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Fairfax Teen Charged In Student’s MurderNews, Page 3
‘A Legend in Her Own Time’
News, Page 3
Mildred DeBell prepares to blow out the candles on
her 100th-birthday cake.
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com March 21-27, 2018
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2 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ March 21-27, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Marilyn Campbell
On a sunny, autumn day a group of 10-year-old children sat around an a for-mal dining room table at a home inArlington. The boys wore blazers,
pressed khakis and shiny loafers, while the girls havedonned festive dresses, nude stockings and woregrosgrain ribbons in their neatly combed hair. Theyhad arrived at the home for a lesson in etiquette, butmost of them would have rather been someplace else.
“I have to leave early for a soccer game,” saidJimmy, who didn’t bother hiding his glee over miss-ing part of the class.
In an era when it’s commonplace to order pizzaon a smartphone and coordinate play dates by text,old-fashioned etiquette can appear obsolete. A re-cent survey of teachers shows that 73 percent of in-structors believe that students are less polite thanwhen the teachers themselves were students. In theage high-tech conveniences, children can becomeover scheduled and under socialized, which has ledto an uptick in the number of parents who are en-rolling their children in etiquette classes, say proto-col instructors.
“Parents have a tremendous interest in etiquetteclasses because so many parents realize that theydon’t have that knowledge themselves, said DorotheaJohnson, who founded the Protocol School of Wash-ington and is the author of the book “Modern Man-ners: Tools to Take You to the Top,” which she co-authored with her granddaughter actress Liv Tyler.
“I think most parents know that good manners andetiquette will be important to their [children’s] fu-ture,” added Henryette Neal who teaches etiquetteclasses for children through the Fairfax County ParkAuthority. “Young people will be educated, but with-out proper social skills they willnot be able to present themselvesproperly.” Neal is also the ownerof owner of Steppin Out Charmand Imaging Studio.
The result of fast-pacedlifestyles combined with over-loaded schedules is a generationof children who place more valueon social media savvy than onknowledge of social graces. Fam-ily dinners are replaced by fastfood, says one parent. “Whoneeds good manners to gobbledown a slice of pizza,” said CaroleMincey of Alexandria, whose 14-year old daughter and 11-year old son have takenetiquette and ballroom dance from Mrs. Simpson’sClasses, one of the area’s invitation-only etiquetteschools. “Because everyone is so busy and technol-ogy is so advanced, reality television shows are set-ting standards of behavior and handwritten thankyou notes have been replaced by emails and texts.”
Good manners are as important to a child’s futuresuccess as academics, says another parent. “I feel likeif people know what do to do in social situations itempowers them,” said Sarah Henry of Chevy Chase,mother of a 10-year old daughter and a 12-year oldson. “If you’re unsure of what to do it can make youfeel intimidated. So it’s all about empowering chil-
dren with knowledge. And it’s good for them to beexposed to proper etiquette in case they’re not get-ting it at home. And if they are getting it at home,etiquette classes can reinforce it.”
Interactive class sessions help keep their childrenengaged in the etiquette lessons. “They key is to keepthe children occupied,” said Johnson. “For example,when teaching proper introductions, I would call twochildren up to the front of the room and have themintroduce themselves to each other.”
In addition to learning such common courtesiessuch as saying “Please,” “Thank you” and “You’rewelcome,” children learn to write thank-you notesand introduce themselves to others by making di-
rect eye contact and offering afirm handshake.
“Knowing how to give a properhandshake is important. When Itook my seven-year-old grand-daughter Liv to formal events, herlittle hand went out as she wasbeing introduced to someone,”said Johnson. “I could take heranywhere because she had im-peccable manners.”
Henry says that in a class thatshe coordinated for herdaughter’s Girl Scout troop, partof the curriculum included hav-ing the children form a receiving
line with parents where they practiced handshakesand eye contact.
“We also printed proper table setting samplesonline and give the girls n plastic forks spoons, knives,napkins and a copy of the place setting,” said Henry.“We talked about how to talked about the placementof the utensils, how to hold a knife and fork prop-erly. One of my pet peeves is watching people hold aknife like it’s a stick.”
These are good life lessons, says Neal. “Etiquetteclasses are important because people still needto be respectful of others, and it starts with ourchildren,” she said. “A simple please and thankyou is important.”
Etiquette classes aim toteach lost art of manners.
Manners in the Tech Age
Photo courtesy of Fairfax County
Henryette Neal teaches etiquette classesfor children.
“Young people will beeducated, butwithout good socialskills they will not beable to presentthemselves properly.”
— Henryette Neal,etiquette instructor
Chantilly Connection ❖ March 21-27, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsChantilly Connection Editor Steven Mauren
703-778-9415 or [email protected]
By Bonnie Hobbs
Mildred DeBell is the first toadmit she never expected tosomeday be 100. And yet,last Saturday, March 17,
friends and family gathered to celebrate thatvery milestone with her and were delightedto have the opportunity.
“She kept telling us she didn’t think she’dmake it,” said son John DeBell, who hostedthe event for some 100 people in the homehe and his wife Connie share in Catharpin.But, he joked, “We told her we had the partydate picked out and she had to make it.”
Raised in Fishers Hill, near Winchester,Mildred DeBell graduated from high schoolin Strasburg in 1934. Four years later, shemoved to Centreville to teach first grade inthe old, wooden, Centreville ElementarySchool. She was there two years, thentaught fourth grade at Bailey’s Crossroads,returning to Centreville Elementary to teachseventh-grade part time during WWII.
Eventually, she met and married StuartDeBell and had three children, John,Stephen and Stuart Jr. The family now in-cludes nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, with Mildred’s first great-great-grandchild due in October.
In their younger years, Mildred and herhusband ran a 500-acre dairy farm inCentreville called Sunnyside. “But we prac-tically had no help because everyone wasaway at war,” she said. “We had to workreally hard. And in the late 1940s-early ’50s,
Stuart opened an accounting business inCentreville because we needed the extramoney. Later, as the dairy business changed,we sold the farm.”
Mildred worked in their accounting com-pany, too, and the couple added insuranceto their offerings. Their business was wherethe Alto Plaza restaurant is now, along
Route 29. “A drugstore and hardware storewere there, too,” she said. “Centreville wasa busy place.” And for entertainment, sheand Stuart and about eight other coupleswould have parties at each other’s homes.“We had the best time,” said Mildred.
An avid gardener, in 1950, Mildred wasone of the charter members of the Rocky
Run Garden Club, along with Ellanor C.Lawrence, in whose name the Centrevillepark was preserved. And from 1952 on,Stuart served 16 years on Fairfax County’sBoard of Supervisors, including two termsas chairman.
In addition, until 1995, the DeBell familyran a Centreville landmark, the NewgateInn (in the Newgate Shopping Center), for26 years. Meanwhile, Mildred became anoted, Centreville historian and valuedmember of the community. In 2003, she waschosen the Sully District’s honorary LadyFairfax; and in October 2017, she wasnamed Centreville Day’s Citizen of the Yearand Honored Community Historian.
However, Mildred always remained aspunky, fun-loving, down-to-earth person,
By Bonnie Hobbs
Nearly a month after MatthewBrian Ortega’s body was foundlying on a Centreville street,
Fairfax County police have charged a FairfaxCity teen with his murder. He is UrielJosaphat Espinosa Cruz, 18, and officersarrested him on Tuesday afternoon, March13.
Ortega, 17, was a junior at CentrevilleHigh and, initially, detectives sought thepublic’s help to identify him. On Feb. 14, at5:17 a.m., a delivery driver discovered himin the 13000 block of Jeb Stuart Square andnotified police. Ortega had sustained up-per-body trauma, and medics pronouncedhim dead at the scene.
No weapons were found there, and theOffice of the Chief Medical Examiner con-ducted an autopsy to determine the exactcause and manner of Ortega’s death. Twodays later, homicide detectives released hisidentity. And on Feb. 22, the medical ex-aminer ruled that he died from a single,gunshot wound.
Again, policeasked the publicto contact themwith any informa-tion that couldpossibly lead toOrtega’s killer.Then last week,they tookEspinosa Cruz intocustody andcharged him withmurder and use ofa firearm in the commission of a felony.Police say detectives “do not believe this tobe a random incident.”
The investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile,the suspect is being held without bond atthe Adult Detention Center. And accordingto a jail spokeswoman, he also has an ICE(Immigration and Customs Enforcement)detainer on him. He was arraigned in courtlast Wednesday morning, March 14, and hisnext court date is slated for April 16.
After Ortega was identified, CentrevilleHigh School Principal Dave Jagels sent amessage to all the school’s parents, sayingthe Wildcat community was “deeply sad-dened by the death of Matthew Ortega.” Hesaid the incident was under police investi-gation and that anyone with information
related to Ortega’s death shouldcall the police at 703-691-2131.
“I have contacted Matthew’sfamily to offer them our condo-lences and support,” wroteJagels. “We are letting youknow so that you can provideany support your child mightneed.” He also told parents thatcrisis-team members would beavailable at the school thatweek “to work with individualstudents and class groups whoask for support.”
“Understanding death, espe-cially the death of a classmate,can be a very difficult experi-ence,” he continued. “For thatreason, we hope that you willlisten to your son or daughter,as well as discuss with themtheir feelings and reactions to this tragedy.”
“On behalf of all members of the schoolstaff, our deepest condolences are withMatthew’s family and friends during thisdifficult time,” wrote Jagels. “He was abright and engaging student who will begreatly missed by our school community.”
A Go Fund Me page was started onFacebook to help the family with Matthew’sfuneral expenses and raised more than
$16,000. On thatpage, a relativewrote thatMatthew’s motherwas “the only par-ent Matthew hadleft. The family hadrecently lost theirdad, not too longago. This tragedyisn’t only difficult,but heartbreaking.Thank you all somuch for all thelove you haveshown for littleMatthew. Godbless. Our Matthewwill always be re-membered. Welove you, little
brother.”Also on that page, he was described as a
“son, brother, uncle and very loved bymany.” And on his own Facebook page, inmid-February, Matthew’s older brotherthanked everybody “for the overwhelmingsupport during these last few days. My littlebrother is surely looking down from heavenand appreciating how you all have cometogether in love to support us.”
See ‘A Legend,’ Page 5
Two centenarians, cousins Mildred DeBell (left) and Iris Vann,sing together.
This professional photo showsMildred DeBell in 1938 at age 20.
Photo by Bonnie Hobbs
‘A Legend in Her Own Time’ Centreville’s MildredDeBell celebrates100th birthday.
Victim was a juniorat Centreville High.
Fairfax Teen Charged in Student’s Murder
The victim, MatthewOrtega
Uriel EspinosaCruz
4 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ March 21-27, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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ADVERTISING:For advertising information
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ChantillyOpinion
By Ken Moore
Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrityclaimed the dissenting vote. “It prob-ably is not going to surprise the boardthat I won’t be able to support this,”
he said.By a 8-1 margin, the Board of Supervisors
advertised the county executive’s budget withthe proposed two and a half cent tax increase.
Braddock Supervisor John Cook supportedthe advertisement but stated he won’t supporta budget in May if it remains at the advertisedtax rate.
“So I’ll support the advertisement because Ithink the process dictates that there be some-thing on the table. But if the board is inclinedto pass it as is, it will have to do so withoutme,” said Cook. “If the board is inclined to dowhat a couple of other people have suggestedthis morning, which is look for reductions andperhaps go back to that concept of balancing,then I’m looking forward to being part of thatdiscussion and will keep an open mind towhere we should end up. But two and a halfcents is not where it’s going to be.”
Jeff McKay, chair of the budget committee,said advertising a lower rate “would be takingoff the table an opportunity to hear from ourpublic about whether our public employeesfrom the schools and county side should begetting the type of compensation increases tomove them into market and to deliver the ser-vices that we rely on in this county.”
In addition to community meetings sched-uled around the county, the board slotted threedays, April 10-12, for public hearings beforethe full board.
“We have two months of community conver-sation ahead of us, and some members of thisboard have declared how they are voting onthe budget today or what they can’t support,”said McKay. “Two months we have to hear fromour community about what their priorities are.And to me it would be irresponsible to decidehow we are going to vote on the budget with-out hearing from members of our communityand how they feel about it.”
The board will officially adopt the FY 2019budget on May 1.
If the Board of Supervisors were to adoptthe full two and a half cent tax rate increase, itwould amount to an additional $268 on theaverage homeowner’s annual tax bill.
“When we advertise the tax rate, that willbecome the ceiling for what the tax rate canbe. It can be lower, it can be the same, but itcannot be higher than” two and a half cents,said Chairman Sharon Bulova.
Below are excerpts from the March 6 boardmeeting. The supervisors spoke in the orderpresented below:
PAT HERRITY, SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT“It probably is not going to surprise the board
that I won’t be able to support this. A two anda half cent with [an increase] in the stormwater tax, a five percent potential tax increase,26 percent over five years.
“I voted for last year’s budget because I
thought it was reasonable. We made some dif-ficult decisions last year.
“I think we need to go back to doing whatour residents have had to do in a time of stag-nant wages, and make difficult decisions. Andwe just frankly have not done that. I’ve put abunch of them on the table and it hasn’t hap-pened and it needs to happen. ...
“If you look at wages, they’ve been stagnant,we’re literally taxing people out of FairfaxCounty.
“I appreciated the county executive’s intro-ductory remarks when he said we’ve got to bemore nimble and more efficient. We need toget to that, and I can’t put a potential five per-cent additional burden on our residents. I won’tbe supporting it.”
CATHY HUDGINS, HUNTER MILL“This advertising gives us that opportunity
to look at what we really need.“And I think it is difficult having a conversa-
tion with the citizens sometimes when we ap-proach it as to what is the cost versus what isthe return value. And I really have to say thatwe have done a lot of work to make certainthat we try to be more efficient and more cre-ative in the services that we provide.
“So I think there needs to be a balancing thatwe need to have here. We provided a mean-ingful option [in the meals tax]. And guesswhat? Our citizens didn’t support it. ...
“So I think it’s important that if we want totalk about how great Fairfax County is, we needto be prepared to figure out how to have theservices that that draw people here and createa more balanced community in supportingwhat it takes to live in this county.
“So we’ll have a chance to have that discus-sion and maybe the opportunity to move for-ward, so my vote is yes.”
KATHY SMITH, SULLY“I think that we are at the beginning of the
discussion with the public …“I’m not at the point of saying what I will
vote for in this budget. This budget supportsour employees, it supports the school system.We heard from a community group that sug-gested that we advertise at this rate...
“It is a fine balance between looking at theneeds we have in this community and the ser-vices we want to provide and how we do that.So I’m supportive of advertising this tax rate.”
JEFF MCKAY, LEE, BUDGET CHAIR“I appreciate everyone’s comments. Clearly,
we are going to work to generate savings butas many have spoken, you would be cuttingoff conversation if we didn’t advertise this taxrate.
“The lion’s share of all new revenue goes to… employee pay and teacher pay. And thereis no way you could come up with enough cutsin this budget and do the type of pay increasesthat our employees and teachers deserve. Thenumbers just don’t work.
“Every member of the board has the oppor-tunity to bring forward a package of cuts thatbalances the budget to the tax rate that theyso desire. I look forward to having that con-versation as we move forward. ...
“To me it would be irresponsible to decidehow we are going to vote on the budget with-out hearing from members of our communityand how they feel about it.
SHARON BULOVA, CHAIRMAN“This is a budget that does address the
board’s highest priorities, Diversion First, ad-dressing the opioid crisis, gang prevention,early childhood education, funding compen-sation for our teachers as well as our countyemployees ...
“I did also want to just say something forpeople who believe that people are fleeingFairfax County to other parts of the region.Since 2015, Fairfax County’s population hasactually increased by 26,700, which is actu-ally the size or a little bit more than the size orthe population of the City of Fairfax. So we’vebeen growing.”
The Budgeting Conversation BeginsBoard prioritizes compensation for teachers and county employees.
Pat Herrity,SpringfieldDistrict
CathyHudgins,Hunter Mill
Kathy Smith,Sully
Jeff McKay,Lee
SharonBulova,Chairman
Stay Involved:County BudgetMeetings
❖ Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m.,Springfield District Budget Town HallMeeting, Springfield GovernmentalCenter, Community Room, 6140 Roll-ing Road, Springfield
❖ April 10-12, Board of Supervi-sors Public Hearings on FY 2019 Bud-get and FY 2019-2023 Capital Im-provement Plan. See www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speakers-formto sign up.
More at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget
Chantilly Connection ❖ March 21-27, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 3
News
affectionately called “Mama” by ev-eryone in her family. She still enjoysgardening and writing poetry —among other things. “I just quit smok-ing in November,” she said on Satur-day. “And I still sneak a cigarette, ev-ery once in a while.”
“I met her when I was 14,” saidConnie. “She was a fireball back thenand she still is.” Connie then led theparty guests in a toast to her mother-in-law who, she said, “still has an oc-casional drink.”
Mildred’s favorite TV network is C-Span. “I still love politics, our coun-try and our history,” she said. She at-tributes her longevity to always keep-ing busy and moving, but good genes have helped,too. In fact, her first cousin, Iris Vann — who turned100 in October — was also at Mildred’s party, andthe two of them sang a song together that they firstsang as 5-year-olds about what it would be like togrow up.
Mildred’s actual birthday was March 16 and, whiledelighted to celebrate her centennial with family andfriends, she said modestly, “It’s absolutely wonder-ful, but I don’t deserve all this attention. When I wokeup this morning, I wanted to roll over and go backto sleep. But I couldn’t because I had to get ready forthe party. I never thought I’d live this long — I justcouldn’t imagine 100 years.”
Son John said his mother was the youngest of fivegirls who lived into their 80s and 90s, and their fa-ther lived to age 96. “Family and church were im-portant to her,” he said. “She was a stern, but loving,mom. She let us do our own thing, but counseled uswell and was always there for us.”
Son Stuart Jr., (“Snooky”), said his mother’s faithalways saw her through whatever came her way. Andthat included the deaths of her husband and sonStephen. “She told us to believe in God and every-thing else would take care of itself,” he said. “She’salways been there when we needed her and gaveme good advice, and I have nothing but admirationfor her. Everybody in our family stays in touch withher, and we all contributed to putting on this party.”
A member of St. John’s Episcopal Church inCentreville since 1938, Mildred used to direct itschoir and play the organ there. And on Saturday, itsformer leader, the Rev. Howard Kempsell, was at herparty, as was current leader, the Rev. Carol Hancock.
“St. John’s loves Mildred,” said Hancock. Address-
ing her directly, she said, “You are inour hearts and in our prayers always.You and your family helped get St.John’s to where it is now; thank you.”
Among the partygoers wasMildred’s grandson (Snooky’s son),Paul DeBell, 33, who flew here fromhis home in Durango, Colo., for thisevent. “I’ve always been close toMama,” he said. “She’s really had ahuge impact and a positive influenceon all our lives. She’s always been ableto help me see the bigger picture. Ev-ery time I’ve been dealing with some-thing — a loss or a difficult circum-stance — she’d help me take thelonger view, and she told me, ‘Stay onthe sunny side, be kind and trust thateverything will be OK.’”
He also loves talking to his grandmother abouthistory and her own life story. For example, he said,“She told me what life was like on the farm in WWII,about the great Depression and growing up in theShenandoah Valley with no electricity or runningwater. They had to dig big holes in the ground andput blocks of ice in them to keep their food fresh.She also has a deep appreciation for American cul-ture and history; she’s really an amazing resourcefor all of us.”
Also there was GMU history professor Ted McCord,Mildred’s first cousin, once removed, who’s also inawe of her. “She’s a legend in her own time,” he said.“She smokes, she drinks and she’s a hero to most ofmy friends because of that.”
McCord’s father used to be a physician and, whenMildred was in her 20s, she’d been out on a riverbank,not realizing it was covered with poison ivy – whichspread all over her body. “She went to see my dad,and she’d wrapped herself up with bandages, headto toe, like an Egyptian mummy. She walked in tohis office that way, and they both had a good laughabout it.”
Then, a year ago, McCord introduced Mildred tohis girlfriend. But instead of trying to impress her,Mildred told a story about how she’d been busy gar-dening and accidentally fell backward. She got stuckin a big flower pot, and there she stayed until res-cued by a family member. But instead of getting an-gry, she just laughed.
So, said McCord, despite her age, Mildred is stillgoing strong and bringing joy to everyone aroundher. “She has a remarkable mind, a great memoryand an excellent sense of humor,” he said. “And shecan still spin a good story.”
Mildred DeBell wrote this poem for her cousin Iris Vann, whoturned 100 last October:
Here we are in this old mill back where we sharedour youth in old Fisher’s Hill.
At five, we sang forty was something to fear; thenFather Time traveled year after year.
We chose our partners and pursued our life’s trendswith the blessings of family and so many friends.
We shared in their joys, their sorrows and grief;we did what we could for others’ relief.
And then, everything started slipping away; ourbodies were changing, our hair turned to gray.
We watched the world change and watched ourfamilies grow; we watched them come and watchedthem go.
“You’re not the same anymore,” we are told. Let’s
face it, old girl, we are now getting old.A new century arrived, yet we tried to hang on.
Years have gone by; where have they gone?The last ten years were the hardest. Only memo-
ries remain of all the things we used to do; nothingseems the same.
As we count our many blessings and we look up tothe sky and thank our God for 100 years, you madeit! God willing, so will I!
Our thanks to Him for helping us through joys andthrough our tears. And for loving friends and fami-lies who helped us through the years.
So happy birthday, Iris. May we pray each day thatwe have left be free from pain and sin, so when weget to the pearly gates, St. Pete will let us in.
— Mildred Keller DeBell
Mildred DeBell’s Poem for her Cousin
‘A Legend in Her Own Time’
Photo by Bonnie Hobbs
Mildred DeBell remi-nisces about herchildhood.
6 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ March 21-27, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Schools
Science FairsThe Goddard Schools located in Chantilly,along with 15 other greater Washington,D.C. area locations, hosted weeklongScience Fairs during which the studentsparticipated in hands-on activities thatincluded manipulating marshmallows,tarnishing pennies and experimentingwith peeps. While The Goddard School’scurriculum incorporates STEAM learning(science, technology, engineering, arts andmathematics) on a daily basis, the pre-schools’ Science Fairs offer children anopportunity to further immerse them-selves in these subjects with play-basedlesson plans.
Pho
to
s C
on
tributed
Chantilly Connection ❖ March 21-27, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Free CarseatInspections
Certified technicians from the Sully Dis-trict Police Station will perform free, childsafety carseat inspections Thursday, March29, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appoint-ment is necessary. But residents should in-stall the child safety seats themselves sotechnicians may properly inspect and ad-just them, as needed.Because of time con-straints, only the first 35 vehicles arrivingon each date will be inspected. That way,inspectors may have enough time to prop-erly instruct the caregiver on the correct useof the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext.5140, to confirm dates and times.
CongressionalArt Competition
U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock has an-nounced the 2018 Congressional Art Com-petition for Virginia’s 10th CongressionalDistrict. The competition is open to all highschool students who reside in the District.The Best in Show winner of the competi-tion will have their piece of art displayed inthe United States Capitol. Comstock is amember of the Congressional Art Caucusand started the House Arts Caucus in theVirginia General Assembly. Students shoulddrop-off their completed artwork on April2 between 2-5 p.m. at Enterprise Hall onthe George Washington Virginia Science &Technology Campus. Art submitted must beready to hang and entries are limited to twoper student. For information and guidelinesabout the 2018 Congressional Art Compe-tition, go to https://comstock.house.gov/services/art-competition. Students andteachers can also contact Amanda GrayBailey in the congresswoman’s office at 703-404-6903 or by email [email protected].
Roundups
Premier Birth CenterOpens in Chantilly
Premier BirthCenter (PBC) hasopened a secondlocation inChantilly. Directorof NOVA NaturalBirth Center, PeggyFranklin, has re-tired after 30-years of midwifery service,creating the opportunity for Premier BirthCenter to assume ownership and operationof that birth center located at 4200A Tech-nology Suite Court, Chantilly. Premier BirthCenter will provide care for clients alreadyestablished at that location and continuetaking new clients.
Premier Birth Center offers prenatal care,as well as options for birthing at the centeror the client’s home, postpartum, baby care,and well-woman care. Co-managed carewith an obstetrician is an option for fami-lies desiring a hospital birth. For more in-formation, contact Kim Pekin [email protected].
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
... was the length of time during which wewere powerless a few weeks back when thewind nearly brought down the house; yet it wasno laughing matter. I might have written thiscolumn sooner but until Tuesday, March 6 –when the power finally came back on, we weresemi-frozen to the bone. The old-fashionedthermostat in our living room indicated 42degrees at its most frigid.
Aside from the obvious physical discomfort– made a bit more bearable while wearing hats,gloves, coats and scarfs – inside, the toll thecold took on my mental acuity was much lessmanageable. My brain still worked, but notovertime. It was, to invoke a “Star Trek” refer-ence: “On impulse power,” somewherebetween barely functioning and imminentdanger.
This power outage was the most significantwe had experienced at “Belly Acres” in the 26years since we took ownership in late May1992. And though this four-day non-sojournwas difficult, it was for us not a return downpower-outage lane. We have been lucky in ourtime here; very little has upset the apple cart.Considering the hundreds of trees that surroundour house, and the many thuds they all madeas they fell and hit the ground that extremelylate Friday night/early Saturday morning, themiracle is that not one of them hit the house, oreither of our two cars parked in the driveway.
I wouldn’t say I woke up in the morning tofind our house relatively unscathed because asof 3:30 a.m. when I felt the house shudder forthe first time, I never was able to fall backasleep as I kept bracing myself for incomingtrees and limbs. Given the potential damageand hassle a direct hit likely would havecaused, a power outage seemed a minor incon-venience, all things considered.
As it happened, when the power came backon, I was not at home. I was en route to theGlenmont Metro station in Wheaton to pick upDina. When I came to a stop at “Kiss andRide,” I looked at my cell phone and noticed a“missed call” from one of my neighbors. Iimmediately called back and soon heard myneighbor, Helene, singing “We’re in heaven,...,” with the explanation – not in verse – thatpower had returned to New BirminghamManor (the official name of our 10-home dead-end street). BG&E, our utility company, hadfinally come by to cut/trim the tree that hadbeen uprooted in the storm and fallen acrossthe power line which electrifies ourneighborhood.
As difficult as it had been for some of us, ithad not been nearly as difficult for the fourneighbors who had generators and thus wereprepared and able to keep the lights on and theheat circulating. One of whom was kindenough to call around the neighborhood andoffer hot showers as well as refrigerator andfreezer storage to anyone interested. Given thatthe previous week was a post-chemotherapyweek for me when I’m not eating much andshopping at supermarkets even less, we hadminimal food in the freezer - all of whichended up being a loss, and a bit less than usualin the refrigerator which, after putting the con-tents into two coolers filled with ice, ended upbeing a gain.
Oddly enough, I haven’t re-inventoried therefrigerator/freezer as yet. I don’t know if I’mbeing paranoid or just plain lazy, but I haven’tfelt inclined to stop and shop, not even at theGiant. I imagine the feeling will pass becauseafter eating out every night; some fast, someslow, over the last week or so, I’m probably wayover our imaginary budget and way under pre-pared for the next go around. But as is oftenheard on basketball courts on playgrounds allover America: “No harm. No foul.”
The four days without power weren’t par-ticularly pleasant but we survived the ordealnonetheless and may have even learned some-thing in the process: our long underwear stillfits.
Almost ExactlyFour Days ...
8 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ March 21-27, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
C E N T R E V I L L ECOMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP
To highlightyour faith
community,callDonat
703-778-9420
bThe Church of the Ascension
Traditional Anglican Catholic Services1928 Book of Common Prayer, 1940 Hymnal,
and the King James Bible with Apocrypha
www.ascension-acc.org (703) 830-3176
Holy Communion 10 a.m. Sundays (with Church School and Nursery)
13941 Braddock RoadCentreville VA 20120
in the “Old Stone Church”of Historic Centreville
The Church of the Ascension(703) 830-3176 www.ascension-acc.org
Centreville Baptist Church(703) 830-3333 www.cbcva.org
Centreville UnitedMethodist Church
(703) 830-2684 www.Centreville-UMC.org
Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calen-dar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGFitness for 50+. Daytime hours,
Monday-Friday at Sully SeniorCenter, 14426 Albemarle Point Place,Chantilly. Jazzercise Lite, ZumbaGold, Hot Hula Fitness (dancingPolynesian style), Strength Training,Qi Gong, Tai Chi and more.Membership is $48 a year, andwaivers are available. [email protected] or call703-322-4475 for more.
History Volunteers Needed. FairfaxStation Railroad Museum needshistory buffs. The Museum offers avariety of volunteer opportunities inMuseum events, programs andadministration. [email protected] or call703-945-7483 to exploreopportunities. The Museum is locatedat 11200 Fairfax Station Road inFairfax Station. It is open everySunday, except holidays, from 1-4p.m. www.fairfax-station.org, 703-425-9225.
Art Guild of Clifton Exhibit. 10a.m.-8 p.m. at Clifton Wine Shop,7145 Main St., Clifton. Includes oilpaintings of European settings;doors, windows, and flower shops.Free. Call 703-409-0919 for more.
Carolina Shag Dance. Wednesdays,6:30-10 p.m. at Arlington/FairfaxElks Lodge, 8421 Arlington Blvd.,Fairfax. Free lessons at 7:30 p.m.; nopartners needed; dinner menu at6:45 p.m. Tickets are $8. Visitwww.nvshag.org for more.
Open Rehearsal. Wednesdays, 7:30p.m. at Lord of Life church, 13421Twin Lakes Drive, Centreville. The
Fairfax Jubil-Aires barbershop chorusinvites men of all ages who enjoysinging. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxjubilairs.org for more.
Live After Five. Fridays at 5:30 p.m. atThe Winery at Bull Run, 15950 LeeHighway, Centreville. Every Fridaynight a band plays on the patio of thewinery. Free to attend. Visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com for a fullschedule.
Mondays are Family Night. 5-7 p.m.at Villagio, 7145 Main St. $45 for afamily of four. Call 703-543-2030 formore.
LIBRARY FUNToddlin’ Twos. Tuesdays, 10:30 and
11:30 a.m. at the Chantilly Library,4000 Stringfellow Road. Earlyliteracy storytime with songs andactivities included. Age 2 withcaregiver, free. Call 703-502-3883 toreserve a spot.
Storytime for Three to Fives.Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. at the ChantillyLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Stories and activities for children age3-5 with caregiver. Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve a spot.
Plant Clinic. Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. atthe Chantilly Library, 4000
Stringfellow Road. A neighborhoodplant clinic with horticultural tips,information, techniques, and advice.Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve aspace.
Lego Block Party. Every otherSaturday at 10:30 a.m. at theChantilly Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Legos will be provided for anafternoon of building. Grades 3-6.Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve aspot.
SATURDAY/MARCH 24Rat Pack Revival. 3-5:30 p.m. at
Centreville High School, 6001 UnionMill Road, Clifton. Fairfax Jubil-Aires’62nd Annual Show presents Rat PackRevival – featuring the music ofFrank Sinatra, Dean Martin andSammy Davis Jr. With special guestsPratt Street Power and the BellaNova Chorus. And a surprise masterof ceremonies. Tickets $20 adults, $5children at www.fairfaxjubilaires.org.
SATURDAY-SATURDAY/MARCH 24-31Fairfax County Parks. Egg-citing
activities are breaking out at parksthroughout Fairfax County in March.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/park-news/2018/psa055.
On Saturday, March 24 – Children age 1-6 are invited to the EasterEggstravaganza at Frying Pan Parkto hunt for eggs that contain treatsand prizes and visit with farmanimals. $8 per child. Add a wagonride for $2 per person. SullyHistoric Site is offering an egghunt, egg-related games and anEaster craft for children age 1-8. $8per child. Wagon rides cost another$2 per person.
On Sunday, March 25 — Stop by the
Easter Egg Hunt at Sully HistoricSite. The historic site is offering anegg hunt, egg-related games and anEaster craft for children age 1-8. $8per child. Wagon rides cost another$2 per person. Lake Fairfax Parkwill be hosting an Easter Egg Huntfor children age 1-6. $8 per child.
SUNDAY/MARCH 25Spring Reading Circle. 1-4 p.m. at
the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum,11200 Fairfax Station Road, FairfaxStation. The museum will feature aSpring Reading Circle and ActivityDay. 5-15, $2; ages 16 and older, $4.Visit www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call703-425-9225.
Powhatan’s People. 2:30-4 p.m. atEllanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040Walney Road, Chantilly. Discoverelements of the Algonquian culture ofthe Powhatan and TauxenentIndians. End the program by playinggames. For ages 2-adult. Childrenmust be accompanied by an adultregistered for the program. $10 perperson. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
MARCH 26-30History Explorers Camp. 9 a.m.-4
p.m., Monday through Friday. Campwill meet at the Walney VisitorCenter, 5040 Walney Road,Chantilly. Keep children entertainedover spring break and sneak in a littlehistory during the History ExplorersCamp at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.Children will explore the history ofFairfax county and take a field tripevery day of camp to such localhistoric spots as Fairfax HistoricCourthouse, Historic Blenheim,Gunston Hall, Frying Pan Farm Parkand the Reston Museum. At the park,they will participate in fun, hands-onactivities such as making meals of thepast, building their own historic toys,sewing, and building a plannedcommunity. For campers age 8-14. 9a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.$349 per camper for the week. Campwill meet at the Walney VisitorCenter. Before and aftercare isavailable for additional cost.Download camp forms from the parkwebsite. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
TUESDAY/MARCH 27Easter Egg Hunt. At Bull Run Park,
Centreville. Children, 2-11 years old,are invited to celebrate spring withcoloring, games and photoopportunities with the Easter Bunny.Bring an Easter basket to collecteggs, a raincoat if it’s sprinkling, anda camera to take photos with theEaster Bunny. Each hunt is $10 perchild, plus a $3 online service fee.Visit apm.activecommunities.com/novaparks for details and to register.
WEDNESDAY/MARCH 28Open House. Noon-7 p.m. at Steven F.
Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air &Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly.Call 703-572-4118 or visitairandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy.
FRIDAY/MARCH 30“Please Touch” Tour. 11 a.m.-4
p.m., tours on the hour, at SullyHistoric Site, 3650 Historic SullyWay, Chantilly. Tour Sully as neverbefore when visitors are encouragedto do more than just look. Enjoy thechance to touch such objects from thepast as Redware dishes, blue andwhite china, tools, clothing andfurniture. For participants age 5-adult. $7 per person. Call 703-437-1794 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site.
Entertainment
The RatPack Revivalfeatures themusic ofFrankSinatra,Dean Martinand SammyDavis Jr.
Rat Pack RevivalFairfax Jubil-Aires’ 62nd Annual Show presents Rat Pack Revival – featuring the
music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. With special guests PrattStreet Power and the Bella Nova Chorus. And a surprise master of ceremonies.Saturday, March 24, 3-5:30 p.m. at Centreville High School, 6001 Union Mill Road,Clifton. Tickets $20 adults, $5 children at www.fairfaxjubilaires.org.
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ires
