Prince William Living December 2014

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CELEBRATION SINGERS

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NICE ON ICE

CALL ME...

TIRED

prince william living December 2014

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

The Joy of Giving PAGE 4

The First Christmas: Living Nativity PAGE 12

Neighbors Feeding Neighbors PAGE 22

www.princewilliamliving.com

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table of contents December 2014 Vol. 4 No. 12

FEATURE STORY The Joy of Giving ..................................................4

DEPARTMENTS from the publisher..................................................3 advertiser index......................................................3 on a high note Celebration Singers: Voices of Angels ..................10

4 Photo courtesy Volunteer Prince William

destinations The First Christmas: A Nativity of Grand Proportions ............................12 taking care of business Melrose Estate Sales: Easing the Transition ..........16 family fun Nice on Ice ..........................................................18 Tricks To Trick Out Your Holiday Cookies ..................................................20 giving back Neighbors Feeding Neighbors: Haymarket Regional Food Pantry ........................22

12 Photo Courtesy Britney Jeanine Photography

local flavor BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: An Extensive Menu & Craft Brews ......................26 calendar ..............................................................30 tambourines and elephants Call Me...Tired ....................................................35

COLUMNS health & wellness ................................................14 home & hearth ....................................................24 your finances ......................................................28 Discover Prince William & Manassas ..............31

26 Photo by Linda Hughes

prince william living December 2014 | 1

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com Contributing Writers DeeDee Corbitt Sauter, Paul Keily, Olivia Overman, Audrey Harman, Stacia Kelly, Ann Marie Maher, Kristina Schnack Kotlus, Tracy Shevlin, Jason Shriner, Helena Tavares Kennedy, Niki VanEch, Bennett Whitlock, Emma Young Editor in Chief Emily Guerrero Copy & Production Editors Peter Lineberry, Dan Verner Photo Editor Amanda Causey Baity Photographers Amanda Causey Baity, Linda Hughes, Jason Shriner, Lillis Werder Marketing Director Amanda Causey Baity Graphic Design and Production Alison Dixon/Image Prep Studio Online Submission Manager Paul Keily Advertising Account Executives Michelle Geenty, Ashleigh Murray Prince William Living, the premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly

by Prince William Living, Inc. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living.

Prince William Living 4491 Cheshire Station Plaza, PMB 55 Dale City, VA 22193 Phone: (703) 232-1758 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Editorial offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 2 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Advertising offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 3 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Editorial Have a story you’d like our staff to cover? Contact Prince William Living editorial staff at (703) 232-1758, ext. 2, or at editor@princewilliamliving.com.

Advertising Prince William Living accepts display advertising. For complete advertising information, contact our sales staff at (703) 232-1758, ext. 3, or at sales@princewilliamliving.com.

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Get More Prince William Living Visit www.pwliving.com any time to get daily updates on events, the arts, nonprofits, dining and entertainment in your neighborhood. Look for Prince William Living contests, gettogethers, deals and more. You can also submit a story or event online. Stay plugged into what is happening and what is important to you. Prince William Living is your community magazine, all month long.

© Copyright 2014 by Prince William Living, Inc. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced or translated without written permission. Visit the Prince William Living website at www.princewilliamliving.com for reprint permission.

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Reprints and Back Issues: To order article reprints or request reprint permission, please visit the Prince William Living website: www.princewilliamliving.com. Order back issues by emailing Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com For further information about Prince William Living, visit www.princewilliamliving.com, or contact Prince William Living at (703) 232-1758.

2 | December 2014 prince william living

WE’RE HIRING! Join Our Team of Advertising Representatives We know your type. You are a self-starter, somebody who people respect and want to say “yes” to. You never do anything halfway. With at least two years of sales experience, you have mastered the art of truly listening so that you can deliver real value to clients. The idea of carving out a profession that puts you in the center of our growing community is energizing.

Flexible is our middle name. This contract position offers you flexibility. Working full- or part-time, control your earning potential and build a schedule that offers work-life balance.

Sound like you? Send your resume to our publisher at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com.

from the publisher What Matters Most

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he upcoming holidays are a great time to think about ways to get involved with your community. Our December feature, “The Joy of Giving” by Emma Young, shares the stories of many in our community who focus on giving to those in need, often by establishing traditions and values in their families, places of business and neighborhoods. Learn about some ways you can volunteer and gain that special feeling of what the holidays really mean.

And what better way to get into the Christmas spirit than lacing up a pair of skates and hitting the ice at one of our local rinks?

Find a rink near you in this month’s “Family Fun” article by Kristina Schnack Kotlus.

The Celebration Singers, subject of this month’s “On a High Note,” will be performing with Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, combining their Christmas concert with a Messiah sing-along.

Concerts are free to attend, but donations are accepted and given to charitable organizations voted on each year by the group. This year’s recipients will be: ACTS (Action in Community Through Service), a Prince William County charity that serves the needs of food and shelter; The Kara Foundation, serving young adult cancer patients and their families; The Alzheimer’s Foundation, which gives care and services to those suffering from dementia; and the St. Jude Organization, serving young cancer patients.

Advertiser Index ACTS ..........................................................................................36 Ameriprise–Whitlock Wealth Management ............................29 Apple FCU ................................................................................29 Best Western Battlefield Inn ....................................................25 CAP Accounting, LLC................................................................29 CASA..........................................................................................36 Central Community Library ....................................................14 City of Manassas Park—Parks & Recreation ..........................19 Crossfit Agathos........................................................................25 Crossroads Realtors ................................................................28 Dance Etc...................................................................................25 Dansk Day Spa at Occoquan....................................................32 Discover Prince William & Manassas......................................31 Edgemoor Art Studio................................................................36 Emeritus at Lake Ridge ............................................................33 Frame Magic Video ..................................................................21 Frugal Rooter/Plumberologist..................................................33 FURR Roofing............................................................................25 GPWCHC....................................................................................15 Harbour View ............................................................................34 Historic Manassas, Inc. ............................................................33 Imagewerks ..............................................................................36 Jabs Construction ..............................................................25, 33 Keep Prince William Beautiful..................................................15 Leanda Photographic ..............................................................36 Lillis Photography ....................................................................36 Linton Hall School ....................................................................21 Madison Cresent ......................................................................32

Want to know more about the ‘Reason for the Season’? Audrey Harman shares the story of the birth of Jesus in this month’s “Destinations” story, “The First Christmas: A Nativity of Grand Proportions.” This interactive six-scene living nativity is fun for all ages. Held on the grounds of Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge and organized by The Worship Center, this drivethrough production reenacts the story of Mary and Joseph on their nearly 100-mile journey from Nazareth to the manger in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

In addition, our issue celebrating the Joy of Giving wouldn’t be complete without our “Giving Back” department. This month, Helena Tavares Kennedy introduces us to the Haymarket Food Pantry. Founded in 2005 by St. Paul’s Anglican Church, it started with anonymous donations to the church’s “food closet,” and outgrew its space in no time.

No matter how you celebrate the season, use this time to connect with what matters most to you and yours. From the Prince William Living family to your family, Happy Holidays!

Sincerely, Rebecca Barnes Prince William Living Publisher

Magnificent Belly Dance ..........................................................36 Manassas Ballet ........................................................................19 Manassas Chorale ....................................................................21 Mark Gilvey Creative ................................................................36 Minnieland ................................................................................19 Novant Health ..........................................................................C4 Patriot Scuba ............................................................................25 Peggy and Bill Burke, Virginia Realty Partners, LLC ..............24 Piedmont Physical Therapy........................................................8 Potomac Place ............................................................................8 Potomac Shores Golf Club ......................................................15 Prince William Chamber of Commerce ..................................15 Prince William Ice Center..........................................................19 Prince William OBGYN ..............................................................8 Robert Jinks Photography........................................................36 Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center ............................C2 Spectrum Resurfacing........................................................15, 36 Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center ....................................14 Tackett’s Mill Center ..................................................................21 The Arc of Greater Prince William/INSIGHT ..........................36 The Point at Park Station............................................................8 The Very Thing ..........................................................................25 Tiny Dancers ............................................................................32 VanEch Studio ..........................................................................32 Vintage Moving & Storage ................................................29, 36 Vision Finders Design ..............................................................36 Washington Square Associates ..............................................36 Westminster at Lake Ridge ......................................................34 Winestyles ..................................................................................8 Yellow Cab ................................................................................36

prince william living December 2014 | 3

The Joy of Giving

by Emma Young

4 | December 2014 prince william living

“For it is in giving that we receive” – St. Francis of Assisi

rom philosophers to politicians, from saints to us average Joes, people have long celebrated the joy of giving.

“When I do good, I feel good,” once said our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. “I served and I saw that service is joy,” reads a quote widely attributed to Lebanese poet and artist Kahlil Gibran.

F

A little closer to home, fourth-grader Samantha Duke of Montclair also celebrates the joy of giving. Throughout the year her family saves all their spare change in large jars. When the red kettles and bell ringers of the Salvation Army come out in November, the Duke family goes out too—and donates the change.

Often, for fun, the Duke children get to ring the bell. Samantha will tell you, though, it’s not about that. “I feel happy when I’m putting the money in the jar at home,” she stated. “When the bell ringers give it to the people, [those people] can have enough money for a place to live or other things like that. That’s what I think about when I put the money in the jar. I feel happy and I feel excited for them.” Why save all year long for a seemingly small moment? “Helping people is important,” Samantha affirmed. “It makes me feel good inside and I know they need it.”

As it turns out, science backs up her statement. Studies show that donating time, talent, or money feels good. The 2010 Do Good Live Well Survey, released by United Healthcare and VolunteerMatch, reports those who volunteer feel physically healthier, have lower stress levels, and report more sense of meaning in their life. A 2008 study published in the journal Economica demonstrated that volunteering increases satisfaction with life.

Another 2008 study published in Science notes that financially contributing to causes promotes happiness. Yet, despite all the documented benefits, when speaking to volunteers in Prince William, it’s clear that altruism lies at the core of their service to others.

In the Business of Giving Back “I know that if I give of my time, I can make a difference in my community, to the organizations I work with,” noted Kathy Strauss of ImageWerks in Lake Ridge. She often donates her photography talent to charities. “It’s just the right thing to do,” she said.

For Rebekah Wilbur, that drive to make a difference with her talent became personal. She operates a small bakery, Cakelicious,

from her home in Montclair. “This year I am giving back by being a ‘sugar angel,’” Wilbur intriguingly declared. She explained that she volunteers through Icing Smiles, a nonprofit providing custom celebration cakes to families impacted by a child’s severe illness. Wilbur’s first assignment came in late October—to provide a birthday cake for a 3-year-old Woodbridge girl with a critical heart condition. That’s the same age as Wilbur’s own daughter.

“It was a truly amazing experience, albeit heart-wrenching at times,” Wilbur recounted. “I found myself contemplating what life would be like if my own family was affected by illness in this way and it was truly humbling.” Wilbur’s Disney-themed, heartshaped, multi-tiered creation was a hit. “[The girl] was thrilled with her cake…Her face when she saw it was priceless. I will definitely be doing this again,” Wilbur said.

One local company has made its desire to use its talents for the community betterment a pillar of its business model. “We love our community. We love our work. This project brings them together,” reads the online homepage of The Imagine Better Project, a campaign led by Imagine, a Manassas-based marketing firm.

The company has a long history of supporting nonprofit organizations, each year donating a free website to a charity in need of a cyber-facelift, and providing nonprofits with a discounted rate for design and marketing services. According to Imagine President Rebecca Vaughan-King of Gainesville, the (continues on page 6) prince william living December 2014 | 5

(continued from page 5) company also determines which projects to work with in part based on the good it does for the community. Imagine Better, launched this fall, formalizes this part of the company culture.

“It’s so important for businesses of all sizes to be involved with their community and with nonprofits,” Vaughan-King encouraged. “Money isn't all a nonprofit needs. Contact a nonprofit that you are interested in serving and ask them what their needs are. They might need accounting services, silent auction donations, volunteers, legal advice—with budgets being so tight for nonprofits, their needs can be so widely varied.”

The Electric Palm, a waterfront restaurant in Woodbridge, also builds altruism into its business plan. Though the food industry is known for its thin profit margins, the restaurant hosts several charitable events each year, waiving fees for nonprofits and donating to the causes as well. “We believe it is vital to help better the community in which we live and work,” General Manager Tim Holland, who lives in Manassas, stated.

Recently, the restaurant hosted an event for CASA, Children’s Intervention Services and has also hosted events for local schools, the American Cancer Society and many other causes. Each September 11, the eatery hosts a Patriot Day Remembrance complete with live bagpipe music and fireworks, honoring members of the armed services.

Photo Courtesy of Volunteer Prince William

Holland noted that the support of staff and patrons helps make this level of giving possible.

“The staff and patrons at The Electric Palm are a special group.

They both get very excited when we have an event,” he said.

“The staff works extra hard to help make the events successful...Our friends and patrons of The Electric Palm and Prince William Marina really love contributing as well. It brings us all a lot closer together. It just makes you feel good.”

Groups That Make a Difference

A Christmas tree at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas is decorated for the "Un-Trim A Tree" program; each tag contains a gift idea for a child or senior in need.

Prince William is home to a number of organizations that exist solely to provide altruistic citizens with a way to make a difference. One such group, Rotary International, has 5 local chapters; Gainesville/Haymarket, Lake Ridge, Woodbridge, Manassas, and Bull Run. Rotarian Mark Worrilow of Dumfries, a member of the Woodbridge Rotary Club, summed up the club’s philosophy: “Service above self.”

child in need. Participants remove the tag, purchase appropriate gifts, such as clothing and toys, and turn them into their local Salvation Army office. A unique code on the tag identifies which child receives which gifts.

In addition to helping others throughout the year, his Rotary club sponsors a dinner for the children served by the local Boys and Girls Clubs. “I have an ‘in’ with Santa and he comes to visit the kids,” Worrilow, who has played Santa for multiple charities, including this event, reported. Presents, of course, are provided.

“They are all smiles and you can see they are happy,” he said.

With several chapters in Prince William, Lions Club International, which bills itself as “the world’s largest service club organization,” is another group built on giving back to others.

There’s even a few local “Alpha Leo” chapters for youth 12 and older, encouraging leadership development and community spirit.

Worrilow takes this sense of altruism to work, too. Each year his real-estate office, Crossroads Realtors in Dumfries, hosts an Angel Tree for the Salvation Army. These Christmas trees are decorated with tags listing the first name, gender and age for a

Lions also invite others to get in on the act, encouraging the donation of gently-used prescription glasses by placing collection boxes at libraries, schools and businesses. Volunteers collect the glasses and send them to Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (the

6 | December 2014 prince william living

Eyeglass Recycling Center of Northern Virginia is one of 17 in the world). There, the glasses are cleaned, sorted by prescription and sent to people in developing countries.

“What does it hurt to give your time and talents, especially when it benefits others less fortunate?” said Worrilow. “Bottom line is, we should all be working to make the lives of those around us better.”

Building Family Traditions Prince William Living contributor and Woodbridge resident Audrey Harman’s family also participates in an Angel Tree program each year. She lovingly recalled her mother starting the tradition. “If you donate to something you can stand behind, then it shouldn’t be too hard to make it a tradition,” Harman said.

For Triangle resident Diane Mui, volunteering began as a teenager, at nursing homes, childcare centers and her church.

Today, her teenage son keeps up the family tradition, volunteering through the Boy Scouts and church. “I love volunteering...It helps me feel like I’m contributing to the community. I also have had the opportunity to learn new skills and add to my resume,” Mui stated.

As a busy young mother, Mui provided an example to her children by volunteering in their schools. Now that her children are older, Mui volunteers one day a week at Birthright of Woodbridge, a pregnancy crisis center. “It is rewarding work, especially when mothers bring their babies by and you can see the love and joy in their faces,” Mui noted. “I hope I am able to volunteer for many more years ahead. I recommend volunteering in any way you can find the time to do so. In my opinion, it makes the world a better place.”

Woodbridge resident Kevin Williams would agree. “There are countless people and organizations who could use a little assistance during the holidays,” he said. “If you could find just a little time and share from the heart that which you are able, that would make a huge difference in the lives of someone, provide hope and lift the spirits of others during the holiday season.”

Haymarket resident and professional opera singer Angela Knight has formalized her giving, creating a not-for-profit organization, Angela Knight Ministries (AKM). Each December the organization produces a show starring Knight; proceeds benefit local causes. This year’s show, Christmas in New York, will be held Dec. 5 at Hylton Performing Arts Center. Funds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project, which empowers injured veterans and their families. The group is also currently raising money to convert an historic Prince William-area barn into a familyfriendly theater. “God has blessed me to be a blessing. I feel a responsibility to share,” she explained.

Stacia Kelly, a holistic health coach and writer in Manassas, participates with her family in a Toys-for-Tots drive and provides meals to those in need during the holiday season. But their giving doesn’t end when the mistletoe comes down.

“It’s not a once-a-year thing, it’s an everyday part of our household culture,” Kelly emphasized. “My son is encouraged to be kind to others, whether that’s holding the door open for the person behind him, helping a friend pick up dropped books or heading out during the winter months to help deliver socks and food to the homeless.”

Kelly explained that she believes giving to others should “come from a place of love all year round.”

Emma Young is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mother residing in Dumfries. She can be reached at eyoung@princewilliamliving.com.

What Kind of Volunteer Are You? When it comes to volunteer opportunities, there truly is something for everyone. We’ve highlighted a few opportunities that can connect your skills and interests with needs in the community. Find more ideas at volunteerprincewilliam.com.

The Animal Lover: Prince William County Animal Shelter in Manassas is seeking volunteers to exercise and socialize animals, and to foster. Programs available for teens and adults. pwcgov.org/animalshelter.

Virtual Volunteer: Prince William County Historic Preservation Division needs volunteers to transcribe historical documents. They email scanned copies and volunteers email them back after transcription. Email historicpreservation@pwcgov.org to learn more.

The world’s largest genealogical organization, Familysearch.org, also relies on virtual volunteers to transcribe details such as names and dates from historical records. Visit the website for more details.

Outdoor Enthusiast: Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge needs help maintaining formal gardens, as well as assistance with trail maintenance. Call 703-730-8205 to learn more.

People Person: Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) in Dumfries is seeking help with its food pantry and its thrift store, which raises money for other ACTS programs. Call 703-441-8606, ext. 213 for more information.

Holiday Gifter: The “Un-Trim a Tree Holiday Gift Program” provides gifts to seniors and children in need. Volunteer Prince William partners with churches, businesses, clubs and individuals to give to thousands. Contact mfoley@volunteerprincewilliam.org for details.

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on a high note

CELEBRATION SINGERS

Voices of Angels

By Olivia Overman

rom Bach to Handel, Christmas caroling to singers’ choice concerts, the Celebration Singers have been bringing the joy of music to people in Prince William and beyond for the past four years.

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“I was a music director at a local church for about a dozen years and had thought of forming a group of this nature for some time, but never acted on it. However, after leaving that position in 2010, I finally felt I had the time to devote to a new group,” said Teresa Stackley, creative director and founder of the group.

To attract the initial members, Stackley put flyers in the libraries and ads in the local newspapers. She also asked Teresa Stackley, creative director friends from her church choir for the Celebration Singers to spread the word that she was holding auditions for a new group called the Celebration Singers.

“Through the hard work of a core group of people, we were able to secure a rehearsal space at Westminster, a concert venue, define a mission statement, write bylaws and standing rules and register as a 501(c) nonprofit charitable organization by the fall of 2012,” said Stackley.

Now in its fifth season, Celebration Singers currently has about 30 members, though Stackley said 50 would be ideal. The singers primarily hail from Woodbridge, Lake Ridge and Occoquan, and typically perform three concerts a year. Their musical performances cover a wide range of genres, “everything from pop favorites, to Broadway, Rutter’s ‘Requiem’ and Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ said singer Dick Thomson of Woodbridge.

10 | December 2014 prince william living

Never Stale This musical mix keeps it interesting for members and the audience. “Singing a wide variety of music from a range of genres, the repertoire is always interesting and never stale,” said singer Tony Pak of Woodbridge.

“I love that we sing many styles of music, and that they are often a challenge. I also especially like that we do many pieces a cappella, because there is nowhere to hide when there is no [accompanying] music, and you have to pay attention to detail,” singer Melody Wong of Woodbridge said.

Celebration Singers starts its season with a Christmas concert, which is normally performed three times. “This year we are teaming up with the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra again and combining our Christmas concert with a Messiah sing-along for two evening concerts,” said Stackley.

Closely following the Christmas concerts is the spring concert, usually held in March, with a theme such as spiritual or love songs. “[This year,] we will be doing a major work with instrumentalists, the Vivaldi ‘Gloria’,” Stackley said.

The music for the last concert, held in the summer, is chosen by the singers themselves. “They submit music requests throughout the season and I find suitable arrangements for the group. We call it our ‘Singers’ Choice’ concert and it’s great fun for both the group and the audience,” Stackley explained.

Most performances take place at both the Epiphany Lutheran Church in Dale City and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodbridge. The group also regularly performs for the residents of Westminster at Lake Ridge, a retirement community. These performances are open to the public as well.

Additional performance opportunities may spring up throughout the year. “Last December we had the opportunity to sing at the Pentagon for a Christmas party for the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (RDA), followed by a tour after

Photos Courtesy Celebration Singers

The Celebration Singers perform at one of their Christmas concerts.

the party. Our most exciting singing experiences have been when we sing with instruments, such as singing with the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra last December (and this December) in a Messiah sing-along,” said Stackley.

While concerts are free to attend, the group accepts donations that it then distributes to designated charities. “Our charitable organizations are selected and voted on each year by the group.

This year we have selected four charities: ACTS (Action in Community Through Service), a Prince William County charity that serves the needs of food and shelter; The Kara Foundation, serving young adult cancer patients and their families; The Alzheimer’s Foundation, which gives care and services to those suffering from dementia; and the St. Jude Organization, serving young cancer patients,” said Stackley.

A Diva-free Zone Celebration Singers attracts a wide range of members, from those with international performance experience to those who have to muster up the courage to audition. “The decision to audition took me a long time. I have a fear of solo performance, and have never auditioned for anything because of this fear.

After a lot of thought and prayer, I decided to give it a shot... and here I am today,” Melody Wong of Woodbridge said. “I also like that there are no divas in our group.”

For Gail Zander of Woodbridge, singing publicly was second nature. “For many years I sang with a semi-professional chorus.

We performed in Europe, Carnegie Hall, with Vatican radio, etc.,” Zander said. After moving to Woodbridge, she saw an ad for the Celebration Singers. She assumed that the amateur group would have lower expectations than she was used to.

“How wrong was I?” Zander exclaimed. “This is a very dedicated group of local singers, hard workers and really good quality music performed by fine musicians. What a wonderful surprise.

It is with great delight that I sing with this fine group called the Celebration Singers.”

Auditions are held twice a year, once in the fall prior to the group’s first rehearsal of the season, and again in January before rehearsals for the second half of the season. Asked what it takes to become a member of the group, Stackley said, “I look for several things. The singer’s tone as far as blending with other voices as well as the singer’s ability to match pitch and read music. If I feel the singer is a bit weak in one area, but I feel will work well with the group, I will make an exception.” She also said that she likes her singers to be able to read music on a basic level, but is not looking for an extensive musical background.

The group rehearses in the Harbor Room at Westminster at Lake Ridge on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dress rehearsals are also held on Sunday evenings at Epiphany Lutheran Church before concerts.

To learn more about the Celebration Singers visit celebrationsingersva.org. The group’s Facebook page also has information on upcoming seasonal concerts.

A graduate of American University’s School of Communication, Olivia Overman is a freelance writer who has written articles for a number of online and print publications. She can be reached at ooverman@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living December 2014 | 11

destinations

The First Christmas A Nativity of Grand Proportions

By Audrey Harman

Photos Courtesy Britney Jeanine Photography

S

ometimes, it can feel as though the original associations of the Christmas holiday have gotten buried under commercialism—what with the emphasis on decorating, buying gifts and Black Friday deals that now start before Thanksgiving. Perhaps that is why so many welcome the threeday, annual production of The First Christmas, a living nativity of grand proportions. Organized by The Worship Center in Woodbridge, it offers a reminder of the religious significance of the season.

Of course, the interactive six-scene living nativity can be an enjoyable and informative experience for anyone, whether or not they need a refresher on the holiday’s origins. Held on the grounds of Hylton Memorial Chapel, also in Woodbridge, this drivethrough production reenacts the story of Mary and Joseph on their nearly 100-mile journey from Nazareth to the manger in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

“The grounds of Hylton Chapel are a unique setting and accommodate the many various logistics of the immensely popular living nativity. It is a beautiful backdrop to The First Christmas,” said Todd McCormick, an organizer of the event and son of The Worship Center’s lead pastor, Ron McCormick.

The First Christmas enhances the well-known story with audio and visual effects, along with live animals and actors, giving life to the 12 | December 2014 prince william living

Live animals in the nativity scene are one of the highlights of The First Christmas, a living nativity held in Woodbridge each December.

stationary manger scenes typically seen throughout the Christmas season. In an email to Todd, Manassas resident Phyllis described the display as “both brilliantly grand and genuinely moving.”

Pastor McCormick said his church started The First Christmas in 2009 as a gift to the community. It has since grown into its signature holiday event; more than 10,000 visitors came last year.

Guests have been drawn from far beyond Prince William, and from many cultures, the pastor noted. “Each year, thousands enjoy The First Christmas,” he said. “Many make it a holiday tradition and return year after year.”

The all-volunteer cast of The First Christmas consists of Worship Center congregants and community members. They tend to be upstaged by their four-legged co-stars, the live camels, donkeys, and sheep in the final manger scene. “Part of the pleasure for young and old alike is seeing real animals,” Treva said.

Parking is available, even for tour buses, so guests can walk up and get an extended view of the angel at Mary’s house, the marketplace and inn, the shepherds in the field, the three wise men with their gifts and the stable containing the live animals. Refreshments are available as well.

Driving slowly through, visitors view six different scenes of Mary and Joseph’s journey, beginning with the angel’s announcement to Mary that she was to become the Mother of God. Along the route, excerpts from applicable biblical passages are spotlighted and displayed in large lettering, making them legible even from a moving vehicle, and adding to the story.

This year, The First Christmas will be held December 12-14, 6:309:00 each evening, on the grounds of the Hylton Memorial Chapel, 14640 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge. No entrance fee or reservations are required. For more information, visit theworship-center.com or hyltonchapel.org.

Additionally, light is beamed into the sky, replicating the effect of the Star of Bethlehem that guided Mary and Joseph to the manger where Jesus was born. In this case, the glow also leads area residents to the event. “Our family saw the skylight which led us to the drive-thru nativity,” said Treva, of Lorton.

Audrey Harman has been a resident of Prince William since 1988.

She has a BA in English and Spanish from Hollins University and an MA in publications design from the University of Baltimore. She can be reached at aharman@princewilliamliving.com or you can view her portfolio at audreyharman.com.

The Worship Center's drive-through, living nativity, held at Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge, depicts six scenes surrounding the birth of Jesus. It is free to attend. prince william living December 2014 | 13

health & wellness

Where Santa does his shopping...

We all need to…Relax

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By Stacia Kelly, Ph.D., MHt ou’ve got meetings to attend. The kids have to get to baseball, soccer or some other activity. You’re running late on a project at work, and the boss wants you in New York City in three days, but your spouse is going out of town then too. To say you’re stressed is an understatement.

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Too many of us get caught up in the “fight or flight” response mode and never remember to take time out for relaxation, reaching that zen state of being totally in the moment. When was the last time you stopped and simply enjoyed being out in nature? Or took a long hot bubble bath, or lost yourself in the creation of something artistic?

On the flip side, relaxation can also come in the form of movement. A stroll through the park for some, a marathon for others...anything completely physical which allows our bodies and minds to shift focus out of our heads and into our bodies.

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Relaxation allows us to: ■ Naturally Lower Blood Pressure: Stress and lack of sleep raise our cortisol levels and as a result, our heart rate. Make relaxation and exercise routine to keep levels lower.

■ Have Better Focus: Starting your morning with meditation or a workout can give you better focus for the rest of your day.

■ Improve Moods: To quote from the movie “Legally Blonde”: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't.” If we take care of ourselves, we’re less likely to experience road rage and other negative emotions.

■ Enhance Creativity: Relaxing opens up creativity channels, tapping into parts of ourselves we may never have known existed.

So, find a grassy patch or some sand, walk outside with bare feet and breathe. It’s good for you!

Prince William native Stacia Kelly has a doctorate in holistic health and a background in fitness, nutrition, stress management and nutritional supplementation. For more information about her, visit stacia.usana.com and www.facebook.com/StaciaDKelly.

14 | December 2014 prince william living

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prince william living December 2014 | 15

taking care of business

Melrose Estate Sales: Easing the Transition

By Tracy Shevlin | Photos by Amanda Causey Baity

W

ith the U.S. Census Bureau estimating that 38,430 senior citizens live in Greater Prince William, it’s no wonder business is booming for Melrose Estate Sales, which specializes in helping the elderly as they transition from larger homes. Whether this means moving into the home of a family member, assisted living facility or smaller home, the process of downsizing pre-move can be overwhelming, said Melrose owners Sue Howell and Regina Pickett.

Via email, the two entrepreneurs told Prince William Living how they have spent the last 20 years preparing clients for a new life phase by sorting, selling and repurposing items accumulated over the decades.

PWL: Tell us about what you do.

Howell and Pickett: Melrose Estate Sales specializes in assisting seniors who are downsizing from their family home and moving into smaller places or a senior living facility. We also help families who have lost their parents in liquidating the contents of their home. Our clients are often overwhelmed by the moving process. It is our goal to ease their anxieties and remove much of the burden for them.

Preparing a home for sale that a family has lived in for an extended period of time is a lot of work. We have found that in most cases, it is easier for our clients if we sort through everything for them. However, different clients have different comfort levels and we involve our clients in this process as much or as little as they desire. We also tailor our services to their specific needs.

16 | December 2014 prince william living

Melrose Estate Sale owners Sue Howell and Regina Pickett.

Items purchased at client's sales or other estate sales sometimes make their way into Melrose Place, Howell and Pickett's Manassas shop.

PWL: How does the process work?

Howell and Pickett: Once we are contacted by a client, we schedule a free consultation at the home to evaluate the best way to liquidate the contents. No fees are required upfront and most of the time our fees are covered by the sale proceeds.

For most sales, we provide the following services: ■ Remove all items the client wants to keep.

■ Sort through remaining contents and dispose of unsellable items.

■ Organize the sellable items, set up for the estate sale, and price everything.

■ Hold sales for three days, typically Thursday through Saturday, and advertise them online at estatesales.net, Craigslist and on our webpage approximately a week in advance of the sale… and [we] will advertise all sales online and with ground signs.

Occasionally, we are asked for additional help either coordinating the move or unpacking and arranging furniture at the new location. We are happy to help however we are able.

PWL: What happens to the things you cannot sell?

Howell and Pickett: Items that don’t sell are generally donated to a charitable or non-profit organization of the client’s choice.

Clients still receive their tax deductions; we only coordinate the donation and don’t take possession of the goods.

On occasion, however, we purchase select pieces that we think are appropriate items that can be sold in our shop, Melrose Place, located in the Bull Run Antiques Mall located at 7217 Centreville Road, Manassas.

PWL: Describe your business partnership and how it utilizes your individual talents.

Howell and Pickett: We both do many aspects of the business such as consultations, preparing and running the sales, etc.

However, Sue has been in the Manassas area for almost 50 years and has developed an extensive network of professional acquaintances. This is a great asset because some of our business comes from real estate agents who know her. Additionally, we have a network of movers and donation centers that we like to work with that help our business run as smoothly as possible.

Regina does more of the marketing and bookkeeping. She manages our webpage, www.melroseestatesales.com and places all of our advertisements. The business definitely requires both of our talents.

PWL: What is the most challenging aspect of your business?

Howell and Pickett: The most challenging aspect of the business is dealing with the emotions that come with the job, both our clients’ emotions and ours. For the clients, it’s a very emotional process to go through. We try to guide them through gingerly and provide support when needed. It can be an emotional process for us as well; we are sorting through people’s lives, quite literally.

PWL: What then is the most rewarding aspect of running Melrose Estate Sales?

Howell and Pickett: We both find a great deal of personal satisfaction in helping our clients transition to another stage of their life as easily as possible. We don’t take our responsibilities lightly. We understand their emotions and anxieties, and want to help facilitate the best solution for them.

For additional information on Melrose Estate Sales, contact Regina Pickett at 703-217-4741.

Tracy Shevlin is a native Virginian and long-time Manassas area resident. She is a full-time administrative assistant and part-time student at George Mason University completing her degree in Business Communication. She can be reached at tshevlin@princewilliamliving.com. prince william living December 2014 | 17

family fun

Nice on Ice I

By Kristina Schnack Kotlus

personally like ice skating in the summer months when the frosty, perma-chill inside Prince William Ice Center in Dale City offers a welcome respite from the sauna of a typical Virginia summer, but apparently most people consider ice skating to be a winter activity.

Fine, I’ll meet you where you are.

I actually figure skated competitively growing up. I wasn’t Olympic material, but I did make Regionals once, a proud moment even if I was in the “older girls who aren’t that impressive” category. You don’t have to do it competitively for skating to be an enjoyable way to exercise.

For those just getting started, teaching a child to skate, especially if you don’t know how yourself, can pose a challenge. I’d like to pass along some pointers: ■ Ice skates should be snug, but not painful. If the child’s ankles look like they’re buckling, you either need to use smaller skates or tie/buckle the ones you have a little tighter.

■ Expect the child to fall down. In fact, when I taught figure skating lessons, my students practiced falling first—and I recommend you do too. Find an empty patch of floor, have the child tuck their fingers into fists (out on the ice, other skaters fly by wearing what are essentially knives on their feet, so it’s best to keep the fingers in during a fall), take the fall and then stand up. Have them practice this several times until they’re not afraid of falling and are comfortable getting up.

■ When you skate out onto the rink, clear the doorway quickly, but then practice falling and getting up again. Once you’ve mastered that, have your child “march like a soldier” to get 18 | December 2014 prince william living

them moving across the ice. Don’t hold their hands; it’s a recipe for disaster if you don’t know what you’re doing. You could fall on top of your child, or take a tumble and pull the child down on top of you. Turn them loose and let them make their way around the rink as best they can. Most kids improve rapidly and speed around the ice after a few laps.

■ Be sure to take a break as needed, but don’t wear your skates on the metal bleachers or outside on the concrete. Blades ruin easily, and if they’re not sharp, your feet will just slide out from under you.

If you don’t feel confident skating with your child alone, you can always sign up for group or private skating lessons. Ice skating centers frequently schedule camps and classes during school breaks as well. Prince William Ice Center and the Haymarket Iceplex offer “Learn to Skate” and more advanced classes, in addition to public skate hours.

If you find your child likes the ice and wants to move to the next level, both the Haymarket Iceplex and the Prince William Ice Center offer hockey, while the latter also hosts speed skating and curling. In addition, twice a month Prince William Ice offers “Snow and Story Hour,” a program for toddlers and preschoolers who can enjoy the ice without skates.

So embrace the season, and take to the ice. You’ll be giving your children the gift of an exciting winter sport they can enjoy all their lives—even on the balmiest summer days.

Kristina Schnack Kotlus is a local mother of three children and the owner of PWCMoms.com, a resource for parents and families in Prince William County.

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Winter Events

Dough Ornaments 12/4 7p at MPCC

Upcoming Events in Manassas Park

The Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation is dedicated Gingerbread House Decorating to providing a variety of high 12/11 7p at MPCC quality and diverse leisure opportunities to citizens. We host Manassas Park Light Parade numerous events year round at the 12/13 5:45p-7p Manassas Park Community Center Throughout Manassas Park and throughout Manassas Park.

Breakfast with Santa 12/20 9a-11a at MPCC Call or Visit Us Today!

prince william living December 2014 | 19

Tricks To Trick Out Your Holiday Cookies Photo and Story Jason Shriner, The Aubergine Chef

T

here’s something about the holiday season that just calls for cookies. My family likes to get together to make and decorate cut-out cookies from scratch. The key to a good cut-out cookie is that it doesn’t spread during the baking process.

There are a variety of ingredients that contribute to spread in cookies such as butter or baking soda, and there are ingredients that resist spreading such as flour and eggs. If a cut out cookie recipe isn’t working the way you want it to, it’s much easier to find a new recipe rather than trying to alter one. Fortunately the attached shortbread recipe holds its shape really well and has an amazing flavor thanks to all the yolks.

One great thing about this recipe is you can make royal icing with the leftover egg whites. Even though royal icing has only two ingredients, there are a plethora of decorating options. Keep in mind that royal icing is uncooked, so the egg whites will still be raw. If that’s a concern, you can use carton egg whites (which are pasteurized) and use the egg whites to make a cooked icing like Swiss buttercream.

I always get asked how to create stained-glass windows in the center of cookies. All you need to do is prepare your cut outs, remove the center, crush up a hard candy like Jolly Ranchers or rock candy, and sprinkle them in the center right before you bake.

During the baking process, the hard candy will melt together (even if they are different colors) and stick to the cookie. Avoid using purple candies as they sometimes turn brown after baking.

For help with decorating ideas and other recipes by The Aubergine Chef you can visit http://princewilliamliving.com/category/ whats-cooking/the-aubergine-chef.

Happy holidays everyone!

SHORTBREAD 1 lb. 7 ounces of unsalted butter, room temperature 1 3/4 cup + 1 3/4 tablespoons of granulated sugar 5 egg yolks 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract 5 cups bread flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1. With the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium speed alone on mixer for five minutes.

2. Add granulated sugar and continue creaming on medium speed.

3. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined. Scrape sides of bowl down.

4. Add the yolks, one at a time, mixing until just combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl in between each addition or as necessary.

5. Sift together the salt and bread flour. Add all the dry 20 | December 2014 prince william living

ingredients at once and mix on low speed until just combined.

6. Increase speed to medium until well mixed, about 30 seconds.

7. Portion dough into about 1 lb. discs and wrap with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for about 15-30 minutes to make the dough firm.

8. Using additional bread flour, roll out a disc of dough to 1/4" thickness and cut out desired shapes.

9. Bake at 350-400 degrees F until lightly golden along the edges; they should be slightly underbaked in the middle.

10. After approximately six-nine minutes, rotate your pans, then one-three minutes more.

Keeps at room temperature, in a sealed container, for about 5 days.

ROYAL ICING 3 egg whites (about 3 ounces) 3 1/3 cups of powdered sugar, sifted Pinch of cream of tartar (optional) Gel or powdered food coloring (optional) 1. Place dry ingredients in the bowl of your electric mixer with two egg whites.

2. Mix with paddle attachment until it forms an icing. If too stiff, add the additional egg white. If too runny, add more powdered sugar.

3. Pipe stiff icing with a piping bag to form a border.

4. Carefully add runnier icing to fill in the space inside the border.

5. While working with icing, cover unused icing with a damp cloth to prevent crusting.

6. Allow to dry for at least 4 hours, or overnight, uncovered at room temperature.

Jason Shriner owns the baking & pastry blog The Aubergine Chef, which contains free videos and recipes. He also teaches baking classes at the Manassas Park Community Center. You can visit his blog at www.TheAubergineChef.com.

Joyf oyful

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Saturday, December 13, 2014 5:00 pm Hylton Performing Arts Center Rebecca D. Verner, Director Jonathan Laird, Accompanist manassaschorale.org manassaschorale@live.com

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TRADITION Tradition CCommunity OMMUNITY AA CH c IhEiVeEvMeEmNeTn t Linton Hall School provides preschool through eighth grade Catholic education that values the past, honors the family and inspires success. Linton Hall School’s Little Sprouts Preschool Program is an excellent opportunity for children aged two and a half to five years to develop the skills for life-long learning.

Please join us for an Open House on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.

For more information call 571-428-2532.

prince william living December 2014 | 21

giving back Neighbors Feeding Neighbors: Haymarket Regional Food Pantry

By Helena Tavares Kennedy | Photos by Lillis Werder

S

t. Paul’s Anglican Church members formed Haymarket Food Pantry in 2005, as the recession in previous years caused a loss of income and jobs for a growing number of local families. It started with people anonymously dropping off canned goods at the church’s “food closet.” Soon, the closet was overflowing, and the pantry moved to a larger space in Haymarket Town Hall in 2008. In 2011, the pantry moved to its current location, a historical century-old house that the town leases to the organization, now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, for $1 a year.

Haymarket Food Pantry has continued to grow with community need: In 2008, the pantry fed 72 families a week. Volunteer Coordinator Laura Cordaro Smith said it now feeds about 600 families monthly. Nearly half of those in need are children.

Requests for holiday meals are also on the rise, from around 300 requested per holiday in 2011 to 500 requests this year. About one-third of the patrons only come to the pantry for a few months, another third for about a year, and the remainder require longerterm assistance.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food donations come in from local citizens, as well as from companies such as the local Walmart and Dominion Valley Giant, which donate produce. Pepperidge Farm donates breads due to expire and Greenwich Presbyterian Church in Nokesville provides fresh produce from a garden on its property.

Area businesses support the Haymarket Food Pantry in other ways, too. Haymarket resident Erik Dardas, Home Depot Mid-Atlantic Region Pro Sales Manager, donates supplies and his time towards building improvements. His involvement began after attending a fundraiser in 2013, where he learned of the number of families in need and problems with the building, including a lack of running water. Volunteers had to drive down the street to use the restroom.

22 | December 2014 prince william living

Dardas contacted sales team member Zsanigga King, who reached out to Michael & Son Plumbing, which offered to do all the labor pro bono. As of September, the facility has running water, complete with working bathrooms. “We had immediate support from higher-ups for this work with the Haymarket Food Pantry as they recognize the importance of it,” said Dardas.

Of the more than 500 volunteers signed up at the Haymarket Food Pantry, about 200 serve on a regular basis. They come from Haymarket and neighboring districts such as Gainesville, Bristow, Nokesville, and Manassas.

“I feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose after orienting groups of volunteers who are as interested [as me] in helping the less fortunate,” Smith said. “Seeing such an outpouring of volunteers interested in helping our community makes my volunteer time well worth it.”

She outlined some of the tasks that volunteers take on: ■ Make and distribute food bins on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

■ Sort, stock and organize shelves and purge expired food items daily.

■ Represent the pantry at various fundraising opportunities and community events.

■ Implement technologies that streamline check-in and capture statistical information.

■ Maintain the property: painting, cleaning gutters, gardening.

With such a wide variety of tasks, Smith said the pantry is always seeking new volunteers from all walks of life.

The pantry’s youngest captain, or food distribution team leader, Osbourn Park High School junior Gabrielle Concepcion, started

In 2011, Haymarket Regional Food Pantry moved to its current location, a historical century-old house that the town leases to the organization, for $1 a year.

Volunteer Shannon Castaneda helps keep the shelves organized at the Haymarket Food Pantry.

volunteering as a freshman. “I love to volunteer there regularly because I have the chance to get to know the clients and make all of them feel welcome and that our community supports them,” she said.

Food Pantry accepts patrons 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon on Saturdays.

A Visible Difference Pam Stutz, former Mayor of Haymarket and now the pantry’s executive director, recalled once seeing a man climb out of a local supermarket dumpster carrying discarded food. His wife had recently left him with two children, and he was about to lose his job.

Stutz told him she’d rather see him at the food pantry, but the man said he was too embarrassed to go there. “Look at my car,” he said. It was a higher-end vehicle, but it was fully paid off and his only transportation. He worried it would look strange driving up to the food pantry in a nice car, but Stutz convinced him otherwise. The man became a patron for several months, always thanking Stutz and the volunteers. Eventually, he came to the pantry with great news—he finally found a job in California. He’d wanted to thank the volunteers one last time before moving.

Retiree Jim Kennedy, another captain, shared a similar story. “A year ago, a guy had been coming in on a regular basis. He had a family but lost his very specialized job, making it very difficult to find another job,” said Kennedy. “One day he came in and said he finally got a job which would start in a week and he wanted to thank us for all our help. That’s why we do what we do.”

Oftentimes, families return the favor once they are back on their feet. “We’ve had people come back and offer to donate food or volunteer. They like to pay it forward,” said Kennedy.

Helena Tavares Kennedy, a marketing and communications consultant, also enjoys freelance writing. She has lived in Prince William County for over 13 years with her family. She can be reached at hkennedy@princewilliamliving.com.

Get Involved The Haymarket Regional Food Pantry accepts donations on Mondays and Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Ongoing needs include: Cereal Jams and peanut butters Canned goods (vegetables, soups, tuna, chicken, etc.)

Spaghetti sauces Dry pasta, rice and other dry grains Breads Fresh fruits and vegetables Frozen meats (they have several freezers in the house) Paper goods (diapers, feminine products, napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.)

■ Bath items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant)

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

To learn about other needs, including volunteer opportunities, visit haymarketfoodpantry.org or call 703-754-5990. Volunteers must be at least 10 years old; anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Located at 14740 Washington Street, the Haymarket Regional prince william living December 2014 | 23

home & hearth Vintage Holiday Creativity: Tart Tin Ornaments

By Niki VanEch oon after Labor Day I begin hoarding holiday craft and decorating ideas much like a squirrel hoards acorns. This ritual has its roots in my childhood, when my sister and I would gather around the dining room table elbow-deep in found objects, glitter and glue. Our eyes were big as saucers as we followed our mother's instruction for creating the most magical handmade Christmas decorations, all from simple objects found around the house. Fast forward to today, and one will still find me surrounded by glue, glitter and objects that have lost their utilitarian value, indulging my vintage holiday creativity.

S

We have roots, where others have branches.

One of my favorite projects is re-purposing vintage tart tins into unique tree ornaments. Each little tin provides a blank canvas to embellish. Follow these simple instructions and make your own holiday ornaments from vintage tart tins: Materials: ■ Assorted sized pastry and tart tins: I usually pick them up for a few cents at yard sales and thrift stores.

■ Embellishments: I love using old rhinestone buttons for a bit of bling, broken jewelry pieces, ink stamps with holiday motifs and German glass glitter, made from finely ground glass. It is very sparkly, unlike regular glitters.

Fair warning: once you use it, no other glitter will ever measure up.

■ A good bonding glue: I prefer E6000 for bonding heavier items, available at Michaels.

■ White glue such as Elmer’s for gluing glitter.

■ Ornament hangers.

Instructions: ■ Hammer through the tin with a sharp small nail to create a hole through which to hook the ornament hanger.

■ Glue on embellishments and glitter, step back, admire and share with your family and friends.

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Niki VanEch is an interior designer who has been helping clients in the metropolitan D.C. area for more than 20 years.

Her home furnishings store, VanEch Studio, is located in Occoquan, Va. Her website is www.VanEchStudio.com.

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local flavor

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: An Extensive Menu & Craft Brews

By Paul Keily | Photos by Linda Hughes

rom humble beginnings in 1978 as a single pizzeria in Santa Ana, Calif., word of BJ’s signature deep dish pizza spread through Southern California, and eventually so did the restaurant itself. In 1996, with seven locations in the state, the company expanded its menu, started brewing its own line of craft beers and changed to the name it’s now known by: BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse.

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The new menu caught on, and today there are 150 BJ’s in 18 states, serving a wide selection of American cuisine as well as a broad range of beers. One of the newest opened this February in Gainesville, Va. “It is a growing community. We have a base clientele here of young families and homeowners,” the Gainesville restaurant’s senior manager Jared Hilliard said of the site selection. “We also have many people come for our happy hour from local businesses like dentists’ offices and auto shops. It’s not really a party atmosphere...it’s more of a place for families.” He noted that the restaurant’s wi-fi and televisions appeal to his customer base, allowing children and parents to stay entertained while dining.

Proximity to the 14-theater Regal Cinemas and the Jiffy Lube Live concert pavilion is also a boon for the eatery. which sees a rush of customers prior to and following shows at these nearby venues. “We are aiming to provide quick service to the people who are coming to see a movie or a show because they usually 26 | December 2014 prince william living

have a specific amount of time beforehand,” said Hilliard.

“When the gates open for the concert, sometimes we see 80 percent of the dining area get up and go. Then after the show, we see another influx of customers.”

“I’ve been here since we opened in February and the customer response has really surprised me. We really blew up,” server Alexi Giannelli of Gainesville said.

BJ’s kitchen uses technology to help keep up with the rush. “We are different from other restaurants because all of our recipes can be brought up on the computer,” said Hilliard. This feature makes training and cooking easier, particularly when a chef may need to move to another station on a busy night. “Rather than having to go find a recipe book, flip it open, and look for the recipe, our chefs can bring up any menu item on the computer and see how to prepare it.”

Food for Every Craving “[The menu is] extensive. It will help with any kind of cravings that come up in your group. Whether it’s a group of four, six, or eight, there will be something to please everyone. We have burgers, pizzas, and salads. It is a combination of the best dishes from a variety of different restaurants,” said Hilliard.

“They have a wide variety of food choices that taste great and the

prices are reasonable,” affirmed customer Cheryl Kelly of Bristow. “I'm making my way through the menu but seem to have gotten stuck on the Country Fried Chicken. As much as I go there I'm sure I'll eventually get around to some of the other great choices.”

Popular menu items include avocado egg rolls, pepperoni extreme pizza, watermelon feta salad, and Mediterranean chicken pita tacos. “The chicken tacos are on our enLIGHTened menu, so it’s a light entree, but it still fills you up,” said Hilliard.

“My family loves BJ’s,” said diner Margaret Huynh, who travels from Centreville for the food.“We went there for the first time for my husband’s birthday. We had their individual meat lovers pizzas, they [were] good and the crust was excellent. Even my son liked it and he’s a picky eater.”

Hilliard said that BJ’s most popular dessert is its Famous Pizookies®. The dessert is served in a deep dish pan lined with a warm cookie, layered with ice cream and other toppings. It’s available in eight flavor combinations. Other dessert offerings include Peanut Butter S’mores and Baked Beignet.

Thirst Quenchers

when we have [two, with] one at 4:00 and one at 7:00. At our last one, we had five Goose Island beers paired with food.”

A number of cocktails are also available, including margaritas, mojitos and “extremely popular” sangria. “We have two peachflavored and two berry-flavored sangrias. They have more liquor and less wine than traditional sangria, so they have a little bit of an extra kick and less of a grainy wine aftertaste,” said Hilliard.

While BJ’s does not brew craft beer at its Gainesville location, the restaurant has two 15-gallon tanks used to brew root beer on site.

Service assistant Al Garcia of Manassas helps with this. “I love working here!” said Garcia. “Sometimes I come in at 3:30 in the morning to get a head start on making the root beer. It’s a long process of cleaning out the keg, putting in the syrup and then carbonating it; this takes about five hours. We get the syrup from [BJ’s corporate], but otherwise it’s handmade.”

Also on the menu: community service. Through its Awesome Achievement program, BJ’s provides select area schools with vouchers for free kids’ meals, which educators use to reward students. “When the kids come in with their coupon, the server tries to make it special for them, asking them what they did to get the coupon, and we give them a little pin they can put on their backpack,” said Hilliard. The Gainesville location also works to help raise funds for organizations such as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation and local school sports teams.

One of BJ’s signature features is a unique line of craft beers, only available in-house. Customers are welcome to purchase a growler or even a keg filled with their favorite brew to take home. On tap are 10 different beer styles and one berry cider year-round, ranging from light lager and blonde ale, to dark porter and stout.

BJ’s also serves seasonal beers, such as its Field Day IPA made from freshly harvested Oregon hops in the fall.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, located in Virginia Gateway at 13930 Promenade Commons Street, Gainesville, is open 11 to 12 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 to 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

Learn more at bjsrestaurants.com.

Additionally, patrons can order from a wide selection of Belgian beer and beers from other craft breweries. “People love to come out and eat a meal and try a new craft beer,” said Hilliard. “We have special beer dinners about every month or two where we pair a specific beer with each course. These sell out quickly, even

Paul Keily holds a degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from the University of Mary Washington. He is a freelance writer and serves as Prince William Living’s Online Submissions Manager. He can be reached at pkeily@princewilliamliving.com.

Deep dish individual pizzas are one of the freshly prepared items available at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse.

BJ's distinctive New Orleans Jambalaya combines blackened chicken, shrimp and chicken-andouille sausage, sautéed with bell peppers, onions and tomatoes in a spicy sauce. prince william living December 2014 | 27

your finances Why You Should Pay Attention to Open Enrollment Time

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor

or many, this is open enrollment period, when they can make changes to health-related benefits. Before you default to your existing slate of benefits, consider any potential financial advantages to making a few changes.

F

Finding cost-effective health insurance

Special Programs for Military/Teachers/ First Responders/Charities Property Management Division Real Estate Classes Forming

Here are six key factors to keep in mind as you assess your health insurance options: 1. If you have to pay for spousal coverage, is your spouse eligible for coverage under his or her own plan in a more cost-effective way?

2. Have you explored your options under the Affordable Care Act? Even if your employer offers a health plan, you can still purchase insurance on an exchange instead.

Visit healthcare.gov for more information.

3. If you are considering a change in health plans, see if your key healthcare providers accept payment from the new insurance plan.

4. If you are contemplating choosing a high deductible health plan to reduce your monthly premium, consider family health history to assess whether this is a risk worth taking.

5. If you are enrolled or going to enroll in a high deductible health plan, look into a Health Savings Account (HSA), which provides a tax-advantaged way to pay out-ofpocket expenses for health care.

6. If you have major expenses coming in the next year that aren’t covered by insurance (such as braces), consider setting money aside in a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, typically tax deferrable up to $2,500). Dollars set aside are “use it or lose it” for that calendar year, unless your employer adopts a carryover provision.

Remember to keep track of the deadlines set forth by your company for open enrollment as they can sneak up on you.

Also make certain that you’ve listed all family members who need to be included under your health coverage.

Bennett Whitlock, CRPC®, is a private wealth advisor and managing director with Whitlock Wealth Management, a franchise of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Learn more at WhitlockWealth.com or call 703-492-7732.

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december

calendar Holiday Treasures: Annual Small Works & Miniatures Show

Dec. 1-30 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. e Loft Gallery 313 Mill Street, Occoquan New this year, Holiday Treasures will feature small original art work by 21 local artists suitable for gift giving in addition to miniatures on paper and canvas, and in photography, glass, clay, and bronze.

Arts on the Horizon presents: Snow Day

Dec. 3 – 7 & Dec 10 -14 | 10:30 a.m.

Lorton Workhouse W-3 eatre One cold December morning, a young girl named Skip wakes up to find the entire neighborhood covered in a thick, dazzling blanket of snow. A playful (if not a little mischievous) winter elf takes her on an adventure- showing her just how magical snow can be! Join Skip as she experiences all the excitement, joy and wonder of her very first snow day. This nonverbal world premiere production features live music and lots of wintertime fun, just in time for the holidays. Written and Directed by Rex Daugherty.

Recommended for children ages 2-6.

Tickets: $8 for children & adults.

Cool Cow Comedy presents: Alycia Cooper

Dec. 5 | 8 p.m.

Lorton Workhouse W-3 eatre Each month (and sometimes twice a month) Cool Cow Comedy's headliners and featured performers take the stage in the W-3 Theatre. Host and Comedian Rahmein Mostafavi (who has performed stand-up as such venues as DC Improv, Richmond Funny Bone and Caroline's on Broadway) leads regular sold out shows, making Cool Cow a staple of the entertainment options in Lorton! This month, headliner Alycia Cooper appears on the Workhouse stage! Tickets: $10-$15

Merry Old Town: Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 05 | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Old Town Manassas Make time to enjoy old-fashioned family fun at the “Merry Old Town” celebration in Old Town Manassas! The holiday fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with holiday music and at 6:00 p.m. When Santa arrives at the Manassas Depot via VRE train. The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be at 6:30 at the Manassas Museum. Take a free hayride around Old Town and go for a skate at the Harris Pavilion ice rink. Of course, Santa will hear the Christmas wishes of all the children at the Harris Pavilion gazebo.

Merry Old Town: 69th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade Dec. 6 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Old Town Manassas Join us for the 69th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade on December 6, 2014. Please visit www.gmchristmasparade.org for details, including parade route.

Santa's Arrival in Historic Occoquan Dec. 6 | 12:00 p.m.

Mill Street Occoquan Santa will be leaving the North Pole and taking time from his busy schedule to visit all the kids coming to Occoquan. He will arrive by boat at Mamie Davis Park Dock and then be transported to the Town Hall by fire truck where he will greet and visit with all the children. It's always a special treat when Santa visits Occoquan...be sure to bring your cameras.

A Visit From Santa at Williams Ordinary Dec. 6-7, Sat. 10a.m.-5p.m.; Sun. Noon-3p.m.

Williams Ordinary 17674 Main St., Dumfries In December of 1862, artist Thomas Nast made one of the first known illustrations of Santa Claus. Santa was shown giving gifts to soldiers in the field at Fredericksburg, Virginia during the American Civil War. This year, Santa will

dust off that old suit he wore back then and make an appearance at Williams Ordinary in Dumfries. Guests can make old-time holiday decorations and Pomander balls with citrus fruit and cloves for their trees at home. FREE; Pictures with Santa: $5.00

2014 Red Carpet Showcase Dec. 6 | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00pm Prince William Association of Realtors 4545 Daisy Reid Avenue, Woodbridge The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter Red Carpet Showcase Featuring Rising Artists, Authors and Musicians is a free event provided for the community each year to encourage literacy and exposure to the arts. It is also an opportunity to showcase emerging talent.

“The Wonders of Christmas...” New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County Dec. 6-7 | 7:30 p.m.

Hylton Memorial Chapel and Event Center The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County invite you to join them as they fill the holiday season with The Wonders of Christmas..., The Choraliers were voted the Best Performing Arts Group in Prince William County this year. The chorus will present several beautiful songs, with glorious arrangements, that proclaim the spirit and promise of the story of Christmas, including wonderful arrangements of Angels From the Realms of Glory, Baby Born in Bethlehem, and Shepherd, Play Your Pipes Tonight, as well as the lovely prayer for peace, Dona Nobis Pacem. Holiday wonders also include lots of fun songs, such as a rollicking version of Jolly Old Saint Nicholas with new words and music, and an update of a big band sound with “Gettin' in the Mood (for Christmas)”. The chorus will debut a new adaptation of The First Noel by Dr. Brian Saunders. Dancers from Dance Etc. School of the Arts, under the Artistic Direction of Ann Boyle, will join the Choraliers on stage, as the dancers illustrate some of the wonders of Christmas with their original choreography. Tickets are available at the box office, and online through the NDC website, www.ndchoraliers.org. Tickets for Adults are $15; for Seniors (55+)/Students (14+)/Military/ Veterans, tickets are $10;

Have an event? Visit princewilliamliving.com/events to submit details to our online calendar.

30 | December 2014 prince william living

Discover Prince William & Manassas

Di

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ith the holidays in full swing, we have a number of opportunities to cherish historical traditions that have shaped the way we celebrate the season today. It’s easy and instructive to tour nearby places associated with Christmases past.

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Rippon Lodge in Woodbridge, a preserved 18th-century home hosts two holiday-themed events on Dec. 7: “Santa Comes to Rippon Landing” and “Holiday on the Homefront.” For the latter, costumed interpreters will bring back holiday celebrations ranging from colonial Virginia to World War II. Guests can take candlelit tours of the home, visit with Santa and enjoy special children’s activities.

Ann Marie Maher President and CEO Discover Prince William & Manassas

At the other end of Prince William, visitors can discover how slaves celebrated the holidays during “Enslaved Holiday” on Dec. 13 at Ben Lomond Historic Site in Manassas. Candlelit tours will take guests through the house and slave quarters. The stories of the enslaved community come alive through vignettes offering a compelling perspective into this time, including holiday traditions.

M verP W @Disco

Facebook.com/pwcmanassas

Also in Manassas on the 13th, Liberia Plantation opens to the public for special tours to provide a look into how Christmas was celebrated in this Civil War– era mansion. Tours start at the Manassas Museum with transportation to Liberia provided.

Back on the eastern side of the community, Civil War Christmas at Leesylvania State Park on Dec. 20 offers period music, costumed interpreters and refreshments.

Children can visit with a “Civil War Santa” and make decorations inspired by the era.

These are just a few of the special celebrations and events in Prince William County and Manassas during the holiday season. For more things to do in the area, visit discoverpwm.com.

Ann Marie Maher is the president and CEO of Discover Prince William & Manassas.

For more information about what’s going on in Prince William and Manassas, visit DiscoverPWM.com and like us on Facebook.com/pwcmanassas.

and for children ages 5 through 13, tickets are $5. Children 4 and younger are free.

Should Know” cards upon arrival. Bring your camera for pictures! $2 per child

Santa Comes to Rippon Lodge

Holiday on the Home Front – WWII Christmas Candle Tours

Dec. 7 | 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge Santa Claus will be visiting Rippon Lodge on Sunday afternoon. Learn about Christmas traditions of the past. Be on your best behavior so he will have you on the nice list. Bring your wish list for him.

Parents will be given special “Things Santa

Dec. 7 | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge It’s 1943 and World War II is in full swing. What was Christmas like for Wade and Dessie Ellis at their Rippon Lodge home? WWII artifacts and (continues on page 32)

1-800-432-1792 DiscoverPWM.com prince william living December 2014 | 31

(continued from page 31)

Decorated Vietnam Veteran to Speak on Military History

decorations will be on display throughout the house. Listen to a holiday fireside chat with FDR or a Bob Hope Special. Try your hand at making ornaments using what materials were on hand due to rationing. $5 per person, children under 6 free.

Dec. 11 | 7:00 p.m.

Freedom Museum Manassas Airport Terminal 10600 Harry Parrish Blvd., Manassas On Dec. 11, 2014, Major Bruce H. 'Doc' Norton, USMC (Ret.) will speak at the Freedom Museum about Military History books he has authored. He will discuss the men he wrote about, why he chose them, and present lessons learned about writing military history books.

In Vietnam, doing long range reconnaissance patrols as a Navy Medical Corpsman, he was decorated for heroism “under fire on numerous occasions”. He retired from military service, earned a MA Degree, became the Director of the Marine Corps’ Command Museum, in San Diego, CA, and taught military history at the University of San Diego.

The presentation will be from 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM and admission to is free. The Museum is located in the Manassas Airport Terminal, 10600 Harry Parrish Blvd., Manassas, VA 20110. For further information and directions to the museum, visit www.freedommuseum.org

“A Christmas Carol” by Gerald Charles Dickens Presented by the Golden Goose Dec. 9 | 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Ebenezer Baptist Church Seating commences one hour before the show. This activity is not recommended for small children. Tickets are $18 each and prepaid in advance with no refunds.

To reserve your spot in this unique event call 703.494.4964. Tickets must be picked up at the Golden Goose prior to the performance.

Winter Wonderland Train Show Dec. 10 -12 | 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Dec. 13 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Dec. 14 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Center for the Arts Candy Factory 9419 Battle Street, Manassas Free to the community, the Winter Wonderland Train Show is engaging for the whole family – kids will spend hours admiring the beauty, adults will love the scale exhibit. We will also be collecting canned goods and unwrapped toys to benefit SERVE during the holiday season.

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Civil War Christmas Dec. 12 | 10:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m.

Leesylvania State Park Visitor Center See the park’s very own jolly Civil War era Santa in his handmade, festive suit.

Bring the entire family out for an afternoon of holiday cheer. Enjoy period music, costumed interpreters and light refreshments. Make decorations as folks during the Civil War did. Bring a camera

for pictures with Santa. It's $2 per person or $6 per family.

American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season Dec. 12 | 8:00 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle Manassas The joy and magic of the holiday season comes alive when this energetic and polished pops orchestra presents a festive concert of cherished Christmas carols, holiday favorites, guest soloists, and the popular audience sing-along. Under the baton of founder and Artistic Director Anthony Maiello, these talented musicians from the greater D.C. area make the holidays merry and bright with an evening of musical holiday cheer. $50, $43, $30. www.hyltoncenter.org/calendar/475/

Brentsville Holiday Concert

Enslaved Holiday

Dec. 13 | site open 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.; concert begins at 6 p.m.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow Join the Brentsville community Saturday evening for a Holiday concert filled with seasonal music performed by the Brentsville District High School Choir at the beautiful and historic Brentsville Union Church. Enjoy hot cider and cookies by a warm bonfire. Admission is free.

Dec. 13 | 5pm- 7pm Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas, VA Take a candle lit tour of the main house and slave quarter to learn how the enslaved community celebrated the holidays and how they resisted the institution that kept them enslaved.

Living history vignettes will allow some of the enslaved workers at Ben Lomond to come to life, giving you a unique perspective into this period of American history. $7 per person, six and under free.

All events are subject to change. Check to verify dates, times and locations.

Manassas Chorale Presents Winter Concert “Joyful and Triumphant” Dec. 13 | 5 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas The Manassas Chorale is pleased to announce their winter concert, “Joyful and Triumphant,” on Saturday December 13 at 5:00 PM at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. The concert will feature the 100voice Chorale, 30-voice Ensemble, and orchestral accompaniment performing holiday favorites and new carol arrangements.

Santa Sa nta Arrives/Tree Arrives/Tree Lighting: Lighting: 12/5 Christmas P Parade: arade: 12/6 Merchant Merchant Open House: 12/7 Free F ree Carriage Rides: 12/7; 12/14; 12/21 For more information, information, go to For

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’was months till the party and they couldn’t decide, “Where oh where shall our guests arrive?� When suddenly their stress was replaced with good cheer. “Let’s have our party at Harbour View this year!�

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tambourines and elephants Call Me...Tired

By DeeDee Corbitt Sauter

In case there is ever a need to know, my Victorian name is Josephine, the Disney Princess with whom I mostly closely identify is Belle, and the ’80s movie that epitomizes me is “The Breakfast Club.”

I find it important to know as much about myself as possible so I take online quizzes seriously. When a recent one accurately told me that I had been married for 16 years, I was not surprised. It’s like magic.

Using these quizzes as a self-help tool and a vehicle in which I can study myself, I have learned that I am 100 percent Georgia Southern, although I have never even lived there. I can only assume that my birth certificate is wrong and I was actually not born in D.C. If the end of the world were nigh, or I were lost in the wilderness, a recent quiz informed me that I would be dead in less than a week, a possibility I find quite concerning. Now, it’s not worrisome enough to do anything about it, but I can at least warn my friends not to rely on me to save their lives.

I am not sure if I am a bookworm, a jock or a bonehead, although I really don’t need a quiz to tell me that physical prowess is not one of my Top 10 attributes. Which is probably why I am doomed once separated from civilization.

At some point in our history, we started labeling everyone: ADHD, introvert, extrovert, liberal, shy, dyslexic, quirky, anxious, OCD, gifted, slow, tenacious, charitable, conservative, messy, mean.

In my younger days there was no way I wanted to be identified with any one particular group. I was terrified of being called a geek or a nerd, and now it’s a way of being falsely self-deprecating while bragging about intellectual aptitude. Or maybe it gives an excuse for odd behavior.

Regardless, people seem to like labels, no matter what those proclaim.

I have been told by friends who self-identify as introverts that they are not rude, they are just living within themselves. My extrovert friends assure me that that is good to be out with people all of the time and I must understand their need for high energy contact. Some of my friends keep to themselves while others have “Touch All The Time Syndrome” when they talk, and can’t help making contact with me while catching up. That’s because they are “touchers.” I have contemplated becoming a “hand chopper-offer…”

Some of my friends’ children have either ADD or ADHD. In varying degrees, they can’t focus, sit still, pay attention, follow directions, use manners, stop talking or quit making noise. It is who they are, it is their label and therefore I am to accept it. Woe to the parent who corrects any errant behavior or actions that are usually socially unacceptable. The labels are a modern-day permission slip.

What used to be considered insulting stereotypes are now desired categorizations. I have had friends take these free, highly accurate online tests to help them become a part of the up-and-coming group of people who now have excuses for being irresponsible. Or mean. Or lazy. Or lacking follow-through. Or unable to help, clean, cook, etc. The list is infinite.

A friend once explained to me that she is not capable of teaching her children anything because she is too intelligent. Neither could she familiarize or orient anyone new to her line of business. She did everything intuitively and could not comprehend a level beneath basic; she was too smart to understand the needs of the beginning learner. She was a geeky nerd and too bright for most people. I am not sure, but I think she insulted almost everyone in the world with that comment.

Hopefully, everyone is too dumb to understand the slight.

“What used to be considered insulting stereotypes are now desired categorizations.”

I understand the desire for labels because it is an easy way to describe a particular behavior or habit with a minimum of words. A lengthy explanation takes time and few people listen, because, after all, there has been an explosion of attention-focusing disorders.

To help my friends understand me as well as I understand myself, since I am a student of introspection, it is necessary to share some of the simple labels that give me permission to act the way I do: Exhausted.

Well, that list was smaller than I expected but it certainly encompasses everything. It explains why I haven’t finished my book for book club. It’s the reason I haven’t written my memoirs. It’s why I didn’t cook dinner.

It’s why I put my head on the table and begged my children to quit making noise. My general incoherence, and trying to dial the remote control to call my dad, are both a direct result of my fatigue.

And the real reason my children make bad choices and are naughty? I am sure there are any number of labels I could use, but mostly it’s because they don’t listen to their exhausted mother and are simply naughty. Enough said.

DeeDee Corbitt Sauter is a resident of Prince William County. Her column, “Tambourines and Elephants,” appears monthly in Prince William Living. prince william living December 2014 | 35

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distribution sites Pick up a free copy of Prince William Living at one of the following fine locations: 13923 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge Appliance Connection 5255 Merchants View Square, Haymarket 13851 Telegraph Road, Suite 101, Woodbridge 8299 Harness Shop Road, Gainesville City of Manassas 15040 Heathcote Boulevard, Gainesville 9027 Center Street, Manassas 7101 Heritage Village Plaza, Gainesville Crossroads Realty 5101 Waterway Drive, Montclair 3600 Pointe Center Ct Suite 120, Dumfries 12908 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge Discover Prince William & Manassas 2100 Rippon Boulevard, Woodbridge 10611 Balls Ford Road, Suite 110, Manassas 9511 Technology Drive, Manassas 4290 Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge Edward Kelly Leadership Center 10249 Hendley Road, Manassas 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas 4300 Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge Historic Manassas Inc Northern Virginia Community College Visitor’s Center at the Train Depot Manassas Campus, 6901 Sudley Road 9431 West Street, Manassas Woodbridge Campus, 15200 Neabsco Mills Road Manassas Christian Academy Prince William Association of Realtors 8757 Signal Hill Road, Manassas 4545 Daisy Reid Avenue, Woodbridge Manassas Christian School Prince William County Fairgrounds 9296 West Carondelet Drive, Manassas 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas Manassas Park City Schools Prince William Ice Center One Park Center Court, Suite A, Manassas Park 5180 Dale Boulevard, Dale City Manassas Park – Parks and Recreation Prince William Parks and Recreation 99 Adams Street, Manassas Mason Enterprise Center 10890 George Mason Cir., Bull Run Hall, Rm 147, Manassas The Merit School of Prince William 14308 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge Minnieland 5555 Assateague Place, Manassas 12700 Correen Hills Drive, Bristow 10368 Bristow Center, Bristow 10910 Feeder Lane, Woodbridge 3498 Cranmer Mews, Woodbridge

Prince William Public Library System 14418 Bristow Road, Manassas 12964 Harbor Drive, Lake Ridge 12993 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville 8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas 8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas 13065 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge 4249 Dale Boulevard, Dale City 18007 Dumfries Shopping Plaza, Dumfries 4603 James Madison Highway, Haymarket 2201 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge

Prince William County Tourist Information Center 200 Mill Street, Occoquan Safeway 4215 Cheshire Station Plaza, Dale City 4240 Merchant Plaza, Woodbridge 2205 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge 12821 Braemar Village Plaza, Bristow Shopper’s Food and Pharmacy 9540 Liberia Avenue, Manassas 14000 Shoppers Best Way, Woodbridge 4174 Fortuna Center Plaza, Dumfries 10864 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas The Sign Shop 2603 Morse Lane, Woodbridge Town of Dumfries 17755 Main Street, Dumfries Town of Haymarket 15000 Washington Street, Haymarket Town of Occoquan Town Hall, 314 Mill Street, Occoquan Town of Quantico 337 5th Avenue, Quantico Virginia Realty Partners 4004 Genessee Place #209, Woodbridge

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Award-winning care, designed just for you Nationally recognized as healthcare leaders If you have a health concern, you want a team of experts who can provide leading-edge treatment and quality care. And you want to get that care close to home from people you trust. Our physicians, staff and services are consistently recognized nationally for superior outcomes and patient satisfaction.

We’ve received the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, the nation’s leading healthcare accrediting agency, plus national recognition for excellence in cancer, heart & vascular and orthopedic care. With two hospitals – Novant Health Prince William Medical Center and Novant Health Haymarket Medical Center – physician offices, imaging, cancer and surgery centers throughout the region, we’re here for you every step of the way.

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