OPINION
SPORTS
OUTDOORS
LESSON FROM SNAPPING TURTLE ON SANCTITY OF LIFE
WINGEART LEADS FOXES TO QUAD MEET VICTORY
STRANGE BEAUTY OF GREAT BLUE HERONS OFTEN GRACES FISHING SPOTS
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Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
Volume 40, Number 19
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 50 Cents
helping you relate to your community
Officials attend Navy community relations meeting RICHARD LEGGITT Officials from King George, Westmoreland and Colonial Beach met last week in Colonial Beach with representatives of the Naval Support Facility in Dahlgren to discuss the Navy's growing economic impact on the area. "The good news is that our economic numbers are on course," said Navy Cmdr. Chris Zayatz, the executive officer of Naval Support Activity South Potomac. Cmdr. Zayatz and Colonial Beach Mayor Mike Ham were co-hosts of the meeting which was held at the High Tides restaurant on the Potomac. The Naval Support Facility, which has been in operation for 98 years, is an increasingly important economic engine for the Northern Neck and the
“The Naval Support Facility Dahlgren has an annual civilian payroll of $499 million, an annual military payroll of $35 million ...” U.S. Navy Cmdr. Chris Zayatz. U.S. Navy photo by Barbara Wagner
See NAVY, page 8
Colonial Beach Mayor Mike Ham presented a review of upcoming improvements at the Beach including the planned start of construction on the new Colonial Beach Elementary School at the Navy’s community relations meeting last week.
CB student off to national auto body competition
A SWEET DAY
Photo by Richard Leggitt Photos by Lynn Norris
At left, a little Kinsale girl, decked out to party at the Kinsale Strawberry Festival Saturday, dances to the band Muddy Boots that played for those attending the festival. Above, Tom and Martha Crimmins of Westmoreland County were at the Kinsale Strawberry Festival Saturday helping raise money for a Stratford Fire Substation with a raffle whose cash prize is $4,000.
Student John Parks and Principal Jennifer Grigsby pose before Colonial Beach High School’s Wall of Champions. After winning local and state competitions, Parks is preparing for a national auto body competition this summer in Kentucky. RICHARD LEGGITT John Parks, a 17-year-old Colonial Beach High School student whose great grandfather, grandfather and father worked or work as auto body repairmen, is headed to Kentucky this summer for a national auto body competition. Parks, a junior at CBHS, finished in first place in the SkillsUSA district
competition in February and then won the state SkillsUSA collision repair competition on April 16 in Fredericksburg. Now he is preparing for the national SkillsUSA championship to be held June 20-24 in Louisville, KY. "John is talented in his trade, dediSee STUDENT, page 8
Belle Grove to hold Civil War re-enactors encampment this weekend RICHARD LEGGITT Belle Grove, the historic King George plantation that was the birthplace of James Madison, will hold a two-day Civil War encampment this weekend honoring the Union and Confederate soldiers who fought in the conflict. "We are so excited about this year's Civil War Weekend," said Michelle Darnell, who with her husband, Brett, operates Belle Grove as a luxury bed abs breakfast along the banks of the Rappahannock River across from Port Royal. "We have more reenactors involved and more interest in attendance than in years past," said Darnell. "We can truly see this event growing each year, becoming an event that people look forward to coming to year after year." According to Darnell, two-day encampment will bring to life experi-
“We are so excited about this year’s Civil War Weekend “We have more reenactors involved and more interest in attendance than in years past.” Belle Grove Co-Owner Michelle Darnell
ences and history in an unforgettable event for area residents and visitors. Belle Grove was a strategic location during the Civil War because the
narrow Rappahannock river crossing was a supply route for both Confederate and Union forces. At the event, which runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, those attending will be able to talk with soldiers, pose for photos, and watch troop demonstrations and drills performed by historic reenactors, including President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln and General and Mrs. Ulysses Grant. Advance tickets for the days events are available for $5 and the day of the event price is $10. On Saturday at 6 p.m., the Darnell's will also host an Antebellum wedding at a bluff on the plantation overlooking the Rappahannock, as they participate in a vow renewal ceremony celebrating 30 years of marriage. The dress for the wedding will be Antebellum period for those who would like to dress up. The Darnells have stressed, however, that guests
Photo courtesy of Belle Grove
Civil War re-enactors will be part of the festivities at Belle Grive this weekend.
do not have to dress for the wedding ceremony which can be attended by the public for no additional cost. There is a cost for those attending a 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Gone with the Wind Ball Saturday night. Advance tickets are $55 and day of the event tickets are $65 for those wishing to attend this frolicking historic event. At the ball, there will be danc-
ing, barbeque and spiced punch and mint juleps for the guests as they listen to period music and dance to the Virginia Reel. There will also be a special Gone with the Wind contest for guests who have dressed as Scarlett, Rhett or their favorite Gone with the Wind character. Guests must be at least 21 years of age to attend the ball.
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