People

McLean: Gratitude Abounds at Lewinsville Thanksgiving Dinner

“It’s not always easy to be grateful … we get used to the comforts around us,” Spencer Deese, 25, said during a short message during the dinner’s worship service. “Gratitude takes practice, just like any other skill.”

Celebrating Diversity in Burke

33rd Interfaith Thanksgiving service at Burke Presbyterian Church celebrates differences.

“You can lament about the hate in the country right now,” she said, “but there’s a great sense of readiness to act in a different way, that we’re capable of being different and being together.” Co-pastors at Burke Presbyterian Church Rev. Meg Peery McLaughlin and her husband Rev. Jarrett insist the interfaith Thanksgiving service held in their worship hall on Nov. 22 was not in response to any perceived disunity in the country following the Presidential election.

‘God, Watch Over the U.S. Veterans’

City of Fairfax holds Nov. 11 ceremony.

With flags, dignitaries and heartfelt speeches, the City of Fairfax celebrated Veterans Day. The ceremony was held Friday morning, Nov. 11, in front of City Hall. A color guard comprising local veterans started things off, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Chaplain Don Northcutt, coordinator of the Fairfax Veterans Treatment Docket in Fairfax County General District Court.

Herndon: Viewpoints A Thanksgiving Tradition Continues Strong at Herndon Elementary

What are you thankful for?

“The police are very supportive of the school and community as a whole,” says Nancy Cassidy, an office assistant in the main office of the elementary school. “I think they’re very good at community outreach.” She says police officers come every Friday to help pack bags for the school’s Weekend Backpack Program, a program that provides children in need with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food at times when school resources are unavailable, such as weekends and during school vacations. “The kids love seeing them,” Cassidy says.

Vienna: Thanksgiving Viewpoints

What Are You Most Thankful For?

“Thankful for eight years with the Obama Family as our First Family. What a kind, loving, moral family. They will be truly missed. Thankful for my husband of a blessed 46 years together. Thankful for a wonderful daughter and her family and especially my grandchildren. Thankful for nature around me. Thankful for my dear friends. Thankful for art and music that takes away pain. Thankful for the Vienna Community.”

Vienna: Stronger Together in Vienna

Community rallies in support of inclusion and kindness

A young mother living in a bombed-out German town in early 1942 fled with her children to a less-dangerous home in Germany, seeking safety and refuge. Eventually, in 1952, they made their way to the United States.

Great Falls Classical Ballet Performs Revamped Nutcracker This Weekend

Fifty-five dancers will be performing in the show on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at McLean High School.

The Margaret Haddad Studio of Classical Ballet in Great Falls has performed the Nutcracker ballet for decades. Though the studio’s founder –Margaret Haddad— retired last year, her 50-year legacy of teaching classical ballet in the community will continue through one of her students: Casey Jones. Jones started dancing under Margaret Haddad’s instruction in 1994. By 2001, Haddad inducted her into the studio’s teacher training program.

Great Falls: Playing Baseball in the 1890s Great Falls

Bringing a local player to life through history.

Take a look at the local 1890 Baseball Team, for example. The team was lined up in front of a fence that may have held their horses while they played. Four guys had bats, one or two guys had gloves, most seemed to be wearing riding boots. At least five were wearing the same type of baseball cap, apparently to show they were on the same team. (1890s Baseball Team, The N.F. Bradford, Sr. Collection, copyright Great Falls Historical Society).

Great Falls: House Fire Early Sunday Morning Completely Destroys Home

While driving down Route 7 in the early hours of Sunday morning, a passerby noticed flames billowing out from a two-story house at 1065 Northfalls Court in Great Falls. This person called 9-1-1 and rushed to knock on the door of the house across the street to warn neighbors.

Herndon: Citizen Committee Rejects Cellphone Tower Next to Crossfield Elementary

Committee Denies Cell Tower Application

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Hunter Mill District Land Use Committee voted 3-2 to deny an application to build a cellphone tower on Crossfield Elementary School property on Fox Mill Road in Herndon. "This is about money, not anything else,” says Griffin, who is a father of a fourth grader who attends the elementary school.Milestone Communications towers on county school properties has generated more than $13 million of income over the last 20 years for the school system, says Forkas. The proposed tower would generate approximately $40,000 of revenue a year for the school system once at least three carriers agree to use the tower, he says.

Springfield: New Principal at Irving Middle

Cindy Conley will oversee a school with 1,057 students and about 125 staff members.

With 16 years in education, Cindy Conley, age 40, of Woodbridge was named the new principal of Irving Middle School in Springfield on Aug. 17, 2016, replacing Danny Little, who retired. She will oversee a school with 1,057 students and about 125 staff members in the West Springfield Pyramid.

Fairfax: City Council Honors Armistice Turtora

Most people don’t receive special proclamations on their birthdays – but then, there’s only one Armistice Turtora. And after serving tirelessly for six decades to better her community, she celebrated her 90th birthday last Friday, Nov. 11.

Fairfax: Remembering America’s Veterans

OLLI holds annual event in their honor.

Drafted in 1944, Pelzner was trained as a diesel mechanic and assigned to the USS Alchiba supply ship. “We took supplies from the U.S. to the Mariana, Marshall and Caroline Islands and to the Philippines,” he said.

Roberta Thole Presents ‘Then and Now’ at Reston Art Gallery & Studios

Roberta Thole's contemporary and abstract works visually contain times past and present, with imagery and ideas of Greco-Roman antiquity. Known for her use of copper and fresco, her canvases are richly textured with geometric and architectural elements resembling ancient walls and ruins, resulting in a range of timeless, complex works. “Then and Now” is on exhibit now through Dec. 1. All are welcome to visit the working studio to see the display during weekend gallery hours, or by appointment, or by chance at Reston Art Gallery & Studios, 11400 Washington Plaza, Reston.

Reston: Lily Siegel Appointed Executive Director and Curator of the GRACE

“Lily has already achieved a great deal in her young career, which speaks to her special talents,” said Robert Goudie, GRACE Board Chair. “She brings outstanding academic achievement, a passion for contemporary art, a demonstrated ability to raise money for and manage significant projects, and a national perspective, relationships, and experiences.

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