Stafford Magazine | October/November 2020

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YOU VOTE D AND T HE RES U LTS ARE IN...

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NO PAUSE FOR PETS DURING PANDEMIC

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SHAWN ASBURY READY TO MOVE UP

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FALL EVENTS: WHAT’S STILL ON?

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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. ©2020 Rappahannock Media LLC.

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CONTENTS 6

AMAZING KIDS

Top Corps Mountain View JROTC squad wins honors

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NONPROFITS

No Pause for Paws Shelters navigate animal care through pandemic

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BY TRACY BELL

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COVER STORY

Meet the Best of Stafford 2020

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SPORTS

Staying on track

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A Big Move

Stafford teacher honored, and voting explained

QUANTICO

Marine Corps to build innovative wargaming center

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VOICES

North Stafford senior Shawn Asbury ready for next level

When Stafford was the pickle capital of America

BY DAVID FAWCETT

BY DAVID S. KERR

COMMUNITY

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EVENTS

It’s a different kind of season this fall

We Stafford Thank you for voting us Best College/University in Stafford County

Germanna.edu

Top Corps

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AMAZING KIDS

Mountain View JROTC squad wins honors

LEFT: Battalion members competing in February. ABOVE: Cadets volunteering for Meals of Hope 2020 at Stafford High School earlier this year.

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n only its third year, the Mountain View High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program won the Marine Corps Reserve Association Award for the 2019-2020 school year.

The award, which was announced in September, recognizes the most outstanding MCJROTC unit in each region. There are 268 MCJROTC programs worldwide currently divided among four regions.

The Wildcat Battalion at Mountain View started the year by hosting week-long leadership and new cadet orientation training camps in July 2019, when the school year started three weeks earlier than the prior year.

The Wildcat Battalion made 14 color guard appearances, participated in 14 unit community service events, seven

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rifle team competitions (six shoulder-to-shoulder), five drill meets (finished fourth in Region 1), six CyberPatriot events (made it to the gold tier semifinals), two Raider Challenge competitions, two promotion and awards formations, and two recruiting events.

The battalion also visited the Virginia Military Institute campus and hosted a Marine Corps Birthday Cadet Ball at the Clubs at Quantico.

Their proudest achievement, the graduating senior cadets combined to amass over $1 million in enlistments and scholarship money. Mountain View closed for the year in March due to the pandemic, but the battalion hopes to get back on track this year as soon as possible once pandemicrelated restrictions allow it.

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NON-PROFITS

No Pause for Paws Shelters navigate animal care through pandemic

BY TR ACY B ELL

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n some ways, it’s business as usual at the Stafford County Animal Shelter, where countless critters are adopted to “furever families” and lost pets are reunited with loved ones.

But life changed worldwide when a pandemic blew in early in 2020, and it was no different at the shelter, where animals depend on continuous care.

The shelter’s Chief Animal Control Officer, Capt. Mike Null, acknowledged that things haven’t been easy in the wake of COVID-19.

“The biggest issue is the overall lack of educational programs and general interaction with the public,” Null said. “We value our time with our citizens, and it has been extremely difficult the last six months.”

The shelter initially shut down due to the pandemic, but it reopened in mid-May. Precautions are now in place, including the mandatory wearing of masks, temperature readings and a limit to the number of visitors in the building at any time, and appointments to see specific animals for potential adoptions, according to Shelter Manager Denise Spicer.

The shelter still welcomes walk-ins, but a maximum of five visitors can enter at a time, according to new shelter rules.

Appointments are also being taken for animal surrenders and strays, according to the shelter’s website.

Spicer said that although adoptions are up, the shelter still has plenty of animals in need of homes, especially an abundance of cats.

One of the challenges during the pandemic has been not being able to work with rescue groups that shelter staff has become accustomed to partnering with, in

Carol Harriger adopted a senior beagle named Gilbert from the Stafford County Animal Shelter last year.

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quite the same way as before, Spicer said.

Along with placing a variety of animals in homes, the shelter also looks for barn homes for cats that are too feral to be placed in residences. Spicer said COVID-19 has presented a challenge there as well, due to the shelter often working with outside rescue groups.

Meanwhile, animal control officers are out and about, responding to animal matters, complaints and assistance requests throughout the county.

Stafford Animal Control Sgt. Anthony McCall said the animal control division has adapted well to the challenges faced during the pandemic, but the division has only five officers.

If one or more were to test positive for the coronavirus, he said, the department would struggle with having enough staff.

“We abide by the governor’s order, wear masks and keep our distance whenever possible while dealing with the public,” McCall said, stressing the importance of the public doing its part, too.

When the public calls for assistance with an animal, it is important to inform dispatch of any potential COVID-19 illness or

Deputy O.Hepperle

symptoms in the household, rescued an owl on a call he said, asking that the she responded to. The public maintain distance and owl was transported to wear masks if an officer must the Blue Ridge Wildlife enter a caller’s home.

Center, where it received Animals contained at a treatment and recovered. home for pickup or being surrendered should be secured and taken outside when animal control arrives, he added.

“I would like to limit our time inside other people’s homes if we could,” McCall said.

People who have brought animals in to be surrendered, Spicer said, are mainly citing a lack of finances to care for their pets during COVID-19, or they have lost their jobs or have no place to live. Some are moving – or even having to live out of their cars, she added. Fear of humananimal virus transmission hasn’t been a top reason, she noted.

ANIMALS BEING ABANDONED Spicer said that during the past six months, the shelter has seen some cases of animals being abandoned in public places.

For example, she said, a female dog was left at a church off White Oak Road in Stafford in mid-August. The dog was obviously purposely abandoned, because her

bowls, crate, leash and toys were left, too.

The shelter quickly sought information from the public about the incident, and Spicer said the dog has since been adopted into a new home.

In a separate incident, a male German

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Shepherd, about 5 or 6 years old, was pushed out of a car in mid-September on Telegraph Road near Widewater Road, according to the shelter. Numerous inquiries flooded in and a family was in the process of being selected for him.

Another happy ending occurred when a calico cat named Delilah was found in Falmouth in late September and taken to the shelter. The cat had gone missing for almost a year and once at the shelter, was quickly reunited with her family. Delilah was found in the same neighborhood she disappeared from so the owner believed she was being taken care of, according to a Facebook post detailing the reunion.

Other events, especially those that traditionally drew crowds, are either being cancelled, made virtual or continued with special precautions. Some regular events such as Clear the Shelters went ahead nationally, with individual local groups determining whether and how they could participate. An animal rescue festival put on by the Fredericksburg SPCA and planned for Nov. 7 offers participants the ability to join and “walk” remotely to raise donations.

During difficult financial times brought on by COVID-19, shelters aren’t seeing their donation bins overflowing.

In August, Weis Markets held an online Paws for Pets program to benefit 126 local pet shelters in the seven mid-Atlantic states it serves – including Virginia. The program has generated more than $2.5 million in donations for local pet shelters over the past 12 years, said Ron Bonacci, vice president of advertising and marketing for Weis.

Over at the nonprofit Stafford County

EVENTS AND DONATIONS Across the country, some animal-related events are still a go.

And in Stafford on Sept. 19, more than 300 animals were vaccinated at a rabies clinic the shelter held through the county.

STAFFORD COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER 26 Frosty Lane, Stafford | 540-658-PETS (7387) staffordcountyanimalcontrol.com | e-mail: animalshelter@staffordcountyva.gov Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Search Stafford County Animal Shelter on Facebook.com and Petfinder.com

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SPCA, visits including adoptions are by appointment only.

When the pandemic first began, a Stafford SPCA post read: “During this uncertain time, we are doing our best to maintain normalcy for our animal residents.

They deserve it!”

Talking about life at the SPCA during a pandemic, executive director Bill Hoyt said, “It has been both a weird and wonderful, terrific and terrible experience.”

Limitations and precautions are in place at the SPCA, with staff following state recommendations to avoid groups and maintain social distancing.

As life continues amid the pandemic, local shelters still seek homes for animals as well as foster families, volunteers and monetary or supply donations. It’s their approach to obtaining those things that may be different, nowadays.

Tracy Bell is a free-lance writer who lives in Stafford County.

STAFFORD SPCA 140 Andrew Chapel Road, Stafford | 540-657-PETS (7387) Staffordspca.org | e-mail: mail@staffordspca.org Open by appointment only Search Stafford SPCA on Facebook and Petfinder

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FREDERICKSBURG LOCATION:

125 Woodstream Boulevard, Suite 205 Stafford, VA 22556

4501 Empire Court Fredericksburg, VA 22408

MOST COMMUNITY INVOLVED BUSINESS

Mission BBQ MOST COMMUNITY INVOLVED PERSON

Karen Kalinski PLACE OF WORSHIP

Mount Ararat Church

meet the

BEST OF STAFFORD 2020

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tafford Magazine received nearly 6,000 votes from readers in our annual Best of Stafford survey, conducted online in late July and early August, and we’re pleased to announce the winners on the pages that follow in 104 different categories. Congratulations to all of these local people, businesses and organizations - and thank you for helping to make the North Stafford community a special place!

PUBLIC SERVANT

Lt. Deuntay Diggs STAFFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

WORST TRAFFIC HA ZARD

I-95

ARTS & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

MUSIC INSTRUCTOR

Susan Flinn THE MUSIC STUDIO

PERFORMING ARTS GROUP

Riverside Theater AU TO M OT I V E

AUTO DEALERSHIP, AMERICAN

Sheehy Toyota Pohanka Honda

DATE SPOT

Umi Japanese Cuisine

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

HAPPY HOUR SPOT

NORTH STAFFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S SECRETARY

LIBRARY

El Gran Charro

Rita Kooiman COMMUNITY EVENT/ FESTIVAL

North Stafford Farmers Market S TA F F O R D M AG A Z I N E

Stafford County Sheriff's Office

TIE

A R O U N D S TA F F O R D

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PLACE TO WORK

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LOCAL ATTRACTION

Potomac Point Winery MOST

Central Rappahannock COLORFUL CHARACTER Regional Library, Sheriff Porter Branch David P. 2011 Parkway Boulevard, Stafford, 22554 Decatur www.librarypoint.org | (540) 372-1144 O C TO B E R / N OV E M B E R 2 O 2 0

AUTO DEALERSHIP, FOREIGN

Leckner Nissan AUTO REPAIR SHOP

OCD Offroad Shop CARWASH

610 Car Wash TIRE STORE

Tires Plus

TANNING SALON

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

BARBER SHOP

610 Barber Shop HAIR SALON

Savvy Hair Gallery

2Suns Salon & Wellness CHILDCARE & E D U C AT I O N

CAMP/SUMMER PROGRAM

HAIRSTYLIST/BARBER

Amyclae Dance Academy

ENHANCED HAIR SALON

CHILDCARE/PRESCHOOL

Misch Grainger

DAYCARE

ASIAN

PRIVATE SCHOOL

BAR

Park Ridge Merit School Grace Preparatory School TEACHER

Kelly Thompson

Escape Salon & Day Spa 315 Garrisonville Road Stafford, 22554 www.escapesalondayspa.com (540) 720-7776 SPA

Stafford Massage and Healing Arts

Paddy's Steakhouse BBQ

Mission BBQ CHEF

CeCe Cooper PRUFROCK CHEF

COFFEESHOP

Merit School MASSAGE SERVICES Stafford Massage of Stafford and Healing Arts Preschool NAIL SALON

Umi Japanese Cuisine

The Grounds Coffeehouse

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

Germanna Community College

STAFFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

DINING

124 Old Potomac Road Stafford, 22554 Germanna.edu | (540) 891-3000

AMERICAN CUISINE

Mason Dixon Cafe, Stafford

50 North Stafford Complex, #107 Stafford, 22554 www.thegroundsva.com | (540) 288-2058

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H E A LT H & M E D I C A L

DELIVERY

China King Restaurant

MEXICAN/SOUTHWESTERN

El Gran Charro Mexican Restaurant

CHIROPRACTOR

Mason Dixon Cafe, Stafford

OUTDOOR DINING

COLE SPORTS CHIROPRACTIC & REHAB

FINE DINING

Family Pizzeria

FAMILY RESTAURANT

Amy's Cafe PIZZA

Log Cabin Restaurant

SANDWICHES/SUBS

FRIENDLIEST RESTAURANT

Mason Dixon Cafe, Stafford

WINGS

Buffalo Wild Wings

ICE CREAM/FROZEN YOGURT SHOP

EMERGENCY SERVICES

ITALIAN

FIREFIGHTER/RESCUE SQUAD

Sweet Frog

Aquia Harbor Fire Department

Zibibbo 73 TIE

Vinny's Italian Grill & Pizzeria

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Sam's Pizza & Subs

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LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Lt. Deuntay Diggs STAFFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

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Dr. Joshua Cole 385 Garrisonvile Road, #116, Stafford, 22554 Coleschiropractic.com | (540) 242-4489 Cole Sports Chiropractic & Rehab treats patients of all ages and ability levels from office workers to professional and Olympic athletes. As an experienced chiropractor and distinguished Diplomate American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Dr. Joshua Cole, DC, DACBSP, can help you heal from common ailments, accidents and athletic injuries resulting from day-to-day life, so you can perform at your maximum potential. If you have an injury that is causing you pain, interfering with your everyday life or impeding your progress toward your athletic goals, schedule an appointment with Dr. Cole. After conducting an evaluation, Dr. Cole will determine the root cause of your issue, treat your specific problem, and teach you ways to avoid future injury. By treating injuries promptly, you can begin the healing process and keep an injury from advancing to a chronic condition. Our services extend past the expected and include injury prevention, performance enhancement, nutrition, and rehabilitation services.

Utilizing the latest proven treatment options, we'll help you return faster to the active, pain-free lifestyle you enjoy!

DENTIST

Garrisonville Dental

481 Garrisonville Road, #105, Stafford, 22554 www.garrisonvilledental.com | (540) 659-4900 Garrisonville Dental is a full-service dental care facility that welcomes patients of all ages. Whether you just want to maintain your healthy smile or need specialty dental care, we take pride in meeting your needs.

We also know that dental care should be convenient and comfortable. We offer the latest dental technology to ensure pain-free, excellent care for your teeth and gums. Our team specializes in helping you improve the appearance of your smile with cosmetic and orthodontic services. Contact us today for an appointment and come join our dental family – we love to see you smile!

TIE

Dr. Timothy Hughes STAFFORD SMILE DESIGN

EYE DOCTOR

Eagle Eye Vision GENERAL PRACTITIONER

Colonial Internal Medicine

WEIGHT LOSS CENTER

OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST/MIDWIFE

ORTHODONTIST

Weight Watchers

LUPI ORTHODONTICS

HOME & GARDEN

About Women OB/GYN Dr. James Lupi PEDIATRICIAN

Dr. Tamara Stevens Loving

DRY CLEANERS

ZIPS Dry Cleaners

PEDIATRIC PARTNERS OF STAFFORD

REHABILITATION FACILITY

Rehabilitation Services of Stafford

MOWING/ LANDSCAPE SERVICE

Rehabilitation Services of Stafford provides advanced physical, occupational and speech therapy services. From treatment to recovery, our rehabilitation team is here for you every step of the way. With every treatment, we are committed to providing the highest level of safe and quality medical care.

Our therapists are innovative and committed to excellence; they partner with patients and families to achieve the best outcomes and pursue a better quality of life.

www.treetimesinc.com (540) 720-TREE (8733)

125 Hospital Center Boulevard, Stafford, 22554 www.mwhc.com | (540) 741-9647

Tree Times Tree Service PEST CONTROL

Mosquito Authority PLANT CENTER

Achara Florist and Fine Gifts

Don’t live with pain any longer.

Don’t Don’t Don’t live live live with with with pain pain pain any any any longer. longer. longer.

What Conditions We Treat?

What What Conditions What Conditions Conditions Do Do We DoDo Treat?

WeWe Treat?

Treat?

Headaches Headaches Headaches Headaches pressure Sinus Sinus pressure Sinus Sinus pressure pressure Whiplash Whiplash Whiplash Whiplash injuryinjury injury injury

Dr. Cole, DC, Dr. Joshua Dr.Joshua Dr. Joshua Cole, Joshua Cole, DC,Cole, DACBSP DC,DACBSP DC, DACBSP DACBSP

TMJ TMJ TMJ TMJ

Impingement Impingement Impingement Impingement tear labral labral tear labral labral tear tear

Sports Chiropractic &&Rehab Cole Cole Sports ColeCole Sports Chiropractic Sports Chiropractic Chiropractic & Rehab Rehab & Rehab Rib joint Rib jointRib joint Rib joint Diplomate American Chiropractic Diplomate Diplomate Diplomate American American American Chiropractic Chiropractic Chiropracticdysfunction dysfunction dysfunction dysfunction ofofSports Physicians BoardBoard Board of Sports Board Sports Physicians of Sports Physicians Physicians

Tennis/golfer Tennis/golfer Tennis/golfer Tennis/golfer elbowelbow elbow elbow

We for ages We care Wecare for We care patients care forpatients patients forof patients allofages ofallall of ages all ages and levels from office and ability andability and ability levels ability levels from levels office from from office office workers totoprofessional workers workers to workers professional professional to professional and and andand Hamstring Hamstring Hamstring Olympic athletes.

Dr. can Olympic Olympic athletes.

Olympic athletes.

Dr. athletes.

Cole Dr.Cole can Cole Dr. Cole cancan Hamstring strain strain strainstrain you from common helphelp you helphelp heal youheal from you healheal common from from common common ailments, accidents and ailments, ailments, ailments, accidents accidents accidents and athletic andathletic and athletic athletic injuries, sosocan you can atat at injuries, injuries, so injuries, you you soperform you canperform can perform at perform maximum potential. youryour maximum youryour maximum maximum potential. potential. potential.

CarpelCarpel Carpel Carpel TunnelTunnel Tunnel Tunnel SISI Joint SI Joint Pain Joint SIPain Joint Pain Pain

Utilizing the proven Utilizing Utilizing the Utilizing latest thelatest the latest proven latest proven proven treatment options, we'll help treatment treatment treatment options, options, we'll options, help we'llwe'll helphelp you faster toto the you return youreturn you return faster return faster to the faster active, the toactive, the active, active, pain-free lifestyle you pain-free pain-free pain-free lifestyle lifestyle you lifestyle enjoy! youenjoy! you enjoy! enjoy!

Shin Shin ShinShin SplintsSplints Splints Splints Plantar Plantar Plantar Plantar Fascitis Fascitis Fascitis Fascitis

Cervical disc herniation Cervical Cervical discCervical herniation disc herniation disc herniation Ergonomics Ergonomics Ergonomics Ergonomics Swimmer’s Swimmer’s Swimmer’s Swimmer’s shoulder shoulder shoulder shoulder

Neck strain Neck strain Neck Neck strainstrain ACAC joint AC joint joint AC joint pain pain painpain Scoliosis Scoliosis Scoliosis Scoliosis

Postural Postural Postural Postural Syndrome Syndrome Syndrome Syndrome

Lumbar Lumbar Lumbar Lumbar disc disc disc disc herniation herniation herniation herniation

Sciatica Sciatica Sciatica Sciatica Hip pain Hip pain Hip pain Hip pain strain Quad Quad strain Quad Quad strainstrain ACL ACL ACL ACL prevention prevention prevention prevention

Runner’s Runner’s Runner’s Runner’s Knee Knee KneeKnee

Achilles Achilles Achilles Achilles Tendonitis Tendonitis Tendonitis Tendonitis

Sever’sSever’s Sever’s Sever’s Disease Disease Disease Disease

Ankle Ankle Ankle Ankle sprainsprain sprain sprain

D

Co Di Bo

W an w O he ai in yo

U tr yo pa

Saturday &&Evening Saturday Saturday Saturday & Evening Evening & Evening appointments available appointments appointments appointments available available available

540-242-4489 • •ColeSportsChiropractic.com 540-242-4489 540-242-4489 540-242-4489 • ColeSportsChiropractic.com ColeSportsChiropractic.com • ColeSportsChiropractic.com V Voted Best of Chiropractor, 2019 &&2020 Voted Voted Voted Best Best of Best Stafford ofStafford of Stafford Stafford Chiropractor, Chiropractor, Chiropractor, 2019 2019 2019 & 2020 & 2020 2020 Garrisonville Rd. Stafford, VA toto610 the 385 385 Garrisonville 385385 Garrisonville Garrisonville Rd. #116, Rd.#116, Rd. #116, Stafford, #116, Stafford, Stafford, VA (next VA(next VA (next to the (next the to610 Carwash) the 610Carwash) 610 Carwash) Carwash) 16

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H O S P I TA L I T Y FUNERAL HOME

Covenant Funeral Home

HOTEL /RES ORT

Fairfield Inn & Suites

MOVING COMPANY

TOURIST DESTINATION

Chatham Manor

Hilldrup Moving & Storage

TRAVEL AGENCY

Abbott's Adventures

MISCELLANEOUS

CUSTOMER SERVICE

JD Limousine and Sedan Service PHOTOGRAPHER

Casandra Lorraine Photography PETS

Dan's Wellness Pharmacy

OCCASIONS PET GROOMING EVENT VENUE

Riverside Dinner Theatre

418 Garrisonville Road, #100, Stafford, 22554 www.DansCare.com (540) 657-0006

FLORISTS

Achara Florist & Fine Gifts

THANKS FOR VOTING US #1 It is our pleasure to consistently provide you with an elite facility and a professional staff for your family's recreation and fitness needs.

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LIMO/CAR SERVICE

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Dog Krazy Inc. VETERINARIAN

Aquia Garrisonville Animal Hospital

ATTORNEY

Yvonne Nageotte NAGEOTTE, NAGEOTTE & NAGEOTTE, PC

385 Garrisonville Road, #202, Stafford, 22554 Nageottelawfirm.com | (540) 659-5050 Yvonne J. Nageotte has over 23 years experience as a trial attorney in the Commonwealth of Virginia, concentrating in the area of domestic relations and litigating complex legal issues involving divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support and property division under the equitable distribution statute. The lawyers at the firm of Nageotte, Nageotte & Nageotte, P.C., also represent clients in the drafting and negotiation of pre-marital agreements and separation and property settlement agreements, adoption, guardianships, name changes, real estate, wills, living wills and powers of attorney.

BANK

Navy Federal Credit Union

BANKER

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AGENT

SUNTRUST BANK - NORTH STAFFORD

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY

INSURANCE

COUNTERTOPS

Bhavna Pattni USAA Stafford R E A L E S TAT E , CONSTRUCTION & HOME IMPROVEMENT

LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT

Arthur Hemenway

Stafford Nursery MASON/DECKS

New American Kitchen & Bath ELECTRICIAN

Kelly Electric Services HVAC COMPANY

BUILDER/CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Fletcher Construction

Hynes HVAC LLC

TIE

Greystone Masonry

78 Shelton Shop Road, Stafford, 22554 Greystonemasonry.org (540) 752-5658

SERVING STAFFORD AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Hyneshvac.com | (540) 300-1557

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Thank you, Stafford and the surrounding areas, for choosing us as your preferred provider of window coverings. Budget Blinds has been in business for over 27 years with over 1,100 locations across North America. With this, you have the best of both worlds: a locally owned and operated business with the backing of a national brand. A custom window-covering is only as good as its professional installation.

Our installers have years of experience on all types of products and we do not use subcontractors. We appreciate your support and would be happy to provide you with an in-home consultation for any of your window-covering needs.

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SPORTS

Staying on track Shawn Asbury (right) earned second-team allstate honors in 2019.

CREDIT: BILL KAMENJAR/FOR INSIDENOVA

North Stafford senior Shawn Asbury ready for next level

BY DAV I D FAWCE TT

S

hawn Asbury had a plan after he tore his ACL in January 2019.

He had a plan as he anxiously awaited college offers.

And he had a plan when the pandemic delayed the 2020 high school football season to the winter.

No matter the challenge in front of him, the North Stafford High School senior remained focused on what came next.

“I feel like I’m on track,” Asbury said.

Asbury has come a long way in a short time since injuring

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his knee. The injury occurred during a drill at a showcase event at the Washington Football Team’s practice facility in Ashburn. After intercepting a pass, Asbury landed wrong on his leg.

People kept telling him there was no way he’d return for his junior year of football last fall.

The recovery time was too long.

But Asbury was determined to play, even if for just half a season. Doing physical therapy three to four times a week and then on his own at his house, Asbury felt 100% once

he received permission to compete again.

To be safe, the North Stafford coaches held him out of the week’s game after he was cleared to play. Nothing, though, slowed him down once he returned to action Oct. 18 against Colonial Forge. Asbury played in the Wolverines’ final seven games and earned second-team all-Class 5 state honors in helping lead North Stafford to the state semifinals.

“The way he came back from ACL surgery is a testament to his character and work ethic,” said North Stafford head football coach Neil Sullivan.

“Not many people can come back from something like that faster and stronger than ever with zero tentativeness. The coaches were more nervous about his knee than he was.”

His play attracted colleges’ interest, but they all wanted to wait on offering him a scholarship following the injury. Asbury understood the recruiters’ hesitation, but he felt better about his chances when William & Mary was the first to extend an offer in early February. Once that happened, other colleges followed suit.

“It was definitely a huge relief,” Asbury said of the Tribe’s offer.

Asbury, a three-star recruit, eventually received 20 offers, including ones from Pittsburgh, Kansas, Army, Navy, James Madison and Connecticut.

But Asbury held out for Virginia Tech. He had grown up a Hokies fan after attending a Michael Vick camp in Hampton.

Asbury played quarterback growing up and modeled his game after Vick’s.

While Virginia Tech kept tabs on Asbury, they held off offering until June 17 when Hokies defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton gave Asbury the good news via FaceTime.

So excited by the offer, Asbury wanted to commit right then, but he decided to talk to his family first. The ensuing conversation went well.

Four days later, on his mother Rochell’s birthday, Asbury informed Virginia Tech he was committing to the Hokies.

Virginia Tech recruited Asbury as a defensive back, a position he has played since freshman year when he started at cornerback before moving to safety.

It was a smooth transition, but one that required Asbury first to trust the judgment of then-head coach Joe Mangano and defensive backs coach Marquez Hall. Asbury arrived at North Stafford with minimal experience on defense.

“Shawn is very physical, likes contact and is a great

“He really wanted to play his senior season with his teammates, and he had been working extremely hard toward that goal all offseason.

Unfortunately the season moving to the spring put him in the unfair position of having to make a choice.”

a season at the normal time, I would have given it a chance,” Asbury said. “I’m not going to take a chance to get hurt again. I think the best and smart decision is to keep healthy.”

Sullivan understands Asbury’s thinking.

“We support Shawn’s decision 100 percent,” Sullivan said. “I know it was a difficult decision for him. He really wanted to play his senior season with his teammates, and he had been working extremely hard toward that goal all offseason.

Unfortunately the season moving to the spring put him in the unfair position of having to make a choice, but ultimately I think he chose maturely and wisely given his circumstances.”

— NORTH STAFFORD HEAD FOOTBALL COACH NEIL SULLIVAN

open field tackler,” Mangano said. It’s “very rare at the high school level to get a player that can cover at an elite level and is very physical. Shawn is one of those rare players who is very complete and really do it all.”

Even before the coronavirus rearranged sports schedules, Asbury intended to enroll in college early. His plan was to sign his letter of intent during the early signing period in

December, graduate and then head to college in January.

Asbury never reconsidered his decision after the pandemic delayed the high school football season until February. In his mind, playing one more season of high school football at a later date was too risky.

Instead he wants to prepare for competition at the next level as early as possible.

“If we’d been able to have

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

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QUANTICO

A Big Move Marine Corps to build innovative wargaming center

BY MATT G ONZALES M A R I N E CO R P S SYST E M S CO M M A N D

T

he Marine Corps will soon build a state-of-the-art wargaming facility at Quantico to better visualize the threat environment, gain competitive advantages and simulate future operating environments.

The center is expected to break ground in fiscal year 2021 and will be uniquely designed to leverage modern simulation technologies to enhance the wargaming experience for Marines.

Once complete, the Marine Corps Wargaming and Analysis Center will better equip and train Marines and improve decision-making on the battlefield.

Located aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, the 100,000-squarefoot facility is expected to house more than a dozen wargames each year, including two large-scale, 250-person exercises. Simulations will offer a realistic representation of future operating environments.

“In order to stay ahead of peer competitors, it is vital that the Marine Corps conduct constant wargames,” said Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, deputy commandant, Combat Development and Integration. “The data that comes from such wargames enables us to more rapidly determine which capabilities we will need for future fights.”

Building the center at Quantico ensures the facility is accessible for service members throughout the Washington region and that the wargames occur at the home of Combat Development, the Warfighting Laboratory, Marine Corps University and the Acquisitions Command, Smith added.

21ST-CENTURY CAPABILITIES When complete, the wargaming center will include an auditorium, gaming classrooms, conference room and other spaces to support wargaming needs.

As part of its mission to acquire information technology and ground weapon systems for the Marine Corps, Marine Corps Systems Command is working with Combat Development, the Wargaming Laboratory and industry to build the facility.

“The Marine Corps Wargaming and Analysis Center will serve the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Headquarters Marine Corps staff, and the Operating Forces,” said Sharleene Prieur, MCSC’s deputy program manager for the Wargaming Capability.

“It will also support the corps’ ability to wargame with the Office of the Secretary of Defense and our [ Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental and Multinational] partners.”

The wargaming center’s capabilities will enable users to identify issues, consider objectives, and scope and analyze the problems.

The resulting wargames will provide data and analytics to inform decisions affecting force development, force management, system functionality and service functionality.

“The true value proposition of wargaming lies in the construction of a competitive framework allowing the thinking enemy to confront and thwart his opponent and thereby challenge concepts, capabilities

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MARINE CORPS PHOTOS/CPL. TIMOTHY HERNANDEZ

and force design,” said William J. Lademan, Ph.D., technical director for the Wargaming Division at MCWL. “Constructing this framework produces the added benefit of being able to investigate hypotheticals, concepts and technologies in a timely and cost effective manner.”

Through the wargaming center, Marines will be able to run “excursions” and iterations while controlling specific factors. When Marines are able to game a multitude of scenarios, they can make necessary, educated assessments to validate or adjust force designrelated decisions. Simulations will support all existing and developing weapon platforms and capabilities in all regions of the globe.

PREPARING FOR FUTURE FIGHT Wargames simulate realistic warfare and may include computerbased exercises or other artificial vehicles that allow users to consider scenarios for obtaining success in a hostile environment.

The Marine Corps employs wargames to enhance tactical and strategic decision-making, to test new tactics and strategies, and to

predict trends in future conflicts.

Wargaming has become increasingly important in recent years, as U.S. adversaries continue to strengthen. To combat growing threats, several branches of service are leveraging wargaming simulations into their training and education process.

In his 2019 Commandant’s Planning Guidance, Gen. David Berger, the 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, emphasized the importance of wargaming in supporting the future Marine. He called the effective integration of wargaming into force design, education and training, “essential to charting our course in an era of strategic fluidity and rapid change.”

In 2019, Maj. Gen. William F. Mullen, commanding general for the Marine Corps’ Training and Education Command, spoke about the importance of building a wargaming center to house 21stcentury simulation activities.

“We have to get Marines to make more decisions under pressure against a live, thinking enemy trying to defeat them,” Mullen said. “[The wargaming center will] help us gain that intellectual edge.”

The new wargaming facility, and associated architecture and staff are explicitly designed to achieve advanced wargaming and analytics.

“By using sophisticated wargaming and analytic methods and technology to enhance design methodologies in considering complex and fluid problems, the Marine Corps will produce refined outcomes that support concept development, force design and operational problems in compressed time periods—and will do so continuously,” said Col. Timothy Barrick, director of the Wargaming Division at MCWL. The wargaming center is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023. It is expected to reach initial operating capability in fiscal year 2024 and hit full operational capability in fiscal year 2025.

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The Quantico Cyber Hub: New workforce development strategy

BY JO H N BAR K E R

T

he cybersecurity workforce shortage is real. There are more than 800,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the United States today and over 2.8 million positions vacant worldwide. By next year, this is expected to grow well above 3 million jobs.

Cybersecurity jobs are very well-paying; entrylevel positions with the right certifications start in the $70,000 range and up. So why are there so many unfilled jobs?

The lack of skilled cybertalent is a multifaceted problem. Students are not getting involved at an early enough age and aren’t in the

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right types of programs if the programs even exist. The traditional four-your school method is taking too long to produce a skilled workforce that can keep up with the increased volume of cyber-attacks. And finally, burnout sets in because the workforce cannot keep up with the demand and starts looking for an escape route.

This is where the non-profit Cyber Bytes Foundation at the Quantico Cyber Hub in the Quantico Corporate Center is creating something new in workforce development. The brainchild of X-Corp President Cesar Nader and Grimm President Brian DeMuth, the Cyber Bytes Foundation is a 501(c)3 that engages everyone from young children to seasoned vets to enter the cybersecurity workforce. A little over a year old, the foundation’s mission is built on education, innovation and outreach.

The Cyber Bytes Academy is focused on education. The

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academy engaged students in the 7th through 12th grades in a variety of recently completed summer camps that focused on robotics, programming, drones, cybersecurity, and 3-D printing.

These summer camps gained attention from Virginia First Lady Pamela Northam, who spoke virtually to one group of campers. House of Delegates member Joshua Cole also met with the campers.

The academy will also serve as a hub for traditional cybersecurity certification programs such as CompTIA and ISC2. The only Pearson/ VUE certification testing center in the Stafford/ Fredericksburg area is across the hall from the classrooms.

The American Cyber League is the program aimed at innovation. The 10,000-squarefoot second floor of the building is under construction to serve a variety of research and development purposes including: artificial intelligence,

virtual reality, augmented reality, quantum computing, cyber range, election security, 5G, and industrial control systems. The American Cyber League Labs is a consortium of large and small technology companies designed to further the development of emerging technologies and cybersecurity and to create a place to collaborate. The cyber league labs build-out is planned to be complete in late October.

The foundation’s outreach initiative is fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Students enter the first floor of the building for classes and then move to the labs for hands-on experience. Eventually, they can be matched with American Cyber League members to find a well-paying job, so they can immediately contribute.

For more information on the Cyber Bytes Foundation, email info@cyberbytesfoundation.org.

John Barker is president of Barker Management Consulting in Culpeper.

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VOICES

UGH!!

When Stafford was the pickle capital of America and beans. There was good money in vegetables, and we were one of Virginia’s most prosperous counties. That was, until the Civil War when Stafford’s economy was devastated.

Now comes the quirky part.

Much of our economic recovery was based on pickles. Yes, I said pickles. Stafford even

BY DAV ID S . K E R R earned the title, from some promoter, as the “Pickle Capital of America.” Stafford grew a his was my year, like massive quantity of cucumbers a lot of my Stafford neighbors, for growing a that became pickles. There was a pickle brining factory near the victory garden. This is a World Brooke train station and another War II reference to little bits in Falmouth. Pickles, sent in of land dedicated to growing massive barrels, were loaded on vegetables to help supplement the family food supply. Some of the northbound trains. This was revenue these productions aren’t so little, a source of agricultural th century. well into the 20 which brings to mind that our But that wasn’t all. At least county has a long and sometimes not in the quirky department. quirky agricultural history.

This is a surprise to some, but Stafford agriculture was ahead of its time, and the county our county’s agricultural history starts with the Native Americans. became home to one of the first Contrary to the images in movies, health food manufacturers in the country. This factory was also most of the Native Americans next to the Brooke station (a in what became Stafford were hopping place way back when) farmers living in established settlements. When the colonists and made a meatless product called “Nuto” that could be sliced arrived, they weren’t ready for pioneer life, and the Patawomeck and fried. The Brooke Health Food Co. thrived for a while but tribe taught them to grow corn. closed before World War II. But our future agricultural Another highly successful prosperity wasn’t in corn. It crop was wheat. Wheat normally was in tobacco, another Native conjures up images of the Great American crop. Before we Plains. Amber waves of grain and started growing tobacco, the all that, but it was a successful crop Virginia colony was losing in our area well into the 1970s. money. However, once the So, to all you folks with your colony began exporting tobacco, victory gardens, carry on. I am all that changed. However, going to try a hot house this by the time of the American winter.

After all, we have a long Revolution, tobacco growing, agricultural tradition in this county. which is rough on the soil, was fading, and Stafford’s agricultural David Kerr is a Stafford resident economy began to decline. and an adjunct professor of political This lasted until the 1820s, science at VCU. He worked on when Stafford farmers started Capitol Hill and for various federal growing “row crops” such corn agencies for many years.

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COMMUNITY

Stafford teacher honored by state education department

K

imberly Cannon, a sixthgrade U.S. history teacher at Stafford Middle School, has been named the Virginia Department of Education’s Region 3 Teacher of the Year.

Cannon, along with seven other educators from around the state, is now in the running for the state education department’s Teacher of the Year honor, which was scheduled to be announced in October.

“Every teacher deserves this honor right now,” Cannon said.

“I didn’t think we could reach students over a computer, but we do. I want all teachers to know this is hard, but we can do it. We are still having a tremendously positive impact on our students.”

One teacher from each of the state’s eight superintendent regions was selected from among candidates nominated by school divisions. The candidates submitted portfolios highlighting their accomplishments, educational philosophies and community activities.

Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Kizner praised Cannon. “Our teachers are one of the greatest assets of our school division,” he said. “Mrs. Cannon clearly demonstrates the extraordinary value teachers have for our students. She is creative, engaging, and inspiring – you

don’t want to leave her classroom.”

Cannon has been teaching at the middle school level for 20 years. She also facilitates English best practices for all eighth-grade English teachers in Spotsylvania County. Through this collaboration, educators developed multiple lessons that are still making impacts with students.

Cannon has presented at the Leadership Learning Exchange and the Response to Intervention Convention. She has participated in the Social Studies Assessment Consortium and The RTI Coalition, and was awarded the Initiatives in Education Grant, among other accomplishments.

Cannon earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Mary Washington and a master’s in education from George Mason University.

Brooke Point alum receives Arthur Ashe Jr. scholarship

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ocelyn Granados is one of four Shenandoah University student-athletes to be recognized as an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar in selections announced recently by the publication “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.”

The student-athletes were all recognized for their academic and athletic achievement along with their leadership in the community.

Granados, an alumna of Brooke Point High School who plays soccer, is a junior cybersecurity major who boasts a 3.56 GPA. During the past soccer season, she played in 19 of 20 games with 13 starts. In that time, she had one goal, against Goucher, and helped Shenandoah to a 1.65 goals-against average.

Early voting has begun in Stafford: HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

S

tafford County election officials are reminding voters that official information regarding the Nov. 3 election is available only from the Virginia Department of Elections and the Stafford County Voter Registrar.

“We ask that you review the information on our website and if you have questions, reach out to us. It is as simple as that,” said Stafford County Voter Registrar Anna Rainey.

“We have worked to come up with multiple options for voters so they can feel safe when they vote and know their vote counts.”

There are two ways to vote - absentee and in person. The information below gives more details about each choice.

WHO CAN VOTE ABSENTEE?

Anyone can vote absentee. After legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly went into effect July 1, Virginia voters no longer need an excuse to vote absentee. Any registered voter can request

an absentee ballot or vote early in person.

Absentee ballots began to be mailed out on Sept. 18, the same day that early voting began throughout the state.

HOW DO YOU REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

Voters may request an absentee ballot safely and securely by completing a request for an absentee ballot from the Voter Registrar or the Virginia Department of Elections website, both of which are listed below.

Voters may also request an absentee ballot by contacting either office by phone. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 23.

HOW DO YOU RETURN AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

Voters can deliver the ballot by hand to the Voter Registrar’s Office or can mail it back using the envelope with prepaid postage that arrived with the ballot. It is essential to use that envelope as it has a built-in barcode that allows voters to track their ballot as it goes through the system.

Voters can also deliver their ballot to a secure drop box outside the Registrar’s Office and the satellite voting location at the Stafford Airport only during working hours.

Drop boxes will also be placed at each precinct on election day in which you may drop your ballot.

CAN I VOTE ABSENTEE IN PERSON?

Yes. Early in-person voting is open in the ABC Conference Room at the Government Center or the satellite location at the Stafford Airport through Oct. 31.

WILL MY ABSENTEE BALLOT COUNT?

Yes. Virginia law allows officials to preprocess ballots as they come in before the election. It may take a few days to learn who won the election.

VOTING IN PERSON

Voters may vote on election day (Tuesday, Nov. 3) in their regular precincts from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

USEFUL ADDRESSES

Voter Registrar Office – George L. Gordon, Jr., Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554, www. staffordcountyva.gov/registrar, (540) 658-4000 Voter Registrar Satellite Office – Stafford Regional Airport, 95 Aviation Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22406. The airport may be accessed via Centreport Parkway from the south and American Legion Road to Centreport Parkway from the north.

Virginia Department of Elections, www.elections.virginia.gov, (800) 552-9745.

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EVENTS

Some Fall Fun A different kind of season

BY G R E G H AM B R I CK info@insidenova.com

Workhouse Arts Center Haunt 2020 9518 WORKHOUSE WAY, LORTON (703) 584-2900 SELECT DATES THROUGH OCT. 31

Nightmare Alley Drive-Thru Terror. Zombies, swamp creatures, creepy clowns and scary dolls are among 13 different scary scenes. Buy tickets at InsideNoVaTix.com. www.workhousearts.org/nightmare-alley/

Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch

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15855 LIMESTONE SCHOOL ROAD, LEESBURG (703) 779-9372 THROUGH OCT. 31

Belvedere Plantation Fall Harvest Festival

Cox Farms Fall Festival

1410 BELVEDERE DRIVE, FREDERICKSBURG (540) 373-4478 THROUGH NOV. 8

15621 BRADDOCK ROAD, CENTREVILLE (703) 830-4121 | THROUGH NOV. 2

he summer of social distancing has given way to fall, with its falling leaves and thriving pumpkin patches. Like everything else in 2020, we’ve lost some of the events we enjoy this time of year, but there is still more than enough to keep you busy.

See more events and share your own at InsideNoVa.com/calendar.

Maize Maze, pumpkin patch and more than 30 other attractions. www.belvedereplantation.com

“Souvenir: A Fantasia On The Life of Florence Foster Jenkins” RIVERSIDE CENTER, 95 RIVERSIDE PARKWAY, FREDERICKSBURG (540) 370-4300 THROUGH NOV. 8

Souvenir tells the enchanting and hilarious true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy society eccentric who suffered under the delusion that she was a great coloratura soprano when she was in fact incapable of producing two consecutive notes in tune. www.riversidedt.com

Fredericksburg Fall Home and Craft Festival

Entry fee per person includes a pumpkin.

Playground, jumping pillows and slides. www.novaparks.com/parks/templehall-farm-regional-park/

Self-driven “hayride” and drive-thru market. coxfarms.com/fall-festival/

Mount Vernon Fall Events 3200 MOUNT VERNON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY MOUNT VERNON

Fall Harvest Festival Oct. 24-25 and Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon Oct. 31. www.mountvernon.org

Great Country Farms 18780 FOGGY BOTTOM ROAD, BLUEMONT (540) 554-2073 | DATES AND HOURS TBD

Freshly pressed cider and apple picking. Challenge the What’s a Henway Corn Maze. www.greatcountryfarms.com

Summers Farm

FREDERICKSBURG EXPO & CONFERENCE CENTER 2371 CARL D. SILVER PARKWAY, FREDERICKSBURG OCT. 17-18

5620 BUTTERFLY LANE, FREDERICK, MD. (301) 620-9316 THROUGH NOV. 8

Home improvement vendors along with crafters with handmade creations available for sale. www.fredericksburgfallhomeandcraftfestival.com

Special events all season. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, fireworks and more than 45 activities. www.summersfarm.com

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Stafford Stafford Stafford MAGAZINE

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