Stafford Magazine | April/May 2022

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Young drivers prepare for Stafford’s first Soap Box Derby

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CONTENTS

PUBLISHER MAGAZINE

Bruce Potter bpotter@insidenova.com 571-333-1538

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MAGAZINE

DIGITAL EDITOR

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cwheat@insidenova.com ON THE WEB

www.staffordmagazine.com Stafford Magazine is published every other month and distributed to over 9,000 selected addresses. While reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to Stafford Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to any such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. While ensuring that all published information is accurate, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or omissions. Reproduction in whole or part of any of the text, illustrations or photographs is strictly forbidden. ©2022 Rappahannock Media LLC.

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AMAZING KIDS

High Drama Stafford theater champs take on the region

10

NEIGHBORS

A Labor of Love Family builds daughter a backyard oasis

24

SPORTS

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COMMUNITY COVER STORY

Derby Day

Content in the Carolinas

Young racers prepare for Stafford’s first soap box event

Former North Stafford allAmerican finds balance

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BUSINESS

Drift Away Chill out at new Stafford business

COMMUNITY NEWS

Testbed specialist hired, new voting districts and more

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EVENTS

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VOICES

I wish they had this when I was in high school ON THE COVER:

Ethan Melson, 9, practices for Stafford’s first Soap Box Derby, to be held in June. Photo

by Allen Melson.

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AMAZING KIDS

High Drama S Stafford theater champs take on the region

BY TR ACY BELL

COURTESY STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Stafford High School drama students perform “The Secret in the Wings” at the state competition in October, when they won first place. They performed the same show at the regional event in March.

tafford High School theater students represented Virginia at a drama competition in March in Memphis, Tenn., and along the way they picked up a couple of awards, a wealth of knowledge and a few important life lessons.

The 22 thespians and chaperones, including theater director Michael D’Addario, set out on a bus for the Southeastern Theatre Conference from March 9 to 13, where they competed against 18 other top high school theater groups from across the Southeast.

The students picked up two acting awards and soaked up advice from theater professionals across the country.

They also attended workshops at the Secondary School Theater Festival, where they performed, and some students even auditioned for colleges there.

Jayric Miles Bolano, a senior, said his favorite part of the trip was meeting others who share a love of theater. “It made me feel nice to see that everyone there was passionate about the performing arts. …

It doesn’t matter if you win or lose. All that matters is that you were able to show off your hard work, entertain people and hopefully give them a smile.”

The group earned its spot in Memphis after taking first place in October at the Virginia Theatre Association Conference.

There, they performed the festival play, “The Secret in the Wings” – a production about an unusual babysitter who sets out to enchant his young charge with a series of lost folktales that weave in and out of one another.

The stories created a dark and witty tapestry, according to a description of the production. The performance won top group and individual honors including “best play,” “best actress,” “outstanding technical merit” and two “all-star cast” honors.

“It amounts to winning a state championship and then competing for a national title,” D’Addario said, adding that he is proud of the students’ hard work. The students performed the same play at the regional event.

Student Sienna Green, an assistant stage manager, said her favorite part of the trip was the “amazing workshops,” from Juggling 101 to Shakespearean acting classes – where she learned skills that can be used in day-to-day life.

“Something that I took away from this trip, and something that I needed to be reminded of, is that you never stop learning,” she said. “From competing on stage to something as simple as tying a knot, it takes time to be the best; nothing you do will be mastered overnight. I believe that our competition and the workshops we attended allowed the cast and crew to be reminded that we learn new things every day.”

In a typical year, the Southeastern conference draws about 5,000 secondary and college theater students, educators and professionals and includes more than 300 workshops and classes.

Stafford High School was the only school from Virginia at the conference. Typically, each state sends two representatives – the winner and the runner-up from its theater conference. But travel restrictions

prevented Virginia’s other school from competing in Memphis, and the alternates could not make it either, D’Addario said.

The COVID-19 pandemic cut out live performances in the past two years, reducing revenue, so the Stafford High School group turned to its own fundraisers and community support for the trip.

The group received grants for their trip and some “heartwarming” donations from community members unconnected to the program, D’Addario said. Contributors included Mary Washington Healthcare, Worx Garage, the Silver Foundation, the Fredericksburg Nationals and Coldwell Banker Elite. Supporters were invited to see a run-through of the play.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Stafford and Fredericksburg community, we were able to raise the full amount needed for the COURTESY STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A scene from “The Secret in the Wings,” as performed at the state competition.

trip,” D’Addario said.

D’Addario, in his 13th year teaching theater arts, previously worked as a designer for theater and film, focusing on scenic, multimedia and sound design.

One of his students, Mercedes BenzBushling, a sound operator, called D’Addario the school’s “winningest ‘coach’” and said she was happy to spend even more time learning from him.

“We’re so lucky to have him be our leader,” she said, noting that her favorite part of the trip was performing in the “absolutely beautiful” theater – “especially the lights.”

The performance in Memphis was “my favorite performance we’ve ever done,” she said. “I learned from our performance that even when unexpected things happen to stay calm.”

The students had time for some sightseeing in Memphis, and they said some of their favorite sights were the Peabody Ducks at the Peabody Memphis Hotel, a Civil Rights museum, trollies, “stunning architecture,” a Bass Pro Shop and a husky plushie souvenir.

Tracy Bell is a freelancer living in Stafford County.

Stafford High School students prepare the stage for their performance at the regional competition in Memphis, Tenn.

See Them On Stage This spring, the Stafford High School students will perform “Seussical” on April 29 and 30 and May 6 and 7 at the high school.

The witty and whimsical musical comedy features more than a dozen stories by Dr. Seuss, with themes centered on friendship, love and loyalty. The story follows Horton the elephant as he attempts to save the Whos of Whoville and hatch an egg.

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S TA F F O R D M AG A Z I N E

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A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 2

MICHAEL D’A DDARIO

To purchase tickets to any Stafford High School Theater event including “Seussical,” visit staffordhs. seatyourself.biz

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“Something that I took away from this trip, and something that I needed to be reminded of, is that you never stop learning,” she said. “From competing on stage to something as simple as tying a knot, it takes time to be the best; nothing you do will be mastered overnight. I believe that our competition and the workshops we attended allowed the cast and crew to be reminded that we learn new things every day.”

In a typical year, the Southeastern conference draws about 5,000 secondary and college theater students, educators and professionals and includes more than 300 workshops and classes.

BY Stafford High School was the only school from Virginia at the conference. Typically, each state sends two representatives – the winner and the runner-up from its theater conference. But travel restrictions

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preventedNEIGHBORS Virginia’s other school from competing in Memphis, and the alternates could not make it either, D’Addario said.

The COVID-19 pandemic cut out live performances in the past two years, reducing revenue, so the Stafford High School group turned to its own fundraisers and community support for the trip.

The group received grants for their trip and some “heartwarming” donations from community members unconnected to the program, D’Addario said. Contributors included Mary Washington Healthcare, Worx Garage, the Silver Foundation, the Fredericksburg Nationals and Coldwell TR ACY Elite.

BE L LSupporters | P H OTOS BYinvited PAULtoLsee AR A Banker were a run-through of the play.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Stafford and Fredericksburg community, we were able to raise the full amount needed for the

trip,” D’Addario said.

D’Addario, in his 13th year teaching theater arts, previously worked as a designer for theater and film, focusing on scenic, multimedia and sound design.

One of his students, Mercedes BenzBushling, a sound operator, called D’Addario the school’s “winningest ‘coach’” and said she was happy to spend even more time learning from him.

“We’re so lucky to have him be our leader,” she said, noting that her favorite part of the trip was performing in the “absolutely beautiful” theater – “especially the lights.”

The performance in Memphis was “my favorite performance we’ve ever done,” she said. “I learned from our performance that even when unexpected things happen to stay calm.”

The students had time for some sightseeing in Memphis, and they said some of their favorite sights were the Peabody Ducks at the Peabody Memphis Hotel, a Civil Rights museum, trollies, “stunning architecture,” a Bass Pro Shop and a husky plushie souvenir.

A Labor of Love Family builds daughter a backyard oasis

COURTESY STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A scene from “The Secret in the Wings,” as performed at the state competition.

“When you reach milestones later than expected, they mean much more and you should celebrate them.”

Tracy Bell is a freelancer living in Stafford County.

Stafford High School students prepare the stage for their performance at the regional competition in Memphis, Tenn.

See Them On Stage This spring, the Stafford High School students will perform “Seussical” on April 29 and 30 and May 6 and 7 at the high school.

The witty and whimsical musical comedy features more than a dozen stories by Dr. Seuss, with themes centered on friendship, love and loyalty. The story follows Horton the elephant as he attempts to save the Whos of Whoville and hatch an egg.

10

S TA F F O R D M AG A Z I N E

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A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 2

MICHAEL D’A DDARIO

To purchase tickets to any Stafford High School Theater event including “Seussical,” visit staffordhs. seatyourself.biz

W

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One – sevitatneserper owt sd nes day etatlast s hcae tisoreneg eht ot sknaTh“ stifor mohome rf pu-rdécor ennu rwith eht dher na family renniw eht ummoc gsummer, rubskcireLacey derF dwas na shopping snoitcirtser levart tuB .ecnerefnoc retaeht tnuoma llfor uf eBrandon’s ht esiar ot home. elba She was OK with him moving, Theresa Milner said, but Brandon was hesitant about leaving Lacey. It was then that Lacey expressed she’d love to have a house of her moown. rf enShe ecs A wanted in on the fun. eht ni terceS ehT“ “I buy Lacey a house,” she told her mother on a trip to -rep sa ”,sgniW Costco, when the idea first took shape. etats eht ta demrof .noititepmoc

Stafford

2021 MAGAZINE

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siht morf yawa koot I taht gnihtemoS“ morf loohcs rehto s’ainigriV detneverp eb ot dedeen I taht gnihtemos dna ,pirt setanretla eht dna ,sihpmeM ni gnitepmoc .dias oiraddA’D ,rehtie ti ekam ton dluoc ”,gninrael pots reven uoy taht si ,fo dednimer ot egats no gnitepmoc morF“ .dias ehs tuo tuc cimednap 91-DIVOC eTh sekat ti ,tonk a gniyt sa elpmis sa gnihtemos ,sraey owt tsap eht ni secnamrofrep evil lliw od uoy gnihton ;tseb eht eb ot emit hgiH droffatS eht os ,eunever gnicuder ruo taht eveileb I .thginrevo deretsam eb sresiardnuf nwo sti ot denrut puorg loohcS .pirt eht rof troppus ytinummoc dna dednetta ew spohskrow eht dna noititepmoc dednimer eb ot werc dna tsac eht dewolla pirt rieht rof stnarg deviecer puorg eTh ”.yad y reve sgniht wen nrael ew taht morf snoitanod ” gnimrawt raeh“ emos dna nretsaehtuoS eht ,raey lacipyt a nI eht ot detcennocnu srebmem ytinummoc y radnoces 000,5 tuoba sward ecnerefnoc srotubirtnoC .dias oiraddA’D ,margorp dna srotacude ,stneduts retaeht egelloc dna ,erachtlaeH notgnihsaW y raM dedulcni 003 naht erom sedulcni dna slanoisseforp eht ,noitadnuoF revliS eht ,egaraG x roW .sessalc dna spohskrow llewdloC dna slanoitaN grubskcirederF ees ot detivni erew sret roppuS .etilE reknaB loohcs ylno eht saw loohcS hgiH droffatS ,yllacipyT .ecnerefnoc eht ta ainigriV morf .yalp eht fo hguorht-nu r a – sevitatneserper owt sdnes etats hcae droffatS eht fo ytisoreneg eht ot sknaTh“ sti morf pu-rennu r eht dna renniw eht erew ew ,ytinummoc grubskcirederF dna snoitcirtser levart tuB .ecnerefnoc retaeht eht rof dedeen tnuoma lluf eht esiar ot elba From there, she spoke repeatedly about having her own house.

The Milners thought about Lacey’s request. Her father wasn’t so sure, but no one laughed it off and soon they wondered, mor“Why f enecs A not? Why can’t we buy a little shed and call it ‘Lacey’s House’?” eht ni terceS ehT“ Lacey, tiny for her age, has wild, curly hair, stands just 4-foot-6 -rep sa ”,sgniW and weighs 80 pounds. She wears a size 12-14 in children’s clothing etats eht ta demrof and didn’t walk until she was 9 years old, her mother said. .noititepmoc Her condition, Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome, affects the heart, face, skin and hair. People with CFC syndrome typically have intellectual and developmental disabilities, many have eating issues and a good number use feeding tubes. They are characterized by lower ears and sparse eyebrows.

Most people with CFC “can understand more than what they can reciprocate,” Theresa Milner said.

It’s difficult to estimate, but there are fewer than 900 reported cases of CFC in the world, according to CFC International, a nonprofit patient support and advocacy group.

From the start of their project, the Milners discovered that friends and family wanted to help, so the ball rolled from there.

“Lacey missed the whole playhouse phase, but that’s OK,” her mother said. “When you reach milestones egatlater S nOthan meexpected, hT eeS they mean much more and you should celebrate them.” droand ffatSmaking eht ,gniit rpadorable, s sihT The team began designing the house l l i w s t n e d u t s l o o h c S hgiH complete with a pink front door, a chandelier, a mural and a 9 2 l i r p A n o ” l a c i s s u e S “ m rofrep walkway. Lacey added artificial house plants and pillows herself. ta 7 dna and 6 yaM dna 03friend, dna Timm Milner owns a painting company a family .loohcs hgih eht Scott Peters, was instrumental.

“We could’ve never gotten thislafinished cisum lacwithout ismihw dhim,” na yttiw ehT Theresa Milner said. a naht erom serutaef ydemoc Another friend, Cindy Morris of Birch Tree Craft Co., made htiw ,ssueS .rD yb seirots nezod a sign that says, “Lacey’s House” and the street number 80½ – a ,pihsdneirf no deretnec semeht play on her parents’ address. yrots ehT .ytlayol dna evol The home is functional, with electricity, foam insulation, airsa tnahpele eht notroH swollof conditioning and a drop ceiling. The walls are painted a calming blue. fo sohcabinets W eht evand as oat couch. stpmetta eh There’s a retro refrigerator, a countertop, . g g e n a h c t a h d n a ellivosaid. hW “Even though she’s 25, it’s like she’s 5,” Theresa Milner “Having her own house was like Christmas ot stekfor cither esahand crushe p oTreally got into it. We are really enjoying it.”loohcS hgiH droffatS yna Lacey even has her own mailbox, gwhich nidulcallows ni tnevefriends retaehto T drop off cards, mail and little gifts. .shdroffats tisiv ”,lacissueS“ As summer turned to cooler weather, the zib.Milners flesruoytadded aes a

Hope is here.

S L O O H CS C I L B U P Y T N U OC D R OF F ATS YS E TR U OC

It’s okay not to be okay. We’re here to help find a spark of light when things seem hopeless.

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O I R AD D A’ D L E A H C I M

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siht morf yawa koot I taht gnihtemoS“ morf loohcs rehto s’ainigriV detneverp .dias oiraddA’D ”,pirt eb ot dedeen I taht gnihtemos dna ,pirt setanretla eht dna ,sihpmeM ni gnitepmoc gnihcaet raey ht31 sih ni ,oiraddA’D .dias oiraddA’D ,rehtie ti ekam ton dluoc ”,gninrael pots reven uoy taht si ,fo dednimer a sa dekrow ylsuoiverp ,stra retaeht ot egats no gnitepmoc morF“ .dias ehs tuo tuc cimednap 91-DIVOC eTh no gnisucof ,mlfiSince dna ret1999 aeht rof rengised sekat ti ,tonk a gniyt sa elpmis sa gnihtemos ,sraey owt tsap eht ni secnamrofrep evil .ngised dnuos dna aidemitlum ,cinecs lliw od uoy gnihton ;tseb eht eb ot emit hgiH droffatS eht os ,eunever gnicuder -zneB sedecreM ,stneduts sih fo enO ruo taht eveileb I .thginrevo deretsam eb sresiardnuf nwo sti ot denrut puorg loohcS dellac ,rotarepo dnuos a , gnilhsuB .pirt eht rof troppus ytinummoc dna dednetta ew spohskrow eht dna noititepmoc ” ’hcaoc‘ tsegninniw“ s’loo•hAllergies, cs eht oiraddSinus, A’D dednimer eb ot werc dna tsac eht dewolla pirt rieht rof stnarg deviecer puorg eTh erom neve dneps ot yppaHeadache h saw ehs dias dna ”.yad y reve sgniht wen nrael ew taht morBack, f snoitanod ” gnimrawt raeh“ emos dna .mih •mChronicPain/Lower orf gninrael emit nretsaehtuoS eht ,raey lacipyt a nI eht ot detcennocnu srebmem ytinummoc ruo eb mih evah ot ykcul os er’eW“ Neck, Knee, y radnoces 000,5 tuoba sward ecnerefnoc srotubirtnoC .dias oiraddA’D ,margorp etirovaf reh taht gniton ,dias ehs ”,redael Joints dna srotacude ,stneduts retaeht egelloc dna ,erachtlaeH notgnihsaW y raM dedulcni eht ni gnimrofrep saw pirt& ehMuscle t fo trap 003 naht erom sedulcni dna slanoisseforp eht ,noitadnuoF revliS eht ,egaraG x roW yllaicepse“ – retaeht ”lu•fitStop uaeb ySmoking letulosba“ • Stress”.sRelief, .sessalc dna spohskrow llewdloC dna slanoitaN grubskcirederF thgil ehtDepression, ees ot detivni erew sret roppuS .etilE reknaB loohcs ylno eht saw loohcS hgiH droffatS ym“ saw sihpmeM ni ecMigraine, namrofrep eInsomnia Th ,yllacipyT .ecnerefnoc eht ta ainigriV morf .yalp eht fo hguorht-nu r a ehs ”,enod reve ev’ew ecn•aPMS, mrofrep etirovaf Menopause – sevitatneserper owt sdnes etats hcae droffatS eht fo ytisoreneg eht ot sknaTh“ taht ecnamrofrep ruo mSymptoms, orf denrael I“ .Infertility dias Ho-JooLee, L. Ac, Dipl. sti morf pu-rennu r eht dna renniw eht erew ew ,ytinummoc grubskcirederF dna ot neppah sgniht detcepxenu nehw neve snoitcirtser levart tuB .ecnerefnoc retaeht eht rof dedeen tnuoma lluf eht esiar ot elba ”.mlac yats heater to the house, and now, they’re considering running water. emos rof emit dah stneduts eTh “I don’t know what I was thinking,” Theresa Milner said. “It emoSat s dias9a.m. yeht dna-,s12p.m. ihpmeM nWed i gnieesClosed thgis took on a life of its own, and one thing just led to anothermthing. ydobaeP eht erew sthgis etirovaf rieht fo orf enecs A Accept most insurance AETNA, CIGNA, MD-IPA, Lacey asks for an upstairs now.” a ,letoH sihpmeM ydobaeP eht ta skcuD eht ni terceS ehT“ Dr. Yvonne Villarreal, a family physician at Embracing gninnutsetc. “ ,seiWalk-ins llort ,muesuWelcome m sthgiR liviC -repHealth sa ”,sgniW in Stafford, has treated Lacey for 15 years.

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“Lacey spends hours sitting in her home, reading and looking outside into the garden,” she added.

In a conversation with her mother, Lacey agreed that her favorite part of the house is a green chair she sits on near a window that overlooks the backyard, where “Paw Patrol” yard loohcS hgiH droffatS signs and garden blow-ups are part of her view. There, she flips egats eht eraperp stneduts through newspapers and magazines, according to her mother, ta ecnamrofrep rieht rof who noted the family has had to be particularly cautious during ni noititepmoc lanoiger eht the COVID-19 pandemic. .nneT ,sihpmeM Lacey, who is high-risk and immunocompromised, was used to a routine, so the Milners tried to keep egone. atSThey nO meven ehTcreated eeS a store in their garage so she could shop. droffMilner atS ehtsaid. ,gnirps sihT “It made the pandemic easier,” Theresa l l i w s t n e d u t s l oohcand S hgiH Similarly, the backyard home creates a sense of comfort 9 2 l i r p A n o ” l a c i s s u e S “ mrofrep independence. t a 7 d n a 6 y a M d n a 0 3 dna But her new home wasn’t complete without a housewarming . l o o h c s h g i h e h t party, which they held in October.

Guests included two of Lacey’s doctors, lacisum lVillarreal acismihw dand na yDr. ttiw ehT Michael Cohen, a Stafford neurologist a nwho aht eLacey rom sefondly rutaef ycalls democ “Boy,” Theresa Milner said.

We make it easy for you. htiw ,ssueS .rD yb seirots nezod At Christmastime, the Milners decorated ,pihsdneithe rf nobackyard deretnehouse c semeht and yard. They invited Santa Claus, whoyrpassed out books to Learn more at BankWithUnited.com o t s e h T . y t l a y o l d n a evol Member FDIC Lacey, other special-needs friends and some neighborhood sa tnahpele eht notroH pals. swollof Next Christmas, the Milners plan for Santa to visit Lacey’s house fo sohW eht evas ot stpmetta eh again, but this time as a holiday fundraiser for CFC International. .gge na hctah dna ellivohW The wheels were already turning as Theresa Milner spoke of stekwant cit esatohcbe ruelves.” p oT the possibilities. “I already have 10 peopleotwho

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COMMUNITY

Derby Day RACERS PREPARE FOR STAFFORD’S FIRST SOAP BOX EVENT 16

S TA F F O R D M AG A Z I N E

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BY T R ACY BE L L

A number of racers from around Stafford participated in a recent practice day for the first Soap Box Derby to be held in Stafford County Racers sit inside 6-foot cars with only a steering wheel and brake as they go down a 750-foot track.

PHOTOS BY ALLEN MELSON

S

tafford residents Don and Tiffany Black have been a Soap Box Derby racing family for the past decade, since their oldest son, Cody, took a ride down a hill in a stock car in 2012.

For the first time, though, the family will be able to participate in their home community, as Stafford County will host the Rappahannock Regional Soap Box Derby on June 4. Racers aged 7 to 20 will zoom down a hill on Reservoir Road, just outside Rocky Run Elementary School. The regional race previously had been held in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania.

The Blacks, who live in northwestern Stafford, are busy preparing for race day.

“We are all very excited to see the derby coming to our hometown for the first time,” Don Black said. “Derby has been one of the best things our family has ever been involved with.”

Cody, 17, who attends Mountain View High School, will compete in the master’s division. He has plenty of experience, having raced for the past 10 years. A decade ago, the Blacks were at a car show at North Stafford High School when Alvin Staples, the current derby race director, asked Cody to give it a whirl.

The Blacks’ younger son, Aiden, 12, will compete in the super stock division. The A.G. Wright Middle School seventh-grader, who has raced for five years, has never really not known a life without soap box derby.

The boys, who work on their cars with their dad’s guidance and practice before race days, have learned that if they put the time in, good things will come.

“They learn how to use tools and apply science toward building faster cars while having fun,” their father said.

For 25 years, the Rappahannock region has hosted soap box S TA F F O R D M AG A Z I N E

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derbies. The race lasts just a day, but organizers say it creates a lifelong impact, friendships and great memories. It brings families together, boosts self-esteem and builds a sense of community.

Staples, who teaches auto body at North Stafford High School, has been involved with the local derby for most of its existence, since his children took interest when they were young. Now, he’s seeing second generations participating and to him, it’s truly a family.

“To me, the derby means everything,” Staples said.

The event bonds families, who spend time together working on cars, building, painting, racing and practicing, he noted.

Parents have to step up because the derby takes more work than some other activities.

But racers grow and can’t fit in the cars forever, Staples said.

“It's a sad day when a kid goes down that hill for the last time.”

Racers ride inside 6-foot-long cars that have a steering wheel and brake. They’re only a few inches from the ground going downhill on a 750-foot track.

For 19 years the regional Soap Box Derby was held in Fredericksburg, but the city decided to get out of the derby business, and it moved to Spotsylvania County. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, budget issues prevented organizers from continuing to use that track, said Keith Burgess, president of Rappahannock Regional Soap Box Derby.

There was no race in 2020 due to the pandemic, and concern about the virus resulted in a smaller number of racers in 2021.

Ultimately, a few diehard race officials who wanted the derby to survive moved it to Stafford, with the help of the county.

The derby’s region stretches from Prince William County to Richmond and from Dahlgren to Locust Grove.

As many as 100 racers are expected to participate in Stafford’s derby, and racers can register through May 1. They’ll pay a $50 fee and attend a build clinic where officials can help participants tweak their cars and ensure safety.

Hartwood resident Allen Melson’s family, new to racing, is fielding three cars.

His sons, Ethan, 9, and Logan, 8, attend Hartwood Elementary School and instantly wanted to race when they saw derby cars at an event. They seem to be taking differing

Ethan Melson tests his car during preparation for the Soap Box Derby.

DERBY DETAILS What: Rappahannock Regional Soap Box Derby When: Saturday, June 4 Where: Rocky Run Elementary School, 95 Reservoir Road, Stafford Entry Fee: $50; register through May 1 Email: info@rrsbd.org More information: Visit tourstaffordva. com/event/soapboxderby or Rappahannock Regional Soap Box Derby on Facebook.

approaches, but both are excited about the derby.

“My boys are fearless,” Allen Melson said, “but their dispositions couldn’t be more different. Ethan is serious and calculating, while Logan is free-spirited and lighthearted.”

To practice, racers get “seat time” – some using open lots with hills and cones.

Regional races such as the one in Stafford are run annually at officially sanctioned race locations throughout the United States and in a few foreign countries. The top three winners from the local derby in stock, superstock and masters classes will travel to Arkon, Ohio, in July to represent the region at the International Soap Box Derby Race – which has been run since 1934.

Racers can buy kits to help them build a car, but they cost $800 to $1,600. Racers can also borrow a car from the Rappahannock Regional Soap Box Derby – which has plenty.

“Not owning a car shouldn’t be a deterrent,” Burgess said.

This year’s location provides a long, straight hill suitable for racers and shady, spacious areas for spectators. The track will allow for a speed of about 25 mph.

“The site should bring back that hometown feel, as spectators will be able to line both sides of the track to cheer on racers,” Burgess said.

Burgess became involved about two decades ago when he and his daughters stumbled on a soap box derby in Fredericksburg.

One of his daughters took interest right away. In 2011-12, he noted, Fredericksburg had the largest local derby race in the world with more than 160 drivers.

Organizers said early signups for this year’s event were running ahead of prior years. Burgess noted that the derby is a nonprofit organization and its board and committee members are all volunteers. Most of them don’t have young children in racing anymore, and many even donate or pay for necessities themselves.

“We get pleasure from seeing the kids’ smiles,” he said.

Tracy Bell is a freelancer living in Stafford County.

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BUSINESS

N

Drift Away The owner of Float Stafford would like us all to just chill out

BY ERIC ALTH OFF

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ikole “Cat” Johnson knows something about anxiety and pain.

The lifelong artist and owner of Dark Horse Tattoos has lived in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Florida – but nowhere, she claims, has she seen such high levels of stress as here in Stafford.

“I think a lot of it is because of [Interstate] 95. We have literally the worst traffic jams of anywhere in the U.S.,” Johnson said. “Then there is a lot of stress because people are dealing with top-secret stuff, whether they are in the military or intelligence, [and] they can’t talk about their problems.”

Johnson spoke about Stafford’s stresses at her new business, Float Stafford, in Doc Stone Commons. She’s been open only since Thanksgiving, but her mission is to reduce local stress. At Float Stafford, customers can experience cryotherapy, which uses cold to treat skin conditions. Other rooms include an oxygen bar and an infrared sauna.

But the pièce de résistance is a float tank of extremely saline water, in which the client is encapsulated for 90 minutes – cut off from the distractions of our busy world.

“It’s such a wonderful method of dealing with a diverse set of problems: pain, anxiety, stress, device addiction,” Johnson said of experiencing buoyancy in water that is more salty than even the Dead Sea. Johnson, who has chronic insomnia, admits it can be hard for someone with a creative mind to turn off the thoughts. And given our area’s heavy population of military and government workers, who typically

can’t kvetch about their work to a therapist due to security concerns, the tank provides a break from such burdens. ( Johnson notes that trying to “relax” by looking at your phone in bed actually worsens your sleep.)

“Sensory deprivation sounds scary,” Johnson admits, but she is quick to add that no one will emerge from the tank as a proto-human, as happened to William Hurt’s character in the psychedelic 1980 film “Altered States.”

“Anxiety is frequently handled well by the tanks because mostly [stress] comes from a neural pathway that you’ve worn in your brain that causes you to respond in a very certain way,” she said. She added that the tank is therefore useful for people dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder as well as other conditions such as anorexia.

The tank is less expensive than therapy, and prescription pills can introduce longterm damage into the body, Johnson said.

“One of the great things about floating is you can use it how you need it, not

Nikole “Cat” Johnson (second from left) opened Float Stafford in November.

Employee Yasmine Ehtasham (right) helps her run the business. how someone tells you to,” Johnson said.

“Everything that happens in the tank comes from your own brain. So if you want to leave your problems outside the tank, you can. If you want to bring them in and think about them in the calm, quiet, collective dark, you can do that.”

A tattoo artist, Johnson frequently had her own joint and back pains because of the

ergonomic demands of the job. When the pandemic forced her to suspend operations in 2020, she found her body resetting itself.

A friend suggested cryotherapy, which seemed to help, but Johnson was shocked to learn the closest outlets were in Richmond or Alexandria.

Because she not only believed in the therapy but also had experienced the

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The float pod, resembling an overgrown egg, has less than a foot of extremely saline water inside.

Just … be From the outside, Float Stafford appears to be a humble strip mall business, but, inside, the pleasant blue and white tones start to remove the suburban growl of Stafford County life.

I’m greeted by employee Yasmine Ehtasham, who shows me all of the treatment rooms as she talks me through a wellness plan that will take all morning.

but that’s precisely what sensory deprivation is all about. (If it gets too hot, or you’re feeling claustrophobic, you can always float with the lid ajar.)

Yes, all morning! This isn’t a place you run into and leave; once you’re here, you’re meant to leave your troubles, your cares and, most importantly, your phone, in the off position.

With my head resting on a piece of foam, I try to let go and just…be. At first my mind can’t help but go over what work I need to get done and what projects I have yet to complete for grad school, but, incredibly, I manage to doze off several times. Time loses its meaning; I can’t tell whether I’ve been in here for 15 minutes or an hour. Only Yasmine’s voice, from an intercom, informs me that an hour and a half has elapsed. My skin has a layer of film from the salt, and showering might never have felt so good.

Yasmine shows me the cryotherapy room, but thanks to supply chain issues that have kneecapped deliveries of liquid nitrogen, I won’t be able to try the subzero therapy today. Instead, she has me start in the sauna room. It isn’t quite as hot as a more traditional sauna, but an infrared light fixture helps the skin as you sweat out bodily impurities.

I forgot to bring a bathing suit, but Yasmine says that doesn’t matter. No one will be walking in on me, and there’s a bathrobe – but moments later I ditch the robe as the temperature takes over. For 40 minutes I sit and try to unwind, sweating away and having fun pressing the light fixture to bathe the sauna in various shades.

After a quick shower, it’s on to the float pod room. The mechanism resembles an overgrown egg, and inside less than a foot of extremely saline water beckons. My brow furrows when Yasmine informs me this treatment will last for 90 minutes (“Are you sure?,” I inquire).

It’s a strange feeling to purposely lower oneself into the pod and pull the lid closed,

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After a quick 10-minute oxygen therapy treatment – you can choose what “flavor” of air you want – Yasmine moves me into the final room, where she helps me slip into a pair of “compression” pants. I suffer from chronic lower-back pain, and the compression is meant to assist with sciatica.

I lie on my back on a bench, and Yasmine hands me UV goggles so that my eyes will be protected as she fits me with a face covering whose energies are meant to treat facial acne. Incredibly, once again, I fall asleep.

Changing back into real-world clothes, I emerge feeling perhaps more relaxed than I have in weeks. Yasmine smiles warmly, and says she hopes I’ll return. Boy, will I!

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 2

– ERIC ALTHOFF

benefits, she decided to open her own operation in Stafford – sinking all of her life savings into the business.

“The tank allows your brain to reset to a neural-neutral state, so you’re going into a theta state, which is [what] occurs right before you’re going to sleep,” Johnson said, adding this can even aid one’s interpersonal relationships. “That negative vibe is terribly difficult to shake off through traditional means.”

Like tattooing, the float business requires focusing on hygiene, a positive environment and top-notch customer service. And because Johnson – who has a master’s degree in human resources as well as doctorates in art and business – is a practicing artist, she says that going into the tank stokes her own creativity, as well as relaxes her mind and the muscles she needs for tattooing and creating her art.

“As an artist I create best when I’m calm…because my work requires physical manipulation of either pens or paint brushes or tattoo machines,” Johnson said, adding that she prefers float therapy to massages, which typically require a conversation. “I’m an introvert, and I love being able to just be by myself [and] to decompress on my own.

This does that for me.”

Like any form of therapy, float remedies take time to see dividends. Float Stafford offers membership plans with discounts for multiple sessions of cryotherapy, floating, compression therapy or the sauna experience.

Johnson hopes Float Stafford will provide at least one way for her neighbors to let go of some of that mental and physical tension that comes from their high-level jobs and the anger that can be stoked by trying to negotiate that notorious interstate.

“I do a happy dance and go about my day,” Johnson says about exiting the tank.

“And it puts me in a good mood. I just let go of the stress. If we can lower the stress level of Stafford as a community, I think it would be a better community.”

Eric Althoff is a freelance writer who lives in Stafford.

For more information, go to floatstafford.com.

}

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SPORTS

Content in the Carolinas Former North Stafford All-American finds balance among family, work and sports

BY DAVID FAWCE TT

T

hese days Chris Carrieri participates in only two soccer-related activities: He watches his oldest son, Brecken, play for his club and high school teams, and he serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the Catawba Ridge High School boys team in Fort Mill, S.C. And that suits him fine.

After a standout career that took him from a Parade All-American at North Stafford High School to ACC Player of the Year at North Carolina and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, Carrieri, now 41, is content with his current roles alongside watching his younger son, Caison, compete in football and track.

“There is nothing my wife and I would rather do than support our kids when it comes to sports,” Carrieri said. “It allows for fun-filled competitive weekends, meeting so many new friends and just life lessons in general.”

Carrieri never brings up his own soccer background unless someone asks him about it. But he’s glad to see the sport’s growth, especially in his home area of Charlotte after MLS awarded the city a franchise that began play this season.

“I always tell my wife, ‘I would give anything to play in the MLS in this era with 40,000 to 50,000 people in the stands,’” Carrieri said. “I would get so amped for that

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Chris Carrieri’s MLS career included time with the Colorado Rapids (left). Today, he lives in Fort Mill, S.C., with his wife, Heather, and sons, Brecken and Caison.

and would thrive on those feelings in that setting. So, kudos to the MLS for creating greatness in the community where folks can follow their local team as a diehard fan.”

Carrieri’s playing days ended in 2010 with the Richmond Kickers, where he played on an as-needed basis. But he considers 2006-07 with the Carolina Railhawks as his last full

season in pro soccer.

After he stopped competing for good, Carrieri served as the Carolina Soccer Club’s director of coaching for two years.

Then for three years, he volunteered at different high schools.

While he still follows soccer, Carrieri’s primary role is as a family man. He and his

wife, Heather, will have been married 19 years in August. Brecken is a high school senior, and Caison is a sixth-grader.

Carrieri is also busy working as an account executive for Microsoft, a job he started in March 2021.

“I was able to take my competitive, aggressive approach to life and apply it with professionalism to the IT business world,” Carrieri said. “I love what I do. I get to help customers meet their business goals and initiative with IT solutions.”

After graduating from North Stafford in 1998, where he was a four-year varsity player, Carrieri took his talents to Chapel Hill, N.C., and continued to flourish as a scorer. As a UNC junior in the fall of 2000, Carrieri led the nation in scoring with 25 goals in 24 games to go along with 14 assists.

After his success at UNC, he declared for the MLS Draft as an underclassman. The San Jose Earthquakes chose him No. 1 in 2001.

Carrieri’s MLS career lasted only three full seasons. San Jose traded him in June of his rookie season to Colorado. In 69 games with the Rapids, Carrieri totaled 19 goals, including 11 in 2002. He played one final MLS game in 2004 as an injury replacement late in the season with the Chicago Fire FC. There are times still when Carrieri looks back at his pro career and wonders why it was so short. Some of it he attributes to his age (20) at the time and his attitude.

“I had a very aggressive approach in the MLS and wanted it all right now,” Carrieri said. “That is what made me great in my youth days and college days. However, I needed to adapt to the business side and understand there are ways to approach things when there are highs and lows. My parents taught me so well in this regard, but I was so competitive, I lost that view.”

Carrieri also realized there was a difference between the guidance he

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received in college and in the pros.

“I remember in college, my coaches, Jay Howell and Elmar Bolowich, were the best at understanding me and helping me drive to the best outcomes,” Carrieri said. “When you become a professional, there is no one in your corner in that regard. The team, the staff, yes they care for you and provide a living, but the mental processes have to come within with little guidance.”

Despite his abbreviated stay in the pros, Carrieri said the experiences helped shape him.

“I will always be myself [and] never stray from what I believe in,” Carrieri said. “That, coupled with my lessons learned, have provided me with an amazing life in the business world, and I couldn’t be happier.”

David Fawcett is sports editor of InsideNoVa. You can reach him at dfawcett@insidenova.com.

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S TA F F O R D M AG A Z I N E

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A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 2

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Does your water taste different?

Here’s why

Technology specialist hired for Testbed

Stafford’s Virginia Smart Community Testbed and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation have hired Uma Marques as the technology specialist.

Marques began her new position March 14. She will serve as the Testbed’s liaison for businesses, entrepreneurs, state organizations and local municipalities looking to pilot their products and services at the Testbed. The Testbed is a place for companies seeking to test their IoT, or “smart” technology solutions, for public infrastructure challenges.

Marques has over 28 years of technology experience that spans for-profit, notfor-profit, entrepreneurial ventures and local government. She has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Anna University, India, and master’s degrees in computer engineering from Clemson University and technology management from George Mason University.

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A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 2

Customers of Stafford Utilities may experience some changes in their water through the end of May, as Stafford performs a system-wide flush to ensure a high level of disinfection of all water mains.

The county maintains the 711 miles of water mains in its distribution system through a deep cleaning process called “free chlorination.” Stafford will temporarily distribute “free chlorine” in place of combined chlorines throughout the water distribution system. The free chlorination helps remove any bacteria inside the distribution system and prevents bacteria from forming a resistance to routine disinfection treatment.

The process does not adversely affect water quality, but some people may notice a slight change in the taste and smell of tap water. The chlorine will naturally dissipate if you store water in an open pitcher in your refrigerator.

This flushing process may affect owners/operators of fish tanks, laundromats and other waterdependent operations.

When crews are flushing in your neighborhood, you may notice an open fire hydrant.

This helps draw the chlorine through the distribution system. For more information or to see when crews will be flushing in your area, visit www. staffordcountyva.gov/flushing.

County adopts new election districts

The Board of Supervisors has adopted new election district boundaries, voting precincts and polling locations in Stafford County, as required following the 2020 U.S. Census.

The changes affect all of the election districts in Stafford except for the Garrisonville District, which will remain the same. Ten new polling locations were also established to accommodate the change in Stafford’s population.

Significant changes include: • All of Quantico is now in the GriffisWidewater District • The Rock Hill District boundary moved south to Poplar Road • All of Aquia Harbour is in the Aquia District rather than split with GriffisWidewater • The Falmouth District boundary moves north toward Courthouse Road • The George Washington District boundary extends to Celebrate Virginia, and Hartwood District is now entirely on the west side of I-95 Every registered voter will receive a new voter’s registration card with their polling location included.

County administrator resigning

Frederick J. Presley has announced his resignation as county administrator effective April 22.

Presley has been employed with the county since 2017 and has been administrator since July 2020.

“The board appreciates Mr. Presley’s service to the Stafford County community and the many accomplishments that helped make Stafford an amazing place to live, work and play,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Crystal Vanuch.

Presley cited family health issues in announcing his departure and indicated he would be moving back to New England. Before moving to Stafford, he was town manager of West Warwick, R.I.

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EVENTS

Spring is Here

With pandemic restrictions lifted, events are in full bloom this spring. Here are just some of the many events in the Stafford area. For a complete listing of events across the region, visit insidenova.com/calendar.

EASTER BUNNY PHOTOS Daily through April 15, times vary Potomac Mills, Woodbridge

EASTER BRUNCH

STARGAZING

VIRTUAL 5K RACE

Pre-register; see allevents.in

April 30, 8-8:45 p.m. or 8:45-9:30 p.m. $15/family of four; must pre-register Curtis Memorial Park, Stafford

April 8-17 | Benefits Stafford Hospital Foundation

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL

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April 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Clubs at Quantico 3017 Russell Road, Quantico

Sign up: whereisbunny.com

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April 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Old Mill Park 2201 Caroline St., Fredericksburg

marywashingtonhealthcare.com

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EGG HUNT & BUNNY PICTURE April 14 and 15 | $5 per child for egg hunt and bunny photo-op Rowser Building, Stafford Children 10 & under Pre-register: staffordparks.com or (540) 658-5116

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PICTURE SHOW (MOVIE TBD) April 15, 8 p.m. | Free Under the stars at Patawomeck Park, Stafford

vagardenweek.org

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EASTER 5K, 10K & 1-MILER April 26, 7:30-10 a.m.

Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg Benefits Lost Dog & Cat Rescue bishopsevents.com

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CENTENNIAL CONCERT

MEET THE EASTER BUNNY April 16, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5:30 p.m.

Braehead Farm, Fredericksburg braeheadfarm.com

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April 29: Open 6:30 p.m. with music at 8 p.m.

Fireworks to follow kenmore.org

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HEALTHY KIDS DAY

SPRING CARNIVAL Daily through April 17, 2-10 p.m.

Prince William Fairgrounds pwcfair.com

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RING IN THE SPRING HANDBELL CONCERT

April 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Downtown Fredericksburg

April 16, 8 to 10 p.m.

Dodd Auditorium, UMW, Fredericksburg Required: Masks indoors and negative test or proof of vaccination

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April 24, 8:30-9:45 p.m.

Hunting Run Reservoir, Spotsylvania Free, but must pre-register Ages 6-17

FROG FINDERS

THE BURG’S HISTORIC GARDEN DAY

UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON PHILHARMONIC SPRING CONCERT

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May 1, first heat: 7:30 a.m.

Downtown Fredericksburg 1-mile, ½- mile & ¼-mile races grt.runfarc.com

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THE GREAT TRAIN RACE

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spotsylvania.va.us/parksandrec

staffordparks.gov

Umw.edu or (540) 654-1012

earthdayfred.com

staffordparks.com

April 30, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Outdoors at Ron Rosner YMCA 5700 Smith Station Road, Fredericksburg A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 2

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May 3, 7 p.m.

Stafford Regional Handbell Society 112 Juliad Ct., Suite 11, Fredericksburg

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PICTURE SHOW (MOVIE TBD) May 6; 8:30 p.m. | Free Under the stars at John Lee Pratt Memorial Park, Stafford staffordparks.com

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MOTHER’S DAY TEA AT KENMORE May 7, time TBD 1201 Washington Ave., Fredericksburg kenmore.org or (540) 370-0732 x15

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MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH CONCERT May 8, Noon-4 p.m.

Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center brencore.com

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HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EXPO May 20, 4-7 p.m. and May 21, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center | Free

QUANTICO WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL May 20, 5 p.m.

The Clubs at Quantico Eventbrite.com/Quantico Wine & Food

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STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADUATION CEREMONIES May 21, 8 a.m. at individual school campuses North Stafford, Brooke Point, Colonial Forge, Stafford and Mountain View high schools staffordschools.net

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MARINE CORPS’ HISTORIC HALF AND SEMPER 5IVE May 22, 7 a.m.

5-mile and 13.1-mile runs in downtown Fredericksburg marinemarathon.com

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SPRING OPEN HOUSE Gari Melchers Home and Studio May 22, 1 to 5 p.m.

Free 224 Washington St., Falmouth

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SOAP BOX DERBY June 4, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ages 7-20 Reservoir Road near Rocky Run Elementary School 95 Reservoir Road, Stafford

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WINSHAPE CAMP July 11-15, time TBD Completed grades K-8 mtararat.org and winshapecamps.org

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VOICES

I wish they had this when I was in high school

BY DAVID S. KE RR

I

call this one of those “I wish they had that kind of program back when I was in high school” columns.

Of course, there are a lot of things I wish they had when I was in high school, like air conditioning and computers, but after those, I would put “dual enrollment” at the top of the list. It’s one of those nottoo-talked-about programs, available to every interested high school student in Stafford County, that deserves more attention than it receives.

Dual enrollment allows students who want to take a college course to do so, at a reduced enrollment charge, right in their own high school. It operates under the management and guidance of Germanna Community College. But the students don’t have to travel to Germanna.

The program isn’t just in Stafford. It includes Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and Culpeper. But with 800 students enrolled, Stafford is one of the largest participants.

Dr. Janet Gullickson, president of Germanna Community

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College, is a big advocate of the program.

In the Stafford County Public Schools system, the two stalwarts who facilitate and manage dual enrollment are Dinah Robinson, lead facilitator for career and technical education, and Stephenie Fellinger, K-12 facilitator for gifted and secondary programs. They work with the high schools, the guidance counselors, the teachers, the state and of course Germanna to keep the program working.

Every high school in Stafford offers dual enrollment classes. And it’s important to note, to teach these classes,

degree requirements at Virginia colleges and universities.

One of the important things to understand about this program is that it’s not aimed at “advanced placement” students, nor is it a part of the Governor’s School. It’s for regular students who want to get a jump on their college education. Or for those who want to “test the waters” and see how they will do in a college-level course. This has been particularly true for first- and second-generation immigrant students.

The course offerings vary a bit by high school and include English composition, mathematics, chemistry, history

“It’s one of those not-tootalked-about programs, available to every interested high school student in Stafford County, that deserves more attention than it receives.” the instructors must meet Germanna’s exacting standards for teaching at the college level. What’s more, according to a roster published by the Virginia Department of Education, almost all these courses, with few exceptions, must be accepted as meeting

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 2

and education.

Yes, students in the program do have to pay for it. But a Germanna College class taken through the Stafford school system costs half as much as it would if it were taken in person at the community college. That’s a hefty discount. For parents

hoping to trim the cost of their child’s four-year degree, it’s a great help.

There is also another new program, sponsored by the Career and Technical Education Department, in cybersecurity.

It starts in the ninth grade, with college-level credits beginning in the 11th and 12th grade, runs five years and involves spending a year at Germanna.

When students graduate, they have an associate’s degree in cybersecurity.

Dual enrollment also gives students a head start on becoming teachers themselves, through college-level courses in education and human development. A lot of students at the high school level are interested in teaching. This is music to this former school board member’s ear, and now they have a chance to work on their dream before they graduate high school.

The program has grown every year. More courses are being offered, and enrollment has steadily expanded. It’s proven a highly successful program that has widened the reach of our school system and Germanna’s contribution to the community.

If you’re interested, contact your guidance counselor or log onto Germanna’s dual enrollment site.

It’s no more complex than that.

David Kerr is a Stafford resident and an adjunct professor of political science at VCU. He worked on Capitol Hill and for various federal agencies for many years.

Stafford Stafford Stafford MAGAZINE

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