art show displayed by local Caroline artist, Barbara Byrd. “Hunt Breakfast” of Eggs Chasseur, Ham, Roast beef and fruits were served by the staff of D&J Catering. Susan Sili opened the program welcoming guests with a quick overview of county history, size and geography and how it relates to the legislative districts. Sili pointed out that as late as the 60s and 70s when she was growing up, Caroline was not considered Northern Virginia but was still referred to as part of the “magical land of the Tidewater”. Even today, she continued the county seat and terrain along the Rappahannock are grouped into the 99th Legislative District much of which is in the Northern Neck. Sili then talked about the “flats” and the area of Dawn which county legend says was the home of the Pamunkey Indian Queen in pre-revolutionary times. She added, “A place represented with great love and fondness in the 97th District by Delegate Chris Peace.”

Speaking about the primary growth area on Caroline’s western corridor she said, “the potential here to grow is simply amazing and went on to say, “When I interviewed L. J. Moyer for the feature on our program L.J. said, “I don’t sell homes, I sell a lifestyle”. Sili went on to point out that the number one reason new folks give for moving to our community is the rural atmosphere and beauty that is Caroline County. Sili asked the candidates for their help in assisting “us to grow where we need to grow in our primary growth area and to preserve the places and pursuits that he witnessed at the event.”

Jeff Sili spoke about the mission statement of Caroline Citizens for Responsible Government. The premise is pretty simple he said, “To elect candidates on the local, state and national level who embody the Virginia principles of fiscal responsibility and limited government and who foster strong, regular communication with the constituent base they represent.” He then introduced Gene Bailey president of Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, the economic development public/private organization for the region. Bailey who has raised over 9 million dollars for regional economic development initiatives gave an overview of the economy and how it related to the Central Virginia region. The event, attended by 120 and entitled “An Autumn Morning in Caroline County,” showcased the business and economic development opportunities of the county as well as history and preservation. Jeff Sili is a former president of the Caroline Chamber of Commerce and former member of the Caroline County School Board. He is currently the representative from the Bowling Green District on the Caroline Board of Supervisors. He represents the county on the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council, Redco, and is liaison to Ft. A. P Hill and both incorporated towns, Bowling Green and Port Royal.

10982806_763577910377520_4814140689544703585_o 10974759_763575540377757_2280344604725799882_o 10974293_763577093710935_8626188486400499061_o 10974210_763576260377685_7594059370254921063_o 10960430_763577437044234_5365815702398146397_o 10960081_763575790377732_6967443915254274906_o 10957411_763578273710817_8706419945826840271_o 10955735_763578107044167_3387853657220765604_o 10947461_763575347044443_7978753543265611340_o 10945830_763575897044388_3342333465300122261_o 10930913_763577783710866_801899636504942895_o 10924625_763577047044273_6639142394209338892_o 10924173_763576610377650_2550120288387281060_o 10911410_763577990377512_157217602335553862_o 10904442_763578227044155_8444142160402209_o 10904436_763577160377595_1928693694818578879_o 10900154_763576503710994_7124020991777171594_o 10899994_763575997044378_5106158746891058931_o 10863855_763575643711080_541296283716489363_o 10861082_763577480377563_5146920749815490708_o 10854937_763575077044470_4646792132576037025_o 10854470_763576677044310_3189005690522278909_o 10849033_763575187044459_1796879096015860389_o 10847439_763576913710953_1952036937735189025_o 10845873_763578027044175_2668047278299855121_o 10636449_763577647044213_5139055345556275506_o 10628725_763577237044254_7668601450402146093_o 10547156_763579367044041_5746675686444458924_o 10522073_763577840377527_2481433080544545142_o 10480589_763574943711150_2165701460907948008_o 1965456_763577343710910_1405504166957538243_o 1941322_763577297044248_1232652918370075573_o 1801374_763576730377638_1737216945024386365_o 1504253_763576830377628_7277160832474781413_o 1501409_763576783710966_9093680765083911644_o