14 minute read
CHANGE MAKERS
John Dutton
Change Makers highlights the people of Prince William who are making a difference in our community. This month we are featuring teacher and author John Dutton.
When it comes to community involvement, John Dutton just may be an expert. From teaching middle school to coaching youth sports and writing poetry to encouraging others to share their work, Dutton is actively involved in numerous areas of our community. Through his leadership and development, local open mic opportunity Spilled Ink is in its sixth year and continues to provide an inspiring outlet and welcoming gathering place for writers, authors and poets each month. Dutton has also authored two children’s books and shares those stories and poetry lessons in local schools.
How long have you lived in the Prince William area, and what do you most like about living here?
I have lived in PWC for over 20 years. I love this area because of the vast entertainment /recreation opportunities it offers. Within an hour, you can hike the Shenandoah, tour a national museum, visit Mount Vernon or go see a National’s game.
What are some of your favorite things to do in the area and why?
I enjoy fishing and kayaking on the Occoquan River. I love eating jambalaya at Okra’s. I spend hours hanging out and reading/writing at the Tackett’s Mill Library. Nothing beats a day of boardgames at Crossroads with friends. I look forward to the fourth Friday of every month when Spilled Ink is held at Jirani Coffeehouse. There are so many events and great places to visit in PWC. You name it, and you can find it.
How have you been involved in the community?
I have been a middle school teacher in PWC for 15 years. I have been at Beville Middle School for the last 12. I also coach the school’s wrestling team. I have been the creator and host of Spilled Ink, an open mic opportunity for writers, authors, poets and scribblers, which celebrates the written word. If you wrote it, we want to hear it! I am a founding member of The Poet Laureate Circle which, along with the PWC Arts Council, sponsors the “In the Company of Laureates,” “The PWC Poet Laureate” and “Arts Alive.” I am a guest author/poet at local schools reading my two children’s books, Armadillo Lost Her Pillow and Argument at the Airport, or presenting lessons on poetry. I was awarded the Outstanding Poetry Project of the Year from The Poet Laureate Circle for Spilled Ink. Spilled Ink is now in its sixth year and going strong. I was also awarded the Kathleen Seefeldt Community Volunteer Award from the Arts Council last year.
If you had to give advice to someone new to the area, what would you tell them and why?
Get out there! Get involved. Whatever your interests are, you can find it in PWC. Also, don’t forget to explore the surrounding areas. This area is full of history! Also, stop in at Spilled Ink and listen or, if you want to brave the mic, read. I am sure you will hear something you like. Check out SpilledInkVA.com for more information.
How would you describe yourself in three sentences?
I can do it in one: I am a husband, father, son, friend, teacher, coach, author, host, reader, homeowner, gardener, light bulb changer, poet, Packers’ fan, fisherman and Nationals’ fan. I am sure I am forgetting something!
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Hike and Cycle Away the Stay-At-Home Blues
By Erin Pittman
We are now well into our stay-at-home orders. Have you finished that knitted blanket? Has your to-read pile of books shrunk down to nothing? And are you so tired of walking or biking that same loop in your neighborhood that you see yourself going round and round it in your dreams?
It is time to shake up your routine a bit. Plan a (social distancing-appropriate) outing to take in some of the 42 miles of trails managed by the Prince William County Department of Parks and Recreation. And if you take into account the state and federal trails in Prince William, you’re left with more than 100 miles of trails to explore. Here are a few to get you started on your local hiking and biking adventures. (Be sure to check with individual parks before visiting to determine changes in operations due to COVID-19.)
Conway-Robinson Memorial State Park
dof.virginia.gov/stateforest/list/conway-robinson.htm
This beautiful 444-acre state park located right here in Prince William offers 5.1 miles of trails for biking, hiking and horseback riding. Trail difficulty ranges from beginners on up to the more advanced. Visit Conway-Robinson at Heathcote Boulevard and U.S. Route 29, adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield.
Leesylvania State Park
dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/leesylvania
Leesylvania State Park is located in the southeast corner of Prince William in Woodbridge. This 556-acre park is home to 8 miles of trails, many of which run along the beautiful Potomac River. Take a break and take in the water views as you stroll or cycle.
Locust Shade Park
pwcgov.org/government/dept/park/locustshade
You’ll find Locust Shade Park located next to the Marine Corps Heritage Museum. This Prince William park provides 3.2 miles of scenic trails, and like Leesylvania, visitors can take in soothing water views. Who doesn’t need a little stress relief during these times? Being around a beautiful body of water can provide just that.
Prince William Forest Park
nps.gov/prwi
This national park is home to more than 12 miles of paved trails, 9.2 miles of gravel and dirt roads for cyclists and 37 miles of trails for hikers. Each has varying conditions to make your ride
or hike challenging and fun. Within the park, visitors will find a multitude of paths to follow including:
n Scenic Drive – Steep grades and blind curves make this most suitable to the experienced cyclist.
n Burma Road – This is a difficult crushed-rock trail for the experienced cyclist.
n Lake One Road – This easier crushed-rock course is 1 1/2 miles and well-suited for beginner cyclists.
n Old Blacktop Road – This 1 1/2-mile one-way trail is a great next step up from Lake One Road.
n Birch Bluff Trail – This easy-to-moderate hiking trail is 1.8 miles long and follows along the creek.
n The Crossing Trail – This half-mile hiking trail is a nice and easy stroll featuring a number of historical features.
n North Valley Trail – Follow along Quantico Creek on this 2.8-mile trail that features beautiful small waterfall views.
Visit the park’s website for a complete listing of all trails throughout the park.
Silver Lake Regional Park
pwcgov.org/government/dept/park/silverlake
Silver Lake Regional Park provides visitors with 4 miles of multipurpose trails for hikers and equestrians. This beautiful 230-acre park in Haymarket features rolling meadows, pine forests and a 23-acre lake with tranquil views.
Stay Safe As You Hike and Bike
While parks are open, it’s important to practice proper social distancing and take needed precautions to keep yourself and your
loved ones safe. Keep these things in mind before heading out to a Prince William park:
n Stay home if you are sick.
n Do not congregate with other people while out in the parks.
n Maintain 6 feet of distance between you and other people at all times.
n Avoid touching any shared surfaces. Remember that picnic areas and playgrounds are closed.
n Take all trash with you when you leave.
If you’re heading out on a bicycle, remember to:
n Wear a helmet at all times.
n Bring plenty of water with you.
n Check your brakes and tire pressure before you leave.
n Search online for park maps before you head out.
n Yield to hikers.
Visit emergency.pwcgov.org for the latest information on the availability of Prince William parks and included facilities. Individual park websites may include additional COVID-19 information specific to each park.
Mixing up your hiking and cycling locations can help beat the stay-at-home-order blues and allow you to enjoy some of Prince William’s natural beauty. Happy trails.
Erin Pittman has been a writer for 10 years, but a lover of words her entire life. Her work is published in local magazines and on local and national blogs. Contact Erin at epittman@princewilliamliving.com.
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giving back
By Olivia Overman
The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia follow a 1500-yearold tradition centered on three core doctrines: living in the community, daily individual and communal prayer, and service to others. On May 4, 2019, the Benedictine Sisters, located in Bristow, Virginia, commemorated the 125th anniversary of the establishment of their monastic home in Prince William. Their contribution to the community continues today.
Giving to the Community
Having first opened their doors in 1868 in Richmond, followed by a monastery in Bristow in 1901, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia continue to leave their mark on these communities 150 years later. With a total of 30 sisters, two located in Richmond, the sisters contribute to the community through the two schools they run: Linton Hall Elementary School in Bristow and Saint Gertrude High School in Richmond. They also run a program known as the Benedictine Educational Assistance Community Outreach to Neighbors, or BEACON, an adult educational assistance program working to meet the educational needs of adults in Prince William. Trained volunteers work with individuals and small groups teaching English as a second language and high school equivalency, or GED, classes. BEACON also provides life-skills workshops on topics such as health and safety, nutrition, financial literacy, parenting skills and community resources.
With a focus on helping the most vulnerable people in the community, the sisters have created programs in line with their Benedictine heritage. “We ask: What does the world need in these times? And then we look for ways to respond to the needs of today. This we have always done and will always do, and we welcome anyone who wants to commit to this way of life,” said Sister Burley, Prioress at BSV Bristow. “We have always supported the people of our local community,” says Sister Pat Hagarty, a registered dietician and a master gardener, taking care of both bodies and souls. “We share with others whatever we have. People are very good to us and trust us to use well what we receive. So if someone comes to our door and is hungry, or when we hear of a need, we are able to share our resources.”
The sisters’ generosity extends to opening their grounds and facilities to the public. “We welcome our neighbors to come and walk, pray in our labyrinth, prayer silos and grotto, and enjoy the many gardens throughout our property, one of which, the Teaching Gardens, is maintained by the master gardeners of Prince William County,” explained Burley in an earlier interview.
Additionally, they have created the Place of Peace Columbarium, where people of all faiths can place the remains of their loved ones in a location designed around a central Peace Angel statue.
Times Are Changing
As times have changed, so too have the sisters. “Perhaps the biggest change upcoming is that our high school in Richmond, Saint Gertrude, will join with our male counterpart, Benedictine College Prep, in a new educational model called The Benedictine Schools of Richmond, and move physically to the Goochland campus of the Benedictine monks,” said Burley.
Burley also provided an update on the programs run in Prince William: “Our BARN ministry came to completion in 2018. After more than 20 years of service to homeless women and children in our area, the program no longer could be supported within the framework of the governmental guidelines currently established. BEACON, however, continues to grow and serve all who are seeking to speak, read and write English with
Sisters at the groundbreaking ceremony last November.
competency, as well as supporting immigrants preparing for the citizenship exam,” she said.
Burley was elected prioress a year ago and says her role is to be ultimately responsible for everyone and everything associated with the monastery. “The beauty of the leadership position in a monastery is that the prioress does not make decisions alone, but always with consultation,” Burley said.
At the installation ceremony, the outgoing prioress takes the hand of the newly elected and changes the ring on her finger so it faces outwards, then removes her own and turns it to face inward. “The symbolism is rich,” said Burley. “The prioress no longer belongs to herself, but to others. Her life is for others.”
The Future of the Benedictine Life
Currently, the sisters are running a campaign to build a new facility for the sisters and community on their grounds in Bristow. Providing an update on the campaign, Burley said “We are within 7% of our campaign goal [of $3 million] and have contracted with a local firm, Trinity Group Construction, to build the facility. The new monastery will be perfectly suited for our lifestyle, with private space for the sisters and public space that can be used for our many events and programs. And, of course, a chapel.”
The monastery project began under the direction of past-prioress Sister Cecilia Dwyer. At the groundbreaking held in November, Dwyer reflected “One of our goals has been to improve our living space — to provide an environment that is conducive to our communal lifestyle, to the silence needed for prayer, to the privacy so necessary for any group’s personal life. To provide a space that is safe and reasonable for adults who live together 24/7. And now we are here at the beginning of the completion of that goal, and we are so grateful to all who have worked with us
and supported us and gifted us through this process.”
Burley also commented on the future of the Order. “People often ask about the future of religious life and the future of the sisters. Monastic life has always had periods of growth and periods of decline. But it has never died. Saint Benedict founded our way of life in the sixth century, and it has survived. So shall we survive, and grow, as we continue to serve the world through our prayer, offer the world a model of how to live well together, and adapt and respond to the needs of our times,” she said.
Olivia Overman (ooverman@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance writer for both online and print organizations. She earned a M.A. in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University, Washington, D.C.
