2017 Community Guide
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Arthur Vayer, M.D.
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2 | North Stafford from A to Z | INSIDENOVA.COM | September 2017
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North Stafford area from A to Z
The Stafford County area offers myriad attractions, diversions and curiosities for local residents. We gathered a few of these and we hope you find them informational, amusing or illuminating. We present them in alphabetical order from A to Z.
A is for airport Stafford Regional Airport is alternative to big fields TRACY BELL
tbell@insidenova.com
Stafford Regional Airport offers air travel service utilizing smaller planes as an alternative to larger airports such as Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport. Stafford’s airport has a 5,000-foot by 100-foot runway with full parallel taxiways and a 37-acre paved aircraft parking apron. The airport is equipped with Jet-A and Avgas fuel storage facilities and is a state-of-the-art transportation hub. Some of the facilities are available for lease to aviation-related business facilities. Stafford Regional Airport is located at 95 Aviation Way in south Stafford, off Interstate 95’s exit 136. Its airspace
is located outside of the Washington, D.C. Special Flight Rules Area. It is about 40 miles from Washington, D.C. and 60 miles from Richmond. The airport first opened for business in December 2001. A modern, updated terminal opened in 2014 and a runway extension is expected to be completed next year. An airport authority makes decisions in operating Stafford Regional Airport, serving as a steward of the land. Its board members, from Stafford and Prince William counties and the City of Fredericksburg, play an active role in the development and growth of the airport and its services. Airport authority members from Stafford include Chairman Charles Kincaid, Treasurer Samer Shalaby,
Artwork decorates the exterior of the Stafford Regional Airport.
Henry Scharpenberg and Thurman Campbell; the member from Fredericksburg is Hamilton Palmer; and members from Prince William County are Vice Chairman Dave Ellis and Desi Arnaiz. The manager of the airport is Edward Wallis.
FILE PHOTO
The administration’s hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; the airfield is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and fixed-base operations run daily, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The airport also has a flight school on site called Aviation Adventures.
B is for brewery Love of brewing beer started Adventure Adventure Brewing Company opened in May 2015 and is the first brewery in Stafford County since pre-Revolutionary War days. Adventure Brewing Company makes a wide range of beers that are available on draft and in cans around the Fredericksburg region and in their tasting room. The brewery was started by Tim Bornholtz, Stan Johnson and John Viarella about seven years ago, though they didn’t have much in the way of other craft brewers to follow in Stafford County. At first, they took the small step of forming a club for other home-brewers to try and drum up interest in craft beer in the county. By 2013, they decided to take matters into their own hands and start their own brewery, setting it up just off U.S. 1 in mid-Stafford. They followed up with another location and they even still help out their old compatriots with the Stafford Brewers Club. “Adventure really started as three guys who fell in love with brewing beer at home, and deciding to make a living BREWERY | PAGE 5
Adventure Brewing Company head brewer Bryan Link checks the status of a tank of New England style IPA beer at the company’s mid-Stafford location at 33 Perchwood Drive. Adventure Brewing Company opened in May 2015 and is the first brewery in Stafford County since pre-Revolutionary War days. ALEKS DOLZENKO | INSIDENOVA
September 2017 | INSIDENOVA.COM | North Stafford from A to Z | 3
E is for education
C is for
Citizens Academy
County hosts evening schooling for residents The Stafford County Citizens Academy is a series of classes taught by Stafford County employees to familiarize residents with the services that the county provides to the community. The academy runs once a week in October. Classes focus on educating residents, business owners and interested individuals who work in Stafford on how the operations of their daily county government contributes to building a better community. Topics include an introduction to local government, as well as information on various county departments
and programs, the County budget, and history and tourism. Students will also get a tour of the county’s public safety building. All classes will from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Stafford County Administration Building at 1300 Courthouse Road in Stafford. There is no charge for this program. Space is limited and students are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, please contact Jeff Shover, Citizens Assistance and Volunteer Services Manager, at 540-6584516 or jshover@staffordcountyva. gov.
D is for Duff’s dog park Stafford canines and friends have their own park Dog owners love dog parks, InsideNoVa columnist Laurie Williams said after the opening of the county’s park for canines and their owners. Duff ’s Dog Park, at 75 James Ashby Parkway in southern Stafford, is part of the larger Duff McDuff Green Memorial Park in Falmouth. The canine portion includes two parks to exercise dogs and allow them to run, play and socialize with other dogs. The small dog park is full of shade for the puppies. It is approximately 7,500 square feet with toys, water bowls, benches and leash posts. There is also appropriately sized agility equipment for the small dogs to use. The large dog park is 15,000 square feet with benches and leash posts. The long distance ball retrieval area has a fence on three sides but the Rappahannock River and the stream leading to it act as a natural boundary to the south. Williams did warn that dog parks are not for every dog. The biggest misconception about dog parks is that they are a place to socialize a dog that has not yet had that opportunity. Wrong. Actually dog parks are a place for already socialized and confirmed dog (and people) friendly dogs to interact, she noted. Think about it, she wrote, in a society with so few places to take our dogs, telling dog owners to stay away from dog parks is about as realistic as telling parents to keep their human children out of Disney Land. “Besides, dog parks themselves are not the problem. Lack of education, preparedness and adherence to the rules by the dog owners is. A dog park can be the best fun a dog ever had, or it could be a
complete disaster. “If you are not 100 percent certain that your dog will be safe around other dogs and humans while off leash, the dog park is not the right environment for your dog.” A few rules apply at the park: • Owners are responsible for the behavior of their dog at all times. Use the dog park at your own risk. • All dogs must be registered in accordance with county requirements, licensed, vaccinated and wear a collar with identification and all current tags. • Dogs must be leashed while entering and leaving the park. • Owners must clean up and properly dispose of waste left by the dog. • Dogs must be removed from the park at the first sign of dangerous behavior toward people or other dogs. • There is a limit of three dogs per person. • Dogs and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. • Children must be at least 8 years old to enter the park. • No digging is permitted; If it occurs, holes should be filled promptly. PROHIBITED: • Human and dog food/treats • Sick dogs • Dogs in heat • Aggressive, dangerous or vicious dogs • Puppies (4 months and under) • Glass containers The dog park is open from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. mid-March through Oct. 31, and Nov. 1 through mid-March, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Stafford County Public Schools includes 31 schools covering 280 square miles. FILE PHOTO
Stafford County’s students speak many languages Stafford County Public Schools serves a diverse and mobile population of nearly 28,500 students. The students represent 103 countries of birth and speak 47 native languages, according to statistics from the school division. From a county population of some 142,000, the students attend 31 public schools covering 280 square miles. With a fiscal budget of $269 million, the district spends an average of $8,915 educating each student. SCPS prides itself with being the largest school division in the commonwealth to have all schools fully accredited. Of the students enrolled this year in Stafford’s public schools, 52.6 percent are white and 18.7 percent are black. Slightly more than 17 percent are Hispanic, while 7.7 percent are multi-racial. The remainder of students includes 3 percent Asian and less than 1 percent each of native American and of Pacific islander. Free or reduced-price meals are available to 29.7 percent of the students, and 10.1 percent of students receive special education services. English instruction language learners make up 6.5 percent of the student population. The school division is above the average in Virginia in the SAT test scores, with 1,533 versus the state average of 1,490. The on-time graduation rate is 92.4 percent, which is
higher than Virginia’s 90.5 percent. SCPS schools equaled or exceeded the state on all Virginia Standards of Learning tests, achieving higher scores on 28 of the 29 assessments, according to school division numbers. When considered as full-time positions, the district has 3,652 total employees. There are 2,104 licensed teachers, counselors, librarians, speech pathologists, social workers, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists in the district. They are supported by 1,414 paraprofessionals, administrative assistants, bus drivers and monitors, cafeteria workers, custodians, maintenance, fleet services, technology, human resources, finance, security personnel and nurses. The district also has 134 principals, assistant principals, supervisors, directors, executive directors, superintendent and leadership team members. The division operates a total of 31 schools: 17 elementary schools, eight middle schools, five high schools and one school for alternative education program, Head Start program and two public day-school programs. The division is rebuilding school to keep up with the growing population and the aging buildings. In 2015 a new Stafford High School was opened, and a new Moncure Elementary School is in the works. The following is a list of schools and the date of opening.
STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS
COMPLETION DATE
BROOKE POINT HIGH SCHOOL 1700 Courthouse Road | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1993; Additions - 2016
COLONIAL FORGE HIGH SCHOOL 550 Courthouse Road | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1999; Additions - 2016
MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL 2135 Mountain View Road | Stafford, VA 22556
Main Building - 2005; Additions - 2017
4 | North Stafford from A to Z | INSIDENOVA.COM | September 2017
EDUCATION | PAGE 5
BREWERY | FROM PAGE 3
from the hobby,” said Randall Burdett, the club’s president. “And we’ve had a great partnership with them ever since... and all this comes as the industry is just exploding up here.” In all, the county has four separate brewery locations, according to Stafford tourism manager Lisa Logan — the two Adventure locations, HighMark Brewery and the newly opened 6 Bears and a Goat Brewing Company. “We’re seeing this sort of interest in craft beer pop up spontaneously all
across the country, and we’re no exception,” Burdett said. “People want something better than Bud and Bud Light. They hear about these other options, and they try it and like it.” Burdett hopes that his small club of about 15 members has played some small role in drumming up that interest in the county by educating people about the possibilities of craft beer. Located at 33 Perchwood Drive, the Adventure Brewing tasting room is open Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
F is for Ferry Farm
EDUCATION | FROM PAGE 4
HIGH SCHOOLS (CONTINUED)
COMPLETION DATE
NORTH STAFFORD HIGH SCHOOL 839 Garrisonville Road | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1981; Addition - 2003
STAFFORD HIGH SCHOOL 33 Stafford Indian Lane | Falmouth, VA 22405
DEMOLISHED Main Building - 1975
NEW STAFFORD HIGH SCHOOL 63 Stafford Indian Lane
Automotive Building - 2015; Main Building - 2015
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
COMPLETION DATE
EDWARD E. DREW, JR., MIDDLE SCHOOL 501 Cambridge Street | Falmouth, VA 22405
Main Building - 1951 Additions - 1957, 1990 & 1998
DIXON-SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL 503 Deacon Road | Fredericksburg VA 22405
Main Building - 2006
T. BENTON GAYLE MIDDLE SCHOOL 100 Panther Drive | Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Main Building - 2002
H. H. POOLE MIDDLE SCHOOL 800 Eustace Road | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1995; Addition - 1998
STAFFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL 101 Spartan Drive | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1991; Gym Addition - 2007
RODNEY E. THOMPSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 75 Walpole Street | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 2000
GARRISONVILLE ELEMENTARY/ A.G. WRIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL 100 Wood Drive | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1981 Addition to A.G. Wright - 2007 Addition to Garrisonville - 1999
SHIRLEY C. HEIM MIDDLE SCHOOL 320 Telegraph Road | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 2008
ELEMANTARY SCHOOLS
COMPLETION DATE
KATE WALLER BARRETT ELEMENTARY 150 Duffey Drive | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 2002
MARGARET BRENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2125 Mountain View Road | Stafford, VA 22556
Main Building - 2004
ANTHONY BURNS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 60 Gallery Road | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 2006
CONWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 105 Primmerhouse Road | Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Main Building - 2005
FALMOUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1000 Forbes Street | Falmouth, VA 22405
Main Building - 1967/68; Addition - 1997 Renovation 2012
FERRY FARM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 20 Pendleton Road | Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Main Building - 1957 Additions - 1963, 1989 & 1992
GRAFTON VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 501 Deacon Road | Falmouth, VA 22405
Main Building - 1967; Addition - 1977, 1996& 2014
HAMPTON OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 107 Northampton Boulevard | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1992; Addition - 1996
HARTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 14 Shackelford Well Road | Hartwood, VA 22406
Main Building - 1963; Additions - 1966, 1989 & 1993
ANNE E. MONCURE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 75 Moncure Lane | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1966; Addition - 1973 & 1997
PARK RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2000 Parkway Boulevard | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1990; Addition - 1994
ROCKHILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 50 Wood Drive | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1989; Addition - 1994
ROCKY RUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 95 Reservoir Road | Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Main Building - 2000
STAFFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1349 Courthouse Road | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1968; Addition - 1996; Renovation 2013
WIDEWATER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 101 Den Rich Road | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1988; Addition - 1995
WINDING CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 475 Winding Creek Road | Stafford, VA 22554
Main Building - 1997
The Ferry Farm building undergoes restoration during the early months of 2017. FILE PHOTO
Ferry Farm was home to young George George Washington’s father, Augustine, got the land in 1738, one of a few plantations he owned, and moved to what became Ferry Farm with his second wife, Mary Ball Washington, and their five young children. He also had an interest in the Accokeek Iron
Furnace north of Ferry Farm on a tributary of the Potomac River. Then known as Rappahannock Farm, the land was the boyhood home of George Washington, where he spent FERRY FARM | PAGE 7
September 2017 | INSIDENOVA.COM | North Stafford from A to Z | 5
G is for government island
Government investment provided stone for White House A boardwalk and scenic heritage trail lead visitors to explore Government Island on North Stafford’s east side. The 17-acre historic site is also referred to as “America’s Historic Stone Quarry.” During George Washington’s presidency, Government Island was purchased by Pierre L’Enfant on behalf of the federal government in 1791 to provide stone to build the nation’s new capital city--Washington, D.C. Aquia sandstone used to build the U.S. Capitol and the White House was quarried here and shipped up the Potomac River. In the 1980s through the ’90s
the White House underwent a paint removal process and an Aquia stone restoration project. After 42 layers of paint were removed from the entrance at the North Portico, it revealed the rich stone carving. The quality of the carving with intricate details reveals superb craftsmanship and the beauty of the Stafford stone, according to the Stafford Museum. Creeks, wetlands and marsh areas provide a variety of habitats for birds and other wildlife. The elevated boardwalk through the wetlands and woods to the island provides an accessible viewing area to spot indigenous wildlife.
A trail through Government Island offers the soothing sound of birds and insects in North Stafford. ALEKS DOLZENKO | INSIDENOVA
The 1.5-mile nature trail along the water’s edge has interpretative signs that detail the history of the Native American population of the “island” as well as the extensive activities on the site through the early 19th century.
A meandering stream also provides fishermen a lazy location to wait for their prey. Government Island is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
I is for for
H is for Hobby School
‘I stole away...’ A letter by a Union soldier describes Stafford in 1862
Falmouth history includes school for the wealthy The Hobby School is the believed architectural style of school at which George Washington would have received his early education, between the ages of 7 and 11, according to the Stafford County Historical Society. The one-room, log-cabin school house is currently located on Carter Street in Falmouth, after being moved from the corner of Carter Street and Butler Road in 1930.
Little has been documented on this structure, however historians point out that such schools were open to plantation owners’ sons. The cabin is believed to date back to the 1880s and is thought to be similar to a structure used by Master Hobby as a school. The walls are made of wood with bricks and cement between the lumber.
The Stafford County Museum on its website has a transcript of a letter claimed to be written at Aquia Creek on May 21, 1862, by a Union soldier from the 95th Regiment, N.Y.S.V. An edited version follows. The complete letter is at staffordcounty museum.com/artifact/ninety-fifthregiment-n-y-s-v/ I stole away from my squad last Sunday, after working an hour, and went to take a stroll through the country. I find that the poorer class of people around here are as rank abolitionists as ever [Horace] Greeley or [William Cullen] Bryant were. They state that the n______ injure white labor. The large slaveholders all had slaves; and when they had more work than slaves could do they hired the free n______ of the neighborhood in preference to whites — as they worked cheaper, and answered their purpose just as well. A poor white man could only get twenty-five cents per day and board. In fact, from the account that one man gave me, the poor whites are treated as bad as the negroes by the rich planters of the country. The people, taking them altogether, as a class, are the most ignorant I
6 | North Stafford from A to Z | INSIDENOVA.COM | September 2017
have ever known. One of them — a man who is said to own a thousand acres of land — argued on me, the other day, that South Carolina was a part of Virginia State. The women, young and old, smoke or chew snuff. The most of them are dirty and slipshod — although I have seen some exceptions, but “like angel’s visits, few and far between.” The rich people are morose and unsocial. They charge exorbitant prices for the butter, milk, and eggs that the soldiers buy from them. They would show their teeth if they dared; but that time has passed, and it is only in their dark and ominous glances that you can read the hatred they dare not express in words. I met one man, whose name is Butler. He is a poor man, and, of course, is a Unionist. The accounts he gave me of the atrocities committed by the rebel soldiers are dreadful. How General [Theophilus H.] Holmes allowed such deeds to be committed are beyond my comprehension… He [Butler] has told me that the North Carolina troops, who were stationed here last fall and winter, met a LETTER | PAGE 7
J is for Jeff Rouse Stafford sports complex houses pools, courts The Jeff Rouse Swim and Sport Center, which opened in May 2016, is named after one of Stafford County’s Olympic gold medalists. He is a three-time Olympic champion and former world record-holder in three events from competition at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. The center has a state-of-the-art, 76,000-square-foot facility that houses a 50-meter competition pool with movable bulkhead and seating for over 800 spectators. There also is a 25-yard recreation pool, a warm-water wellness pool, a group exercise studio, fitness floor, a full-size basketball court and a fullservice cafe to serve guests. The center offers cycling, group exercise classes, swimming lessons and lifeguarding. For adults, the center has league play in volleyball and basketball. There is Lil’ Kickers soccer for children 18 months-9 years, summer camps, clinics, classes, a J-Club kids’ area for ages 8 and under and pre-teen programming for those ages 9-12.
FERRY FARM | FROM PAGE 5
his formative years. The term “Ferry Farm” derives for the ferry operation which connected it to Fredericksburg. The farm was named after the Washington family had left the property. The family did not own or operate the ferry, but it saw significant use during the Civil War as a crossing site during three federal occupations of Stafford. The farm rose to national prominence during the Washington Birth Bicentennial of 1932.
LETTER | FROM PAGE 6
young married woman in the woods near Aquia Village and outraged her person. Her name was Gallatroin. She was found next morning dead where they had left her; and yet the men who committed this barbarous act were never punished for it. The same fellows also went to a free negro’s house and violated the persons of his wife and daughter, and shot him dead on the spot because he tried to prevent them. Another man has told me that they could not enter a house without trying to violate the females, or else grossly insulting them before they left. They also burned or scuttled all the boats belonging to the poor fishermen, before they left, and were going to put to the torch to the mill, and thus leave the people to starve, when the news arrived of our approach and prevented them from doing it. The principal town in Stafford County is Stafford Court House. It is composed of a store, a court-house, and three or four private residences. There was a Dr.
Age restrictions are currently set at the following: • Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult in the facility. Children cannot be left unattended in the lobby or cafe area. • J-CLUB: Limited to children 10 weeks - 8 years old, with a two-hour limit per day. • BASKETBALL COURT: The minimum age is 13 years old. A parent must be in the facility, but does not have to be on court with the child. • PRE-TEEN PROGRAM: The age bracket is 9-12 years old. • FITNESS FLOOR: The minimum age is 16 years old unless the child has completed the Junior Fitness program. There is an additional fee for Junior Fitness, which is designed for 11-15 year olds. After passing the class the youths can use all equipment except free weights. Parents must be present in the fitness center while the child is working out. • GROUP EXERCISE: Minimum is The area was part of the original 1600s Stafford County, and then was briefly in an expanded King George County that stretched into Stafford along the Rappahannock. It is now operated by the George Washington Foundation and an archeological dig has discovered the original Washington home site and numerous other buildings. The location is also the site of young George’s toss of a silver dollar across the Rappahannock River. The location was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000. G.I. Conway who lived there. He was employed by the rebel authorities to hunt up the people of Union sentiments and report them. Two Northern men who had settled there and bought land from the planters were the first informed on. These men’s names were Maury. A party of Arkansas soldiers went to their houses in the night-time, dragged them from their beds, and after treating them to a ride on a rail, gave them their choice to either join the Confederate Army or else be shot on the spot. Of course they joined. They were sent away to Louisiana, and the man that sold their land to them had the unparalleled impudence to try and sell it again. There are a good many soldiers, who have deserted from the enemy, or else pretend they have deserted, living in their own homes. I, for my own part, consider them spies, and think that the officers ought to look sharper after them. One of our captains was shot last week, and yet I saw him on Sunday sitting in the house of a man who was prevented from joining his regiment by the Rappahannock bridge being burned before he got there.
It’s not all competition at the Jeff Rouse Swim and Sports Complex, as kids get to have fun in their own wading pool. ALEKS DOLZENKO | INSIDENOVA.COM
14 years old to participate in classes • POOL: Children 11-13 must pass a swim test to be in the pool area without a parent. Children 10 and under must have a parent in the pool area. No children are allowed
in the competition pool. The center is located at 1600 Mine Road, adjacent to the Embrey Mill development. For more, call 540-318-6332 or email info@rousecenter.com.
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Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas Saturday, October 21 | 9:00 am Contact: Sonya Amartey 703.766.9025 | samartey@alz.org
September 2017 | INSIDENOVA.COM | North Stafford from A to Z | 7
K
is for Knights of Columbus
Stafford Catholic support group formed in 1981 The Father Widmer Council of the Knights of Columbus, Council 7877, is located on the grounds of St. William of York Church in Stafford County. The Father Widmer Council was founded in 1981 through the efforts of the charter members and is named after Father James J. Widmer, who while pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Fredericksburg celebrated the first communion mass to be held at St.
William of York on May 12, 1957. The Father Widmer Council supports the St. William of York Parish and the surrounding area of Stafford County, providing funds and manpower for church, charity and community, including support for SWOY Outreach and Youth projects and the parish school through fund-raising and volunteer hours. Individual members are also active participants in the parish in many other ways.
Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month, 7:30 p.m. at the Council Home and are open to all Brother Knights, according to their website. The Knghts of Columbus was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney, the 29-year-old assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, on Oct. 2, 1881. It was a lay organization to prevent Catholic men from entering secret
societies whose membership was antithetical to church teaching, to unite men of Catholic faith and to provide for the families of deceased members. As a symbol that allegiance to their country did not conflict with allegiance to their faith, the organization’s members took as their patron Christopher Columbus — recognized as a Catholic and celebrated as the discoverer of America.
L is for library
Porter branch is book hub of North Stafford The Porter Branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library is a 23,000-square-foot building at 2001 Parkway Blvd., North Stafford. The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted to name the branch for their chairman, John Musante Porter, a library advocate, after he passed away in June of 1992 shortly before the branch was scheduled to open. The new Porter building is larger than the previous Stafford branch, with room for 100,000 volumes, meeting rooms, computers, CD players, VHS players and overhead projectors for public use. Also in 1992 the library got equipment to lend to the deaf and hard of hearing from the Virginia Department for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. By the next year, the Porter branch had eight catalog computers and two general use computers for the public. All branches have public-access computers and wireless Internet access. The branch has a 100-seat meeting room, which can be partitioned into two smaller rooms for 50- and 20seat meeting rooms. The library is open: Monday 9 - 9 Tuesday 9 - 9 Wednesday 9 - 9 Thursday 9 - 9 Friday 9 - 5:30 Saturday 9 - 5:30 Sunday 1 - 5:30 Notary services: On duty during most branch hours, but call ahead to be certain authorized staff is available. Parking: 92 off-street parking spaces around building Accessibility features: Five handi-
Visitors to the Porter library in North Stafford tour the exhibit of paintings by county senior citizens during a reception. FILE PHOTO
capped parking spaces, ramps at both entrances, wheelchair accessible button to open all outside doors, no interior stairs, accessible restrooms, magnifier/reader and a magnifying
glass available at the adult reference desk, walker with basket available at front desk. Transportation: The Fred Stafford D4, D7 and D8 buses stop at the
8 | North Stafford from A to Z | INSIDENOVA.COM | September 2017
library. See maps and schedules at www.ridefred.com. Directions: Turn off Garrisonville Road at Parkway Boulevard Drive, and about 1/2 mile on Parkway Boulevard you will see the Porter Branch on the left. Upcoming book sales are set for: Friday, Oct. 6 - 11 Friday, Nov. 3 - 8 Friday, Dec. 1 - 5 Mondays: 1/2 price. Tuesdays and Wednesdays: $1/bag. 2018 sale dates are: Friday, Jan. 5 - 9 Friday, Feb. 2 – 6 To contact staff by phone, call 540-659-4909.
M is for memorial Armed Forces Memorial salutes fallen neighbors The Stafford County Armed Forces Memorial dedication brought out hundreds of visitors and several veterans of World War II, along with armed forces members from other conflicts, to the county’s Government Center earlier this year. The Quantico Marine Corps Band provided a musical introduction to the July 15 event and then retired Lt. Gen. Ron Christmas, the master of ceremonies, took command of the ceremony and welcomed guests, thanking all who made the memorial possible. Stafford County Sheriff ’s Office Chaplain Ron Thayer offered the invocation. Stafford County Supervisor Gary Snellings, an Air Force veteran, also made welcoming remarks and was overcome by emotions at the end of his speech. Local veterans, from World War II through the current conflict who attended the ceremony were recognized. The Virginia secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, retired Adm. John C. Harvey, spoke briefly and the Blue Star Mothers Choir of Fredericksburg Chapter VA 4 sang traditional patriotic songs. The commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, commended the Armed Services Memo-
rial Working Group, which oversaw the fundraising and construction of the memorial, for their work. He also stressed how important it was to remember those who sacrificed so much for our country. Members of the family of the late Sgt. Donald Lamar II—his wife, parents and brother—joined others in the ribbon cutting to open the memorial. Neller presented sections of the ribbon to the family, who sparked the idea that led to the construction of the memorial after the death of the Marine in 2010. The family had asked the board of supervisors to name a street for the fallen Marine. Out of that request, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors decided to create an Armed Services Memorial to honor Stafford County residents who were killed in action. A commission was selected to plan the memorial: retired Lt. Gen. Ron Christmas; Mark Dudenhefer, also a retired Marine; and Gary Snellings, an Air Force
veteran. The commission enlisted local residents and collected funds to help
complete the memorial, and Stafford County is asking for the public’s help in reviewing the county service members who were killed in action. Daniel Chichester became the Armed Services Memorial Working Group chairman. Commemorative bricks are available for purchase to memorialize loved ones in the Stafford Armed Services Memorial. Approximately 513 bricks are in place, with 41 bricks currently being scheduled for placement this fall. A special ceremony open to the public will be scheduled around Veterans Day for installation of the bricks. Bricks are $200 each and are tax-deductible. To purchase a brick, visit www. StaffordCountyVA.gov or www.StaffordArmedServicesMemorial.weebly.com.
AGES 9 TO ADULT FALL WEEKEND CLASSES OPEN NOW!
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GAME DESIGN & PROGRAMMING COURSES September 2017 | INSIDENOVA.COM | North Stafford from A to Z | 9
N is for Nott
O is for opera
Aquia Crucifix includes inscription by Father Nott That the beauty of his countenance be not hidden from his own. That his wounds and woe wherein he wrote his love be known to all the people he redeemed. — Father Walter Nott The Aquia Crucifix monument was erected in honor of the Brent colony, which welcomed and encouraged settlers of all faiths to reside in the area. The crucifix was sculpted by Georg J. Lober and erected in 1930 by Catholic Women’s Club of Richmond to commemorate the first English Roman Catholic settlement in Virginia. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Lober studied sculpture at the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design and at the National Academy of Design, and was an apprentice of Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum. He died on Dec.14, 1961. Father Walter Nott, who lived from 1891 to 1932, wrote the inscription at the base of the sculpture. The first English settled the area in the 1650s. Staffordians George Brent Richard Foote, Nicholas Hayward and Robert Bristow petitioned the Roman Catholic King of England, James II, for a patent of 30,000 acres of land for the Brent Town tract that now includes parts of western Stafford, Prince William and Fauquier counties. The marker at the crucifix replaced an earlier one that read, “The crucifix by sculptor Georg J. Lober was erected
The Stafford Opera Troupe of students and peer mentors performs Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” at the culmination of the three-week 2017 Summer Opera Program at Mountain View High School. FILE PHOTO
Stafford Opera Troupe hits the high notes in 1930 and commemorates Spanish Jesuits who were martyred nearby in 1571. It also honors the first English Roman Catholic settlers, Giles Brent and his half-sister Margaret, who emigrated from Maryland in 1647. Brent constructed his house, which he named ‘Peace,’ on land granted by King James II.” Members of the Brent family are buried in the nearby cemetery, according to HMdb.org.
The Stafford Opera Troupe was founded in 2016 by volunteers to bring the beauty of opera to the students and community of Stafford and the surrounding area. It all started in Bonita Keene’s chorus classroom at Mountain View High School, according to the group’s website. The students’ responses to hearing opera were so enthusiastic that organizers decided to bring the show to county students with the Summer Opera Program, a three-week fun and educational training program designed for students of high school age. Mentored by the program faculty alongside experienced peer mentors, participants develop their voice and
acting skills, learn about performance practice and etiquette, and sing stunning music from opera, operetta, and musical theatre repertoire. The program culminates in a public performance of opera scenes, in which every student has the opportunity to perform as a soloist in addition to ensemble and chorus work. This year the opera was Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” at Mountain View High School on Aug. 4. The Baroque opera recounts the story of the Trojan hero Aeneas and his lover Dido, queen of Carthage. The production was under the codirection of Bree Nichols and Corinn Keene.
P is for pet When looking for a furry friend, start with the abandoned ones Local residents looking for a special animal friend to add to the family have several local options including Stafford County Animal Shelter, the Stafford SPCA and the Fredericksburg SPCA. • The Stafford County Animal Shelter is located at 473 Eskimo Hill Road in Stafford. For more information, call 540-658-7387 or visit staffordcountyanimalcontrol.com. • The Stafford SPCA is located at 140 Andrew Chapel Road in Stafford. Call 540-657-7387 or visit staffordspca.org for more information. • The Fredericksburg SPCA is located at 10819 Courthouse Road in Fredericksburg. For more information, visit 540-898-1500 or visit fburgspca.org. In addition to adoption, these organizations welcome volunteers, foster families and donations to help with a variety of duties and assist in helping animals find their “forever homes.” There are also some additional local
organizations that work to help animals find homes. They include Purrs & Whiskers, the Pet Assistance League of Virginia (pal-va.org), the Northern Virginia Animal League (nval.net), St. Seton’s Orphaned Animals (saintseton. com), Second Chance Dog Rescue (secondchancedog.com), Shadow Cat Advocates (shadowcatadvocates.org) and the Dachshund Rescue League of North America (dma.org). The above organizations are also on Facebook. Search the name of the organization on Facebook.com to see local pets featured. Other sites, including adoptapet.com and petfinder.com also feature local pets available for adoption. Pet boarders, trainers, groomers and pet-supply facilities in the area include Colonial K-9 (colonialk9.com), Calypso Kennels (calypsokennels.com), Sittin’ Pretty Pet Salon (sittinprettyps.com), Pup ‘N’ Iron (pupniron.com), Petsmart (petsmart.com), Petco (petco.com),
Colonel
Godiva
Max
Mystic
Gemini
Maverick
Pets Plus (petsplusinc.com), Gone to the Dogs (facebook.com/Gone to the Dogs) and 4 Paws Pet Resort (4pawspetresort.com), Dog Krazy (dogkrazy.
10 | North Stafford from A to Z | INSIDENOVA.COM | September 2017
com) Laurie’s Pet Grooming (facebook. com/Laurie’s Pet Grooming) and Aquia Grooming (aquiagrooming.com).
Q is for Quantico Marine Corps base
Marine Cpl. Jhon Espinal cuts the cake on the 240th anniversary of the Marine Corps and hands a piece to the oldest Marine at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Alvin L. Leisey. At left is the youngest Marine present, Lance Cpl. Christopher Jones, who gets the second bite of the cake. The ceremony was held on the 9th anniversary of the opening of the museum in 2016. ALEKS DOLZENKO | INSIDENOVA.COM
The Marines have been a part of life here for 100 years The United States Marine Corps turns 242 years old this year and Quantico has been occupied by Marines for 100 years. The base has changed much since the days John A. Lejeune or Smedley Butler led it, but it still strives to succeed and continues to grow in order to serve the needs of the 21st Century Marine Corps. Even before the Jamestown settlement and Capt. John Smith explored the banks of the Potomac River in 1608, the Spaniards had visited Quantico. Early Scottish colonists later settled in the Quantico area, growing tobacco for export, according to Marine Corps history. The Quantico region was also home to many Revolutionary War heroes. During the Civil War, Confederate cannons blockaded Union traffic on the Potomac River from the banks in the Quantico area. By the 1880s, the land Quantico resides on had been acquired by speculators, who would sell it to the Corps in 1917. The Commandant of the Marine Corps established Marine Barracks Quantico on May 14, 1917. Thousands would be trained in Quantico during World War I. In 1920, Marine Corps Schools was founded, and in the words of then-Chief of Staff for Quantico, Col. Smedley D. Butler, their purpose was to “make this post and the whole Marine Corps a great university.” Prospects of a Pacific war in the 1920s showed a need for revolutionary new tactics and hardware. The techniques of amphibious warfare were conceived, and perfected, in Quantico. Quantico aviators also developed close-air support tactics to aid Marines on the ground.
The amphibious warfare techniques developed in Quantico in the years before World War II made victory possible in the conflict’s Pacific theater. Quantico also trained 15,000 lieutenants, and numerous officers from other services. In 1947, Quantico Marines conceived of carrying troops from ship-to-shore by helicopter and formed a special squadron to test the idea: Marine Helicopter Squadron-1, commonly referred to now as HMX-1. The helicopter techniques they used there later proved invaluable during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. More recently, Quantico played a large part in the development of vertical and/or short take-off and landing (or V/STOL) aircraft and amphibious assault ships. Quantico’s small, but vital, air facility and HMX-1 continue to aid in development, training, and education, as well as their most visible duty, support of the U.S. president. On Jan. 1, 1968, the base was re-designated the Marine Corps Development and Education Command (MCDEC) in the spirit of the command motto, “Semper Progredi” — Always Forward. Marine Corps University was established in 1989 to provide the structure and policy for professional military education Corps-wide. Professional Military Education schools, which work alongside the university, include the Marine Corps War College, the School of Advanced Warfighting, the Command and Staff College, Expeditionary Warfare School, the Enlisted PME branch, and the College of Distance Education and Training. In recent years the Marine Corps University has been adding new buildings and renovating old in order to create a world-class library, research center, and campus to
further the mission of the university in the 21st Century to educate the leaders of the Marine Corps. In 1995, the base became home to one of the Corps’ most forwardthinking organizations, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. The lab’s mission is to conduct experimentation in 21st-century warfare. War games and experiments produce new tactics and technologies to make the Marine warfighter ever more capable. The Department of Defense established the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate in 1997 to provide the military with greater flexibility in dealing with the challenges of Military Operations Other Than War. With so many diverse yet intricatelywoven units, it is appropriate that Quantico is called the Crossroads of the Marine Corps. This is perhaps the only command whose mission touches the furthest reaches of the Corps. Decisions made here impact Marines aboard ship, fighting in the Global War on Terrorism, on guard duty at embassies across the globe, and on reserve duty throughout the U.S. Quantico’s Marines continue to answer the call to threats against the U.S. and provide security and logistical assistance to the National Capital Region. Commands aboard Quantico put their training and technologies, developed during war and peace, to work to provide the best support for the Marine warfighter. On Oct. 1, 2015, Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico was designated Marine Corps Installations CommandNational Capital Region - Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCINCR-MCB Quantico).
Quantico By the Numbers: INFRASTRUCTURE • Some 59,050 acres • Buildings & Structures: 1,356, not including FBI or PPV • Roads, Paved: 228 miles • Live Fire Ranges: 44 ranges • Training Areas: 51,940 acres • Water Plants: 1 plant • Sewage Plants: 2 plants • Airfields: 1 COUNTIES BORDERING QUANTICO • Prince William, Stafford and Fauquier CONSTRUCTION • Base - FY15 - $132 million; • FY16 was projected at $116 million QUANTICO POPULATION in 2015 • Military: 6,164 • Government civilian: 10,667 • Contractors: 4,068 • Students: 7,477 • Total: 28,376 FAMILY MEMBERS IN BASE HOUSING • 3,962 Marines and their families live on base. There are currently • 1,137 housing units on base, with 355 units for officers and 782 for enlisted. DoD SCHOOLS ABOARD QUANTICO BASE • Enrollment for 2015/2016 school year • Quantico Middle/High (Grades 6-12) • Total students: 315 • Crossroads Elementary (Pre-K - Grade 5) • Total students: 680 ENVIRONMENTAL • Endangered species: • Northern Long-Eared Bat (myotis septentrionalis) • Dwarf Wedgemussel (alasmidonta heterodon) • Small Whorled Pogonia (isotria medeoloides) • Harperella (nodosum ptilimnium) ECONOMIC IMPACT (fiscal 2015) • Total economic impact: $4.9 billion • Direct payroll: $1.44 million • Direct jobs: 28,376 • Indirect jobs: 19,048 • Total jobs supported: 47,424 • State and local tax revenue: $1.6 million • Federal impact aid: $1.2 million MILITARY VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY • Community events supported (CY 2014) = 304 • Volunteer hours contributed = 6,675 TENANT ACTIVITIES ABOARD QUANTICO • Marine Corps Combat Development Command • Manpower and Reserve Affairs • Marine Corps Recruiting Command • Marine Corps Systems Command • Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation • Activity • Marine Corps Network Operations and Security Center • Marine Corps Intelligence Activity • Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate • Marine Corps Embassy Security Group • Marine Helicopter Squadron One • 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion • Marine Corps Information Operations Center • Wounded Warrior Regiment • Marine Corps Non-Appropriated Fund Audit Service • Military Department of Investigative Agencies • FBI Academy • Drug Enforcement Administration TRAINING COMMAND • Officer Candidates School – 1,200 • The Basic School – 1,800 • Weapons Training Battalion EDUCATION COMMAND • Marine Corps War College - 30 • School of Advanced Warfighting - 30 • Command and Staff College - 220 • Expeditionary Warfare School – 250 • Enlisted Professional Military Education – 2,700 • (active duty); 550 (reservists)
September 2017 | INSIDENOVA.COM | North Stafford from A to Z | 11
R is for Rowser Rowser Building was training school during segregation The Rowser Building was originally built in 1939 by the Public Works Administration as the Stafford Training School, a term used in the South to differentiate a black high school from a white high school. The land was purchased with donations from the black community, which was looking to improve their children’s education. Additions have been made to the original school as it became a junior high school, a high school and, following integration, a vocational training center. The building was renamed in 1976 after Ella Rowser, an educator at the school. It was the only place in Stafford County where black students could receive an education beyond the seventh grade. And the building is home to the African American history mural, “The path to Freedom” by Linda Silk Sviland, which follows the African American struggle in Stafford County. A plaque commemorating the former training school/ H.H. Poole Junior High School’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places was unveiled in June 2013, with former students, teachers and a few county officials attending. “I am very excited about this. For us to be able to celebrate this and to have patrons who actually attended this
school speaks to the importance of this event,” said Jamie Porter, parks and recreation director during the ceremony. “This is a perfect day to celebrate this,” she said, making a reference to Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the emancipation of slaves. Frank White was a student at H.H. Poole Junior High School and was in its first graduating class in 1954. It was at an H.H. Poole reunion dinner that he came up with the idea of pursuing the national recognition. “Randy Bridges, [Stafford] school superintendent, was the keynote speaker. He stated that schools like this have a special history and should be preserved for future generations … And that sparked an idea,” he said. From there, White and other volunteers enlisted help from the NAACP and from the county supervisors. He obtained permission from Bridges to research school records. White got assistance from Norman Schools, a local retired restoration expert and historian, to write the nomination for historical status. Using White’s research, Schools completed the application. Delores Hawkins Brown attended
The Path to Freedom mural shows the struggles of the African American community in Stafford County. FILE PHOTO
H.H. Poole Middle School before the days of integration. She remembered that she had to transfer to Walker Grant Junior High School in Fredericksburg to continue her education, because the other high schools in the county were for whites only. She recalled her thoughts about segregation and referred to the “separate but equal” policy of schools at the time: “If we’re equal, why should we be separated?” “I think it is wonderful,” she said of the school’s historic status. Laura Montgomery taught at the school, but when the school was closed she transferred to Anne E. Moncure Elementary School to teach. “They sent us out by twos,” she said, meaning faculty members were transferred to other positions two at a time. “This restoreth my soul,” she said of the event. “This was really great.”
Frank White was a student at Stafford High School in 1962 during the integration of county schools. He said that in many cases, black students were brought into the school through the back door. “When Stafford integrated, they brought them in the front door,” he said, visibly emotional when he remembered the events. He recalled that “Nothing happened. … Adults were worried, we weren’t.” The school building was turned over to the county in 2003 and it was renovated in 2005. But to White, the building holds one major significance: “In our hearts this will always be either Stafford Training Center or H.H. Poole.” The Rowser Building is located at 1739 Jefferson Davis Highway and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
S is for SERVE Nonprofit strives to help Staffordians in need S.E.R.V.E., which stands for Stafford Emergency Relief through Volunteer Efforts, is a Staffford County charity that operates year-round, with a primary focus of helping Stafford families that are struggling to put food on their tables. It operates and runs a food pantry, which expanded by adding a 1,500-square-foot warehouse adjacent to its current facility on Upton Road. The pantry stores all of the food that the community donates, according to Marilyn Stevens, the organization’s executive director. “We have been tripping over food donations for years,” Stevens explained when the warehouse opened, excited and grateful for the additional space. “As we free up space in our current pantry, we will be able to expand our services and provide classes or support in other areas of need.” S.E.R.V.E. is in the process of transferring food to the new warehouse and stocking it with incoming donations. Parker Weeks, food pantry manager for S.E.R.V.E., said earlier that the pantry could use canned fruit and breakfast food, which run out fast, as well as beef
stew or chili — always good foods to eat in the winter months. Along with food, S.E.R.V.E. plans to make the holidays brighter by helping the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program with gifts for young children. It’s also helping to provide Christmas gifts for teenagers and senior citizens in need, through its own projects: the Teenage Christmas Program and Santa to a Senior. S.E.R.V.E., which got its start in 1979, previously served Planning District 16, which includes Stafford, Fredericksburg, Caroline, King George and Spotsylvania. Now it focuses solely on Stafford County, along with a handful of regional residents who were grandfathered in when the service area changed. Thanksgiving and Christmastime are especially busy for S.E.R.V.E. with holiday food and gift assistance priorities. Year-round, though, the organization offers free programs, services, counseling, events and classes. For instance, financial assistance and emergency prescription assistance are available through S.E.R.V.E. Annually, it provides about $600,000
Cindy See, right, intake manager at S.E.R.V.E. in Stafford County, helps a county resident arrange for food at the nonprofit’s office. ALEKS DOLZENKO | INSIDENOVA
in assistance by way of food or finance. People in need can use S.E.R.V.E.’s food pantry once a month and that provides about a week’s worth of food. The established frequency in visits is meant to fill the gap between monthly assistance, including food stamps. Volunteers are regularly needed at S.E.R.V.E. and interested newcomers can fill out volunteer applications, available on the organization’s website. Volunteers process food donations, purchase food, conduct food drives, pack food boxes, support the staff, help at community events and serve on planning committees. Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at S.E.R.V.E., located at 15
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Upton Lane in Stafford, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Off-site food donation locations in Stafford include the Porter Library, Giant, England Run Library, Past & Present in the county’s Chatham Heights and Treasures in Ferry Farm. Monetary donations, which are taxdeductible, can be mailed to S.E.R.V.E., Inc., P.O. Box 1357, Stafford, VA 22555 or can be submitted on S.E.R.V.E.’s website through PayPal. For a list of food, toiletry and cleaning supplies regularly needed or for more information about S.E.R.V.E., visit servehelps.org or call 540-288-9603.
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V is for vineyard
T is for train VRE commute bypasses traffic jams Virginia Railway Express is the commuter rail system that connects Northern Virginia to the District of Columbia, with service runs to District of Columbia weekday mornings and back out in the afternoon. There are two lines: the Fredericksburg Line that serves Stafford County and started July 20, 1992, from Fredericksburg and the Manassas Line, which started June 22, 1992. Currently, VRE is allocated 38 daily passenger-train “slots” by railroads that own the track it operates on. Officials hope to more than double that number in coming years in order to meet expected passenger demand. FOR NEW RIDERS New passengers should obey some rules of the road when riding the train: • place your belongings under your seat or • in the overhead racks. • refrain from placing your feet, beverages or umbrellas on the seat beside you • saving or blocking seats is not permitted. • Food and non-alcoholic beverages may be consumed on trains • Smoking, e-cigarettes and vaporizers are not permitted on board
• Smoking is also limited to the first 100 feet at the north end of station platforms • Unattended baggage is considered a security risk and should be reported to the conductor. • VRE is not responsible for lost items or lost tickets. • Cell phones are permitted on trains, but keep conversations to a minimum. • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult and must be seated while the train is moving • Trains, stations and communication systems operated by VRE are designed to be accessible to persons with disabilities. TTYs have been installed at the majority of stations Every train has a quiet car that is the closest to the engine. While the car is not completely silent, its passengers must refrain from talking on phones, keep sounds from cell phones, laptops and other electronics turned off, and speak only in short whispers. Seating is available on a firstcome, first-served basis. The stations in Stafford County are at 1721 Brooke Road and at 275 Leeland Road, Falmouth.
U is for Union Church Falmouth church served three denominations The first structure on this site, built in 1733, was known as the “Falmouth Anglican Church.” The site on Carter Street in Falmouth included a “church and church yard” or cemetery, the Stafford Museum notes. From l755 to 1760, a second church was built, but it burned in 1818 and was rebuilt in 1819 using portions of the same brick foundation. The current building was known to be standing in 1824, according to the Stafford Museum. It derived its name, “Union Church,” as various denominations, including Episcopalians, Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists used it on a rotational basis. Since there were very few Episcopalians in Falmouth, the latter three denominations mainly used the church. Even though the un-
derstanding was to rotate Sundays, it was not uncommon to have three services following on the same Sunday. The church was a community gathering place. Abolitionist Moncure Daniel Conway preached there at least once. Anthony Burns, nationally known as the “Fugitive Slave,” was a member of its Baptist congregation. During the Civil War, the Union Church served as a military hospital. It served as a billet for the Union troops, especially the 7th Michigan Infantry Regiment. In 1935, the doors of the church were closed and the church abandoned. A rainstorm in 1950 collapsed the roof leaving only its facade and narthex which stand today.
The Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery produces select vintages on the locally owned estate. POTOMAC POINT PHOTO
Potomac Point Vineyard hidden in North Stafford Potomac Point Winery, on Decatur Road in North Stafford, has been a wine-making operation for the past 10 years. The vineyard is on rolling hills of sandy loam soil, making the location perfect for their estate varietals: Viognier, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Petit Manseng, in addition to sparkling wines. The vinyard, owned by Widewater residents Skip and Cindi Causey, is home to a large tasting room, a cafe, an event space and a pavilion, according to Chelsea Sparaco, the sales and marketing manager. The head winemaker is David Pagan Castaño, a third generation winemaker from Yecla, Spain. His experience in Cotes-du-Rhone, France; Mallorca, Spain; Sonoma, California; Marlborough, New Zealand; and most recently Loudoun County, has helped shape his wine making style and vineyard expertise, Sparaco said. Throughout his career, Castaño has worked with over 40 different grape varieties and over the past five years he has won more than a dozen gold and platinum international awards for his wines. For those visitors who want to taste before buying the bottle, Potomac Point offers two types of wine tastings. With a tasting ticket in hand to keep score of which wines are more tasteful visitors stroll to the tasting bar. The
classic tasting package includes samples of six to eight wines. The premium package includes samples of eight to 11 wines, based on availability: Chardonnay, Viognier, Norton, Merlot, Custom Red, Cabernet Franc, Richland Reserve Heritage, Vino Camino, La Belle Vie Rose, Custom White, La Belle Vie and Vin De Paille. There also is the olive oil tasting bar. The winery also is home to Le Grand Cru Bistro, which offers lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, Wednesday through Sunday, outdoors or inside. Those favoring a picnic on the grass in the vineyard can bring the food and even non-alcohol drinks, buy a bottle and enjoy the atmosphere. While most Fridays and Sundays feature special events, ranging from Friday night music to Sunday brunches, there is the 11th annual Harvest Fest on Sept. 30. It’s a family friendly wine festival in which you receive tastings from Potomac Point Winery and guest wineries included in your admission price. Doors open at 11 a.m., with grape stomping, live music, shopping vendors and kid’s activities until 5 p.m. Other activities during the year include Mother’s Day and Easter Brunches, the Annual New Year’s Eve Party, and Sweet chocolate and wine tasting for Valentine’s Day
W is for widewater Widewater Park is a long time in developing Widewater State Park is situated on a nearly 1,100-acre peninsula in northeast Stafford County at Aquia Creek and the Potomac River. The state bought the property in 2006, with an adopted plan set in 2008
14 | North Stafford from A to Z | INSIDENOVA.COM | September 2017
to develop the 1,100-acre site. Park development includes several phases. The first phase would include road work, boat launches, campsites, picnic areas, WIDEWATER | PAGE 15
X is for X-games
Y is for Young Marines
World-class skateboarder Area organization focuses on character building keeps a low key
LIAM GRIFFIN For InsideNoVa
The world of action sports is cutthroat. The miniscule chance of making a career out of a competition like skateboarding is enough to deter many would-be professionals from pursuing the sport as a profession. For Ben Hatchell, nothing deterred him from making his dream a reality. A Manassas native, Hatchell found relevance after several successful performances at the X-Games: the pinnacle of action sports. Contrary to the many stereotypes that accompany athletes who find success, Hatchell has kept the Northern Virginia area in his mind. Initially, Hatchell found success at X-Games 2007 after placing first among amateurs in the skateboard vert competition. It was his first time competing in the X-Games, and he set a high standard for himself. Unfortunately, he’s been unable to win another gold medal, but he has been a regular contender and won four medals over his last eight X-Games appearances. Outside of the X-Games, the Manassas native has stayed busy. He took home the first-place trophy at the Van Doren Invitational at Huntington Beach in 2015, ahead of six-time gold medalist Pedro Barros. On social media, Hatchell’s abilities and personality have earned him a sizable following. On YouTube, his videos have more than 600,000 views. A noted supporter of the power of social media, Hatchell’s smooth street skating brings in a variety of viewers, from dedicated fans to curious members of the public. His Instagram account, which consistently features pictures and videos from wherever Hatchell finds himself, has almost 32,000 followers. Often his posts feature footage and photos from his day at the skate park. Sometimes these posts are autobiographical, feature selfies or footage of himself, but sometimes Hatchell uses his platform to show off a skater or scene that impressed him. His social media presence is as understated as he is, with an Instagram description that simply reads, “Keep it hood.” Professionally, Hatchell has accrued a plethora of sponsors, from the easily rec-
ognizable Monster Energy, to the more niche skateboarding sponsors like Bones and Indy. For those looking to make a name for themselves, the acquisition of big name sponsors can help make one’s career. Communicating with the man, you wouldn’t understand his success. He’s the definition of low-key. He isn’t boastful, or proud; he’s laid-back and easy-going. If you ask about his medals, or his successes, he’ll tell you, but his modesty is impressive. As a Northern Virginia native, Hatchell has fond memories of the Vans Skatepark that was in the Potomac Mills mall, and he can be seen on YouTube skating at Veterans Park in Woodbridge. After competing in events all over the world, from Los Angeles, to Barcelona, to Munich, one might think his perspective on life has changed. Still, on his Powell-Peralta profile, Ben Hatchell lists Manassas, Virginia as his favorite travel destination. Of all the places he’s been, his hometown in Northern Virginia is still a key location for him. For many, dreams are just that, dreams. The occupation that we fantasize about as children rarely comes to fruition. The chance of turning one’s passion into a viable career is slim, and guidance counselors all over the world will repeat the same thing. Everyone should have a realistic occupation in mind, an achievable goal. For Ben Hatchell, an X-Games gold medal was an achievable goal. A skater for over 15 years, the hard work and dedication of that time has allowed him the opportunity to be successful. To call him lucky would be unfair; luck isn’t a part of it. The 27-year-old’s determination led to his success; and his success is an inspiration. Anyone who has ever been told that they would be unable to pursue their dream can look to Hatchell. He saw the largest skatepark in the area close when he was 14; in the end, he was still able to become an elite skater. The world of action sports is competitive, but that hasn’t slowed him down and his success has taken him across the globe.
WIDEWATER | FROM PAGE 14
restrooms, a 1-mile trail and a fishing pier. The park will provide public access to both bodies of water once facilities are built. In 2016 the Virginia General Assembly agreed to a bond bill that gives the go-ahead for the first phase of construction. The approval jumpstarted the park’s development; however, it stopped short of fully developing the park — for now. According to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, phase one will cost about $11.5 million and the first phase of construction will take about 18 months. “The park received another $4 million to
Sheryl Murray of Stafford County was named to the board of directors of the Young Marines, a national youth organization. She brings executive level leadership and management experience gained during her more than 40 years of service to the Marine Corps and the country, according to the board. “Sheryl brings proven leadership and an understanding of the importance of youth programs,” said William L. Smith, chair of the board of directors of the Young Marines. Since the Young Marines’ beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 280 units with 9,600 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Germany, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries The Young Marines teaches the importance of self-confidence, academic achievement, honoring our veterans,
good citizenship, community service and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building and leadership and promotes a lifestyle that is conducive to being productive members of society. However, the Young Marines is not a program for youths with serious disciplinary problems, substance abuse issues or lengthy histories in juvenile court. The mission of the Young Marines is to positively impact America’s future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls that nurtures and develops its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The organization moved to its new headquarters in May to Dumfries.
Z is for Zoning Zoning is what can turn farms into developments The Stafford County Planning and Zoning Department provides guidance to the Board of Supervisors and appointed Boards and Commissions in developing the vision of Stafford County, according to the county website. This guidance ensures future orderly development and economic growth that is reflective of the community’s desires and needs. Usually zoning is meant to keep together alike uses of land and to maintain the homogenous character of an area. Often it is used to prevent devel-
add to the original $7.5 million funding,” said Stafford County Supervisor Jack Cavalier, RGriffis-Widewater, last year. “That should be enough to complete phase one, which includes public access to the river in the form of a boat launch and fishing pier, as well as other items.” In all, it will cost $43 million to develop the area at Widewater State Park. Neighbors to the property over time have indicated concerns about the park’s potential development, including impacts on wildlife, increased traffic to and from the area and environmental worries. Widewater State Park is located on Brent Point Road in North Stafford. For more, visit dcr.virginia.gov.
opment on private property. Land that is zoned A-1 for agricultural use, cannot be used for a cluster of townhomes without a rezoning from the governing body. And that is where the planning and zoning panel comes in. It reviews the landowners proposed use for the property and makes recommendations to the board of supervisors whether the proposed use meets with the county plan. However, some land use can be changed by right of the owner and needs no rezoning.
Information plaques mark the entrance to Widewater State Park.
FILE PHOTO
September 2017 | INSIDENOVA.COM | North Stafford from A to Z | 15
Stafford Hospital
Trustworthy care, from the neighbors you know. In the heart of Stafford County, we continue to expand services to meet the needs of our growing community. Along with the quality you expect from Mary Washington Healthcare, you’ll also find soothing amenities, easy access to the services you need, and a patient-first experience. For more information about our services, please call Health Link at 540.741.1404.
Stafford.mwhc.com
16 | North Stafford from A to Z | INSIDENOVA.COM | September 2017