John Langloh has been a member of the FODR board since 2001. His neighbor, Tom Gregory, suggested Friends of Dragon Run might be something John would be interested in and invited him to attend a meeting. The dedicated members and the goals of FODR were consistent with John's philosophy and his concerns for our environment, and he has become an enthusiastic member. He organized the Oyster Festival effort in 2001and chaired the nominating committee in 2002.

In John's other life he was a pediatric orthopedic surgeon in Arlington, Va. and specialized in treating handicapped children.  The family had a cabin in the mountains near Front Royal where they enjoyed hiking, wildlife and generally getting away from the city. John and his wife, Jane, have three children and three grandchildren who live in the Northern Virginia and Baltimore areas.

When John retired, he and Jane headed for the Northern Neck and built their home on the Western Branch of the Corrotoman.  They moved to this area in the summer of 2000. Here they found the land of pleasant living and a kinder, gentler way of life.

John quickly got a boat he named the "Good Life" so he could enjoy his favorite pastime, fishing.  After a six-week course at U.S. Coast Guard Boat School he was ready to take to the waters of the Northern Neck. The fish in these waters have proved to be more elusive than those in the lakes of Michigan where John fished as a boy.  But as with any dedicated fisherman, hope springs eternal and surely the next time he'll catch a big one.

Besides Friends of Dragon Run, John is a member of Friends of Belle Isle.  He is a volunteer at the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge and has worked on projects ranging from putting up owl boxes, to construction of boardwalks and fishing piers.  Through Virginia Natural Heritage he helped construct an observation platform at Dameron Marsh.

Recently John started taking bagpipe lessons. He is quite determined to master this form of music, and according to Jane, the sounds emanating from the study have improved to the point where the dog doesn't leave the room when he starts to practice. John is hardly ever without his beloved Siberian Husky, Yukon Annabelle Lee, better known as "Annie." Annie is a certified therapy dog and together they visit schools, library programs, nursing homes and shut-ins.

John feels it is a privilege to be involved with Friends of Dragon Run and looks forward to working with its members in fulfilling its mission to preserve, protect and encourage wise use of the Dragon Run and its watershed.                                        Jane Langloh

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