![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_2596-1024x770.jpeg\")
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Distinguished Residents 2023<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n2023 is an auspicious year for Lovettsville and the German Settlement heritage, an occasion to recognize people whose lives are part of the fabric and traditions of this community. Each in their own way have contributed the threads that hold Lovettsville, the German Settlement together as a community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_2597-202x300.png\")
<\/a>Grace Hummer<\/strong> (pictured with son Steve)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRichard and Grace Hummer moved into what the columnist Russell Baker described as a \u201chuge white wedding cake\u201d or the \u201cSears, Roebuck house\u201d inLovettsville in 1966 with their son, Steve and daughter. In 1982 Richard was elected mayor and Grace to town council. The following year, 1983 was the Tricentennial of the first German Settlement in America and commemorated byPresidential Proclamation by Ronald Reagan and Governor Robb. The anniversary inspired Grace Hummer, then Lovettsville Town Council woman and wife of the mayor, the late Richard Hummer, to propose, promote and organize \u201cA Celebration of Heritage\u201d that has become the renowned and signature event of this community and has been designated \u201cBest in Loudoun\u201d attracting thousands of visitors from across the country. The scope of Mrs. Hummer\u2019s vision included A German Band Concert, waltz and polka dance contests, craft sales and demonstrations, a children\u2019s folk concert, the German supper and the cornerstone closing at St. James church. Grace Hummer\u2019s vision has expanded and continues to this day as we celebrate another Oktoberfest. 2023 is now the 340th anniversary of the first German settlement in America. The Town of Lovettsville and the Lovettsville Oktoberfest Committee are pleased to finally recognize, honor and thank Grace Hummer for her service to the Town of Lovettsville on this 40th<\/sup> Anniversary of \u201cA Celebration of Heritage,\u201d the first official Lovettsville Oktoberfest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_2599-300x282.png\")
<\/a>Roland and Nancy England<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n2023 also marks anotheranniversary, the 290th<\/sup> of the founding of St. James United Church of Christ, formerly known as the German Reformed Church. Its members under the leadership of Elder WilhelmWenner settled in the Loudoun Valley and established \u201cthe German Settlement\u201d a century before Lovettsville appeared on the map. This was the Reverend Roland England\u2019sfirst church just out of seminary. In 1983 Roland and his wife Nancy, with Elaine Walker as chairperson, they the St. James congregation and indeed the entire town in celebration of 250 years. We are pleased that Roland and Nancy are with us again on the 290th<\/sup>anniversary of the congregation. Roland and Nancy have dedicated their lives to their Maker and to serving the people of Lovettsville, the German Settlement of the Loudoun Valley, Brunswick MD, Winchester, and at old St. Paul\u2019s church at Neersville, Between the Hills, as spiritual guides and civic leaders. Nancy was a partner and homemaker, a church volunteer, a volunteer for Lovettsville Elementary School. She took up nursing as a second career, employed by Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg and Loudoun Inova Hospital in Lansdowne for a total of 24 years. They raised their two sons here and both volunteered in youth sports programs. Although the Englands have retired to Boonsboro MD now, they are continually present in the life of this community. They have woven grace, peace, and civility into the fabric of our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_2600-300x169.png\")
<\/a>Dottie and Harold Gladstone<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOn the occasion of the St. James anniversary 40 years ago Pastor England opened the metal box, a time capsule from the cornerstone that had been placed therein 1901. Dottie and Harold Gladstone were there to witness the occasion. The couple and their family are longtime residents. Dot is a direct descendant of Wilhelm Wenner, the pioneer elder of the Reformed Church. The Gladstones have been and continue to be active in the life of the community. Dot has authored a book for children, \u201cMurphy, the little frog who wanted to read\u201d and \u201cA China Adventure\u201d a memoire of Dot\u2019s parent\u2019s missionary journey to China on the eve of World War II. Harold an electrical engineer by profession, served as the Lovettsville Union Cemetery superintendent for 22 years, and is the resident genealogy authority on the Booth and Mann families.They restored the old Mann homestead near Dutchman\u2019s Creek and the old Booth family burial ground on the property. \u201cMy contribution was to help raise 3 kids\u201d, Dot wrote. \u201cThey were my life as well as the church.\u201d This simple statement reveals the truth that has and holds the families and this community together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_2601-300x225.png\")
<\/a>Nancy Orndorff<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u200bWas born and raised in Lovettsville. At time when young women in athletics attracted little attention or were ignored altogether, Nancy was a star player on the women\u2019s basketball team. <\/strong>She <\/strong>went on to coach girls\u2019 Senior Babe Ruth softball teams, Women\u2019s League basketball, volleyball and girls\u2019 gymnastics. In 1974 she became the first manager of the Lovettsville Community Center. She oversaw its restoration after the devastating fire of November 1976. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with the love and support of her husband and family, Nancy coached and mentoredseveral generations of young people at the community center by creating a welcoming and safe venue for sports. after school activities, and day care. She led bus trips. She planned senior citizen dinners and recreational activities; established a pre-school, organized, craft fairs, community dances, and hosteddiners including the traditional Oktoberfest diner sponsored by the Lovettsville Lions Club. Nancy has been called \u201cthe rock of the community center.\u201d Since her retirement in 1994, Nancy continues an active life among her family and in the community and her church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_2602-194x300.jpeg\")
<\/a>Fred Lee George III and Anne DeCourcey George<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFred Lee George III and Anne DeCourcey George might be dubbed the \u201cPower Couple\u201d of Lovettsville. Fred has also been called the unofficial mayor of Lovettsville. He is a lifelong resident of the community, the scion of a family that has been an influence in the community since the beginning. He is the proud third generation of five generations of former B&O now CSX railroad men. He and Anne are a get-your-hands-dirty, hardworking, look-for-opportunities-to-enhance-the quality-of-life-of-the-community team. When work needs to be done, when a neighbor needs a hand, they pull down old sheds, cut dead trees, paint, mow, bulldoze, and forklift. On their own initiativethey have invested resources to renovate and restorehistoric properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They touch a myriad of activities in Lovettsville: TheLovettsville Game Protective Association, the Lovettsville Historical Society and Museum, the Lovettsville Oktoberfest, and St. James United Church of Christ. They host picnics, bus trips and fund raisers. Most importantly they care for the people and heritage of this community and for the welfare of generations to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_2603-300x300.jpeg\")
<\/a>Henry and Debbie Pearson<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHenry Pearson was born and raised in Lovettsville VA and is a lifelong resident. He graduated from Loudoun Valley High School and started his career as a line foreman with Tri-County Electric, now known as NOVEC. Henry retired from NOVEC in 2006 after 38 years of service. He is married to Debbie, and they have 2 daughters (both residents of Lovettsville) and 5 grandchildren. Henry coached the Lovettsville Babe Ruth and Lovettsville Girl\u2019s Softball teams for many years. He was well known for his skill in men\u2019s softball and has played on many local teams, well into adulthood. He is a life member of the Lovettsville Game Protective Association and has volunteered many hours helping with community events, carnivals, and fishing derbies. Henry started working for the Town of Lovettsville in 2008 hired by Keith Markel and Elaine Walker. He takes pride in his work making Lovettsville a town to be proud of, by helping decorate the town, assisting with parades, setting up special town events, and getting the tree ready for the annual tree lighting ceremony. Henry has seen many changes over the years, realizing change is inevitable. He enjoys gardening and hunting. His favorite pastime is spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. You will always find Henry with a smile on his face and willing to offer a helping hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nIn Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe quality of a community is determined by its fabric, the life threads of generations woven into the landscape. The early settlers in this valley began the weaving process, one life at a time, some in joy, others in pain, anguish, and anger. Once they were not a people. They were strangers in a new land. But now they are a people, a community made up of familieslike the Hummers, the Englands, the Gladstones, the Orndorffs, the Georges, and the Pearsons whose everyday lives, visions, hopes, cares, skills, and faithshave created the rich tapestry that we now call home. We honor them for whom they are, for being among us, and for touching our lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Michael Zapf Honoring Lovettsville\u2019s Residents of Distinction has been a feature of the Oktoberfest for several years. The task of selecting and inviting the honoree had been the task of the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5957"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5963,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5957\/revisions\/5963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_2597.png\")
<\/a>Richard and Grace Hummer moved into what the columnist Russell Baker described as a \u201chuge white wedding cake\u201d or the \u201cSears, Roebuck house\u201d inLovettsville in 1966 with their son, Steve and daughter. In 1982 Richard was elected mayor and Grace to town council. The following year, 1983 was the Tricentennial of the first German Settlement in America and commemorated byPresidential Proclamation by Ronald Reagan and Governor Robb. The anniversary inspired Grace Hummer, then Lovettsville Town Council woman and wife of the mayor, the late Richard Hummer, to propose, promote and organize \u201cA Celebration of Heritage\u201d that has become the renowned and signature event of this community and has been designated \u201cBest in Loudoun\u201d attracting thousands of visitors from across the country. The scope of Mrs. Hummer\u2019s vision included A German Band Concert, waltz and polka dance contests, craft sales and demonstrations, a children\u2019s folk concert, the German supper and the cornerstone closing at St. James church. Grace Hummer\u2019s vision has expanded and continues to this day as we celebrate another Oktoberfest. 2023 is now the 340th anniversary of the first German settlement in America. The Town of Lovettsville and the Lovettsville Oktoberfest Committee are pleased to finally recognize, honor and thank Grace Hummer for her service to the Town of Lovettsville on this 40th<\/sup> Anniversary of \u201cA Celebration of Heritage,\u201d the first official Lovettsville Oktoberfest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2023 also marks anotheranniversary, the 290th<\/sup> of the founding of St. James United Church of Christ, formerly known as the German Reformed Church. Its members under the leadership of Elder WilhelmWenner settled in the Loudoun Valley and established \u201cthe German Settlement\u201d a century before Lovettsville appeared on the map. This was the Reverend Roland England\u2019sfirst church just out of seminary. In 1983 Roland and his wife Nancy, with Elaine Walker as chairperson, they the St. James congregation and indeed the entire town in celebration of 250 years. We are pleased that Roland and Nancy are with us again on the 290th<\/sup>anniversary of the congregation. Roland and Nancy have dedicated their lives to their Maker and to serving the people of Lovettsville, the German Settlement of the Loudoun Valley, Brunswick MD, Winchester, and at old St. Paul\u2019s church at Neersville, Between the Hills, as spiritual guides and civic leaders. Nancy was a partner and homemaker, a church volunteer, a volunteer for Lovettsville Elementary School. She took up nursing as a second career, employed by Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg and Loudoun Inova Hospital in Lansdowne for a total of 24 years. They raised their two sons here and both volunteered in youth sports programs. Although the Englands have retired to Boonsboro MD now, they are continually present in the life of this community. They have woven grace, peace, and civility into the fabric of our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the occasion of the St. James anniversary 40 years ago Pastor England opened the metal box, a time capsule from the cornerstone that had been placed therein 1901. Dottie and Harold Gladstone were there to witness the occasion. The couple and their family are longtime residents. Dot is a direct descendant of Wilhelm Wenner, the pioneer elder of the Reformed Church. The Gladstones have been and continue to be active in the life of the community. Dot has authored a book for children, \u201cMurphy, the little frog who wanted to read\u201d and \u201cA China Adventure\u201d a memoire of Dot\u2019s parent\u2019s missionary journey to China on the eve of World War II. Harold an electrical engineer by profession, served as the Lovettsville Union Cemetery superintendent for 22 years, and is the resident genealogy authority on the Booth and Mann families.They restored the old Mann homestead near Dutchman\u2019s Creek and the old Booth family burial ground on the property. \u201cMy contribution was to help raise 3 kids\u201d, Dot wrote. \u201cThey were my life as well as the church.\u201d This simple statement reveals the truth that has and holds the families and this community together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u200bWas born and raised in Lovettsville. At time when young women in athletics attracted little attention or were ignored altogether, Nancy was a star player on the women\u2019s basketball team. <\/strong>She <\/strong>went on to coach girls\u2019 Senior Babe Ruth softball teams, Women\u2019s League basketball, volleyball and girls\u2019 gymnastics. In 1974 she became the first manager of the Lovettsville Community Center. She oversaw its restoration after the devastating fire of November 1976. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with the love and support of her husband and family, Nancy coached and mentoredseveral generations of young people at the community center by creating a welcoming and safe venue for sports. after school activities, and day care. She led bus trips. She planned senior citizen dinners and recreational activities; established a pre-school, organized, craft fairs, community dances, and hosteddiners including the traditional Oktoberfest diner sponsored by the Lovettsville Lions Club. Nancy has been called \u201cthe rock of the community center.\u201d Since her retirement in 1994, Nancy continues an active life among her family and in the community and her church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fred Lee George III and Anne DeCourcey George might be dubbed the \u201cPower Couple\u201d of Lovettsville. Fred has also been called the unofficial mayor of Lovettsville. He is a lifelong resident of the community, the scion of a family that has been an influence in the community since the beginning. He is the proud third generation of five generations of former B&O now CSX railroad men. He and Anne are a get-your-hands-dirty, hardworking, look-for-opportunities-to-enhance-the quality-of-life-of-the-community team. When work needs to be done, when a neighbor needs a hand, they pull down old sheds, cut dead trees, paint, mow, bulldoze, and forklift. On their own initiativethey have invested resources to renovate and restorehistoric properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They touch a myriad of activities in Lovettsville: TheLovettsville Game Protective Association, the Lovettsville Historical Society and Museum, the Lovettsville Oktoberfest, and St. James United Church of Christ. They host picnics, bus trips and fund raisers. Most importantly they care for the people and heritage of this community and for the welfare of generations to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Henry Pearson was born and raised in Lovettsville VA and is a lifelong resident. He graduated from Loudoun Valley High School and started his career as a line foreman with Tri-County Electric, now known as NOVEC. Henry retired from NOVEC in 2006 after 38 years of service. He is married to Debbie, and they have 2 daughters (both residents of Lovettsville) and 5 grandchildren. Henry coached the Lovettsville Babe Ruth and Lovettsville Girl\u2019s Softball teams for many years. He was well known for his skill in men\u2019s softball and has played on many local teams, well into adulthood. He is a life member of the Lovettsville Game Protective Association and has volunteered many hours helping with community events, carnivals, and fishing derbies. Henry started working for the Town of Lovettsville in 2008 hired by Keith Markel and Elaine Walker. He takes pride in his work making Lovettsville a town to be proud of, by helping decorate the town, assisting with parades, setting up special town events, and getting the tree ready for the annual tree lighting ceremony. Henry has seen many changes over the years, realizing change is inevitable. He enjoys gardening and hunting. His favorite pastime is spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. You will always find Henry with a smile on his face and willing to offer a helping hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The quality of a community is determined by its fabric, the life threads of generations woven into the landscape. The early settlers in this valley began the weaving process, one life at a time, some in joy, others in pain, anguish, and anger. Once they were not a people. They were strangers in a new land. But now they are a people, a community made up of familieslike the Hummers, the Englands, the Gladstones, the Orndorffs, the Georges, and the Pearsons whose everyday lives, visions, hopes, cares, skills, and faithshave created the rich tapestry that we now call home. We honor them for whom they are, for being among us, and for touching our lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Michael Zapf Honoring Lovettsville\u2019s Residents of Distinction has been a feature of the Oktoberfest for several years. The task of selecting and inviting the honoree had been the task of the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5957"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5963,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5957\/revisions\/5963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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\n\n\n\nIn Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n