#philomont

photo: David Castenson

I was in college before West Wing came calling. I am born and raised in Loudoun County, VA and so hearing they were filming there caused me to squeal. When hollywood came we acted with the usual grace and subdued humor. I’m joking. We freaked out. (Those West Wing scenes on the farm? *That was at the Marches place. Their son Mike was a friend of mine. That was Mikes house, as far as I’m concerned). The marching band that Toby hates? My high school. Actual high school matching band, unis and all. The community center where Barlet is to officially accept the nomination? That is the Blumont community center. It’s where I got my brownie badges. I grew up in its walls. We live and love and respect walls that are 150+ years old. It’s full of people I know too well, because I am multi-generational here. I moved away from Loudoun when I was 22. I still call it home, still fight for it at odd times. It will always be home. Part of being a LoCo native is those lost roads. Never could get lost no matter how we tried. Never could give up on where I was. I’m too entrenched. I’m too Loudoun.