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VOLUNTEER PRINCE WILLIAM
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WOOD & DALE WANDERERS
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TASTE OF OLD COUNTRY
prince william living April 2022
The premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas
Farm Fresh Adventures PAGE 4
Celebrate Earth Day, Every Day! PAGE 16
Developing Good Study Habits
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princewilliamliving.com
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table of contents April 2022 | Vol. 12 | No. 4
FEATURE STORY Farm Fresh Adventures
4
DEPARTMENTS FROM THE PUBLISHER Farm Stands, Volunteerism and Volksmarching, Oh My
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18
16
22
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GIVING BACK Volunteer Prince William Inspires Others, Builds Stronger Community
12
FAMILY FUN Celebrate Earth Day, Every Day!
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DESTINATIONS Wood & Dale Wanderers: Making Prince William for Walking Lovers
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ON A HIGH NOTE Bands and Orchestras in Prince William County Public Schools: Fostering Leadership and Teamwork
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LOCAL FLAVOR Taste of Old Country: Mediterranean Flair Combined with Old World Charm
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LIFELONG LEARNING Developing Good Study Habits
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CALENDAR
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COLUMNS YOUR FINANCES HEALTH & WELLNESS HOME & HEARTH
prince william living April 2022
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prince william living Rebecca Barnes
PRINCE WILLIAM LIVING PUBLISHER rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com
Erin Pittman EDITOR IN CHIEF epittman@princewilliamliving.com
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Amanda Baity ONLINE SUBMISSION MANAGER Carole Keily GIVE BACK PRINCE WILLIAM INITIATIVE Johnnie Barnes, johnnie@givebackpw.org
PHOTO EDITOR Amanda Baity CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carla Christiano, Amy Falkofske, Jennifer Halter, Jeanene Harris, Haley Huchler, Dawn Klavon, Rena Malai, Bennett Whitlock
CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST Diane Puigdomenech, dpuigdomenech@princewilliamliving.com VISIBILITY PACKAGES sales@princewilliamliving.com SUBSCRIPTIONS info@princewilliamliving.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS Mark Gilvey SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Katherine Gotthardt GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Alison Dixon/ImagePrep Studio
Prince William Living, the premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly by Prince William Living, Inc. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living. © Copyright 2022 by Prince William Living, Inc. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced or translated without written permission. Visit the Prince William Living website at www.princewilliamliving.com for reprint permission.
Prince William Living 9994 Sowder Village Square #816 Manassas, Va 20109 Phone: (703) 232-1758
Editorial Have a story you’d like our staff to cover? Contact Prince William Living editorial staff at (703) 232-1758, ext. 2, or at editor@princewilliamliving.com.
Editorial offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 2 Advertising offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 3 Efax: (703) 563-9185
Advertising Prince William Living accepts display advertising. For complete advertising information, contact our sales staff at (703) 232-1758, ext. 3, or at sales@princewilliamliving.com.
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April 2022 prince william living
from the Publisher Farm Stands, Volunteerism and Volksmarching, Oh My
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nique experiences surround us in Prince William, and we’ve got some great ones for you to check out this month. Our feature lists local farm stands, pick-your-own produce opportunities and the best spots for locally raised meats. Agritourism is alive and well in our area, and we’re sharing some excellent experiences with you. Looking for a new spot to grab a fresh bite to eat? Check out Local Flavor for the details on Taste of Old Country. Stop by their shop for award-winning olive oils, balsamic vinegars, specialty wines, honeys, teas and coffees, and visit the bistro side for made-to-order paninis, salads and small-bite plates. Looking to try something new this month? How about volksmarching, a form of noncompetitive fitness walking originating in Europe? Destinations brings you the story of the Wood & Dale Wanderers, a local walking club rooted in volksmarching. Or how about focusing on improving your study habits? Lifelong Learning teaches you how. Prince William area schools offer some of the best bands and orchestras around. This month’s On a High Note section is all
about them. Read up on some of their greatest achievements and reasons why band is such a highlight within the local school system. Volunteer Prince William is our focus in Giving Back, an organization that gives back all year long by bringing so many of us together. Learn how they successfully connect volunteers with charitable causes and how you can get involved. And if you have a cause or two you are already passionate about, you may wish to include them in your financial planning. Your Finances can help you create a strategy for charitable giving. Health and Wellness shares a cardiac rehab success story, and our events calendar is filled with activities to keep you busy all month long. We wish you a wonderful month ahead and appreciate your readership. Make sure you don’t miss an issue! Receive Prince William Living delivered right to your mailbox each month by subscribing at princewilliamliving.com/subscription. All the best,
Rebecca Barnes Publisher
B R I D E S & W E D D I N G S O F N O R T H E R N V I R G I N I A V O L U M E 1 9 , N O . 1
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Farm Fresh Adventures By Dawn Klavon
Photo courtesy Sunshine Honey Farm Stand
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his spring, as the world struggles to adjust to supply chain issues, food security challenges and a new normal, Prince William farmers stand ready to offer true grass-roots products and experiences to bring us back to nature and build community.
The Honor System “We had no idea when we started that it would take off like it did,” said Sarah Desmedt, Co-owner of Bloom Flower Farm in Nokesville. Desmedt grows assorted flowers and offers freshly arranged bouquets at her stand at the end of the 17-acre farm’s driveway. In addition, the stand offers seasonal blackberries and fresh eggs, collected by her 15-year-old son, Andy.
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“Our mission is to serve the community with something positive,” Desmedt said. It’s like something out of a bygone era — Bloom Flower Farm’s stand, like many in the area, operates on the honor system, with a chalkboard stating product prices and a secure lock box for depositing cash to cover expenses. Customers can help themselves to the bouquets and just leave the money for payment when they go. Clients can also pre-order flower arrangements on Bloom Flower Farm’s website, pay online and pick up their posies at the stand. Desmedt and her husband, Dan, have found a loyal customer base. “People know about us and like our farm, and the community around us comes,” she said. “On weekends, we get people from
Photos courtesy Bloom Flower Stand
Bloom Flower Stand bouquets
Bloom Flower Stand - Andy with his chickens
Fairfax and the outlying cities — they’ll drive an hour to come and pick up flowers.”
“With an ever-growing population in the area, certainly demand keeps increasing,” Yankey said, adding that food security issues and supply chain challenges have forced some consumers to lean into their local farms for produce.
Pick-Your-Own Possibilities Jay Yankey’s farm in Nokesville also welcomes agritourism, with spring pick-your-own strawberries in May and a fall pick-yourown pumpkin patch in October. Yankey Farms grows its berries and pumpkins on about 17 acres. Each fall, the farm welcomes thousands of folks eager to pick pumpkins, navigate a corn maze, enjoy a petting zoo, try out a hayride and more. “There’s a lot of great opportunities,” Yankey said about agricultural experiences in Prince William. “People get some really, really good products right here in the community and it goes to keeping some land and some of us supported to continue to do what we do.” Somehow Yankey manages to hold down a full-time job while running the farm, which also grows corn, soybeans and hay. In addition to Yankey’s pick-your-own farm, he offers a summertime roadside stand with a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. All the vegetables are home grown, and the fruits are sold through a partnership with another local farmer. Yankey’s stand is also run on the honor system.
Community-Supported Agriculture Yankey’s farm participates in a community-supported agriculture, or CSA, program, which is generally a subscription program for fresh, local fruits and vegetables. The program covers a minimum of between 16 and 18 weeks of distribution, depending on the growing season. “We’ve got about 150 shares that people buy in at the beginning of the season,” Yankey said. “Then, from May to November, each week pick up a box of in-season fruits and vegetables.” Yankey Farms offers two sizes for CSA orders: the half bushel and full bushel, suggesting the half bushel is ideal for individuals, couples or small families and the full bushel shares are great for those families with more mouths to feed.
Photo courtesy Yankey Farms
Yankey said there are generally four to six weeks of spring produce pickups, then the farm takes a few weeks off before starting their summer harvest. Subscribers pick up their weekly share at Yankey’s farm and can choose their pickup day and time.
Cinnamon Buns, Anyone? Andrew and Nina Fleischauer operate Sunshine Honey Farm Stand in Nokesville and bring the basics — fresh produce from their 10-acre farm — but here’s their bonus: high quality proteins, aka beef, pork, turkey and chicken. “We’re raising a variety of animals on pasture with regenerative agriculture,” Nina said. “We aim to make the soil better, make the environment better, raise the animals with a really great quality of life — and in turn, foods that we eat from them are the best that they can be.” Yankey Farms - Pick your own strawberries
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(continued from page 5) Photo courtesy Sunshine Honey Farm Stand
“Just the crazy life that we live in Northern Virginia that’s ‘go go- go-go’ all the time,” she said, “Come out here. It’s so close to the suburbs and to the city, yet it feels like it’s a whole different place. It’s a really wonderful, wonderful place to kind of catch your breath and maybe recenter your perspective.”
Tiptoe Through the Tulips You might think you’ve been transported to Holland. Since 2012, for about three weeks every April, Burnside Farms in Nokesville has held their Festival of Spring. With more than two million tulips and a half-million daffodils planted each year, the bountiful farm brings a little slice of the Netherlands to Virginia. It’s actually one of the longest running spring festivals of its kind in North America, according to the owners. “It is just a feel-good event,” said Leslie Dawley, owner of Burnside Farms. “It fills you with such joy.”
Sunshine Honey Farm Stand
Plus, Andrew is the executive chef at a Bethesda restaurant and spends his downtime baking and making jars of fabulous fruit jam for Sunshine Honey. (Note: The jam recipe was passed down from Andrew’s grandmother.) It started when Andrew was raising money to go to the New York City Marathon and sold baked goods to make it happen. Once the couple opened the farm stand at the end of their driveway, customers wanted more. “Friends and neighbors and colleagues that knew what we did were also asking for the English muffins we’d made before, and the cinnamon rolls, and ‘Where’s your Andy Jam?’” Nina said. “It didn’t take long until we had more baked goods in our stand than we did vegetables!” Sunshine Honey Farm Stand is generally open weekends from June through October and takes pre-orders as well. With a strong presence on social media, Nina said they post what baked goods will be available any given weekend. The farm also hosts tours “in the comfortable months,” she said, which take about 45 minutes. Guests can see the working farm’s crops, land and most popular — the animals.
At the festival, visitors are welcomed by a stunning landscape of multicolored flowers as far as the eye can see. Come ready to pick posies — choose from over 400 varieties of tulips and more than 30 varieties of daffodils. Each adult ticket price includes some flowers, and visitors can pay for additional flowers separately. The farm provides large baskets for collecting the flowers, as well as whimsical wooden clogs to make the experience that much more memorable. The festival also serves as the backdrop for countless photo opportunities, from marriage proposals to maternity portraits to baby pictures. Due to COVID-19, owners have limited entry to the farm to avoid large groups at any given time. Visitors must buy their nonrefundable tickets online in advance, and the farm’s website and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram) keep tourists updated on details. “We usually sell tickets just a few days before you may come, based on the weather,” said Dawley. The farm is considering season passes this year as well, and details will be forthcoming on Burnside’s website. All around, the Burnside experience is delightful. Guests can bring a picnic and relax in the courtyard of the 100-year-old dairy barn. On weekends, local food venders set up outside the picnic area, as well. The farm also offers fun activities for all ages, like wagon rides into the fields, cornhole, grain bin basketball, inflatable slides, short-film cinema in the barn, giant LEGOs and more.
“We love doing it,” Nina said. “Our cow, Jolene, knows more people in Nokesville than I do.”
From mid-July through Labor Day, Burnside Farms also welcomes guests to experience their Summer of Sunflowers, offering more than 30 varieties of sunflowers on more than 20 acres. If you get your timing right, you’ll be able to check out one of America’s only sunflower mazes, as well.
Tourists will also be greeted by two shy but adorable sheep, turkeys, chickens, pigs and bees. The animals are raised to live a simple, healthy life, and visitors of all ages seem to enjoy the adventure.
Burnside Farms’ most beloved summer event is Sunflower Sunsets, taking place summer evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. Visitors bring dinners and stretch out picnic blankets right in the breathtaking sunflower fields.
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Photo courtesy Burnside Farm
Burnside Farm's gorgeous tulips
“When they leave, their spirits are lifted,” Dawley said. “Regardless of what you left behind when you walked in the gate, you walk out feeling a bit lighter and happier.”
Get Back to Nature Whether you’re eager to pick your own tulips, strawberries, sunflowers or pumpkins, try some freshly harvested farm-stand produce, indulge in Andrew Fleischauer’s third generation jam, meet Jolene the cow at Sunshine Honey Farm Stand, or pick up Bloom Flower Stand’s colorful mixed bouquets, the opportunities in Prince William are aplenty when it comes to agritourism. Check the farms’ social media accounts and websites often for updates on product availability and special offers. Also, contact local farms to schedule tours and to preorder products.
Bloom Flower Farm
11045 Manley Road, Nokesville 703-851-2576 facebook.com/Nokesvilleblooms/ bloomflowerfarm.weebly.com/ desmedt.sa@gmail.com
Yankey Farms
Pick Your Own Strawberries and Pumpkins 14039 Owls Nest Road, Nokesville Produce Stand and CSA Pickup Location: 14841 Glenkirk Road, Nokesville 703-618-3782 yankeyfarms.com/ facebook.com/YankeyFarms/
Dawn Klavon is a journalist, author, media director and recent transplant to NOVA. She thrives on juggling multiple projects, discovering local hot spots, consuming blue crab and conquering sudoku puzzles. Dawn can be reached at dklavon@ princewilliamliving.com.
Sunshine Honey Farm Stand
10725 Lonesome Road, Nokesville facebook.com/SunshineHoneyFarm/ sunhoneyfarm@gmail.com _______________________
Photo courtesy Sunshine Honey Farm Stand
_______________________
“I always say, ‘Food for the body, and flowers for the soul,” said Dawley.
Burnside Farms
11008 Kettle Run Road, Nokesville 703-930-3052 info@burnsidefarms.com burnsidefarms.com facebook.com/BurnsideFarms/
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your finances Creating a Charitable Giving Strategy By Bennett C. Whitlock III Whitlock Wealth Management
I
f charitable giving is an important part of your budget, it’s good to occasionally take a step back and re-evaluate your giving strategy. Doing so can ensure your money is used efficiently and effectively by the organizations you choose to support. Here are some steps to get you started: STEP 1: Clarify your own values and preferences. Before you reach for your checkbook, ask yourself a few questions. What causes are important to you? Is there a particular demographic or group of people you would like to support? Would you prefer to give to a local, regional, national or global organization? As a donor, what do you hope to see in the organization’s leadership or structure? Doing so can help you zero in on the charities that align with your personal values, making your donation even more meaningful. STEP 2: Consider each organization’s mission. Once you determine which organizations meet your criteria, research each charity to make sure their programs, mission and goals match your expectations. Consider meeting with an executive or local leader to hear about the charity’s strategy and their impact on the community first-hand. During the meeting, ask about the organization’s short- and long-term goals, as well as how they measure success. You want to be sure the charity is making progress toward achieving its goals. STEP 3: Investigate each charitable organization’s financial health. Look into how each donation is used and what percentage of the money goes directly to the cause. Fundraising and administrative expenses help the charity do its work; however, you should be cautious about organizations with higher overhead costs. Ask the charity for a copy of their most recent annual report and Internal Revenue Service Form 990. These forms outline the charity’s budget allocation and financial plans and can provide you with insight into how your money is used to make the intended impact. If you’d like an objective perspective on a charity’s financial health, fundraising practices, day-to-day efficiency and accountability standards, look at how watchdog groups evaluate the organization. BBB Wise Giving Alliance (give. org), GuideStar (guidestar.org) and Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org) are several national groups offering unbiased evaluations. STEP 4: Make giving part of your financial plan. As you figure out your donation strategy, consider meeting with a financial planner or tax advisor who can help you select the most appropriate donation method for your financial situation. These professionals can also work with you to create a strategy for
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ongoing contributions or to make giving part of your legacy. Keep in mind there may be legal or tax considerations, depending on the amount and form of your donation (i.e. check, investment donation, etc.). By taking the time to thoroughly evaluate charitable organizations, you’ll give yourself the peace of mind that your money is being used wisely, effectively and for the purposes you intend. Bennett C. Whitlock III, CRPC®, is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director with Whitlock Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. He offers fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 22 years. To contact him call 703.492.7732 or visit his website at whitlockwealth.com. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2022 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
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giving back VOLUNTEER PRINCE WILLIAM Inspires Others, Builds Stronger Community By Jeanene Harris and Erin Pittman
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Photos courtesy Volunteer Prince William
stablished in 1981, Volunteer Prince William is volunteer central for the greater Prince William community. They partner with various local nonprofits to promote volunteerism and have nearly 10,000 individuals registered on their website to browse available volunteer opportunities. Additionally, the organization casts a wide net in community support, providing disaster preparedness services, a court-ordered alternative community service program and its own charitable endeavors.
VPW's website features a variety of opportunities to volunteer at historic sites.
Volunteer Prince William’s Mission “For the past 30 years, Volunteer Prince William has been building a stronger community by connecting volunteers with opportunities,” said Bridget Mullins, Executive Director of Volunteer Prince William. VPW partners with community agencies to mobilize volunteers and resources to provide solutions for critical issues in our community. The organization believes volunteering begins with “the power of one.” Nonprofits are encouraged to advertise their volunteer needs on VPW’s website (volunteerprincewilliam.org) to easily reach individuals wishing to share their time and talents. Individuals can create a free account and browse through the opportunities posted by their nonprofit partners. A quick search displays needs for community clean-up volunteers, food recovery drivers, adult literacy helpers, historic site assistants, youth tutors, dog park assistants, Girls on the Run coaches, board members and more. Volunteers 55 and up can take part in their RSVP — Retired and Senior Volunteer — program. RSVP encourages seniors to stay active through meaningful activities in the community.
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Volunteers in the program support work sites in Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William by delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors, driving senior veterans to local doctor appointments, supporting the senior centers in Manassas and Woodbridge, assisting staff at the Novant UVA Health System medical centers in Manassas and Haymarket, and more. “In addition to providing opportunities for volunteering in the community, the agency’s most recent big impact has been with the Community Feeding Task Force,” said Jan Hawkins, program director, Greater Prince William RSVP, Volunteer Prince William. “In addition to the Food Helpline, volunteers were recruited and assigned to assist local food pantries and the central food warehouse operated by Prince William Food Rescue.” VPW is also well known for its annual Untrim-A-Tree program where, each year at Christmastime, they provide toys for children in need and baskets to seniors who are homebound or residing in nursing homes. This year-long effort touched 3300 children and 375 seniors in the Prince William area in 2021. Disaster services, including emergency preparedness training and outreach to vulnerable populations, particularly in the
Jason Riddle repairs a bike tire at the KPWB-PWC Solid Waste 2021 Fix it Fair.
Volunteers gather at the Alzheimer's Association's Manassas Walk.
recovery phases of disaster, also fall within their mission, as does all court-related alternative community service work in Prince William. They serve as the coordinating agency for both adult and juvenile cases.
Prince William for recruiting volunteers for their annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s Virginia Tri-Counties, which has been held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas since 2010. This walk has had as many as 1,000 participants, so many volunteers are needed to make the event a success.
Partnering Organizations
“The number of people living with Alzheimer’s is projected to increase from 6 million today to nearly 13 million by 2050,” said Cindy Schelhorn, Senior Director, Communications and Marketing, Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter. “We will need to significantly increase our team of dedicated volunteers to help us meet the coming demands for our programs and services. We’ll also need more volunteers to become advocates to help influence Alzheimer’s and dementia policy at the federal and state level.”
Organizations currently partnering with VPW are seeing great success through their relationships. “Volunteer Prince William provides us with a way to better offer our volunteer opportunities to the community,” said John McDonald, Historic Site Interpreter, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre & Lucasville School, Prince William County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. “Their website allows us to reach people who may not have visited our historic sites before, are new to the area, or are new to volunteering in general. Most of our Junior Preservationist volunteers (13-18) discover us this way.” For nearly 100 years, the American Heart Association has been fighting heart disease and stroke and helping families and communities thrive. AHA has grown rapidly in size and influence — nationally and internationally — into an organization of more than 33 million volunteers and supporters dedicated to improving heart health and reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. “For over 10 years, I have used Volunteer Prince William’s online tools and Call-to-Action communication services to recruit and engage volunteers for many of our fundraising events,” said Joellen Brassfield, Volunteer Coordinator for the American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region. “We rely on our outstanding volunteers to help ensure the successful execution of these large-scale events that raise millions of dollars annually right here in the Greater Washington Region.” The Alzheimer's Association has collaborated with Volunteer
Keep Prince William Beautiful is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established to educate and advocate for litter prevention, recycling and environmental stewardship for the residents and businesses in Prince William County. KPWB administers several year-round comprehensive programs encouraging community involvement to reduce litter across the county, assist in recycling efforts and conduct recycling education, and implement projects that beautify our neighborhoods and communities. “We have a long-standing relationship with Volunteer Prince William and will periodically get direct volunteer referrals from them,” said Rico Fleshman, Executive Director, Keep Prince William Beautiful, Inc. “Volunteers are the life-blood of our engagement activities and program fulfillment, so we are always grateful for these referrals.” Organizations interested in building their own success stories with Volunteer Prince William should visit their website at volunteerprincewilliam.org to get started. Jeanene Harris is a contributing writer for Prince William Living, and Erin Pittman is Editor in Chief. prince william living April 2022
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health & wellness Early intervention makes a life-saving difference for Prince William County man Provided by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
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rad Ball thought he was doing all the right things when it came to his health. The 62-year-old worked out regularly, ate what he thought was a balanced diet with plenty of leafy greens, and lived an active lifestyle. That’s why he was shocked in August 2021 when he realized he was having a heart attack at the gym. “The heart attack itself really came as a complete surprise. I exercised as normal, but about halfway through my routine felt severe pain in my chest,” remembers Brad. Brad called his wife, Takako, and the two decided he needed to go to the hospital. They went to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center where he was seen immediately and diagnosed with a heart attack. Brad had one artery with a 100% blockage. Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Balbir Sidhu with the Sentara Heart & Vascular Center placed a stent and performed a heart catheterization procedure to relieve the obstruction. “Heart catheterization is now the standard of care in a patient having a heart attack,” explains Sidhu, MD, FACC. “In the past, we used to give clot-busting medicine which worked only 50 to 60% of the time. The heart cath is typically done through the radial artery using local anesthesia and is pretty much painless. A stent is placed to keep the artery open to prevent any damage to the heart. A stent is like a metal scaffolding that is coated with a drug to prevent any further closure of the artery. From there, the patient has to take a blood thinner to keep the stent open.” Brad’s procedure reduced the blockage by nearly half. When Brad was discharged, doctors referred him to the Sentara Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. The program, certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, has specialty trained staff, along with registered nurses, who closely monitor and record a patient’s vitals. The program also teaches patients how to they can make meaningful tweaks to their diet. “Sentara's Cardiac Rehab is so special because being a community hospital, we can provide individualized treatment and attention to our participants,” explains Meg Spacek, BS, RN, CCRP. “Due to our location in the Northern Virginia area, we can offer state-of-the-art care. It is NOT one size fits all here. Our hope is that our participants develop the tools necessary in cardiac rehab to take control of their heart health and increase their confidence in their health.” Day by day, Brad grew stronger and more self-assured. “Rehab has been awesome. They start you off slow to make sure you can handle the exercises,” explains Brad. “I was
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initially doing the treadmill, arm ergometer, recumbent bike, and stationary bike. If the staff feels you are ready, they will add one day into your routine. The staff increases the workload based on their readings about once a week.” The workouts not only helped Brad’s heart and body but gave him confidence that he was healing. As Brad got the hang of the physical aspects of the program, he and his wife began making changes to his diet. “I was fortunate in that my wife was awesome in adjusting our entire diet routine and portion sizes to accommodate the necessary regimen for better health. I have lost 40 pounds (roughly 18% reduction) since the heart attack and seen my cholesterol level cut in half, which allowed for some dosage reductions in my meds,” says Brad. Like many people, COVID-19 has added some challenges, but Brad is committed to his health and his workouts. He says he couldn’t have done it without the Sentara Cardiac Rehab team. “The team and facility are really great. They treat everyone as individuals and really seem to care. The staff are all consummate professionals and the program is very helpful for patients who want to get their confidence back and improve their health in the process. The program has helped me avoid a lot of trial and error in finding the regimen that is most beneficial. The staff even focuses on the “little details” such as what background music is playing. It is usually geared toward the 60+ group and not the most recent top 40 singles!” he says chuckling. Moving forward, Brad offers these tips: n Get checked and ALWAYS follow up if you have symptoms. When it comes to chest pains and debating whether to be seen, always err on the side of caution. n Find your motivation to improve your health. n Be grateful for second chances. Take advantage of it and don’t dwell on what could have been done differently. n Being a little scared will be a fact of life going forward. There is no magic pill for that. It is easy to fall into the “feeling sorry for yourself” mode. Don’t! n Diet and nutrition are extremely important. The American Heart Association and similar organizations have books and articles on heart healthy recipes. To find a cardiologist, call 1-800-SENTARA. To learn more about the Sentara Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, visit sentara.com/heart or call 703-523-1280.
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family fun
Celebrate Earth Day, EVERY DAY!
By Jennifer Halter
E
arth Day is on Friday, April 22, 2022, and is celebrated globally to bring awareness about the importance of caring for the environment. This year’s theme is Invest in our Planet, encouraging us to take an all-in approach to create a partnership between businesses, governments and citizens to work toward restoring nature and building a healthy planet for generations to come. Even though we have a day dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of protecting our planet, we can strive to do our part every day in our homes and throughout our communities to invest in our future.
At Home
Recycle. Create a fun system for recycling within your home. As more schools and organizations are recycling, your child is likely more familiar with the blue bins and even with being aware of whether something should be recycled. Don’t worry if you don’t have access to blue bins at home. You can create your own! Set up bins/ boxes for the various items (plastic, glass, aluminum, etc.) and allow the kids to decorate and label them. Introduce a little friendly competition or set fun goals by seeing who can recycle the most each week. Reduce food waste. Plan meals in advance with your family and create a shopping list…and stick to it! Make snacks easily accessible, so they are easy to grab and more likely to be eaten instead of getting lost in the fridge or pantry. You can buy items in bulk, which uses less packaging and put them in your own reusable containers/bags. If fruits, vegetables or meats are getting
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close to their expiration date, find ways to store and preserve food, such as freezing, canning or dehydrating. Grow your own food. Having a garden at home benefits the environment. Save time and fuel by not having to travel to a grocery store to buy produce and herbs. Plus, having your children involved during the process from seed to fruit or veggie can help make them more excited about consuming healthy foods, making for less food waste. Use reusables. Invest in reusable items instead of disposable, such as cups, bags and utensils. Use refillable water bottles for school and the workplace, and try to find mugs or tumblers that keep your beverage hot or cold, so you don’t need to use energy to reheat. Keep some reusable grocery bags in your vehicle (because it’s easy to forget to bring them on your shopping trip), and be sure to ask your store if they provide credit for using your own. Conserve electricity. Create a habit of turning off lights and electronics every time you leave a room or when items aren’t in use. For younger children, make simple picture signs and place them near light switches or other frequently used items as a reminder. Donate. Landfills are often bombarded with household items, clothing, etc., that could easily be donated and reused or repurposed. There are many local organizations for donating items, including some that will come to your home and pick up from you. If items are in poor condition and aren’t suitable for donating,
repurpose them, if possible. Old t-shirts make great wash rags for household chores.
Outside
Try alternative transportation. Even though many of us have transitioned to working remotely, it’s still important to conserve fuel and reduce your carbon footprint when possible. Try to carpool, use public transportation, ride bikes or walk to your destination. Organize or participate in a cleanup. Many neighborhoods and parks organize litter cleanups a few times each year. However, you can make every walk around your neighborhood or hike at the park an opportunity to pick up trash and branches, pull weeds, etc. Carry safety gloves and trash bags with you and recycle those items you collect when you can.
In the Community
There are many local organizations that provide volunteer opportunities to help protect our local parks, trails and more throughout the year. Keep Prince William Beautiful (kpwb.org) relies on hundreds of volunteers each year to perform community cleanup projects, beautification initiatives and educational programs. They do have opportunities for youth as well as group activities for organizations and business groups.
Signal Bay Waterpark Passport Sale
15 Admission Passport – $75.00 Save $5, purchase between April 1st-May 31st 15 Admission Passport – $80.00 Purchase after June 1st Purchase online: mpdpr.com/signalbay Managed by the Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation, Signal Bay Waterpark is a 27,000 sqft aquatic facility within Signal Hill Park featuring a zero depth entry leisure pool with water cannons, slides, and a lazy river. Manassas Park Community Center 99 Adams Street Manassas Park, VA 20111 703.335.8872 ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com
Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition (pwtsc. org) is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining the Prince William County-wide system of trails and stream recreation. In addition to monthly volunteer opportunities, they offer Adopt-a-Trail and Adopt-a-Stream programs where volunteers do cleanup activities twice a year. Prince William County Public Works (pwcva.gov/ department/solid-waste-management) can help you get started with setting up a recycling program at your business or school. Visit their website for more information. Volunteer Prince William (volunteerprincewilliam. org) has a listing of various volunteer opportunities throughout the county, including those focused on helping the environment. Getting your family involved in activities that promote compassion for our planet can make a huge impact on their future. Start early and make it fun so Earth Day is something everyone can look forward to every day. Jennifer Halter is the Publisher of Macaroni Kid Woodbridge and Macaroni Kid Gainesville/Manassas, free online calendars and resources to help you find your family fun all year round. prince william living April 2022
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destinations
WOOD & DALE WANDERERS
Making Prince William for Walking Lovers By Carla Christiano
H
ans and Shirley Ponse had always wanted to try volksmarching. With one thing or another, they hadn’t been able to, although they had lived in Germany where the noncompetitive walking had originated. When they finally got the chance after returning to the U.S., a Maryland rainstorm almost made their first walk their last.
will attend a volksmarch sponsored by a local club or associated with a festival, he said. They walk 5, 10 or 20 kilometers on a marked trail around beautiful scenery or a cultural site. “Before there was walking for causes to earn money, it [volksmarching] was a sport that people did regularly. There is no cause. It’s just an opportunity to gather together for a long walk,” he said.
“When we got out of the car, we stepped in water over our ankles. We were in a corn field in mud. Then it got hotter than hades. I kind of decided that was the last of that,” Shirley recalled. The couple toughed it out and completed the six-mile walk. “Then we had a bratwurst. That helped,” she said.
Because most folks don’t know what volksmarching is and fewer folks have lived in Europe, AVA doesn’t just want to be known simply for volksmarching, said Miner. “Yes, we are volksmarching for those that know what that is, but we’re trying to become a national walking organization promoting fitness, fellowship and fun.” Although the Wood & Dale Wanderers are proponents of walking for fitness, they promote biking, swimming and snowshoeing too.
Now, more than 20,000 kilometers (Shirley) and more than 15,000 kilometers (Hans) later, the 83-year-old hikers are long-time members of the Wood & Dale Wanderers, a Prince William volksmarching and fitness club. Established approximately 35 years ago, the club currently has fewer than 20 active members, said Celia Miner, who has trekked more than 25,000 kilometers herself and is the group’s treasurer and trail master as well as secretary for the American Volkssport Association, with which the Wood & Dale Wanderers is affiliated. The club is also one of 10 Virginia clubs affiliated with the Virginia Volkssport Association.
About Volksmarching Volksmarching is a concept brought back from Europe by GIs and their families who lived there between the 1960s and 1980s, explained Tim Miner, Celia’s husband and Wood & Dale Wanderers president. In Europe, sometimes thousands of people
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What They Do Like European walkers, the Wood & Dale Wanderers try to explore beautiful or interesting areas. The club has established permanent trails (designated vetted walks) in seven areas, including Prince William Forest Park, Leesylvania State Park, Manassas National Battlefield Park, historic Manassas and even Potomac Mills Mall, so walkers can go inside when the weather is bad. “We are one of the few clubs around the nation that try to make this a better year-round activity by using the mall,” said Tim. Typically, people have three to four hours to complete the 5- to 10-kilometer trails. “We have many people who stop for lunch at a restaurant in the middle of a trail or see a museum or something like that. That’s all fine. It’s not competitive. You go
Photos courtesy Tim Miner
Members of the Wood & Dale Wanderers Club and friends walk together in Montclair the day after Thanksgiving in 2019.
Before the pandemic, the walking activity at the Potomac Mills Mall was a daily hub that showed “Virginia Is For Walking Lovers!”
at your own pace and enjoy the sights,” said Tim.
“It’s a little harder to get younger people interested. There are so many other activities for them especially those with children. If they have children with soccer or scouts, they have those activities.”
The club holds bimonthly walking events to enjoy cultural sites around Prince William, which have led to some discoveries. “We had no idea that Jennie Dean Park existed in Manassas or Mayfield fort until we went out and looked. Of course, there’s Neabsco boardwalk. There are many neat things in Prince William County to go out and see,” said Celia. In addition, the club schedules special programs periodically both inside and outside Virginia. One such program with the VVA focuses on the 275+ Loveworks commissioned by the Virginia Tourism Corporation to promote its slogan “Virginia is for lovers.” The club plans on visiting Love signs throughout the state. “It’s going to take us awhile,” said Tim. Another special program being done nationally and for which the club is spearheading efforts are “walks that visit memorials or monuments to veterans of our country.” Although the Ponses participate in club walks, they said they typically walk on their own daily using the Montclair trail or Potomac Mills Mall when they can’t walk outside. For those who are tracking their kilometers or volksmarching, there are starting boxes for each walk where you sign in, pay a small fee and get a stamp for your log book that proves you did the walk; however, the log isn’t required for participation. “Anybody can do those walks. You don’t have to belong to the club. You don’t have to be a volksmarcher,” said Hans.
Challenges and Opportunities Like many established clubs, the Wood & Dale Wanderers find it hard to recruit younger members. “We are kind of the young puppies in the group and we are senior citizens,” said Celia.
COVID-19 has been another challenge, causing the club to suspend their meetup group temporarily and to take additional precautions to ensure the safety of those participating. Still the club keeps going. Recent efforts successfully lobbied Virginia to adopt the motto “Virginia Is for Walking Lovers” and the county’s board of supervisors to name the first week in April as walking week. As members of the Greater Prince William Trails Coalition, they advocate for trails in Prince William and interconnected multi-use trails with nearby jurisdictions, “They help people get out and walking and enjoying where the trails already exist. They cheerlead for a trail,” said Charlie Grymes, the coalition’s president. “We are the ones that want to put the boots or the tennis shoes on the ground and get people to use these trails. We want to show that these great trails will make Prince William a really great place to live,” said Tim. April 1 – 7 is National Walking Week. For a list of events, go to walkvirginia.org/woodndale or search for events at my.ava.org/ find-an-event.php.
Carla Christiano is a native of Prince William, admitted history geek and a technical writer for SAIC, who is more likely to walk for ice cream than bratwurst. prince william living April 2022
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on a high note Bands and Orchestras in Prince William County Public Schools
FOSTERING LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK By Amy Falkofske
T
he Prince William County School system prides itself on providing students with a world-class education, and that world-class education extends to the county’s band and orchestra programs. “Our focus is on trying to make the learning experiences, exposure to music and art, really, high quality in elementary school in hopes that as many kids as possible will continue to study in middle and high school because research clearly shows that the more consistently and intensely a child engages in the study of a fine art or performing art, the more successful they are in college, in the workplace, and in their personal lives as well,” said Dr. Ed Stephenson, PWCS Supervisor of the Arts. As Supervisor, Dr. Stephenson oversees the strings program in all of the county’s 61 elementary schools and three K-8 traditional schools. Students in every elementary school can participate in their strings program starting in fifth grade. Some schools allow students to participate starting in fourth grade. Participation in band begins in middle school. “The band and orchestra programs in our county are among the largest and most diverse in the state of Virginia. In addition to sporting successful alumni like Zuill Bailey (zuillbailey. com), we serve around 13,000 students in these programs every year, providing a tremendous benefit to all of these students, regardless of whether or not they decide to pursue music as a career,” said Stephenson.
World-Class Accomplishments Many of the bands and orchestras in PWCS have an impressive list of accomplishments spearheaded by exceptional directors.
Colgan High School Colgan High School is home to the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, one of the many specialty programs in PWCS.
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Colgan’s Band Director, Donald Magee, oversees three concert bands, the jazz ensemble and the Pride of Colgan Marching Band. “The program has had many achievements, including Superior ratings at marching and concert assessments from the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association. The Pride of Colgan has been a consistent first place winner at contests and has performed in the Main Street Parade in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World,” said Magee. Ben Bernstein is the Director of Orchestras at Colgan. Colgan has five strings orchestras — the Concert Orchestra, the Chamber Strings, the Camerata Strings, the Ensemble Orchestra and the Philharmonic Orchestra — and one symphony orchestra. “One of our orchestras (Philharmonic) was selected to perform at the Virginia Music Educators Association's 2018 Conference in Hot Springs, VA. This is a big honor, and they only pick a handful of orchestras from the entire state,” said Bernstein.
Woodbridge Senior High School Taryn Wood is the Orchestra Director at Woodbridge Senior High School and oversees the Varsity Orchestra, the Concert Orchestra and the Sinfonietta Orchestra. “The orchestra program at Woodbridge has a long history in the Prince William County Schools music programs. We have had many students graduate who have continued in music either professionally or as a hobby,” said Wood. In her 13 years at Woodbridge, Wood has created a special spring concert called Springstock. “[Springstock] is an entirely Pop/Rock/Alternative style themed concert where students not only perform non-classical
style pieces, but they get to plan and design the concert for their orchestra, including designing lights, the concert attire (costume), and some of the music,” said Wood. In the school’s fourth Springstock, alumni were invited back to perform. About 20 alumni performed with then-current students at Woodbridge.
There is no ‘bench’ in the band. Every single student is a starter from day one… When you give a performance as a part of the band, the result is truly dependent upon every single performer doing their part… Students may not realize this when they first start playing an instrument, but they figure it out quickly as members of our program. The concern and empathy these students have for one another is truly admirable,” said Britcher.
Weathering COVID-19
Being part of a musical group offers students unique ways to grow and learn.
A common sentiment among the directors of the band and orchestra programs in PWCS is how well their students weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and more than a year of online school.
Battlefield High School The band program at Battlefield High School is directed by Michael Britcher and consists of the three concerts bands, two percussion ensembles, a winter color guard and the Marching Bobcats. When asked what accomplishment he is most proud of, Britcher said, “I would have to say it is the effort that I am seeing from my students this year to recover from the impact that COVID has had on our program… No student joins the band to sit in their bedroom and play the clarinet by themselves. Band is a community of performers. I have never been prouder of any of my students than I have been this year, watching them commit their collective time, energy and effort to reestablishing our program.”
Brenstville District High School The orchestra program at Brenstville consists of Concert Orchestra (intermediate class) and Sinfonia Orchestra (advanced). Anna Henke is Orchestra Director at Brentsville. “I am most proud of the achievements the students made during their year of online orchestra. It was such a challenge to stay motivated without the ‘surround-sound’ energy of an ensemble — music classes are very much a social experience, and students had neither social nor ensemble aspects during online classes. Despite all the challenges, orchestra kids kept working on their own, got creative with recording technology and composing, and kept their love for music, so we returned as a stronger ensemble this year!” said Henke.
Fostering Leadership and Teamwork Playing in any music ensemble requires teamwork and, in many cases, leadership. The students in PWCS consistently rise to the challenge. “Band may be the ultimate team-building activity. By that, I mean every single member must be committed to the group.
“I think it cannot be stated enough how special it is to have a group of young people who try hard, work together as a team, and have a common goal of achieving and presenting a high level of music. I love that the students and I are always pushing each other to try and get to that next level,” said Bernstein. And while the group may be aiming for a certain level as a whole, within the group, experience levels vary, providing students opportunities to teach and to learn from each other. “Orchestra classes combine students from each grade, a variety of experience levels, and a range of strengths into one team, and it’s really inspiring to watch the kids learn to work together and draw upon each other’s skills. Students learn to lead, follow, and listen in large and small groups,” said Henke.
Support from PWCS Administration and Community The Prince William community and the PWCS administration are notably supportive of the PWCS music program. “We are fortunate to have very supportive leadership for music and orchestra both at Woodbridge and in Prince William County Schools,” said Wood. “The community support for music in this area has been incredible, and I feel so fortunate to be part of the Brentsville team!” said Henke. Ultimately, it’s the students who benefit the most from the positivity and support of this successful program. “I am very happy that the orchestra program is the ‘happy place’ for many of these students. The orchestra room is a place where I believe the students know that all are welcome and that they are free to be themselves,” said Bernstein. Amy Falkofske is a freelance writer and photographer. She has a Master’s degree in Film-TV with a concentration in screenwriting. She lives in Bristow with her husband, two boys and two Beagle dogs.
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local flavor
Taste of Old Country Mediterranean Flair Combined with Old World Charm By Rena Malai
A
Photos provided by Taste of Old Country
specialty food shop in Manassas elevates the concept of eating and shopping. At Taste of Old Country, whether folks come in to shop, dine or both, chances are they will have a unique experience. Owner Elias Zarkadoulas opened Taste of Old Country in June 2019, after circulating his specialty olive oils and flavored vinegars at home and garden shows, farmers markets and food events. He kept receiving requests from customers about where they could find his products, so Zarkadoulas figured a brick-andmortar establishment would be a great way forward. “There is no place here in Prince William like Taste of Old Country,” Zarkadoulas said. “We are a very unique artisan food shop and bistro with a European and Mediterranean inspired influence.” Zarkadoulas’ parents emigrated to the United States from Greece, and he grew up close to Prince William. Always an entrepreneur at heart, Zarkadoulas decided to jump into the food business after a long-standing corporate career. He’s passionate about bringing quality specialty food items to the Prince William community through Taste of Old Country.
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Mediterranean-inspired charcuterie board.
Artisan Bites True foodies and gourmands will appreciate what they find when they walk into Taste of Old Country. Award-winning olive oils, arrays of balsamic vinegars, specialty wines, honeys, teas and
The bistro side offers small plates, salads and sandwiches.
Taste of Old Country provides shoppers a wide variety of awardwinning olive oils, balsamic vinegars and specialty wines.
coffees are available for purchase on the shop side. On the bistro side, made-to-order Mediterranean-inspired paninis, sandwiches, salads and small plates are offered. Most of what customers order and enjoy from the bistro is also readily available for purchase, which is a nice option, says Zarkadoulas.
without people being able to freely come in, Zarkadoulas said. But he sees things going back to more in-person shopping and events, and he has had multiple inquiries about catering and hosting which has been a positive uptick.
“If someone eats something in a restaurant that they like, they may not be able to buy a jar of it to take home,” he said. “But here, they most likely will be able to do that.” One of the most popular items, and something Zarkadoulas recommends, is the Mediterranean-inspired charcuterie board, which includes cured Italian and Spanish meats, stuffed grape leaves, savory pastries, and, of course, a variety of oils and vinegars on the side. He says it’s also a great place for the community to congregate to share Taste of Old Country’s signature small plates and a glass of wine. Novices to artisan food needn’t worry, because Zarkadoulas says there’s something for everyone here. “Everyone can truly appreciate a good quality olive oil and I promise if you try it, you’ll go back to it,” he said. “Staff are readily available to answer any questions, and we have a range of products to accompany all palates and tastes.”
Essentially Special During the pandemic, several businesses were forced to close their doors, but Taste of Old Country was not one of them. This is largely because it was deemed essential due to the sale of its oil and vinegar products. “We were considered part of the essential food program, because of the specialty oils and vinegars we have, so we stayed open all throughout the pandemic,” Zarkadoulas said. “We were able to place online orders, do curbside pickup, and offer grab and go for our prepared foods.” Although he did stay open, the business certainly struggled
“The in-person experience is starting to come back and we’ve been getting more foot traffic, more people coming in to have something to eat or drink,” Zarkadoulas said. “People are getting out and experiencing life more outside the home. It’s starting to show signs of how it was pre-Covid.” Moving forward Zarkadoulas sees expanding the shop to include a bigger eating area and maybe even a space for live music. “We definitely plan to grow and combine a very unique music experience along with a unique artisan experience,” he said.” But for now, Prince William diners and shoppers can enjoy what Taste of Old Country will always offer — great Mediterraneaninspired food, specialty artisan products for the home and the ability to hand pour premium virgin olive oil to take home. “We have a lot of things to offer on both the bistro side and the shop side,” Zarkadoulas said. “We hope you come in to see for yourself.” For folks interested in dining in-house at Taste of Old Country, reservations are recommended as seating space is limited. Taste of Old Country is located at 10427 Balls Ford in Manassas. Hours of operation for shopping and dining are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit Taste of Old Country online at tasteofoldcountry.com. For information on catering and event hosting, call 571-359-8297.
Rena Malai is a freelance writer and journalist. She has covered a variety of topics from food to politics to technology. She lives in Prince William and is a native Washingtonian. prince william living April 2022
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lifelong learning Developing Good Study Habits By Haley Huchler
S
tudying is a skill many of us have tried to master since our first school days. It’s an essential aspect of our lives as students, from elementary school to graduate school, and yet many students struggle to study in a productive and efficient way. Studying often becomes the dreaded activity put off until the night before a big exam or assignment. However, by following a few simple rules of thumb, studying can go from a source of stress to a source of success.
or a month or a semester’s worth of material into just a few short hours. And we all know it doesn’t tend to produce great results. Studying is best done in shorter intervals over a longer period of time. Once you have all your deadlines lined up on your calendar or to-do list, you can plan out how to divide your study time. Make a loose schedule of when you will study for what and add this into your calendar or list to avoid last-minute cram sessions.
Stay Organized
Studying for several hours without tearing your eyes from your computer screen or textbook is bound to make you feel frustrated and exhausted. Taking frequent breaks will help you feel calmer and more relaxed, as well as help you process and retain information better.
When you look at your desk, piled high with textbooks and papers, the first thought in your head might be “Where do I even start?” To overcome this initial studying anxiety, get your to-do list in order. Write out all your important due dates and deadlines and decide which tasks to prioritize. Claire Johnson Machosky, author of A Path to Learning and Literacy: Study Guide for Secondary Students and Parents, puts a strong emphasis on the importance of staying organized. Some students might prefer the simplicity of a pen and blank notepad, while others might want an upgrade to a structured planner or desk calendar. For those who are more technologically inclined, online calendars like Google Calendar or note-taking software like Notion provide a digital space to plan.
Make a Plan
Before diving in, students should create a plan of action. Machosky suggests students verbalize the tasks they need to tackle in their own words, making it clear and easy to understand. Machosky also urges students to visualize their finished work, then make a list of the steps necessary to arrive at that end goal. Knowing what your assignments are is step one, but step two is equally important: knowing the teacher’s expectations for the assignment. Machosky encourages students to take this into account when they begin their study routine.
Be Consistent
Some simple consistencies can get your brain and body in the right study space — both literally and figuratively. Machosky suggests students have an established study location. By returning to the same spot to study each day, it will feel more natural and easier to get started. And let’s face it, you may be less inclined to distraction if your study spot is different than your TV-watching spot.
Don’t Cram
The all-nighter, the cram session — most of us are familiar with the panic of studying at the last minute, of trying to cram a week
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Break It Up
One of the most popular ways to break up study time is the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method that divides your time into 25 minutes of work interspersed with 5-minute breaks. The method suggests that after about 4 “Pomodoros,” or sets of 25 minutes, you take a longer break of 15 to 20 minutes. Do a quick online search for “Pomodoro timer,” and you’ll likely find one you can set up on your computer desktop. If intervals of 25 minutes and 5 minutes aren’t for you, maybe it’s 30 and 10 or 15 and 5. It’s not about following one methodology exactly, it’s about finding what flows best for you and remembering to take the occasional break. Stretch, have a glass of water or a snack, or walk around the block, and you’ll come back to your study session feeling refreshed and refueled.
Set Goals
Studying aimlessly is a sure way to get distracted and turn to some other activity or get frustrated and decide to give up. By setting even small goals for yourself during your designated study period, you can give yourself the motivation you need to keep going. Before you start studying, set an achievable goal or two. Maybe you want to read two textbook chapters. Maybe you want to go through your flashcard set three times. Whatever it is, make sure it’s attainable within the time frame you have allotted for studying. Despite the importance of good study habits, most of us aren’t taught how to study in school. We’re left to figure it out all on our own, and it takes many of us a long time to determine what works. Follow these simple tips to master those study habits and get your study time back on track. Haley Huchler is a contributing writer for Prince William Living.
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calendar Making the Most of Prince William Living
Online – On Demand Are you an advertiser with Prince William Living or interested in becoming one? Now online, our publisher Rebecca Barnes will help you discover how to “Make the Most of Prince William Living.” Meet the people behind greater Prince William’s premier lifestyle magazine. Visit princewilliamliving.com/ lunchwiththepublisher.
City of Manassas Farmers Market
Thursdays | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Harris Pavilion 9201 Center St., Manassas Saturdays | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Commuter Car Park 9024 Prince William St., Manassas The City of Manassas Farmers Market will be held Thursdays at the Harris Pavilion and on Saturdays at the Commuter Car Park.
We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America
april
Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. National Museum of the Marine Corps 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Triangle In 2010, internationally renowned artist Mary Whyte set out on an inspirational seven-year mission to paint 50 largescale watercolor portraits of current-day American veterans. WE THE PEOPLE: Portraits of Veterans in America is Whyte's remarkable series depicting military veterans of all ages and in all walks of life. Images including a Missouri dairy farmer, Rhode Island lobsterman, Pennsylvania science teacher, South Carolina single mother, and 46 other moving portraits will be showcased together, culminating in a timeless portrait.
Dale City Farmers Market
Sundays | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dale City Commuter Lot 14090 Gemini Way, Dale City The Dale City Farmers Market, run by the Prince William County Department
of Parks & Recreation, has operated since 1987.
Thursdays | 3 to 7 p.m. Stadium 7 County Complex Court, Woodbridge The Prince William Farmers Market will start up on April 7.
is solved! Can you find the eggs he hid to get all the pieces and solve the puzzle? Egg hunt areas are divided by family groups of six or less, with a time limit of 30 minutes for each egg hunt. Once your puzzle is completed, turn it in to receive a gift basket for the family to take home filled with treats, prizes and more. For accessibility questions or accommodations, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 703-7928066.
Markets Update
Flashlight Egg Hunt
Prince William Farmers Market
Fri. Apr. 1, 8, 22 | 10 to 11 a.m. Online Event Learn how recent events can impact your finances. During this complimentary seminar, you'll learn about factors that may contribute to market volatility and strategies to help weather market uncertainty. For more information call 877.944.8562 or email whitlockwealthmanagement@ampf. com. Presented by Bennett C. Whitlock III, CRPC®, Private Wealth Advisor, Chief Executive - Whitlock Wealth Management.
Manassas First Friday: Downtown Hopping
Fri. Apr. 1 | 6 to 9 p.m. Historic Downtown Manassas Guests will hop between the restaurants and bars of downtown. Participating restaurants and bars will be having special offers for all participants, so be sure to check back in to see what they are! Restaurants will also be hosting live music. This event is open container as permitted by ABC. The streets will not be closed for this event.
Scrambled Egg Hunts at Brentsville Courthouse
Sat. Apr. 2 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow Enjoy a unique spin on an egg hunt at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre. Peter Rabbit created trouble by taking all the candy and toys in the eggs and replacing them with puzzle pieces. He won’t give back the goods unless the puzzle
Fri. Apr. 8 | 7 to 8 p.m. Manassas Park Community Center 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park Bring a flashlight and get ready to find eggs hidden around the park! There may be special surprises hidden in a few special eggs. Participants must bring their own basket from home. Pre-registration is required (k.collier@manassasparkva.gov). Masks are encouraged.
Easter Egg Hunts
Sat. Apr. 9 | 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Manassas Park Community Center 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park Bring your family and friends to the Community Center for some springtime fun searching for Easter eggs! Don't forget to bring your camera to take photos with the Easter Bunny! Participants must bring their own basket. Pre-registration is required (k.collier@manassasparkva.gov). Masks are encouraged.
Rippon Lodge Easter Egg Trail
Sat. Apr. 9 | 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge The Easter Bunny has created a fun activity trail at Rippon Lodge. Look for hidden objects, do physical tasks, tell a joke and more as you walk to receive your eggs. Family members may join in the fun! Bring your own basket. Timed walks for age groups; family units no larger than five allowed at one time. Walking along uneven ground, grass and gravel surfaces. Advance registration: pwcparks.org/ historicprograms.
Have an event? Visit princewilliamliving.com/events to submit details to our online calendar.
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April 2022 prince william living
Monster Truck Show
diabetic foot ulcers, pressure sores and surgical wounds. Tune in to learn more and get all your questions answered live without the cost of a copay! Join via Facebook Live facebook.com/ events/642583193618063/?ref=newsfeed. Provided by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.
Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm
Demolition Derby
Sat. Apr. 9 | 4 p.m. Sun. Apr. 10 | 4 p.m. Prince William County Fairgrounds 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas Monster Truck Show at PWC Fairgrounds! Preshow at 4 p.m.; show at 6 p.m.
Sun. Apr. 10 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville Celebrate nature with a visit to one of the largest patches of Virginia Bluebells in the area. Merrimac Farm is a protected farm located on 302 acres in Nokesville.
The Peep Show
Tues. Apr. 12 to Sun. Apr. 17 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Historic Occoquan Stroll through historic Occoquan and vote for your favorite PEEPS® dioramas, made by and displayed at Occoquan businesses! Cast your vote and enter to win a Peep basket of goodies. Forms are available at participating business locations.
Liberia Basement to Attic Tours
Sat. Apr. 16 | 2 to 3 p.m. Liberia House 8601 Portner Ave., Manassas Discover this 1825 historic gem where President Lincoln may have eaten ice cream on the porch and where soldiers left their marks on the walls. Explore the house from the basement to the attic and see stunning architectural details while learning about some of the people who once occupied the house.
State-of-the-Art Wound Care: Help for Non-Healing Wounds Tues. Apr. 19 | 12 to 12:30 p.m. Facebook Live A live Q&A with Dr. Carol Shapiro, Medical Director of Sentara Wound Healing Center. Learn about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and other advanced treatments now available for nonhealing or slow-healing wounds, such as
Fri. Apr. 22 | 7 p.m. Prince William County Fairgrounds 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas The Fairgrounds is hosting another demolition derby this spring.
Bee Encounter at Rippon Lodge
Sat. Apr. 23 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge Come learn all about the history and wonder of bees and beekeeping during this special up-close and personal encounter. See Rippon Lodge's beehive and its workers making honey, feeding the queen and more. Crafts, games, and vendors plus a tour of the lodge to enjoy. Please do not wear perfume or hairspray. Do NOT attend if allergic to bees or honey.
Historic Preservation Lecture Series: John Mosby’s Combat Operations Thurs. Apr. 28 | 7 p.m. Old Manassas Courthouse 9248 Lee Ave., Manassas
We Create & Foster Enduring Image!
During the four most brutal years of armed hostilities in the American Civil War, the citizens of Prince William County witnessed three or four major battles and various other combat activity on its wartorn soil. John Singleton Mosby and his Rangers conducted independent guerilla operations all over Northern Virginia. Learn about the partisan conflict in Prince William County during the Civil War from historians Chuck Mauro and Don Hakenson.
Kite Festival
Sat. Apr. 30 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Signal Hill Park 9300 Signal View Drive, Manassas Park Launch a fleet of kites into the sky at Signal Hill Park! Kites of all sizes are welcome. You may purchase a kite at the event, while supplies last. Pre-registration is required (k.collier@manassasparkva.gov). Masks are encouraged.
Sheep Shearing at Ben Lomond
Sat. Apr. 30 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas The Pringle family farmed Ben Lomond from 1855 to the end of the Civil War. Their farm included a large herd of Merino Sheep. Visitors will learn how farmers sheared wool in the 19th century and what farmers did with the wool. Please dress for the weather.
Your PWPLS Digital Library Audiobooks, e-books, music, movies, and more: all available on your devices, all free with your PWPLS library card.
pwcgov.org/digitallibrary
Have an event? Visit princewilliamliving.com/events to submit details to our online calendar. prince william living April 2022
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(703)543-9206
www.actspwc.org 703-441-8606
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Contact us to see how you can make a difference in our community!
703-330-8145 www.casacis.org
ACHIEVE WITH US!
Committed to providing opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to achieve their greatest potential growth and independence.
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