Opinion

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OPINION

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thou shall love thy neighbor

I had a good neighbor and friend who helped me out of more than one tight spot. I had tried to return those favors, but I had fallen short. To his credit, he never kept a score card; and, I knew, if I needed his help again, he would be there for me. Such is friendship.

Not too long ago, however, I felt our friendship was imperiled.

We both considered ourselves to be conservatives; but, I leaned towards the progressive, while he was more inflexible … entrenched on the far right. This was attested to by the red baseball cap he would proudly put on whenever he saw me coming. I didn’t really mind the taunting red cap, but I did miss the one he wore when we rode motorcycles together … the beat up one with the Harley emblem on it. He was always the rebel, and, like his cap, a bit worn and defiant.

We still shared conservative values and agreed on core issues, but over time we began to drift apart on the more controversial ones. That we disagreed didn’t seem unusual, but what did seem unusual was our growing inability to calmly discuss our differences. It seemed that as the national political temperature rose, our exchanges heated up as well. Our usual tempered discourse that would include, “Now I respect your right to say that, but …” was replaced with, “That was a stupid thing to say,” or “I remember when you used to be a patriot.”

As we became less civil toward each other, I feared my friend was acquiring the personality traits of his political god; he, no doubt, feared I was worshipping at the altar of left-wing socialists. Ultimately, he became an extreme partisan totally committed to the party line, while I didn’t care for party … any party.

The political storm had engulfed us, and we were unable to weather it. Subsequently, we distanced ourselves and ceased discussing any pressing issue of substance. These issues also included personal ones … even medical issues that we both were confronted with. We became unable to express our thoughts and feelings in the human context … our fears and anxieties. We had lost the social bond of trust and shared humanity that had made us friends. And, as a result, we both became the lesser … we became acquaintances.

When I was undergoing cancer therapy, my mind wandered a bit. I imagined us renewing our friendship in a returning world of normalcy. But, after recovering, I gave up my imaginings and just accepted things as they appeared to be. Our estrangement remained unchanged, he eventually moved away, and we only spoke at rare social gatherings.

Not too long ago, I heard from a neighbor that my friend had died. I felt diminished by the loss. John Donne in “For Whom the Bell Tolls” had it right; the bell had tolled for me as well.

Too late, I realized that the friendship that bound us together was far more important than our political differences. I realized it had made each of us more human and mutually enhanced the quality of our lives. And lastly, I realized that only a fool loses a good friend due to the animus of the times.

I miss my friend; and sometimes I wonder if he ever missed me.

DON BACHMANN

Marshall

New bypass would endanger Warrenton’s water supply

It is to be hoped that Warrenton, in revising its comprehensive plan, will consider the protection of its water supply more important than building a new bypass through Fenton Farm.

Towser’s Branch, one of the three streams that feed the town’s reservoir, is comprised of two smaller streams: Cattail Branch, which rises at the base of View Tree Mountain, where the U.S. government training station is located, and Two Mile Branch, which rises on Harkaway Farm and joins Cattail Branch at the intersection of 17 and the 211 Bypass to become Towser’s Branch. It is at this point that the proposed bypass will connect with Route [U.S.] 17 and the 211 Bypass.

A few months ago when the training center on View Tree Mountain was moving earth, the water in the reservoir was brown.

If plans for a new bypass through Fenton are realized, you can “bet the farm” that Fenton will cease to be a farm and will become a suburb of Warrenton. If that happens, a significant part of Warrenton’s limited water supply will be compromised and a need for water will be created that Warrenton might be unable to fulfill.

A bypass across Fenton is not the only potential problem for Warrenton’s water: 150 septic tanks on slightly less than half-acre lots at Bethel, many of which must be approaching 50 years old, drain into Cedar Run about a quarter of a mile from where it enters the auxiliary Airlie Reservoir.

The third stream that comprises Warrenton’s water system, Taylor’s Run, flows through the Airlie Conference Center, the equivalent of a small village with an aging water system, to join Cedar Run and Towser’s Branch a few feet downstream at the Warrenton Reservoir.

Isn’t protecting Warrenton’s limited water supply a lot more important than building a new bypass?

HOPE PORTER

Warrenton

A mix of virtual and in-person teaching the best choice

The blended model, unanimously adopted [by the Fauquier County School Board] July 13, is still the best option for Fauquier County children despite the teachers union change in position. This model allows riskaverse or high-risk families to choose virtual education. Other parents may choose in classroom education two days per week.

We are not Fairfax or Prince William. Fairfax has had 15,231 COVID cases. 8,370 in Prince William. In Fauquier, 552 cases and eight deaths since March.

Children are our most precious asset, but it is unrealistic to reduce risk to zero. If only zero risk was acceptable, we would not allow children to ride school buses, go on field trips, or play on the playground. In 2017-2018, the CDC estimates 600 children died of the flu. In Virginia in 2018-2019, five children died of the flu. Schools did not close.

Essential workers have been working or have gone back to work. They are taking necessary precautions and assuming reasonable risks to perform their essential duties. Why are we treating teachers differently? Teachers are essential workers. If they or their family are high risk, then, they can teach virtually.

The consequences if schools are closed include academic regressions, anxiety, food insecurity and other challenges. Experts hypothesize that the benefits of attending school outweigh the risks.

There is evidence that educating and taking care of children can be done with low risk. Some child care centers in Virginia remained open and more opened their doors during Phase Two.

The blended model is the right choice for Fauquier.

CORRIE SIRKIN

Manassas

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Fauquier Times | August 5, 2020

A time for nobility

Now is a time of great calamity. We are challenged by the pandemic, acute economic distress, deep awareness of our history of racial prejudice and growing knowledge of the economic injustices we’ve let accumulate. We live in fear of the unknown and disruption to our sense of normalcy.

But, as the ancient Chinese proverb holds, every crisis presents both challenges and opportunities. Our opportunity is to use our now-heightened awareness to confront fundamental problems facing us. It’s also an opportunity to rise to our highest levels of individual greatness.

Our inspired Constitution states these great objectives: “to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”

We have it in our power to come closer to achieving these worthy goals. But doing so will require us to transcend our fears and frustrations and rise to be our better selves. We must put aside rancor. We need to see beyond easy deceptions to perceive underlying truths. We must understand that we are not merely individuals but also part of the larger society. We must choose to accept the responsibilities that enable us to enjoy our rights.

If we as patriotic Americans are to meet these challenges and progress toward the goals set forth by our founders, we must rise to this opportunity by bringing forth the noblest character that lies within each of us.

NORMAN REID

Delaplane

Letters to the Editor

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Shaved ice producing shared smiles

By John Hagarty Special o he Fauquier Times

Five months ago, two entrepreneurs, who also happened to be cousins, were poised to launch a unique business -- happiness on four wheels. Their colorful Kona Ice truck is a state-of-the-art vehicle whose sole purpose is selling shaved ice treats.

Then in a blink of a COVID-19 eye, their dreams melted as quickly as their ice delights. After spending half a year buying their franchise and graduating from “Kona Kollege” as certified owners of one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country, their vision evaporated.

Today, things are back on track. The business is growing at a blistering pace in time to ease the blistering heat of Virginia’s summer.

A central feature of Kona Ice’s corporate business strategy centers on fundraising for worthy causes. In the past 10 years, its franchisees have donated more than $82 million to thousands of organizations.

Maria Lischak and Tania Terleckyj are the figurative and literal drivers behind the business. The franchise is supportive of women, veterans and law enforcement owners, they said. "In March, we were ready to go. We had schools, nonprofits, youth sports, churches and more lined up. We were booked through the end of October. We had our very first school event in early March, and then everything came to a halt,” said Lischak.

The company’s more than 1,200 franchisees faced the same crippling halt of business. With group gatherings shut down, the corporation quickly pivoted to save their owners.

“What Kona corporate did was enable us to offer curbside call and delivery in neighborhoods,"

COURTESY PHOTO The Kona Ice truck brightens up a local neighborhood. said Lischak. “The company created an app called Kurbside Kona so customers can go online to order their frozen treats. It’s similar to other restaurant and pizza delivery businesses.” "When you order online, you set a specific time for delivery and what products you want. We call five minutes before arrival to let you know we are on the way,” said Terleckyj.

There are five different sizes of cups from the 9-ounce Kiddie for $3 up to the 22-ounce Kowabunga for $6.

The company also works with homeowners associations. The South Wales community in northern Culpeper County arranged to have the Kona truck available for its residents. It used the community’s basketball court's parking lot, and its website announced the times and location of service.

“We’ve served South Wales on three occasions,” said Lischak.

When the truck arrives on location, it’s easy to spot. It is a colorful blast of tropical colors and graphics and playing calypso music. It triggers a “wow” reaction, signaling the tasty treats produced therein. Kona is a popular name for Hawaiian children.

The formal name of the business is Kona Ice of Culpeper, Locust Grove and Warrenton. Its territory includes part of Orange County and most of Fauquier and Culpeper counties.

Shaved ice dates to the Roman Emperor Nero in 27 B.C. Nero had snow transported from the mountains and then flavored with fruit and honey. Today, shaved ice differs from a slushie. Shaving enables the flavorings to soak more deeply into the ice and create a smooth consistency that other ice products lack, the owners explained.

Squeaky clean

“Kona Ice has outfitted all its trucks to be compliant with the highest standards required by any state regulations," said Terleckyj. “We have contactless payment and change our gloves and masks regularly.”

Temperature checks are taken at the beginning of each work shift. The inside and outside of the truck is applied with MircoShield 360, an FDA and EPA approved product that kills viruses on any surface.

Given the importance of cleanliness today, the truck is continually cleaned. It’s compliant with the National Sanitation Foundation International requirements, whose charter is helping to standardize sanitation and food safety in more than 170 countries.

On Aug. 1, the Kona Truck will participate in a fundraising drive-in movie night with the Salem volunteer fire and rescue department. "We want to have more of these events in our service areas,” said Lischak. “We ask any worthy organization reach out to us to make it happen. "We are thrilled to be able to be doing this work. The smiles we see on people’s faces when we come out is wonderful. They are thankful and welcoming. It’s been overwhelming for us.

“The kids have been especially sweet. We drove up to one house, and one of the kids came running up and shouted, ‘This is the best day ever. Even better than Christmas!’”

For information on the Kona Ice schedule, visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ Kona-Ice-of-Culpeper-Locust-Grove-Warrenton-108865737176746/.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

FRESH and friends better the community through food distribution during pandemic

Summer in Fauquier County has always been a challenge for families who are food insecure. With COVID-19, this need became even more urgent. The Fauquier Reaches for Excellence in School Health program, better known as FRESH, seeks to meet this need in the community. Their goal is to ensure that no child goes hungry in Fauquier County.

However, this enormous task could not be accomplished by FRESH alone. With the help of Fauquier County Public School staff volunteers, Fauquier FISH, the Fauquier Education Farm, and the Airlie Berkshire Farm, FRESH has been able to supply fresh produce and other food to families who are in need.

FRESH has been working tirelessly with both local and national organizations to help address the issues of food insecurity, nutrition education, and promoting healthy living among students in the county. This summer, FRESH took on three interns: Madison Carter and John Bellucci, both from the PATH Foundation, and Emma Dulin from No Kid Hungry, a national campaign focused on ending childhood hunger in America.

COURTESY PHOTO Emma Dulin, a college intern with FRESH, harvests greens at Fauquier Education Farm. These interns have added to FRESH’s initiatives and are out in the community every week to ensure food is available to those who need it most.

FRESH’s three-step distribution process is what makes this all possible.

First, volunteers harvest fresh produce from the Fauquier Education Farm along with Carter and Bellucci. (The Education Farm is a ten-acre plot of land in which all yielded produce is donated to various organizations in the community, one of which is FRESH.)

After the food is harvested, it is transported to FRESH’s preparation site at Warrenton Middle School, where volunteers - along with Dulin - package, clean and prepare unique recipes that pair with that day’s fresh produce. In addition to the fresh produce, Fauquier FISH provides a bag of non-perishable food items called a “Power Pack.” Lastly, the prepared produce and Power Packs are distributed throughout the county via delivery and pick-up sites, such as public-school parking lots.

FRESH’s food distribution and education efforts have brought awareness to the benefits of preparing and consuming fresh foods, creating an overall healthier and more engaged community.

JOHN BELLUCCI, EMMA DULIN, MADISON CARTER AND LAUREN SHUTT

College interns, Fauquier Reaches for Excellence in School Health

Kudos to Fauquier County libraries Student promotes 100% virtual learning

Being shut down and confined is not ideal. However, the library and staff have stepped up to offer a myriad of services and projects for all ages, including virtual story time for children, crafts to pick up, andsign language classes, to name a few.

You can now schedule appointments to use the computers.

Love my library. Thanks for the wonderful opportunities.

MARIE BROWNING

Hume

I am a student in Fauquier County, and I believe that school should be 100% virtual. Why I think this is a good idea is that being at home and not in the building will reduce the chances of spreading the coronavirus, even though the original plan was to go in two days a week at 50% capacity and wear a face mask, you are still around a lot of people.

Another reason is that some students learn better virtually instead of in school.

Thanks for giving me the chance to express my views on going to school.

MAX PISUT

Warrenton