Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine May 2023

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Quality care means excellent care when you need it most.

CONTENTS

Welcome to the May issue of Haymarket-Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine.

Filled with fun things to do –family paint night at Vita Nova Coffee & Creatives or Mother’s Day afternoon with musician Janna Audey at La Grange, perhaps? – and people to meet – get to know Melissa Riley of The Crunchy Leaf and Great Mane Brewery owners Matt Buckham and Josh Hunter – it’s yet another issue bursting with the people, places, and activities that make living in our community so wonderful.

And speaking of activities, if you have an event to promote, get the word out for free on InsideNoVa’s online calendar. Visit insidenova.com/calendar/ and click "Create an Event.”

Then just fill out the form. It’s easy! Until next month, happy reading!

6 The To-Do List Check out this month’s diversions

8 education An Investment in Knowledge Pays the Best Interest Educational Options in Our Community BY AMIE BOWMAN

12 on the cover First, Melissa Riley Got Healthy Now, she helps others do the same

BY SUE BALDANI

18 home & family Fostering Support

Local foster parents

Mandi Brown and Rebekah Neuhaus are committed to helping other foster families

BY JENNIFER WALDERA

24 worth a peek

Great Mane Makes its Mark

For Matt Buckham and Josh Hunter, it’s

BY CHRISTINE CRADDOCK

A Shark Bait mocktail and Pina Colada cupcakes!

BY GINA MICHAK

BY KARLA JONES SEIDITA

DR. TONTRA LOWE

The Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and distributed to over 15,000 selected addresses. While reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Haymarket/ Gainesville Lifestyle 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, illustration, or photograph is strictly forbidden. ©2023 Rappahannock Media LLC.

PUBLISHER

Dennis Brack dennis@whglifestyle.com

EDITOR Susan McCorkindale susan@whglifestyle.com

ART DIRECTOR Kara Thorpe kara@whglifestyle.com

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The Lifestyle magazines are sister publications with Northern Virginia’s Leading News Source, INSIDENOVA.COM Visit us today for the latest news, sports and features from Fauquier, Prince William, Arlington, Fairfax, Stafford and throughout the region. Sign up for daily news headlines, breaking news alerts and a Gainesville/Haymarket newsletter — delivered to your inbox!

Belt one out, Make mom’s day, and more this month to do list

Head over to Vita Nova Creatives and Coffee on Friday, May 12th, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. for FAMILY PARTNER PAINT NIGHT! Hosted by art teacher Donna Merchant of Pencils and Paints, it’s $35 per person for you and your partner to share one canvas or $10 for an additional canvas. Follow the evening’s butterfly theme or paint your own idea. To register, visit vitanovacreatives.com

LISTEN

Local teen sensation MOLLY BAKER is back! Her new song, Beautiful Chaos, gets our vote for catchiest song of the season. One listen and you’ll be singing it all day! Tune into Beautiful Chaos on all streaming platforms and see the video here https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Bzh5zkkmg8w

Treat mom to an afternoon of chill vibes, cool tunes, and wine. Join JANNA AUDEY ON MOTHER’S DAY AT THE WINERY AT LA GRANGE where she’ll be playing classics from the 70s-00s. Sunday, May 14, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Leashed pups are welcome! The Winery at La Grange, 4970 Antioch Rd, Haymarket

Fetch drinks at the bar with your four and two-legged friends during A PUP'S VALLEY’S "YAPPY HOUR" AT OLDE DOMINION TAVERN

Arrive early for complimentary appetizers from Olde Dominion Tavern and some treats for the pups, too! Wednesdays May 3 and June 7, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Olde Dominion Tavern, 5351 Merchants View Square Haymarket. Please RSVP at yappyhourapv.eventbrite.com

The folks at TROUVAILLE BREWING COMPANY invite you to grab a brew and belt one out on Wednesdays this month. Join them for Karaoke on Wednesday, May 3, May 17, and May 31, from 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Bring your friends and show your peeps your pipes! More comfortable singing in the shower? Join ‘em for Trivia on Thursdays, May 4 and May 18 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Trouvaille Brewing Company, 14600 Washington Street #150, Haymarket

For a complete list of events, visit https://www.insidenova.com/things_to_do/

RELAX SING

CREATE

education

An Investment in Knowledge Pays the Best Interest

Educational options in our community

BY AMIE BOWMAN

“Learning is not by chance,” said former first lady Abigail Adams. Most of us have never considered taking a chance and educating our children outside of the public school system. That system worked for us, so why would we change? What other choices are there?

A growing number of parents in our community are asking those questions, and they are finding out that there are more options in our area than they had imagined.

3 Buckets of Options

Homeschooling involves parents choosing their children’s educational experiences based on each child’s—and family’s—needs, goals, and interests. Far from sitting at the table drilling a child with a workbook, today’s parents

can select from a wide variety of educational experiences for their children. Everything from doing biology on local farms to interning with state or federal government agencies to having language immersion classes with a Chinese professor in Beijing is available.

Classical education involves using the great works of history, science, and philosophy to build an integrated understanding of the nature of humanity, wisdom, virtue, and beauty. All educated people prior to the introduction of institutional schooling in the 1900s received a classical education.

Secular and religious private schools round out the general categories of educational options available in our community. These schools range from small, churchbased religious schools to larger, well-funded secular college preparatory academies.

Lifestyle spoke with representatives of each of the three categories to learn more.

The Naked Apple Tribe (a Homeschool Cooperative)

Homeschool Cooperatives (or co-ops) foster community among homeschooling families. “Our bread and butter at the co-op is family support. Kids can be filled socially anywhere, but we are really serving moms and dads,” said Naked Apple Tribe founder Ashlee Sharrett. The Tribe hosts a variety of activities ranging from academic and enrichment classes one day a week to pool parties, prom, and parent-child social events outside of school hours. “We are here to support each other and help instill a lifetime love of learning in each other’s children.”

Sharrett founded the Tribe, which meets in Vint Hill, in September 2020 because her family had recently moved to the area and needed to make friends during the COVID pandemic. Since then, the co-op has grown by nearly 400% and is considering adding a second co-op day to accommodate the demand. “I never imagined the need would be so large,” Sharrett said. But it is, and The Tribe is hosting open houses for interested families in March.

Ad Fontes Academy (a K-12 Classical Christian School)

Classical education does not require a private school—homeschoolers can be classically educated—but our community does offer a classical school option. Ad Fontes Academy (AFA), located in Centreville next to the Manassas Battlefield, offers students a rigorous, relational, and time-honored educational approach designed to equip them with the tools they need to think for themselves and to communicate articulately. An Ad Fontes education nurtures students’ hearts, souls, and minds.

“We are building the kind of people we need in society,” explains AFA Head of School Joshua McCroskey. The school supports the spiritual, academic, and social

The Naked Apple Tribe hosts a variety of activities for homeschool families ranging from academic and enrichment classes one day a week to pool parties, prom, and parent-child social events outside of school hours.

Ad Fontes Academy

formation of students through relationships with qualified mentor teachers, small class sizes, and an academic program that is both challenging and grounded in Christ’s teachings. “We are focused on building virtuous and wise people,” says McCroskey.

Wakefield School (a Secular College Preparatory School)

When parents think of college preparatory academies, institutions like Wakefield School in The Plains come to mind. “At Wakefield we use traditions as the foundation to prepare for the future,” said Head of School Ashley Harper. “Those who find their sense of belonging here choose to seek the challenge, make a difference, and live an extraordinary life.” The school focuses on providing the highest level of academics while allowing students to pursue their personal passions.

“We want to raise really good kids that have an impact on the world,” said Harper. The combination of academic excellence and real world application sets Wakefield apart. “Education will look different in 10 years, but the skills [that students develop at Wakefield] are the future.”

How Do Parents Choose?

Each of the representatives with whom we spoke was passionate about the children and families in their school communities, and each program offers exciting opportunities.

There is no one school or educational path that is right for every family, or even every child, and no solution is perfect. However, understanding the available options and considering their family’s values, situation, and desired outcomes empowers parents to make the best choices for their children. L

Ad Fontes Academy | adfontes.com

The Wakefield School | wakefieldschool.org

The Naked Apple Tribe | nakedappletribe.com

There are many types of vein conditions, the most common of which are varicose and spider veins. Varicose veins are often the result of dysfunctional valves that cause blood to flow backwards and collect in the veins, making them enlarged. Spider veins are very small veins that appear as a red, purple, or blue web of veins just below the surface of the skin.

Our team of specially trained providers use minimally invasive procedures to treat these vein conditions.

First, Melissa Riley got healthy Now, she helps others do the same

BY SUE BALDANI

Growing up in Haymarket, Melissa Riley suffered from psoriasis, which became severe when she was in middle school. But, it was in her last few years of high school that her health issues multiplied.

“My mom has always been very much into natural remedies,” she said. “She worked for the Homeopathic Center of America, and she always said that dairy was for baby cows, not for people. So, the first thing she told me was to stop all dairy and see how things went from there.”

Despite cutting out dairy for a few years, Riley still had many health woes. “I had so many stomach problems; I could hardly eat anything,” she said. “I played soccer and felt like I was about to throw up before every game. Although we weren't very big on taking medication, I finally went to a doctor.”

She had a CT scan, but nothing was found, so they put her on an antacid to see if that would help. “I took that for a long time, but my problems kept getting worse. It was the summer of 2014 and I was doubling over in pain all the time.” She was also having migraines and her head would hurt for three to four weeks on end.

Her mother, Bernadette, had a friend who offered

Stonehaven Neighborhood Block Party

Come meet the neighbors and check out this beautiful new community, located just ten minutes from Downtown Warrenton!

Our Block Party will feature a fun atmosphere for the entire family!

Food • DJ • Model Home Tours • Door Prizes & Drawings

Meet local business owners for decking, patios, landscaping, window treatments, blinds, painting, custom cabinetry, local private schools and so much more!

Stonehaven is a master-planned community with new homes now selling, in Jeffersonton, Virginia. It features a 240-acre preservation buffer along the Rappahannock River and over 500 acres along Route 621. Planned amenities include a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, a baseball field, trails, a tot lot and more.

BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER

reflexology and essential oils, so Riley decided to visit her. “I entered into this new world and knew this was where I needed to go,” she said. “She also recommended that I go to the Gainesville Holistic Health Center. I scheduled an appointment and the first thing the doctor said to me was ‘Don't you worry. You're going to feel better.’ It was an outstanding feeling.”

While she was there, she also met with a nutritionist. Within a week, her headaches stopped, and she started feeling better overall. “Within the first year of working with my nutritionist, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” said Riley. “If I could help somebody and give them the tools I’ve been given, my life would be complete.”

In 2020, she began taking nutrition classes and graduated in July 2021 as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Last year, she became an Autoimmune Paleo-Certified Coach.

The Crunchy Leaf, which began as a blog about her favorite things, is now the name of her business. “My favorite season is fall and, on my website, I've got this big tree with colorful leaves that my friend painted for me. To me, the human body is like a tree, and your root system needs to be com-

pletely stable in order to grow a substantial tree. You can't have all those beautiful colors if your root system isn’t intact.”

Riley schedules a 20-minute phone call with new clients so she can find out what they're looking for and explain how she goes about the process of healing. Before the first appointment, she sends clients a food and mood journal.

“That's especially important because I have to see how they're feeling and how well they know their body when they're eating certain foods. They may not see the correlation, but I can. I also give them

“the human body is like a tree, and your root system needs to be stablecompletely in order to grow a substantial tree. You can’t have all those beautiful colors if your root system isn’t intact.”

“

story

tell,

lesson to teach,

wisdom to share. ”

—MELANIE KOULOURIS

More about Melissa

Favorite place to live: I've moved away from Haymarket a couple of times, but it keeps bringing me back. These days, I live three houses down from the house I grew up in.

Favorite season: Fall. The leaves are incredible and my birthday is in the fall, too.

Favorite color: Blue. It's very calming.

Favorite local restaurants: Hidden Julles Café in Haymarket; they're very accommodating to my dietary restrictions; and Cava, they have pretty clean ingredients.

Favorite pastimes:

Soccer: I’ve played since I was 6 years old and I still play for the adult league at Long Park. The soccer field is my happy place.

Photography: It’s been a passion of mine since I received my first camera when I was around 12.

Hiking: The world is so beautiful. There's so much to see here, and I just can't get enough of it.

Books she authored: Tools for Success in Your Health Journey and Creating a Balanced Life in a World of Disease. Available on Etsy.

Why she supports other small local businesses: My dad built his business from the ground up and, just by word of mouth, he was able to provide for our family. It's always been a dream of mine to have my own business, but it takes a village to be successful. So, supporting local businesses on my website is my way of trying to help.

a questionnaire with 300 questions - it's very detailed and personal.” She then schedules a face-to-face meeting, which she prefers to do in person, but Zoom is also an option.

Amanda L., a client from Manassas, said, “I have had major gut issues due to long term use of medications for a chronic illness. This led me to get help from Melissa. She had me complete a very thorough questionnaire in order to assist with my specific issues.”

Riley and her clients then formulate small, medium and large goals. “Taking one thing at a time makes it much more manageable,” she said. “I'm there to support them, but also to show them that they have the power within them to do it themselves. They have the strength within them, they have the tools and I'm there to meet with them during their journey.”

“She helped me go through grocery aisles to find what foods to eat and what foods to avoid,” said Amanda. “It was overwhelming, but she made it seem do-able.”

Riley also assists clients with fridge and pantry clean outs. “I use my own natural products and clean everything, and then we organize everything in a way that fits,” she said. “We mark the foods that aren’t doing their bodies any good, and they have the power to remove them.” She helps devise meal ideas as well.

Now 32 years old, Riley is healthy and thriving. For others who are suffering, she advised them to reach out for help. “People often feel they're so alone in this world, but if you just ask, somebody's bound to know something or they can lead you somewhere.”

Amanda is glad she asked for assistance. “Today, I’m feeling much better and happier. I have more energy and fewer stomach problems and I’m able to enjoy doing more active things.” L

From left: Melissa celebrating her certification as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Center: At the top of Bear’s Den Overlook in Bluemont. Below: With her nephew Jack, and a baby lamb.

Mitul Gandhi, MD

Jey Maran, MD

Robert Marsh, MD

Muhammad Siddiqui, MD (Palliative Care)

Geoffrey Moorer, MD

Tejas Suresh, MD

FosteringSupport

Local foster parents Mandi Brown and Rebekah Neuhaus are committed to supporting foster families

BY JENNIFER WALDERA

The baby needs formula. The toddler needs a teddy like the one forgotten at home. The little boy needs shoes that fit. The sweet girl needs a brush to start pulling through her matted hair. The teenager needs a backpack for the first day back to school. The whole family needs to be fed.

FOSTER THE FAMILY DC

This situation is all too familiar to experienced foster families welcoming new children into their home. In an emergency situation, these families may only have a few hours’ notice before the children arrive, in need of not only basic items, but nurturing and comforting.

The Brown Family

For nearly a decade, Mandi Brown has been a part of this community. She and her husband Aaron have welcomed 17 foster children into their home in the New Baltimore area and adopted two of them. In those years

BY LUKE

she gained an excellent understanding of the challenges involved, which inspired her to join, and then help expand, Foster the Family DC, an organization dedicated to supporting families committed to fostering youth.

“We felt unsupported when we started out on our fostering journey, that is why Foster the Family DC is so important to us now.” Brown said. Envisioning a better experience for other families, she became passionately involved in the organization when they launched in Falls Church in 2021. Since then, she helped with the creation of the Prince William/Fauquier hub in Manassas.

“We deliver a care package to foster or kinship families within 24 hours of the arrival of children. Packages include brand new clothes, toys, games, hygiene items, blankets, formula, and things like that.” Brown said.

Mandi and Aaron Brown’s family includes two adopted daughters, Ashanti, 13, and Candice, 12, adopted ten years ago. This spring, the family has grown with the unexpected but joyful addition of Isaiah, 7, and Grayson, 5, through kinship care. This year the family also includes Mariana, an exchange student from Brazil.

CHRISTOPHER

Ashanti, 4, and Candice, 3, with Mandi and Aaron soon after their adoption.

Important points about fostering

Foster homes are needed in Fauquier and Prince William Counties, especially those who will welcome teens and sibling groups.

Foster children have been traumatized from past experiences and their removal from their homes and parents and may present challenges as a result.

The goal of the foster care system is reunification of children with their natural family. Foster children may only become available for adoption upon termination of the natural parents’ parental rights.

As a foster parent, your job is to care for and nurture the children until reunification.

It can be a difficult journey at times but can be very rewarding.

BY

While she’s the coordinator for provisions for all of Prince William and Fauquier families, she also helps the foundation in other ways, too. From support groups she’s created to community events like 5k runs and Christmas parties throughout Warrenton, Woodbridge, and Manassas, Brown is an integral part of building support for foster caregivers in the region.

“It [fostering] can be a really lonely journey at times and not everyone understands the ins and outs of it and the trauma that children have been through. The first few years we didn’t know any other foster families and it did feel lonely at times. Foster the Family DC creates a community of people who know what you’re going through and support each other and that’s why I love it,” Brown said.

The Neuhaus Family

Real estate agent Rebekah Neuhaus and her firefighter husband embarked on a similarly lonely journey until they found Foster the Family DC.

With four biological children of their own, the Gainesville couple decided to pursue their dream of fostering

Above: The Browns—all of them—putting together a care basket with school supplies, toys, and more for a local foster family receiving new children.

Below, Top: Rebekah and Andrew Neuhaus have fostered approximately 20 children in the last 2 years. Most were unaccompanied minors from the border who only stayed for very short periods while their sponsors underwent verification and background checks.

Below, Bottom: The Neuhaus biological children, Hayley, 12, twins Caleb and Madelyn, 11, and Lincoln, 7, welcomed new brothers (not pictured) last year through the domestic foster care system: 4-year-old G.W. and 6-month-old M.Z. The family is in the process of adopting the boys, now 5 years old and 18 months old.

BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER

LUKE CHRISTOPHER BY JEN PARANZINO PHOTOGRAPHY (2)

BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER

as well and within the last two years have opened their home to at least 20 children. It wasn’t until their most recent placement that they learned about Foster the Family DC, but they were so grateful for the organization’s assistance that Rebekah became a passionate supporter and an involved volunteer.

“We’ve really benefited from the support that they’ve given. Once, we got three boys on the same day. Since it was an emergency situation, we didn’t get a lot of notice… we had an hour and a half to get ready,” Neuhaus said.

Ranging in age from infant to 15, the children arrived at the couple’s home with little in tow except the emotional trauma that they had survived that day.

But thanks to Foster the Family DC, they didn’t need to worry about running out for clothes, food, or other necessities to make the children feel welcome or to begin bonding as a family.

She reached out to Foster the Family DC. “I put the children’s ages into the request, and everything arrived that day with the care packages and a meal for our familyfor nine people - which was incredible,” Neuhaus said.

Neuhaus credits Foster the Family DC for the opportunity that enabled her to give her newest foster children, whom they are working toward adopting, an amazing start, and says that their family life is more stable because of it. She also points to their support groups and events with gratitude for

normalizing foster care and the foster family unit.

“Just having the support through Foster the Family DC has made the last year a lot easier and gave us the opportunity to meet other families like ours,” said Neuhaus. “It helped us to see we’re not the only family who looks like this,” Neuhaus said.

Neuhaus has taken on some volunteer roles since she met Foster the Family DC, but she points to Brown as one of the top leaders who has done amazing work expanding the organization and working with churches and other organizations to garner the supplies needed to help foster families thrive.

Just as Brown offers incredible support through her services, Neuhaus offers advice for anyone considering fostering children.

“If you feel like that’s your calling… If you have that calling inside you… for sure take the first step. There are so many things that we’ve been able to experience that we wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Interested in learning more? Reach out to your county’s department of social services who will answer your questions, or volunteer with organizations like Foster the Family DC or any others that support foster families to interact with current foster parents and children. fosterthefamilydc.org

“There are so many things that we’ve been able to experience that we wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Great Mane Makes Its Mark

For Matt Buckham and Josh Hunter, it’s a dream come “brew”

BY CHRISTINE CRADDOCK

On a typical afternoon at Great Mane Brewery in Haymarket, visitors may very well run into someone they know. It could be that special person who taught their children at the local preschool, the passionate pastor who shakes their hand each Sunday, fellow sports parents, or neighbors who haven’t been seen since the weather was nice enough to be outside.

Great Mane Brewery officially opened October 21 of last year, but owners Matt Buckham and Josh Hunter explain their first day ‘out in the wild’ was Haymarket Day on October 15th. Since then, the community has rallied around them in force.

The makings of Great Mane go back about 10 years. Matt and Josh have been best friends since their freshman year of college. They spent those 4 years - and a few after - as roommates, traveling together to Vermont and beyond in a quest to find the best beer. Around 2012, that quest morphed into a brewing hobby and a desire to open a brewery. The desire took a backseat as both men began their careers – Josh as a business analyst and Matt in the DC political field – but the dream was never far from their minds.

Several years later, the two formed an LLC, found a location, and discovered themselves surrounded by people eager to help them succeed.

Said Josh, “We’ve had volunteers

galore, from helping behind the bar to helping on brew days, to social media support, photo taking, branding, music, and more.” Even Josh’s dad, Thad Hunter, contributed to the brewery – by hand making the tables, cabinets, and bar that grace the space.

While neither Matt nor Josh presume that their business is unique or better than others in the brewery field, there’s one aspect that sets Great Mane apart: its philosophy.

Matt and Josh’s mission was to create a place that made others feel “warm, comfortable, and at peace” and for

BY CHRISTINE

visitors to “know they’re around people who love them and that all is well.” In fact, they don’t even want visitors to feel the need to buy anything, but instead to just relax and have someone to talk to.

It appears they’ve succeeded in that mission.

“Great Mane is spectacular,” said Brian Johnson of Haymarket. “Great owners. Great beer. Great place to drink locally.” Said Katie Mazur, also of Haymarket, “Great Mane has a great, fun atmosphere, a welcoming staff, and is family friendly.”

And the feeling that Great Mane is,

On the right, owners Matt Buckham and Josh Hunter. Below, Josh and one of Great Mane’s great IPAs.

Matt and Josh’s mission was to create a place that made others feel ‘warm, comfortable, and at peace’

CRADDOCK

BY CHRISTINE CRADDOCK

COURTESY PHOTO

Mane Principles

Great Mane charges on a flat-rate structure (16 oz for $8, 12 oz for $6, and 8 oz for $4), so customers won’t feel penalized for drinking less. They also only serve beer they love and believe is worth the price.

Pets and children

...are welcome and so is outside food. Card games, tabletop ring and hook, books, puzzles, corn hole, and dog water bowls are available for use to make families comfortable.

Location, location, location

Can’t quite find Great Mane? Look for the signs off Rte 15 between the Sheetz and the railroad tracks. Drive past the horse and around to the back. 6620 James Madison Highway, Haymarket; greatmanebrewery.com

well, great, goes far beyond its regular clientele. In fact, a number of Haymarket business owners have become big fans, too. Prem Grewal of Tobaccology, Stephen Boyajian of Trouvaille Brewing, and Carmen Sabia of Ghosted Concepts, to name just a few.

The name of the brewery and the lion in its logo ties into Josh and Matt’s philosophy for life in general. “The lion is majestic and bold. It is a symbol of power and authority. That’s why we picked it to be the image of our brewery,” said Matt.

Additionally, G and M are the initials of one of the duo’s heroes –19th century Scottish author George Macdonald – and one of their absolute favorite characters is from his book Sir Gibbie. The character of Gibbie, thought to represent Christ-like qualities, is a selfless person, always putting others first. When visitors come to the brewery these days, they’ll see a new mural painted by local artist Meghan Bogue. Called “Gibbie’s Portrait," it depicts a scene from the book in which Gibbie waits patiently outside for his father who is in a pub.

“We thought the idea of a star-filled sky and child-like fairytale imagery would appeal to the community,” said Josh. And for Great Mane beer lovers like Jeremy Koller of Haymarket, they can order Gibbie's Portrait IPA on tap. “It’s my favorite so far.” L

Top: “Gibbie’s Portrait” by local artist Meghan Bogue greets guests when they enter Great Mane. Middle: Families are welcome at the brewery, which offers a variety of games and puzzles to make them comfortable. Below: The all-important tank room, where Great Mane’s great magic happens.

BY CHRISTINE CRADDOCK

BY CHRISTINE CRADDOCK

COURTESY PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTO

kids inthe kitchen

Perfect for poolside or a picnic: A Shark Bait Mocktail and Pina

Colada Cupcakes!

BY GINA MICHAK, KIDS CULINARY INSTRUCTOR

School’s almost out and you deserve a treat you can eat poolside or on a picnic. Ready? This month we’re making Shark Bait Mocktails and Pina Colada Cupcakes!

Shark Bait Mocktail

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Plastic tumblers

Spoons

Drinking straws

Ice cubes

Start by washing your hands. This is the #1 rule in my kitchen, and it should be yours too.

Always read through the recipe once or twice before you begin. Knowing exactly what ingredients, tools and steps are involved will help you have a smoother kitchen experience.

Get organized, gather your ingredients and the kitchen tools you’ll need.

Prep ingredients ahead of time and clean up as you go.

Always ask an adult before using any kitchen appliance.

continued on next page

INGREDIENTS:

Lemonade

Lemon-Lime seltzer water

Blue Curacao or blue food coloring

Maraschino cherries

Swedish fish candies

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a plastic tumbler, pour 4 ounces lemonade and 4 ounces lemon-lime seltzer over ice. Add a few drops of blue food coloring. Stir until combined. Add a Swedish fish and a drizzle of the maraschino cherry juice. Finish with a cherry on top. Enjoy your mocktail with a fun summer themed paper straw.

BY LIZ MARIE PORTRAITS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gina Michak is a custom baker and owner of “From Gina’s Kitchen,” as well as the kids culinary instructor at the Manassas Park Community Center. When she’s not baking, she’s whipping up travel itineraries as a Disney Travel Specialist. Connect with her @fromginaskitchen and @almosttheretravelbygina.

A few pieces of advice before getting started

Pina Colada Cupcakes

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Standing mixer or a hand mixer

Small mixing bowl

Spatula

Cupcake tin and cupcake liners

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Potholders

Toothpicks or cake tester

Angled spatula (for spreading frosting )

Decorating tips (1M or 2D) and piping bags, if you want to use them to decorate cupcakes

Paper umbrellas

INGREDIENTS:

4 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup whole milk , room temperature

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups cake flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk and vanilla and beat lightly. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter and mix with an electric mixer (or use a standing mixer ). Mix on low speed until butter pieces look like tiny peas.

4. Pour about 2/3 of the egg mixture into the large mixing bowl and mix on low speed until all ingredients are moistened. Scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula and mix on medium speed for one minute until combined.

5. Add remaining egg mixture and mix until combined, scraping down sides of bowl again until all ingredients are incorporated.

6. Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, fill wells of cupcake tin with batter.

7. Bake 20-22 minutes until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool before frosting.

Pina Colada Frosting

(MAKES ENOUGH TO FROST 12 CUPCAKES)

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

3-4 tablespoons pineapple juice

1 tsp. coconut extract

1 tsp. rum extract

shredded coconut, maraschino cherries and paper umbrellas for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In the large bowl of a standing mixer (or large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer), whip the butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, and continue mixing. Add pineapple juice until spreading consistency is reached. Add extracts and whip a minute or two more to incorporate flavors.

2. Frost cupcakes using angled spatula, or you can use a piping bag fitted with a 1M or 2D decorating tip. If using the piping bag, frost cupcakes using a swirling motion.

3. Sprinkle with shredded coconut, then top with cherry and umbrella topper. L

Spring Chicken

BY KARLA JONES SEIDITA, HOME ECONOMIST

The weather is warming and the days are getting longer. Flowers poke their sleepy heads up through the moist, fragrant soil. Everywhere you look, everything is green. It must be spring.

Spring. Lovely spring. Bloom’n spring. Gorgeous, fragrant, colorful spring. A time of rebirth and rejuvenation. A time to swap winter’s heavy fare for lighter recipes of the season. Chicken is the first thing that comes to mind…. Spring Chicken.

Spring Chicken

Oh my gosh… This chicken is just too divine for words.Tender. Juicy. Velvet-y. Quick to make with unlimited variations. Guaranteed to be your go to chicken recipe. The secret to all the unbridled yummy-ness is a baking soda brine. Yes, a baking soda brine! Baking soda makes this recipe pure magic. Let’s get into the kitchen!

How to Butterfly Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts cook unevenly because one side is thicker. Some cooks pound breasts to flatten the thick part for uniform cooking. But, if you butterfly them instead, you’ll get the same results with lots less work.

To butterfly a chicken breast, slice through one side of the breast starting at the thickest part and ending where it’s just starting to get thinner. Leave the opposite side attached and uncut. To prepare the recipe, open the butterflied chicken breast like a book and use it in one piece as a larger, thinner breast.

SERVES 4 TO 6

RECOMMENDED PAN – 10 TO 12 INCH SKILLET

INGREDIENTS

8 (thin cut) skin-less, boneless chicken breasts – about 2 pounds*

2/3 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs (approximately)

3 Tablespoon butter

3 Tablespoons olive oil

*If thin cut breasts are not available at your store, get 4 regular skinless, boneless chicken breasts – about 2 pounds –and “butterfly” them.

COOK’S TIP

DIRECTIONS

1. Velvet (tenderize) the chicken breasts (see directions left) Rinse breasts well. Drain but don’t dry. Coat both sides of the damp breasts with bread crumbs. Spritz the skillet with cooking spray then add the butter and oil. Heat until a pinch of bread crumbs sizzles. Add the crumb coated breasts (in open position if butterflied).

2. Cook on medium (in batches or in 2 pans, as necessary) till golden brown on 1 side – 1 to 2 minutes depending on the thickness of the breasts. Turn breasts. Cover pan. Remove from heat. (Yes, you only cook one side.) Let sit off heat, covered, about 5 minutes for the second side to brown. Meanwhile, prepare sauce or topping for serving. When the second side has browned, it’s ready. Optional (but yummy!) - pour pan juices over cooked chicken before adding sauce or topping.

It’s ok to peek under a bit of the chicken as it cooks to check for brown-ness but don’t move the breasts around or turn them over and over. Undisturbed contact with the pan is needed to ensure golden browning and correct cooking.

Giving Chicken that Velvet Touch

Cooking skinless, boneless chicken breasts so they’re tender and juicy is one of the hardest things to do. But “velvet” the chicken before cooking and it’s perfect every time.

Velveting is a classic Asian restaurant technique that easily adapts to the home kitchen. Chicken (other meat, too) is briefly brined in baking soda and water or given a dry baking soda rub. It’s magic!

This recipe is enough for about 2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts – (8 thin cut) or (4 butterflied).

INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 cup cool tap water

DIRECTIONS

Mix baking soda and water in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts. Swish them around so the liquid reaches all surfaces. Let soak at room temperature for 20 minutes. Drain. Return breasts to bowl and cover with cool tap water. Swish breasts to rinse all surfaces taking care to rinse the inside of the bowl at the same time. Drain. Repeat for a total of 5 times. Chicken must be very well rinsed to remove all traces of baking soda.

Toppings and Sauces (with Wine Pairings!)

Serving suggestions for divine dinners.

Chicken Schnitzel

Garnish cooked chicken with chopped fresh parsley. Sprinkle a few capers on top if you like them and happen to have them on hand. Serve with fresh lemon halves for squeezing over the chicken at the table. Spaetzle or steamed potatoes, green beans and a salad of sliced tomatoes would be good sides.

French Onion

Top with sauteed onions, crispy bacon and gravy. To round things out, add a baked potato, butter, sour cream and broccoli salad.

BOTH PAIR WELL WITH: CHARDONNAY

Produced completely in stainless steel and hailing from its Whetstone Run vineyard, DuCard Vineyards 2021 Whetstone Chardonnay ($36) expresses vibrant tropical notes and a hint of smokiness. ducard vineyards.com

Asian

Pour heated bottled or homemade Asian sauce over the cooked chicken. Serve rice, stir fry vegetables and a cucumber salad alongside. For an easy, homemade Asian sauce, mix: ½ c sweet orange marmalade, ¼ BBQ sauce (your fav) and 1 Tablespoon soy sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors. (Be sure to use “sweet” orange marmalade. It’s not bitter like regular marmalade.)

Curry and Raisin

Stir a handful of raisins into your fav Indian cooking sauce and heat. Pour over the cooked chicken. Garnish with chopped, fresh parsley. Serve with steamed carrots, naan bread, plain yogurt and cucumbers.

BOTH PAIR WELL WITH: VIOGNIER

Viognier is an excellent choice for both these dishes. It’s a full-bodied white wine beloved for its fruity aromas. Local Vintage: DuCard Vineyards 2020 Signature Viognier ($34). This aromatic dry white features wildflowers at first and honey and melon in the background. ducardvineyards.com

Chicken Parm

Cover cooked chicken with hot pasta sauce and cheese. Microwave to melt cheese or place in a 325 degree oven. Serve with a side of spaghetti, garlic bread and a green salad.

PAIRS WELL WITH: MERLOT

With its soft tannins and fruitiness, Merlot is perfect with food or on its own. Local Vintage: Barrel Oak 2019 Merlot ($39). Garnet color with aroma of red fruit and a palate of bright flavor of cranberry and pomegranate, this Merlot offers a warm spice on the finish. barreloak.com

Alfredo

Cover cooked chicken with heated Alfredo or cream sauce. Mushroom soup sauce works well, too. Serve with asparagus, linguini and a cherry tomato salad.

PAIRS WELL WITH: PINOT NOIR

If your favorite sauce is creamy, Pinot Noir is the way to go. It’s the most popular, light-bodied red wine anywhere and is loved for its red fruit and spice aromas. Local Vintage: The Winery at LaGrange’s 2020 Pinot Noir ($50). wineryatla grange.com

Peppers and Onions

Serve cooked chicken on a bed of olive oil or water sauteed onions and bell peppers (red, orange, yellow or a combo). Add an iceberg lettuce wedge salad with hot bacon dressing.

PAIRS WELL WITH: CABERNET FRANC

With its herbaceous aromas and medium body, Cabernet Franc is the perfect complement to the peppers and onions in this recipe. Local Vintage: The Winery at LaGrange’s 2020 Cabernet Franc ($40). wineryatlagrange. com

Mexican

Heat your favorite salsa and pour over the cooked chicken. Cover with cheese, if desired, and microwave to melt or place in a 325 degree oven. Serve with cornbread and a salad of black beans, corn and spring onions.

PAIRS WELL WITH: PETIT VERDOT

A full-bodied red, Petit Verdot pairs nicely with this delicious recipe. Local Vintage: Barrel Oak Winery Petit Verdot ($46). barrel oak.com L

Zapping Cold Sores Around the Mouth

Your Quick Relief Solution

tractive as they dry, form a scab, and eventually go away. Some of these lesions take 10-14 days to heal and disappear but doesn’t a 3–5-day span sound and feel so much better?

BY DR. TONTRA LOWE

Sounds a bit daunting, right? How do you zap a cold sore? Is there a magic wand? Mouth sores are small, but they can hurt a lot! If you’ve ever had a canker sore on the inside of your lower lip or on the right side of your tongue, you know exactly what I mean. Eating grapefruit or drinking a tall glass of orange juice can be excruciating.

If there was a way to get quick relief, wouldn’t it be worth it?

Cold sores are herpetic lesions, are viral in nature, and “appear as fluid-filled blisters” according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Cold sores show up just in time for a Zoom meeting or celebration. Although primarily on the lip, they can show up closer to the nose, or anywhere around the mouth. They are contagious at certain stages and can look unat-

Dental lasers can help with the safe, almost pain-free resolution of these lesions in as little as one to three sessions. We can use low level laser energy to heal tissues quickly, with no down time or discomfort, and with little chance that the lesions will recur in the same location. Imagine you have a celebration or conference to attend, and you feel the undeniable twinge of a cold sore starting. A quick call to your laser dentistry office could save you pain and embarrassment – a complete win-win.

Remember, not all dental offices offer laser therapy. Ask if your dentist can help you with pain-free laser treatments for sores in the mouth. You won’t regret it. L

Dr. Tontra Lowe is the owner of Awesome Smiles Dental Center. Since opening its doors in 2013, Awesome Smiles has helped hundreds of people smile with confidence. Stop in to make an appointment today at 6468 Trading Square (next to Kohl’s) in Haymarket, or call 571.261.2600.

Keep up with all the news from around your county: SUBSCRIBE! To InsideNoVa/Prince William, $39/year, delivered weekly www.insidenova.com/subscribe VISIT! InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for daily headlines and our weekly Gainesville/Haymarket-only e-newsletter FOLLOW! InsideNoVa on Facebook and Twitter @InsideNoVa

A MONTHLY DOSE OF LOCAL HEADLINES BROUGHT TO YOU BY INSIDENOVA.COM

Northern Virginia military bases battle in video game tournament

VFW opens new post in Haymarket

Dozens of veterans and their families piled into Great Mane Brewery in Haymarket March 11 to celebrate the Veterans of Foreign Wars opening a new post. Post 12218 in Haymarket, officially named Western Prince William County VFW, was established to accommodate the growing veteran population in Virginia.

While some states have not opened a VFW post in over a decade, Virginia has opened eight posts in the past eight years due to demand. In order for a post to be established, the organization requires 25 members to join within an eight-month period, but the new Prince William post registered over 60 members in only three months.

The post is embracing the use of technology by giving members the option to attend monthly meetings virtually. This hybrid model of meeting is new to the organization and aims to allow members greater flexibility in their involvement.

The United Service Organizations recently hosted a “Battle between Bases,” in which service members from Marine Corps Base Quantico and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall competed in a Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 video game tournament.

“Gaming has recently been made a core program at the USO, and we are piloting different types of events here,” said Ben Bruce, regional gaming manager of the USO National Capital District.

The battle between Quantico and Myer-Henderson Hall featured about 20 active-duty service members competing from their respective USO centers. The tournament was played via custom 4v4 game modes.

“Call of Duty has always had a great amount of interest from our service members,” Bruce said. “We had run Warzone 2.0 tournaments before at both bases, but this time we wanted to try an event that unites the local players toward a common goal and builds camaraderie.”

The Marines at USO Quantico Main won the event with an overall score of 3-1. The teams played through a series of game modes in Modern Warfare 2: Team DeathMatch, Control, Hardpoint and Search and Destroy. Myer won Team DeathMatch, but Quantico won the rest of the matches.

While this tournament’s reward was just bragging rights, the USO plans to continue to raise the stakes if interest remains high. The organization is also looking to include other local bases in future events.

During the ceremony, members of the new post lined up, and Geoffrey Lyster, the VFW’s Virginia state commander, gave remarks and administered the oath of membership. Each inductee placed their left hand on the shoulder of the person in front of them and their right hand raised to take the oath, after which they each were decorated with the Cross of Malta, the VFW’s official emblem. The new post will meet monthly at the brewery.

Workhouse Arts Center presents AutoWorks Festival

The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton has scheduled its AutoWorks Festival, “Celebrating the Art of the Automobile,” on Saturday, June 3. The event, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is free to the public. There is a $30 car registration fee for individuals who would like to participate by showcasing their classic cars. The event will take place in the center’s North Parking Lot. Rain date is June 4.

Car enthusiasts vote for their favorites in the following categories: Antique (pre1960), American Classic (1950+); Import Classic (1950+); Sportscar; Muscle Car; Truck/SUV/Wagon; Unrestored & Well Preserved; Diamond in the Rough; Hot Rod & Custom; and Modern Marvels.

The Workhouse is inviting car owners from the greater District, Maryland and Virginia area to come to the historic Workhouse campus and proudly show off their classic automobiles. The per-car registration will benefit the nonprofit’s arts programs. For complete details and registration, visit: www.workhousearts.org/calendar/ auto-works-festival.

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Christian Anthony (center) and his Quantico teammates participate in the "Battle of the Bases' video game tournament. PROVIDED

Geoffrey Lyster, the VFW’s Virginia state commander, greeted each of the new members. Photo: Cameron Delean/ INSIDENOVA