HAF LIVES - "Towners, I don't know where this winter has gone since we last talked. All I really know is I woke up last Tuesday, Feb 2, to be told by the person I live with that it's Groundhog Day and I can come out, now. So, I promptly did and I know you missed me.
First things first. As you probably know, the Historic Alexandria Foundation's wonderfully successful annual antiques show — for the first time in years — didn't happen last fall. Culprit for the temporary postponement for this icon — which has raised tens of thousands for preservation and restorations projects in our town over the years — was the lousy economy and related factors. But I can tell you on excellent authority the show and all its trimmings will return. Meantime, the city's other major antiques show, Antiques in Alexandria, will pick up the slack next month with a four-day barn burner from March 8 to 11. Venue this year is the Waterford at the intersection of I-95 and Franconia Road in Springfield. More on this show later.
Let's get back to the HAF activities, a primary love of ours for lots of years. President Morgan Delaney promises that the Foundation's demise is temporary and a lot of exciting things are in the planning stage.
For example, the very popular book "Historic Alexandria Street by Street," a treasure trove about how we came to be, is being expanded for publication shortly. A publication about the restoration work of Polly Hulfish, profusely illustrated, is now being developed for release next year. And even though the Antiques Show is taking a rest, the Athenaeum hosted HAF's fund-raising "Toasting Our Town" in November and the annual HAF meeting and garden party will hit the boards as usual this summer. Grants from the Historic Alexandria Preservation Fund will be announced at the meeting.
For up to date information about HAF doings, check out the website at www.historicalexandria foundation.org. The Foundation's e-mail address is haf@erols.com.
'Towners, it's good to be back with you. We're going to have a lot of fun talking about hot news this spring, such as bike rentals, lunch carts on the Square and those pesky flying saucers. More later.
— Bob Feldkamp