Alexandria Living Magazine - July/August 2022

HOT NEW RESTAURANTS

THE BIRCHMERE'S GARY OELZE

VIRGINIA'S ROSÉ WINE TRAIL

JULY | AUGUST 2022

ALEXANDRIALIVINGMAGAZINE.COM July / August 2022

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Why Gen Z Loves Alexandria

The Art of Local Alexandria Living Mason Montague Bavin, McEnearney Associate

It’s the little things that Mason gets excited about... like volunteering at the Historic Alexandria Foundation or The Washington Antiques Show.

But what she loves the most is simply giving back to her communities. Following in the footsteps of her late mother (also a McEnearney Associate), Mason has helped her clients unravel the often messy and complicated process of buying and selling a home and find their special place in Alexandria. Connect with Mason to make your next move with a trusted McEnearney Associate.

Mason Montague Bavin, Realtor® Tel. 703.338.6007 I mbavin@mcenearney.com I www.masonbavin.com Old Town Alexandria 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 I tel. 703.549.9292 I Equal Housing Opportunity

205 S. Union Street

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Alexandria, VA

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703.838.9788

The best place for banking isn’t a bank at all.

Let’s partner together to achieve your goals.

We’re better than a bank. We’re for you, for life.

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Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Membership eligibility required. Membership is free and open to all residents of Virginia and their immediate family members. For complete details visit cofcu.org. Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Opportunity Lender.

ALM v06.22

PHOTOS BY SUSANNAH MOORE ALEXANDRIA LIVING

CONTENTS

8

PHOTOS BY SUSANNAH MOORE ALEXANDRIA LIVING

22

Summertime, and the livin' is...fun!

Get out there and have some.

22

PETS

25

FOOD & DINING

28

We all love food trucks, but sometimes, they're hard to find.

Enter Goodfynd! Read all about this entrepreneurial group who created an app for that.

32

HOME & GARDEN

44

TRAVEL

48

Itching to get away and go all out? We've compiled some summer splurges sure to satisfy everyone in the family.

52

THE LAST WORD

32 PHOTO BY MARY ANN BARTON

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dogs don't have to hate cats and vice versa. And that goes for other animals living under the same roof too, like guinea pigs and rabbits. Here's a how-to on getting your menagerie to get along.

New restaurants are opening soon in Alexandria — and like you, we can't wait to try them! Here's the scoop.

One of Alexandria's most historic homes gets a makeover, from shingles to siding.

Rosé's moment is summertime.

Come along and discover Virginia's rosé wine trail and meet the Commonwealth's top winemaker of 2022.

Gary Oelze has lots of stories to tell after decades at the helm of The Birchmere, the famed music hall in Alexandria.

48 July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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FEATURES

18 World's Biggest Airplane The world's largest airplane in 1915 was right here in Alexandria.

Writer Steve Trimble takes us on another wild aviation journey.

37 PHOTO BY KRISTIAN SUMMERER FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

Gen Z Discovers Alexandria Gen Z is loving Alexandria and we're not surprised —we suspect it's for many of the same reasons we like it too!

ON THE COVER Sunrise at Alexandria's Shipyard Park.

PHOTO BY STACIA ROGAN (@AROUNDALX ON INSTAGRAM)

SOCIALIZE WITH US  facebook.com/alexandrialivingmag

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

 @alexlivingmag

 @alexandrialivingmag

Babs Beckwith

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The Face of Old Town Real Estate

If you are thinking of selling your home, call Babs and put her expertise to work for you!

703.627.5421 | OldTownAlexandriaLiving.com Babs@BabsBeckwith.com 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703.549.9292 Equal Housing Opportunity | *Represented the Buyer

A Letter from Our Founders

PUBLISHER

Beth Lawton EDITOR

Mary Ann Barton ADVERTISING | EVENTS

Katherine Barton Cleo Chitester Kristen Riffle SOCIAL

Katie Wheeler DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION

Dawn Lewandowski PUBLISHING ASSISTANT

Susannah Moore Alexandria Living Magazine is published six times per year by Alexandria Living, LLC ©2022. 201 N. Union St., Suite 110 Alexandria, VA 22314. For newsstand or distribution locations or to subscribe for home delivery, go to alexandrialivingmagazine.com/subscribe.

CONTACT US

info@alexandrialivingmagazine.com or call 571-232-1310.

PARTNER WITH US

Alexandria Living Magazine fully supports the local business community and offers several unique ways to partner with the publication.

• Sponsored articles and multimedia content on the website, in our popular email newsletters and on social media.

• Highlighted events in our events calendar, email newsletters and social media.

• Sponsored real estate listings.

• Brand awareness through online banner ads designed to boost your business.

• Contests, sweepstakes and giveaways.

To learn more about how partnering with Alexandria Living Magazine can help build your business, contact us at ads@alexandrialivingmagazine.com or call 571-232-1310.

PRESS RELEASES & TIPS

Send news releases and story tips to

maryann@alexandrialivingmagazine.com.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

Subscribing to Alexandria Living Magazine is easy! You can go to alexandrialivingmagazine.com/ subscribe to pay securely online by credit card, or mail a check with the subscription mailing address to Alexandria Living Magazine, 201 N. Union St. Suite 110, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Subscriptions are $14.95 for one year or $24.95 for two years.

6

Beth Lawton, publisher, and Mary Ann Barton, editor

PHOTO BY MATT MENDELSOHN, TAKEN AT VIRTUE FEED & GRAIN.

Welcome to the July/August issue of Alexandria Living Magazine! It's summertime in a beautiful place we call home right along the Potomac River.

There are plenty of happenings around town this summer, so be sure to pencil in some fun by perusing our calendar starting on Page 8.

25). We also talked with a physical therapist turned winemaker (Page 44). Turns out she made a pretty good career move — she took home this year's Governor's Gold Cup Medal. (And be sure to check out the Virginia rosé trail, a collection of wineries in the region that offer outstanding rosés.)

It seems we aren't the only ones who love Alexandria. The secret's out. The city has become a popular place to live for the Generation Z crowd (those born roughly from 1997 to 2012) and we explore why that is, starting on Page 37.

If you're looking for some last-minute summer vacation ideas, turn to Page 48 for a variety of ideas — from "glamping" in an Airstream to checking out the newest roller coaster at Hersheypark.

Writer Steve Trimble brings us another fascinating yarn, this time about the biggest airplane in the world. Of course, it happened right here. Read all about it starting on Page 18.

We have a special place in our hearts for The Birchmere, the legendary music hall that just happens to be right here in Alexandria. It all started more than 50 years ago and owner Gary Oelze, along with Stephen Moore, has written a book filled with great stories about the musicians and behind the scenes at the venue. We caught up with them recently in The Last Word, on Page 52.

We've all seen the videos: Birds riding on the backs of the family dog or a cat snuggling with a bunny.

Writer Susannah Moore takes a look at fostering relationships between cats and dogs and other species, and offers tips that will help you enjoy a harmonious menagerie under one roof, on Page 21.

If you love history and architecture you'll want to read about the restoration of the Murray-DickFawcett House in Old Town, one of the oldest homes in Alexandria, dating back to 1772. It was once home to one of the physicians who attended to George Washington on his deathbed. The story starts on Page 32.

One of our more popular features is any news involving food and dining and we've got the scoop on some new restaurants opening in the city (Page

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

We hope you'll enjoy reading this issue between trips for ice cream, hanging out at the pool or catching a nap in the shade, you get the idea...it's summertime and we hope you'll take some time to enjoy it. We know we will!

We'll see you right back here in September.

Mary Ann Barton and Beth Lawton Founders

Our Team Meet some of the contributors to this issue.

SUSANNAH MOORE Writer Susannah has happily called Alexandria home since 2015. She graduated from the College of Charleston and has worked in the political and legal fields and is excited for the opportunity to rekindle her interest in writing. For fun, she enjoys running along the Potomac with her husband or spending time with her rescue cat, Cinnamon, and golden retriever, Kai.

BUZ NACHLAS Photographer Buz enjoys photography whether he's capturing the Red Rocks of the American Southwest or snapping an image of an iconic monument at sunset in the nation's capital. He often visits Alexandria and most recently snapped a photo of The Birchmere owner Gary Oelze. When he's not taking photos, you might find him on a bike trail near his home in Toano, Va.

STEPHEN TRIMBLE Writer Steve Trimble is an Alexandria resident, amateur local history enthusiast and award-winning journalist for Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine. In addition to previous stints as the Washington D.C. bureau chief for Flight International and Jane’s Defence Weekly magazines, his work has also appeared in The Guardian, USA Today and Encyclopedia Britannica. He’s also appeared as an expert on shows about aviation and military topics for the History Channel and other news and media outlets.

KRISTEN RIFFLE Advertising

STACIA ROGAN Photographer

KATIE WHEELER Social

Kristen has spent her whole life traveling the world, first as an Army brat, then as a Navy spouse. A graduate of Virginia Tech, she has had many different careers along the way but most recently as a government contractor, writing for the DoD and working for Alexandria Living Magazine. She has many hobbies and passions including travel, cooking, hiking, camping and anything else active and outdoors. She now calls Virginia home and is busy with her husband, four kids, corgi and giant Norwegian Forest cat.

Stacia is a freelance editor who moved to Old Town in 2015 after falling in love with its history and architecture. When the pandemic hit, she started joining her husband for his daily run; they created an Instagram account (@aroundALX) to share their favorite views around town. She took this issue's cover photo of the sunrise at Shipyard Park in Alexandria. For more of Stacia's photos, check out aroundALX.com.

Katie has lived in Alexandria for three years. She graduated with a degree in communications from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. She has experience in higher education and nonprofit communications. When she isn't working she is spending time with her two beloved dogs, Daisy May and Delilah June. If you can't find her, she is probably nose deep in a book. She loves to read and reads on average 10 books per month.

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

PHOTO BY K. SUMMERER FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

SUMMER 2022

Calendar of Events July Storytime at the Museum July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Aug. 5, 12, 19 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Join Lee-Fendall House for a story, a craft and a special tour of the museum designed for young learners every Friday morning throughout the summer. Storytime is aimed at introducing young learners ages 3-6 (however children of all ages are welcome) to concepts of history, art

and science. The program will take place indoors and outdoors (weather permitting) and all craft materials are provided. Tickets are $10 per participating child (parents/ chaperones are admitted free of charge).

Advance registration is required.

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco St., leefendallhouse.org

Trivia Night at Historic Sites July 8, 22 and Aug. 5, 19 | 7-9 p.m.

Staff members at Carlyle House Historic Park and the Lee-Fendall House Museum host bi-weekly trivia nights throughout the

summer in beautiful gardens. Test your knowledge of everything from pop culture to history. Registration must be completed in advance. Tickets are $8 per person and include snacks and one complimentary drink. Additional drinks can be purchased.

Teams are limited to six people, ages 21-plus only. Each trivia night will have a different theme. There will be weekly prizes for the winning team as well as a grand prize for the team that wins the most points over the entire summer!

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco St., leefendallhouse.org Storytime at the Museum

Visit alexandrialivingmagazine.com for more events this summer!

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

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JULY

An American Celebration

4

July 4 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Celebrate our nation's independence at Mount Vernon, the home of the father of our country. During this event visitors can: • Meet George Washington.

• Watch made-for-daytime fireworks.

ALX Dog Walk. PHOTO COURTESY OF ??

• Observe a moving ceremony in which people from across the world become U.S. citizens.

• Watch a musical performance by the National Concert Band.

Cost is included with admission and is free for members.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., mountvernon.org

PHOTO BY BUDDY SECOR FOR GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOUNT VERNON ESTATE

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JULY

9

PHOTO BY CHRIS MILITZER/MILIMAN12 PHOTOGRAPHY

Concerts at The Birchmere Check out some of the performances scheduled for this summer at The Birchmere. The Birchmere website has the latest information and a full concert list. The concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary.

JULY 3

Kindred The Family Soul JULY 5

Leonid & Friends

PHOTO FROM PIXABAY

USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration

JULY 7

Euge Groove JULY 8

Ginger Billy JULY 10, 11

John Hiatt and the Goners (featuring Sonny Landreth) JULY 14

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone JULY 17

The High Kings JULY 20

Steve Earle & The Dukes (with special guest The Whitmore Sisters)

July 9 | 6-9:45 p.m.

The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 273rd birthday and the United States' 246th birthday with a live performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and a grand finale fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Enjoy the return of the "big birthday" experience of years past with cupcakes, local vendors, live music and an extended runtime.

Admission is free and pets are not allowed. The main event will take place at Oronoco Bay Park, along Alexandria’s waterfront but the fireworks can be enjoyed from a number of other spots around town including Founder’s Park, Canal Center Plaza, Rivergate Park, Waterfront Park, Windmill Hill Park, Ford’s Landing, Jones Point Park and George Washington Masonic Temple.

Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., alexandriava.gov/recreation

JULY 22, 23

Robert Earl Keen (SOLD OUT)

Ninth Annual Old Town Pub Crawl hosted by Port City Brewing Company

JULY 26

Herb Alpert & Lani Hall AUGUST 3

America (SOLD OUT)

July 9 | 2-6 p.m.

AUGUST 12

This popular event is returning to the original live and in-person format for 2022. Visit eight of Port City’s top bars and restaurants in Old Town, enjoy their daily specials and stamp your pass at each stop.

Then turn in your completed pass for this year’s Pub Crawl Pint Glass.

Chrisette Michele AUGUST 13

Marcus Miller AUGUST 19

Jon B.

AUGUST 25

Various locations around Alexandria, portcitybrewing.com

Peter Whiter The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., birchmere.com PHOTO BY CHRIS MILITZER/MILIMAN12 PHOTOGRAPHY

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Arts Family Day at Mount Vernon

'Something Rotten!'

July 16, 17 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

July 23-Aug. 13

Discover art as expression and communication in the 18th century through visual arts, poetry, music and movement.

Sensory-friendly activities will be available from 9-11 a.m.

This Tony Award-nominated musical farce is more fun and festive than a trip to the Renaissance Faire! Set in 1595, "Something Rotten!" follows the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who struggle to find success in the theatrical world as they compete with the wild popularity of their rock star contemporary, William Shakespeare. With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequins in its soul, "Something Rotten!" features large song and dance numbers and a wacky cast of over-the-top characters.

Taste of Art at the Torpedo Factory Art Center July 17 | noon-5 p.m.

Cool off inside the Torpedo Factory Art Center, then surprise your taste buds with delicious masterpieces from local food truck vendors, breweries and culinary arts partners as studio artists pair with culinary artistry. Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with a special Torpedo-inspired dessert inside the Art Center at the waterfront, along with iced coffee and tasty beverages.

Admission: $15 to $50 per person.

The Theater at MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Ave., nationalharbor.com/events/alicia-keys/

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., thelittletheatre.com

PHOTO BY CHRIS MILITZER/MILIMAN12 PHOTOGRAPHY

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., mountvernon.org

will be performing her critically-acclaimed music just across the Potomac at The Theater at MGM National Harbor.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N Union St., torpedofactory.org

Garden Artists – Natural Tie-Dye July 30 | 1 p.m.

Learn how to create your own natural tiedye masterpiece with berries, leaves and spices. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program. Tickets are $12 each.

A Space Between Art Exhibit Aug. 5-27 The "A Space Between Art" exhibit focuses on shadows, negative space, and often overlooked components of a scene.

Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., delrayartisans.org

Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

Sunday Morning Painting Classes

The Science Behind Harry Potter Specialty Tours at the Apothecary Museum

July 17, 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 14, 21 | 11 a.m.

July 31 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Join local artist Julianne Woehrle for a fun art class series aimed at ages 8 -12. Each week, students will learn about a different artist in history and then create a piece of artwork in their signature style. Drop in to individual classes or purchase a pass for all six classes and one of the classes will be free! Classes are at 11 a.m. Sundays (July 17, 24, 31, and August 7, 14 and 21) at Made in ALX in Old Town North. Artists covered will include: Oscar-Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe. Sign up through MadeinALX.com.

In honor of Harry’s birthday on July 31, the Apothecary Museum is offering a special guided tour for families (and adults who missed their Hogwarts letter) that will explore the old Apothecary and the historic Muggle medicines that inspired the Herbology and Potions of Harry’s wizarding world. Admission is $8 per person. Tours are offered every 30 minutes on the hour and half-hour with the last tour starting at 8 p.m.

Made in ALX, 533 Montgomery St., madeinalx.com

The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105107 S. Fairfax St., alexandriava.gov/Apothecary

Alicia Keys in Concert Aug. 5 | 8-11 p.m.

Alicia Keys, a 15-time Grammy Awardwinning singer, songwriter, and producer,

Friendship Firehouse Festival Aug. 6 | 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Head to the 100 block of South Alfred Street to celebrate Friendship’s 248th year.

Visit the historic Friendship Firehouse Museum, learn about fire safety today and in centuries past, and see City firefighting equipment up close. There will be displays by community organizations, local vendors continues on page 14

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AUG

13

ALX Dog Walk. PHOTO COURTESY OF ??

13th Annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale For one day only, find end-of-season discounts on fashion, jewelry, home décor, gifts and more at some of your favorite Alexandria boutiques and shops. More information and a list of participating stores can be found on the event website.

Various locations throughout Old Town and Del Ray, visitalexandria.com/things-to-do/shopping/sidewalk-sale/

PHOTOS BY SARAH MARCELLA CREATIVE FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

Leading Clients Through All Market Challenges jkhogangroup_realtors

JILLIAN KECK HOGAN R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P

Licensed in VA, DC & MD 703.951.7655 I JillianKeckHogan.com 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 I 703.549.9292 Equal Housing Opportunity

AUG

19-28

Alexandria Restaurant Week For 10 days and two weekends, dozens of restaurants in Alexandria will offer special menus and deals during this popular, biannual dining event. Alexandria Restaurant Week showcases the inventiveness of local chefs in neighborhoods throughout the City. In early August, guests will find a digital flip-book of menus at participating restaurants on the event website.

Various locations in Alexandria, visitalexandria.com/restaurants/restaurant-week PHOTOS BY SCOTT SUCHMAN FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

THE BEACH BOYS, PHOTO COURTESY OF WOLF TRAP

Concerts at Wolf Trap While not in Alexandria, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, in nearby Vienna, is once again hosting a few big names this summer! Check out tickets, times and a full list of performers at www.wolftrap.org.

JULY 17

Barenaked Ladies AUGUST 4

Little Big Town AUGUST 17

Goo Goo Dolls AUGUST 20, 21

Steve Martin & Martin Short AUGUST 27

Mary Chapin Carpenter

AUGUST 28

The Beach Boys SEPTEMBER 2, 3, 4

Sting

SEPTEMBER 7

Van Morrison SEPTEMBER 8

Yo-Yo Ma

SEPTEMBER 16

609 King Street Old Town Alexandria

703-549-0011 KingsJewelry.NET

Boyz II Men

horticulturist Susan Eggerton for a walk

and food and beverages available. Children will receive free Friendship fire hats.

Admission is $2 per person or free for city residents.

through Green Spring Gardens and a hands-on pruning session.

Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S Alfred St., alexandriava.gov/FriendshipFirehouse

Bands and Brews Summer Bar Crawl

The Late Shift: Sidewalk Art Party at the Torpedo Factory Art Center

Aug. 20 | 1-6 p.m.

Del Ray's annual summer bar crawl features live music, food and drink specials at 15-plus restaurants, trolley transportation and more. Admission: $15 in advance; $20 at the door.

Aug. 12 | 7-10 p.m.

Find early discounts and specials in select studios throughout the building on the eve of the 2022 Alexandria Sidewalk Sale, discover new art to love with a visit to Artist Row, featuring local artists from across the DMV and take part in the massive sidewalk chalk mural party on the steps and sidewalk along the Union Street side of Torpedo Factory Art Center. Rain location will be inside the Grand Hall. Admission is free.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N Union St., torpedofactory.org

Various locations along Mount Vernon Avenue, visitdelray.com

How to Prune Hydrangeas Aug. 13 | 10:30 a.m.

There are many reasons to prune hydrangeas: for size, to remove deadwood and spent blooms, and to improve the overall vigor of the plant. But different types of hydrangeas require different pruning times and techniques. Join

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

Around the World Cultural Festival Aug. 27 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Around the World Cultural Festival takes attendees on a day trip around the world and presents you with the cuisine, culture and traditions of more than 40 countries participating at the event, held in Oronoco Bay Park. Admission is free.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Ongoing Events Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market Every second Saturday | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Explore unique finds and hidden treasures at Del Ray’s year-round outdoor vintage and flea market. After browsing, enjoy lunch at one of Del Ray’s many nearby restaurants.

Intersection of Mt. Vernon and Bellefonte avenues, delrayvintageflea.com

First Thursdays in Del Ray Every first Thursday | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Held the first Thursday from April to September along Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood, First Thursday is a series of free outdoor street festivals that bring the community together around a fun theme, benefiting a local nonprofit.

• July 7: Red, White, and Blue • Aug. 4: Aloha Thursday • Sept. 1: Show Your Spirit Mount Vernon Ave., visitdelray.com/firstthursday

Workshops on the Waterfront Enjoy a free workshop or live demo with a Torpedo Factory Art Center artist at the Waterfront entrance of the Art Center.

There will be a different project every third Saturday of the month through September, from 1-3 p.m.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., torpedofactory.org

FCPA Summer Entertainment Series 2022 Fairfax County Park Authority is once again hosting its summer entertainment series at parks around Fairfax County. Performances are held outdoors and are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Pack a picnic basket, umbrella, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy music in the parks from local and national touring groups. Mount Vernon Nights will be held Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Grist Mill Park (4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.) and Lee District Nights will be held Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Lee District Park (6601 Telegraph Road).

For a full list of locations and shows visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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Take a Gallery Walk Take a self-guided tour of Old Town Alexandria and explore the fine art and studio crafts found in art galleries and boutique shops.

The Art Walks are 5-8 p.m. on the third Thursdays of the month, continuing through October. The stroll is a great activity after an early dinner, or before enjoying a meal at one of Old Town Alexandria’s restaurants.

The gallery walk is free. Specific dates and participating merchants are listed below.

The gallery walk is organized by Old Town Business.

Participating merchants: Galactic Panther – 1303 King St. Fiscus Glassworks – 1314 King St. AR Workshop – 1212 King St. Shop Made in Virginia – 1121 King St. ESP Tea & Coffee – 1012 King St. Turkish Coffee Lady – 1001 King St. Versailles Art Gallery – 923 King St. Ten Thousand Villages – 915 King St. Made in ALX – 533 Montgomery St. Boxwood – 128 S. Royal St. Principle Gallery – 208 King St.

ART BY LAUREL PRUCHA MORAN

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

Intertribal Creatives – 106 N. Lee St./ Founders Hall

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Find Waldo, Win Prizes!

Waldo will be in Alexandria in July — and

1555 King St., will host a monthlong

Sunday, July 31, there will be a big Waldo

if you look carefully, you'll see him pop

scavenger hunt to find Waldo in 25 local

event at Hooray for Books!

up at 25 local retailers.

participating businesses. Shoppers will

Waldo, the iconic children’s book character, will be in town to help encourage residents to shop and buy

be encouraged to find a 6-inch Waldo standee and get a stamp from each business where they find the boy in the

from local businesses.

striped shirt.

Find Waldo in Alexandria is led by Hooray

Throughout the month, there will be

for Books! The popular bookstore, at

prizes awarded to the players, and on

Find Waldo Local launched in 2012 and hundreds of bookstores take the lead on the effort in their city every July. The event is co-sponsored nationwide by Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association.

Learn more at hooray4books.com.

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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HISTORY

PHOTO BY STEPHEN TRIMBLE

How the ‘World's Largest Aircraft,’ in 1915, Came From Alexandria

BY STEVE TRIMBLE

Beneath a clear sky in mid-June, 1915, a newly built “hydro-aeroplane” named Clare slipped out of its shed on the foot of Duke street and into the Potomac River.

A.W. Richardson, the designer, had spent

even aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss’

a year and $30,000 (the equivalent of

prototype for a long-distance seaplane

about $850,000 today) to see this day.

that had emerged a year earlier.

As aviation schemes of the era go, the yellow-painted craft of birch wood and

The only surviving picture of the Clare

canvas resting on twin, 28-feet-long

— a front-page photo in the Washington

pontoons on the river was among the

Times on the same day —confirms it

most audacious.

was at least one of – if not THE – largest aircraft built barely over a decade after

The exact dimensions of the Clare’s length and wingspan are lost to history, but a front-page story in the Alexandria

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

Orville Wright’s first powered flight in a heavier-than-air vehicle on Dec. 17, 1903.

Gazette boasted it was the largest

The picture reveals an unusual design,

aircraft built in the world to date, beating

even for its time. Tandem biplanes are

HISTORY

every second,” reads a breathless account of Wright’s over-flight in a 1909 Gazette article. “The crowd was greatly enthused and cheered widely as the aeronauts drew near the hill.”

The city’s early brush with powered flight planted seeds in a population eager to jump into the aviation business. Over the next two decades after Orville Wright’s flight, Alexandrians would make a series of attempts to break into the aircraft manufacturing business, starting with the Clare as perhaps the most ambitious — and ultimately tragic — of them all.

As pre-flight preparations continued for several days after the Clare appeared on the riverbank, hundreds descended on the Alexandria waterfront from all over the region to gawk at the unusual sight.

Six years before the debut of The Clare, Orville Wright's Military Flyer dazzled Alexandrians during tests on Shooter's Hill, the present-day site of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial.

For the city, the success of the Clare would transform Alexandria into a key manufacturing center in the nascent aviation industry a year before such aviation legends as Boeing appeared in Seattle and six years before Douglas set up shop in southern California.

positioned forward and aft above a 6-foot-wide deck tucked between the pontoon floats. Two Emerson engines, supplied by an Alexandrian named Victor Emerson, are placed between each set of biplanes. Each engine drove a set of twobladed propellers on either end of the pontoons in a push-pull configuration.

Richardson had revealed plans to create

in the June 21, 1915 edition of the local newspaper.

Richardson’s contemporaries in the aircraft design field, however, may not have been so generous. Aviation technology was developing rapidly at the beginning of only the second decade of powered flight’s existence. In many ways, the design of the Clare seemed to be taking a step back rather than forward.

In terms of size and length, the closest rival to the Clare was already flying in Russia. The Ilya Muromets S-22 designed by Igor Sikorsky, who later founded the eponymous helicopter company after immigrating to the United States, entered World War I as a bomber, but was conceived as a luxury passenger transport. Sikorsky’s fourengined biplane featured an enclosed, interior cabin, which could carry up to 16 passengers in wicker chairs. The passenger cabin was heated and even included a toilet.

No such creature comforts are visible on the Clare. The design revealed few of the lessons the fledgling aviation industry had absorbed in the decade after the Wrights’ first flight.

a manufacturing business called the Spanish American Trading Company in the old Pioneer Mills factory on the waterfront. He wanted to use the factory to assemble Clare seaplanes for a broad clientele, including militaries and airlines.

Leon Rasst, who was described by the Gazette as a well-known agent for the

The Clare emerged on the waterfront during a furious burst of innovation in the global aviation industry. Only six years earlier, Orville Wright had dazzled Alexandrians gathered on Shooter’s Hill, the present-day site of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, during the first demonstration flight of his “Military Flyer” for the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps.

Russian embassy, was sighted among the

“At first it was suggestive of a vampire in the offing, but it was becoming larger

capable of carrying out the purpose of its

crowd of onlookers that week, along with a delegation of officials from the U.S. Navy’s procurement staff.

In the lead-up to the day of the first flight from the river, local journalists struggled to restrain their optimism for the Clare.

“The Richardson machine, as it rests in the water, looks as if it was thoroughly inventor,” a writer for the Gazette wrote

The horizontal and vertical surfaces used to control the aircraft in pitch and yaw were placed both forward and aft of the lift-creating wings, much like Wright brothers’ original design in 1903. But the aviation industry had already moved on, with the vast majority of new designs by 1915 featuring a standard lay-out that placed the wings forward and the control surfaces for pitch and yaw on the tail.

Most of the Clare’s contemporaries in 1915 also came with enclosed cockpits and cabins to shield the crew and passengers from the airstream and weather.

Having chosen “Spanish American Trading Company” as a brand name, perhaps Richardson envisioned his design as forming a future, cargocarrying fleet, ferrying goods between,

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

19

HISTORY

'

rt HYDRO-AEROPLAN-

''

.'

'h nr;, "

"- -7

"

T""

toward Washington at up to 20 miles

THE' WASHINGTON TIMES; SUNDAY; JUNE 20; 1915. y

GIANT FLYING BOAT WHICH MAY MARK ERA IN AERIAL SCIENCE NEW -

TO

E

BE TRIED TOMORROW

If tho preliminary Richardson hydro-aeroslan-

e,

Warner Presides at Meetings of Newly Formed Loyal Legion of Washnigton.

Brainard

Rich-

flights of the big now be-

ing tunjd for its first air voyage In Its berth on tho Potomac, In front of Alexandria, aro successful, a big stride will

bo made In aerial navigation, according to A. 8. Richardson, of Lowell, Mass., its builder.

Not only is tho machlno tho largest of its kind ever constructed, exceeding in slzo and carrying power the giant Curtis machine built last summer for o a, voyage, but many novel features never before incorporated in a flying boat have been added.

Tho distinguishing feature of the Richardson invention is the arrangement of the planes. Tho accepted typo of biplanes have two planes on each Bide, one above tho other, but the Richardson machine has four planes on each eldo, two In front, and two arranged In tanden form. Between tho two sets of tho planes Is the platform upon which It is proposed to erect the cabin to house passengers.

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RICHARDSON

HYDRO-AEROPLAN-

wlww .BH-

RESTING IN THE WATER AT ALEXANDRIA READY FOR FIRST TRIAL TRIP.

E

BIG RALLY HELD BY

Stopped By Wind.

Everything wai ready for a preliminary spin over the water yesterday afternoon, but a southeasterly wind made those in charge fear that tho machine would be driven upon the piles.

Another postponement was made until tomorrow when It Is said that a trial will certainly be made. The hour has been definitely fixed, but If the weather conditions are satisfactory a start will bo made as shortly after 9 o'clock as possible.

The Richardson machine, as It rests In the water, looks as if it was throughly capable of carrying out the promises of its inventor. It Is a business looking affair without any freak features which characterize many inventions that promise to revolutionize things.

Its wide spread of wings glisten In their waterproof covering. Its deck of cedar Is bright "with fresh varnlsn ana the aluminum base of Its two powerful engines shine as If they were made of Bllver. It floats on two parallel pontoons, 28 feet long and 2 feet square.

With Its equipment the pontoons ate submerged less than three Inches in the Upon the pontoons rest the water. deck, 22 feet long and 6 feet wide. Laterals of white cedar carry the superstructure, to which tho planes are attached.

Four feet above the deck ars the engine beds, The two engines are arranged In tandem form, the rear one being placed 16 feet behind the front one. The engines are Emersons. manufactured In Alexandria by Victor Emer-BoThey are each six cylinder, and have an actual horsepower of sixty-eigh- t, although It is claimed that their rating is much higher. They are built of aluminum and cromo steel and weigh 325 pounds each. The propellors are placed In front of the fllrst englno and In the rear of the second. n.

Seat Under Engine.

The pilot's seat Is directly underneath the front engine and here are located the levers and devices that control tho ascending and decending planes as well as the steering gear. Behind the pilot s Beat and between the two engines Is a platform six by ten feet, which Is the space to be used in carrying passengers or cargo.

Twenty passengers beside the the crew can bo carried.

The gasolene tanks, four In number, are on each side of the engines. They have a capacity of fifty gallons. In the pontoons nro gasolene tanks which have a capacity of five barrels. It Is estimated will run that fifty gallons of gasolene tho machine for three hours, which, nt itn estimated speed of sixty miles an hour, would give it a radleus of 1W miles wihtout calling on the reserve gasolene In Its tanks. The machlno and its contents weigh 2.300 pounds.

Struck by Jitney, Mail Wagon Horse Runs Away

CAPITAL BOY SCOUTS

by

day program.

rally

take

was announced to place May 29, but the rain that day caused a postponement, after about half of tho events had been run off. The showers yesterday afternoon Interfered somewhat with tho contests, but all were completed and the boys gathered nrntinrt. n hie rnmnflre In the evening.

The only contest undecided was the dressing race In which most of the scouts took part. The entrants deposited their hat, coat, and legglns at intervals over the course, and the prize was to go to the one who covered the dlstanco and arrived fully dressed at tho goal.

There were so many entrants and so many finished together that the winner could not be decided.

Troop No. 21, of Takoma Park, of which Fred L. Harries Is scoutmaster, won the largest number of points, get Troop No. 3. CharleaJ ting twenty-onH. Pryor scoutmaster, was second with thirteen points, and Troop No. 16, Louis ( Gorsorn scoutmaster, was third with There were twenty eleven points. troops represented at tho rally.

The athletic program closed with "specialties" by tho various troops, the most Interesting be'ng that by Troop No. 16, which rigged a telegraph lino between two tents to represent an overland wire, and then "tapped" It midway with a field s.et and sent a call for help for a scout supposed to have been Injured.

The program wns In charge of S. S. Alpln, field executive of the scouts, who will have charge of tho camp this Tho

--

Northeast

Pupils Exhibit

Pint Bottle,

.

"A Millionaire's Adventure" li the leading storv In tho July Wide World Magazine. It Is by Luigl Pesclo, and is millionaire, who the story of an

Italian

fell the victim of an unusually coldblooded plot. Among the other Btorles Wanderings are "War-Tim- e In the ItaMan Alps." and "A Fight for Life In Midair," the story of .thrilling rescue from a high chimney shaft.

Secretary and Mrs.Walcott Leave for the Yellowstone Dr. Charles D. Walcott. secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and Mrs. Walcott. left Washington yesterday for the Yellowstone Nntlonal Park, where tho secretary will be entwged In field work during the summer months.

Army to Participate In National Rifle Match The War Department has given orders for the participation of the nrmy 1" the national rifle msch nt Jacksonville Fla.. this vear. Cavalrv nnd tearo will contest and marine") from the Philadelphia barracks will take part with a team from the navy.

Acid Stomachs Are

BRANCH STORE

50C

TOILET ARTICLES

Welch's Talcum A"Tlil

LILAC

vIoLITN

ItahomW ItalcumI iTAuum

y&d rawd

I

feilM?lliJ

M mi

4 Cans 25c

e.

"Millionaire's Adventure" A Magazine "Leader"

The IfexqgC Drug Stores 904 F St. 13th&GSfs. N.W. Monday and Tuesday

Flesh maker and health restorer, feeds the wasted tissues.

Superior for rundown systems.

Get a bottle today.

tiia lout Mir rnllv nt Tinv Scouts be fore tho opening of Camp Archibald

Butt on Chesapeake bay June 28, was held on tho Patterson tract, near KenMoro than 300 dall Green, yesterday. boys took part In an extensive field

lc

25c D. & U. Cold Cream 25c Hazelino Snow 10c 25c Arnica Cream 17c 60c Stlllman's Freckle Cream.. 25c 50c Jars Violet Cerate 20c 25c Bathaswcet 15c 25c Odorono 18c 50c Odorono 33c '. ...31c 50c Viola Cream 25c Woodbury's Hair Tonic 15c 10c Doctors and Nurses' Soap, 6 for 25e 20c Talcu- 1Q

tlno

50c Milk Weed

Rexall

Violet

- Talcum,

'-

15c

J

Cream

00

Pompelan Massage

Cream

AOC

Powder Colgate's Violet Water

20c Amolln

. .

..

49c 59c 13c

...38c

Hoff's Malt Extract with Iron. Dozen bot

$3.39

tles

outfit "Mon-

KEEP COOL AND HEALTHY!

Drink Randall's Pure Grape Juice

Here

The largest assortment in Washington.

reduced for this sale.

Gray

Arbuckle's Coffee The 25c Packages

i Cr

49c

Almnlnnmlsedt

Enameled,

69c

$1.39

White Enameled,

White Enameled,

$1.69

98c

"Cello" Metal Bottle

Hot-Wat- er

Preferred

by some to rubber; holds boiling water and retains heat a long time.

ffcso

Guaranteed

No. 3 Size, $2.79

University.

hindering and preventing the proper

1

lunch-hour maintenance. A second attempt proved slightly more successful.

Get Your Vacation

Jgr

6c

9c

Quart Bottle

14c 23c

You cannot buy a purer or better Grape Juice at an) price.

Drinksome Coffee

HERE'S A GOOD COFFEE At a Low Price, Pound Can

25c

CERTIFIED

PURE JAyA AND MOCHA, the Coffee

for Particular People,

1--

Can

38c

supplying power from the engine.

A boat was summoned to tow the Clare

DRUGS

back to a berth at the Alexandria wharf

purchase of Toilet

Tuesday only.

Extract Witch Hazel, doable Xor nil InJurleH, cut, etc. Pint - ffn Iwv Pare Cod Liter Oil, prepared In IVorwnjr from the llnent JC Belected liter. Tint bottle. 6wt

bralnes, bottle

Tlnct. Benzoin.

QK bottle t3 Houiebold Ammonia. Extra Tin irons Edit. Jnmnica Ginger, dO bottle IthlnltlN Tablets, for la srlppe, bay feer, etc. 100 In IKn AUC bottle Camphorated Oil. The liniment. bottle 0fff Four-oun-

ce

ds

OP-ou-

A-

Tonr-oun-

nce

9Kp tO,

Cana Chloride

li.

1,1 me

dozen Antlknranla Tnhlrtu llet Flower Snlnhur Cnnn, Bent Sodn Phosphate

1

Richardson’s project was making progress.

But the test runs revealed that Emerson’s

8c

L5c

8c

1-- lb.

1 Kn XOK

b.

IMPORTED CIGARS

ueRuiar price, Mc. Cut to

CAnOLINAS

SOc.

COIIONA

1II3MIY CI.AY MANl'EI. GAnCIA PAKTAGA8 Uojo De 3Ionterrey

Box of 25, 1.S5.

Pur. Finns

IleKulur price, 15c.

Cut to for 23c.

2

Box of 60, 90.10.

(rerfectUnado) (Belvedere)

nOanSO & JULIET CQUO.NA

Regular price, 20c.

Box of 25,

SOMEIISET

Cut to 15c.

3.G5.

(Per.).

Uavana cigar. 10c

S

dandr lor 23c.

A

Box of 50, 93.73.

n.

G. SULLIVAN'S

(Londres npd Perf.l. 10c 3 tor 23c.

WAITT

Box of 50, 93.50. & BOND BLACKSTOND 10c

3

for 25c.

Box of 50, 93.30.

A

six-cylinder engines would not be enough.

By early July, the Gazette reported that no further powered tests would be conducted on the Clare until Emerson could deliver more powerful, eight-

at a great deal

CIGAR SPECIALS noA THOPICAL (Perf.). dandy 10c Porto Itlcun. Cut to 5c.

cylinder engines. Unfortunately, the Clare

Box of 25, 91.20.

e Another Port,ii Illcnn 5c clgnr. Cut to J for 10c S for 23c.

B.IO POnTO.

high-grad-

Box of 50, 91.50.

LOVEItV (Con. Spec.)

Ta.tipn made. qunlltT. Cut to Oc. Box of 50, 92.70.

A

CHAHTEIl

hlgli-griu- le

3

5c

for 10c

remained at its berth on the Potomac,

(Progresn). cigar. Cut to S for 25c.

exposed to the mid-summer weather.

Box of 50, 91.50.

Get in on thin nule while they last.

CUBAN

JUMOItS (Little cigars).

Cut to 10c u package.

Box of 100. 91.15.

quality.

Cut to J 1 !c a pkg.

LOnn nOMEO (Pnnntellaa).

7 In a pkg. Cut to lllc; 2 for 23c.

15c

FLEXO GIAN PBISIE purrs

A furious lightning storm raged through

Box of 100, 91.75.

25c quality. nEAUX ARTS r Cut to LITTLE LOVEIIA J SOc "1

a pkg.

MELACIIItINO, NO. 5 Box of 100, 91.35 Box of 3, GSc. BIT) I). A few left.

(Plain and cork.) 2Ue gooda. Cat to 15c a pKL".

2Sc

Steamboat Co. The June 21 tests seemed to show

Sal Amitionlnc, for recharglnc "I A electric bntterleft. Pound J.Vl A llmt Engllnh Lntender Flowers, 4 ot, JUl Senna Lrntcii. Frenh. nnd 1A. WJ clfiin. 4 on Pure Gum Cnmphor, AQn lb. or Aromatic Fluid Extract f)Cn ArftJV Cnnonrn, 4 ounces 00c pint belt Imported QQf

box

1

owned by the Norfolk and Washington

-

ce

Forninldehde. Pint btttles

v-- ui

"1

the Gazette reported on June 22.

Soaps Monday and

-

Perfectos

water at a speed of thirty miles an hour,”

the rear propeller from the shaft

This handsome Bathtub Soap Dish

Horn alr'Svro VlgCll 3 iicic ut Cat Proc IVCJ

IlOMIiO & JULIET BOCK

plane skimmed along the surface of the

free with $1.00

Special prices on all box clgnrit. Your favorite brand leits than )ou pay ewewnere.

CABANA

“The engines worked more evenly and the

Alas, a key part sheared off, decoupling

vmmw

Pint Bottle 50c

BOCK (Cnlebra), Packnue of three, Regular price, OOe. Cut price, 43c. Box of 30, 97.25.

4 oz. Bottle 8 oz. Bottle. Pint Bottle

v

An absolutely pure mineral product for internal use. A valuable remedy for constipation and intestinal troubles.

Greatly

DOCK

n

nine-tenth-

PREE

quallt.

i)

PHOTO FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES ARCHIVE, COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

northern Virginia on the afternoon of July 20. Lightning bolts struck a barn nine miles southwest of Alexandria in Fairfax County, destroying the structure

say, Key West and Havana. The Clare

power-to-weight ratio of nearly 4.8

carried enough fuel for a three-hour

pounds per horsepower. The Emersons

flight, according to a 1915 article in The

fared poorly in 1915 even compared

Washington Times. If the propulsion

to the Curtiss V-2-3 engine, which were

system could achieve an average speed

widely criticized as inefficient for offering

of 60 mph, as expected, Richardson’s

a power-to-weight ratio of less than 4.

storm lifted the Clare from its berth and

Perhaps unsurprisingly, hours of waiting

managed to retrieve the engines, but the

seaplane could travel 180 miles.

20

The aircraft stopped in the current as the engines sputtered, prompting some

De-

Imported Russian Mineral Oil

CAUOLIXA nOMEO & JULIET. MANUEL GAIIC1A..

PAIITAGAS

guished Specialist.

$1.89

2..

No.

Prices 25c to 98c

Coffee Specials

Douche Paaa JVn Zlno

79c

Bath Cap

The Kenney practical and bathtub ever

$2.98

Bed Pan Easy Bed Pan,

Get Your

Kenncy Needle Shower Does away with the unsanitary curtain.

Four Stream Needle Shower is the first successful curtainless shower for the home brought to perfection. The regular $6.00 day and Tuesday only"

(S

Patent Remedies

25c Phillips' Milk Magnesia, 19c 25c Knowlton's Danderine. . . 18c 50c Knowlton's Danderine. . .32c $1.00 Danderine 89c 50c Glover's Mange Remedy, 39c $1.00 Mary Goldman's Gray 1 Kl vioitr Ql 9 Ml TALCUM 1 fJr 79c ?" 4PK SOc Sanibb'a Talcum Hair Restorer twit I I V X m Carnation or Violet, " $1.50 Phosphagon $1.10 ... ma M $1.00 Hemabloids, Arsln- 14c iated 75c 35c DJer Kiss 23c $1.00 Talcum . .

Liquid Peptonoid 75c 25c Sweets, for all perspir19c 75c Mellcn's Food ation odors 53c 50c Hinds' Honey and Al31c 50c Riggcide 39c mond Cream 25c Woodbury's Facial 49c 16c 75c Liquid Alboline Cream 1 lb. cans Longacre Cold $1.00 Wampole's Tasteless C. L. 49c Cream original Oil, the 67c . .

Cans Pound .20c Half 25c Peroxide H. K. Wampole's C. L. Oil, 15c $1.00 Cream the kind the fakers sell 60c Pompelan Massage 29c for 59c Cream 33c 75c Pompelan Massage

8

QCp

OOX 1C

Cream 25c Milk Weed Soap

"Acid" stomachs are dangerous because acid Irritates and Inflames the delicate llnlne of the stomach, thus

action of the stomach, and leading to s of the cases of Dr. P. H. Newell, former chief of the probably Btomach trouble from which people IOrdinary medicines and medicllustrated lecture on "Tho Engineer as suffer are useless In such inal a Cltlion" at the spring meeting of the cases, treatments for they leave the source of the American Society of Mechanical Enrl-neer- s, trouble, the acid In the stomach, as to be held at Buffalo, N. Y., dangerous as ever. The acid must be from June 22 to 2o. neutralized, and Its formation prevented, and the best thing for this purpose Is a teaspoonful of bisurated Section magnesia, a simple antacid, taken In a little warm or cold water after eatTo Give Annual ing, which not only neutralizes the acid, but bIbo prevents the fermentaClasses of the northeast section, sev- tion from which acidity Is developed enth division, public chols. will hold Foods which ordlriarlly cause distress their annual exhibit of work done In may be eaten with Impunity If the training and domestic eclence meal Is followed with a little bisurated manual tomorrow and Tuesday 'rorn to 8 magnesia, which can be obtained from o'clock at the school, o46 Massachusetts any druggist, and should ulwaa be avenue northeast. The public U invited. kept handy. Advt,

reclamation servlre, will deliver an

Comp.

Nature's

Tissue Builder

300 Boys.

Dangerous

Reclamation Expert to Give Illustrated Talk

Openly

rs

clare the Case a Blot on the

Q'PON NELL'S

V Hypophosphites

rr-H

ItwittSjjNtes

Last Affair Before Opening of Camp Archibald Butt Staged

A horso attached to a mail wagon was startled when a Jitney bus bumpod into It In front of 3711 Canal road northwest late yesterday that it ran away.

Tne horse was stopped by pedestrians.

Uhe wagon was slightly damaged. No Common dense Advice by a Distinone was hurt bo

Fellow-Professo-

CUT PRICES AT

Syrup

lr

cross-countr-

OVER DISMISSAL

son-in-la-

Can't "Rock the Boat."

According to the builder the doubling of the planes will not only give greater lifting power, but will give (he machines unusual stability. It will be almost Im-

kite-looki-

H.

per hour, but only for about 1.5 miles.

OP PA. REVOLTS

ATLANTIC CITY, Juno 20. Meetings PHILADELPHIA, June 20. The disIn the interest of world peace are be missal of Dr. Scott Nearlng from th ing held here this afterfloon under aus- teaching staff of the Wharton school pices of tho Loyal Legion, recently or- of tho University of Pennsylvania beganized In Washington with Brainard cause of his persistent advocacy of free H. Warner as the moving spirit and speech In rfeflanco of the faculty' only policy, not stirred up a verihas commander-ln-chlc- f. hornets' nest of Indignation here, The object of the legion Is announced tablehas caused much criticism in educaas the promulgation of peace, patriotism but tional circles throughout the country. and progress, and the gathering here Under the leadership of Harrison Morrepresents the first general assembly of ris, and ono of the execuofficers and members. tors of tho will of Joseph Wharton, The officers and members of the new- founder of the Wharton school, hunly formed Loyal Legion Include promi- dreds of friends and partisans of Prof. nent Washlngtonlans, the officers being: Nearlnc In his fight for freedom of eommander-ln-chl- tf B. H. Warner, speech and teaching are urging Gover; den. C. C. Snlffin, paymaster general nor nmmbaueh to withhold tho State and treasurer ; Prof, George II. O'Con- ! appropriation of $1.0l,000 to the univer nor, musical director: Hon. .Tamos L. sity because ot mo treatment uj. ur.

Wllmeth, chief clerk of tho Treasury De- Nearlng. partment, adjutant general, and Or. II. "Wo chargo that the real reasons for O. Beyer, U. S. N., surgeon general ; Prof. Nearlng's dismissal," declared Mr. George H. Gall, Dr. Clarence J. Owens, Morris, "are a menace to educational managing director of the Southern Com- - progress, and we have every expectation merclal Congress, and former Commis- that all liberty loving educators In the sioner Rudolph are among the trustees. country will rally to our support In tfrls Summer headquarters of the legion case. The great Question Involved Is were established at the Hotel Chalfonte whether education shall be directed by last night where flag raising exercises expert, efficient educators or whether were held with Mr. Warner presiding. the faculty should be undcrslavlsh W. H. Andrews, formerly auditor for domination of private Interests." the Treasury, participated in tho exerThe Impression exUts that tho ancises. nouncement of Prof. Nearlng's dismisThree large peace meetings are an- sal was withheld until the close of tho nounced for this afternoon. term for fear of student demonstrations.

trans-Atlantl-

possible to "rock the boat," and tfce pilot will not be bothered In his effort to keep a. level keel, which lrf one of the greatest sources of trouble in tho accepted types of hoavler-than-amachines.

The Richardson machine has been under construction for more than a year.

Before tho present piano was constructed elaborate tests were made with, models, which It it. said showed that the Ideas cf tho Inventor were on the right lines.

On Monday the big yellow, affair vas taken from Its shed for tie first time and gently slid into the Potomac, where it has since rested like a bird upon the surface. Since that time dozens of mechanics have been climbing in and out of its rigging, testing engines and propellers, tightening up stays and belts, and doing the innumerable little things that mean so much to the aviator before he launches himself into tho skies.

Tests have been delayed from hour to hour from one cause or another and big crowds of Alexandrians who have swarmed the docks and river shore have gone away disappointed. Many were reminded of the hours of weary waiting they experienced years ago when, perched on tho top of Shooter's hill, west of Alexandria, they wilted through hot afternoons to see Wright y make his first flight and wero tlnally rewarded by seeing far above the heads tho first successful aeroplane make a graceful circle over Alexandria and dash back to its resting place at Fort Myer.

0.

Clf I

IN ATLANTIC

Big Stride in Aerial Navigation

Expected From Huge ardson Machine.

IN GAJHER

PEACE

But first Richardson needed to prove his

for a first flight turned into days, and

2,300-pound Clare could fly. Although

Richardson’s under-powered, obsolete

multiple off-the-shelf propulsion options

design remained moored in the river

existed, Richardson had selected a

at the foot of Duke Street. Finally, the

local supplier to design a new engine

Clare’s engines fired up on the morning

from scratch. Unfortunately, the

of June 21, a Tuesday. As Emerson’s

Clare’s twin, six-cylinder, Emerson

engines cranked up to full power at

engines weighed 325 pounds and

an ear-deafening 900 revolutions per

generated 68-horsepower each,

minute, a six-member crew piloted by

resulting in a contemporaneously poor

Dean Van Kirk steered the Clare upriver

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

and killing a stallion valued at $1,000.

The storm also felled trees in Franconia, tore up telegraph lines and washed out roads. On the Alexandria wharf, the sent it tumbling down the river. Workers aircraft was a total loss.

“Whether or not the machine will be rebuilt has not yet been decided,” the Washington Herald reported on July 21.

No record exists to explain the fate of the design of the Clare and plans for the Spanish American Trading Company, but the storm likely destroyed the city’s first bid for a place in aviation history.

Getting Along — Like Cats and Dogs —

BY SUSANNAH MOORE

20

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

We’ve all seen them. The adorable videos on social media of dogs cuddling with cats, bunnies or some other animal. In reality, multispecies households are often a little less than picture perfect.

Whether you are trying to bring some peace to your mini zoo or are thinking of bringing another type of pet into your household, read on for some helpful tips.

MAKE A PLAN Consider your current pet’s personality and temperament before introducing a new furry family member. A dog or cat with a high prey drive may not do well with smaller animals. An energetic puppy might not do so well with an older animal who has trouble moving around and sleeps a lot. Does your animal have a history of hunting small prey or is it

"Some are aloof but others are love bugs," said Melissa Murphy, a longtime volunteer with the local rescue King Street Cats. "Some divas need to be 'only cats' and others really need a companion animal and sometimes that is actually a dog! That is why it's important to work with a rescue that really knows their cats' personalities when considering adopting into a household that already has pets."

young and still impressionable? Is your pet aloof or playful? If you’re not sure, check with your local shelter or rescue group and ask for advice on compatibility

GO SLOW Do your research ahead of time on how

when considering a new pet.

to introduce your pets to each other.

“One thing I've learned in rescue is that

away. Oftentimes, a new animal will need

cats, just like humans, have different

a few days to decompress and get used

personalities," said Melissa Murphy, a

to their change in environment without

long-time volunteer with the local rescue

the added stress of interacting with

King Street Cats.

another animal. Create a "safe room"

It’s best not to introduce your pets right

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

21

your animal can safely retreat to when needed.

Make sure you have a good handle on the ins and outs of the layout of your house

Begin to increase the sessions as you close the distance gap between the dog and cat(s). The goal is to have both animals nice and relaxed while they are within close proximity to one another.”

as it pertains to introducing a new pet.

“If you think you will be able to bring a guinea pig into the house with a dog with a high prey drive without having

that it's best to go slow and never force anything.

“Most times when we hear that animals are not getting along, it's because the pet owner did not follow this golden rule,”

Familiarize yourself with animal body language to interpret signs of stress that might include:

said Murphy.

Kathleen Wilsbach, chapter manager for the House Rabbit Society of Maryland,

management, that’s probably not going

• fast breathing

to work," explained Sandy Modell,

• constant hiding

recommends that pet owners interested

founder of Wholistic Hound dog training.

• change in appetite

in getting a rabbit find information at The

"So you have to have strong management, meaning barriers, baby gates, pens, crates, leashes to keep them separated but not necessarily isolated."

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria recommends keeping introductions short and controlled, advising: “Begin with a short session, 10-15 minutes.

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia,

House Rabbit Society’s main webpage,

And closely monitor how the pets interact while under control. Reinforce good behavior and create positive associations between the animals by rewarding pets with high-value treats, praise and affection.

rabbit.org.

“Take the time to set the animals up for success,” Modell said, emphasizing

attention and to be absolutely sure that

“The early stages of strict control can last days or weeks or months," an article about introducing pet rabbits and dogs emphasizes. "The animals involved will set the pace. Your job is to pay close everyone [dog, human, and rabbit] is

ready before moving on to the next level of freedom.”

Many resources suggest never leaving pets of different species alone together without your supervision, even if they do appear to get along without physical separation.

TRAINING One of the biggest pieces of advice, particularly when dogs are involved, is making sure they have at least some basic obedience training before introducing other animals into the mix.

“Work on the basic foundation skills before you get the other animal," Modell said. "A lot of times people make the mistake and get a second animal before the first animal is fully trained.

Sometimes, they think that maybe the second animal will help the first animal get trained or be more comfortable…but oftentimes, it creates more chaos."

“Make sure that you are working on the basic foundation skills," she noted, "so that there is value in doing the things you want them to do, so when you ask them to do something they do it easily and the first time you say it.”

Dogs should be very familiar with the commands “down,” “sit,” “stay,” “come,” “leave-it,” “gentle,” and other similar cues. A trained dog looks to its owner in order to learn how to handle unfamiliar situations, like meeting a new animal.

Modell also suggests teaching dogs "boundary" training, which involves using positive reinforcement to get a dog to go to a mat or bed and stay and relax there on cue. This can be helpful when

MANAGE EXPECTATIONS Some animals may eventually become playmates or cuddle buddies, but sometimes they will learn to simply coexist. Your pets may not become best friends or social media stars, but with enough planning, patience, training and work, it's possible to achieve a multispecies household where everybody gets along.

introducing animals to each other.

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

23

FOOD & DINING

Q OPENING SOON NEAR YOU:

New Alexandria Restaurants

BY ALEXANDRIA LIVING MAGAZINE STAFF

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA

There's no shortage of activity when it comes to Alexandria's dining scene and there's nothing more satisfying than watching a new local or family-run business open in Alexandria, especially a restaurant. We're taking a look here at what's coming up. Like you, we can't wait to try them!

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA

FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA 3231-3233 DUKE ST. This Connecticut-based family-owned restaurant company is opening its very first Virginia location in Alexandria. In business since 1925, the restaurant offers diners pizzas created in a coal-fired oven, making a crispy but chewy crust.

Named after founder Frank Pepe, an immigrant from Italy, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana opened its doors in 1925 on Wooster Street in New Haven, Connecticut. Pepe's Pizzeria as it's also affectionately called is shooting for a July opening in the former location of Baja Fresh.

The eatery offers "Good Neighbor Nights," where it teams up with local non-profits to give a percentage of its profits to a good cause. The restaurant started construction in May so look for the opening this summer.

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

25

PHOTO BY BETH LAWTON

PHOTO BY BETH LAWTON

HANGRY JOE'S HOT CHICKEN 3227 DUKE ST. Right next door to Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken will be moving in later this year. Serving up Nashville-style hot chicken (from plain to "angry hot"), the restaurant concept comes from Sweet Frog frozen yogurt founder Derek Cha and his business partner Mike Kim. The restaurant is certified Halal and serves up a variety of chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, loaded waffle fries and salad (with chicken). Korean-style chicken nuggets and fried okra are also on the menu.

Hot chicken is, well, hot. More restaurants are expected to open soon in several more locations across Northern Virginia, according to the company website.

The Alexandria Commons Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken will replace a closed Subway.

secluded courtyard, our mission is to provide the highest quality food in a polished, yet unpretentious environment.”

Sunday brunch will be on the menu when the restaurant opens.

MUDHOUSE, 1119 KING ST. The popular Charlottesville-based coffee roastery Mudhouse is planning to Old Town.

The building at 1119 King St. is currently leased by interior design company J. Brown and Co., and the timing of the Mudhouse opening depends on lease negotiations and construction.

“We are excited to join the bustle of King Street, one of our favorite places. It's an honor to move into such a vibrant

1799 PRIME STEAK 1799 Prime Steak and Seafood is taking up residence in one of Alexandria’s most storied restaurant buildings. Taking the place of the former Restaurant Eve, the new steak and seafood restaurant was hiring in June and plans an opening later this year. The man behind the new restaurant is none other than Jahmond Quander, the talented former general manager at The Blackwall Hitch. (Earlier in his career, he was Director of Food and Beverage Operations at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.)

The new restaurant’s website, at 1799prime.com, notes, “Whether relaxing in one of our elegant dining rooms or our

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

community, and we look forward to being a good partner in the neighborhood,” said Lynelle Lawrence, who founded Mudhouse with her husband, John, in the 1990s.

According to a Special Use Permit application filed with the City, the new store will be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will have seating for 20 customers inside.

The owners also hope they will be able to have additional seating outdoors.

The store will sell breakfast foods and “may also have open mic nights, poetry readings, coffee tastings, and assorted other live entertainment,” the application reads.

FOOD & DINING Proposed hours are 5:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday.

Mudhouse currently has three locations in Charlottesville and Crozet, Virginia, and is in the process of opening stores in Richmond and in Charleston, South Carolina, according to Mudhouse partner Matthew Dragas.

LADY CAMELLIA PASTRY AND TEA ROOM 229 STRAND ST. This highly anticipated addition to the culinary scene in Alexandria is still happening but don't expect to enjoy tea

For coffee lovers who can’t wait until the Alexandria location

time until later this year. Below is a note from the owner,

opens, you can buy Mudhouse’s award-winning organic and

posted to social media in May.

sustainably-sourced coffee on their website to make at home.

Deborah and Han Kim initially opened their first tea room in Georgetown in February 2014, but they closed their doors in

ST. ELMO'S, CORNER OF KENWOOD AND FERN STREETS

July 2020, citing lease issues.

The owners announced the relocation in November 2021 in an email sent to customers.

St. Elmo's Coffee Pub opened its newest coffee pub in June!

This will be the third Alexandria location for the coffee pub, which opened in Del Ray in 1996 and opened a second location in Old Town North in 2021.

The two-story space with large windows was under construction in the spring and is located next door to Rampart's Tavern.

"Dearest friends and family, with regrets we would like to inform that our anticipated opening date has been pushed towards the end of the year. There has been so much delays but we are hoping that things can start progressing quicker. ... We really can't wait to serve you all again."

The two existing St. Elmo's PHOTO BY BETH LAWTON

locations specialize in coffee

but also offer a variety of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, bakery items and other treats.

PLUMA CAFÉ AND WINE BAR 1000 CAMERON ST. Lovers of coffee and wine could soon have a place to enjoy both in one spot. A new coffee and wine bar is planning to open at 1000 Cameron St. The applicant and owner of the building, Danny Lopez, is working toward opening Pluma Café and Wine Bar in the building that was formerly occupied by Energesco Solutions LLC. Pluma has applied for an administrative special use permit to operate the business.

According to the application, the first floor of the building will be a coffeehouse while the second floor will be a wine bar. There will also be outdoor seating for up to 18 people.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LADY CAMELLIA PASTRY AND TEA ROOM

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

27

FOOD & DINING

CH TE

, FOOD TRUCK

S

Bringing People Together

BY SUSANNAH MOORE

They say that necessity is the mother of invention and for the three founders of the Goodfynd app —

Miller got the inspiration to create an app that makes it easier to find food trucks after not being able to find a food truck that he loved. In 2018, he was in the process of switching his career to

Kyle Miller, Lemaire Stewart

user experience (UX) design and needed

and Sofiat Abdulrazaaq —

to come up with a class project. The food

that is certainly the case.

truck app was just the right fit.

Miller, teamed up with his friends and fellow Virginia Tech grads Stewart and Abdulrazaaq. Stewart was able to build the app, and Abdulrazaaq was a product lead and lawyer.

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

“That’s how it started, real scrappy,” said Abdulrazaaq with a laugh, while squeezing out time in her busy schedule to sit down with Alexandria Living Magazine. The co-founders spent a year building and bootstrapping their way to their first product, before they were accepted into a Richmond-based accelerator program by Lighthouse Labs.

The accelerator gave them $25,000 of equity-free financing, which allowed Stewart to leave his high-powered job and focus on developing Goodfynd fulltime. They released their first product in January 2020. “That Lighthouse Labs

first check was super influential to us being able to build out a product that eventually caught on,” explained Abdulrazaaq.

Little did the team know they were about to face their biggest challenge yet – the COVID-19 pandemic. When everything shut down, they began to question all of their hard work. “Did we do the right thing? Did we invest out time in the right thing? Is this over? It was just very uncertain,” said Abdulrazaaq. “That’s how that felt and it was daunting and for two weeks, I don’t think I’ve ever cried that much, I just felt defeated.”

When pandemic regulations dropped weeks later, the team realized they might actually be ok and that the nature of the food truck industry fell within the new health and safety protocols. Food trucks were already used to take-out orders, no-contact transactions and outdoor venues.

“It all ended up well, but it was a very humbling time,” Abdulrazaaq said.

In addition to being one of their biggest challenges, the pandemic also brought Goodfynd one of its biggest opportunities. They partnered with ALX Community for its Alexandria Drivein outdoor movie series. The project

operated from August 2020 through July 2021 and raised thousands of dollars for local non-profits. Goodfynd was hired to coordinate food trucks for the event, after another provider was unable to keep up with the technological efficiencies needed for the event.

The drive-in pushed Goodfynd to flex their technical skills to make the app responsive to the particular needs of movie-goers.

Despite a few hiccups here and there, the partnership was a success and allowed Goodfynd to demonstrate how

their platform could adapt to different circumstances. The perfection of promo codes, notifications, payment security, UX design and technical developments helped propel the Goodfynd system forward.

Goodfynd continues to help individuals find food trucks, but the company also provides support to events and corporations. “If a person needs a food truck, we want to bring it to you. We want to empower you to invest in local business owners but we also want you to be able to do that through best-in-class technology,” said Abdulrazaaq.

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

29

FOOD & DINING

Helping connect food trucks with people is especially important to the Goodfynd co-founders, all three of who are firstgeneration Americans. Because of lower start-up costs, food trucks are often started by people from more diverse backgrounds than brick-and-mortar restaurants. It’s a way for the team to support women, immigrants and minorities – people like them. Some of these food trucks find enough success to launch restaurants.

Goodfynd currently operates in the D.C. metro area but plans to expand to other areas depending on demand and the outcome of ongoing relationship-building efforts.

“It was important that we built it here, that we established community here, that we established relationships. This [area] is a lot of times our test kitchen.

People are willing to let us make a mistake or two because they know us, they see us, they understand that our intentions for our business are pure,” explained Abdulrazaaq. Many of the companies 20+ employees are Alexandria residents.

At the end of the day, Abdulrazaaq knows that Goodfynd’s continued success depend on how it continues to add value to its end users. “Goodfynd will continue to build products and services that help support a community that we love and in turn we hope that they continue to choose us and to be loyal to the platform and the work that we do but we have to earn that trust, we have to earn that loyalty,” said Abdulrazaaq.

Knowing this humbles and motivates her and the rest of the team every day.

Originally from Richmond, Abdulrazaaq lived in Alexandria for three years while she worked as a product lead for United Way and attended law school at

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

American University at night. She then

picture of where the company goes

took a job in New York but found herself

from here. Sometimes she finds herself

traveling to Alexandria a lot during the

missing the hands-on nature of the early

development of Goodfynd.

days of the business, but she recognizes how lucky she is, particularly at her age

Abdulrazaaq now finds herself working

and as the child of immigrants, to be

as the outward facing branch of

leading a cutting-edge company that

Goodfynd, meeting with stakeholders,

brings people together over something

analyzing data and looking at the bigger

we all enjoy – good food.

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HOME & GARDEN

From Shingles to Siding: The Restoration of One of Alexandria’s Oldest Homes

BY SUSANNAH MOORE PHOTO BY M. ENRIQUEZ FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

Timeline of Murray-Dick-Fawcett House 1749 Alexandria established in grid plan, sold in quarter-block lots

1762 Town expands, includes this lot.

Town line had ended in what is today the middle of the block between South Pitt and Saint Asaph streets.

32

1772 Patrick Murray begins building 32-foot-wide timber-frame structure on stone foundation

1774 Murray leases half-acre lot from John Alexander, a descendant of the town founder

1784 Murray enlarges house with two-room shed-roofed addition

1785 Murray opens livery stable

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

1786 Murray defaults on mortgage

1792 Murray runs newspaper ad to sell house; house sold at sheriff’s sale [lot subdivide]

1794 Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick purchases property

1794 Merchants John Thomas Ricketts and William Newton buy, subdivide property

1795-1797 Rooms above kitchen, smokehouse, laundry added; perhaps privies, too

1806 William Smith buys house

1816 Merchant John Douglass Brown buys house

1830 Starting with daughter Mary Goulding Gretter Brown, family descendants inherit

1936 “Fawcett House” is part of American Historical Buildings Survey (HABS)

1976 John Douglass Brown House plaque placed

by Daughters of the American Revolution

2000 Brown descendant Richard L. Cheeseman sells property to Charles Joseph Reeder

2002 New kitchen and bath addition constructed with repurposed materials

HOME & GARDEN

At the corner of Prince and South St. Asaph streets sits an unassuming yet remarkable house – the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House. Although it may not technically be the oldest house in Alexandria, it has the honor of being the least-altered 18th century home in the region.

Construction began on the house,

John Douglass Brown, generations of

located at 517 Prince St., in 1772, before

whom lived in the house for 184 years.

the American Revolution, and additions were added on the western side of the

The Office of Historic Alexandria

house through 1823.

purchased the historic home in 2017

The house is named after its owners, Patrick Murray, the first owner; physician Elisha Cullen Dick, who was one of the physicians who attended to George

from Joseph Reeder, to be permanently preserved as a historic site and small park. Reeder, now in his 90s, has lifetenancy in the house, which means he

Washington on his deathbed and was

continues to reside there and the inside

also a mayor of Alexandria and the

of the house is only open to the public

Fawcett family, descendants of owner

on special occasions.

2017 City of Alexandria acquires MurrayDick-Fawcett House

PHOTO BY SARA DINGMANN ALEXANDRIA LIVING

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

33

HOME & GARDEN

As for most things, time and weather has

Phase I of the extensive restoration

not been kind to the centuries-old home.

project, which is mostly complete,

Currently, scaffolding covers the house

involved replacing the wood shingle

and a large dumpster sits in front of it.

roof on the original portion of the house

The small garden is filled with wooden

and the seam metal roof on the brick

planks and other construction materials.

addition and the supporting wooden

The City of Alexandria began the process of restoring the exterior of the house in 2021, with the help of Oak Grove Restoration Company.

“Oak Grove [Restoration Company], they are extraordinary craftsmen and they are using the same techniques and they are paying attention to all the little details,” said Gretchen Bulova, the director of the Office of Historic Alexandria.

structures, much of which had rotted from water damage. Luckily for the restoration company, remnants of the original fish scale wood shingles were preserved in the attic. While they were unable to match the exact type of wood used, instead using resilient cypress, the size and varying widths of the shingles were carefully recreated.

The original metal roof was made with a significant amount of lead, so it was replaced with a Roofinox stainless steel roof that matches the look of the historic roof. The roof cricket (designed to divert rainwater) was also rebuilt to prevent future water damage. Finally, the south and west-facing dormers on the house

PHOTOS BY SUSANNAH MOORE ALEXANDRIA LIVING

were restored, using as much of the original materials as possible.

The restoration project is now in Phase II which will involve working on the exterior doors, windows and wide-board siding. Some of the siding is original to the house and some is reclaimed wood that was installed by Reeder after he

of antiques.

The house is one of nine properties owned by the Office of Historic Alexandria and Bulova is excited for what the future will hold for the Murray-Dick-

of wood is tagged with a number and will

Fawcett House.

it is reassembled on the house. A wood analysis and paint analysis will be done to determine the type of wood used and what colors the house has been painted over time.

Phase II is expected to be complete sometime in 2023. Like many other construction projects, the restoration has faced some wood sourcing and other supply chain issues. No work will be done on the interior of the house until Reeder is no longer living in the house. A quick peek inside the windows shows the

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

the property and an extensive collection

purchased the home in 2000. Each piece be rebuilt at an offsite location before

34

pride Reeder has in the historic nature of

“It’s a beautiful house," she noted. "We are starting a master plan where we will

JANET BERTIN Decorating Alexandria for more than 25 years

actually work with the community and

house has seen over time, I think is going

lay out our vision for the site and ask for

to be fascinating,” Bulova explained.

their input on how this can be an asset to the community."

The house certainly has its share of unique architectural features. A few sets

“We are not really looking for it to be a

of privies with a total of eight seats sit on

historic house museum like 'It was so-

the far west side of the house. Historians

and-so’s house at a certain point in time.'

are unsure why there were so many, but

I don’t think that’s what people want

it suggests that the property may have

to see nowadays. I think looking at this

had a public use at one time.

We love the homes we do highly traditional with a flash of glam to rock star with notes of classic, and everything in between!

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[house] from its architectural significance or building construction and what this

The Office of Historic Alexandria has a number of pieces and documentation original to the house in its collection, which will likely go on display in the house in the future. A garage built in the 1970s which sits on the property will be used for visitor services, restrooms and storage for the future museum.

More information on the house and a more detailed description of the restoration process can be found at alexandriava.gov/historic-sites/murraydick-fawcett-house.

Janet Bertin, Allied ASID 703-299-0633 janetbertin@decoratingden.com janetbertin.decoratingden.com July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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Alexandria

BY BETH LAWTON

College graduates and young professionals are choosing Alexandria over other nearby areas.

PHOTO BY KRISTIAN SUMMERER FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

Given the choice to live in Alexandria, Arlington or the District of Columbia, recent college graduates are choosing to live in Alexandria, according to an analysis of rental applications by RentCafé.

The oldest members of Generation Z — or Gen Z — are about 25 years old now. Many are out of college and those who have the means are living independently.

Who is Gen Z? Gen Z includes those who were born between about 1997 and 2012; they are now ages 10 to 25. More recently, they’ve been referred to as “Zoomers,” as the coronavirus pandemic put the conferencing software in the middle of Gen Z members’ education and early professional life.

PHOTO BY KRISTIAN SUMMERER FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

"Our findings show Alexandria and

renters, year over year, which is less

Arlington are two of the trendiest

than either Alexandria or Arlington.

Zoomer hotspots of 2022," according to RentCafé.

According to the company’s analysis of more than 3.2 million apartment applications: • A lexandria witnessed a 37% increase in the share of rental applications submitted by Zoomers, who moved into a new apartment in 2021, after spending a one-year hiatus back home or in their college towns. This impressive migration of young and tech-savvy apartment-dwellers is giving the city a much-needed glowup, as it ranks 13th among the top 20

WHAT’S BEHIND THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF ALEXANDRIA? While the D.C. metro area is among the most expensive in the country for housing costs, Alexandria does seem to be slightly more affordable than the District. According to RentCafé, the average cost of an apartment in the District is $2,261. (Arlington County is even more expensive than the District, on average.) Meanwhile, the average cost of an apartment in Alexandria is $1,944.

And the average size of an apartment in Alexandria is bigger, too.

trendiest Gen Z hubs in the country.

Safety is also becoming a factor for Gen Z • A t the metro level, D.C. has seen a 31% increase in the share of Gen Z

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

renters, said Warren Wright, founder and CEO of Second Wave Learning, a local

company that focuses on professional

walkable, high-speed Internet, privacy

service-oriented jobs can work from their

and life skills development for young

and flexibility, and being in close

computer at home, so commercial zones

professionals.

proximity to work, Multihousing News

are being hollowed out,” Wright said.

reports. RentCafé also reports that

“NYC and San Francisco and many cities

outdoor spaces are valued by these

are struggling with depleted tenants in

renters.

traditional commercial zones. So, I would

“Crime is increasing rapidly in urban areas, including D.C.,” Wright noted.

“Everybody knows it and Gen Z is tuned

say that D.C. is more vulnerable than

in because of their orientation with

“Gen Z wants to be part of a community,”

school shootings and a general paranoia

Wright said. “That means living around

culture — this will keep them out of the

their friends, walkable places, areas to

These community and convenience-

big cities where crime happens.”

hangout, eat, shop, etc.”

focused amenities are exactly what

In addition to price, early 20-somethings

Further, the work-from-home

are looking for a few key things that

Alexandria are offering from Old Town

economy, pushed forward by the

Alexandria seems to offer when they

North to Eisenhower East (and the new

COVID-19 pandemic, is giving young

search for their first apartments:

Carlyle Crossing) to the West End.

professionals more flexibility in where

Apartments in areas that are particularly

they live. “The Gen Zs in the professional,

Gen Z in Alexandria & Fairfax County

Alexandria in that sense.”

many of the new rental developments in

According to the 2020 U.S. Census,

In Fairfax County, there are about

there are about 20,000 residents

217,700 residents ages 10 to 24, or

ages 10 to 24 in Alexandria, or about

about 18.9% of the population of the

12.7% of the population of the City of

county.

Alexandria.

PHOTO BY ADEDAYO DAYO KOSOKO FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

39

PHOTO BY ADEDAYO DAYO KOSOKO FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

WALKABILITY Many of the newest apartment buildings

Beltway.

WORK-ABILITY Working “from home” — even as many

in Alexandria are strategically placed

The proliferation of housing communities

companies recall workers to the office

close to grocery stores, restaurants and

in Potomac Yard is following a similar

conveniences.

— is a critical part of marketing for

pattern: The newest buildings in the

potential Gen Z renters. Several rental

Potomac Yard neighborhood are

communities are offering more than just

strategically located near grocery

superfast wi-fi in its units, with many

stores and the new Metro stations (the

offering rentable conference rooms

Potomac Yard station should open later

equipped with high-tech remote meeting

this year), and there’s a strong emphasis

capabilities. Several offer common work

on walkability. Members of Gen Z seem

areas, printers and monitors for home-

to have a particular fondness for Target,

based workers to use outside their actual

according to C+R Research — and the

apartment units.

When the Gables at 530 First Street opened, Edens promised a variety of retail stores at ground level. In addition, there are two grocery stores within three-tenths of a mile (Trader Joe’s and Harris Teeter), easy access to multiple parks and the Braddock Metro station just a half-mile east.

Other new developments are following suit. Instead of just building a Wegmans

Potomac Yard Target is one of the company’s most profitable.

The Foundry, which opened in Eisenhower East in early 2020,

With retail, restaurants and

encourages residents to “enjoy our

grocery stores close by in walkable

modern take on what it means to head

developed three new multifamily

neighborhoods, these members of

to the office, a large warehouse-inspired,

housing towers within the complex. The

Gen Z could easily go a week without

open lobby space with co-working and

buildings offer a range of amenities,

needing a personal vehicle for anything.

conversation spaces, all complete with

of course, but location was key to the

But ironically, for all the emphasis local

hi-speed Wi-Fi, a printing station, and

development’s success. In addition

officials put on public transportation,

a 24/7 coffee bar with Nitro Cold Brew

to easy access to the grocery store,

“Above all community amenities, most of

on tap. Sit by the window or the cozy

there are multiple restaurants with a

them want a guaranteed parking spot,”

fireplace, grab a conference table or

quarter-mile, two Metro stations within

according to RentCafé.

lounge in our lobby library.”

in the new Carlyle Crossing development in Eisenhower East, Stonebridge also

40

a half-mile and easy access to the I-495

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

WELLNESS AND OUTDOOR SPACES Renters — and even would-be buyers — are looking for outdoor spaces, said

“They definitely are dialed into the

Whether they can afford a home,

aspect of purchasing,” Robinson said. “A

particularly in areas where real estate

lot of people wrongly assume under 30

prices are skyrocketing, is something that

are not interested in buying, but I don’t

McEnearney Associates, Inc. Realtor

think that’s true. I just think they’re in a

Christine Robinson.

different stage of life.”

“They want green space,” she’s found.

That different stage in life does affect

“For example, if they’re a runner, they’ll

their choice in where to live. A lot of

want to be near a place they can run safely.”

New complexes like The Blake in Alexandria’s West End, which opened this

Gen Z members are looking for outdoor

gives member of this generation pause.

“Generation Z seems so eager to become homeowners that even those who stated they don’t want to buy their own home appear to have said so because they doubt their actual ability to afford one: 40% of those members who don’t want

space, safe neighborhoods and a short

to buy a home said their primary reason

commute to work, Robinson said.

was that they don’t think they’ll have enough money,” Rocket Homes reported.

spring, boasts more than stainless steel

According to real estate financing

kitchen appliances and big windows. The

company Rocket Homes, “Gen Zers’

Robinson said, however, that an

apartment complex offers “outdoors-in

desire to purchase a home primarily

important part of what she does is help

amenities,” which include a resort-style

stems from the fact that they view

pool with grills, open-air spaces on the ground floor, landscaped courtyards, a fitness center, yoga studio and pet spa.

homeownership as a means of starting a family (27.2%), gaining the freedom

would-be buyers navigate the many first-time buyer and other grant and assistance programs available.

necessary to do what they want with

“They want to learn and they’re actively

The Stonebridge Carlyle Crossing

their home (25.5%) and building wealth

engaged in moving forward toward their

development (the Easton, Dylan

(13.2%).”

goal,” she said.

and Reese communities adjacent to Wegmans), features a private, 3-acre landscaped park just for residents. The complex also features a rooftop pool and lounge area.

GEN Z GROWS UP: LONG-TERM WANTS Of course, not all young college graduates are on their own and renting.

Nationwide, young adults are living at home with their parents at a rate similar to the 1880s, according to the Pew Foundation. About one-third of young adults are living with their parents.

Student loan debt is partly responsible for this trend. And Northern Virginia happens to be a very expensive place to rent or to buy property.

Overall, however, members of Gen Z really want to own their own home — someday. Their desire to own a home seems to be higher than those of the Millennial generation that came before them (people who are now around ages 26 to 41).

PHOTO BY CHRIS CRUZ FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

41

NEARLY

33%

HALF

of Gen Z members were

(48%) of Gen Z members identify

persuaded to buy something after seeing it on social media.

In addition to fashion, home décor is a

as racial or ethnic minorities.

About 44% of Millennials identify this way.

(Source: Pew Research Center)

popular topic.

Hotspots for Gen Z in Alexandria

(Source: 99 Firms)

MORE THAN

1/3

According to the Chamber ALX, these are some of the hotspots for

GEN

Generation Z residents here in Alexandria: Barkhaus

of Gen Z members identify as religiously unaffiliated.

(American Enterprise Institute)

Sportrock Aslin Beer Co. Lost Boy Cider Hazel O Salon Old Town Books Mayweather Boxing, Pedego Electric Bikes Hops ‘n Shine Gen Z members have higher high school graduation rates than the generations who came The generation that is now

before them, including

age 13 and under is called the

Millennials (also known

Alpha generation. Some of

as Generation Y) and

these generation members haven’t even been born yet!

(Source: McCrindle, the consulting agency that coined the term “Generation Alpha” back in 2008.)

Generation X. Gen Z members are

likely to pursue

employment during high

higher education.

school than previous generations because of their focus on education.

(Source: Pew Research Center)

42

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

They are also more

less likely to take on paid

(Source: Pew Research Center)

205 S. Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 571-290-0645

WWW.BRAEMARCABINETRY.COM

TRAVEL

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIRGINIA WINERIES ASSOCIATION

How She Got Here:

Virginia’s Top Winemaker of 2022

BY MARY ANN BARTON

Fourteen years ago, Melanie Natoli was working as a physical therapist when she started a weekend gig pouring wine at Veramar Winery in Berryville, Va.

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

TRAVEL

"Wine was just kind of an interest that wouldn't go away," she said. "I thought I could do something with it later in life."

But after spending some time around Virginia wineries, she realized that she just might be able to follow her passion and make a career change.

"Thankfully, living in Virginia was the right place to be for that to happen," she said. "Before I made it to this state, as soon as I was here, I saw there were jobs and careers available in the wine industry," said the East Brunswick, New Jersey native.

She worked three days a week as an intern at Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg while working three days a week as a physical therapist to cover her expenses.

"Doug Fabbioli is big into mentoring," she said. While he'd already hired an intern, he saw her interest and made room for her in 2009.

"It was two years of splitting my time," Natoli said. "It got kind of crazy. 'Who am I today?'"

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUESTONE VINEYARD

But at the end of those two years, she had moved up to become assistant winemaker at Fabbioli.

"I was with Doug for five years altogether, and got to the point I was ready to become my own winemaker," she said. "I started with Cana in 2015."

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

45

TRAVEL

Natoli oversees Cana Vineyards & Winery, a family-owned vineyard nestled among the Bull Run and Blue Ridge mountains located just outside of downtown Middleburg. The winery is pet and kid-friendly, allows visitors to bring their own picnics and features live music on Saturday nights during the summer.

"It's important to us to make wine accessible, we're not stuffy, it's relaxed," she said. "Wine can get pretentious and feel uncomfortable because people don't know anything about it."

Two years after taking over as winemaker there, Natoli was the first Virginia winemaker to be named Woman Winemaker of the Year at the Women's International Wine Competition.

Her latest accolade? The ultimate award for Virginia winemakers: She recently accepted the 2022 Governor's Gold Cup Medal award at the annual Governor's Cup Gala in Richmond for the winery's 2019 Unité Reserve wine.

"That wine is really special," she said, made from "all of our fruit," grown on the 7.5-acre vineyard.

She found out about the award in a phone call, discovering that two of the vineyard's wines were among the top 12 wines in the competition. And of those two, one was the top winner out of 612 wines submitted to the competition from more than 100 Virginia wineries.

"I was like, 'No!!'" Natoli said in disbelief at her honor. There was a run on the wine as soon as word got out.

"It was a lot of hard work and dedication and I found my true passion," she said of her career switch. "It's something I put everything into."

Her family's reaction to her career change? "They're excited. My Mom was a little nervous, but she's really proud of PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUESTONE VINEYARD

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

me now."

TRAVEL

Quench Your Thirst with the Wine of Summer: Rosé Cana features three rosé wines, the official wine of summer. "It's kind of my favorite thing," Natoli said. "I drink it year-round but the big season is summertime."

"The easiest way to think of a rosé [is] it is produced with red grapes but the winemaking technique and style is more like a white wine," she said.

"The red wine color comes from the skin of the grapes, the fleshy part doesn't have color," she noted. "Red wine ferments with the skin; rosé production for us, I pick the grapes and crush 'em and press them right away, I don't ferment the skin."

PHOTO COURTESY OF CANA

A Delaplane, Va.

Barrel Oak Winery Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery

B M iddleburg, Va.

Cana Vineyards & Winery

C A missville, Va.

Gray Ghost Vineyards

D R aphine, Va.

Rockbridge Vineyard

E C rozet, Va.

Stinson Vineyards

I Afton, Va.

N Markham, Va.

Valley Roads Vineyards

Château O’Brien at Northpoint

J Leesburg, Va.

O G oodview, Va.

Stone Tower Winery

Fables & Feathers Winery

K Stuart, Va.

Stanburn Winery

L Upperville, Va.

Slater Run Vineyards

M Leon, Va.

J

H

Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery

LN A C

F Fairlawn, Va.

B

The New River Vineyard & Winery M

G Williamsburg, Va. Williamsburg Winery

D

H Berryville, Va.

I E

Veramar Winery

O

G

F K

Virginia Wineries with Notable Rosé Programs

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

47

TRAVEL

m m er Sp u S lurges

BY MARY ANN BARTON

One good thing that has come out of the pandemic?

Everyone we know is taking more of their vacation time than they used to.

There's a new sense of urgency to travel these days after losing two years to the pandemic, and older adults especially are feeling like they should travel while they're healthy, Stephanie Papaioannou, vice president at Abercrombie & Kent, a luxury travel company, recently told CNBC. If you're looking for ideas for a quick summer getaway, we've compiled a list of nearby "summer splurges" that can work for families, couples and friends for a week or just a day or two.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HERSHEYPARK

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

TRAVEL

GLAMPING IT Cue the s'mores and songs around the campfire. Love the idea of camping but need an assist? How about an iconic Airstream that Superhost Shanell will set up for you at the campground of your choice (within 60 miles of Fort Belvoir)?

The "glam" part of the camping equation includes air-conditioning, shower, stereo, microwave, stove/oven, coffeemaker and much more. Pets are allowed. Rates are approximately $189 per night for a week.

Visit the Airbnb website and look for "Camper/RV Hosted by Shanell."

Like the idea of camping but draw the line at sleeping on the ground? Try roughing it in an Airstream, found on Airbnb.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUPERHOST SHANELL

SWEET SURPRISES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY If you're like us, you love chocolate and a visit to Hersheypark this summer promises plenty of the good stuff. The park offers a new thrill ride dubbed "Candymonium," a rollercoaster that features a 210-foot ascent and speeds up to 76-MPH. Candymonium is located in the park's new Chocolatetown, which includes a new restaurant, The Chocolatier, with a lengthy dessert menu. The park is currently offering a two-day "stay and play" package that includes admission to the park, two nights' stay and breakfast each morning. Concerts at Hersheypark Stadium this summer include Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart and Santana. Get the details at hersheypark.com.

Hersheypark's newest thrill ride is Candymonium, "the world's sweetest coaster."

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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TRAVEL

CBD-INFUSED MASSAGE, AT THE BEACH Grab your girlfriends and head to the Outer Banks, N.C. to the spa at one of our favorite getaways, The Sanderling Resort in Duck, N.C., where the latest treatment is a CBD-infused massage.

Enhance your experience with a powerful blend of 400mg of broad-spectrum CBD, active botanical ingredients, a luxurious blend of nutrient-rich oils and therapeutic plant extracts. This treatment will "elevate your mind, relax the nervous system and help to provide Sanderling Resort has added fire pits just outside some of its rooms; there is also a community fire pit for ghost stories and roasting marshmallows.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SANDERLING RESORT IN DUCK, N.C.

immediate relief from aches, pains, arthritis and inflammation." Afterward, enjoy the new summer menu at Kimball's Kitchen next door and watch the sun set over the Currituck Sound. Save room for roasted marshmallows and ghost stories at one of the resort's fire pits! Visit sanderling-resort.com.

CALLING ALL HISTORY BUFFS! The Virginia Museum of History and Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. in Richmond recently completed a $30 million renovation that includes exhibition spaces, an immersive orientation theater, an interactive learning space for families, a new cafe and more. Afterward, be sure to check out Hatch Local Food Hall, a curated collection of local food vendors on the ground floor of The Current at 400 Hull St., in Richmond's Manchester neighborhood. The food hall, which opened in March, features restaurants specializing in tacos, fried chicken, burgers and fish. There's also juices and smoothies as well as a coffee bar and desserts. Visit virginiahistory.org

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

The Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond recently completed a $30 million renovation.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY

TRAVEL

GOLF, SPA TREATMENTS + DINNER IN WILLIAMSBURG The Forbes 5-star ranked Williamsburg Inn offers golf, spa and a tasty summer menu. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg is a Forbes 4-star ranked property, offering treatments that hearken back to its 18th-century Colonial Williamsburg roots. The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club offers tee times and lessons for all levels and you do not have to be a guest to play. Visit colonialwilliamsburghotels. com.

Golfing, spa treatments and delicious menus are in store for visitors to the Forbes 5-star ranked Williamsburg Inn.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOLDEN HORSESHOE GOLF CLUB

MIDDLEBURG 'FAMILY REUNION' CELEBRATES CULINARY DIVERSITY Tickets are on sale for a three-night, four-day culinary event hosted by Food & Wine and Sheila's Johnson's Salamander Hotels & Resorts in Middleburg.

PHOTO BY MARY ANN BARTON

The event, dubbed The Family Reunion, is presented by Los Angeles-based James Beard winner chef and author Kwame Onwuachi. A contestant on "Top Chef," he was named Rising Star Chef of the Year by the James Beard Foundation. He is the author of the book "Notes From a Young Black Chef."

Onwuachi has been named one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs, Esquire Magazine's 2019 Chef of the Year and is a 30 Under 30 honoree by both Zagat and Forbes. He's also been featured on Time's 100 Next List and has been named the most important chef in America by the San Francisco Chronicle.

The enriching programming is highlighted by some of the industry’s top talent including Carla Hall, Rodney Scott, Nina Compton, Gregory Gourdet, Mashama Bailey, Tavel Bristol-Joseph,

A "family reunion" culinary event, from the inaugural event held in 2021.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OF SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA

Pierre Thiam and several surprise guests.

Visit salamanderresort.com.

July/August 2022 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

51

THE LAST WORD

Gary Oelze Looks Back at 55 Years at The Birchmere

BY MARY ANN BARTON

Oelze and Stephen Moore are the authors of “All Roads Lead to The Birchmere: America’s Legendary Music Hall,” published late last year.

Birchmere location at 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., is its third and largest, seating 500 for a sold-out show.

“Ray Charles played his last gig here,” Gary said. “He had his whole band and the Raelettes [a girl group that performed background vocals]. I mean, the whole nine yards. I don't know of any club that he ever did that in.”

“And the same with the Johnny Cash show,” he said. “I do not know a club that Johnny Cash played in.”

PHOTO BY BUZ NACHLAS

The Birchmere is in its 56th year and owner Gary Oelze is still going strong as he approaches his 80th birthday next month.

Music has been a constant in Gary’s life, starting with his childhood in rural Kentucky. “I was like all teenagers are at that time and all my buddies played instruments, so that's where I learned and I wasn't very good. I had to work at it.” He got into music for “the camaraderie and the fun. What is it they say, that you buy a guitar to impress the girls?"

Gary played in the first band to perform at the original Birchmere after it got its start as a restaurant in Shirlington. Named by the original owner for a camp he had fond memories of in New England, Gary managed the business and decided to add live music as a draw. The current

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • July/August 2022

Gary is quick to credit The Birchmere's Michael Jaworek for bringing in such a wide variety of world-class musicians that are household names to music lovers.

Another musical act Gary is proud of bringing to the stage is the bluegrass group The Seldom Scene, “because I think they gave us a lot of legitimacy and people from all over the United States came to see them. They played every Thursday night for 20 years.”

It was a place for up-and-comers like Mary Chapin Carpenter, before they became famous, too. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Vince Gill got his start at The Birchmere, performing there when he was just 17.

Any regrets? Not being able to book Willie Nelson, who was offered a deal to play at Wolf Trap and took that instead, Gary noted. The Birchmere booked Jerry Lee

Lewis (“Great Balls of Fire”) to play in 2019, but he suffered a stroke before the date.

Being so close to the nation’s capital, The Birchmere has played to plenty of politicos in the audience over the years, including President Clinton, then-first lady Hillary Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and thenspouse Tipper Gore, the late Justice Antonin Scalia and the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Most shows begin right at 7:30 and The Birchmere tries to feed everyone in 90 minutes, from its extensive menu before the show begins. Some menu favorites include pulled pork sandwiches, smoked prime rib sandwiches and smokehouse ribs all made in-house and there are plenty of salads and vegetarian options.

When he isn’t working, Gary enjoys fishing at his place in Jupiter, Fla. and at his lake in Orange, Va. “It’s full of bass, I can stay there for hours,” he said. He also likes to read about two non-fiction books a month.

He has no plans to retire, laughing that he’ll have to be carried out. “I'm sure Jim Matthews [owner of the building] will take over," and said he hopes that the staff, who he said are like family, would stay.

"We create a good work environment, which is so important. And it transfers to the crowd.”

In March, Gary accepted a proclamation from the Virginia Senate commending The Birchmere for its contributions to cultural life in Northern Virginia. We couldn’t agree more.

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