By Tabitha Johnston, The Shepherdstown Chronicle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — Plans are in motion for the return of the Blessing of the Hounds ceremony at Windward by Lost Acre on Nov. 3.
The ceremony will mark the beginning of the fox chasing season for the New Market — Middletown Valley Hounds, Inc.
“We started doing it at Windward Farm in 2009,” said Master of Fox Hounds Kate Byron, mentioning the land of seven surrounding farms are also used by permission for the hunt. “Sixteen years — it’s pretty amazing!”
Back in 2009, Byron’s family owned Windward Farm. The farm was sold a few years later to Reed Mayer and Misha Van Mecl who, much to the relief of the New Market — Middletown Valley Hounds, were happy to continue hosting the event.
“When we bought Windward Farm from Kate and her family, she had asked if they could continue hunting here, and we said, ‘Of course!’” Van Mecl said. “That’s the last thing we would ever want to do, is stop a tradition that’s been happening here.”
