Explore more paths at Long Park
Meet Bristow’s young all-sports ‘All Star’ Battlefield grad soars with NFL Gainesville man wordsmiths NYT’s crosswords
Robotic-Assisted Surgery in Our Community
Robotic-assisted surgery changes the surgical experience for both doctors and patients, improving precision and shortening recovery times. The da Vinci Surgical System is directly controlled by our trained surgeons, allowing them to perform your procedure with smaller incisions and better visualization. With this robotic platform, Fauquier Health is proud to offer minimally invasive surgical care in our community.
Benefits for the Surgeon:
•10x magnification in 3D allows a clear, close view
•Greater dexterity
• Precise micro-movements enhance surgical maneuvers
Benefits for the Patient May Include:
•Smaller incisions can mean less pain
•Faster recovery time
•Shorter hospital stay
•Reduced risk of infection
Robotic Procedures Currently Available at Fauquier Health*
General Surgery:
• Abdominal wall or ventral hernia
•Inguinal hernia
•Paraesophageal or hiatal hernia repair
•Colon resection
•Gallbladder
Gynecology:
•Hysterectomy
•Ovary removal
•Endometriosis, chronic pain and fibroids
Urology:
• Prostatectomy (prostate cancer and enlarged prostate)
•Mass and tumor removal
•Nephrectomy (kidney tumors and cancer)
•Adrenalectomy (adrenal masses and cancer)
•Pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction repair
• Ureteral reimplantation (ureteral stricture and obstruction)
•Radical cystectomy for bladder cancer treatment
*Not all conditions or patients qualify for robotic-assisted surgery
Nchang Azefor, MD General Surgery
Nathaniel Saint-Preux, MD General Surgery
Victoria McDonald, MD OB/GYN
Olga Mazur, MD General Surgery
G.Benjamin Wampler, MD General Surgery
Mohamad Salkini, MD, FACS Urology
EDITOR’S NOTE
The Sports & Leisure issue
Hello everyone, and happy spring. April is a wonderful month for getting outdoors and getting active, and so I am happy to present our Sports & Leisure issue. The issue was somewhat of a happy accident based on a convergence of stories, but it worked out beautifully.
Not only do we have a theme of sports and leisure, but the articles profile people who through talent, courage and determination have excelled in their specialty. Yet they went beyond achieving for their own sake, but also gave back to their community. In doing so, they have improved our community. Isn’t that the hero’s journey?
The story of trails at Long Park is the story of a group of mountain biking enthusiasts who wanted to improve local trails. It required time, money, engineering and manpower but they drew upon their pioneering spirit and blazed not one trail, but several.
Next is the story of Jeremy Pierce, a superb young athlete who found he excelled at every sport he tried. What did he do with that talent? Not only did he push himself to compete at a national level, but also he continued to play with his home teams, sharing his skills and knowledge with his teammates.
Then there is the story of Battlefield graduate Christian Parker, who went on to coach the Eagles to their Super Bowl victory, told from the perspective of those who knew him then, and how he always coached his brothers and teammates.
The fourth story is about a Gainesville man who likes to create crossword puzzles and went on to share those puzzles with the world via publication in The New York Times. This month he took the time to create a unique puzzle just for our readers!
Last, but certainly not least, we have a Q&A with Sweet Julia Grace Foundation’s co-founder Sara Knight, about the foundation’s sixth annual Adult Field Day. As
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many of you may know, the Knights channeled grief over their daughter’s passing into a foundation that has gone on to help hundreds of families in similar circumstances. Their field day fundraiser has proven to be a beloved community event.
Remember, sometimes it’s not how far you go, but how much you can give back. I hope you enjoy the issue.
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Every woman is unique. Our OB/GYNs offer a wide range of services to meet your needs, from gynecologic surgery and hormone replacement therapy for managing menopause to the full scope of obstetrics care including prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum care. With access to some of the region’s top specialists, you will receive the compassionate, personalized care you deserve.
Call our office to schedule an appointment, or scan the QR code to book online.
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On STEM… and Stems
The beautiful and beneficial intersection of STEM, creativity, and the natural world.
TUTT STAPP-MCKIERNAN
STEM, the now-familiar acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, is everywhere in both elementary and secondary education today. Quite aside from STEM’s appropriateness as preparation for many modern workplace environments, the benefits to students of STEM learning itself are well documented: with its emphasis on student-driven questioning and hands-on exploring, designing, building, and discovery, STEM has been shown to build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, nurture creativity, and establish a love of learning. Not bad!
As in every facet of education, though, whether or not STEM learning actually yields these potential benefits for students lies in the hands of those who deliver it to them: the teachers who can make it come alive, or not.
At Wakefield School in The Plains, veteran kindergarten teachers Michelle Redabaugh and Tiffany Navin mine that most precious of all educational resources–curiosity–to ensure that their students get swept up on a daily basis by the mystery, the excitement, the creativity, and the pure fun of inquiry-based learning and investigation–which of course are the underpinnings of all things STEM.
“People think STEM is just building things,” says Mrs. Navin, referring to the ubiquitous growth of “Maker-Spaces” as part of STEM opportunities in schools. “But what they don’t realize is that STEM is everywhere! We incorporate STEM into everything we do, all day long.” To Mrs. Navin, it’s science, and math, and observation, as the name implies—but it’s also being out in nature and exploring, really exploring, and knowing how to explore. It’s art. It’s creativity. It’s curiosity. It’s everything.
According to Mrs. Redabaugh, their kindergarten team’s commitment to STEM has its roots in Wakefield’s emphasis on inquiry-based learning—and combined with a teacher’s willingness to take an interdisciplinary approach to teaching material, students can be engaged with STEM -style discovery and self-directed learning without even knowing it.
Following the students’ curiosity this year, for example, involved Mrs. Redabaugh in a period of looking for ways to make all of her kindergarten classwork tie in to… DRAGONS! “We researched dragons, we read stories about dragons, sang songs about dragons, drew dragons, we did dragon puzzles, they worked with manipulatives to build dragons. We learned the Dragon Dance that’s used at Chinese New Year. It went in a lot of different directions!”
Mrs. Navin agrees. “We have the flexibility to drop everything and follow students’ leads if we want to, and it’s wonderful,” she says. “If a student asks, ‘Why are all these ladybugs flying around the classroom?’, I can say, ‘Well, let’s try and find out!’”
“Children all need to be sparked and to be recognized as being creative. Sometimes people think that is only through art, and it’s not–there’s so much more!”
—Tiffany Navin
And then they’re off, onto a new and totally unplanned direction, using inquiry to take a student’s curiosity seriously and get organized to find an answer. Such nimble responses require nimble, creative teachers who are committed to student-centered, love-of-learning classrooms, and who understand that STEM is, at its core, a way of thinking.
Mrs. Redabaugh and Mrs. Navin agree that Wakefield’s beautiful campus, and especially the school’s emphasis on using it and moving as much instruction outdoors as possible, play right into their efforts to incorporate STEM into their kindergarteners’ everyday experiences. The inspiring Outdoor Classroom, located among towering trees and just adjacent to the woods, is an important part of the kindergarten curriculum.
“They are so happy and content in the Outdoor Classroom!” says Mrs. Redabaugh.
“They improve their social skills by cooperating in group activities that are student-led. They are able to take more risks when they are in the Outdoor Classroom. They learn about environmental stewardship and how to take care of the natural world, and it improves their academic performance because everything, everything, is hands-on. When they are learning one-to-one correspondence for counting, we give each of them a little brown bag and we tell them to collect exactly ten acorns! And before they can explore and play, they have to count them out for us.”
“And I think it makes such a difference for them to have unstructured play,” Mrs. Navin adds. “They need it, just to get their hands in, and touching things, and exploring. They have the path now that goes all the way out into the woods, so they can really explore. And they all keep boots and a raincoat here at school–they need to be able to get outside, even if it is a little muddy!”
And there’s that fundamental connection again, between STEM thinking and a mindset of exploration and discovery. “I remember reading,” says Mrs. Navin, “that STEM happens naturally as children explore and investigate the world around them!”
It’s Festival Season!
Enjoying the weekend need not always be an extreme sport. Enjoy an outdoor fair, indulge your creativity or discover a whimsical way to melt the week away.
Fairs, Food & Festivals
Embark on the ultimate foodie adventure with over 30 vendors serving up Thai, Mexican, Indian, Persian and more. Enjoy live music and a Kid’s Zone. It’s Manassas’ International Food Festival 2025, Sunday, April 13 and Sunday, May 11. 9101 Prince William St., Manassas.
Ben Lomond’s history spans centuries, from the Civil War to today. Experience it through interactive talks, games, animals and more; it’s Ben Lomond Day, Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m. at Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas.
Set on the beautiful lawn of the Manassas Museum, the Manassas Art Show & Craft Spring Fair, Saturday, May 3. This is a charming outdoor event perfect for finding one-of-akind gifts. 9101 Prince William Street.
The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival returns Saturday, May 3, with pleasure true Southerners live by – Beer, Bourbon, Barbecue, Boots, Biscuits and Bluegrass. Tickets start at $45. Manassas Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas.
For an up-to-date list of events around the region, visit InsideNoVa.com/calendar
Creativity, Clues & Cosplay
Open Flow Friday puts a twist on open mic night by encouraging ALL types of creatives to participate, present or perform. It’s free to participate or attend, April 18 at 7 p.m. at the ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas.
Challenge your children to find Peter Rabbit’s eggs, piece together the clues and solve his puzzle. It’s an egg hunt for curious children, Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow.
Join the ARTfactory for its second annual fandom and artist convention. Super Con features a cosplay contest, panels, gaming, exhibitors, artist alley, food and Super Party, April 26 and 27 at the ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas.
Workshops, Wellness & Woo
What happens when you mix nature, yoga and cute goats? Hopefully, you find serenity. It’s Goat Yoga, Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. at Hope & Serenity Farm, 10445 Manely Road, Nokesville.
Vibrational sound therapy can restore balance. Try a transformative Tuning Fork Healing workshop. Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m., at The Lotus and The Light Metaphysical Center, 9256 Mosby Street, STE 101, Manassas
Discover Mindfulness through horses. These incredible animals reflect our energy and emotions, offering profound insights into ourselves. Equine Connection’s Horse Wellness Workshop, Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m, 14420 Owls Nest Road, Nokesville.
Celebrate Mom with a special evening of flowers, wine and creativity. It’s the Mother's Day Flower Workshop at Aroma II’s Tasting Room, Thursday, May 1, 7 p.m. Aroma II, 14871 Washington St., Haymarket.
Live Music & Libations
See the HIJYNX perform live at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge, Saturday, April 26, 5 p.m. Ages 16+ only. 15850 Sunshine Ridge Lane, Gainesville.
Visit The Winery at La Grange, Saturday, April 19 and/or May 4 to see Janna and Rob perform live. 9470 Antioch Road, Haymarket.
amazingkids
ALL-STAR ENERGY
This elite youth lacrosse midfielder and multi-sport athlete is always on the move
BY STACY SHAW
There’s a scene in “Forrest Gump” when Forrest gets his leg braces off, and the narrator says, “From that day on, if I was ever going somewhere, I was running.”
The quote could as easily apply to soonto-be 13-year-old Jeremy Pierce of Bristow, a seventh-grader at Gainesville Middle School, national caliber youth lacrosse player and multi-sport athlete.
Jeremy’s parents, Leon and Cheryl, saw he was full of energy and loved to run. When he turned 5, they enrolled him in flag football, and Jeremy got his first taste of competition.
“The feeling of getting touchdowns and intersections, it brought joy to me, and made me feel good,” Jeremy said.
After practice other kids grabbed their water bottles and headed to their parents’ cars, but Jeremy ran over to the playground to play tag or do pull-ups on the jungle gym.
“He had so much energy,” Leon said. “I would sit there and let him play.”
Back at home, Jeremy would round up the neighborhood kids for a game of touch football, often playing until sunset. The Pierces thought Jeremy might make a good lacrosse midfielder.
“We thought, what can we do to wear him down to satisfy him? Football was only scratching the surface of his energy,” Leon said.
In 2019, Jeremy earned the spot as midfielder on Gainesville’s Brigade’s youth lacrosse A team, composed of its most skilled players. He was one of the youngest boys, but he earned the older boys’ respect, and they called him “Scrappy.”
Jeremy said he “fell in love” with lacrosse that year. “I love lacrosse because it challenges me the most, and I love to be competitive.”
Jamie Delco, the boys commissioner for
Brigade Youth Lacrosse, who coached Jeremy, noticed he played with heart.
“[What makes] Jeremy such a special player isn’t just his talent,” Delco said. “Jeremy gives 100% effort every time. He pushes himself to be better, and in doing so, he naturally raises the intensity of the entire team.”
BIGDREAMS
In 2021, Jeremy wanted to play on a higher level travel lacrosse team and set his sights on the Hammers, which practice in Leesburg. To prepare for tryouts, he attended a lacrosse camp at George Mason University in Fairfax.
There he met Jack Posey, a star Penn State lacrosse player who now plays professional lacrosse. Rather than idolizing Posey, Jeremy made him a true role model and decided to apply himself the same way Posey had.
“I set a new goal to play Division I lacrosse, and to get good grades,” Jeremy said.
Since then, Jeremy has set aside two hours of study time each day.
And Jeremy not only met his goal of playing for the Hammers team in the fall of 2021, but also earned the starting position of midfielder.
Leon didn’t mind taking Jeremy to practices and games.
“One of my biggest joys is to help him play lacrosse. For me, it’s therapeutic. I look forward to it, like going to see a good movie,” Leon said. “He’s such an entertaining player and fun to watch.”
RISINGSTAR
In 2022 Jeremy tried out for the Madlax Capital Allstars Club lacrosse, which has more wins than any elite club lacrosse program in Virginia and most programs in the country.
He made the cut, and after just one season, his contributions caught the eye of head
coach Reece Belcher, who invited Jeremy to play with Madlax’s Supreme Nationals.
Jeremy is now playing at the highest level of youth lacrosse nationally and is the fastest on his Boys age 12-13 team.
He helped to propel the Supreme Nationals to fourth in the nation out of 300 teams, said Harrison Holak, national program director for the Madlax teams.
“Our program recognizes Jeremy as one of the best and most promising young lacrosse players in the nation,” Holak added. “He leads both teams in ground balls and forced turnovers that have led to many championships for us.”
The program also recognized Jeremy for his outstanding character, awarding him its CASE (Character, Attitude, Success, Effort) award in 2023.
Delco was not surprised. “His willingness to offer support and encouragement reflects not only his impressive abilities but also his humility and dedication to helping others succeed.”
That year, Jeremy also met Dante Trader
Jr., a University of Maryland Division I lacrosse and football player. Trader taught Jeremy footwork techniques specific to a defensive midfielder.
“Dante has been like Jeremy’s big brother ever since,” Leon said.
Those moves helped Jeremy and his Supremes Nationals team reach the Club Lacrosse National tournament semifinals in Orlando, Fla., in December. The team finished third.
HOMETOWNHERO
But even as his lacrosse career was excelling, Jeremy continued to play with Brigade in Gainesville, taking on a leadership role. Jeremy explained that some people think leadership means being bossy, but he sees it as being of assistance.
“I enjoy teaching people and helping people. If you need help, I’m going to help you,” he said.
And Jeremy led his U12 Brigade team to the Northern Virginia Lacrosse League championships in 2023.
“Despite having access to some of the nation’s top coaches and the opportunity to train with elite players of the highest caliber, he continues to show unwavering commitment to our local recreation league,” Delco said. “His dedication doesn’t go unnoticed— his teammates see it, and they respond by pushing themselves harder, too.”
Jeremy also helps to raise thousands of dollars for U.S. military veterans
Gainesville Middle School honor student Jeremy Pierce juggles many activities, including playing lacrosse for the Gainesville Brigade and Madlax’s elite regional and national teams and football with the Gainesville Grizzlies and running with the Virginia Pride track team. Lower right: Jeremy leads the pack on behalf of Virginia Pride in a recent race.
Clockwise from top: Jeremy Pierce makes a jump shot for his Gainesville Basketball Association All Stars Boys team; Jeremy tutors at the Mathnasium in Bristow; Jeremy with his mentor, Dante Trader Jr., a Division I athlete in lacrosse and football and NFL prospect.
each year by participating in Virginia’s Shoot-out for Soldiers charity tournament in which lacrosse teams of all ages and genders across the state participate.
Due to Brigade’s heavy involvement, the event is held in the Gainesville area, and scores of Jeremy's classmates, relatives, teachers, neighbors and teammates from various sports have come out to see him compete.
ALLSTAR
While Jeremy plays lacrosse year-round, he remains active in a number of other sports.
At age 9, Jeremy earned a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. When he left martial arts, so as not to injure his hands, he replaced it with running with Virginia Pride, an elite track and field travel team that competes nationally.
The team practices at Gainesville High School in the evenings. Jeremy runs the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races.
“He was born and blessed with superior speed, but you can’t do anything with that unless you are going to be dedicated,” Leon said. “He has a natural desire to push himself. I don’t have to tell him to do better, he does that on his own.”
Last fall, Jeremy played tackle football for the first time, with the Gainesville Grizzlies. He played wide receiver and defensive back, and helped his team win the Northern Virginia Championship.
Jeremy also played on Gainesville Basketball Association’s All-Star team for the third season in a row.
Join Us for Easter at Join Us for Easter at Grace Episcopal Church Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains, VA in The Plains, VA
Holy Week Holy Week
April 13th - Palm Sunday One Ser vice Only at 10:30am with the Rt. Rev. James “Bud” Shand followed by a reception in the parish hall
April 15th - Performance by The Piedmont Singers at 7pm
April 17th - Maundy Thursday Ser vice at 7pm
April 18th Good Friday: 12pm Good Friday Liturg y Ser vice 5:30pm Stations of the Cross with Grace Montessori School 7pm The Seven Last Words of Christ Performed by Labrador Entertainment
Easter Sunday Easter Sunday
9am Ser vice with Festival Brass 10am Egg Hunt on the Parish Green 11am Choir and Festival Brass followed by Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall
540-253-5177
local hero
Brotherly Love
Battlefield grad helps coach Eagles to big win
BY DAVID FAWCETT
Corey Parker remembers the first time he realized his older brother, Christian, had a knack for coaching.
It was during offseason workouts at Long Park in Haymarket when Corey and his other brother, Collin, were in middle school.
Sometimes Corey and Collin went willingly with Christian, then a standout football player at Battlefield High School. Other times, Christian dragged them there.
The training sessions lasted four hours, but they felt like all day. Over and over, Corey and Collin performed different drills under Christian’s watchful and sometimes critical eye. Then they’d do it again until Christian was satisfied.
It wasn’t always easy for Corey to see it at the time, but Christian pushed him and Collin so they could fulfill their potential.
Christian accomplished his objective. Corey, like Collin, became a second-team
all-state defensive back at Battlefield before going on to play at William & Mary. And while natural athleticism helped Corey reach those levels, he also credits Christian’s influence – both the way he communicated and the way he led.
“He’s been the ultimate student of the game,” said Corey, who graduated from Battlefield in 2015, a year before Collin. “He knows football and he loves football.”
From college to the NFL, Christian has made a difference everywhere the 2009 Battlefield graduate has coached. And the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are the latest recipients.
In his first year as the Eagles’ defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach, the 33-year-old Christian helped Philadelphia become the NFL’s No. 1 passing defense after finishing 30th the year before in passing yards allowed. The Eagles capped off their defensive dominance
with a convincing 40-22 win over two-time defending champion Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX in February.
Christian came to Philadelphia from Denver, where he was the defensive backs coach for three seasons and served under current Eagles’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
His quick rise and success have generated interest from other NFL teams.
Before Philadelphia hired him in February 2024, Christian reportedly interviewed for the defensive coordinator positions with the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers. After the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory, the New Orleans Saints interviewed Christian for their defensive coordinator position.
The Athletic recently listed Christian on its annual NFL 50 under 40 list, highlighting up-and-coming NFL personnel expected to impact the league in the future.
“Obviously, Vic had worked with
Christian Parker worked under current Eagles’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in Denver.
KIEL LEGGERE
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Local business... the heart and the lifeline our of community. From retail stores to restaurants, entertainment and service providers, these are the organizations and people who make this county a great place to live. Our annual “Best of” competition strives to highlight local businesses as voted on by you, our readers.
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him, and he’s been as advertised,” Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni said of Christian joining the staff. “I’m really excited about Christian, and I know our defensive backs are really excited about him as well.”
Justin Simmons and Pat Surtain received All-Pro honors while Christian coached the Denver Broncos’ secondary from 2021-23. The Broncos also ranked eighth (2021), 12th (2022) and 23rd (2023) in pass defense during Christian’s three seasons.
“He’s sharp, man,” Denver Broncos’ defensive coordinator Vance Joseph told the Denver Post in January 2024. “He’s a star, He’s a great partner to work with.”
Setting the tone
Christian laid the groundwork for his two younger brothers when he arrived at Battlefield the spring of his sophomore year after the family moved from the Richmond area.
Although not the Bobcats’ best athlete during his two seasons, Christian showcased his skills in the secondary by listening to his coaches and implementing what they told him. He was the ultimate team player in helping Battlefield win the program’s first district championship in 2007, followed up with a second title his senior season.
Mark Cox, Battlefield’s head football coach then, said Christian was quiet but focused and always aware of others and his surroundings.
Cox remembered his wife, Kelly, telling him a story about witnessing this Battlefield football player go out of his way to open the door at a McDonald’s for a group of women.
Kelly knew it was a Battlefield player because it was game day and the player was wearing his jersey. But she didn’t know his
name. When Kelly asked her husband who wore No. 7, Cox knew immediately who she was talking about.
That type of respect fits Christian’s per sonality. It’s the way his parents, Cleveland and Donna, raised Christian and his two brothers.
“[Christian] deserves everything he gets,” Cox said. “He’s the kind of person you want with you and around you. He makes every one successful.”
Bobby Coleman and Greg Williams, Christian’s defensive back coaches at Battlefield, agreed.
Lacking depth sometimes, the Bobcats’ secondary needed players able to comfortably switch back and forth between cornerback and safety. The 5-foot-9 Christian was one of those players on
whom Battlefield relied to not only be in the right position but also to make sure his teammates were.
“He’s such a great kid,” said Coleman, who like the other coaches, called Christian “Richmond” in reference to where he previously lived. “You had to tell him once to do something and he got it right.”
Williams remembered how well Christian paid attention.
“Good kid, good family, no trouble whatsoever,” Williams said. “You could count on him.”
Corey and his younger brother had the same skills as Christian to play in the secondary: speed, agility and route recognition. But Christian modeled it so well that Corey and Collin wanted to play the same position.
The three brothers never played in high school together, but they did spend a brief time with each other at William & Mary in 2017. Corey and Collin were both on the football team then, while Christian was the Tribe’s cornerbacks coach for a quick spell before leaving to become a defensive analyst at Notre Dame.
“The hardest working people I know are
he and my dad,” Corey said. “I’m proud of [Christian], but the job is not finished yet.”
An early start
Even in high school, Coleman remembers Christian saying he wanted to go into coaching.
Christian walked on at the University of Richmond before securing a scholarship by his senior year. He then immediately got into coaching upon graduation, joining Latrell Scott’s staff at Virginia State as a graduate assistant.
“If you look at what Christian has done in his young career, it proves that if you go in and you do the right things and you coach and you lead, you can end up anywhere – no matter where you start,” Scott told the Colorado Springs Gazette in February 2021.
Growing up in Northern Virginia, Corey started out as a Washington Commanders fan. But his allegiance has switched.
“I’m a fan of whatever team Christian is with,” Corey said. L
David Fawcett is sports editor of InsideNoVa. He can be reached at dfawcett@insidenova.com.
(left to right) Brothers Corey Parker, Christian Parker and Collin Parker. All three played defensive back at Battlefield.
TRAIL BLAZERS
MOUNTAIN BIKING GROUP CREATES NEW PATHS AT LONG PARK
BY STACY SHAW
PHOTOS BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER
It’s an unseasonably warm day, so it’s not surprising to find a few people on the trails at James S. Long Regional Park in Greater Haymarket.
One of those people is Jenny Williams of Teller Estates in Gainesville.
We happened upon each other on a path overlooking Catharpin Creek. She is accompanied by a big dog that runs energetically toward the creek and a little one that jumps up amicably.
Most area residents know that Long Park, along Route 15, houses bustling soccer and baseball fields, but Williams is privy to one of Haymarket’s best kept secrets nestled in the park – forested multi-use trails.
“I’ve ridden horseback here, and the kids play baseball. I’ve been here a million times,” said Williams, adding that riding was memorable.
Along the periphery of the park lies a serene forest of deciduous and evergreen trees, including white-barked sycamore trees.
The trails are not marked on the kiosk, but there are several entrances from parking lots adjacent to the road, and trail heads have impressively clear markers.
Along my hike, I traversed easy, yet scenic paths. I switched to the pink path early on so as not to wet my feet crossing the creek. In the spring, I will welcome such an adventure, and I glanced longingly
Allen Wagner (left) and Chris Myer ride their bikes on trails they helped to build in Long Park.
at a sloping path, picturing myself effortlessly running or biking downhill.
Longer paths traverse deep wooded areas, open fields, rocks and underbrush and the meeting of two flowing creeks. There hikers witness breathtaking views from varying elevations.
As I stood on the Homerun trail, Tommy Dickerson of Front Royal rode passed on his mountain bike. Dickerson works nearby, but this was only his second time riding the trails, which he described as “the appropriate amount of challenging.”
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
scramble straight uphill to explore the Long Park woods via three miles of deteriorating trails, but today it is a walk in the park on scenic multi-use off-road trails.
ners, mountain or dirt bikers and equestri ans. They traverse both the northern and southern borders of the park, following the meandering Catharpin Creek. Along the way, visitors will cross the creek multiple times, offering numerous opportunities to enjoy scenic water views.
thanks to the efforts of Mid Atlantic Offroad Enthusiasts, a mountain biking group better known as “MORE” that builds trails and plans cycling excursions and events.
Between 2017-2024, MORE built four additional miles of trails at Long Park, ranging from 0.8-1.5 miles. They include Salamander (blue), Ridgetop (green), Homerun (pink) and Creekside (purple). The Roller Coast Trail (red) was built by the county park service, but some older trails that were not sustainable were abandoned.
Each trail offers a distinct experience. The pink path is appropriate for anyone on a bike. The blue is challenging for biking, but easy for hiking. The Roller Coaster trail takes riders through rocky and undulating terrain.
THANK
In March, MORE debuted the park’s newest trail, Creekside. On the southwest edge of the park, Creekside runs 1.9 miles with 350 feet of elevation. It is the most diverse and challenging for cyclists, featuring such
Lead trail planner Chris Myers, who lives in Dominion Valley, said his team designed the trails to be practical, fun and aesthetical-
For example, instead of stopping and turning at the powerline, Creekside was
Allen Wagner (left) and Chris Myer clear trails at Long Park.
extended to the end of the elevated area. “Now you can see the two creeks as they converge,” Myers said. “It’s a neat reroute that creates more appreciation for nature and better viewing.”
Today the trails are used by many, including Battlefield High School’s cross country team.
BLAZING A NEW TRAIL
Long Park would not be what it is today if it weren’t for the efforts of two trailblazers. Around 2015, Myers wandered onto overgrown trails at Long Park. A cyclist and runner, the former bicycle shop owner thought it was unfortunate the trails had fallen into such a state of disrepair.
He inquired with Prince William County’s Department of Parks and Recreation about building new trails through the woods.
County planners told him it was not in the budget, but they would approve a project if he could produce the manpower and money to build and maintain it. It also had to be well-planned, so it would drain well and not erode the land.
It is not unusual for residents and visitors to create and maintain trails, said Charlie Grymes of Prince William Trail Coalition.
“[We try to] mobilize all the expertise we can find that doesn’t come from Parks and Recreation.”
Myers had never built a trail before, but his fellow cyclists at MORE had. “I built out a full maintenance and construction plan. They gave input. [The county] agreed.” he said. MORE had the connections to bring in monetary donations and experts to evaluate the landscape and produce environmentally friendly engineering designs.
It was a creative endeavor. Myers insisted on interesting paths that would excite mountain bikers and please all travelers. He learned everything he could about trail building.
Enthusiastic members began volunteering on weekends, clearing brush, cutting down small trees and sweeping paths. By 2017, MORE had completed two trails, almost entirely through voluntary efforts.
It was then that Allen Wagner, who lives in Piedmont, joined the effort. He had been mountain biking for more than 15 years, but never realized there were trails at the park. He joined Myers as a trail liasion.
In 2019, MORE hired Ironwood Outdoors, a professional trailblazing company, to help with the construction of two additional trails. The idea was to make the trails
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Donations go directly to MORE and its trail liaisons to maintain and sustain local trails.
so well designed as to be self-sustaining.
In 2023, MORE awarded Myers and Wagner its Trail Building of the Year Award for their leadership on the Long Park project.
But Myers still saw more that could be done.
At that point, Wagner realized he had the perfect vehicle to raise money for the trails. He owns a nonprofit, Broad Run Off Road, that organizes race events that combine cross country running, paddling and mountain biking.
“I thought, why don’t I make the trails at Long Park the beneficiary of the races I’m already putting on,” Wagner said.
Wagner selected the MORE Long Park Trail Fund as the beneficiary of his “Spring Bloom Adventure” and the “Fall Foliage” Adventure Races in 2024, and through the events raised the core amount needed to secure a matching grant that MORE used to build the Creekside Trail.
James S. Long Park Trail System
About $100,000 has gone to funding the trails, most of which came directly from donations. And about 60 people have volunteered their time and manpower, according to Wagner.
Next year, paths and trails may receive a little more love as the county executive’s proposed budget recommends allocating $1
@JamesLongParkTrails
million for trail infrastructure to fund multiuse path connectors between neighborhoods and parks.
WORKING IN TANDEM
Today, Long Park trails allow mountain bikers to enjoy short rides through the forest. But in the future, it may be part of a greater network of trails as the county plans more connectivity among Haymarket-area parks.
The comprehensive plan shows a trail system called the Catharpin Greenway, intended to connect Silver Lake, Long Park and Conway Robinson along Catharpin Creek and the Bull Run. The plan would create a 20-mile loop, and all the trails through those
parks together would equal 35-plus miles.
“We already have these three parks and trails; it’s just a matter of connecting the trails,” Wagner said.
Plans also exist to extend the Catharpin Greenway to the Manassas National Battlefield via wooded areas within the PW Digital Gateway. Should they come to fruition, these connectors would create an expansive regional trail system.
Myers and Wagner envy the extensive cycling trail system they find in Fairfax County, but Prince William is beginning to recognize the value in mountain biking, as evidenced by the “massive biking network” at Locust Shade Park in Triangle. Grymes
believes the trails at Long Park are a good beginning for the western end of the county and are very well designed.
GET BACK ON THE BIKE
Myers hopes the trails foster a sense of community among outdoor enthusiasts, whether they bike, walk or ride horses. And he does recommend bicycling for most people.
Bicycling is an activity most people enjoyed in their youth, and can continue to do at almost any age; plus there is no shortage of adventure in rushing downhill or splashing across a creek.
Perhaps it is that rush that inspired so many people to donate their time, money and effort to build the trails at Long Park. As for Myers, it boils down to one sentence: “Mountain biking is a great activity.” L
Stacy Shaw is the editor of Haymarket-Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine and publisher/owner of BristowBeat.com. When not sitting in front of a computer, she enjoys getting out in nature.
James S. Long Regional Park is at 4063 James Madison Highway, Haymarket.
Play on Words
Gainesville resident creates New York Times crosswords
BY SUE BALDANI
Doing crossword puzzles is a great way to stimulate brain health, learn new words and have fun. But, do you ever wonder who creates those challenging grids?
Although many people think they’re computer generated, that’s not the case. Although computers can assist, it takes a skilled person to develop the actual puzzles.
“I've been solving crossword puzzles my whole life, but I never thought about who
made them,” said Gainesville resident John Kugelman. “I never paid attention to the names on the puzzles, the authors. I guess I just assumed they were computer-made.”
When he realized that wasn’t true, he decided to try creating one of his own. The first one was for his father, a huge crossword puzzle fan, about 10 years ago, but he didn’t actually start creating them on a regular basis until 2022.
Today, his crosswords routinely show up in the New York Times, the pinnacle of the crossword puzzle world. Even more impres-
sive, he had the most Sunday puzzles published last year. Sunday puzzles are larger and more complicated than those published on other days of the week.
“I currently have had nine published and another seven have been accepted,” he said.
A software developer by day, Kugelman has been focused on cybersecurity for 20 years and has even worked on submarine defense systems. In the evenings he enjoys hobbies that engage both hemispheres of his brain.
He has always loved putting words together, and before doing crossword puzzles, he wrote song lyrics. He also plays the guitar and a little piano. Now, in addition to his full-time career, he works on puzzles every night.
So, how do these crosswords actually come together?
“There are two different kinds of puzzles – themed and themeless. I like doing themed ones, so for me, it always starts with trying to come up with a kind of wordplay,” he said. “I then jot down a lot of examples because you usually need about half a dozen examples to make a puzzle out of them.”
He related it to telling the same joke over and over again, just in a different way.
“The last puzzle I did was taking the word ‘wheel,’ but starting it off with ‘sq,’ so, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ became ‘Squeal of Fortune.’ ‘The Great Wall of China’ turned into ‘the great squall of China.’ I then found ways to clue it.”
That, explained Kugelman, is step one. Step two is building the grid and making the words all come together. This is where computer software can help.
“It doesn't do it for you, but it helps to show you the different words that can fit in the letter patterns needed. But, even when you have the software, using it is pretty difficult. You still have to figure out where to put the black squares and where to put the answers. It doesn't just arrange it for you.”
He is always coming up with ideas, which he records in notebooks and on scraps of paper and his phone. “I have notes everywhere that you can take notes.”
Just like writers, puzzlers have their own styles. Puzzles can have very visual elements, and Kugelman recalled one in the NYT where the black squares looked like hot air balloons and the answers involved hot air balloon language.
“It was very cool, but that's not my style,” Kugelman said. “Mine are wordplay heavy. I usually start with some kind of pun or a ‘dad joke’ type of thing. My editor, Will Shortz, likes consistency and wants me to stick to what he's expecting from me.”
Shortz is the lead crossword editor at the New York Times and has been there
Gainesville resident John Kugelman has had nine crossword puzzles published in The New York Times.
6 Axe handle
10 Fifth or Broadway in New York
11 Singer Mai or Fitzgerald
12 '80s actress Phoebe playin' an angelic tune? (2 wds.)
14 Ratify, as a law
15 Top efforts
16 Sci-fi franchise with frequent Predator crossovers
18 Sounds from a rabbit den? (2 wds.)
24 Something wines do well, unlike milk
25 Dizzily spinning around
26 Element that smells like rotten egg
29 Jason Bourne's former employer: Abbr.
30 Antique store devoted entirely to president Rutherford B.? (2 wds.)
33 Cowboy's loop
34 "You're ___ trouble, mister!" (2 wds.)
37 Major time period
41 My hometown ... or, when split into three parts, a hint to the answers with circles?
43 First word of many fairy tales
44 Tough stuff in a bowl of phở beef soup
45 Friends character who insisted "We were on a break!"
46 Exhorted DOWN
1 Broadway musical Dear ___ Hansen
2 Facebook's parent company
3 Small garage size (2 wds.)
4 Procure, with "up"
5 Opposite of "naw," casually
6 Stage announcer's "Without further ado..." (2 wds.)
7 The Sound of Music mountains
8 Scurry
9 Catches some rays
10 Scary card in front of a blackjack dealer
13 Helps commit a crime
17 Words following "babe" or "up" (2 wds.)
18 Launder
19 What flows through the Río Bravo, en español
20 "You can ___ on me"
21 Cut shaving, say
22 Scary-sounding lake
23 Thin strip of wood
27 Lions and tigers, but not bears (oh my!)
28 The way words are employed
31 Just like always (2 wds.)
since the mid-1990s. “He's the guy. If there's anybody in the crossword world that’s famous, it’s him. He's also on NPR every week and does their puzzle segments.”
Shortz said The New York Times receives 150-200 puzzle submissions per week, but Kugelman’s stand out, and he’s a reliable creator. “Each of John’s crosswords for the Times is based on a simple idea that he develops consistently and creatively. His puzzles have a wonderful playfulness about them.”
For example Kugelman’s most recent puzzle for The Times included “Hoi Polloi,” “Moon Rock,” “Humble Pie,” “Seussian,” A.I. Art,” “Bilge Pump” and “Walrus Mustache.”
“That's great stuff!” Shortz said. “Also, I love John's grids, which are professionally made and full of lively vocabulary.”
To the extent there is a typical crossword puzzle creator, Kugelman seems to fit the description.
“Crossword constructors tend to have
32 Using a 33-Across, perhaps
34 Classic lab assistant's name
35 Tiny iPod model
36 Many pens and lighters
38 Word before "shoppe" on many signs
39 Clumsy oaf
40 Rooster's mate
42 Nickname that drops -art
Try your hand at Kugelman’s Haymarket-Gainesvillethemed puzzle (see page 47 for answers)
quirky, wide-ranging minds. They're interested in a little of everything. They love language. And, of course, they spell well,” Shortz said. “They come from all walks of life. The most common professions are probably musicians and computer programmers. But, really, they’re everybody.”
Kugelman has created over 50 puzzles since 2022 and some have been published in other newspapers, including local papers, through syndicates that buy and distribute content from the New York Times.
“They end up in hundreds of different newspapers,” he said. “That has been cool because … I can see them in local papers.” l
Susan Baldani writes articles about small town life, local businesses and interesting people for various publications. Her website is mywritingwall.com and she can be reached at suebaldani@yahoo.com.
Kugelman’s newest crossword for the New York Times will appear in its Sunday, April 13, issue.
John Kugelman
Kugelman lives with his two feline roommates, Ginger and Pepper.
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The Heart of a Warrior
Inspired by a chance meeting when she was in the fifth grade, Shirley Dominick’s dream was a career in the military. Years later, she did just that. During her 22 years in service, she worked in communications and led critical initiatives at the Pentagon and across Europe, retiring as a major in 2003. Wanting to do more, she then founded the nonprofit Serve Our Willing Warriors
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nonprofit
Field of Dreams
Sweet Julia Grace Foundation’s Adult Field Day supports children and families
BY STACY SHAW
PHOTOS
COURTESY OF SWEET JULIA GRACE FOUNDATION
Remember field day – the fun of being outside all day, playing silly games and sports, and having a good time with friends? On May 17, at The Farm Brewery at Broad Run in Haymarket, 70 teams will relive their elementary school glory days as participants in the Sweet Julia Grace Foundation’s sixth annual Adult Field Day.
The event is the primary fundraiser for the foundation. The nonprofit was founded in 2014 by Sarah and Jason Knight of Bristow after the loss of their 12-year-old daughter, Julia Grace.
The foundation provides assistance to area families with seriously ill or disabled children. Since its inception, the organization has helped 400 area children through its “Raindancer Programs,” which grants wishes to ill children. The organization also provides iPads and other gifts to children in hospitals, as well as personal mobility vehicles or monetary assistance to families.
The foundation’s motto is, “Life isn’t about waiting for storms to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain,” so it should be no surprise that its fundraiser is designed to be fun.
Haymarket-Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine spoke with co-founder Sara Knight, who shared some information about the fundraiser.
Where did the idea to hold an adult field day as a fundraiser come from?
“In 2018 I was trying to come up with a new concept for a fundraiser that no one else was doing and that would bring the community together. I wanted it to be an event that was unique, outside, for adults and in partnership with our friends at The Farm Brewery. We talked about a few options, but then played around with the idea of a field day like you have in elementary school but making it for adults, thus the SJGF Adult Field Day was born.”
Is holding an adult field day a new idea, or one that was trending at the time?
“There is a big one in Atlanta that the city puts on. As of right now we don’t see anyone else doing this. We hope to eventually grow this event and start having it in other parts of NOVA.”
Did you have field day as a kid, and do you remember it fondly?
“Yes I did. My favorite part was the large parachute games, which we are still trying to figure out how to incorporate.”
How does field day operate? Are all the activities team activities?
“Yes, every team works together to play in each game. Teams consist
of seven to 10 people. Every team rotates through the 10 games. The top seven finalists then compete in the final ‘King of the Field’ Championship game.”
Does one need to be athletic to participate?
“Oh no. There are people of all abilities who love to play. Of course there will be some who are ultra-competitive and there to win, but there are just as many who are there to just have fun. Our games are geared to both. The games are unique and geared toward adults of all physical abilities, we sometimes even add in some brain games.”
What are the 10 games?
“We are actively developing the games. They are new every year. Some are traditional games you played as a kid. Games range from memory games to potato sack races, water games to dizzy bat, but all with a twist. Whether you're participating or cheering from the sidelines, these games are designed to bring joy and create unforgettable memories for everyone involved. From relay races to obstacle courses, each game is crafted with fun and teamwork in mind.”
Do players compete for awards or ribbons?
WELCOME DR. LISA KELLY
“The King of the Field takes home a large trophy and bragging rights. They also get to Dennis Rustom,
Dr. Lisa Kelly graduated cum laude from Harvard University where she majored in Government and was a member of the varsity women’s crew team. She received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Georgetown University Hospital, then stayed on for an additional year to serve as Chief Resident in Pediatrics.
Dr. Kelly has been with Northern Virginia Pediatric Associates in Falls Church for almost 20 years during which time she has been recognized as a top doctor by Washingtonian Magazine. She is a Clinical Instructor of Pediatrics at Georgetown School of Medicine and has won multiple teaching awards.
Dr. Kelly and her family moved to Warrenton in 2021 and are enjoying becoming part of the Warrenton community. Dr. Kelly is a horseback rider who is a member of the Warrenton Hunt and competes in local horse shows. She, her husband, daughter, dogs and horses love living in Virginia and Dr. Kelly is looking forward to being a member of the team at Piedmont Pediatrics.
come back the following year for free and win other prizes. Top six teams get a ribbon – just like in fourth grade. Best Costume and Best Team Spirit also wins prizes. They are voted on by volunteers throughout the day.”
For someone who has never participated, what would you tell them to expect?
“Be prepared to have so much fun. [It is ] high energy! The field is full of laughter.”
How has the community responded to the event over the past several years?
“Amazing. Some teams have been back every year and are now being sponsored, others say this is their favorite day of the year. We have a high return rate. People say they are already excited about next year as soon as it ends. Volunteers come out in full support too. It takes over 150 volunteers to make this day happen.”
Were most teams composed of business associates or friends?
“Half are sponsored teams by businesses, the other half are people in the community looking to have a blast – all for a great cause.”
What about an adult field day do you think attracts and excites so many people?
“Most people just love being there with their friends and family for a day of just
simply having fun and leaving the world behind for a few hours. Teams come dressed in matching costumes with themes and team names. They get to have ‘recess’ in the middle of the day and camp out at their tent, have lunch and take a break.”
Do teams need matching uniforms?
“They don’t have to, but are encouraged to have fun and make the most of the day by dressing in costumes. Many teams have even started incorporating our SJGF logo, the yellow umbrella, into their costumes.”
How has the event grown over the years?
“The first year as soon as we blew the whistle to start the games, all we could hear was laughter. We knew we were onto something. Our first year we had eight games and sold out all 48 teams with six players each. Since then we’ve grown it to 10 games, 70 teams with 10 players each. We sell out every year, often within the first hour.”
What do you like about holding the event at Farm Brewery at Broad Run?
“They are a great friend to SJGF and our partner for this event. They provide the field and the ability for our participants to have an adult drink, and their big hearts and love for our mission to make sure it is a successful day for SJGF.”
How much money does the event bring in for your charity?
“On average, $60,000.”
Has the event helped SJGF to do more for the children and families it supports or to serve a great number of families?
“This fundraiser has had amazing ripple effects for SJGF. So many people participate in this one event that have never heard about SJGF and we find that down the road. Once they’ve participated and started following our mission and seeing how we help the kids we serve, they often think of SJGF when there is an opportunity for further partnerships.”
How do you incorporate the spirit of the Julia Grace Foundation into field day?
“The whole day is geared toward raising money and awareness and giving our community a day to be together having fun! Some games even have a sweet nod to our mission, like the game ‘Under our Umbrella’ where teams have to complete a task and then build a human pyramid, and the last person who climbs to the top has to open our signature yellow umbrella to complete the game.” L
H&G’s
TOP 10
The five highest-priced homes that sold in each of the two ZIP codes between mid-February and mid-March. Data and photos from Realtor.com.
Photos and home data from Realtor.com.
6218 CHANCELLORSVILLE DRIVE
$899,000
Sold: March 17
3 bedrooms
3 bathrooms
2,632 square feet
7805 ZEELAND PLACE
$870,000
Sold: Feb. 14
5 bedrooms
3½ bathrooms
4,644 square feet
13920 REAL QUITE COURT
$800,000
Sold: Feb. 14
3 bedrooms
3 bathrooms
2,673 square feet
6147 FERRIER COURT
$775,000
Sold: March 17
3 bedrooms
3 bathrooms
2,653 square feet
8919 SCREECH OWL COURT
$710,000
Sold: March 17 3 bedrooms 3½
2,580 square feet
The Big Picture:
The local real estate market had its second straight slow month in February, with home sales down 18% in the Haymarket and Gainesville ZIP codes combined, compared with February 2024.
More slowdowns ahead?
Pending sales also declined in both ZIP codes, and new listings were also down overall for the second straight month, according to the latest data from the Prince William Association of Realtors. The lower inventory did result in higher prices in both ZIP codes, however.
The February Details:
Closed sales:
• Up 8.7% in Gainesville to 25 units
• Down 40.7% in Haymarket to 16 units
• Combined sales totaled 41, down from 50 a year earlier
New Pending sales:
• Down 2.9% in Gainesville
• Down 41% in Haymarket
Median sales price:
• Up 2.4% to $659,000 in Gainesville
• Up 11.4% to $742,500 in Haymarket
Average days on market (homes sold in February):
• 10 in Gainesville
• 28 in Haymarket
15713 ROTHSCHILD COURT
$1,130,000
Sold: Feb. 28 5 bedrooms 4½ bathrooms 4,869 square feet
15705 ROTHSCHILD COURT
$1,100,000
Sold: March 17 5 bedrooms
4½ bathrooms 5,446 square feet
7205 HUNTER HOLLOW COURT
$975,000
Sold: March 5 5 bedrooms
3½ bathrooms 4,280 square feet
5558 LONE EAGLE COURT
$940,000
Sold: Feb. 21
3½
square feet
5049 CURRAN CREEK DRIVE
$925,000 Sold: March 7
—MELANIE KOULOURIS
Serving Fauquier and Western Prince William Counties
Keep up with all the news from around your county: SUBSCRIBE! To InsideNoVa/Prince William, $49/year, delivered weekly www.insidenova.com/subscribe VISIT! InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for daily headlines and our weekly Gainesville/Haymarket-only e-newsletter FOLLOW! InsideNoVa on Facebook and Twitter @InsideNoVa
Barnes & Noble comes to Gainesville
Barnes & Noble celebrated the opening of its Gainesville store in the Shops at Stonewall on March 19.
The store, in the space formerly occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond at 8139 Stonewall Shops Square, showcases the new Barnes & Noble store design and features books, toys, games and gifts, as well as a B&N Café.
Barnes & Noble is experiencing strong sales in its existing stores and has been opening new stores after more than 15 years of declining store numbers, the release said.
The bookseller expects to open over 60 new bookstores in 2025 across the country.
Court dates set on data center legal challenge
Alawsuit challenging the PW Digital Gateway data center project – filed by the Oak Valley Homeowners Association and 11 Gainesville-area residents – will be heard in a two-day evidentiary hearing on June 5-6.
The hearing could be moved up to May 29-30 if plaintiff availability allows.
Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Kimberly A. Irving set the dates after the plaintiffs and defense agreed on a schedule following a nearly three-hour discovery hearing in early March.
Defendants in the suit are the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and two developers involved with Digital Gateway, H&H Capital Acquisitions and GW Acquisition Co. At full buildout, the Digital Gateway would be the largest data center corridor in the world, with over 22 million square feet of data centers spread out across over 2,100 acres in western Prince William.
The 12 plaintiffs’ argument revolves around two questions: whether the timing of the county’s Digital Gateway public hearing advertisements in The Washington Post complied with Virginia statute or county ordinance for proper notice and whether materials relevant to the application were made available to the public at the time of the initial ad.
Honey farm wins state grant to help expand
SData center tax rates going up?
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has agreed to advertise an increase in the computer and peripherals tax rate on data centers from $3.70 to $4.15 per $100 of assessed value as it continues to mull the county’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget.
The county will also advertise the real estate tax at its current rate of $0.92 per $100 of assessed value, on par with last year, with the level tax rate leading to an increase of $276, or 5.6%, for the average residential tax bill due to rising property assessments.
In a series of six informal straw polls in early March, the board opted to decouple the county’s vehicles tax from the computer tax, with both falling under the personal property category. The county will advertise the vehicles tax at its current rate of $3.70.
The board is scheduled to adopt the budget on April 22. The 2026 fiscal year begins July 1.
unshine Honey Farm in Nokesville will receive a nearly $50,000 state grant to upgrade its operations. The western Prince William business operates a small upright farm stand offering meat, eggs, honey and vegetables. The grant funding, $49,450, will be used to buy a building, freezer and signage and perform related work.
Sunshine Honey Farm was among six community infrastructure projects chosen for the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund Infrastructure Grant program. Overall, $264,000 in competitively awarded matching grants were doled out, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
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