HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH AT WILLOWSFORD!
SIGNATURE STROLL EVENTS COMING SOON:
STROLL COFFEE & CONNECTIONS IS HAPPENING THIS MONTH!
Join us for our next Stroll Coffee & Connections on Thursday, September 19 from 9:30 - 11:00 am! In addition to a delicious breakfast, residents can meet and mingle with Stroll Willowsford sponsors and neighborhood business owners, all in our community’s backyard! It’s a fun way to connect in a laid-back atmosphere!
Grab your tickets here: https://StrollCCSeptember.eventbrite.com
SAVE THE DATE!
The Pink Party: Friday, October 4, 5 - 8 pm at Lark Brewing
Join Stroll Willowsford at The Pink Party, organized by Willowsford resident-run non-profit The Foundation, in support of the IIIB’s Foundation’s Bosom Buddy Baskets program! Enjoy a fantastic, family-friendly fall evening at Lark Brewing,
Visit https://bit.ly/Foundationpinkparty to purchase tickets!
GET SOCIAL WITH WILLOWSFORD IN SEPTEMBER!
9/6: Willowsford First Friday Happy Hour & Concert
Visit the Willowsford Conservancy website for more details!
9/19: Stroll Coffee & Connections
9:30 - 11:00 am
Visit www.eventbrite.com/ StrollCCSeptember to reserve your spot!
9/19: Willowsford Mini Farm Stand @ Boathouse
4 - 6 pm
9/19: Willowsford Farm Stand
4 - 7 pm
featuring KT Pizza Food Truck
9/21: Willowsford Farm Stand
9 am - 1 pm
Native Plant Sale: 9 am - 12 pm
Wagon Ride Farm Tours: 10 am - 1 pm
9/24: Culinary Skills Class
6 – 8 pm
Sycamore House
Visit the HOA website for tickets
9/26: Willowsford Mini Farm Stand @ Boathouse
4 - 6 pm
featuring KT Pizza Food Truck
9/26: Willowsford Farm Stand
4 - 7 pm
Native Plant Sale: 4 - 6 pm
9/27 & 9/28: Winemaker Dinner
Featuring Robert Young Estate Winery
6 – 10 pm
Sycamore House
Visit the HOA website for tickets
9/28: Willowsford Farm Stand
9 am - 1 pm
Meet the Chickens: 10 - 11 am
Tickets available on Conservancy website
STROLL WILLOWSFORD OFFERS COMMUNITY 24/7 RESOURCES:
Scan here for more information about Stroll Willowsford events and activities; submitting article ideas, signing up to be a cover family, and more! It’s your personal concierge for Stroll Willowsford: https://linktr.ee/strollwillowsford
SAY HELLO TO OUR NEW SPONSORS!
We appreciate our Stroll Willowsford sponsors for helping to support the connections within our community.
MANY THANKS TO OUR RENEWING STROLL WILLOWSFORD SPONSOR:
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids provides an entertaining experience for kids by providing a superior haircut with warm, experienced stylists in a meticulously clean and sanitized place filled with fun not found in other kids’ salons! At Sharkey’s, all haircuts come with a wash, cut, blow-dry, fun cars or gaming stations, a choice of videos, minicures, lollipops, and a balloon!
Many of your neighbors appreciate the opportunity to support you and the Willowsford community through Stroll Willowsford, identified by this special badge on their ads.
Website: www.sharkeyscutsforkidsdulles.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SharkeysDulles
Instagram: @sharkeysdulles
YOU COULD WIN $100 VISA GIFT CARD NEXT MONTH!
Congratulations and thank you to our July 2024 “Testimonial Tuesday” winner, resident Laura Bartlett, who submitted a testimonial for Apple Blossom Auto Boutique. For your chance to win each month, submit your testimonial for ANY of our amazing sponsors by submitting a review at https://bit.ly/ StrollWFTestimonial, messaging us through our Facebook/ Instagram pages, or emailing our Publication Manager, Billie Rose, at billie.rose@strollmag.com.
Lauren Huke’s Testimonial for NVBlu
Laura Bartlett’s Testimonial for Apple Blossom Auto Boutique
This section is here to give our readers easier access when searching for a trusted neighborhood partner to use. Get to know the businesses that make this magazine possible. Please support them in return and thank them if you get the chance!
The Perfect Blind (703) 675-4111 facebook.com/theperfectblind4u
DISCLAIMER: This publication, also known as Front Porch Living, is owned by The N2 Company. Articles and advertisements in this publication and opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of N2 but remain solely those of the author(s) or advertiser(s). The paid advertisements contained within this magazine are not endorsed or recommended by N2.
We’re proud to showcase businesses that share our commitment to fostering local connections. When perusing our pages, keep an eye out for the “Local Sponsor” icon to identify articles highlighting these valuable partners. Please note that businesses profiled may have provided free products and / or services for the review.
Contact our staff with any of your questions, ideas, contributions, stories, event attendance, photos or requests. We are here to make Stroll Willowsford something you enjoy and love to read every month!
Traci Pasqualone
Publisher/Owner 703-201-7550
Traci.Pasqualone @n2co.com
Billie Rose Publication Manager 423-580-6142
billie.rose@strollmag.com
Hope Zawaski Client Manager 708-655-0256
Hope.Zawaski@n2co.com
Events Photographer & Stroll Social Media Manager Darlene’s Photography
Cydney McMillian
Jenny Sessoms Resident Photographer - Meet The Family Feature Jenny Sessoms Photography
STROLL WILLOWSFORD DEDICATED JUNIOR WRITER TEAM
Maria Smietana Writer Lia Hobel Writer
Darlene Shenier
Madison Griffin
Carley Emilo
Kiran Coryea
Samantha Astudillo
Hayden Faulkner Junior Editor Noelle Brinker
Hanna Stolle
Evelyn Rose
Kiaan Saraiya Henry Vooys
Addyson Lang Alex Macchiarolo
Amelia Macchiarolo
Presley McLaughlin
Scarlett Titchenell Cici Thomas
Ziyad Rafi
Emmy Reddy
Sydney Ayers
Dominick Halavik Cole Hamaker
Hi, I’m Rayyan Sheikh! I am a creative artist who enjoys drawing, reading and playing sports such as basketball, soccer and flag football. I like to travel with my family, especially to tropical places on the water and hanging out with family and friends. WELCOME TO THE TEAM! Junior Editor
Pareen Sandhu
Hi, I’m Zakariya Sheikh! I’m an adventurer and thrill seeker who enjoys having fun, playing video games and sports like basketball, soccer, and baseball. I also enjoy traveling with my family and hanging out with my friends and brothers!
Hello! I am Scarlett Taylor, and I am excited to work with Stroll! I love to sing, act, dance, write, and read!
Hello Willowsford, My name is Evelyn Vooys! I enjoy soccer, Girl Scouts, dance, playing the piano, and just being outside. Some of my hobbies are reading, doing crafts, and shopping with my mom. I have lived in Willowsford for about 4 years and from the very first meeting I knew I was going to love Stroll!
“September tries its best to have us forget summer.”
– BERNARD WILLIAMS
Hello, Willowsford Community Residents,
As summer’s warmth lingers into September, we’re in a moment of transition. The days may be growing shorter, but we can still savor those final leisurely moments—whether taking late-hour strolls, hosting outdoor gatherings, or enjoying the last bits of summer’s golden light.
The past few months have been filled with memorable vacations, thrilling concerts, relaxing pool days, and endless summertime fun. These experiences have enriched our lives and strengthened our community bonds.
This month, we honor Labor Day and the hard work that drives our community, while also reflecting on September 11 and the bravery we hold dear.
We’re deeply grateful to our contributors and readers, whose support makes Stroll Willowsford a true reflection of our community. Your stories and voices are at the heart of what we do. And we can’t forget the incredible support of our sponsors, many of whom are your neighbors. Their investment in our community helps make everything possible.
As September ushers us back into routines, let’s embrace the shift from summer’s carefree days to a season of renewed focus. With autumn on the horizon, we look forward to building on summer’s memories and welcoming the opportunities this new chapter brings.
It’s tough to leave summer behind, but my husband Frank and I are savoring the memories— (above left) meeting up with our son Alex and his girlfriend Taylor for a Richmond concert, (above right) braving the pit for Chris Stapleton with our daughter Haley.
Board Update Important Willowsford Contacts and Resources
Lifestyle Programming and Amenity Rentals info@willowsfordconservancy.org
Conservancy, Trails and Campsites farm@willowsfordfarm.com
Willowsford Farm Team
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
LCSO — Dial 911
LCSO Nonemergency — 703-777-1021
Animal Control — 703-777-0406
American Disposal — 703-368-0500
Trash Service: Tuesday & Friday;
Recycling: Friday; Yard Waste: Wednesday
NOVEC Electric — 703-335-0500
Washington Gas — 703-750-1000
Loudoun County Sanitation Authority — 571-291-7880
Verizon Fios Phone and Cable — 800-837-4966
Verizon Fios Internet — 800-438-3467
SFMC Inc. — 703-392-6006
Hello neighbors and supporting businesses! The Willowsford Board of Directors are excited to provide an update on Stroll Willowsford as we move into the fall months of 2024.
HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS
TO SHARE:
The 2024 pool season has wrapped up, and the transition to the new pool pass system had a positive impact on the management of our pool program. HOA Staff were able to process all the pool passes in less than two months, and residents quickly adjusted to the new system. The North and South Willowsford Waves had another successful season, with accomplishments great and small recognized by all the athletes!
The month of September brings us another event to come together as a community to share some phenomenal food and great wine! These events always sell out quickly thanks to Chef Emily’s farm-forward presentation of meals that are superbly paired with wines from around the world. Your Board is in the early stages of preparing for the annual budget approval in November. During a joint HOA and Conservancy Board meeting in July, the two organizations updated the community on the strategic plans and the initiatives underway to improve the Willowsford experience for residents. Many of these initiatives will likely have an impact on the budget and assessments in 2025. The next HOA Board meeting is on October 17th, and the next Joint HOA and Conservancy Board meeting is on October 22nd. We encourage residents to participate in Board meetings to learn more about what we are doing on behalf of the community.
With school back in session, we usually see a decrease in suspicious activity at some of our more remote amenities, but we continue to encourage you to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. If you see something, say something … by reporting it! The main way that we enforce good behavior in Willowsford is by residents reporting things that are suspicious. We need residents to report vandalism, people gathering after dark at outdoor community amenities, speeding and crossing of double yellow lines, and passing school busses that are dropping off or picking up students to the Loudoun County non-emergency number is 703-7771021. Posting on Facebook does not help the Sherrif’s Office increase local patrols, only reporting will have that impact.
As always, please reach out to any of your resident Board or HOA team members with any ideas or concerns. We look forward to all the splendor and colors that come in the fall months ahead!
Photo by Molly Peterson
WILLOWSFORD HOA
Culinary Skills Class
Tuesday, September 24th
6 – 8 PM
Sycamore House
Ages 12+
$50/Person
BY KACIE WARD, CMCA® WILLOWSFORD HOA LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR • PHOTO BY MARGARET JASZOWSKA
DISCOVER THE ART OF pasta making with Willowsford Kitchen’s hands-on Culinary Skills Class! Join us for a fun-filled session where you’ll learn to create perfect pasta from scratch. No experience needed—just enthusiasm and a love for good food. Whether you’re a kitchen novice or a seasoned chef, our hands-on workshop promises to transform your pasta-making skills.
Making pasta at home is easier than you think and makes for a fun project. In this workshop, we will practice making a simple pasta dough and then experiment with shaping it into linguini, ravioli, and more. You’ll dine on your creations tossed in a Farm Stand pesto and the simplest scratch-made tomato sauce. Soon you’ll be making homemade pasta with ease!
Limited seats available, so book your spot now to become a pasta-making pro! Don’t miss this chance to elevate your cooking skills and impress your loved ones with homemade pasta like never before.
Register at WillowsfordLife.com > Lifestyle > Registration Catalog
PASTA COMES IN SEEMINGLY INFINITE SHAPES. EXPLORE THE PASTABILITIES WITH WILLOWSFORD KITCHEN!
Spaghetti Long, thin strands, most commonly served with tomato or meat-based sauces
Fettuccine Flat ribbons of pasta, wider than spaghetti, often paired with creamy sauces or ragù
Linguine Similar to spaghetti but flat like fettuccine, ideal for seafood or pesto sauces
Penne Short tubes with angled ends, great for holding chunky sauces like arrabbiata or creamy sauces
Rigatoni Short, wide tubes with ridges, perfect for hearty sauces that cling to the pasta
Farfalle Butterfly or bowtie-shaped pasta, pairs well with lighter sauces or in pasta salads
Lasagna Large, flat sheets of pasta, used to layer with sauces and cheese in baked dishes
Ravioli Small pockets of pasta dough filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables, typically served with a sauce
Tortellini Small, ring-shaped pasta filled with meat, cheese, or spinach, often served in broth or with sauce
Orzo Small, rice-shaped pasta, used in soups, salads, or pilafs
Rotini Short, corkscrew-shaped pasta, holds sauces well and works in pasta salads
Cavatelli Small, shell-shaped pasta, often served with thick sauces or in soups
Gnocchi Small dumplings made from potato, flour, and sometimes egg, served with various sauces
Tagliatelle Long, flat ribbons of pasta, similar to fettuccine but thinner, pairs well with creamy sauces
Pappardelle Wide, flat noodles, great for robust sauces like Bolognese or wild game ragù
Get Planting This Fall!
AS WE ENTER FALL, it’s a great time to think about enhancing your gardens with new, native plants. While we often think of spring as the best season to plant, planting in fall offers several advantages! During the fall, cooler temperatures provide optimal conditions for root development, the most important thing in establishing resilient plants that will thrive for years. Strong roots provide much- needed stability, nutrient absorption, and enhance the plants’ ability to access moisture in the soil. Warm soil temperatures are one of the biggest factors in root development, and during the fall the soil will cool more slowly than the outside air. This combination of cooler air and warmer soil optimizes the plants’ ability to grow strong roots without causing stress to your plant.
Planting in fall can also be easier on you! We already know that native plants are well adjusted to our local ecosystem and require less maintenance in general, but you can amplify this further by planting in the fall. Without the heat of summer, fall plantings will not require the rigorous watering and weeding schedule that comes with planting in
spring and then maintaining through the throes of summer. Instead, you’ll have 1-2 months of less frequent care before winter arrives and you’re done. Come spring, you’ll find your plants well-established and acclimated to their home so next summer you can put down the hose and just enjoy their beauty!
There is a bit of a sweet spot to optimize giving your fall plantings enough time to establish before winter hits. We recommend planting between now and the end of October. Your Conservancy team has made it easier than ever to source native plants grown right here in your community from our very own Native Plant Greenhouse. Shop our online store to order for pick up or stop by one of our next Native Plant Sales at the Willowsford Farm Stand:
• September 12th 4-6pm
• September 21st 9am-12pm
• October 3rd 4-6pm
• October 10th 4-6pm
• October 26th 9am-12pm (when you can also visit our Harvest Market)
HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED NATIVE GARDENING ADVICE?
Our team is here to help, reach out to us anytime by emailing us at info@willowsfordconservancy.org.
Make Memories in Nature This Fall!
WITH TEMPS COOLING DOWN, it’s the perfect time to get outside and explore all that your Agrihood has to offer. one of these offerings is amenity and camping rentals tucked away in nature right here in your community. Whether you are a seasoned camper, or just looking for special place for your next outdoor gathering, we’ve got you covered with our three rentable sites:
• Grant Family Campground: Featuring 7 walk-in tent camping sites and amenities like portable bathrooms, free on-site firewood, hammock hookups, access to trails, and even an obstacle course, the Grant Campground has everything you could want for a short getaway. The convenient location and numerous amenities make it perfect for families and campers of all experience levels.
• Cedar Pond Pavilion: This rustic pavilion tucked away on Cedar Pond in The Greens is perfect place to host your next event. With space for up to thirty guests, it is ideal for your next club meeting, family gathering, or birthday party. Rent for the day or overnight and take in all that nature has to offer at this pond-side oasis.
• Hidden Meadow: Surrounded by dense red cedars, this hidden field in the southern portion of The Greens is an ideal setting for families and groups to experience an unforgettable outdoor adventure within the “wilds of Willowsford.” Suitable for up to 250 guests, this site is perfect for larger group campouts, family cookouts, scout groups, & more!
Our rentable facilities are open seasonally from May until October 31st, so make sure to book your stay this fall before it’s too late!
Warm
Up Winter Nights with Willowsford Farm Fresh Produce!
AFTER THIS BLISTERING HOT SUMMER , it may be hard to imagine that cooler temperatures are right around the corner. But alas, shorter days and chilly nights will be here soon. It might be even harder still to believe that on those cold dark evenings ahead, you and your family can access farm fresh vegetables. But, with the Winter Farmer’s Choice CSA from Willowsford Farm, you can eat healthy, freshly picked food, even as the thermometer dips and the snow piles up.
Willowsford’s Winter CSA ensures that over the course of the winter, from November through January, you will receive a bi-weekly share of six full boxes of vegetables grown right in your own backyard. Your winter share will generally include lots of hardy root vegetables like carrots, turnips, radishes and squash - the perfect combination for warming winter soups and other cozy meals. Additionally, you’ll receive fresh greens like spinach, kale and swiss chard - so you can keep on eating those nutritious salads even as the days turn icy. Finally, if you are feeling like adding a little protein to those salads, or want to cook up a fresh omelet to get
your day started, you also have the option of our Winter Egg subscription, courtesy of our very happy, pasture raised chickens!
Prefer a more flexible option?
The Custom CSA is great for those who travel frequently, have special dietary restrictions, or prefer to select their weeks’ ingredients. It allows you to choose 100% of your box contents and still support Willowsford Farm as a CSA member. There’s no better way to impress your holiday guests than with the freshest local produce as part of your spread! The Farm also offers a variety of products, think honey, jams, cured meats, cheeses and more, from local partners that make a great gift or stocking stuffer.
With the Winter season CSAs, not only will your family be kept happy and healthy through the holiday season, you can also take comfort in knowing that you are supporting the environmentally-friendly, local and sustainable agriculture that takes place right here at Willowsford.
Receiving your CSA or Custom order couldn’t be easier. Our Farm staff can either deliver it to your door or you can pick it up at any of our convenient pick-up sites at the Willowsford Boat House and Farm Stand in the Grange.
HONORING COURTNEY SMITH
BY RESIDENT AND JUNIOR WRITER EVELYN VOOYS
THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY THE VIRGINIA INSTITUTE FOR SURGICAL ARTS
When thinking of people who are trying to change the world in a positive way, my neighbor Courtney Smith was the first to pop into mind. In addition to working for No Kid Hungry, Courtney has also volunteered as Hovatter’s Staff Appreciation chair for the past two years! She helped to organize monthly drops of warmness and thanks for our amazing teachers and she also planned out the Staff Appreciation Week! That included getting to organize fun things for the teachers like food trucks, delicious breakfasts, Cinco de Mayo lunches, dessert carts, and cute honey bee swag. Since I know about her volunteer work already, I decided to interview her about her job!
What does No Kid Hungry do?
No Kid Hungry is a national campaign run by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive.
What is the main goal your company tries to reach?
As a child hunger organization, ending childhood hunger is our primary focus. We work to connect families, school districts, and communities with programs that help to feed kids at school and in the summer. Since the launch of the No Kid Hungry campaign in 2010, Share Our Strength has connected more than 3 billion kids with meals.
When did the company start, and Is No Kid Hungry located in states other than Virginia?
We are celebrating our 40th anniversary this year! Share Our Strength was founded in 1984 by a brother/sister duo who still run the organization today! And the No Kid Hungry campaign is a national organization helping to connect kids with meals in all 50 states.
What event was No Kid Hungry most successful with?
What a great question! We host more than a dozen fundraising events annually. In 2023, we hosted an event in Los Angeles that raised nearly 1.5 million dollars. Celebrities Jeff Bridges, P!nk, and Chef Alice Waters were honored at the event. P!nk even performed an acoustic performance!
How can our community help your company?
Despite this country having plenty of food, 1 in 5 kids are still at risk of hunger in America. There are many ways our community can help to ensure kids get the nutritious food they need every day. You can donate ($1 can help provide 10 meals to hungry kids), your company can sponsor an event, you can attend one of our amazing culinary events or even host your own event, or you can write an email to our elected officials asking them to take a stand for children.
After learning a lot more about No Kid Hungry I realized how much worse the world would be without the company. All the people who work for No Kid Hungry are heroes and deserve many thanks!
Do you know somebody who consistently puts others before themselves and supports others in need, whether large or small, but often flies under the radar? To nominate a fellow neighbor for this honor, send an email to billie.rose@strollmag.com.
Hoverboard Highlights Gliding into fun!
IT’S HOVER TIME!
BY RESIDENT AND JUNIOR WRITER ALEX MACCHIAROLO THIS
FEATURE SPONSORED BY HILLYARD AUTOMOTIVE
If you look out your window on a warm, dry day, I’m sure you’ve seen kids rolling around on a popular two-wheeled vehicle: they’re called hoverboards. Hoverboards are very popular amongst 3rd-5th graders. I think the technology they use is really cool and hoverboards are the path to the future. I highly recommend googling the patents on hoverboards. Two kids you can find on my block are my siblings--Amelia and Benny. I sat down with my brother, 7, to interview him about his favorite toy. Benny has a GoTrax brand hoverboard which reaches speeds up to 6.2 mph and has a self-balancing feature for entry-level riders. The hoverboard was one of Benny’s Christmas gifts last year. “I really hope to get the attachment that turns [the hoverboard] into a go-kart,” Benny said. He was inspired to ask for a hoverboard after watching our friend and neighbor, Lucas Boynton, cruise around our block. Some of Benny’s favorite things to do on his hoverboard are to spin, ride around, and, though he didn’t admit to it, torture me by trying to run over my toes. My brother really flies faster than a speeding bullet on his hoverboard. I asked him one final question: would he recommend a hoverboard for the kids reading this? He gave a wholehearted “YES!”
"Our family knows the
- Mike Hillyard.
Willard Welcome Week is a fourday camp where rising sixth graders get to go to Willard to practice an AB schedule, get familiar with the building, and make new friends. You might be wondering what an AB schedule is, Well, it is a block schedule where students take four subjects a day (English is every day) rather than all seven subjects in one day. We did lots of activities including a tour of the school, practicing locker combinations, and a scavenger hunt. We also practiced transitioning from class to class. I enjoyed this because we were able to get to meet teachers and explore the building.
Throughout these days I met many amazing new people. This is a wonderful experience for upcoming sixth graders especially if you are coming from a school that not many people are going to Willard. We practiced many necessary things for middle school. This was a great way to learn the ropes and I would one hundred percent recommend this for rising sixth graders.
THE BIG GIVE
A community’s progressive volunteering adventure!
BY RESIDENT AND JUNIOR WRITER KIAAN SARAIYA THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY LUX DENTAL CENTER
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT OUR neighborhood fundraising and volunteering extravaganza called The Big Give? If not, let me tell you all about it! The Big Give was created by Willowsford Cares to help support our community and help Loudoun County thrive and grow. This year, Willowsford Cares was thrilled to partner with ALOE (A Love of Everyone) to bring back the event for the first time since 2019! Part scavenger hunt, part volunteering in the style of a progressive dinner where everyone travels from place to place, this familyfriendly fundraiser makes a huge impact! This year, more than 160 people in 40 Willowsford families gathered to make a difference for 8 charities!
During the event, each family is assigned to one of three groups based on the ages of the family members. Prep work ahead of time was required which included bringing some supplies to help and buying some supplies to donate. We began the day at the Hal and Berni Hanson Park. As everyone gathered and dropped off their donations, the first opportunity to help a nonprofit was through the Play4All fundraiser. Play4All is an organization run by middle schoolers at Willard whose mission is to make public playgrounds more accessible for disabled children. Families were able to donate money and buy cupcakes and treats to support the program. As a middle schooler, I felt drawn to the cause and made a donation
See page 66 for this month’s Celebrations feature to read all about Stroll’s Happy Hour that raised more than $1,000 for Play4All for The Big Give!
myself! If you would like to support them, you can find more information at www.sites.google.com/lcps.org/play4all.
Next, we had the Hal & Berni Hanson Park Clean Up. We all love this park, especially after the beautiful fireworks show, but it did get a little messy. Each team was assigned a different area of the park, and we set out to collect as much trash as we could, leaving the park cleaner than ever.
The third event was shopping for Better-A-Life “weekend bags” for children with food insecurities. This nonprofit organization provides children and families with food, education, assistance, and other necessities. Each team was assigned a grocery store where we bought non-perishable food items for families in need. Additionally, we gave a $10 gift card as a random act of kindness to a customer in the store. These bags were handed off after the sixth event!
Next up was helping with Sprout Therapeutic Riding Center maintenance. Sprout is a horse riding center that provides therapy to children in need. We each made a donation that went towards buying supplies for the horses. During the event, each team helped with different parts of the farm. For example, my team spread wood
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WILLOWSFORD DENTIST
Our team at Lux Dental Center takes great pride in our work, and we especially value our relationships with our patients. We never want our patients to feel like a number, and always want them to feel like they are heard and empowered to make well-informed dental decisions. As a Willowsford resident-owned business, Dr. Lynn Alexander and Dr. Jason Kiangsoontra feel privileged and grateful to be the dentists of many Willowsford families. We hope to change the way you feel about dentistry, one appointment at a time!
The Lux Dental Center Team
Public Service Announcement from Kenleigh and Carter
Laura Griffin with our dental hygienist Libby
Tara with Dr. Alexander and dental assistant Joëlle
chips on the horse trail, making it easier for them to walk. It was exhausting but rewarding.
After lunch, we stuffed welcome bags for children at INOVA, Northern Virginia’s only dedicated pediatric hospital. Each team was assigned to a certain age group; my team made welcome bags for children aged 3-5.
In our sixth event, we made dog treats for FOHA (Friends of Homeless Animals). This no-kill shelter is committed to our animals and community. We used peanut butter, kibble,and paper towels rolls to make tasty treats, plus we donated peanute butter and canned pumpkin to FOHA too!
Our final event involved assembling bikes and care packages for an organization called Foster Love. This nonprofit organization makes foster care easier and better. We split into groups and got to work! My group made hero and birthday boxes filled with supplies and action figures. We decorated boxes and cards, writing kind notes to the children. The older group assembled bikes while the younger group made sweet cases filled with treats and candy.
Overall, the Big Give was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to connect with the community. If you are interested in a fun way to give back, look no further—our community’s charity is phenomenal, and I highly recommend participating in 2025!
Stroll Willowsford loves highlighting people and organizations that help make a difference in our community. Share your story with us! Email billie.rose@strollmag.com.
WILLOWSFORD COMMUNITY RESIDENTS SINCE 2013
Floor Coverings International
WRITTEN BY STROLL WILLOWSFORD STAFF WRITER LIA HOBEL
When visiting a flooring showroom, the abundance of information and products can be overwhelming for customers. Floor Coverings International of South Loudoun County, located on Shaw Road in Sterling, can simplify the experience and make selecting a floor a breeze. With mobile showrooms, floor associates can bring thousands of samples to the customer, allowing them to see products in their own light with their own furnishings and fixtures. “We employ sales associates that complete rigorous training to help prospects to navigate the daunting challenge of narrowing their product selections based on the specific objectives that they share with us,” explains Dan Lyman, owner of the South Loudoun Floor Coverings International location.
Floor Coverings International also helps manage the customer experience holistically, from the first appointment through installation, prioritizing quick issue resolution. As Dan says, that’s personal customer experience that can’t be had with a big box flooring retailer. “They manage the frontend sale of the product with staff that are rarely experienced flooring specialists, and they often leverage third parties to manage the installations, so they don’t even know who is installing the product.” Dan further explains that this creates a very fragmented experience for the customer. “Our objective is to work with our customers from the initial meeting until the flooring project is complete and they are happy with the outcome.”
While Floor Coverings International is a locally owned and managed franchise business, the company receives the benefit of direct-to-manufacturer relationships with the top flooring brands. “We have direct relationships with dozens of manufacturers of all flooring types, including carpet, hardwood, luxury vinyl, laminate, and tile, and we are able to leverage the buying power of the complete North American network to be able to compete against big-box retailers and other volume buyers,” says Dan. “We also pass product warranties from the manufacturers on to our customers and we offer warranties on our installation labor.”
The process of selecting floors starts with understanding a customer’s objective. Dan notes that this can be vastly different for an investor renting a property out versus a luxury home receiving an upgrade versus a commercial flooring project. “Once we understand the customer objective, our sales associates are experienced and
knowledgeable in the products and can quickly narrow down what options are most appropriate and work with the customer to refine their selection.” From there, once the final product selection is made, the sales associate will meet with the production team to ensure that they understand all the project nuances. These are things like understanding subfloor and flooring heights, the need for transitions, anything related to stairs and railings, trim considerations, and more. Following this collaboration, the materials are ordered, and the job is scheduled.
As with most things, there’s no one size fits all. With flooring, each project presents some unique challenges.
“We completed a recent project where a customer wanted to replace a quarter-inch solid hardwood on much of their main level with a durable luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring product that is much thinner. When doing so results in large gaps under door casings and trim and can add significant cost and complexity to the project. The best solutions to this situation are to either raise the entire subfloor of the home by adding a layer of plywood, or to lower the doors themselves, or to re-case and re-jamb all the doors.” Dan notes that none of those options are inexpensive, though in this case the solution was to lower and re-trim all of the doors. “Because there were areas of carpet adjacent to the newly installed LVP, raising the height of the subfloor would have resulted in an undesirable height difference between the LVP and the carpeted areas. Not all flooring businesses will openly discuss these situations with their clients up front if they are even aware of it simply because it complicates the sale and adds cost to the project.”
“To properly serve discriminating customers like the residents of Willowsford demands a premium service, and we believe our business model is strongly aligned to that.”
One of the key benefits of working with a franchisee of Floor Coverings International is that each branch has access to strong corporate-managed educational programs on flooring and flooring products. Dan says they also have access to product seminars that are conducted by their core suppliers. “They participate with us in our annual convention, where both style and product trends are primary topics.”
Within the residential space, Dan says Willowsford is indicative of a community that strongly resonates with their target market. “It is an affluent community of homeowners that clearly care about their homes and their surroundings, and they are not always looking for the lowest-cost provider. While many of the homes are still relatively new and have limited near-term needs for flooring, we see Willowsford as a community strategic to our local market.” Dan also adds that they have to be competitive when it comes to the prices they charge for their flooring services, but they also know that “to properly serve discriminating customers like the residents of Willowsford demands a premium service, and we believe our business model is strongly aligned to that.”
Floor Coverings
International
506 Shaw Rd #312, Sterling, VA 20166 (571) 441-1799
Send us a testimonial about any of our Stroll Willowsford sponsors to billie.rose@n2co.com, or fill out the form here: bit.ly/StrollWFTestimonial. You will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card that month.
FESTIVE FAMILIES ON THE FOURTH
Capturing the neighborhood’s sparkling celebrations!
THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY BOBBIO FAMILY DENTAL
The IIIB's Foundation is dedicated to providing comfort to women recove ring from breast cancer mastectomy surgery by providing our Bosom Buddy Baskets filled with valuable resources and recovery items to ensure no woman faces breast cancer alone.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4th, 5-8pm
Chateau de Chantilly
RESIDENT
JUNIOR WRITER PAREEN SANDHU
Chateau de Chantilly is my favorite place to go for delicious treats! The cafe has the most amazing types of rolls that are so yummy and flaky. But the real star of the show is their famous creme brulee donut. Imagine a fluffy, golden-brown donut filled with creamy custard and topped with nice crispy caramelized sugar on top. It’s like biting into a piece of heaven! The first time I tried it, I couldn’t believe how incredible it was. Each bite is filled
with sweet, creamy flavors that create a delightful dessert experience. Oh, and their lavender lemonade is absolutely exquisite too with its light tangy flavor. It tastes like heaven in a cup.
The atmosphere at Chateau de Chantilly is so cozy and inviting. The café is adorned with lovely rich brown hues and delightful Frenchinspired decorations, creating a warm, comforting environment. Relaxing at one of their charming
tables, enjoying a delicious dessert or simply enjoying your daily cup of coffee, always guarantees a thoroughly relaxing experience. The amiable staff contributes to the cozy and hospitable feeling, ensuring that every visit is a joy. If you’re searching for a place to satisfy your sweet cravings and transport yourself to a delightful world of delicious desserts, Chateau de Chantilly is the perfect spot for you!
GOOD AS GOLD
WHEN YOU IMAGINE A perfect duo what do you think of? Some might say Batman and Robin, or Barbie and Ken. There are endless amounts of pairs to be listed. When I think of a perfect duo I think of Becks and Sully, the funloving dogs.
These two pups belong to the O’Hara family, in the north side of the Greens. Becks is an adorable Goldendoodle, and Sully is a lovable Golden Retriever. Six years ago the O’Haras decided they wanted a dog, they found Becks in Ohio
and decided that she was the one. Fast forward to two months ago and they decided to get another dog. They found someone in Ashburn who had a litter of Golden Retriever puppies and picked Sully. Becks is currently six years old and Sully is still just a puppy at only four months old.
Becks and Sully are very active and playful dogs. Some of their favorite things to do are play, play-fight with each other, and run around together. I asked the O’Haras why they got their dogs. They
said that they had gotten them because they are just fun, sweet, and loveable animals that they just think are amazing! When I asked what one word would you use to describe your dog the O’Haras responded with goofy for Sully, and high maintenance for Becks! These two are the cutest dogs you will ever meet so next time you see them on a walk or just playing around make sure to say hi!
HEALTHY LIVING
Healing At Home
Women’s physical therapy services right in the neighborhood!
MOST PEOPLE HAVE HEARD OF orthopedic physical therapy after experiencing a sports injury or after surgery, but the specialty of pelvic floor physical therapy was less known until recently. In the last decade, the importance of rehabilitating the body after childbirth has started to become as common as rehab after an ACL repair. Women, and their healthcare providers, are recognizing that the common symptoms that plague women during pregnancy and postpartum are treatable and do not have to become their new normal. Christy Wilson, a Doctor of Physical Therapy who owns a women’s health practice in her home in the Grove, is a pelvic rehab provider who is part of that change locally.
Christy had a vision to create a unique place where women could receive oneon-one, expert, customized care by a knowledgeable practitioner in a private setting who would spend the time to listen to their whole story, connect
“Christy is amazing! Her deep knowledge of the body and skill in pain relief are unmatched. If you’re experiencing lower back pain, are pregnant, or dealing with post-pregnancy issues, she’s the one to see. She’s truly a miracle worker, and I’m grateful to have found her!”
—KATE KELLOGG, WILLOWSFORD RESIDENT
“Christy has helped so much with issues I had been dealing with since having my children. She took the time to understand the issues that I had spent years trying to deal with on my own and customized a plan that has worked very well! She is amazing!”
-MEGAN GARRISON, RESIDENT
the dots, and become a partner in their journey to better health. She did not want her patients passed onto an unqualified aide, bounced around to different practitioners, or prescribed cookie-cutter treatment plans. Her clinic, Core Active Physical Therapy, is her vision come to life.
Christy treats women at all stages of life. Common diagnoses include back pain, hip pain, pelvic pain, tailbone pain, SI joint dysfunction, incontinence, prolapse, diastasis recti (abdominal separation, common after pregnancy), pubic symphysis dysfunction, neck pain, headaches/migraines, and pregnancy-related carpal tunnel or “mommy thumb”. She also provides birth prep sessions for pregnant moms to prepare their bodies for a successful birth, general postpartum recovery care and works with new moms to bridge the gap between the postpartum period and getting back to their previous exercise routine. A referral is not needed to seek out care.
over twenty years.
MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS THAT YOU CAN TRUST.
For the Junior Writer Team’s July meeting, we visited the Gum Spring Library, one of the ten branches within the Loudoun County Public Library system. While we were there we had a lovely conversation with one of our local librarians who explained the difference between the Children, Teen, and Adult departments within the library, spoke about the multitude of programs offered, and we learned about the steps needed to gain a library card (a simple form filled out online or in person, and kids can get their own!) After our discussion we were led on a tour throughout the library, making a special stop in the library’s Makerspace room, filled with a variety of supplies and equipment needed to create all sorts of projects, and the library’s sorting system, learning that any book checked out of a Loudoun County library can be returned to any branch location regardless of where it was originally checked out, before returning to our conference room. Finally, we had a little time to check out books and sign up for the summer reading program offered at the library.
Learning About The Library
Junior Writers discover options beyond books!
BY RESIDENT AND JUNIOR EDITOR HAYDEN FAULKNER
THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY ADAM HUKE WITH CASSADY & COMPANY, INC.
The Gum Spring Library hosts a multitude of events all year round, including storytimes held for toddlers and young children, weekly Makerspace programs to teach people of all ages new skills, and other community events. With two floors filled with books, study rooms, computer areas, and a top-of-the-line Makerspace department, whatever you’re looking for is likely in the building. Their large teen department is open to grades 6th and up and hosts a variety of genres from manga, to fantasy, to historical fiction. Despite the multitude of activities offered on the second floor, the adult section is a quiet, open space filled with places to work or curl up with a book. Just below is a cheerful children’s department, fit with picture books and activities. Taking the time to visit the library is a reminder that one is never to young or old to find a passion in reading or just learn something new.
SOCCER AND SPARKS
A night of family fun and fireworks!
BY RESIDENT AND JUNIOR WRITER HENRY VOOYS
THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY THE ST. JAMES FC VIRGINIA
BOOM, CRACK! That’s what was heard at the Loudoun United 703 and postgame fireworks. When Loudoun United was hosting a Fireworks show after the game, many people decided to start their 4th of July celebrations early by watching Loudoun United play Hartford Athletics. In a great start to an awesome night Loudoun United had a variety of fun games, bouncy houses, live music, and even a clown on stilts. With many local food trucks and vendors, you could find everything from Gruto’s Ice Cream, to a local popcorn vendor. Right before kickoff happened kids 5-14 had a chance to volunteer to participate in the kids’ walkout tunnel to get a high five from the players.
Loudoun United had a stellar performance and won the game 3-0. (Go Loudoun!) The fireworks show started right afterward. Not only did they last a long time but the fireworks were huge and super colorful! With spectacular fountains and crackling explosions, it really was a breathtaking show. After
the show, kids had the opportunity to walk onto the field and take a PK shot. It really was an awesome experience to feel what it is like to be a semi-pro athlete. Everyone also had the opportunity to get signatures from the players, and if you’re lucky and you cheer loud you might get the chance to get one of the players’ jerseys like we did!
This really was an awesome game and I look forward to going to another game soon. If you ever want a fun evening/ night activity I would 100% recommend you going to see a Loudoun United game!
Do you have a story about athletics, fitness or sports? Share with us! billie.rose@strollmag.com
Summit Direct Care
An alternative to traditional healthcare
WRITTEN BY STROLL WILLOWSFORD STAFF WRITER LIA HOBEL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNON LOUISE
John and Diana Grimsley, amid having successful careers, felt restless. John was running a hospitalist practice, and Diana was involved in wealth management operations. Seeking a greater purpose with their four children, they spent time soul-searching for guidance. During this time, they had a pivotal moment. “We felt a calling from God, a powerful and undeniable urge to step away from our conventional paths and embark on a new journey.”
That higher calling led them to leave their jobs and create a holistic healthcare practice. “We realized that our community deserved a different kind of healthcare—one that prioritized personal connections, holistic care, and a commitment to the well-being of each patient. Guided by this divine inspiration, we made the decision to leave our jobs and establish Summit Direct Care,” the couple explains.
The husband-and-wife team opened their practice on Route 50 in Chantilly to be an alternative to the mainstream
healthcare system, in which the couple says has left patients feeling unheard and misguided. “Our model fosters an environment where doctors can once again focus on the patient and the root cause of what ails them. We believe that a truly holistic healthcare experience requires integrating lifestyle, functional, and modern allopathic medicine.”
Summit Direct Care blends those three approaches for the best possible outcome for the patient. Their holistic goal is to restore balance and optimal function across all health aspects. Lifestyle includes preventive care and personalized advice on diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. Patients are educated on how daily habits impact health to empower informed choices. Their approach in functional medicine involves identifying and addressing root causes of illness through thorough assessments of family history, environment, and lifestyle. From there, the doctors develop individualized treatment plans, considering each patient’s unique health profile. Through modern allopathic medicine, doctors employ evidence-based practice, utilizing the latest research and technology for diagnosis and treatment.
Pharmacological interventions are used when necessary for acute and chronic conditions. Patients also receive collaborative care to ensure coordinated treatment with specialists and healthcare providers. Personalized care plans empower patients in several ways. They receive extended and timely appointments with consistent providers and open communication. There’s also transparency in pricing and treatment discussions to make healthcare not only accessible but affordable. As to billing, it’s a “patient-focused revenue model” with direct payments and no insurance billing. Patients also receive independent medical decisions with no pharmaceutical influence and evidence-based treatments.
A key benefit for Direct Care patients is that they receive timely care, reducing wait times and anxiety. Early detection of health issues during appointments allows for timely interventions and long-term benefits. “By spending more time with each patient, our doctors can often address complex issues that might otherwise require a specialist referral, thus saving patients the additional cost of specialist visits.”
One of the core principles of Summit Direct Care is affordability. The Grimsleys say the practice has a focus on reducing the need for total healthcare services and specialist visits. Instead, their patients pay a straightforward monthly membership fee that covers most primary and urgent care services, allowing them to budget their healthcare expenses more effectively without the fear of unexpected bills.
“By removing the middleman (insurance companies), we can allocate more resources directly to patient care, ensuring that our patients receive high-quality services without unnecessary administrative costs.”
“We realized that our community deserved a different kind of healthcare— one that prioritized personal connections, holistic care, and a commitment to the well-being of each patient.”
The couple says through this journey, they’ve found not only their purpose, but also a deeper connection to their community and to each other. “Connecting with the residents is the foundation of why we started this practice,” they share. “We felt called to better utilize our skill sets to serve this community with honest, ethical, and faithful family medicine. We aim to create a supportive and health-focused environment where everyone feels empowered and encouraged to achieve their best health.”
Summit Direct Care
Phone: 571-350-0929
Location: 13135 Route 50, Suite 150, Fairfax, VA 22033
Send us a testimonial about any of our Stroll Willowsford sponsors to billie.rose@n2co.com, or fill out the form here: bit.ly/StrollWFTestimonial. You will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card that month.
MEET THE WANG-FANONE FAMILY
BY MARIA SMIETANA • PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNY SESSOMS PHOTOGRAPHY
Victoria Wang and her family have lived in the Grove for about 18 months and feel very much at home. “We love Willowsford because of the amenities and the neighborly connections that we all have,” she said. “Everyone has gone above and beyond to look out for us, which is especially helpful to me as a single parent. The girls’ friends are also neighbors, so everyone is growing up together!”
Born in Taiwan, Victoria came to the U.S. with her family at age four and grew up in Potomac, MD. She earned both a speech communications degree and an MBA from the University of Maryland. She’s still fluent in spoken Mandarin
and passed that gift on to her three daughters--Piper, Mei Mei, and Hensley Wang-Fanone—who all speak and understand conversational Chinese. The girls have Italian and Irish heritage from their dad’s side.
All three are avid competitors in Loudoun Soccer, playing across travel, All Stars, Challenge, and Classic programs. “Piper (12) plays defense, Mei Mei (10) plays center, and Hensley (8) is a goalie, which gives me a heart attack,” Victoria said. “Piper also loves dance and takes lessons at Creative Dance Center. In the summer, you can find the girls at the soccer fields in the mornings and the entire family at the pool in the afternoons.”
We love Willowsford because of the amenities and the neighborly connections that we all have.”
A sales operations director at an eDiscovery company, Victoria has worked mainly from home since Piper was born. “I love process improvement and finding solutions to bridge gaps between departments or processes/workflows,” she said. “It reaches into all aspects of my life as I am always looking for ways to be more efficient.”
Birthdays and travel are a big part of how Victoria, who describes her family as “spirited, resilient, and independent,” makes memories with her girls. “Piper was a Christmas Eve baby,
so we celebrate her birthday up to December 24th, and then it’s back to the holiday celebrations,” Victoria laughed. “It’s a lot of overcompensation!”
Summer kicks off with a visit to Rehoboth Beach on Memorial Day, and usually the Wang-Fanones spend a week or two there throughout the season enjoying Funland, the boardwalk, and the Purple Parrot. Until COVID, they would visit relatives in Taiwan every other year. This year, they’re off to Portugal at the end of October.
The girls’ friends are also neighbors, so everyone is growing up together!”
Victoria says her family is in the summer season of life right now. “The girls achieved a lot academically and personally even with the move,” she said. “They earned straight A’s and Mei Mei and Hensley both got Honeybee of the Quarter awards while making the All-Stars soccer team. Next summer, Piper will finish middle school with an 11-day trip to Germany, Austria, and Spain. There is lots of growth and productivity going on in the WangFanone household.”
HOW CAN I SELL MY HOME WITH MY BUSY LIFE? IT’S SO MUCH WORK…
Sisters that Sell
Deborah: Not to worry – The Pearl Team makes the buying and selling process seamless. “You can hand us the keys and we can handle the rest!”
Michelle: We begin by creating a tailored Success Plan and organizing everything to prepare your house for the market. Rest assured, you're in good hands as we collaborate with trusted contractors, cleaners, landscapers, movers, and more.
Deborah: If that plan includes repairs, we have trusted professionals ready to prepare your home for sale. “You can renovate now and repay at closing.” Our design team can guide you, or we can take the reins and select all the upgrades for your home.
Michelle: We also offer staging services to prepare your home for sale, making it more attractive to potential buyers. We walk through the home, providing recommendations on decluttering, depersonalizing, rearranging furniture, and adjusting lighting. Additionally, we bring in decorative elements to create a welcoming, picture-perfect atmosphere. As licensed stagers, our goal is to enhance your home's appeal, helping it sell faster and at a higher price.
Deborah: And we provide professional photos and videos to expertly market your property. We analyze the market and work with you to strategically price your home. Then we implement a comprehensive marketing and advertising strategy so your listing stands out.
Meet Michelle Perl Stanko and Deborah Perl Davis - the two sisters behind Ask The Sisters That Sell. Together with their mother, Laurie Perl, they make up The Pearl Team. Drawing on their expertise as Realtors, they dive into market-specific topics relevant to Willowsford where Michelle and her family live.
If you’d like to discuss buying, selling or investing, reach out to Michelle at Michelle@thepearlteam.com or 703-568-7868.
Michelle: We deliver expert negotiations to secure the best possible outcome for you. We can also arrange rent-back agreements to smoothly coordinate your selling and buying needs. If you're purchasing a resale or new construction home, we can help synchronize the timing of your sale to fit your new home’s timeline.
Deborah: Then we handle all contractual details ensuring a smooth and legally sound transaction. This includes conducting comprehensive due diligence, coordinating inspections, justify sales price in home appraisal packages and proactively addressing any issues.
Michelle: Don’t forget - we are here to make the buying and selling process easy! We’re more than real estate, we're family.
looking forward to watching their favorite movie?
We for one do; with its large screen, dim lighting, and oversized comfy sectional, our basement home theater is one of our favorite spaces to enjoy movie nights. It’s an open-concept home theater with great sight lines to the screen no matter if you’re playing pool, enjoying a game on the giant wall-mounted Scrabble board, or just hanging out.
The theater vibe is in check thanks to the surround sound system which includes both ceiling-mounted and floor-standing speakers. A classic like Star Wars is especially enjoyable and you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action.
Whether it’s X-wings and Tie-fighters flying all around you or feeling the vibrations of an epic lightsaber battle from the subwoofer bass. Similarly, gaming on a large projection screen levels up the experience! We recently have been playing PS5’s Spider-Man 2, and it feels realistic and like you are an actual player in the game.
We often host various movie nights with friends and family who also enjoy spending time in this space, however not everyone makes it through an entire movie with the cloud-like sectional being extra cozy! Everyone can enjoy a movie night no matter what space you have, as long as you have the right company and
Harriford
BY RESIDENTS AND JUNIOR WRITERS RAYYAN AND ZAKARIYA SHEIKH THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY HARRIFORD EXTERIOR RESTORATION
BEACH BUDDIES
Neighbors navigate the Outer Banks!
AND JUNIOR WRITER
RESIDENT
BY
KENNEDY PARKER THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY FORTIFY CHIROPRACTIC AND SPORTS REHAB
THIS SUMMER I GOT TO vacation with three of my good friends and neighbors: First, Sydney and I, along with our families and our friends Sabrina and Claire, went to Colonial Williamsburg. This was fun because we got to plan what we did! We stayed in a real colonial tavern, and we even got our own room! I enjoyed walking around Colonial Williamsburg with my friends. It was cool to see how they made things in colonial times. We went to a shoemaker’s shop and they showed us how colonial shoes were made! The best parts were the ghost tour we took at night and getting to eat in a fancy restaurant where we had real colonial food.
Our last stop was a week at the Outer Banks (OBX). Our beach house was close to Sydney’s beach house (we may have planned that). The night we arrived we got together and went to feed turtles at a nearby pond. We threw bird seeds in the pond, and in the blink of an eye, a SWARM of turtles came! It was funny because sometimes the turtles would climb on each other! After that we walked down to the beach and took our shoes off, we weren’t planning on getting wet but by the time we got back our pants were soaked! That night we also went looking for ghost crabs with flash lights and found so many!
We LOVED going to the beach! We built sandcastles and dug for clams in the sand. We were surprised when we found a creature called a Sand Roach. Sand roaches dig in the sand and wait for a wave to come. When a wave comes it sticks out its face. It was really fun to find these animals, sometimes if you scooped water when a wave came in, you’d catch shrimp! We put all of these animals in a bucket (and later set them free) and tried to build an ecosystem!
We also shopped for souvenirs, but I soon found out some of the stores sold hermit crabs, which made me sad for the animals. Luckily, my friends cheered me up with ice cream. We ate so much ice cream and it was delicious. We did so many amazing things, like going to the water park, that it is hard to list them all. The beach trip was VERY fun and I look forward to when and if I can vacation with friends again!
We want to share your trips! Email Publication Manager Billie Rose at billie.rose@strollmag.com to get scheduled for a future feature!
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Sangria, Sliders, and Schnitzel
Trummer’s triumph puts the “fun” in fundraising!
BY RESIDENT AND JUNIOR WRITER ANNA ROSE • PHOTOGRAPHY
JENNY
On a hot summer Wednesday evening in late June, Stroll held a Happy Hour at Trummer’s: An American Bistro. Did you know that the Trummers live in Willowsford? The fun social hour was held in a pretty, private room upstairs in the restaurant. It was fancy and bright and spacious! Grownups received a complimentary glass of Sparkling Summer Berry Sangria, and they also had the option to sample Austrian wines.
BY
SESSOMS PHOTOGRAPHY • THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY CAPITAL TRIMLIGHT
Owners and Willowsford
residents Victoria and Stefan Trummer welcome everyone to a fabulous evening!
Servers then appeared carrying trays of delicious food. Among the items passed around were Roasted Tomato Gazpacho Soup Shooters, Chimichurri Marinated Beef Skewers, Chicken & Waffle Sliders, Mini Wiener Schnitzel with Lingonberry Jam, Carrot Risotto, House Made Boursin Cavatelli Pasta, and Beignets! Personally, the Schnitzel and Beignets were my favorite! It was a great evening for a great cause: proceeds from tickets benefitted Play4All (a Willard Middle School initiative created by several students, including Willowsford neighbors!) through Willowsford Cares during their Big Give event held just a few days later! Generous sponsors including resident Viktorija Piano and The Piano Home Group, Comfenergy, 3 Pros Basement Systems, as well as our awesome neighbors raised more than $1,000 to help!
Big thanks to the Trummers for their generosity and their yummy restaurant. I recommend you check them out if you haven’t been!
Victoria and Stefan Trummer
Junior Writers attended to help support Play 4 All
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS FOR AN AMAZING EVENING!
Dr. Haress Rahim
The Piano Home Group is the top real estate team in Willowsford. Founder and CEO Viktorija Piano is a
“I highly recommend Viktorija Piano as a luxury home realtor who exemplifies excellence in understanding the market and the needs of her customers. Viktorija possesses an exceptional talent for selling premium houses in record time, consistently delivering outstanding results.”
Willowsford Resident Gopal Rajagopalan
"Viktorija turned a chaotic process into a less stressful experience by providing reliable resources for packing/moving, repairs, cleaning, staging etc. To top it off, we under contract above list price within 24 hours and able to close in less than 30 days. Viktorija is an excellent negotiator with a very personalized touch. Al and I happy to recommend the Piano Group!"
