Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine May 2025 by Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine

WWII vet still youthful at 104

Haymarket club

uncovers ancestry

Gainesville filmmaker focuses on family

Happy Farm Vibes

Program helps Broad Run family grow their future

LiveLiFeHealthiest Your LiveLiFe

Compassionate. Caring. Nationally recognized.

LiveLiFeHealthiest Your LiveLiFe

Fauquier Health has earned Leapfrog’s Top General Hospital award for outstanding quality and safety—the only hospital in Virginia and one of just 36 in the nation to receive this distinction.

Compassionate. Caring. Nationally recognized.

This honor acknowledges the efforts of our caregivers to keep our patients safe. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the safest hospitals in America.

Fauquier Health has earned Leapfrog’s Top General Hospital award for outstanding quality and safety—the only hospital in Virginia and one of just 36 in the nation to receive this distinction.

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

This honor acknowledges the efforts of our caregivers to keep our patients safe. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the safest hospitals in America.

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

See all we have to offer at FauquierHealth.org

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

See all we have to offer at FauquierHealth.org

EDITOR’S NOTE

Hello Friends & Neighbors,

ith Mother’s Day at the beginning of the month and Father’s Day soon after, I wanted to use the May issue to explore family, but I also hoped to incorporate themes of springtime – as well as photos. What I bring to you includes stories of farm, family, heritage and history.

There is something special about a family farm. While we often think of them as pieces of the past, the Fauquier Education Farm is an incubator program that has planted new farms in the area, including Happy Vibes farm in Broad Run.

Brooke Obie, who grew up in Gainesville, knows about family farms. Her debut film, “Abanitu,” is a testament to that. Founded in 1905 by the daughter of an enslaved woman, Abanitu Organics remains in the family to this day.

Like Obie, Kevin Garcia of Haymarket is interested in documenting family history. To that end, he started a genealogy club that is helping local people find their familial roots. And Garcia, a U.S. Navy veteran, was fortunate to meet World War II veteran Dennis Dunlap of Gainesville for his 104th birthday. Dunlap also is featured this month.

The American Civil War is known to have divided “brother against brother,” especially in Northern Virginia. As armies clashed at Bristoe Station, they left destruction, but today nature perseveres.

I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the sunshine and celebrate moms, family and the rebirth of springtime.

– Stacy Shaw CONTRIBUTING EDITOR STACY@WHGLIFESTYLE.COM

HAYMARKET / GAINESVILLE LIFESTYLE

Celebrating Western Prince William County

The Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and distributed to over 15,000 selected addresses. While reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to any such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. While ensuring that all published information is accurate, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or omissions. Reproduction in whole or part of any of the text, illustration, or photograph is strictly forbidden. ©2025 Rappahannock Media LLC.

The Lifestyle magazines are sister publications with Northern Virginia’s Leading News Source, INSIDENOVA.COM

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Events from farmers’ markets to true crime

Walk through 100+ acres of picturesque gardens BY JACKI DYRHOLM 16

Hometown Hero 104 Years of Greatness

Gainesville WWII vet celebrates milestone BY SÉBASTIEN KRAFT

Interests & Hobbies Diversity Within Us All

Haymarket club keeps ancestry alive BY DANICA LOW

Local incubator program

Gainesville woman documents history of family farm BY KATHY SMALTZ

Estate H&G’s Top 10

Where battles were fought and nature thrives BY

The area’s highestpriced homes sold this spring 46 InsideNoVa News

ON THE COVER Swathi Gaddam (right) with her husband, Bala Thangamani, and children Manu, 14, and Chansy, 9, at their Happy Vibes Farm in Broad Run. Photo by Luke Christopher.

AMITABH 38 Arts & Culture Seeds of Family

Activities for those with excellent taste

Tastes vary, but with the return of warm weather, there are plenty of ways to spend your weekends. We have choices that range from Bach to brews. They all sound delicious.

A treat for the whole family

Nokesville Day is the afternoon of Saturday, May 17. Celebrate the annual tradition, with a community parade, along Fitzwater Drive at 11 a.m., featuring local schools, organizations and small businesses. Stay for children’s activities, moon bounces, food trucks, crafts, vendors and more.

Get global! Indulge on several Sunday afternoons in 2025 (May 11, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 28 and Nov. 16) in the ultimate foodie adventure with more than local vendors serving. It’s the city of Manassas’ International Food & Culture Festival, Manassas Museum Lawn 9101 Prince William St.

Taste the great outdoors

Lace up your trainers for Leopold’s Preserve’s “Treat It or Eat It,” Nature Walk, Sunday, May 11, at 10 a.m. Learn which flowers are not only edible but taste good, which tree provides a toothbrush and which plant is a grocery store, hardware store and pharmacy all in one. Broad Run.

Lavender Season at Seven Oaks Lavender Farm in Catlett opens Friday, May 30 Pick beautiful and fragrant lavender stems. Lavender-infused treats and refreshment are also available for purchase. Kids are sure to enjoy the farm’s bunny zoo and playhouse.

Music for varied tastes

Time to let loose and get campy. Ménage á TroisLive Music Drag Cabaret returns to the ARTfactory in Manassas, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. Laugh along with hilarious musical parodies, mashups and original songs as performed by two talented drag divas and one uber-handsome pianist.

Watch the timeless tale come to life in a classic ballet, “Sleeping Beauty,” performed by the Manassas Ballet, May 9-11 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. See all the fairy tale elements on stage and hear a beautiful score by Tchaikovsky.

Commemorate Armed Forces Day with a patriotic musical tribute performed by the American Festival Pops Orchestra, May 16- 17 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. The performance is led by Peter Wilson, a former senior enlisted music advisor to The White House, and Marine violinist of 30 years. Tickets available. Free for veterans at the box office.

Concert season returns to Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow. See Breaking Benjamin with Staind, the evening of Wednesday, May 21.

Local sourced, internationally inspired

Haymarket Farmers Market opened on April 27 and will continue every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 15000 Washington St. until late November. Buy fresh locally grown produce, freshly baked treats and artisan-created decor and fashion items, and more, from local vendors.

Go with a winner! The City of Manassas Saturday Farmers Market has been voted as one of the best in the area with 100+ vendors. Shoppers can choose fresh produce, flowers, foods, and a variety of local goods from April 12-Nov. 22. Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Prince William Street Commuter Lot.

Strange Pairings

May the 4th be with you for May the Fourth Ornery Beer Company’s Crawfish Boil, at 1 p.m., featuring The Zydeco Jedi. Listen to live music while eating “mudbugs” and drinking cold brews. All you can eat is $59; get your tickets in advance.

Old Bust Head Spring Market, at Old Bust Head brewery and taproom in Vint Hill, is Saturday, May 10, from noon to 5 p.m. Shop 40+ vendors and artisans. Enjoy drafts, music, food trucks, a new beer release and live music by the Rusty Seesaws after 4 p.m., plus adorable baby goats.

Murder goes down easier with a glass of Chianti, or so they say. If you are hooked on true crime, attend True Crime and Wine at the Winery at La Grange, in Haymarket, Saturday, May 17, at 6 p.m. Listen as veteran police officer John Matthews provides a firsthand account of his capture of Dallas’ notorious serial murderer – the Eyeball Killer

Kick off Memorial Day weekend sipping Virginia’s finest wines on the shore of Lake Manassas. Attend the Virginia’s Women’s Winery Showcase at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, in Gainesville, Friday, May 24, noon to 8 p.m. Taste wonderful wines from wineries across the state and meet Virginia’s talented women winemakers.

Stronger starts here.

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To view all of our Northern Virginia area orthopedic physicians and their specialties, scan the QR code or visit orthovirginia.com/physicians

To schedule an appointment, visit us online orthovirginia.com | or call 703.277.BONE (2663)

Fun in the Sun:

A Summer of Discovery at Wakefield School

BY GRAYSON BANNING, MICHELE DUDLEY, AND ELISE SCALISE

The end of the school year doesn't mean the end of learning—or fun—at Wakefield School in The Plains. Each summer, Wakefield transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity and adventure, offering a wide range of thoughtfully curated summer camp experiences.

Designed by dedicated teachers and the Auxiliary Department, Wakefield’s summer camps combine hands-on exploration, creativity, and play. “Each summer we create new camps to pair with long-time favorites for a dynamic and engaging experience,” said Carolyn Findler, former Summer Camp Director and current Science & STEM Integration teacher.

While the camps are exciting for children, they’re also designed with families in mind. “Our goal is to provide as much childcare as possible for parents who need extra support—especially those with children in Junior Kindergarten through 1st grade,” Findler explained. Of course, safety is always top priority. “We hold our counselors to a high standard of conduct. All are background checked and genuinely great with kids.”

Katie Vanderveldt, Wakefield’s current Auxiliary Program Manager, reflected on the strength of the team: “Last year, we had more people than ever, and this summer’s team is amazing. Plus, we have a really great group of kids.” The positive atmosphere is infectious, thanks to passionate counselors who bring energy and joy to each day. Their love for working with kids is evident: “The fact that we get paid for this is crazy,” laughed counselor Abigail St. John. “I love getting to know all the different personalities. Every day is new.”

It’s not just the campers who grow—staff members develop, too. “I’ve definitely learned patience and how to find my voice,” said St. John. For many children, Wakefield summer camps become a highlight of their

Wakefield’s small, connected community gives its camps a special edge. With a 12:1 camper-to-counselor ratio and educators who bring engaging lesson plans to life, every child receives thoughtful attention.

“That sense of community really shines through.”

—Katie Vanderveldt

year. “Kids are genuinely excited to come to school in the summer because of these programs,” Vanderveldt shared.

Beyond the activities, the camps help new and prospective families feel at home in the Wakefield community. “We’re often the first glimpse into how the school operates,” said Vanderveldt. “Summer camps let new students meet classmates and get comfortable before fall.”

Planning for the future is always part of the process. As soon as one summer ends, brainstorming begins for the next. “By the end of last summer, we already knew we’d be offering a Little Farmers Camp this year,”

Vanderveldt said. Feedback from campers and counselors helps shape future offerings. “I like to check in throughout the year and ask different age groups what they’d like to see—you’ve got to know your audience.”

With 63 rural acres to explore, Wakefield’s campus offers the perfect backdrop for discovery, featuring diverse ecosystems, a pond, an outdoor classroom, butterfly gardens, and more. These natural elements provide ideal settings for hands-on learning, from bug-catching to nature walks. Camps like the upcoming Little Farmers take full advantage of these outdoor resources, sparking campers’ curiosity about farming and nature through immersive, nature-based activities.

Asked to describe Wakefield summer camps in just one word, she didn’t hesitate: “Fun!”

At Wakefield School, character, curiosity, and clear voices are nurtured year-round, and the school’s mission doesn’t take a break when the school year ends. Explore Wakefield’s enriching and exciting summer programs today.

To sign up, scan the QR code, visit our website, or contact the Auxiliary team at auxiliary@wakefieldschool.org.

Meadowlark Gardens

9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, Va.

local adventures

Take a Day Trip to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

BY JACKI DYRHOLM

Despite being just an hour’s drive from Warrenton, it seems few in Fauquier County know about Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Nestled in Vienna, Virginia, the picturesque public garden spans nearly one hundred acres and features 30 different themed garden areas for visitors to enjoy year-round. It is truly a hidden gem in the Northern Virginia area and the perfect place to trade in the hustle and bustle of suburban life for a few hours — or even an entire day!

A Bit of History of Meadowlark Gardens

In 1935, an economist by the name of Gardiner Means and his wife Caroline Ware moved to Washington, DC to help then President Roosevelt implement his New Deal program. The couple bought a 74-acre farm outside of the city and spent the next 50 years raising sheepdogs as well as planting wheat and flower gardens. Conservationists at heart and alarmed at the rapid residential growth around them, they turned their property into a privately-owned public

park in 1975. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) acquired the property in 1980, adding 21 acres to their property and started planning a public garden. The result is Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, a beautiful suburban oasis filled with lakes, flowers, sculptures and even a Korean Bell Garden.

The Ornamental and Native Gardens

A visit to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens will leave you wondering, how did I not know about this place before now? There really is something for everyone here at the gardens. All of the different ornamental garden areas and native plant collections are accessible by walking along 3.5 miles of paved walking trails and 1.25 miles of mulched trails.

The two sparkling lakes are surrounded by gorgeous weeping cherry trees and flowers (one featuring a gazebo) that are home to koi, turtles, Great Blue Herons and other wildlife. There are plenty of benches along the paths to sit and enjoy the scenery. The native wetlands and bog area is also a must-see, especially when

Open year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Days, hours of operation vary.

Admission

Children under 5 are free; ages 6-17 and seniors: $4; adults: $8

No outside food or beverages are allowed inside the garden, but there is a designated picnic area.

Dogs are not allowed, but there are special Pup Days on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of every month.

Check website and social media for current hours, special events and bloom schedule novaparks.com/ parks/meadowlarkbotanical-gardens facebook.com/ MeadowlarkGardens instagram.com/ meadowlark botanical gardens

the waterlilies and other aquatic plants are in bloom.

As with most botanical gardens, there’s always something different blooming each month, making no two visits the same. However, there are certain times of year when it’s better to visit in my opinion. For example, spring and early summer is when you can see the most colorful flowers in bloom. During cherry blossom season, Meadowlark Gardens offers a more serene (but just as beautiful) alternative to the crowded city.

Not only does the garden contain plant collections from around the world, but Meadowlark also maintains three distinct native plant collections featuring plants only native to Virginia — the Potomac Valley Collection, the Virginia Native Tree Collection, and the Virginia Native Wetland Collection. The main goal of these collections is to educate the visitors about the connection between garden conservation and saving plants in the wild that are under siege from urban sprawl.

The Korean Bell Garden

The Korean Bell Garden, the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, is one of the most interesting areas to visit at Meadowlark. As you enter the garden, pathways wander through several traditional Korean structures and artworks. At the top of the hill is a pavilion that houses an impressive Korean bell. The bell, weighing nearly three tons, was hand-crafted by Korean artisans and features animals and plants native to both Korea and Virginia. Equally impressive is the pavilion itself. If you look carefully, you will notice that

the structure was not built using nails. Instead, it is carefully crafted so all the pieces fit together. Whether you’re a photographer, avid gardener or simply seeking a peaceful afternoon retreat surrounded by stunning scenery, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna is the perfect spot to get away from your regular hectic schedule and immerse yourself in the beauty of flowers and nature.

local hero

104 Years of Greatness

Gainesville World War II veteran celebrates incredible milestone

STORY AND PHOTOS BY

SÉBASTIEN KRAFT

Awelcome surprise awaited Dennis Dunlap, March 24, at The Wellington at Lake Manassas in Gainesville, the assisted living community where the man has lived for a little over three years.

Wheelchair-bound, yet more active than many of his juniors, Dunlap entered the reception room to receive celebratory greetings from family, friends, neighbors and veterans, offering him congratulations.

To honor Dunlap’s service local American Legion members joined motor squads from the Combat Veterans Motor Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars Motor Squad.

The organizations gifted Dunlap military challenge coins, bearing their insignias, and thanked the centenarian for his service – most notably for his work as an airplane mechanic in Italy during the war.

Dunlap served as a corporal in the Army Air Corps before its formal establishment and rechristening as a distinct military branch: the Air Force.

A lifetime mechanic, he worked for General Motors building Pontiacs, Buicks and Oldsmoiles. He later built trains and haul cars as a chief engineer at the Darby Corp.

For Kailey Garrett, life enrichment director for The Wellington at Lake Manassas, the emotion was palpable throughout the birthday festivities.

Soon thereafter, a unique confection rolled out: a birthday cake emblazoned with Dunlap's Air Force military portrait. But it was the numbers on the cake that was surprising. It was a number that 99.9999% of the population will never live to see written on theirs – 104.

Dennis Dunlap is among the last of what was known as the “greatest generation,” born between 1901-1927. Like most men of his generation, he fought in WWII.

“One hundred and four years of life is absolutely incredible – I’m getting teary-eyed just thinking about it, because he’s just such an incredible person,” Garrett said. “Having the privilege of being able to care for someone who has done so much, not only for our country, but for the community … he’s just such a God-loving, sweet, kind person, that it’s really just an honor to be part of his life.”

Dunlap was in high spirits throughout the event, sporting a custom jacket

Dennis Dunlap’s Air Force military portrait.

embroidered with family photographs from when he reached the century mark four years ago.

The jacket’s interior patch read “100 Years of Being Awesome.”

Dust Bowl roots

Dunlap’s son, Lee Dunlap, 74, said his father’s upbringing stemmed from humble beginnings.

“He was born March 24, 1921, just in time for the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression,” said Lee. “He was raised in a four-room house ordered from a catalogue assembled by his father on a farm in northwest Missouri - without computers, phones, running water or electricity.”

From a young age, Dennis Dunlap forged his own self-sufficient and active nature by way of necessity. As his son tells it, the stories of walking miles to school in snow storms were not an exaggeration.

“He walked to school for grades one through eight,” said Lee. “In high school, he

action of the planes in dogfights and see how the pilot was moving and manipulating the stick.”

An ageless mentality

had to go into town, but he still had to walk, ride a horse, hitchhike or ice skate, one winter … which was several miles.”

Not long after his high school graduation, in March of 1943, Dunlap was drafted into service. Following a brief stint in North Africa, he spent significant time at the Alto military base in Corsica, the French island, having been liberated from Axis control in fall 1943.

Anecdotally, Lee said his father was able to partake in the recording of a short newsreel for use in movie theaters back stateside.

“[The pilots] were flying in and out of their P-47 Thunderbolts, and it was his duty to patch them up after those pilots went out and got them shot up,” Lee said. “One of [the newsreels] was narrated by Jimmy Stewart, and they brought the cameras out onto Alto Field and my dad’s responsibility as having been promoted as corporal … [was] mounting cameras inside the planes and on the plane so that you could see live

Seasoned as he may be, the elder Dunlap has cultivated near-universal praise within his current residence for his commitment to an active lifestyle.

“[Dennis] comes to every single activity,” Garrett said. “He'll do exercise in the morning every day, and sometimes he’ll be the only one that comes – and I’m like, ‘You know what? You’re 104 years old. If you’re gonna show up for exercise class, I'm gonna teach the exercise class.’”

Bryan Lamartin, executive director for Retirement Unlimited, Inc. – The Wellington’s parent company – said Dunlap is known as a family man through and through, and Dunlap continues to rub off on his peers.

“He’s an advocate for everybody in this building,” Lamartin said. “At 104, for example, his hearing starts to not be as well as it was at 94, and so he made a big impact coming to us and saying it’s something that we need to worry about for all of our residents here … to make sure we have enough adaptive equipment.”

Dunlap poses with intermingled members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars

Flanked by his greatgrandchildren, Dunlap poses for a photo in front of balloons marking his 104th birthday.

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jim@whglifestyle.com | 434-987-3542

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Grateful for every minute

Lamartin commended Dunlap’s indefatigable daily routine and timeless wisdom.

“He’s been our ‘RUI FIT’ ambassador for many years – he’s known for walking the community and staying on his feet,” Lamartin said. “One-hundred and four – it’s such a wealth of knowledge, and as somebody that works here, that comes in – to get to know all of these people, to hear their life experiences, and talk to them and live a little bit vicariously through them [and] the different steps of history is just awesome. It’s a real privilege to get to know these folks.”

Amid a plethora of birthday decorations, attendees at Monday’s event could also peruse Dunlap’s letters to Lee Dunlap and his late high school sweetheart, Genevieve. The letters have been intertwined with Dunlap’s oral narratives in a book recounting his experiences.

For Garrett, each day only heightens her appreciation for Dunlap.

“I’m grateful for every minute I get to spend with him,” she said, “and I truly look forward to coming to work every day.” L

Sébastien Kraft covers Prince William County government and politics for InsideNoVa. Born in Paris, France, and raised in Montgomery County, Md., he is a Penn State University graduate and a French-American dual-citizen.

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Diversity Within Us All

Haymarket club keeps ancestry alive

BY DANICA LOW

Carlos Collat of Haymarket knew his parents loved to dance, but he didn’t know they were finalists in the Harvest Moon Ball at Madison Square Garden in 1935 until he found the newspaper clippings listing their names.

He had been doubtful he would be able to gather much information about his family because they were from South America, but his friend Kevin “Flash” Garcia, a genealogy specialist, helped him triple the amount of information he had on them. “Which has been outstanding.”

Garcia, 69, is a diversity and genealogy professional with decades of military and federal government work experience. He has lived all over the world, including in Scotland, Germany and eight U.S. states. Garcia served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, working in national intelligence and in cryptology.

He and his wife, Debra, and their son, Gabriel, moved to Haymarket 17 years ago, when he was working as a certified diversity pro fessional for government projects.

As his interest in family genealogy grew, Garcia started DiversityInMe in 2024. The business is designed to help others make connections about their past, their biolog ical makeup and their genetics. A researcher at heart, Garcia has

become a respected thought leader in the fields of diversity and genealogy.

Understanding why

“We all should know what our lineage is, how we got here and where we came from,” Garcia said. “How did your family start? Why am I right here? Why are you right-handed?”

Garcia is an avid and enthusiastic genealogy researcher with a helpful spirit. He realized the potential to help others locally work through their own family trees.

“Genealogy answers much more than names, dates and places,” he said, “but just as important, how ancestry lived, and why we are right here, right now.”

And genealogy research tells us not only where our family has lived in the past, but what life was like for them, why they chose

to stay there or leave, and what we can learn from those experiences. This all makes up who we are.

Calling

all researchers

Garcia has participated in genealogy clubs for years and recently started his own that meets at the Haymarket Gainesville Library.

“I couldn’t find another such club or society in the county, so [I] figured what an awesome thing to do and get those interested, beginner to advanced,” Garcia said. “The club aims to assist members in researching their family histories and to facilitate discussions on the latest developments in the field of genealogy.”

Many of the club’s 20 members, such as Izabelle Burgess of Haymarket, share Garcia’s passion for genealogy.

“Genealogy is a way of keeping memo -

Genealogy professional Kevin Garcia (right in top photo) has persuaded his wife, Debra, and son, Gabriel, to join him in the hobby, and they often review genealogical information together. Below left: Garcia’s great-great-grandmother, Mary J. Band, and her children in Oskaloosa, Kansas, in 1892.

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• Main level primary bedroom with luxury bath

• Sunroom off family room on main level

• Main level primary bedroom with luxury bath

• 4 additional bedrooms on upper level

• 5 FULL baths 2 Half baths

• Country front proch/rear screened proch both overlooking parklike acreage

• Upper level Bonus room

• Second living quarters on lower level with kitchen

• Mudroom and laundry center

• Newly renovated kitchen with adjoining breakfast nook and formal dining room

• Salt water pool with several lounging areas

• 2 Barns 6 paddocks (3 with water) over 3000ft of fencing

• Chicken palance with electric and water

• Oversized RV carport with electric

• Paved driveway with stone column entry guiding through manifcured and lushly landscaped acreage

ries and stories alive,” she said. “It connects the past with the present and leaves a legacy for future generations.”

Ardent minds unlock family tree

Finding family genealogy is useful not only to individuals but also to institutions.

Michael Blythe of Haymarket is registrar of the Colonel William Grayson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, which serves Prince William County. Blythe assists members with their applications and relies on genealogy.

“I've been doing genealogy for a number of years,” Blythe said, “but the club has taught me new ways to improve my research, like using AI tools to transcribe old documents.”

Artificial intelligence has helped genealogy, Garcia added. “It has helped read some very early manuscripts.”

Garcia also researches information on deceased veterans for an American Legion Post 1799 project. Garcia could locate descendants and even provide significant

Fauquier and Western Prince William Counties

information about the veteran.

For instance, Garcie discovered that Michael Hirmer’s father was a cryptologist like him, even though all six of his sons thought he was a radio operator.

“He was a cryptologist; he was a spy,” said Hirmer of Nokesville. “He couldn’t talk about it. He couldn’t say he was a cryptologist.”

Garcia was not that surprised. “Every family has secrets. Every single one.”

Genetics, Diversity and Genealogy

DNA sites have furthered genealogical studies tremendously. Tests like those offered by www.ancestry.com can check a person’s DNA then provide a report on the geographic origin of ancestors and connect them to other living relatives.

“Each parent passes down half of their DNA, but which half? That’s the random part,” Garcia said. “It’s a genetic shuffle.”

Siblings can end up with very different mixes. One might carry more of grandma’s Italian roots, while another might lean heavily toward grandpa’s Irish heritage

GARAGE DOOR PROBLEMS FIXED

Local military veterans Rich Cory (left) and Mike Blythe discuss genealogy over breakfast.

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without even knowing it – until a DNA test says, “surprise!” Garcia suggests that each member of the family take a DNA test.

This randomness is what makes DNA testing so fascinating to Garcia. It’s not just about where one’s ancestors came from, it’s about how those pieces got passed down, mixed up and uniquely rearranged.

Diversity, more than race

Garcia understands the importance of good communication and community connection. In addition to being a member of the American Legion, he is a member of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce and frequently interacts with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Knowing the complexities of DNA, Garcia asks people and organizations to rethink their definition of diversity, noting that multiple points of views and different ways of thinking are important to an organization’s success.

“We are all diverse. We all have different views and backgrounds,” Garcia said. “Diversity means more than having different races. Everybody is diverse.” L

Danica Low is a corporate writer and public relations specialist who has lived in Fauquier County with her family since 2007.

The Western Prince William County Genealogy Club meets the last Wednesday of every month, from 5-7:30 p.m. in the community room at the Haymarket Gainesville Library. The next meeting is May 28. For more information, visit wpwcgc.org.

Debra Garcia reviews her eightgeneration family tree.

Life is a journey and there are many turns along your path before reaching your retirement destination. We invite you to take this opportunity to use navigational support from trusted experts on aging and learn how to ll your golden years with more “want tos” than “have tos” while still preserving your nest egg and maintaining nancial freedom.

Attend our upcoming presentation and learn how to identify the best choices for your future while still living life to the fullest.

Thursday, May 22nd, 12 - 2 p.m.

Happy Vibes

ON THE FARM

Local incubator program supports first-time farmers

BY JAMES JARVIS

Swathi Gaddam and Bala Thangamani of Broad Run started their Happy Vibes Farm in 2022 with very little farming experience beyond growing small vegetable gardens. Some of their education came from trial and error, but they soon realized they needed a lot more information.

Similarly, Claudia and Aldo Sessarego found themselves in need of guidance as they explored agriculture during the pandemic. Both families found it at the Fauquier Education Farm in nearby Warrenton when they joined the nonprofit organization’s New Farmer Incubator Program which helps people with no background in agriculture gain the skills to launch their own commercial operations.

“It [the incubator program] was initially put together with collaboration from the Virginia Cooperative Extension,” said Jim Hankins, executive director of the FEF.

Located just outside Warrenton, the FEF leases small plots on the property to the beginning farmers and provides irrigation, initial ground prep and mentorship while participants bring their own seeds and tools. And they learn to farm.

“We allow the folks in the program three years, and the idea is that they can go through those first couple years where you're really kind of on training wheels, but to get their feet under themselves, as far as production,” Hankin said.

But the goal of the incubator isn’t just to produce vegetables — it’s to give people space to try farming before making a major financial leap. Not everyone sticks with it, and that’s fine by Hankins.

“Hopefully, we’ve saved them from buying property before they’re ready,” he said. “Our incubator program helps some folks experiment a little bit before making a huge leap.”

HAPPY VIBES FARM

Gaddam came to farming after 15 years in the tech industry, most recently as an application development lead.

She and Thangamani, also in technology, lived and worked in Ashburn for over a decade. After her second child was born, Gaddam wanted a change.

“I didn’t want to work in technology because, yes, I was good at it, but… I wanted to work towards sustainability and other things like maybe farming or composting facilities—something sustainable, environmental, like closing the waste of food,” she said.

She also wanted more quality time with her family.

Gaddam and Thangamani bought 10 acres in Broad Run near Haymarket in 2020 and began experimenting with fruit trees and vegetables. But when the soil proved challenging, she reached out to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service. NRCS staff referred her to the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District, which pointed her to Fauquier Education Farm.

After attending the Northern Piedmont Beginning Farmer course at FEF the couple was accepted into the Incubator Program.

“I had to go back to kindergarten,” Gaddam said. “I was open with anybody who wanted to share information. It wasn’t just the land [at the FEF], but their mentorship, guidance, the ability to access equipment, greenhouses, and just seeing in person how experts grow, is invaluable.”

Swathi Gaddam and Bala Thangamani’s children, 15-year-old Manu and 9-year-old Chansy Thangamani, help a lot with the farming. Gaddam is pleased that the experience has exposed them to not only the educational aspects of agriculture and learning how food is grown, but also the small business angle and the strong, supportive community.

Two years later, Gaddam and Thangamani are refining their growing practices and selling at the Warrenton Farmers Market and the Archwood Green Barns market. While Gaddam grows a wide variety of produce between her plot at FEF and her own farm, she specializes in Indian and Asian vegetables — food that she grew up with and knows very well.

She also started a CSA and delivers to Ashburn and other locations in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia. She takes pride in providing the community with local, freshly grown food.

For Gaddam, the FEF became more than just a place to grow food — it offered purpose, resilience and a supportive community. “I never lived in this area, right? I didn’t know anyone,” she said. “But that’s what I love about Fauquier County — the community is amazing. I don’t think I can find anybody like that in other communities.”

Gaddam and Thangamani are in their last year of the incubator program and then will be on their own at Happy Vibes Farm where they are currently preparing the farm infrastructure and implementing the knowledge gleaned at the FEF.

Swathi Gaddam and Bala Thangamani’s property spans 10 acres, but only about a half-acre is cleared and usable for farming. By planting multiple vegetables in beds together, Gaddam is able to produce a lot in quite a small space.

LLAMAZING BLESSED HOMESTEAD

Gaddam and Thangamani’s journey isn’t unique. Others have followed different paths to the farm, drawn by a desire for change and a more grounded life.

Claudia and Aldo Sessarego weren’t looking to become farmers. After the pandemic shut down their construction business, they just wanted to grow a few vegetables and feel productive. But a chance encounter with a workshop at the Fauquier Education Farm sparked something more — a hands-on opportunity to build a new life from the soil up.

They started with little more than a backyard garden and a desire to eat healthier food. What they lacked was experience — and land. The FEF’s incubator program helped bridge that gap.

The experience was nothing like backyard gardening.

“It was like a 180 flip,” Claudia said. Gardening in your backyard is nothing compared to real farming — even in a small

space — it’s completely different.”

More than land and tools, the program offered mentorship. “Jim is just an amazing person,” she said. “He was super calm, always had patience. He could explain everything… We didn’t know anything — especially me, totally naive.”

The couple stayed in the program for four years, with Hankins extending their time while they searched for land.

In July 2024, they moved to the Shenandoah Valley and bought a 14-acre farm

The Sessaregos on

which they named Llamazing Blessed Homestead. They continue to participate in the Warrenton Farmers Market selling their produce, herbs and flowers, and products made with them.

In the end, the program offers far more than a quarter-acre plot. It can lead to a new livelihood, and a new sense of purpose.

Gaddam said, “My first year, with these resources I experimented growing more than 100 varieties and without fear. I learnt so much from my failures. I learnt to master growing certain crops, make efficiencies, learn about soil health, what crops work well for our climate, how things grow in different seasons, how much to grow, what crops community values, what not to grow and so much more. These would take years if I was not given this opportunity.” L

facebook.com/LlamazingBlessedHomestead happyvibesfarm.square.site

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ABOUT THE FAUQUIER EDUCATION FARM

The Fauquier Education Farm is a learning resource for students, farmers, gardeners and anyone wanting to learn more about how food is grown. The FEF grows and shares produce, provides hands-on agricultural learning opportunities for all ages, and nurtures the next generation of farmers through education and support for sustainable success. Started in 2010, the registered nonprofit is based in Warrenton and regularly donates over 100,000 lbs. of food per year to local food banks. fauquiereducationfarm.org

the $500’s

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• Easy Access to I-66, the Prince William County Parkway, and Shopping and Dining in Gainesville and Haymarket

their quarter-acre plot at the Fauquier Education Farm where they were able to experience and learn about commercial farming before purchasing their own property.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Visit Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park

Where battles were fought and nature thrives

BY DHRUV AMITABH

Where destruction occurs, growth follows. That is the story of the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, a 140-acre plot in Bristow, where war-time atrocities were committed and an entire town was burned to the ground.

Today, the battlefield is a meadowed dell replete with frolicking animals. A diversity of wildlife such as birds and turtles cohabitate alongside trails and cannons, finding refuge within encroaching suburbia.

At the corner of Iron Brigade Unit Avenue and Tenth Alabama Way, the park offers hikes, equestrian trails and an abundance of

fauna. But it is best known for its rich history, pertaining to the two Civil War battles fought there – the Battle of Kettle Run and the Battle of Bristoe Station.

Although a small town off the beaten path, Bristoe found itself the theater of two Civil War battles as its station junction lay between multiple important railway lines essential to delivering supplies for both sides.

The beautifully preserved Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park stands to commemorate the events that took place.

The Battle of Kettle Run

In 1862, Confederate Gen.“Stonewall” Jackson marched his 24,000 men to Manassas depot. But first, Jackson sent them to cut off the railroad at nearby Bristoe Station. His soldiers derailed two trains, completely blocking the railroad.

Confederate Gen. Richard Ewell remained to fight off Union Gen. Joseph Hooker’s troops who crossed Kettle Run to recapture the station. Hooker was unsuccessful and the Confederates won. The Union lost 330 men, and 176 Confederates were killed or wounded.

The Battle of Bristoe Station

In October 1863, the paths of two armies met again at the small railroad town. This time Bristoe Station would be the site of a battle between Gen. George Meade of the Union and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, with both armies decimated from the

Top: Historic photo of railroad being built near Bristoe Station. Bottom: Soldiers guard the headquarters of Union Gen. Samuel Wylie Crawford at Bristoe Station, Dec. 6, 1864. (Courtesy of Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park)

DHRUV

massive Battle of Gettysburg, 90 days earlier.

Confederate Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill’s corps engaged the Federalists at Bristoe Station without reconnaissance; he didn’t know Union forces were stationed nearby. They ambushed a Confederate brigade along the railroad line, and stole their artillery. Hill could not ward off the Unionists, and the Yankees won the battle.

Lee told Hill to bury the dead and “say no more about it.”

Found right in our backyard, Bristoe Station Heritage Park is a memorial for all the soldiers that fought and died on this soil.

The Devastation of Battle

Both sides left destruction in their wake. Bristoe was ravaged, with most of its buildings burned and its properties given away to help in the war effort. Soldiers had little regard for civilians. The two armies were constantly on the lookout for supplies and would take them from anywhere they could.

The man who likely bore the worst of it was Thomas Davis, a former sheriff of Prince William County, who was a Union sympathizer and owned a farmstead in Bristoe.

“As Confederate soldiers began to arrive

took supplies such as wooden fence posts and pine trees from his property to bolster their defenses, forcing him to run away,” said Kevin Pawlak, Bristoe Station site manager.

Union soldiers were no gentler.

“As the Union forces advanced and came across his abandoned farmstead, they took full advantage and destroyed the entire structure and ransacked valuables,” Pawlak said. “not knowing that it belonged to their

The park has over three miles of trails, paved and gravel. Recently, more trails have been paved, allowing more accessibility to wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers. Cycling and horseback riding are permitted.

STACY SHAW

Pawlak describes such situations as “19th-century recycling.”

Today, local homes are 21st-century builds. As farmland gives way to suburbia, it makes the preservation of land in eastern Bristow even more important.

Unique Structures

Civil War buffs will appreciate Bristoe park’s more unique aspects, such as a battlefield soldier cemetery built by the 10th Alabama Infantry, a Confederate regiment camped out at Bristoe during the duration of the battle.

“It is the only surviving Civil War cemetery constructed by soldiers that is still standing, and the park has preserved it wonderfully,” Pawlak said. “It allows visitors to ‘see the land as it was while the battle was fought.’”

In addition to the informative plaques, the park boasts wonderful scenic flora and fauna, with trails and birdwatching sites for anybody to enjoy themselves. These amenities bring about 75,000 people a year to the park from all over the country.

Pawlak said that donations are “a big part of how the park functions properly.”

The park is a stark reminder of the grim realities of war, and how not even civilians

Ecology

During the early 2000s, a developer reached a deal with local officials of the county to conserve the park in its natural splendor. Its meadows, woodlands and grasslands provide a habitat to deer, snakes, rabbits, turtles and other wild animals.

The battlefield is home to 50 different species of native birds, making it ideal for bird watchers. Native grasses are grown in the area, and its woodlands are home to native deciduous trees.

are safe from its horrors. As British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain once said, “In war, whichever side may call itself the victor; there are no winners, only losers.”

While you traverse the beautiful trails and watch all of the local wildlife frolic in the woods, remember that you are standing on top of historical grounds. L

Dhruv Amitabh is a ninth-grader at Wakefield School who lives in Haymarket. He is a published author and has participated in numerous writing events, winning a featured spot in the iWrite anthology called “I Write Short Stories by Kids for Kids,” three times. He specializes in writing about local history.

PLAN TO VISIT?

Bristoe Station Heritage Park park is open daily without charge. Guided tours run MayOctober on the second and fourth weekends of each month. The park hosts historic events and programs. The national park is funded through donations and county funds and welcomes volunteers. More information: pwcva.gov/department/historic-preservation/

STACY SHAW

Seeds of Family

Gainesville woman documents history of family farm

BY KATHY SMALTZ

One of the most arresting images in the documentary “Abanitu” is the pile of rocks that the Obie family leaves on their farm in plain sight, as a symbol of their hard work.

In that pivotal scene, C. Bernard Obie, or “Uncle Coy,” as family members call him, explains the importance of the rocks. Clearing and cultivating the land was by no means easy, and the family faced many tough challenges. But little by little they met – and removed – the obstacles and moved on in service to God.

“Abanitu,” which means, “from the heart of God,” is Brooke Obie’s family documentary, and her first film. It was released publicly in July 2024 and earned critical attention from the Essence Film Festival. The local chapter of AARP brought the film to local audiences when it held a viewing in celebration of Black History Month.

Obie, 39, is a daughter of Haymarket. She spent her formative years here, and attended Stonewall Jackson High School, now Unity Reed, as an International Baccalaureate student.

Today a resident of Los Angeles, Obie is an accomplished writer and editor who has won accolades for her writing and directing on topics related to being a Black American, womanhood and spirituality. She comes from a multigenerational family of Black farmers, and that family history is what her directorial debut, “Abanitu,” is about.

In “Abanitu,” Obie captures her family’s history, including the voices of her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins – all in one place so their history is preserved. She wrote, shot and edited the film, weaving in

family photographs and personal documents as well as primary documents she found through research and interviews.

Perhaps Obie’s biggest supporter was her Uncle Coy, who remains dedicated to the farm and family history. He desires to pass that history to younger relatives. “I want them to be grounded in their heritage, as we are, and know that they are descended from heroes and heroines,” he said.

One of the film’s heroines is Obie’s greatgreat-grandmother, Lucy Obie, born in 1870, just five years after the end of the Civil War. At age 10, she moved to Person County, N.C., with her mother, Carolyn, who had a cousin there. In 1905, Lucy bought the five acres in Person County to farm. She and her mother lived there until their deaths.

The Obie family continually added to Lucy’s original land purchase until the farm was 150 acres. There, the family planted lettuce and collard greens and created a generational work ethic. As their vegetable garden grew, so did the family’s call to serve.

And serve they did for a long while. However, there came a time when the family farm was fallow.

Two tragic incidents in the latter part of the 20th century resulted in the family not planting for the first time in over 75 years. The farm became neglected and overgrown. Then the family had a reckoning. “Till the farm, or lose it to the saplings,” Uncle Coy said.

When put that way, the decision – although not the work itself – was easy. Everyone pitched in, even the youngest cousins. The land cleared and cultivated once again, the family decided to share their bounty with others.

That farm remains is a testament to

Brooke C. Obie’s feature film directorial debut, “Abanitu: A Family Documentary,” was an official selection at the 2024 Essence Film Festival.

When Lucy Obie (pictured), a mother of five, lost her teenage son to racial terror in Person County, N.C., she channeled her energy into buying a plot of rocky terrain that she and her children toiled into a farm in 1906. Years later, her eldest son, John (pictured), expanded the farm to 150 acres.

Uncle Coy, the current and past Obie family.

“How wonderful it is to walk the lanes and roads of our ancestors and remember them in such rich detail – looks, voices and mannerisms,” Coy said. “For me, they are still present, guiding and teaching the old ways of self reliance. Maintaining the old buildings that still endure is a testament to the skill and resolve they possessed.”

Abanitu Organic’s Present Mission

Thanks to the family, Abanitu Organics Farm is not only alive but thrives as a business. Abanitu’s mission is to grow nutritious food without chemicals and to do so in a way that is ecologically responsible. The Obies find they are called to “keep the farm going, educate others, and take care of both the land and each other.”

“Abanitu” tells the story of Brooke Obie’s family, but it is also a call for activism and service. In the family’s work to grow and make nutritious, organic food available to all, they point out the inequities in the food network and how many children don’t have easy access to healthy meal options. They want to change that.

The family is clear that never in the history of the farm has there been any pesticide

Counter-clockwise from far left: C. Bernard Obie, a direct descendant of Lucy Obie and eldest son of Bernard and Chestina, (pictured) left a successful corporate career to return to his childhood home (pictured), once owned by John T. Obie, and revive the dormant farmland; in May 2013, relatives and friends help to tend the crops.

use. That means the soil itself is pure. The products are sold in local markets, including ones in Northern Virginia.

About Brooke

Obie has a long and storied professional life. From the time she was a little girl, she was a creative and confident spirit. At one point, she was a child actress featured on numerous shows on PBS, but when the family left the East Coast and moved to Nebraska, that option was unavailable.

After graduating early from high school, Obie earned a bachelor of arts in sociology from Hampton University. Inspired by some firsts of American Black women in politics, she pursued a law degree from Mercer Law School in Macon, Ga.

After seeing how the system works, she decided instead to use her voice creatively, while staying true to her personal mission. She enrolled at the New School in New York City, where she earned a master’s degree in fine arts.

Obie believes her life has been a journey to do the work in which she is now engaged. Whatever it was she did in the world, she wanted her work to have a lasting impact. She said that when people have certain abilities and talents, they should use them to do good in the world. This is her family’s legacy.

While Obie is primarily a writer, she believed a documentary film was the best way to translate her family’s story. “Film is alive, it transports us, it is a medium of movement and it leaves a living legacy.”

Both her parents have lived a life of service: her mother, JoAnn, is an active philanthropist in the community, and her father, Barry, served in the Air Force for 22 years before retiring. They are both active in their church and live in Haymarket.

Brooke has no illusions about the challenges that people face today. Yet, she believes we will “reconnect to our humanity” and realize that the systems which we define ourselves oftentimes “suppress human

Today, Abanitu, which means “from the heart of God,” teaches food education to the community, believing God would say, “Let’s heal the people through food.” “Abanitu” filmmaker Brooke Obie (right) agrees, saying, “We have a divine righteous mission to nurture.”

connection with one another.”

“[Our lives] would be different if we could understand that power and control are not the way to realize our future potential,” she said. Obie also believes it is important that people know where they come from. Making “Abanitu” was her way of preserving her fam ily’s history, and sharing it was her way of in

We offer evening and Saturday appointments!

spiring others to collect their family histories.

Like Uncle Coy, Obie believes the lack of access and equity of available good food impacts not only those who live in poverty and who lack basic healthcare – the marginalized of our society – but everyone.

“We have a divine righteous mission to nurture. We need to do what Spirit would have us do.” Of her work with “Abanitu,” she said, “I am coming back to what I was created to do.” L

TOP 10 H&G’s

The five highest-priced homes that sold in each of the two ZIP codes between mid-March and mid-April. Data and photos from Realtor.com. Photos and home data from Realtor.com.

20155 Gainesville

14505 MOSS LEDGE COURT

$1,430,000

Sold: March 31

5 bedrooms

5½ bathrooms

6,101 square feet

8424 BEARHURST DRIVE

$1,400,000

Sold: April 11

6 bedrooms

5½ bathrooms

6,005 square feet

5448 HEREDITY LANE

$1,102,500

Sold: April 11

5 bedrooms

3½ bathrooms

4,554 square feet

7931 TURTLE CREEK CIRCLE

$885,000

Sold: March 21

3 bedrooms

4½ bathrooms

3,045 square feet

6602 EVERBREEZE LANE

$875,000

Sold: March 28

3 bedrooms

3 bathrooms

4,065 square feet

The Big Picture:

The local real estate market had its third straight slow month in March, with home sales down 22.8% in the Haymarket and Gainesville ZIP codes combined, compared with March 2024.

Mixed signals?

Pending sales increased slightly in both ZIP codes, and new listings were up sharply in Gainesville but down in Haymarket, according to the latest data from the Prince William Association of Realtors. Median sales prices also differed – down in Gainesville and up in Haymarket.

The March Details:

Closed sales:

• Down 3.1% in Gainesville to 31 units

• Down 39.5% in Haymarket to 23 units

• Combined sales totaled 54, down from 70 a year earlier

New Pending sales:

• Up 4.1% in Gainesville

• Up 2.3% in Haymarket

Median sales price:

• Down 14.3% to $610,000 in Gainesville

• Up 6.6% to $925,000 in Haymarket

Average days on market (homes sold in March):

• 8 in Gainesville

• 25 in Haymarket

20169 Haymarket

15830 PARNELL COURT

$1,599,000

Sold: March 19

4 bedrooms

5½+ bathrooms

7,842 square feet

15567 CLOVERLAND LANE

$1,574,990

Sold: March 18

6 bedrooms

7 bathrooms 6,790 square feet

15683 CALUM COURT

$1,550,000

Sold: April 8

5 bedrooms

5½ bathrooms 6,141 square feet

15101 SKY VALLEY DRIVE

$1,430,000

Sold: March 31

5 bedrooms

5½ bathrooms 6,371 square feet

4495 DODDS MILL DRIVE

$1,375,000

Sold: April 8

4 bedrooms

4½ bathrooms

6,340 square feet

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Did you miss this?

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

in the November 2022 issue

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

Nate Ament makes his college pick

Manassas resident and Highland School senior Nate Ament has committed to play collegiate basketball at Tennessee.

“After a lot of thought and prayer, I’m blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Tennessee!” Ament wrote on Instagram on April 20. “I’m incredibly grateful to all the coaches and programs who took the time to recruit me. Huge thanks to everyone who’s helped me get to this point – my family, coaches, teammates, and most importantly, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Ament, who was the top uncommitted boys basketball player for the class of 2025, chose the Volunteers over four other finalists: Kentucky, Arkansas, Duke and Louisville.

Ament, a senior forward, was originally scheduled to announce his college choice during the McDonald's All-American Game in Brooklyn, N.Y., April 1, but said the day before he planned to push it back.

School Board votes to keep property near Gainesville school

The Prince William School Board voted recently to retain property adjacent to Gainesville Middle School. The land was being considered for sale as surplus property.

The property in question is roughly three acres fronting the University Boulevard extended right of way. The middle school is at 8001 Limestone Drive.

In January 2022, the School Board entered into an agreement with Delorean Power, operating as Lightshift Energy, granting Lightshift the option to purchase the property.

Lightshift delivered its option exercise notice to the school division in January, and the School Board was required to hold a public hearing and make a final determination as to whether it had use for the property or would declare it as surplus.

Ultimately, the board voted 7-0-1 on March 19 against the resolution to declare the land as surplus property, meaning the property remains in the hands of the school division.

Supervisors greenlight Wellington-area data center

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors narrowly approved a proffer amendment for the Wellington Glen Technology Park data center, paving the way for over 475,000 square feet of data center capacity despite close proximity to residential areas.

The board voted 5-3 in early April to advance the project, which is in the county’s Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District. The 49.5-acre property owned by Amazon Web Services is about 500 feet from the Arcadia Run apartment complex and near the Independence residential community. The new data center will be at the southwest corner of Wellington Road and Sudley Manor Drive.

Initially scheduled for a March 4 public hearing, the Wellington Glen Technology Park application was deferred following resident backlash toward the project. According to county planner Alex Vanegas, county staff received 164 emails in opposition.

Resulting proffer changes included reducing the size from 983,279 square feet to 475,000; lowering the maximum building height from 100 to 75 feet, and cutting noise levels adjacent to residential and mixed-use zoning districts to a maximum of 50 decibels.

Nate Ament, the top uncommitted boys basketball player for the class of 2025, chose Tennessee over four other finalists, Kentucky, Arkansas, Duke and Louisville.

DOUG STROUD

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Western Prince

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