People

AWLA: A Shoulder To Cry On for Thousands Who’ve Lost Pets

It all started about 35 years ago with a newspaper ad from a British doctor seeking a volunteer driver for a new concept in America — something called a “hospice.” Then-Arlington resident Kathy Reiter didn’t know the term but wound up taking the job — and eventually facilitating support groups for grieving widows and widowers. But the project took an unexpected turn. “People started coming up to me after the group meetings and confessing that they actually were there because their companion animal had died and they didn’t know how to cope,” Reiter recalled. “I realized that someone needed to start a support group especially for loss of pets.”

Living Legends: Making a Difference in Lives of City’s Women and Children

Rose Enevoldsen Berler’s lifetime commitment to caring.

At age 16, Rose Enevoldsen Berler (known to her family as Rosie), graduated from high school in Norfolk, Va. But she had to wait until she turned 17 to go up north, to Baltimore’s School of Nursing at Sinai Hospital. She loved nursing and thrived under the strict demands and high standards of her training.

Dube Named Fire Chief

Robert C. Dubé has been appointed as fire chief for the City of Alexandria, effective June 9. Dubé replaces Adam K. Thiel, who resigned from the position earlier this year to accept a position in state government.

Vienna Police Officer Conor Tracy Honored

On May 2, Officer Conor Tracy was honored for his enforcement efforts against drunk and impaired drivers.

Vienna Elementary Honors Retiring Teachers

Terry Love and Linda Camacho leave the school after decades teaching there.

Staff, students and parents of the Vienna Elementary School [VES] community came together on May 19 to say goodbye to two long-time VES teachers retiring this year.

Vienna Woman’s Club Awards Scholarships to High School Seniors

Oakton and Marshall High School students each accept $1,000 scholarships.

The Vienna Woman’s Club awarded $1,000 scholarships to three local high school seniors going on to college this fall.

‘Better Together’

Oakcrest School students donate over $1,000 to the Sylvestery.

Donating the fruits of their yearlong labor, the senior council of the Oakcrest School, an all-female preparatory school in McLean, presented Kathleen Martin, CEO of Vinson Hall Retirement Community, a check for just over $1,300 on Tuesday, May 27.

Art Promotes Critical Thinking, Creativity

Earlier this year, Churchill Road Elementary School received a grant from Crayola to foster children’s critical thinking and creativity through arts integration into the core curriculum.

Strawberries, Daisies and Doughnuts, Oh, My!

Buy fresh produce, meet neighbors at Vienna Farmers Market.

For fresh produce, flowers, crepes, breakfast tarts, candy, baked goods and piping-hot doughnut holes – in a cheerful atmosphere filled with friends and neighbors – the Vienna Farmers Market is hard to beat.

Great Falls Girl Scouts Receive Gold Award

Caitlin Dalrymple, Maddie Navin and Rachel Zmuda, all of Girl Scout Troop 1057 in Great Falls recently celebrated the completion of their Gold Awards, the Girl Scouts’ highest honor.

New Farmers Market Opens in Tysons

Grand Opening of the market marks a new season of fresh and local food and produce.

The network of Northern Virginia farmers markets just got bigger.

Great Falls Scouts Honor Heroes

Troop 55 Boy Scouts celebrate Memorial Day weekend with Baden-Powell Hike.

On May 25, 16 Boy Scouts and Adult Scouters from the Great Falls Troop 55, chartered by St. Francis Episcopal Church, honored our nation’s heroes by participating in the 7.2 mile Baden-Powell Hike in Washington, D.C.

Tour de Cure Held in Reston

Cyclists bike to raise funds for American Diabetes Association.

Thousands of persons went to Reston Town Center on Sunday, June 1, to participate in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure Race.

Music Returns to the Town Green

Bluegrass music and candle tribute to former mayor M. Jane Seeman.

The Vienna Town Green concert series kicked off on Friday, May 30 with a performance by Bill Emerson and the Sweet Dixie Band, and a tribute to the late mayor M. Jane Seeman.

Born to Run Memorial 5K Race Is June 14

Fundraiser for deceased teacher’s two daughters.

In November 2013, Franklin Middle School teacher Jannine Parisi, 47, was the victim of a tragedy which left her two teenage daughters without parents.

The Connection