Jeff and Charlie, Frying Pan Farm Park’s new Belgian Draft...

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Frying Pan Park WelcomesCharlie and Jeff

Frying Pan Park WelcomesCharlie and Jeff

News, Page 12

HerndonOak HillHerndonOak Hill

Herndon Looks Forwardto New DowntownCommunity Outlook, Page 5

New Fire StationOpens in HerndonNews, Page 3

Herndon Looks Forwardto New DowntownCommunity Outlook, Page 5

New Fire StationOpens in HerndonNews, Page 3

Inside

Summer●CampsEducation&Activities

Summer●CampsEducation&Activities

Jeff and Charlie, Frying Pan Farm Park’snew Belgian Draft Horse team,already have a fan inEmily Stevens, who livesnearby and came to thereception to expressher feelings forthe new Frying PanFarm Parkfamily members.

2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ April 26 - May 2, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Week in Herndon

See Week, Page 11

ClarificationThe Connection reported last week that

the 2018 Herndon Festival and Carnival thatoccurs in downtown Herndon each summerwas canceled. While funding for the celebra-tion is not allocated in the town’s fiscal year2018 advertised budget, town staff wouldlike to host the event at an alternate loca-tion. This is due to construction that is an-ticipated for the redevelopment of thedowntown area. This line item was alsounallocated in the advertised budget be-cause negotiations for the work between thetown and developer are still underway.

Like the work for the redevelopment ofdowntown, if a suitable alternative site forthe festival is found, the funding for thecelebration will need to be introduced as abudget adjustment, which requires the ap-proval of Town Council. The Connectionwill follow developments for both the down-town redevelopment and 2018 festival tokeep its readers informed.

Town SeeksProposals forFuture Arts Center

The Town of Herndon has issued a Re-quest for Proposals (RFP) seeking a non-profit arts related organization to operate,manage and conduct arts programming inan Arts Center that is envisioned as part of

Herndon’s redeveloped downtown.The center is included as part of a rede-

velopment plan for 4.675 acres in Herndon’sdowntown (between Station and Centerstreets, just north of Elden Street). The townhas selected Comstock Partners to redevelopthe land into a mixed-use development with281 apartment units, 17,600 square feet ofretail space, a 761-space parking garage,and a town-owned, 18,000-square-foot artscenter. The vision for the town-owned cen-ter includes gallery and classroom space, atheatre, and a television studio.

Following completion of negotiationswith the town, Comstock anticipates break-ing ground on the redevelopment projectin May 2018, to complete in summer 2019.

Non-profit arts groups located within a25-mile radius of downtown Herndon areencouraged to respond to the RFP. Re-sponses are due Monday, May 15, at 4 p.m.EDT. Information on the project, as well asthe complete RFP, may be found on thetown’s website at http://herndon-va.gov/departments/finance/purchasing.

Free Rides onCinco de Mayo

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 5, the2017 Cinco de Mayo SoberRide programwill be in operation, and continue until 4a.m. on Saturday, May 6, as a way to keeplocal roads safe from impaired drivers dur


NewsHerndon Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

After a long process to construct anew fire station in the Town ofHerndon, on April 22 the menand women of Station 4,

Herndon officially returned home again.Despite heavy rain, the community gatheredtogether in the apparatus bays at FairfaxCounty Fire & Rescue Department Station4, Herndon, for its long awaited grand open-ing celebration. Two years earlier, Herndonhad the oldest fire station in the county.Now Herndon has the newest.

Captain II, Robert W. Kitchen of Station4, shared with the crowd of nearly 100people that the process began in 2012 whenthe Board of Supervisors approved a PublicSafety Bond to replace the old station. InFebruary 2015, members of Station 4moved into their temporary quarters oneblock away.

Over the next two years, the communityand the men and women of Station 4watched the project progress — from demo-lition and excavation to construction of theirnew home. “Some of you may wonder whyI called it a home,” Kitchen said in his open-ing remarks. “To the crews assigned here,that’s exactly what it is...we spend 24 hoursa day here on the ready, to serve this won-derfully welcoming community. It’s our sec-ond home, with our second family.”

Guest speaker Howard Nachman, presi-dent of Herndon Volunteer Fire Departmentin 1982, thanked Herndon Mayor Lisa C.Merkel, members of Herndon’s Town Coun-cil and Chairman of the Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors, Sharon Bulova formaking the new fire station a reality.

Nachman asked the men and women ofStation 4 to make the station, “warm andinviting, especially to the children.” Kept inhis care, he presented the flag, which lastflew over Company 4, to Unit One. In hisremarks, John W. Foust, SupervisorDranesville District said, “When we broughtthe flag down two years ago, I think we mayhave underestimated how great today is.”

Mayor of Herndon Lisa C. Merkel spokeof the importance of having Station 4 re-main in downtown Herndon, “These thingsmatter to people who live and work inHerndon,” she said. Merkel noted in herremarks that Vice Mayor Connie Hutchinsonplayed an instrumental part in securing theSpring Street location for the new fire sta-tion site, rather than other locations thatwere considered.

David M. Rohrer, Deputy County Execu-tive, recalled the changes the communityhas seen in the last 15 years — 9/11, an-thrax and terrorist attacks. Roher said, “Thequality of people here, in this station, hasnever changed; the mission has neverchanged.” Rohrer emphasized the uniqueand cooperative partnership and training

between Fairfax County Fire & Rescue, Sta-tion 4, Town of Herndon Police Departmentand Fairfax County Police Department. “Thepartnership is very strong. Police and Firetrain together to integrate operations andperform cross-training.”

Fire Chief Richard R. Bowers was one ofthe last to speak. He slowly said to the crowd,“Those here, who put their lives on the lineevery day, do so very proudly.” Bowerspaused. He turned a moment and then pre-sented a box of bricks from the old fire sta-

tion to Kitchen. Bowers said, “Distribute thebricks to those here today, those who haveserved and who have worked diligently.”With that, the men and women of FairfaxCounty Fire & Rescue Department, Station4, and Herndon were truly home at last.

Station built on historicsite, 680 Spring Street,Town of Herndon.

New Fire Station Opens in Herndon

Town of Herndon Police Officer, L.A. Baker, created apainted wooden American flag but artistically re-placed one of the blue stripes with a red one to sym-bolize Fire Station 4 holds the fabric of the commu-nity together.

Lisa C. Merkel, Mayor of Herndon and Supervisor JohnW. Foust (D-Dranesville) successfully attached the hosecoupler on one end of a hose to another hose.

Firefighter T. Schann gets a hug from his daughter atthe conclusion of the Fairfax County Fire & RescueDepartment Grand Opening of Station 4, Herndon onApril 22, 2017. The architect was Zivic & Hurdle; thebuilder was Biscayne Contractors.

Madison Conley, 5, enjoyed the help of Town ofHerndon Police Officer L.A. Baker as she coloredthe picture of her fire truck and waited for Bakerto give her the Junior Firefighter sticker at theconclusion of the Grand Opening for Fire &Rescue Station 4, Herndon.

Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection


Opinion

By Sharon Strauchs

It’s summer. The rigors of homework,youth clubs and team-scheduled Satur-days are over. No more carpools. Nowit’s your turn to make empowering

choices to impact your child’s life and eventu-ally the lives of their children.

While our kids are young, the challenge ishow to find summer-perfect opportunities thatare fun, yet meaningful, and how to get thekids away from their electronic devices. Whenchoosing summer activities, this is your goldenopportunity to focus on your specific familyvalues. While swimming lessons, camp-outs,and sports are important, wouldn’t it be won-derful to incorporate activities that help yourchildren focus beyond themselves and to theworld beyond Northern Virginia?

We educators emphasize that the earlier yourchild engages in volunteer activities you findimportant, the more likely children will growup respecting your family’s values. In the D.C.Metro Area, there is a plethora of humanitar-ian programs for the under-18 age group thatwill get them into the habit of helping others.

College advisers all know that beyond APs,GPAs, and SAT/ACT scores, colleges today scru-tinize applicants’ activities, their “resumes,” tohelp determine acceptances and scholarships.

So start now, at a pivotal point in your child’slife and witness the hot, summer days of NOVAbecoming wondrous as you watch prioritiesslowly change. We recommend starting atwww.VolunteerFairfax.org (Opportunities Justfor Youth). Plus, in Virginia, kids have the op-portunity to earn service-oriented awards suchas the “Diploma Seal of Excellence in Civics”(www.doe.virginia.gov), or “The PrudentialSpirit of Community Award,” Virginia state-is-sued civics “diploma” for students in grades 5-12 who complete at least a 50-hour serviceproject.

Where could you possibly begin to invest 50or more hours, and for what cause? Our fam-ily discovered the famous “Meals on Wheels”program, started by former U.S. Rep. FrankWolf, and delivered meals to senior citizens forour 10-year, part-time family project.(www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org)

For our “foodie” kids who are cooking orgardening enthusiasts, The Food Network

sponsors “No Kid Hungry.” Proceeds from bakesales are donated to help end childhood hun-ger (www.bake.nokidhungry.org) and the Gar-dening for Good project encourages kids togrow vegetables to donate to senior centers,or help fight senior hunger by sharing a meal.This encourages kids to learn to cook, and helpsyour family bond with a senior while eatingand storytelling.(www.hunger.generationOn.org)

What about our animal-loving children?They can develop a Dog Park Clean-Up plan attheir favorite park or socialize with dogs andcats at local shelters with the Puppy and KittyLove programs. This is great for families wholove pets but can’t actually own one.(www.GenerationOn.org/parents/resources/projects/animal-welfare).

As always, we parents must insure that ac-tivities are safe and the charities are legitimate.The benefits of helping humanitarian organi-zations while taking advantage of your relaxedsummer schedule can create so many power-ful, long-lasting memories and family summertraditions. Aesop states, “No act of kindness,no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

Sharon Strauchs has been Director/Owner ofHerndon-based Cortona Academy in Northern Virginia.Visit www.CortonaLearning.com.

A time for parents to build humanitarian spirits.

Your Summer, Your Child, Your Values

infant’s heel can lead to early andsometimes simple treatments thatcan lead to a healthy child andadult. Without treatment numer-ous medical conditions can de-velop including severe develop-mental delays and chronic ill-nesses. Metabolic disorders affectthe chemical processes in yourbody that must work together cor-rectly for you to stay healthy.

I was honored to work on legis-lation that added most of the 30tests that are done in Virginia onthat same spot of blood from aninfant to detect these disorders.Last week I was reminded of theexperience that I had working withDr. Barry Wolf of the then MedicalCollege of Virginia who had discov-ered that the disorder in which thebody is unable to recycle the vita-min biotin can lead to developmen-tal delays in children, hearing andvision loss, breathing problems,and problems with balance andmovement. When discovered earlysuch as through a screening test,the disorder can be treated with nu-tritional supplements that can re-sult in a normal life for the person.

With Dr. Wolf’s research and mylegislative proposal, in 1984 Vir-ginia became the first state in thiscountry to begin infant screeningfor biotinidase deficiency. Sincethat time every state and many for-eign countries have started the

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

Several weeks ago at the in-vitation of their leader Ispoke to a group of Boy

Scouts about government and theresponsibilities of citizenship.Talking with me helped the Scoutsmeet one of their requirements fora merit badge. One of the Scoutsasked me about the most impor-tant legislation I had ever gottenpassed. I told him about multipleissues on which I had worked, butI focused on one that I thought hemight know little about but wouldshow the range of issues withwhich legislators deal. I told himabout my work to expand infantscreening in the Commonwealth.

Prior to my election to office Iserved on the Fairfax-Falls ChurchCommunity Services Board. Amember of that Board whose adultson was a resident at the North-ern Virginia Training Center toldme of the great hope there was indetecting health issues in infantsat the time of their birth withblood screening. At the time Vir-ginia had only three tests, one ofwhich was pku testing. I remem-bered our conversation after I waselected, and I got new tests addedas scientists developed them.

Metabolic disorders that can bediscovered from a pin prick of an

Infant Screening Saves Lives

To the Editor:This past Tax Day, citizens across

our nation demonstrated to de-mand that President Trump re-lease his tax returns, as all his pre-decessors have done for the past40 years. Clearly, Trump is tryingto hide something, and the publichas a right to know what it is.

The call for Trump to release histaxes even came from Virginia’s10th District U.S. Rep. BarbaraComstock, whose voting record inthe current Congress shows her tobe a staunch Trump supporter. Ina statement, RepresentativeComstock noted that Trump’s taxreturns might possibly shed lighton Trump’s ties to Russia.

But Comstock can, and should,do more. She should cosponsor the

Presidential Tax Transparency Actbill that requires the President andcandidates for president to dis-close the last three years of theirfederal tax returns.

Even more important thanTrump’s taxes is the Russian attackon our democracy during the lastelection. Comstock should cospon-sor the Protecting Our DemocracyAct that establishes an independentbipartisan commission to investi-gate Russian interference in ourelections. Comstock’s statementdemanding that Trump release histax returns is welcome, but com-pared to everything that is in herpower to do it is a timid gesture.

Richard MarkeloffHerndon

Comstock Should SupportProtecting Democracy Act

screening. The March of Dimesrecognized us for that accomplish-ment. The reminder of this storycame from a local doctor in Restonwho was a medical student at MCVat the time and knew of Dr. Wolf’sresearch and my bill. She wrote tous both telling us of a teenage pa-tient she had just met who at birthhad been found to have the defi-ciency but with treatment was liv-

ing a normal life. She wrote toboth of us that “because of re-searchers like you and advocateslike you…our world is made alittle better for all, and lives aresaved for some precious few.That’s something to be proud of.”

I hope the Boy Scouts under-stood why I consider the work oninfant screening to be among themost important I have done.

Letter to the Editor

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Oak Hill & Herndon


Community Outlook

See Outlook, Page 11

By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

It is budget season for the Town ofHerndon. This is when the town man-ager advertises an annual budget forthe Herndon Town Council to con-

sider and present to the public for debatebefore it makes a final vote.

William “Bill” Ashton, Herndon’s actingtown manager, assumed the position on Jan.10 when Art Anselene, the former townmanager, retired. He has made recommen-dations to spend millions of dollars on capi-tal projects for the town next year.

Nearly $7 Million For CIP in 2018The planning process for the Town of

Herndon’s Capital Improvement Program isunderway.

The CIP is a portion of the town’s annualbudget that outlines the town’s anticipatedpublic improvements. It is a six-year planfor the acquisition, development, enhance-ment or replacement of public facilities. TheCIP also details the various funding sourcesthat will pay for each project.

The budget for the proposed CIP for fis-cal years 2018-2023 totals nearly $7 mil-lion, with an additional $4.2 million forcapital projects in the town’s EnterpriseFunds, which are standalone funds separatefrom the General Fund.

More than 57 percent of the proposedtotal funding for the General Fund projectsfrom fiscal year 2018-2023 are supportedby local, state or federal grant sources.

The Herndon Planning Commission votedto recommend the proposed CIP on Feb. 6.It includes 50 separate capital projects.However, only 18 of the proposed projectswill be funded by the town in fiscal year2018.

Some of the major projects proposed inthe new CIP include:

Herndon Community Center –Phase 5

Provides a second story addition to theHerndon Community Center of about10,000 square feet of additional floor spaceto improve the fitness and instruction ar-eas and add multi-purpose space and stor-

age space. The project includes improve-ments to the existing locker rooms and willreconfigure the entrance area, addressingheating and air conditioning shortcomingsin the lobby. The project design effort wasfunded in the previous CIP.

Construction funding is proposed for fis-cal year 2019.

Total CIP FY18-23: $3,555,000

Runnymede Park Nature CenterProvides funding for design and construc-

tion of a new nature center facility at

Runnymede Park. Funding is also providedfor exhibits and furnishings for the center,which will provide a wide range of natureeducation activities. Construction is fundedin fiscal year 2021, with additional fund-ing in fiscal year 2022 for exhibits and fur-nishings.

Total CIP FY18-23: $2,850,000

Vehicular and Pedestrian Access toHerndon Metrorail Station

Provides access near the north side of theHerndon Metrorail Station. A lane is

planned to allow buses and passenger ve-hicles to drop off and pick up metrorail pas-sengers. Funding sources include regionaland federal funding. The Phase 2 DullesMetrorail extension may be complete by2019. Nearly $2.6 million in reserves willfund the main portion of the project.

Total CIP FY18-23: $3,457,000

Van Buren Street ImprovementRebuilds a portion of Van Buren Street. A

large majority of the project costs are sup-ported by grant sources, including the Vir-ginia Department of Transportation. Sub-stantial project reserves also support theproject.

Total CIP FY18-23: $4,558,000

Buildings Major MaintenanceSupports large maintenance and repair

projects for town-owned facilities. Theproject addresses major building systemsthat require investment to components witha long life such as roofing, heating, ventila-tion, air conditioning and other types ofrefurbishment. Projects within this categorymay sustain the life of buildings and main-tain site features, ranging from parking tofire suppression to exterior walkways.

Total CIP FY18-23: $2,345,000

Downtown Utility RelocationProvides funding to relocate overhead

electric and telecommunication utilitiesbelow ground. The project will help spurdowntown development by reducing infra-structure costs for the private sector. Gen-eral obligation bond funding supports $2.6million of the total cost. A portion of thetown’s meals tax has also been allocatedtoward this project.

Total CIP FY18-23: $2,925,000

Major Road Repaving ProjectsSupports major maintenance of the

town’s arterial street network. The proposedpaving program has been structured to com-plete segments that were previously de-layed. Asphalt milling, concrete curb andgutter replacement, repaving, restriping andtraffic loop replacement are the major

Herndon Looks Forward to New Downtown


Rock Camp-Learn how to play in a band withlike minded musicians in a creative, fast paced,high-energy learning environment.On the finalday of camp, record at a professional recordingstudio in Leesburg! On Aug 17th you will give alive performance on the Herndon town green forArts Herndon’s Third Thursday’s event!

Mini Camps-Jump start your education on anew instrument or get ahead for the followingschool year. Classes include,Introduction to violin,viola, cello, Introduction to ukulele, Introductionto guitar,Transition from elementary to middleschool strings,Transition from middle school tohigh school strings

Private Summer Flex Lessons-Choose 4,6, or 8 days/times that fit YOUR busy schedulefor private lessons. Students that continuewith lessons over the summer will not need to“re-learn” the same skills and techniques thatthey would have otherwise lost during their timeoff. In fact, most students who study during thesummer enjoy substantial gains in their playingability due to more time and less stress fromschool.

(703) 956-6563

Summer●CampsiEducation&Activities

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

This summer a group of highschool students with an interest in health care as a profession will get a chance to expe-

rience the real-world work of nurses whenthey attend a nursing camp at George Ma-son University.

“Our goal has been to introduce highschool students to what nursing is, and whatit is not,” said Carol Urban, Ph.D., R.N.,associate professor and director, School ofNursing George Mason University. “We findthat we have students come to Mason whodeclare nursing as their major, but havenever had any experience with nurses out-side of their health care provider’s office orthe school nurse. We want to introducethem to nursing as a career, and the manyopportunities that exist in nursing beyondworking in a hospital.”

The camp will provide small groupprojects and hands-on simulation to intro-duce core concepts of nursing. Nursing fac-

ulty hope to expose students to the diversecareer paths available to those with a de-gree in nursing.

Urban says that students will be taughthealthcare skills, such as how to take ablood pressure and how to check a pulse.“We will provide … time in our nursingsimulation laboratory where we have ourhuman simulators,” she said. “[Campers]will have observational experiences in ahospital with nurses and will be given anopportunity to talk with nurses we have onour faculty who have been in unique ca-reer fields including a forensics nurse, anda researcher who works globally in sub-Sa-haran Africa.”

The camp will also expose students tonew trends in healthcare. “Healthcare de-livery is changing and the camp is expos-ing the students to the changing healthcareclimate,” said Christine M. Coussens, Ph.D.,associate dean of Community Engagementin the College of Health and Human Ser-vices at George Mason University. “In thenewer healthcare models, nurses will havea significant role in how and whenhealthcare is delivered and they will con-tinue to be leaders for ensuring the healthof patients and communities.”

DURING A TYPICAL DAY at the camp,students will spend several hours in the

nursing skills laboratory learning basic skillsand techniques. “They may also spend sometime in one of our Mason and Partners clin-ics, learning how nurses care for patientsin a clinic setting and how valuable edu-cating patients about their health is to im-proving their health,” said Urban.

Students will also have an opportunity toengage in a dialogue with nurses to gaininsights into real world experience. “They’llhave conversations with nurses about theircareers and learning what education andexperiences they needed for that kind of ajob. For example, what does a forensicsnurse do?” asked Urban.

Coussens hopes that students will leave

Campers will get areal-world view of thenursing profession.

Nursing Camp for High School Studentsthe camp knowing the diversity of optionsthat a degree in nursing can offer. “A de-gree in nursing opens possibilities for stu-dents to work in hospitals, healthcare man-agement positions, policy positions … glo-bally in clinics and with aid organizations,in forensic roles [and] research institu-tions,” said Coussens. “There are limitlessopportunities. A degree in nursing can opendoors because of the clinical license andanalytical ability.”

Admission to the nursing camp is com-petitive because of the limited number ofavailable spots.

“We’ve run this camp before and it hasbeen well-received,” said Urban. “‘Gradu-ates’ of the camp have said that it reallyopened their eyes to everything a nursedoes, and the great career potential thatnurses have. They are amazed at the vari-ous opportunities a nurse can have. It alsomakes them aware that nursing is hard, butrewarding — it isn’t just what you see inthe media, it’s real work. But more impor-tantly, they see the passion that nurses havefor that work, and the reward of seeing apatient and family member helped by thework that nurses do.”

The camp will run from July 10-14. Thecost is $275. For more information, visitchhs.gmu.edu/nursing/camp/index.cfm.

Photo by Alexis Glenn/Creative Services/

George Mason University

GMU College of Health and HumanServices Nursing student MeganHolmes works in the SimulationLab at the Fairfax Campus.


Visit our website www.soccer-academy.comor call 703-393-7961 for more details.

Summer Day and Residential Soccer CampsFor ages 5-18 in Virginia

Soccer Academy began in 1981 in NorthernVirginia with a vision to provide opportunitiesfor young players to play, learn and enjoy soccer.From 5-year olds just learning the game,to 14-year-olds dreaming of playing for the U.S.National Team, to 18-year olds preparing for acollege career, players of all abilities can benefitfrom a Soccer Academy program.

Now in its 16th year – in Annapolis, MD at the U.S. Naval Academy

Overnight Camp & Day CampJune 24-27 | June 19-23

(ages 10-17) (ages 6-12)

NAVY GIRLS SOCCER CAMP

Summer●CampsiEducation&Activities

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Summer often evokes images of pool splashing and backyard barbequing. For some edu-cators though, warm weather months rep-resent a potential loss of skills acquired dur-

ing an academic year.Known as “brain drain,” this concept refers to re-

search that shows that, on average, students lose oneto three months of learning when they are not en-gaged in academic activities during summer months.Academic camps can address this loss of academicskills while allowing children to enjoy summer fun.

“… Students have the opportunity to explore atopic in depth, without juggling competing scholas-tic demands or intramural activities,” said Dr. JanineDewitt, professor of sociology at Marymount Uni-versity in Arlington.

For example, campers at Summertimes Camp atSt. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria willhave an opportunity to choose from a variety of spe-cialized camps ranging from physics and French tozoology and rocket and space science.

“Specialty camps are great ways to try new things,to expand horizons and to challenge yourself,” said

Jim Supple, associate dean of students and directorof summer programs at St. Stephen’s & St. AgnesSchool. “One of the best things about specialty of-ferings is that there are so many. Children are natu-rally curious — specialty camps provide a way forchildren to learn more about their curiosities andinterests.”

Campers at 3E (Explore, Enrich, Enjoy) SummerCamp at Marymount University will explore sciencethrough nature and electronic gadgets, mathemat-ics through making boats and geodesic domes, lan-guage arts through writing stories, and fine artsthrough creating dramas and cartoons.

Ana Lado, Ph.D., camp director and a professor atMarymount, says that the goal is to give students achance to brush up on, gain or maintain academicskills in a relaxed environment.

“Campers will be in small groups with a low camperto counselor ratio,” she said. “Throughout each weekof camp, campers will be able to choose among avariety of projects that pique their interest. Camperswill create new social connections, grow academi-cally, and develop physically.

For parents concerned about balancing the needto maintain academic skills with the need for down-time, Dewitt says that, “Parents can prevent academicburnout by limiting the number of scheduled activi-ties over the course of the summer, and selecting onlythose that foster their child’s natural curiosity. Sum-mer courses that allow students the freedom to se-lect different types of learning activities can be bothenergizing and fun.”

Academic camps keepminds engaged whenschool is out.

Fighting Summer Brain Drain


Entertainment

Send entertainment announcements towww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calen-dar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOING“First Blooms” Art Show. through

April 30 at Reston Art GalleryStudios, Lake Anne Village Center,11400 Washington Plaza W # B,Reston. Dorothy Donahey presentsher latest works in the show “FirstBlooms.” Visitwww.restonartgallery.com/ for more.

Lake Anne Exhibit. Deadline is June 2to enter photographs for the LakeAnne show. The exhibit runs fromJune 5-July 2 and is free and open tothe public 9 a.m.–8 p.m. throughoutthe week at the JoAnne Rose Gallery,Reston Community Center at LakeAnne, 1609 Washington Plaza,Reston. Visitwww.leagueofrestonartists.org formore.

The Art of Resilience. 10-noonthrough May 6 at ArtSpace Herndon,750 Center St., Herndon. An exhibitshowcasing the artwork of Azriel andIrene Awret. Reception April 29, from7-9 p.m. Visitwww.artspaceherndon.com or call703-956-9560 for more.

“Boeing Boeing.” Various timesthrough May 7 at NextStop Theatre,269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon.Comedy about flight attendants. $35-$50. Visit www.NextStopTheatre.orgor call 866-811-4111 for more.

Women’s Training Program.through June 12, 6:30-8 p.m. atSouth Lakes High School, SeahawksDrive, Reston. Reston RunnersWomen’s Training Program. Runners,walkers, run/walk intervals andFresh Start, for women who need amore gentle start to working out.Designed by women for women. $45.Email [email protected] formore.

All-comers’ Group Fun Run atPotomac River Running.Tuesdays and Thursdays. RestonTown Center, 11900 Market Street,Reston. For beginners or competitiverunners, come out for a fun, low-keyrun that is safe and social. Call 703-689-0999 potomacriverrunning.com.

Over-40 Softball League. A Fairfax-based league is looking for enoughplayers to form another team. Playersmust be at last 40 years of age to beeligible. All games are doubleheaders- played on Sundays at Bready Parkin Herndon between 11 a.m. and 6p.m. If interested, [email protected] for moreinformation.

“A Bird in the Hand” through spring2017 Reston Town Square Park,11990 Market Street, Reston TownCenter. See and explore PatrickDougherty’s monumental public artsculpture made from tree saplings.Presented by GRACE in collaborationwith IPAR. 703-471-9242restonarts.org

Teen and Adult Art ClassesArtSpace Herndon Every Mondayfrom 5:30-8:30 p.m. 750 CenterStreet, Herndon. Drawing and MixedMedia with Melanie Stanley - DuringFall and Winter of 2016. Cost: $45/class. The class will use a variety oftechniques for drawing, painting,mark making, and collage using finearts tools and materials. Studentswill be taken down a creative path tolearn to use drawing tools andbrushes more effectively. Register byemailing Melanie, and she will sendyou the supply list and paymentoptions/information:[email protected]. 703-956-9560. www.artspaceherndon.com.

APRIL 26-30Gently Used Books and Media

Sale. 5-8 p.m. at Reston RegionalLibrary, 11925 Bowman Towne

Drive, Reston. All proceeds go tosupport the Reston Regional Libraryand the Fairfax County Public Librarysystem. Visitwww.RestonLibraryFriends.com formore.

THURSDAY/APRIL 27Family Challah Bake. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

at Congregation Beth Emeth, 12523Lawyers Road, Herndon. Evening ofchallah making, dinner and dancing.Enjoy kosher pizza, salad & dancingwhile the challah rises. [email protected] or call 703-860-4515x101.

FRIDAY/APRIL 28Empty Bowls. 5:30-8 p.m. at Floris

United Methodist Church , 13600Frying Pan Road, Herndon. Foodserved in a handmade pottery bowlto keep as a reminder that there arethose in the community with emptybowls. All proceeds will be donatedto “Food for Others,Ó the largestdistributor of free food directly to thehungry in Northern Virginia. $25 foradults in advance/$30 adults at thedoor/$15 for children under 12. Visitwww.givingcircleofhope.org. formore.

Swing Dance Music. 8:30-midnightat Hilton Washington Dulles Airport,13869 Park Center Road, Herndon.Rock and romance of the 1950s withGood Rockin’ Daddys. $15. Call 703-478-2900 for more.

SATURDAY/APRIL 29Spring Fling. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at

Goddard School, 2400 Dulles TownBlvd., Herndon. Pony rides, facepainting, balloon twisting, crafts,games, and food. [email protected] orcall 703-653-0337 for more.

SUNDAY/APRIL 30Civil War History. 1-3 p.m. at Frying

Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road,Herndon. Re-enactors, exhibits and aspecial guest speaker who focus onthe lives of the common Union andConfederate soldiers who oncepassed through the area. Call 703-437-9101 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark/ for more.

FRIDAY/MAY 5Bike Event. 6 p.m. at Trailside Park,

1022 Crestview Drive. Life is a Cycleis a group bike ride that teacheswhere to bike, commute and theneed-to-know essentials of biking fortransportation. Registration is $1.50before the event, or $5 the day of theride. Proceeds are donated to theAmerican Heart Association. Visitwww.lifeisacycle.bike. for more.

Reston Community Players. 8 p.m.at CenterStage, Reston CommunityCenter, 2310 Colts Neck Road,Reston. Last show of the 50th season,is the comedy, “Private Lives” by NoelCoward. Shows at various timesthrough May 20. Visitrestonplayers.org for more.

Swing Dance Music. 8:30-midnightat Hilton Washington Dulles Airport,13869 Park Center Road, Herndon.Rock and romance of the 1950s withNatty Beaux. $15. Call 703-478-2900for more.

SATURDAY/MAY 6Oak Hill Fun Run. 6-10:30 a.m. Oak

Hill Elementary School, 3210 KinrossCircle, Oak Hill. Support the schoolor earn service hours by running theannual Oak Hill 1K or 5K. Call 703-467-3535 or [email protected] formore.

Pet Fiesta. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at RestonTown Center. Pet adoption, petcontests and fashion show, exhibitorsof pet resources, pet rescue and non-profit groups. Presented by andbenefiting GoodDogz.org. All on-leash pets welcome. Free admission,rain or shine. Visit petfiesta.org formore.

Digital Photography Essentials. 1-5p.m. at ArtSpace Herndon, 750Center St., Herndon. Thisintroductory class is for people with adigital camera who are interested inlearning how to successfully use theircamera beyond automatic / programmodes. Visitwww.artspaceherndon.com or call703-956-9560 for more.

TEDxHerndon Lecture. 2-6 p.m. atHerndon Middle School, 901 LocustSt. The theme of this year’s event is“Difficult Conversations.” Visitwww.tedxherndon.com for more.

Currator’s Talk. 4 p.m. at the GreaterReston Arts Center, Reston TownCenter, 12001 Market St #103,Reston. Curator Holly McCulloughtalks on “Radcliffe Bailey: The GreatDismal Swamp.” Artworks on viewfrom April 21 through Aug. 18 atGeorge Mason University. Visitwww.restontowncenter.com.

Derby for Mental Illness. 5-8:30p.m. at Hidden Creek Country Club,1711 Clubhouse Drive, Reston.Guests in their Derby attire willwatch the 143rd Run for the Roses,eating hors d’oeuvres, sipping mintjuleps, bidding on auction items. Theevent will support PRS’ work thathelps individuals and familiesaffected by mental illness in theregion recover their lives.$150. Visitwww.prsinc.org/raising-the-stakes.

MAY 6-7Pirate Fest. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on

Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. onSunday at Lake Fairfax Park, 1400

Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston. $10.Swashbucklin,’ seafarin’ songs, talesof pirates, a Raingutter Regatta, atreasure hunt, and sailin’ on theboundin’ main of Lake Fairfax. Call703-222-4664 for more.

“Romeo and Juliet.” various times atLake Anne Recreation Area, 11301North Shore Drive, Reston. Producedby AnyStage Theater and performedoutdoors. Email [email protected] for more.

SUNDAY/MAY 7Artists Reception. 3-7 p.m. at the

Reston Community Center in HuntersWoods Village, 2310 Colts NeckRoad, Reston. Meet artist NormanKrasnegor, and see his art exhibitwhich will be on display during themonth of May. Visitwww.redmontart.net/the-collection/.

MAY 9-20Mind, Heart, Vision Exhibit. Various

times at the ArtSpace Herndon, 750Center Street, Herndon. Exhibitshowcasing extraordinary artworks ofHerndon High School art studentsembarking upon their senior thesis.Call 703-956-9560 or visitwww.artspaceherndon.com for more.

WEDNESDAY/MAY 10League of Women Voters. 7:30-9

p.m. at Hunter Mill DistrictCommunity Room B, 1801 CameronGlen Drive, Reston. Local LWVmembers update some long-standinglocal governance issues. Call 202-263-1311 visit www.lwv-fairfax.org.

MONDAY/MAY 15Meet the Author. 6 p.m. at Scrawl

Books, Reston Town Center, 11900Market St. Shirley Melis will discussher newly published memoir,

“Banged-Up Heart: Dancing withLove and Loss.” Visitwww.shirleymelis.com for more.

TUESDAY/MAY 16Religious Freedom Lecture. 1-3

p.m. at Congregation Beth Emeth,12523 Lawyers Road, Herndon.Speaker Bennett Gold will discuss theevolution of religious freedom in theU.S., Jewish Justices, and key relateddecisions. Adults. Email [email protected] or call 703-860-4515.

Getting Dirty with Clay. 7-9 p.m. atArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St.,Herndon. Join local ceramic artist,Mercia Hobson, for a night of dirtyfun as she guides participants in thefine art of weaving strips of pre-dyedextruded clay over a mold. A Designand Wine Event. Visitwww.artspaceherndon.com or call703-956-9560 for more.

FRIDAY/MAY 19Bike to Work Day 2017. Registration

— now open — is free and open toanyone who commutes in the region,from first timers to daily cyclists. Allregistrants will be entered in aregional bicycle raffle, and the first16,000 to register and attend willreceive a free t-shirt at one of morethan 85 pit-stops throughoutNorthern Virginia. Participants canregister online atwww.biketoworkmetrodc.org. EmailMegan Goodman [email protected], or call 202-962-3209 for more.

Northern Virginia Fine ArtsFestival Party. 6-9 p.m. at RestonTown Center Pavilion, 1818Discovery St., Reston. Party kicks offthe art festival, which runs Saturdayand Sunday, May 20-21, 10 a.m.-6p.m. Call 703-471-9242, [email protected] or visitrestonarts.org for more.

Photo courtesy of

ArtSpace Herndon

The Art ofResilience:Showcasing Artworkof HolocaustSurvivors

ArtSpace Herndon is exhibiting thepaintings, prints and sculptures of Azrieland Irene Awret, Holocaust survivorsand co-founders of the art colony inSafed, Israel. A reception will be heldthis Saturday, April 29, from 7-9 p.m.where people can view and purchase theart for the last time in the United Statesbefore the collection is sent to the Awretgallery reopening in Israel. The exhibit ison display until May 6.

“YeminiteMother” byIrene Awret.


bTo Highlightyour Faith

Community,Call Karen at703-778-9422

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Sunday School: preschool - grade 2Music: grades 3 - 7

10:25 a.m. Sunday School Grades 3 to 6Music 4 years to 2nd grade

11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II5:00 p.m. Come Just as You Are Contemporary Service

Nursery care provided at 9:00 a.m. service

The Rev. John C. N. Hall, RectorThe Rev. Laura Cochran

703-437-6530www.stannes-reston.org

1700 Wainwright Dr., Reston

ST. ANNE’SEPISCOPALCHURCH • Reston

Welcoming, Diverse, Progressive COMMUNITIES

OF WORSHIP

To honor Mom on Mother’s Day, send us your favorite snapshots of youwith your Mom and The Mount Vernon Gazette will publish them in ourMother’s Day issue. Be sure to include some information about what’sgoing on in the photo, plus your name and phone number and town ofresidence. To e-mail digital photos, send to:

[email protected] prints will be returned to you if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope, but please don’t send us anything irreplaceable.

“Me and My Mom”

News

Hundreds of Reston-Herndon LittleLeague (RHLL) players gathered at RestonTown Center on Saturday morning to cel-ebrate the start of the baseball season.Joined by their coaches, the players woreuniforms provided by the Washington Na-tionals and were entertained on the paraderoute down Market Street by two of theNationals racing presidents — Teddy andAbe. At the end of the parade route, high

Reston-Herndon Little LeagueCelebrates New Season

school players from South Lakes, Herndon,and Madison high schools, many of whomwere once RHLL players themselves,greeted the players with high-fives.

Joining the occasion, U.S. Rep. GerryConnolly, said, “Forty-six years of baseballin Reston and Herndon — what a greatthing”

Jason Walker, RHLL president, said, “Youwill make lifelong friends through baseball.”

Reston-Herndon Little League (RHLL) players march in a parade inReston Town Center on Saturday, April 22. Pictured here, AA TAG MuayThai AL Nationals with their coach Brian Dougherty.

Herndon High School baseball team members came to support Reston-Herndon Little League (RHLL) players.

Pho

to

s co

ntributed


Zone 1 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

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26 Antiques 26 Antiques

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements



21 Announcements

ABC LICENSEGreenFare LLC trading asGreenFare, Herndon, VA20170. The above estab-

lishment is applying to theVIRGINIA DEPARTMENT

OF ALCOHOLICBEVERAGE CONTROL(ABC) for a on premiseswine and beer license tosell or manufacture alco-holic beverages. GwynWhittaker, CEO. NOTE:

Objections to the issuanceof this license must be

submitted to ABC no laterthan 30 days from the pub-lishing date of the first oftwo required newspaperlegal notices. Objectionsshould be registered atwww.abc.virginia.gov or

800-552-3200.

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Zone 1 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 1: • Reston

• Herndon • Loudoun

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Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIEThe onslaught of radio and television adver-

tising for grass seed and riding mowers. I sup-pose if I was a responsible homeowner, given thetime of the year: spring/April, I might have aninterest in such timely offerings. However, sinceI’m not and since I’m still unable to manage thetwo acres that I own, affectionately referred to as“Belly Acres,” going on 25 years dating back toMay ‘92 when we initially took ownership, thebest I can do is borrow my neighbor’s ridingmower and spend a couple of hours every twoweeks or so trying to keep the grass below myknees. Cancer issues not totally withstanding.

Actually, aside from having little interest,minimal experience and multiple home/toolmaintenance issues/pre-existing conditions, I amthe perfect target: a homeowner who can’t doanything on his own and needs help all the timefor everything. Specifically as it involves my yard;I have grass, trees, bushes, shrubs, daffodils,flower beds, wild flowers, weeds and moreweeds. If I were so inclined and wanted to con-fide to someone in a Lawn & Garden store, Iwould have to admit that a novice looks experi-enced compared to me. I need to be taken bythe hand — literally — and instructed as if thewords being spoken to me were a foreign lan-guage. Which of course, they are.

This previous paragraph presumes howeverthat I have a budget and even a passing notionto attempt to improve upon the randomness thatcharacterizes “Belly Acres.” I can still remembera conversation I had with a local lawn and gar-den consultant when we first moved in. A gen-tlemen came by and together we walked aroundthe property. After ending up back at the house,he asked me what I wanted to do. I said some-thing like, “I don’t know, you tell me.” Heresponded with words I could semi understandbut mostly it was unintelligible — to me, so Iasked for a clarification.

After grasping the obvious, finally, I asked: “Iswhat you’re telling me that I could hire someoneto work full time for the rest of his life and stillthe work wouldn’t get done?”

“Yes,” he said.That’s when I fully understood the problem. I

then thanked him for his time and haven’t revis-ited the issue since. Talk about pointless. And so,all these years later, the property remains nearlyas it was. Oh sure, tress have fallen down,branches, limbs, sticks and stones have hit theground — and house, and together have clut-tered up the general appearance. However, anyeffort beyond paying people to clean up the mis-cellaneous yard debris has been lost in the pas-sage of time and in my lack of initiative. Throwin a “terminal” cancer diagnosis and at least forme, pulling weeds, etc., became a fairly lowpriority.

Still, it doesn’t mean that I don’t pay attentionto advertising aimed at homeowners, especiallythe ones promoting grass seed and riding mow-ers. Many of which are quite funny and clever.Not quite clever enough to get me off the couchand into a store to spend money on a project,especially on one whose timeline might notmatch mine. That’s not to say that I’m living likeI’m dying so why bother? No. it’s more aboutcommon sense and gratification. I don’t need towait for — anything. Oh sure, I need to plan fortomorrow but not at the expense (pun intended)of today. It’s not exactly akin to a fool and hismoney but when you’ve been diagnosed withcancer, priorities change, as do budget/timeallowances; in fact/feeling, everything changes.

I don’t mean to imply that I’m a closed book,unable to get out of my own way or incapable oftaking the good with the bad. As you regularreaders know, I’m really pretty flexible when itcomes to my less-than-ideal circumstances.Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that I don’t havemy moments. Hearing/seeing these lawn andgarden promotions has given me pause though.Not enough to change my mind but enough tomotivate me — to write a column.

And So ItBegins ...

From Page 2

From Page 5

Bulletin Board

ing this traditionally high-risk holiday. This service is offered bythe nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP).

During this nine-hour period, area residents age 21 and oldercelebrating with alcohol may download Lyft to their phones, thenenter the code CINCODC in the app’s “Promo” section to receivetheir no cost (up to $15) safe transportation home. The SoberRidecode is valid for the first 1,500 Lyft users who enter the code.

Man Hits Two Police CruisersWhile Evading Arrest

Trevor John Herasingh Jr., 31, of Herndon was charged withmultiple counts of assault, including assaulting police officers onWednesday, April 12, according to the Herndon Police Department.

The pursuit began after an assault he allegedly committed againstsomeone he knew, according to police. The victim received minor

Week in Herndon

project elements to be completed. A por-tion of the town’s meals tax has been allo-cated toward funding of this project.

Total CIP FY18-23: $1,275,000

Police Radio EquipmentReplaces radios and associated equipment

of the Herndon Police Department due toobsolescence. Fairfax County agreed to pur-chase $372,000 of the equipment, reduc-ing the overall project expense. Anotherinvestment in police equipment worth men-tioning is that the town council approved$71,000 of funding to equip police officerswith body cameras, beginning departmentwide by May. This investment was allocatedfrom the town’s fiscal year 2017 mid-yearbudget on Feb. 14.

Total CIP FY18-23: $841,000

General Water Maintenance andReplacement

Provides for major component replace-ment of the town’s water distribution sys-tem. Major maintenance and replacementof system mains and facilities will be phasedand prioritized based on pipe age, materialand localized General Fund projects. Thiswill reduce adverse impacts caused by fre-quent outages and the cost premiums ex-perienced from system failure repairs.

Total CIP FY18-23: $3,312,000

Water Capacity PurchasesProvides for water capacity through

Fairfax County. The purchase and financ-ing arrangements are not yet finalized. Apreliminary total cost estimate has beencalculated, but annual debt service amountsare anticipated at $421,000 per year.

Estimated CIP FY18-23: $10,278,000

Sewer Capacity PurchasesProvides for sewer treatment capacity al-

locations at the Blue Plains WastewaterTreatment Plant. Additional capacity isneeded to support development and rede-velopment that is outlined in the the town’scomprehensive plan. A preliminary totalcost estimate has been calculated, but an-nual debt service amounts are anticipatedat $1.4 million per year.

Estimated CIP FY18-23: $22,000,000

Downtown Redevelopment andArts Center

The highly anticipated downtown rede-velopment of nearly five acres of downtownHerndon is not supported by any of thefunds in the town’s fiscal year 2018 bud-get.

During a special meeting on Nov. 30,2016, the Herndon Town Council adopteda resolution that directed town staff to moveforward with negotiations on a proposal forthe redevelopment with Reston real estatefirm Comstock Partners.

The town is expecting the 24-month con-struction to be underway come next sum-mer. Though the work is not allocated inthe town’s fiscal year 2018 budget, it is stilla priority for the town and is expected tocome to fruition in 2018.

The town’s fiscal years begin on July 1and extend to June 30. Budget adjustmentstake place each year in July, as well as mid-year in February.

Though details are lacking, the town willallocate funding for the work with a bud-get adjustment to the 2018 budget. And thelack of details is not holding the projectbehind.

On Friday, April 14, the town issued arequest for proposals seeking bids fromnonprofit arts organizations within 25 milesof the location to operate, manage and con-duct arts programming in its future down-town Arts Center.

The RFP states within the “Project Over-view” section that the town has, “selectedComstock Partners to redevelop 4.675 acresof land owned by the town into a mixed-used development.”

Citizen Input on Town BudgetThe town council considered CIP funding,

along with the annual budget, during pub-lic hearings on Tuesday, April 11, and Tues-day, April 25. Herndon citizens may continueto submit comments about the budget byemail to [email protected].

Community Outlook

SOBER-RIDE FOR CINCO DE MAYOFree Sober Rides. Friday, May 5, 7 p.m. through

Saturday, May 6, 4 a.m. Area residents, 21 andolder, may download Lyft to their phones, thenenter the code CINCODC in the app’s “Promo”section to receive a no cost (up to $15) safe ridehome. The SoberRide code is valid for the first1,500 Lyft users who enter the code. Visitwww.soberride.com.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 26Parenting ADHD lecture. 7-9 p.m. at Herndon

High School Lecture Hall700 Bennett St., Herndon. “From Chaos to Calm:

Keys of Parenting ADHD” lecture by ElaineTaylor-Klaus, CPCC, PCC, part of CHADD ofNorthern Virginia & DC Chapter’s“Understanding ADHD” Lecture series. Free. Call703-655-8095 for more.

SATURDAY/APRIL 29Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout. 8

a.m.–2 p.m. at Reston District Station, 12000Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Drop off unused

or expired medications at a Fairfax CountyPolice district station (pills or liquids only, nopressurized canisters or needles). Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb or [email protected] for more.

ONGOINGSunrise at Reston Town Center offers a

monthly Caregiver Support Group on the fourthWednesday of the month, 6:30-8 p.m. Monthlysupport group offers a safe place for familycaregivers, to meet and develop a mutualsupport system and to exchange practicalinformation and possible solutions. Learn aboutresources available in the community and howto manage caregiver related stress. Call 703-956- 8930 or [email protected] to RSVP.

Exercise for Parkinson’s. Every Monday, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Reston Sport&Health, 11445 IsaacNewton Square, Reston. This program bringstogether people impacted by Parkinson’s Diseaseto participate in various physical exercises aimedat improving posture, balance and circulationand increasing strength, muscle control andmobility. Free. parkinsonfoundation.org. Call

Natalie [email protected] 703-904-7600 for

more.Master Gardener Training. The Fairfax County

Master Gardener Association offers plant clinics,home turf training or speakers for homeowner’smeetings. Fees vary. Visit fairfaxgardening.orgor call Dora Lockwood at 401-864-4778 formore.

The Herndon Adult Day Health Care Centerneeds volunteers to assist with fitness activities,arts and crafts, mealtime, entertainment andmuch more. For these and other volunteeropportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

Toy Drive in Collaboration with Nonprofit FISHThrough Dec. 16

Stop by 11890 Sunrise Valley Drive any weekdayfrom 9-4 and drop a new, unwrapped toy in thedonation box in the lobby. All toys will bedistributed to needy children within LoudounCounty and to Herndon/Reston children via thenon-profit Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. Toysshould be for the ages of Newborn to 16. Thelast day for donations is December 16. Call 703-860-4600 for more information.

To have community events listed in the Connection, send toconnectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/ by noon on Friday.

abrasions and bruising, but declined medical attention, accordingto police.

Police officers found Herasingh in a parking lot in the 600 blockof Center Street in Herndon. When they ordered him to stop, hewalked away and entered his car. He then reversed and sideswipeda police vehicle as he fled, according to police.

A pursuit ensued and quickly ended when he drove head-on intoanother police vehicle that was stopped in the parking lot, accord-ing to police. Herasingh then exited his car and fought with policeofficers until he was subdued and taken into custody, according topolice.

He suffered minor abrasions during the incident, but declinedmedical attention, according to police. One officer also sufferedminor injuries from the collision, according to police.

Herasingh was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Deten-tion Center where he was charged with assault, strangulation, twocounts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, two countsof destruction of property, and reckless driving. He was held with-out bond, according to police.


From left, Jeff and Charlie, Frying Pan Farm Park’s new Belgian DraftHorse team are listening to the speeches officially welcoming them tothe park at a reception in their honor.

The purchase of Jeff and Charlie was made possible by main donorSusan Becker, whose generosity was noted with an award presented byFriends of Frying Pan Farm Park chairman John Pitzer.

News

By Andrea Worker

The Connection

It’s been more than a year and a halfsince Frying Pan Farm Park inHerndon had a working team of drafthorses. On Sunday, April 23, the park,

and the public, officially welcomed 12-year-old Charlie and 9-year-old Jeff into the fold,at a reception complete with speeches, re-freshments and even wagon rides courtesyof the guests of honor.

The two blond Belgian Draft Horses hadbeen working as a team in Ohio Amishcountry for the past five years, but accord-ing to Park Farm Manager Paul Nicholson,they have settled well in their new homeand are “ready to meet and greet their fans.”

The pair actually arrived in October of lastyear, but needed some adjustment time andtraining to handle their starring roles for the725k visitors who enjoy the park each year.

The park’s previous team had passed af-ter years of much appreciated service anda well-deserved retirement. Their loss rep-resented not only an emotional impact tofarm staff and the public who had come toknow and love them, but it also left the his-toric facility without a key ingredient oftheir mission to “preserve and interpret a1920s through 1950sfarm, agriculturalprocess, rural com-munity life and land-scape” for the citi-zens and visitors ofFairfax County.

The historical pe-riod that Frying Panbrings to life was thetransitional time inwhich tractors really began taking over theplow and field work on American farms, butthe draft horse was “still very much an es-sential part of farming then,” explainedYvonne Johnson, the park manager. “With-out our own team, we were missing an im-portant part in our work to really illustratewhat life on the farm was like during thattime. It’s great to add Charlie and Jeff tothe family and bring that piece back to the

picture.”Getting the 1,700

lb. (each!) duo totheir new digs andnew assignmentfrom Ohio to Virginiavia upstate New Yorkis a story in itself, butstarts with the factthat their purchase

was made possible by main donor SusanBecker, a long-time County Park employee,who saw on Facebook that Frying Pan wasfundraising to buy a new team. Becker’scontribution was recognized during the fes-tivities by William G. Bouie, Chairman ofthe Fairfax County Park Authority Board andthe representative for the Hunter Mill Dis-trict which includes Frying Pan Farm Park.

“I had a horse of my own until about two

years ago, [when he was retired]” saidBecker. “Not having a horse is a great wayto save money,” she laughed. “It leaves youwith a bit extra.”

Her decision to help bring this living his-tory back to Frying Pan was also a way tohonor her mother, Martha. “I have photo-graphs of her riding the draft horses on herfamily’s farm in Tennessee back in the ’30s.I’ve lost her now, but this is a beautiful wayto remember her — and let everyone havea bit of a horse fix. I think everyone needsthat.”

The Friends of Frying Pan Park, who actu-ally own all of the animals on the property,were also instrumental in raising funds forthe transportation of the horses, training ofthe cart and plow driver, the purchase of theirtack and accoutrements, and for putting onthe reception spread at the day’s event.

At last, the patience of the youngest ofthe attendees was rewarded. The speechesand the applause gave way to what they(and apparently quite a few of the youngat heart) had been waiting for — the wagonride. (Actually, even Jeff, with a hoof stampor two, looked like he was ready to get hisportion of the program underway.) TheFriends of Frying Pan Park board members,donor Susan Becker and a few of the otherdignitaries took the first go, but then chil-dren clambered aboard, and Jeff andCharlie, heads held high, did their jobs,showing visitors what life was like in thenot too distant past, and bringing smilesalong with the lessons.

Frying Pan Park is located at 2739 WestOx Road in Herndon. Visit their Facebookpage for events and family fun activitiesyear-round.

The welcome ceremonies over, Jeff and Charlie got down to business. Guided by driver Dan Sullivan, theequine duo did what they are named for — drafting [or pulling], and bringing a lot of smiles to the faces oftheir passengers.

Frying Pan Park Welcomes Charlie and Jeff

“It’s great to add Charlieand Jeff to the familyand bring that pieceback to the picture.”

— Yvonne Johnson, park manager

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