Prince William Living June 2021

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FACING THE MUSIC

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YOU ARE NOT YOUR WOUND

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SUMMER GRILLING

prince william living June 2021

The premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Extraordinary Teens

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Project Mend-A-House PAGE 14

Make Learning Fun All Summer Long PAGE 18

princewilliamliving.com

S E N TA R A OR T HOJOIN T CE N T E R ®

NEW PLAYGROUND. NEW INJURIES. NEW RISKS IN OUR NEW NORMAL Staying safe at home doesn’t mean we’re safe from orthopedic injury. Even virtual yoga becomes hazardous with kids zooming through your Zen. If you find yourself injured after being at the bottom of a three-kid pileup, know that the Sentara OrthoJoint Center® is here to care for all your new injuries in your new normal.

Adhering to the strictest COVID protocols, we continue to bring you the highest quality care in the safest possible environment.

To talk to a Sentara OrthoJoint Center® nurse call 1-855-2ORTHOJT (1-855-267-8465) or to find a Sentara Therapy Center near you call 1-855-852-9066. sentara.com/ortho sentara.com/therapy

table of contents June 2021 | Vol. 11 | No. 6

FEATURE STORY Extraordinary Teens

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DEPARTMENTS FROM THE PUBLISHER Celebrating Extraordinary Teens and Sweet Summertime ON A HIGH NOTE Facing the Music: Patrick King Releases Songs 20 Years in the Making

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GIVING BACK Project Mend-A-House: Helping Disadvantaged Seniors, Veterans and Disabled Prince William Residents Live Independently 14 FAMILY FUN Make Learning Fun All Summer Long LOCAL FLAVOR 8 Tips for Terrific Summer Grilling CALENDAR

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COLUMNS YOUR FINANCES HEALTH & WELLNESS HOME & HEARTH

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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 Melissa Payne, melissa@givebackpw.org Johnnie Barnes, johnnie@givebackpw.org CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST Diane Puigdomenech, dpuigdomenech@princewilliamliving.com VISIBILITY PACKAGES sales@princewilliamliving.com

PHOTO EDITOR Amanda Baity CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mia Brabham, Emily Carter, Amy Falkofske, Katherine Gotthardt, Jennifer Halter, Erin Pittman, Bennett Whitlock SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Katherine Gotthardt GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Alison Dixon/ImagePrep Studio

SUBSCRIPTIONS info@princewilliamliving.com 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 2021 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

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June 2021 prince william living

from the Publisher Celebrating Extraordinary Teens and Sweet Summertime

N

o matter how old we are — and whether or not we get a true summer vacation — there’s something freeing and relaxing about this laid-back season. The kids are on break, and we can finally more safely gather and enjoy some sunshine together.

Prince William Living will be gathering soon to celebrate our Extraordinary Teens! Check out the 10 winners in our feature. I know you’ll be as amazed as our judges were at their incredible accomplishments and contributions to their schools and the greater Prince William community. We received many impressive entries and narrowing the pool wasn’t easy. Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a teen and to all of the young men and women doing extraordinary things around us every day.

As summer unfolds, like us, we bet many of you will find yourself at a cookout or firing up a grill. Get the best tips and tricks for the finest food from your grill in our Local Flavor section. (You’ll even get a hint or two on where to find the best local supplies!) And if you’d like a local soundtrack to liven up your festivities, check out On a High Note to learn about a new release from local artist Patrick King.

Perhaps summer is the perfect time to start or join a book club!

In Lifelong Learning, discover resources around town and online to start your own or find a best-fit book club. Or maybe you’ve been meaning to expand your finance knowledge and discover the best place to stash that nest egg. Read up on your options in Your Finances. And when it comes to summer learning, we definitely can’t leave the kids out. You can find fun and engaging ways to sneak learning in all summer long. Read our Family Fun section for ideas to get you started.

It wouldn’t be an issue of PWL without featuring a nonprofit!

This month, Giving Back features Project Mend-A-House and their incredible projects that are enabling and empowering Prince William residents. And speaking of empowerment, Health and Wellness tells the story of Ashley Miller of Nokesville and her healing journey with Novant Health UVA Health System Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine.

Would you like to get Prince William Living delivered straight to your mailbox each month? You can for a low $20 donation to Give Back Prince William. Subscribe at princewilliamliving.com/ subscription. Thank you for your support!

Rebecca Barnes Publisher

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Extraordinary Teens extraordinary teens

By Erin Pittman

P

rince William Living recognizes greatness within our community and the individuals giving back each day. This issue is one of our favorites, as we get to recognize both of these through 10 youth leaders in our area. These high school students are well on their way to becoming extraordinary adults and are already making their marks on the world around them. Their activities and passions vary, but the common string of making Prince William a better place to be ties them all together. Here are our 2021 Extraordinary Teens.

Hamna Ashfaq When Hylton High School senior Hamna Ashfaq moved to the United States, she knew very little English. Now she speaks more than three languages and uses her skills to connect people and break through language barriers in her role as a volunteer at her local library and at Sentara.

Ashfaq is a participant in the Center for International Studies and Languages program at

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Hylton. Her experiences in this program have introduced her to cultures all around the world. She is also a member of the Arabic club and an ESOL Ambassador for newly enrolled students entering the U.S. school system for the first time. Ashfaq acts as a liaison for these students as they transition to Hylton.

When asked about her positive impact, Hamna mentioned that her goal in life and reason for pursuing education is to one day start a nonprofit that will empower women and girls in countries where there is no quality infrastructure for education.

She wants to create opportunities for these students to attain a high level of education. Hamna strives to be a public speaker to advocate for those who do not have a voice.

Ashfaq has been recognized at Hylton for her kind spirit with the “Stay Positive Award” and has received many awards for academic excellence.

“Hamna is an incredibly multitalented young woman. I can always count on her to help new students feel welcomed, and she has been a leader amongst her peers in a gentle way,” said Hylton school counselor Michaella Beatty. “She has worked diligently, taken advanced classes, and continuously asked for ways to improve and challenge herself. Hamna is not only an exceptional student, she also has a heart of gold.”

Brianna Bryson According to Coach Shanel Evans, Potomac High School senior Brianna Bryson is wise beyond her years and balances her strong academic performance with a wide variety of community activities. Bryson has served as the Potomac High School Youth Salute Leader and Student Council Advisor and is a member of the Girl Scouts; the school’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track teams; Dale City Lightning Track Club, Inc.; and First Mt. Zion Baptist Church’s Photography and Deaf Ministry.

Throughout the pandemic, Bryson led group fitness classes through the track club for kids ages 4 to 6 years. This kept attending children active and fit and spread energy and positivity during a time when so many needed it.

“I nominated Brianna as an Extraordinary Teen because I admire her responsibility, maturity and ability to engage her peers.

She is an excellent role model for her peers, teammates and she displays leadership in every role I've led her in. Brianna is also well liked within our youth fitness community by helping young kids stay active and fit, in a fun, engaging way,” said Evans.

Evans noted that Bryson has done an excellent job maintaining her community presence, activities, athletics, as well as academics during the pandemic.

“Brianna is a leader within her peer group but is also wise behind her years, knowing how to navigate situations in a business setting,” said Evans.

Jennifer Molina Chavez Jennifer Molina Chavez’ leadership skills shine in C. D. Hylton High School’s Air Force JROTC program and throughout the community.

“Jennifer is highly involved in AFJROTC. She was selected to obtain her private pilot license in the Air Force JROTC Flight Academy in 2019, which is a national scholarship. She was selected as one of the top five commanders of her JROTC unit. Jennifer is an outstanding cadet and has led her competition team to victory, winning first place,” said counselor Michaella Beatty.

Chavez consistently lands on the honor roll and has logged more than 85 hours of community service to date by volunteering in elementary schools, staffing events, fundraising and even cleaning headstones at Quantico. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.

“Jennifer is a natural leader, and humbly accepts leadership positions. She enjoys the act of helping others, and seeks out opportunities where she can be of service,” said Beatty.

Chavez’ first language is Spanish. She has worked diligently in her academics in order to take more challenging coursework, including AP classes. She has had a part time job since she was a freshman and, according to Beatty, has balanced her academics, job and community involvement with grace.

“As a child of immigrants, she has learned that her hard work will help her achieve her goals. She says ‘Nothing is impossible when you put a lot of effort into it,’” Beatty said. “As Jennifer's school counselor, she is consistently leaving me impressed.

Jennifer has blossomed while in the AFJROTC program, and her capacity for leadership is one that I have not seen in other students. She applies herself fully to any project she undertakes, and leaves me beyond proud to work with her.”

Grace James Brentsville District High School senior Grace James’ life goal, regardless of the cliché, is to make the world a better place.

According to her mom, Kate James, she believes the meaning of life is to impact those around us and to do the best with what you are given.

Since 2017, Grace has coached service dogs in training for local nonprofit Semper K9, an organization working “to enhance the quality of life for wounded, critically ill and injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families by providing them assistance dogs.”

“As a teenager handling a service dog, Grace gets questioned frequently as to why she has a dog and what purpose the dog serves. Grace handles these interactions with a lot of poise and goes about explaining that not all wounds are visible and what role service dogs play in helping the veteran community,” said Kate. (continues on page 6)

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(continued from page 5)

(continued from page 5) Grace has served as class president for all four years at Brentsville and has been a member of Beta Club, National Honor Society, the theater program, robotics club and the Library Council.

Additionally she’s attended leadership programs, served as a freshman mentor executive, planned the junior/senior prom in 2020 and organized a number of senior activities. Grace accomplished all of the above while dealing with the after effects of a concussion she suffered in April of her freshman year.

“Grace suffers from post-concussion syndrome. In Grace’s case, her symptoms include brain fog, memory issues, balance problems, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), vision changes, severe migraines, muscle pain, depression and anxiety. The concussion and the after effects also forced Grace to stop playing high school lacrosse and swim, activities she loved,” said Kate.

Despite this, Grace has maintained a high GPA while taking mostly advanced classes and missing a significant amount of school either due to health issues or doctor appointments.

“I am amazed that she has been able to shoulder her academic course load, her leadership commitments and her volunteer activities, and her part time job while keeping her trademark smile. Grace has been battling these health issues by trying to focus on how she can help others around her, either in the community or within her school, and not dwell on the negative impact it has had on her own life,” said Kate.

Anna Krajak Since becoming a Girl Scout in first grade, Woodbridge Senior High School senior Anna Krajak has been giving back to her community. Through the years, she has given out supply bags to the homeless, painted inspiring murals and built a garden at Fannie W. Fitzgerald Elementary and more.

“Anna has been volunteering with A Cat and Dog's Friend Rescue since her freshman year. Once she was able to drive and take on more responsibility, she began to volunteer every single day when we were short on volunteers. She has placed countless cats in safe and happy homes over the last year,” said A Cat and Dog's Friend Rescue Executive Director Melissa Davis.

Krajak saw how much the rescue was struggling during the pandemic and stepped up.

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“She came into Petco every day for the whole summer to take care of cats who were looking for love and a forever home.

When school began again, Anna organized field hockey conditioning, moved her grandmother from Pennsylvania into her family's house, applied to colleges, passed all seven of her classes (including four AP classes), and was still able to volunteer at least three times a week,” said Davis. “She spends her free time transporting cats and dogs from the vet to fosters, to adopters, to wherever else they need to be and helping me in any way she can. Anna constantly puts the needs of her community before her own, all for the betterment of Prince William County.”

Krajak is also a member of the National Honor Society, English Honor Society and her church youth group. She plays lacrosse and field hockey and serves as field hockey team captain.

“Anna is one of the most reliable volunteers I have ever had.

She will do anything she can to help this rescue all without jeopardizing her academics, athletics, or life in general. She truly cares about the people (and animals) in her community,” said Davis.

Shan Lateef Shan Lateef, senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, takes his interests and turns them into acts of service. He cofounded the nonprofit One World, which aims to unite people through STEAM, and created Melodies for the Mind, a community organization that recruits young student musicians, mostly pianists, to perform for seniors who reside in long term care facilities. Melodies for the Mind has over 100 student volunteers registered and has served more than 500 senior citizens.

“My daughter was thrilled to become co-director of [Melodies for the Mind]. I was so impressed by this talented young man who took his passion for neuroscience and music and created a means to serve the community. The organization was recognized for their community service and they received the Agnes Colgan Award last year from the Prince William Chamber of Commerce,” said Mona Moussa.

As a co-founder and co-president of One World, Lateef organized a week-long STEAM summer camp in Prince William for students at a Title 1 school.

“He provided complementary materials and mini projects, from science day, where students studied basic physics concepts, to engineering day, where students designed amusement park ride

prototypes. Shan arranged transportation for students to attend class sessions. He negotiated and secured sponsorships, mainly from medical practices, to purchase One World merchandise, such as drawstring book-bags, and two free amusement park tickets. In addition, he created sponsorship contacts for future iterations of STEAM camps,” said teacher Kristin Rojas.

In 2019, Sara was named the Youth Advisor for Semper K9 and has been responsible for recruiting additional youth volunteers and leading fundraising events and activities in support of the organization since. Through these activities she has encouraged other youth/teens within the community to get involved with Semper K9.

Lateef has received numerous science, engineering and medicine awards. He is a recipient of the Healthy Communities Healthy Youth Council’s Local Hero Award 2020 for being an inspiration to the local community’s youth. He even delivered baked goods to the staff at Sentara hospital twice a week last summer.

Sara is also a member of Key Club, National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, History Honor Society, Quill and Scroll International Honor Society, the varsity tennis team and has managed both the varsity girls’ basketball and field hockey teams. Additionally, she has served as Editor in Chief of the Colgan yearbook, Online Editor of the school newspaper, and is an active member in her leadership class and Leadership Council.

“Shan Lateef has demonstrated a phenomenal curiosity for science, a selfless dedication to serve society and the remarkable ability to combine both. At a young age he has accomplished wonders with his scientific research, creative leadership, and commitment to serve others. I am most impressed by Shan’s commitment to serve as a role model to younger students and encourage them to become better students and leaders,” said Rojas.

(Lateef received six nominations.)

Sara Magid Colgan High School Senior Sara Magid has been a devoted volunteer with Semper K9 Assistance Dogs for the past five and a half years. This veteran service organization trains dogs for wounded, ill and injured veterans free of charge to enhance their quality of life. Magid has trained five service dogs from puppyhood to graduation for Semper K9. These dogs lived with her throughout their training and attended a wide variety of events and community activities with her and her family until they were placed with their veteran.

“Sara has also spent countless hours educating the community on service dogs, service dog etiquette and answering questions from the community as a whole, as often times a stranger would approach asking about the dog,” said her mother Stacy Magid.

The community is not always aware of the rules for service dogs in regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Public Access. It has been Sara’s passion to educate so the negative situations that she may encounter are not experienced by the veteran once they have the service dog.

“Several veterans have approached Sara after she has transferred the dog to them and have commented how much of a difference the service dog has made in their life and their ability to experience the world again,” said Stacy.

Sofia Quint Colgan High School senior Sofia Quint has shared her leadership skills both inside and outside of Colgan’s walls. While maintaining academic excellence, Quint participated in a variety of clubs and activities throughout her high school career including Colgan’s Model UN Club, Crew team, Math Honor Society and served as vice-president of the Spanish Club.

Outside of school, she has volunteered with seniors, playing games and sharing her time with them, and has served as an intern at HOGAR Immigrant Services in both the legal and education departments and the Legal Services Office for Immigrants and Refugees run by Catholic Charities (NGO).

Quint is fluent in both English and Spanish and aided in communication with clients.

Additionally, Quint and friends founded a nonprofit, One World, with the goal of uniting and empowering people through the use of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) on a global basis. The group works to provide resources to underprivileged communities and to spark the realization in these students that they have the potential “to become creative innovators, problem solvers, and researchers who can make an impact on the world.” Quint serves as Marketing and Communications Director for One World.

“Sofia is a selfless, dedicated young lady who is committed to helping others. Whether it’s elementary schoolers in a title one school or immigrants looking for legal services, she is always ready to lend a hand. Her bright and capable mind has influenced so many young lives around her,” said nominator Tara Lateef. (continues on page 8) prince william living June 2021

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Michael Van Horn (continued from page 7)

Antoinette Stewart Senior Antoinette Stewart of Woodbridge Senior High School believes in bringing people together and spreading positivity throughout our community.

Last fall she hosted the first “Trunk or Treat” at her school to allow kids in the area to get a traditional Halloween experience despite the ongoing pandemic, and she put on a Multicultural Week this school year to celebrate various cultures and unite people within the community. She serves as the Woodbridge Student Activities Leadership Council Production Hospitality Captain and Student Council Captain of Board and Media and is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, AP Scholars Program, National History Honor Society and Science National Honor Society.

“Antoinette is a sincere, hardworking student, driven by her desire for success. She is one of the most competitive and ambitious academics I have met in my 20 years at Woodbridge,” said teacher Andrew McCarthy.

Stewart spends her free time tutoring students at her school in various subjects (while also maintaining her own outstanding academic record) and as a PWC food rescue hero, delivering/ transporting food to those in need around the county, and a Be My Eyes assistant, helping the blind and visually impaired navigate daily life. She also works part-time to save money for college.

“As a minority, both Black and Asian, successfully pursuing these activities and roles has been extremely tough considering the recent Asian hate crimes/COVID-19 blame along with BLM protests and racism, however with constant perseverance it was all made possible. These activities have completely changed my view on life, even at such a young age, in how I’ve learned so many life lessons and skills — but most importantly that happiness is contagious and something as small as a smile can brighten anyone’s day, any day,” said Stewart.

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Forest Park High School senior Michael Van Horn is committed to service, community and academic excellence. As an Eagle Scout, Van Horn has earned 23 merit badges and has served his troop in a variety of leadership roles. He also completed a major community service project, the construction of a path at Wide Water State Park in Stafford, Virginia.

“Through scouting, Michael participated in four Boy Scout High Adventures: Philmont, Sea Base, Northern Tier and Kapvik. He loved them all!” said mother Dorian Van Horn.

In addition to scouting, Michael maintains an excellent academic record and was inducted into the National Honor Society. He was the only student in his high school to complete the NASA Virginia Aerospace and Technology program.

“The VAST program is an interactive online science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning experience.

After he successfully completed the program, he was selected to participate in the six-day summer academy, NASA Langley, on their Mission to Mars. He was assigned as the Contamination Specialist to the Science and Surface Operations Team. This was such a positive experience, Michael applied for and was accepted into the NASA Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) program, offered by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC). The Virginia Earth System Science Scholars program engages students in NASA’s latest challenge-satellite missions designed to improve understanding of our own planet’s complex systems through the power of remote sensing,” said Dorian.

In addition to scouting and school, Michael has been involved in Forest Park’s Future Business Leaders of America club, where he now serves as the club’s historian.

“Michael makes everyone he meets happy. He is a giver who cares about others. Tom and I are proud of him and know the world is better because he is in it. We are excited for his future,” said Dorian.

Erin Pittman is Editor in Chief of Prince William Living.

She loves to devour books, savor the sunshine and snuggle up with her children and pups. She can be reached at epittman@ princewilliamliving.com.

Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Vol. Fire Department wants to know what fuels YOUR fire?

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Operational and administrative opportunities are available for volunteers of all backgrounds and skill sets.

JOIN TODAY.

www.OWLVFD.org prince william living June 2021

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your finances Interest Rates Are at Rock Bottom: Here’s How You Can Earn a Competitive Rate of Return on Your Cash

By Bennett C. Whitlock III Whitlock Wealth Management

I

nvestors have been forced to cope with an extremely low interest rate environment for an extended period of time, which creates challenges for those who need to maintain a level of liquidity in their portfolios to safeguard their investments, or are saving for near-term goals.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the average national savings deposit rate is 0.05%.1 At that rate, for every $1,000 you keep in a bank savings account, you will earn interest of 50 cents over the course of the year, leaving many in search of other investments to earn more than the average return from a savings account. Below are five alternative investment solutions for cash — each with their own pros and cons — that you may want to consider in this low interest rate environment.

for reliability among debt issuers. If you need money before a treasury security matures, it can be sold on the open market.

Money Market Funds

Short-term Bonds

Money market funds are generally as liquid as savings accounts but often offer modestly higher yields. In many cases, you can even obtain ATM access to money in these accounts along with check-writing privileges. These funds, which are provided by mutual fund companies and brokerage firms, do not carry FDIC protection like accounts from banks.

Certificates of Deposit

CDs are similar to savings accounts and, when offered by banks, come with FDIC protection. However, they limit your liquidity. You lock up your money for a set period of time (anywhere from one month to several years). Rates are guaranteed and typically higher than for savings accounts, although in today’s environment, CD yields are often only modestly more attractive. There are penalties for early withdrawals, so you need to be confident the money can be put away for a set period of time. If you can commit dollars over longer periods, you can build a “CD ladder” by investing cash in a series of CDs with different maturities. As one CD matures and the money becomes available, you can invest it in a longer-term CD, typically earning a higher interest rate.

Over time, funds periodically become available as CDs mature, creating some liquidity.

U.S. Treasury Securities

Government-issued short-term obligations are available in varying maturities, typically paying more competitive rates than bank savings accounts. Terms range from one month to 30 years. For shorter-term money, you could look at instruments with maturities of anywhere from one month to two years. Principal is protected by the full faith and credit of the United States Treasury and is still considered the standard

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If you are setting cash aside for goals that are three to five years into the future, bonds that mature within that timeframe could be an option to consider. These tend to be less susceptible to the impact of interest rate changes than is the case with longer-term bonds, which eliminates some of the interest rate risk associated with owning bonds (but be aware that these bonds can lose value when interest rates in the broader market move higher). Issuers range from the U.S. Treasury to corporations to local and state governments. Local and state government bonds pay interest that may be free from federal and sometimes state income tax. Short-term bond funds are an additional option.

Stay Consistent With Your Plan

Any cash management strategy you pursue needs to be consistent with your overall financial plan. Your financial advisor can help you explore your options and assess which alternatives to traditional bank savings accounts may work best for you.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, “Weekly National Rates and Rate Caps – Weekly Update,” for week of January 11, 2021.

1

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.

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on a high note

Facing the Music

Patrick King Releases Songs 20 Years in the Making

By Emily Carter | Photos by Mark Gilvey

P

atrick King has been fascinated with music most of his life.

“I was always really passionate about making music,” King said. “When I was around 10, I spent a weekend with my uncle and his sons — one of which was already a pretty good guitarist. One morning, when I thought that he had gone to work, I snuck into his bedroom and started goofing around with one of his guitars — just making noise, really. I was startled when I heard his voice cut through the noise to ask, ‘Do you want to learn how to play that thing or are you just gonna goof around with it?’”

“From that point on, I’ve been in love with learning the guitar and every other instrument I can get my hands on. The time that he took by teaching me that day got me passionate about music, and really trying to find music in everything.”

King officially started making music in the late-1990s, playing with bands in the Virginia Beach area. Eventually, he learned how to produce music on his own via computer. “Over the course of three years, I think I wrote somewhere around 80 songs,” he said. “But then, I had another passion to chase.”

In 2004, King moved to Northern Virginia and started Imagine, a marketing and branding agency now located in Old Town

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Manassas. Now in Imagine’s 17th year, King can take some time to revive his passion for songwriting. Most of the songs on his new album A Long Way to Here were written more than 20 years ago. “I think it’s time to open up some of this music to an audience,” he said.

Since January, King has recorded every instrument himself in his home recording studio, then spent what he calls “about 80% of the process” mixing and mastering the recordings.

Each song carries deep personal meaning to King. One song, titled Everything, reflects moments that he suffered with depression years ago. “I don’t know how it affects everyone, but for me, depression isn’t a constant state. It comes in waves.

Everything is about coming out of them and seeing hope in life again,” King said. “I always found it really spiritual when those bouts start to fade, and you begin to see the world as less of a dark place.”

In addition to creating the album by himself, King designed the album artwork for A Long Way to Here, which depicts a single burning tree in an empty field, an image that King says represents the music on the album.

“I feel like this music has been growing inside of me for a long time, but no one could hear it but me. It’s now burning to get out,” King said.

When asked what he hoped to see from his music being out in the world for the first time, he shared he simply wants to see how it’s interpreted.

“I'm excited to hear how [people] interpret it and learn how the songs resonate with their own lives. To see it move just one person would make all of this worth it,” King said.

Patrick King’s album A Long Way to Here will be released on June 29. For more information, visit patrickkingmusic.com. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, visit nami-pw.org.

Emily Carter is a senior at Virginia Tech majoring in Multimedia Journalism. She is currently the Lifestyles Editor at Virginia Tech’s student-run paper, the Collegiate Times. When she is not writing, she is either dancing alone to Taylor Swift or cooking herself a giant bowl of pasta.

To purchase A Long Way to Here, visit patrickkingmusic.com.

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giving back

Project Mend-A-House

Helping Disadvantaged Seniors, Veterans and Disabled Prince William Residents Live Independently

By Amy Falkofske

P

roject Mend-A-House, in its 35th year of helping residents in Prince William, “was founded on the basic principles of providing services to people who were at a point in their lives where they're just not able to afford to maintain the kind of quality of life that they so richly deserve,” said Kevin Williams, PMAH’s Chairman of the Board. PMAH is a volunteer effort that helps individuals who do not have the ability to get around their homes comfortably and safely because they are either elderly and on a fixed income or disabled.

house. This was especially problematic when he needed to be rushed to the hospital and the first responders could not get him out of the house. PMAH teamed up with Clarke Construction and Covenant Presbyterian Church and installed an electric elevator at his home. Now, he can roll his wheelchair into the elevator and hit the button. The elevator drops him down about 4 feet to ground level where there is a concrete pad with a mini incline that he can roll up and down to get in and out of his house.

Identifying Those in Need

A Successful Year, Despite the Pandemic

An individual in need of services must follow a registration process, fill out an application and be vetted by PMAH’s program managers to determine the individual’s eligibility based on a certain set of criteria. Once an individual qualifies for services, PMAH goes out to meet the homeowner to discuss and assess the project. Then the exciting work of project scheduling happens, and a pool of incredible volunteers comes together to complete it.

Helping the Disabled One of PMAH’s recent projects was installing a ramp at the home of a disabled veteran who is unable to travel from his front door to his vehicle to get to his various appointments. It was taking him up to an hour to get out of his house and into his van. Now, “he can just literally open his door and roll out onto the ramp and down to the van and hop right in and go,” said Williams.

Another recent project involved helping an individual who is bedridden and unable to get down the concrete steps to his

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When asked what he thought PMAH’s successes are, Williams said it was their ability to keep going despite the pandemic. Even though social distancing did not allow them to enter homes, they were able to get projects done that could be done outside.

Williams credits PMAH’s staff and volunteers and their tenacity and “willingness to continue to remain vigilant and doing what they needed to do to provide services.”

“To be able to move through a pandemic and serve upwards of 100 clients with an all-volunteer team, is pretty incredible,” said Williams.

Engaging Volunteers and the Youth in Our Community PMAH relies heavily on volunteers. Williams said that the organization has lots of seniors in the community with construction and handyman experience who enjoy helping, because it provides them outlets when they are unable to give financially.

Photos provided by PMAH

PMAH installing a wheelchair accessible ramp.

Williams also noted their push to involve youth in the Prince William area, aged 14 and over, who have a community service requirement to graduate. (These projects are all done on the outside of homes with social distancing and temperature checks so as not to expose anyone to the virus.)

“It teaches them the responsibility to give back and that the world is not here for them to take, take, take. At some point, they need to learn how to give. As they begin to age and get older, they may well find themselves in the same situation. It’s important to learn at an early age how important it is to give back in the areas where you live,” said Williams.

How to Become a PMAH Volunteer If you are interested in volunteering for PMAH, call 703-7927663 or email director@pmahweb.org. All potential volunteers are screened and have to fill out a form agreeing to COVID protocols. They also must follow the rules of the project manager from the start of the project until the end.

How Businesses and Organizations Can Partner with PMAH PMAH has many public/private partnerships with companies in the Prince William area including construction, HVAC and

Volunteers laying the foundation for a PMAH project.

plumbing companies, as well as companies that donate items like appliances and water heaters.

PMAH is in a long-standing partnership with the Potomac Health Foundation and has recently teamed up with the Prince William Association of Realtors. If you are an organization or business that wants to work with PMAH, reach out to CEO, John Swirchak. PMAH also welcomes financial donations from businesses, organizations and individuals. “No amount is too small,” said Williams.

Williams said that more and more, PMAH is rendering services through experienced volunteers and in kind donations from professional contractors and the trade unions IBEW, AFL-CIO and Baltimore/DC Trades. These professionals can do carpentry, electrical, HVAC and plumbing work “better, faster, safer and cheaper.” This is shifting the paradigm away from a core of volunteer handymen to a cadre of professional tradesmen, a fact that Williams says helps the organization get grants and financial support due to the projects being run more efficiently.

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. prince william living June 2021

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health & wellness You Are Not Your Wound Provided by Novant Health UVA Health System

A

fter a mysterious illness left her completely debilitated, Ashley Miller couldn’t imagine the emotional journey that would accompany her physical healing with the team at Novant Health UVA Health System Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine.

In 2017, Miller, a Nokesville local, was a healthy young woman who found herself admitted to the hospital. She was put on a feeding tube, treated for pneumonia and discharged.

Five days later, her father noticed she didn’t look well and immediately drove her to the emergency room where she was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. She was transferred to George Washington University Hospital and within an hour, Miller went into respiratory failure and cardiac failure. She was intubated and taken to the intensive care unit, where she spent the following two-and-a-half months.

Ashley Miller with Christy Robinson, BSN, RN, CWCN

While in the intensive care unit, Miller was in critical condition and lost all control of her voluntary functions. Her parents were told by physicians to prepare to say goodbye to their daughter.

“I wasn’t just a patient. To them, I was a unique individual with a story, and they wanted to know that story.”

“I am here by the grace of God,” she said. “I lost my ability to walk, lost my ability to eat, lost my ability to do anything.

I couldn’t even lift a finger on my own. I had to relearn everything. It is truly a miracle of Him that I am here today.”

Miller called the team “warriors” because they battled by her side without hesitation. They walked her through every treatment — every cut, every noise, every machine — so Miller knew exactly what they were going to do ahead of time.

After lying in bed unable to move on her own for so long, Miller developed a severe sacral decubitus ulcer exposing the underlying bone. She was referred to Novant Health UVA Health System Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine in Manassas, where she underwent intensive treatment for nine months.

“They gave me back that sense of control I had lost for so long,” she said. “They saw me from when I couldn’t walk without a walker to reclaiming my life.”

As a physician’s assistant, Miller knew she had to seek care in order to heal, but the unknowns of her treatment worried her.

“I was terrified of going and couldn’t help but think, ‘Who wants to deal with this?’” Miller said. “I also had no idea what it was going to take to heal or the amount of pain I would feel.”

Healing Emotional and Physical Wounds

On her first day of treatment, Miller met the team at Novant Health UVA Health System Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine who greeted her with a smile and no judgement.

The team recognized that she was more than a patient with a wound and looked beyond her treatment plan to help her heal mentally, as well as physically.

“From the minute I was there, there was no shame,” she said.

Miller grew closer with the wound care team and bonded with one of the nurses, Christy Robinson. Robinson was the first member of the team Miller met when she came to the wound center and grew to be Miller’s key support person throughout her journey.

“She was my pillar,” Miller said. “In every moment of anxiety, she knew what to say. She would tell me, ‘You’re going to hold my hand, and I’m going to journey this pain with you.’ Her heart of empathy and the humanity she felt for me got me through my most painful days.”

Robinson recognizes that each patient is unique and consciously leaves her judgement behind with each case. She intentionally listens to every patient’s story and treats them with dignity and respect.

“Everyone is at different points in their lives and everyone has had different struggles, so I accept them as they are without judgement and help them heal their wounds,” said Robinson. (continues on page 20)

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family fun

Make Learning Fun All Summer Long

By Jennifer Halter

T

his was an unprecedented school year for students.

Now that it’s winding down, you may be looking for ways to implement more educational activities into your days to supplement or expand upon what they learned. Here are some tips for helping your child stay on track and beat the summer learning slide.

Explore Museums, Zoos and Historical Sites

We are fortunate to live in an area rich in history and full of landmarks and museums for your family to explore, many at low or no cost. Plan a field trip to visit one, maybe for a “Take a Trip Tuesday” or “Field Trip Friday” adventure. Before you head out, have your child help with planning tasks like finding driving directions using a map and setting a budget based on the cost of admission, meals and gas to travel. Have them research to learn about the things they will be seeing, activities happening during your visit, as well as finding those important amenities, like restrooms or picnic areas, to name a few.

Once you are at your destination, let them participate in hands-on exhibits or take guided tours, if available.

Some places may have information packets just for kids, so be sure to inquire. As you explore new areas, ask your children questions about what they see, feel and hear.

A great follow-up activity would be to have them write stories about their adventures or do additional research about what they learned.

Write Letters

In an era where technology is everywhere and communication can happen with the click of a button, the art of letter writing is no longer the exciting activity that it once was. However, writing letters develops many

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important skills and is great for children of all ages.

Connect with friends and family, even if they are local, to set up a summer pen pal program. Try to match children of close ages together so they have more in common and have similar reading and writing abilities.

For younger children, their letters could be focused on pictures instead of words as they are still learning.

This activity provides a great opportunity for children to learn how to format a letter, address an envelope, purchase stamps and get things into the mail, either through your personal mailbox or by visiting the post office. Imagine how excited they will be receiving their own mail from their pen pal(s)!

Visit the Library

Reading to your child and/or having them read to you or themselves each day will keep them in their school year reading routine and help them maintain or grow their skills. Plus, reading can be a huge boredom buster,

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especially on those rainy days or on long car rides. To keep your child interested in reading, make it fun! One way to do this is to set up a Summer Reading Challenge of your own or participate in one through the local library system. If incentives motivate your child, create a system where they can earn small rewards for reading a certain number of books or minutes each day.

You can also keep things fresh by planning weekly or biweekly visits to the library. During the summer months, there are often more programs and activities taking place where children can participate in special story times, crafts or other events.

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Bake and Cook at Home

Baking and cooking provide opportunities for children to use their reading, math and science skills. Think of the skills involved in researching and reading recipes and budgeting and planning to shop for groceries.

Not to mention the measuring involved in making the recipe. While cooking or baking, they will be able to keep track of cooking time and temperature of the oven, if applicable. When serving their creations, they can measure portions, which could even lead to doing some work using fractions.

Looking for interesting, hands-on ways to create teachable moments in your child’s day will benefit them in so many ways. They’ll be ahead of the game for next school year by keeping them excited and learning in fun ways all summer long.

Jennifer Halter is publisher of Macaroni Kid Woodbridge and Macaroni Kid Gainesville/Manassas.

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health & wellness (continued from page 16) Miller cherished her time with Robinson so much that she started looking forward to her treatment days or “Wound Care Wednesdays,” as she called them. The two would talk about things unrelated to Miller’s wound — her dogs, the book she authored and her family — to redirect her attention away from the pain.

When Miller had to seek treatment two years later for a wound that occurred while playing with her new puppy, Bumbl, she was relieved to know she’d be surrounded by familiar faces once again.

Finding Community and Healing

Physical wounds come with their own set of emotional and mental trauma. Undergoing treatment may feel embarrassing and can deter many from seeking the care they need.

“Shame is a very powerful thing,” Miller shared.

However, delaying treatment can cause the wound to fester, leading to a heavier emotional and mental toll along with physical complications.

Ashley Miller with her golden retriever puppy, Bumbl.

Miller urges anyone with wounds, whether physical or emotional, to seek treatment because the mental healing and the community that comes with it outweighs all physical pain.

community that will help you live out the best version of your life.”

“You are not your wound and your wounds should not hold you back,” Miller said. “When you seek care, you’ll find a

For more information about wound care at Novant Health UVA Health System, visit NovantHealthUVA.org/woundcare.

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OmniRide offers a family of mobility services: OmniRide Express to Northern VA and Downtown D.C. OmniRide Ridesharing connects carpoolers and vanpoolers Metro Express to nearby Metrorail stations OmniRide Local and East-West Express to get around town OmniRide.com (703) 730-6664 or (888) 730-6664 Virginia Relay Center-TDD, call 711

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June 2021 prince william living

Get in front of the more than 75,000 Prince William residents and businesses that read our magazine or visit pwliving.com every month.

Our readers turn to us to provide them with the good news in our community, as well as businesses that they can trust. Your business can join them!

For a cost-effective way to grow your business, call us at (703) 232-1758 ext. 1 or email us at sales@princewilliamliving.com to get started.

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local flavor

8 Tips for Terrific Summer Grilling

By Mia Brabham

N

othing says summer and quality time with loved ones quite like a cookout with family and friends. But if the intimidation of grilling holds you back from throwing the full-on party you’d prefer, you’re not alone. This year, instead of letting someone else man the grill while you set up the games or make the fruit salad, conquer your fear of the crate. Take a culinary journey with us to become a better griller, and declare grilling anxiety no more!

Whether you need a few reminders as summer heats up or you’re grappling with the grill for the first time, here are some pointers for a perfect grilling session — from before your food hits the fire to cleaning up with a satisfied stomach. Cheers!

PERFECT PREPPING Let your meat meditate for 30 minutes. As tempting as it is to grab your meat straight from the fridge and pop it on the grill, don’t put cold foods straight on the fire. Unless you plan on doing a rare sear for a meat or fish like tuna, give your food time to come to a more even temperature outside of the cold so it cooks more evenly as well. Plan ahead and set it out on the counter for about 30 minutes.

Use a rub or marinade for superior taste. Don’t be afraid to make an event out of grilling. Giving yourself time to prep is key if you want an extra tasty outcome. When you jazz up your food with marinade or a rub at least an hour before you grill (although overnight is ideal), this allows the flavor to sink in. Marinades, perfect for chicken, are liquid tenderizers and keep everything moist while also adding flavor. Rubs also add flavor, and texture as well, by providing a nice crisp and crunch. Local Manassas stores like Manassas Olive Oil Company and Dizzy Pig BBQ Supply offer innovative and delicious balsamic oils, seasonings,

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hot sauces and rubs like Pineapple Head Sweet Tropical Rub, IPA Hop Infused Seasoning and Red Eye Express Coffee Infused Rub that pack the flavor for you.

If you aren’t using a gas grill, know your charcoals. There are two main categories of charcoal: briquettes and lump. If you’re making brisket or pork, briquettes are better, because they burn longer and with a steadier temperature, perfect for slow cooking.

If you’re looking to grill up the perfect burgers, steaks, chops or chicken, lump charcoal is excellent because it lights quickly and burns hotter and faster.

Cave and buy a meat thermometer. It’s natural to want to take the easier route and visually estimate when your food is done. But unless you are an experienced cook, it’s tough to get the temperature right by just looking at it or even touching it — and temperature is something you don’t want to get wrong.

Thermometers are typically inexpensive and easy to find at local stores. The correct way to check for doneness and get a more precise reading is to move the meat to the side of the grill to prevent overcooking, insert the thermometer into the side of the meat — not the top, which will be hotter — and aim the tip towards the center.

While you’re at it, get a sturdy grilling brush. It’s important to always start with a clean grill. Why? Because old ashes can block air circulation (Your fire needs air circulation to start!) and leftover charcoal absorbs odors that can transfer

to food. A solid metal brush will get between the grates and clean all those hard-to-reach places so your grilled chicken today doesn’t taste like your grilled salmon from last week. It’s easiest to scrub these loose pieces of food when the grill is hot, so be sure to put your brush to use after you finish grilling or while your grill is preheating. This also prevents your food from sticking to the grill!

GET TO GRILLING

Keep the lid closed whenever possible. You don’t have to press your meat to get those aesthetically pleasing grilling lines, because if you keep your lid closed, the grates will stay hot enough to sear the food to perfection. Keeping the lid closed also speeds up the cooking time, prevents the food from drying out and stops fire flare-ups by limiting oxygen. When you trap the smokiness that is born from the fat and juices oozing from your meat, it only tastes better.

Preheat properly. Preheat your grill with the lid closed for about 10 to 15 minutes until it reaches a temperature of 500°F. This is an important step for two reasons. One, in addition to cleaning your grill with a brush, this temperature helps prevent food from sticking to the grate. Two, you want your grate to get hot enough to achieve the most excellent sear.

Undercook foods slightly. Food does continue to cook after it leaves the grill — especially after it was sizzling at 500°F! You can expect your food’s temperature to go up about 5° after leaving the grill, so leave some room for things to heat up.

Do NOT touch the food. Got your attention? Good! Of course, you’ll need to place your meats and/or veggies on the grill, move it to the edge to take the temperature and take it off when it’s done. The real secret, though, is that once you put your food down, you don’t want to flip or move it unless absolutely necessary. You need two things: the right temperature and patience. The fewer times you flip or touch something, the better. One flip is a good rule of thumb. This is how you’ll get the magnificent, desired sear, browning and caramelization that people grill for in the first place!

Don’t act on your meat right away. Once you remove your food from the grill, don’t get to slicing or eating just yet. Allow it to rest and sit undisturbed for 5 to 15 minutes after cooking.

When you do this, juices will have some time to redistribute, and you’ll have the best grilled food yet. The bigger the piece of meat, the longer it should rest. Bon appetit!

Don’t flatten or squeeze your meat. We see cooks doing it on TV shows, but undo this habit. There’s nothing like the sizzling sound and sight when you press your burger into the grate, but all you’re doing is squeezing out the delicious, juicy fat at the expense of obtaining those bold grilling lines. Don’t press or squeeze your meat if you want to keep its taste and moisture.

Knowledge is power!

AFTER THE ADVENTURE

Mia Brabham is an author, writer, foodie, and media host. Her debut book, Note to Self, is a short collection of life lessons that is in the hands of readers all over the world. Mia is also the host of Two In The Morning, a podcast that explores and unpacks the cultural questions that keep us up at night. Learn more at bymiabrabham.com.

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home & hearth Yardwork Safety Tips You Should Never Ignore

By Katherine Gotthardt

I

t’s a lovely time of year to get your yard looking the way you want or for maintaining it. For many people, that includes using lawnmowers, grass trimmers, weed wackers and hedge clippers. Though these tools are convenient and do a great job helping you keep the yard tidy and attractive, there are certain safety guidelines that should never be ignored.

Lawnmower Safety

According to a report by Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, on average, lawnmower accidents are responsible for the deaths of an average of 90 Americans annually. And Newsweek reports non-lethal lawnmower accidents hover around 35,000 per year. About 875 emergency room visits are from lawnmower accidents every day. All this is good reason to practice caution when using a mower from the start.

Clear the Area – Before you turn on your mower, whether it's a walk-behind or riding model, check your lawn for anything that could become a projectile. That includes rocks, stray toys, sports gear or fallen branches.

Dress for Success – Even if it’s hot outside, skip the shorts and flip flops, and choose sturdy closed-toe shoes with good traction and long pants to protect your legs.

Protect Children and Pets – Keep young children and pets out of the yard while you’re mowing, and never let a child sit on your lap on a riding mower or tractor. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that children be at least 12 years old before operating a walk-behind mower, and 16 years old before using a riding mower.

Remove Obstacles – If a stray branch gets in your way while you’re using a walk-behind mower, don’t just bend over and pick it up with the mower running, because you could easily cut your fingers on the mower’s blade. Always release the mower’s bail lever — also referred to as the “deadman” control — so the blade stops.

Avoid Falls – To avoid slipping, do not mow the grass when it’s wet. You won't get a good trim with wet grass anyway; the blades tend to slide across wet grass instead of cutting it.

Take Caution on Inclines – Pay extra attention when you’re mowing on a hill. Refer to the manufacturer's recommendations of how steep an incline you can mow on safely. If you use a riding mower, drive it up and down slopes to avoid it tipping over and pinning you underneath. With a walk-behind mower, it’s the opposite: mow parallel to the slope, not up and down, because it’s easier to control the mower when you're not struggling to push it up an incline.

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June 2021 prince william living

Maintain Your Mower – Good maintenance is key to keeping your mower functioning properly. If you are not having your mower professionally serviced, when performing maintenance on your mower, be sure to wear heavy-duty work gloves, work on your mower only when it’s turned off and the engine is cold and to only add gas when you’re outdoors. Your lawnmower owner’s manual will have other maintenance and safety guidelines particular to your model. Be sure to read and follow them.

Grass and Hedge Trimmer Safety

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that power lawn trimmers and edgers have caused around 4,600 injuries annually that required medical attention. So just like with lawnmowers, it’s safety first. Some of the rules that apply to using mowers are the same for using grass trimmers, lawn edgers, weed wackers and hedge clippers.

Wear the Right Gear – Although string trimmers and power clippers have a shield to deflect debris that might kick up, you’ll still want to wear gloves, protective eyewear, boots and long pants. All gas models and some electric models can be so loud that you’ll need hearing protection, too.

Check Your Surroundings – With trimmers especially, always check the areas you plan to trim for any loose items, such as toys, balls or fallen branches that can be kicked up by the trimmer. And make sure children, pets and other bystanders are at least 50 feet away from where you are working. If someone wanders by, turn off the trimmer.

Work Outside Always – Never start a gas trimmer in a shed or garage, where carbon monoxide exhaust can accumulate. It can be lethal!

Keep the Cord Intact – When you start a gas trimmer with a pull cord, make sure the trimmer is on solid ground to keep it and you stable. And if you’re using a corded electric string trimmer, keep the cord safely out of the way so you don’t trip over it and fall, losing control of the trimmer. Also take care not to accidentally slice the power cord with the trimmer.

Wanting a yard that looks pristine is a great goal, but not at the expense of safety. It starts with knowing how to use the tools safely and correctly. Once you have that know-how, go out and enjoy turning your yard into a place you can be proud of.

Social Media Director for Prince William Living, Katherine Gotthardt (kgotthardt@princewilliamliving.com) is an awardwinning writer, poet and author, as well as president of Write by the Rails, the Prince William chapter of the Virginia Writers Club. Learn about her work at KatherineGotthardt.com.

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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

Saturdays | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Harris Pavilion 9201 Center St., Manassas The City of Manassas Farmers Market will be held on Saturdays at the Harris Pavilion.

Dale City Farmers Market

Sundays | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dale City Commuter Lot 14090 Gemini Way, Dale City Since 1987, Dale City Farmers Market, run by the Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation, has been at the forefront of serving Prince William County residents.

June

Haymarket Farmers Market

Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Haymarket Town Hall 15000 Washington Way, Haymarket Haymarket has added a farmers’ market on Sundays at Town Hall.

Extraordinary Teens Celebration

Thu. June 3 | 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Sweeney Barn 9310 Discovery Blvd., Manassas The votes have been tallied and the winners have been chosen! Prince William Living is excited to celebrate “Extraordinary Teens” at our 2021 awards ceremony. Join us as we showcase our 2021 winners and nominees. Celebrate these local high school students who show

excellence in their studies and in their drive to better their community. Purchase tickets at princewilliamliving.com.

The Power of Partnership

Fri. June 4 | 4 to 7 p.m.

Harris Pavilion 9201 Center St., Manassas Join the Prince William Chamber, Virginia Hispanic Chamber and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber for an evening of networking, sampling cuisines from regional restaurants, and entertainment in partnership with the Historic Manassas, Inc. Event First Friday, when the streets in Old Town Manassas are blocked off for visitors to stroll!

First Friday Night Fires at Ben Lomond

Fri. June 4 | 7:30 p.m.

Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas Get outside and enjoy the warm summer nights around a campfire exploring the history of America's public parks. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, a picnic basket and enjoy beautiful Virginia nights around a campfire with storytelling, history, recreation and preservation.

Masks are required when indoors and are recommended when outdoors. 703-3677872.

26th Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival

Sat. June 5 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Historic Downtown Manassas This family celebration of rich railroad history features model train displays, train memorabilia, specialty vendors and live performances. Take your love of trains to a new level by boarding the Virginia Railway Express — Static Train Display! There will be an engine and passenger car parked on the third set of tracks adjacent to the Historic Candy Factory. The display is free to the public and offers the opportunity to experience a modern commuter train firsthand.

Occoquan Artisan Market

Sat. June 5, Sun. June 6 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

River Mill Park 458 Mill St., Occoquan The 2021 Occoquan Artisan Markets replace the traditional Spring Arts and Crafts Show this year. They feature many favorite craft show artisans and welcome new ones. The Artisan Markets will be held rain or shine.

The Lua Project

Sat. June 5 | 4 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas Lua Project invites the whole family to experience “Mexilachian Music,” the joyful confluence of original and traditional music from Mexico, Appalachia and the Atlantic basin, featuring eclectic musical styles across cultures and times for its outdoor Hylton on the Hill performance.

Tickets: hyltoncenter.org.

Women’s Wedding Network Wed. June 9 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Online—Presented by Brides & Weddings Magazine The wedding industry is filled with tons of great people who are helping to bring dreams to reality. Have you worked with them? If you would like to meet others in the wedding industry, then join us at the next Women’s Wedding Network.

Register: bridesandweddings.com.

Honoring Local Heroes Car Show

Sat. June 12 | 9 a.m. to noon Juke Box Diner 8637 Sudley Rd., Manassas This fundraising car/bike show honors local fire and police heroes. All bikes welcome.

Taste of Woodbridge

Sat. June 12 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center 15201 Potomac Town Pl., Woodbridge

Have an event? Visit princewilliamliving.com/events to submit details to our online calendar.

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The 5th Annual Taste of Woodbridge is Prince William County’s SPRING INTO SUMMER ”Feast-ival” and premiere event! Come for food, family, fun, fitness and more!

Fan Wreath Workshop

Sat. June 12 | 3 to 6 p.m.

Hitchcock Paper Company 125 Mill St., Occoquan Learn how to make a fan wreath for any occasion! Pick your scrapbook paper or book page style and get step-by-step instructions on how to create this. No previous experience or crafting skills are necessary for this workshop. It is designed for both beginners and skilled crafters.

The Rock-a-Sonics

Sat. June 12 | 4 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas Slip into your blue suede shoes and travel back in time to 1957 when the King was perfecting his lip snarl and hip swivel. The Rock-A-Sonics play a versatile mix of oldschool Rockabilly, vintage country, and piano-pounding rock ‘n’ roll. Get ready to dance on the hill (in your own seating circle, of course) with The Rock-A-Sonics.

Tickets: hyltoncenter.org.

Museum Kids Monday!

Mon. June 14 | 10 to 11 a.m.

Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas Bring your child to Ben Lomond this summer to explore history through sight, sound, smell and touch with hands-on activities and crafts. Topics vary each month and will include subjects such as archaeology, plants and 19th century toys. Adult must stay to participate with children.

Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra

Thurs. June 17 | 7:15 p.m.

Virtual — Provided by Hylton Performing Arts Center Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra invites the audience to meet (or re-meet) the orchestra as it tells its story through music and spoken word. OBCO will perform Mozart's "Impresario Overture," the Third Movement of Haydn's "Trumpet Concerto" and the Second Movement of Schubert's "Symphony No. 8 - Unfinished." Spoken word narration by poet Olivia Hajioff, a member of the violin/viola duo, Marcolivia, will weave these three pieces together while highlighting the various sections of the orchestra and sharing the tale of this little orchestra that could … pandemic or not.

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Walking Tours of Prince William Towns: Batestown

Fri. June 18 | 7 p.m.

Little Union Baptist Church 17150 Mine Rd., Dumfries Join local historians once a month this summer for a special walking tour of historic towns in Prince William County.

For June, visit Batestown, a historic African American town that played a significant role in Prince William’s history. Tour will depart from the Little Union Baptist Church. Please dress appropriately and bring water, for portions of the tour will be off the trail. Call 703-365-7895 for more information.

Juneteenth at Lucasville

Sat. June 19 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lucasville School 10516 Godwin Dr., Manassas Come to Lucasville in honor of Juneteenth to learn about the celebration marking the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the south. Visit the one-room schoolhouse to learn about the development of freedmen communities and the progression of education throughout Prince William County throughout Reconstruction and the Jim Crow Era. 703-367-7872.

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 June 2021

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Dog Walking

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Cat Sitting

Dog Sitting

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Pet Taxi

Overnights Fetch Supplies

(703)543-9206

571-364-7250

www.manassasoliveoil.com

fetchpetcare.com/manassas

www.actspwc.org 703-441-8606 ACHIEVE WITH US!

Committed to providing opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to achieve their greatest potential growth and independence.

www.arcgpw.org 703-670-4800

Vintage Moving & Storage Moving Your Life’s Treasures

Vintage Moving & Storage Pony Rides

We bring the fun to you!

Petting Zoo Moving Your Life’s Treasures

703.392.6260 www.vintagemoving.com

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June 2021 prince william living

Ice Cream Truck

Family owned and operated for 20 years!

571-283-2408 • poniesplus.org

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Steve lost 134 pounds, which was something.

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