Welcome ... a community designed so people would have extra opportunities to know each other and, therefore, care about each other ...
Dear Newcomers: I am remembering back to1963, when I was a teenager growing up in Florida. I opened a "Life" magazine, and there was an artist's rendering of Lake Anne Village Center here in Reston. These weren't photographs, just sketches of what a planner imagined would grow to be five village centers, joined by walking paths and surrounded by the lush Virginia foliage. I said to myself, "That's got to be the best place in the whole world to live." After years of circumstances beyond my control, I was delivered here. And was I right. Reston's the best. It is an honor to welcome you to this New Town designed to "Live, Work, Play," all within your very own neighborhood. I live that Reston dream. As a co-owner of Reston's Used Book shop, I also live on Lake Anne, and my five-minute commute around the edge of the lake connects me with the natural world each day. Making my way to my dream business, waving to the people I know, all lives up to the excitement I felt in 1963. This is a community that promises to bring out the best in people. I learned that from a magnificent woman named Jane Wilhelm, who was a pioneer of early Reston. As community relations director, Jane made sure that, against existing Virginia law, mixed race families moved into neighborhoods together. Knowing that, if things are left to "chance," people would link up with people that looked just like themselves, people like Jane made sure that diversity (and its rich cultural palette) would be represented in each neighborhood on every level, including ethnicity, age, and economy. A promise I remember from the 1963 article was a community designed so people would have extra opportunities to know each other and, therefore, care about each other. I know I've been stretched into service at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Reston Interfaith and its Laurel Learning Center, The American Cancer Society Reston Relay for Life, the Reston Historic Trust and Museum, many gift certificates from our business to the golf tournament that supports the Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter and our excellent school system's many fund raisers throughout the year. And when it comes to "Play," there's no end, including the Multicultural Festival in the fall each year. I feel delighted just recalling my memories. All these opportunities and much more are waiting for you in Reston. Welcome all. Welcome to the best place in the world to be. Victoria Reid Lake Anne, Reston