Prince William Living February 2012 by Prince William Living

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RAISE A GLASS

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BELOW THE SURFACE

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FRIES WITH THAT?

prince william living February 2012

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

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Lessons Still to be Learned at Lucasville School

Finding Fine Wine

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A Song to Brighten Your Day

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table of contents February 2012 Vol. 2 No. 2

FEATURES A Toast to Prince William......................................4

4 Photo courtesy Jennifer Garnett

DEPARTMENTS from the publisher..................................................3 advertiser index ....................................................3 destinations Lessons Still to be Learned at Lucasville Schoole Only Standing African-American School Left in the County ..................................................8 local flavor Raise a Glass to Carmello’s ..................................10 family fun Local Pottery Studios Provide Creative Outlet for Young and Young at Heart ..............................12

12 Photo courtesy Tamar Wilsher-Rivas

going places Below the Surface ................................................14 on a high note e Creative and Performing Arts Center: Providing Cultural Enrichment rough the Arts ................................................................16 giving back A Song to Brighten Your Day ..............................20 calendar ..............................................................22 tambourines and elephants Fries with that? ....................................................23

20 Photo courtesy Aleda Powell

distribution sites ................................................25

prince william living February 2012 | 1

The premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas

Prince William Living Editor in Chief and Publisher elizabeth Kirkland ekirkland@princewilliamliving.com Prince William Living President rebecca Barnes rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com Contributing Writers Audrey Harman, Keasha Lee, eresa Mcelroy, olivia overman, Linda ross Pugel and DeeDee Corbitt Sauter Copy Editor Peter Lineberry Copy Assistant Marya Wright Unrath Photography Jennifer Garnett, Aleda Powell and Tamar Wilsher-rivas Graphic Design and Production Alison Dixon/image Prep Studio Advertising Account Executives eileen Classick-Terry, Terri Berkheimer, Helena Tavares Kennedy, Christopher Meidt and Patty Tracy Prince William Living, the premiere lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly by Prince William Living, Inc. e opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reﬂect the views of Prince William Living.

Prince William Living 4491 Cheshire Station Plaza, PMB 55 Dale City, VA 22193 Phone: (703) 232-1758 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Editorial offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 2 Efax: (703) 563-9185 Advertising offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 1 Efax: (703) 563-9185 editorial Have a story you’d like our staff to cover? Contact Prince William Living Editor in Chief and Publisher Elizabeth Kirkland, either by phone at (703) 232-1758, ext. 2, or by email at ekirkland@princewilliamliving.com. Advertising Prince William Living accepts display advertising. For complete advertising information, please contact Rebecca Barnes, Prince William Living president, either by phone at (703) 232-1758, ext. 1, or by email at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com. Distribution If you are your business’ decision maker and you have a waiting room or other place your customers and employees would appreciate finding a copy of Prince William Living, please call Prince William Living President Rebecca Barnes and ask about how your business can become a free distribution site for Prince William Living. Rebecca can be reached by phone at (703) 232-1758, ext. 1, or by email at rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com. By becoming a distributor of Prince William Living, your business will be mentioned on the Prince William Living website and in future issues of Prince William Living. Social Media

© Copyright 2012 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. Subscription rate is $12 (U.S.), one year. International subscribers add $12 each year. Change of address notices should be sent to Prince William Living President Rebecca Barnes. Reprints and Back Issues: To order article reprints or request reprint permission, please visit the Prince William Living website: www.princewilliamliving.com. Order back issues by calling Prince William Living President Rebecca Barnes at (703) 232-1758, ext. 1. For further information about Prince William Living, visit www.princewilliamliving.com, or contact Prince William Living at (703) 232-1758.

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CorreCTion In our December 2011 issue, we proﬁled House of Mercy, a charitable organization based in Manassas. Unfortunately, the article contained a few errors, including that the House of Mercy had a sitdown dinner this past anksgiving. is is incorrect. While the charity oﬀered additional food to its families this past anksgiving, a sit-down dinner was not held. e charity’s 2012 anksgiving plans include having a family-style dinner for registered families at the House of Mercy, but dates have yet to be set. Please refer to the Prince William Living website and Facebook page for a full list of corrections to this article. Prince William Living regrets the errors.

from the publisher T

his month is National African American History Month, during which we celebrate the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality. In this month’s Prince William Living magazine, we oﬀer two articles in particular that highlight the importance that diversity plays in Prince William and Greater Manassas. One such article, by Audrey Harman, was written for our Destinations feature, and is all about the Lucasville School—the only standing African-American school left in the county. Another article, by Keasha Lee, was written for Prince William Living’s On a High Note feature, about CAPAC (pronounced KAYPACK)—the Creative and Performing Arts Center. CAPAC is a 501(c)3 nonproﬁt organization providing entertainment through the arts while promoting cultural diversity. Also being celebrated this month is Valentine’s Day. And while all you women out there likely have that date seared into your memory, guys, the big day is FEBRUARY 14. And don’t you forget it! But how could you, given the focus of this month’s issue—wine! (And what goes better with wine than those Valentine’s chocolates?) Linda Ross Pugel tackles wine in Prince William and Greater Manassas with her article, “A Toast to Prince William.” Searching for ways to serenade your sweetheart but can’t carry a tune? Why not make a call to the Bull Run Troubadours (BRT)? ey’re highlighted in this month’s Giving Back feature, by Olivia Overman. For a fee of $50, BRT quartet members serenade loved ones with songs and present them with a single silk rose and a photograph. Included in this price tag is a donation of a portion of the proceeds to the local Prince William County charities, ACTS and SERVE.

Advertiser Index ACTS ......................................................................................24 Alpha Pets ..............................................................................24 Ameriprise Financial ............................................................25 Bargain Relocation ................................................................24 CAP Accounting, LLC ............................................................18 CertaPro Painters ..................................................................19 Confidence Realty ..................................................................11 Dansk Day Spa at Occoquan ................................................24 Dina Psychic Consultant........................................................24 Edgemoor Art Studio ............................................................24 Farmers Insurance ................................................................24 Fred’s Best Windows ............................................................13 I-95 Business Parks Management ........................................C4 Imagewerks............................................................................24 Kinnett Plumbing ..................................................................23 Lavender Retreat....................................................................25 lia sophia ................................................................................24

is month’s Local Flavor, by eresa McElroy, is all about Carmello’s, located in Old Town Manassas. With friendly service and a warm, elegant setting, the restaurant is surely a pleasant escape from a chilly winter afternoon. Serving both Italian and Portuguese cuisine, Carmello’s is a perfect place to enjoy a nice meal or celebrate any special occasion. Also this month, don’t miss our Family Fun feature, by Audrey Harman, which is all about do-it-yourself pottery studio Paint Your Heart Out, in Occoquan, and Manassas Clay, in Old Town Manassas. Both are places where you can personalize and decorate premade pottery pieces or where you can mold and create your own pottery. In this month’s Going Places feature, by eresa McElroy, meet one local swimmer—19-year-old C.D. Hylton High school graduate Alicia Cheripka—who’s making waves in Prince William and beyond. Cheripka is focused on making the Olympic Trial cuts this summer, which is already a possibility with an Olympic qualifying time a mere three seconds faster than her current 100 LCM backstroke. Looking for a little light reading this month? Be sure to check out DeeDee Corbitt Sauter’s hilarious Tambourines & Elephants column, in which she discusses her children’s possible career paths. We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Prince William Living. After you’ve read it cover-to-cover, be sure to buy your sweetheart a box of chocolates and a nice bottle of wine, and for heaven’s sake, don’t forget to make those dinner reservations! Sincerely, Elizabeth Kirkland Prince William Living Editor in Chief and Publisher

Lil Bit of Posh ........................................................................24 The Maids ........................................................................C2, 24 Mary Kay/Marti Hall ..............................................................24 Mason’s Lawn & Landscape ................................................24 Minnieland Academy ............................................................19 Okra’s ......................................................................................19 Peggy and Bill Burke, Long & Foster Realtors ....................19 Potomac Place........................................................................18 Prince William Chamber of Commerce ..............................C2 Prince William Ice Center ......................................................13 Sassy Gifts..............................................................................24 State Farm/Sandi Bausman ..................................................22 Tidy Maid House Cleaning....................................................24 Touch of Gold ........................................................................24 US Logoworks ......................................................................24 Washington Square Associates............................................24 WestRash Charities................................................................21 WineStyles ............................................................................15

prince william living February 2012 | 3

A Toast to Prince William By Linda Ross Pugel, Contributing Writer

t would be nearly impossible to find a wine enthusiast who isn’t interested in traveling to Napa Valley, Sonoma, Italy, France, Australia, or any other country famous for its vineyards and attractive wine. But why not hold off of on that crosscountry or international plane ticket, and enjoy some of this area’s fine wines? While there are no specific wine trails to follow in Prince William County, there are many hidden hotspots for weekly wine tastings and wine-of-the-month clubs. Come to think of it, why don’t we create a county wine trail right now?

WineStyles On the eastern end of the county, WineStyles, located on Kevin Walker Drive in Montclair, is geared toward a wide range of people. Weeknights tend to serve as time for various groups to get together, according to owner Arthur Lampros. He noted that in addition to girls’ nights, which are held the second ursday of each month, book clubs, moms’ groups, neighborhood groups, and more come in to enjoy the laid-back environment. Weekends at the store/wine shop, which opened in November 2008, provide a completely different type of atmosphere. “Friday night is like a club,” said Lampros, adding that it’s a very highenergy and fun crowd. Saturday evenings tend to be less busy. Wine tastings are offered each Friday and Saturday night at WineStyles. Lampros noted that there are four different types of tastings. During country tastings, six wines are sampled from one 4 | February 2012 prince william living

centrally controlled venue. Shop owners are urged to be independent, and learn and enjoy the theme [of their shop]. “We want to keep foodies, wine lovers, and gourmet customers from having to drive into D.C. and Old Town Alexandria.”

Wegmans Photo courtesy Jennifer Garnett

With just a short drive up 95, Prince William County residents can head to the wine shop at Wegmans, located on Dining Way in Woodbridge. In-store tastings are done in the wine department Tuesday through Friday evenings from 5-7 p.m. e tasting bar, located in the middle of the wine shop, can accommodate a crowd of 10 to 15 people. Wine shop manager Matt Karpman looks for seasonally appropriate wines when tasting: “I like to taste something that is of great value to the customer.” Weeknights at WineStyles, located on Kevin Walker Drive in Montclair, tend to serve as time for various groups to get together, according to owner Arthur Lampros.

Karpman noted there are usually two to ﬁve employees working on any given day who are available for customer service.

specific country. Portfolio tastings involve the selection of a distributor, followed by tasters enjoying six to eight of its wines. e third option is a specific winery tasting. “We find a winery, and showcase their wines,” said Lampros, adding that he selects the wineries himself.

In addition to tastings, Karpman enjoys teaching Wine 101: e Art of Tasting. e class is held on the third ursday of every month, and each features a diﬀerent wine region. He explained that he has focused on regions in France, Spain, Italy, Chile, Argentina, and other countries. Six to eight wines—“We divide it into half red, and half white,” Karpman said—are sampled. e session can hold up to 20 people, and costs $15.

“We like to mix it up,” said Lampros. “ere are lots of wine regions, and we want to expose our customers to old world and new world.” He explained that he and his staff do independent research and rely on their vendor partners. Styles tastings are the last option at WineStyles. “We do these ourselves,” said Lampros, noting that there are five level-one sommeliers on staff. To be a level-one sommelier, one must complete an intensive review, instruction and training by a team of master sommeliers regarding their knowledge of wines and spirits, proper wine service and blind tasting. Lampros noted that on the styles tastings, “we will pick bottles off of the shelves, and randomly go through each style.” Over a long weekend at WineStyles, it’s quite common that more than 25 bottles will be finished after tastings. “We’ll encore it on Saturday, because so many people tend to come in on Friday night,” said Lampros. “It’s a big social scene.” According to Lampros, people often come in for tastings, followed by a bottle of wine and an appetizer at the adjacent Giorgio’s. “ey always meet new people and make new friends.” e Montclair WineStyles, one of 70 in the nationwide franchise, also offers a meet-and-taste once a month for its members. At this event, an importer comes in with six different wines, typically on a Monday or Tuesday night at 7 p.m., and opens one bottle each. “It’s very intimate,” explained Lampros, adding that while up to 30 people can be accommodated, winemakers get to talk about their wine one-on-one. Lampros noted that recently a woman from a winery in Portugal came in, as well as a representative from Kathryn Hall Winery in California. “e attention we get from the wine world is growing,” said Lampros. What Lampros finds appealing as an owner of the franchise is that it’s “more of a network of stores working together, rather than a

e Wegmans wine shop also oﬀers a few wine-and-cheese pairing events throughout the year. Karpman noted that the marketing group Adventure Wine has held classes on Bordeaux and other regions. “Customers can come to a sit-down tasting and wine education that is carried out by wine experts,” he added. Virginia wineries, including Burnley (Barboursville) and Cooper (Louisa), have also come into the store to discuss their wines. Karpman is always happy to special-order wines for shoppers, if they are available. “Between in-store tastings and monthly wine tastings, customers can get a wine education on the ﬂy by talking to us and taking classes,” said Karpman. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Ye Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe A few years ago, husband and wife Emil Wigode, a lobbyist for the March of Dimes, and Kim Wigode, a teacher with Fairfax County Public Schools, began reﬂecting on their lives. “We were thinking of what we were passionate about,” said Kim, who had previously worked in the IT ﬁeld. Together, the two realized that wine topped their list. Emil decided that he wanted to own a wine store, and when Ye Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe, located on Mill Street in Occoquan, came up for sale three years ago, the couple decided that the shop would be perfect for them. What makes Ye Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe unique is that they carry solely Virginia wines. Kim noted the shop sells wine from more than 60 wineries around the state. “We really like the ‘grow local, buy local’ concept,” she said. “ere are fabulous wines being made around Virginia, and some get overshadowed by wines in France, California, and other locations.” Kim added that it’s all (continues on page 6) prince william living February 2012 | 5

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“We want a boutique feel to the shop,” said Kim, adding, “We are a mom-and-pop shop with hand-selected wines, and we try to guide our customers to what is best for their palate.” Kim and Emil have gradually added more wineries to their repertoire, as they now feel that it is “their” shop and ﬁts their personality. “e wine is a reﬂection of what we have tasted,” said Kim, “and thought the customers would enjoy.”

Opera House Gourmet Photo courtesy Jennifer Garnett

Heading out to the western end of the county, a trip into Old Town Manassas will lead wine lovers to the Opera House Gourmet, located at the corner of Center and West Streets. e shop, open since 1997, has been under the ownership of Jan Alten since 2000. Entering the shop, there is a warm and welcoming environment, as Alten’s staﬀ can be found assisting customers or creating gift baskets by the tasting bar. Ye Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe, located on Mill Street in Occoquan, is unique in that they carry solely Virginia wines.

about educating people on what Virginia wine has to offer, and why the prices can be more expensive than what you get from the mass production wineries in California. While shopping in Occoquan, visitors to the waterfront town can stop in for complimentary wine tastings seven days a week (ursday through Sunday during the winter season). While multiple wines are sampled on the weekends, there may only be one wine open on a weekday, according to Kim. Saturdays at Ye Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe feature a different Virginia winery each week. A staff member from the winery typically brings examples of three to five wines and usually does the pourings. “While we are familiar with the wineries, it’s always nice to have the winemaker come in and talk,” said Kim. “People love to get the back story on the wine and facilities, and the story on how the winery came into existence.” Kim explained that though some Virginia wineries are favorites among the customers, they often try and get smaller wineries into the shop to build recognition. Tasting hours in the shop run from noon to 4 p.m. or 1-5 p.m. Every few months, the shop, which employs two wine consultants and another staff member in addition to Kim and Emil, hosts a themed after-hours event. ey recently held a chocolate-and-wine pairing evening with Robert Kingsbury, a local chocolatier from whom they buy many of their confections. “We featured six or seven wines and paired them up with the chocolate,” said Kim. After-hours events are generally limited to 25 people. Ye Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe offers a wine club for $45 a month, in which a different Virginia vineyard is featured each month. A red wine and white wine are sent to the members of the club. “We also have a recipe that we recommend pairing with the wine, and a food item,” said Kim. Members of the wine club receive 10 percent off of all purchases for the month, as well as free admission to after-hours events.

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Complimentary wine tastings are held on Friday evenings from 4-8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from noon to 4 p.m. Alten often invites employees from local wineries to assist with the tastings while discussing their workplaces. A few Virginia wineries featured there have included Gray Ghost (Amissville), Stone Mountain (Dyke), Hume Vineyards (Hume), and Cedar Creek (Star Tannery). Alten explained that the wine tastings are driven by economic factors and availability. “We like to look at what’s appropriate for the season,” she said. In March and April, for example, their tastings will focus on what wines will work best with Easter dinner. Up to 20 people can be accommodated at once for a tasting at Opera House Gourmet, but Alten notes that it’s ideal for couples or groups of four: “We encourage people to stop in before or after they dine at the local restaurants downtown.” e Opera House Gourmet also offers a Wine of the Month Club, with options of month-to-month, six-month or full-year memberships. Alten, who selects the wines each month, enjoys “taking a trip around the world for wine,” selecting bottles from various regions in different countries. “I try to alternate between red and white,” she said, adding that sometimes members receive two bottles a month, but often three. Included in each month’s package of wine is a write-up for members on the specific wine, as well as a history about the grape and the wine. e quaint shop features other Virginia products in addition to its wines from more than 20 wineries in the state, and approximately 15 countries. Local Virginia honey, jams and jellies, sauces, chocolates, and much more are offered there for purchase.

Cork & Fork Traveling further west in the county, out to Gainesville, the familyowned Cork & Fork makes its home nestled in the Virginia Gateway shopping center oﬀ of Route 29, on Atlas Walk Way. Antoinette Landragin, who is of French and Australian descent, operates this location. Her father, Dominique, runs the Logan Circle shop in Washington D.C., while his wife (Antoinette’s mother) heads the Bethesda shop.

Dominique, who has an extensive and fascinating background in winemaking, opened up the Gainesville store six years ago, just across the street from its current location, which it moved into in July 2009. After the Gainesville store proved to be a successful venture, the Frenchman opened up the Bethesda location in 2008, and the D.C. store a year and a half after that. After studying nursing in Australia, Antoinette came to the U.S. with her parents and worked for a year at a wine shop in Richmond. When her father suggested that she run the shop in Gainesville, she was pleased with the idea. Discussing her background in wine, she said, “It was a language I learned how to speak. When my dad made the proposal for me to work in the shop, I thought it would be a great opportunity to work with my parents and people who had that type of experience.” Like most other wine specialty shops in the area, Cork & Fork offers wine tastings each week. After sampling up to 100 wines weekly, which are brought in by various distributors, Antoinette is particular in choosing her wines for the tastings, held on Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. She enjoys offering customers a taste of “whatever I fell in love with that week.” On any given Saturday afternoon, shoppers passing the store will look in to find wine enthusiasts gathered near the stage that sits in the front window, tasting wines and socializing. Cork & Fork occasionally holds specialty tastings, where four stations will be set up in the store. ey also have an “open mic” night on the weekends, January through November. “We clear off the stage, and invite jazz groups, and open it up for people to bring their guitars and join in,” said Antoinette. During the winter holiday season, wine classes and seminars seating 12-24 people are often held. Antoinette explained that the sit-down tastings offer eight wines, along with food pairings. A speaker— usually the winemaker, someone from the Landragin family, or a representative from a distribution facility—often comes in to discuss the wine.. “It’s someone who I know has a lot of experience,” said Antoinette. “I want the group to learn a lot about wine, and not just to come in and drink.” ose interested in these events must sign up to participate. Information regarding all events is published in the shop's weekly electronic newsletter.

to do judging for the Virginia Governor's Cup. “It gives me an opportunity to taste Virginia wines,” said Antoinette. “ere are some amazing wines in Virginia, and if I had the space, I would love to carry more.” As it is now, Cork & Fork stocks more than 50 Virginia wines; others from all over the world, including Greece, France, and Italy; and numerous domestic wines as well. During the winter months, Antoinette tends to stock more red wines, while in the summertime, there are more whites. “We try and keep it pretty balanced throughout the year,” she explained. “It’s a very enjoyable industry to be in,” she said.

The Winery at La Grange Also located in western Prince William is e Winery at La Grange. Nestled on 20 acres in the foothills of the Bull Run Mountains, at 4970 Antioch Road in Haymarket, it is the only winery located in Prince William County. “We are the local community winery,” said Chris Pearmund, managing partner and executive winemaker at e Winery at La Grange. “In times of economic difficulty, people don’t need to go to Napa; they can get away [from it all] and have a great time [by visiting their local winery].” e Winery at La Grange is truly a thing of beauty, but it wasn’t always that way. In fact, in June 2005, the Prince William County Historical Commission reported that it was in such a state of disrepair that it may have to be torn down. However, La Grange was spared from such a fate when, in December 2005, it was purchased by PWC Winery, LLC, and the tedious process of restoring and renovating the outbuildings and surrounding property as well as the three-story circa 1790 manor house began. Pearmund said the long process of restoring the property was definitely worth the effort. “e uniqueness and historical significance of [the property] have made it the perfect location for the winery,” he said. e property now includes a vineyard, the restored manor house/converted tasting room where wine is served and paired with foods from the region, an historic smokehouse, a patio area with fireplace, a historic springhouse and a modern “barn” where wine is processed and stored.

Antoinette and her small staﬀ of three have a special relationship with a large number of their customers. “e majority of them consider us friends,” she said, noting that that is what sets her shop apart from commercial wine shops and grocery stores. “We are lucky to be a close community. It’s very family-based, and people are very warm and welcoming.”

e Winery at La Grange is open year-round, seven days a week, save for New Year’s Day, Easter, Christmas Day and anksgiving. ey oﬀer a wine selection that includes a Pinot gris, Viogner, rosé, cuvee blanc, Norton, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, meritage, Tannat, a port-style wine fondly named “Snort,” and the famed Fletcher’s Chardonnay, as well as a selection of prepackaged foods.

When it comes to purchasing wine, Antoinette focuses on getting a great value. She enjoys going with small production companies and tries to avoid mass corporation wineries that produce millions of bottles each year. “I want wines that I know will ﬁt my clients’ personality,” she said. She feels that it is her responsibility to please her customers. “When you do something well, people will always expect that from you,” she said. “I imagine ‘What would I want to take home?’ If it’s good enough for me, I’m assuming it’s good enough for them.”

Linda Ross Pugel is a 30-year resident of Prince William County, and currently resides in the Lake Ridge area with her husband and son. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College. Ross Pugel can be reached by email at lpugel@princewilliamliving.com.

Both Antoinette and Alten have each been invited in previous years prince william living February 2012 | 7

destinations Lessons Still to be Learned at Lucasville School The Only Standing African-American School Left in the County By Audrey Harman, Contributing Writer

Lucasville School was an African American school from 1885 to 1926 that was part of the Manassas School District. ough the site and most of the building are not original, the building holds a lot of importance to the history of education and equality between blacks and whites in the United States. e current structure has been deconstructed and relocated several times since it oﬃcially closed in 1926 and has been at its current location since 2007. As it stands today, the school has been reconstructed using both new and old materials. e building is set up inside as it is believed to have been during its years of operation. At the front of the school sits the teacher’s desk, which faces the rows of benches and desks for the students; behind the teacher’s desk is a blackboard. e entire one-room schoolhouse is heated by a wood stove that runs along the ceiling and down to the 8 | January 2012 prince william living

Photo courtesy Prince William County Division of Historic Preservation

hen visiting the Lucasville School, located in a residential neighborhood on Godwin Road in Manassas, it is not diﬃcult to just overlook the building entirely. e one-room schoolhouse was once used as a barn after it was closed to students, so it is no surprise that at ﬁrst glance it blends in with the nearby storage sheds. e white contrast of the building and the historic marker draws eyes toward it, however, and invites visitors to come and learn its historic value.

Interior of the Lucasville School as it stands today. This is how it is believed to have looked back when school was in session based on historic accounts of other local black schools.

middle of the room. According to Yesterday’s Schools, by Lucy Walsh Phinney, Lucasville School was originally located at the intersection of Lucasville Road and Godwin Drive and was built by H.W. Lloyd using the blueprints for the Bradley School, which was the area’s white school.

Photo courtesy Jennifer Garnett

Photo courtesy Prince William County Division of Historic Preservation

The original structure in 2003 before it was moved. The building was being used as a barn at the time.

Current reconstructed exterior as the school stands on Godwin Drive today.

According to the exhibition materials for the site compiled by Heather Hembrey, a preservationist for the county, “Lucasville School reminds us of earlier Prince William County citizens’ eﬀorts to challenge racism and create an eﬀective and lasting public education system.”

Two inﬂuential teachers at Lucasville were wife and husband Alice A. Taylor and William C. Taylor, both of whom were educated at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. Alice taught at Lucasville for up to 16 years, and William taught for a few as well. Alice taught at the school until it closed in 1926. She is quoted as saying in a letter to Berea College President William Frost in 1904 in regard to her students: “I have reared my children to know their friends by conduct not by color. I never allow them to hear of slavery and its horrors, therefore, they regard everyone as friend and know nothing of bitterness or caste.” Alice’s views helped her students see their futures unclouded and free of the obstacles of the past when it would have been unheard of for them to be educated. Both black and white institutions were viewed as equal until the 1890s when, during the “Jim Crow” era, many southern states, including Virginia, began to further limit African Americans’ statuses legally and socially.

Lucasville School was built after 1870 when Virginia’s legislature created a statewide free public school system for all. Every citizen, regardless of race or ethnicity, could obtain a formal education. Most newly freed African American parents encouraged their children to attend school, as those with a higher education generally had more opportunities for success and leadership. Within the information found on the walls of the school, Booker T. Washington, the preeminent African American educator of the era, was quoted as saying: “Few people who are not right in the midst of the scenes can form any exact idea of the intense desire which people of my race showed for education. It was a whole race trying to go to school. Few were too young, and none too old, to make the attempt to learn.” Due to the proximity of the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth, it is believed that, over the years, some of Lucasville’s 17 teachers were graduates of the Industrial School and very well educated. Mike Riley, the historic site director at Lucasville School and Brentsville Courthouse, noted that because Lucasville’s teachers were graduates of a secondary school and certiﬁed, Lucasville may have had better teachers than some of the surrounding white schools. Despite the fact that students received an education from ﬁrst-rate teachers, Riley said that it was “rare that they got anything new, like books. ey were mostly hand-me-downs from the white schools. e only thing new they did get was chalk.” He pointed out a similar quote displayed on the school’s wall taken during an interview with Pauline Davis by Heather Hembrey in 2006. Davis had been a student at the Brown School (another African American school in Manassas) in the 1930s and ’40s.

Lucasville School was reconstructed and reopened in 2007 by the county with the help of Pulte Homes, Inc. Since the reopening of the school, it is normally open by appointment only. During the month of February (Black History Month), however, the school will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and admission is free. In honor of the students who attended Lucasville School and celebrated Black History Month by reading Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and learning about Frederick Douglass, Phillis Wheatley, and Booker T. Washington, come out and see for yourself the only standing African American school left in the county. Lucasville School is located at 10516 Godwin Drive, Manassas.

Author Audrey Harman is a 2011 Hollins University alumna with a BA in English and Spanish. She currently resides in Woodbridge with her family. prince william living February 2012 | 9

local flavor

Raise a Glass to Carmello’s By Theresa McElroy, Contributing Writer

n the heart of Old Town Manassas, with friendly service and a warm, elegant setting, Carmello’s is surely a pleasant escape from a chilly winter afternoon. Serving both Italian and Portuguese cuisine, it is a perfect place to enjoy a nice meal or celebrate any special occasion. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this month, Carmello’s has become one of the most talked about restaurants in the county. Carmello’s owner Alice Pires moved to America with her family when she was only 19, and relocated to Virginia 28 years ago to raise her two young children. Once they were both in school, she decided to go back to work, helping her husband’s brother, who then ran the newly opened Carmello’s restaurant. After taking over the restaurant’s operations, she, along with her husband, sister, and brother-in-law, decided to take the leap to add Portuguese spices to the then Northern Italian-based menu. “We wanted to bring Portuguese to Old Town,” said Pires. And, over the past 20 years, the Portuguese menu items have proved to be a hit with restaurant patrons. Carmello’s has only recently reentered the Manassas restaurant scene. After suﬀering a devastating ﬁre in September 2010, the restaurant underwent an extreme transformation. Several months of renovations and updates later, Carmello’s reopened its doors in April 2011.

10 | February 2012 prince william living

Along with its fabulous food and quaint ambiance, Carmello’s is beginning to be known for its extensive wine list. Pires’ son and Carmello’s general manager Miguel Pires took expanding the wine list as his own personal project. “I wanted Carmello’s to be known for something more than the Portuguese and Italian menu,” Miguel explained. “I began drinking wine when I was about 23. I was not a fan of it at first, but then someone told me that I just hadn’t found the right wine for me. at’s when I became passionate about wine, to find my perfect bottle.” Miguel chose to focus the wine list on Portuguese wines from a personal connection. “Being Portuguese, I really felt drawn to learn about Portuguese wines. When I read the labels and see where the wines are from, I can envision the areas in my head. If it is from a northern region the vineyards are in terraces across mountains, whereas in southern regions of Portugal the vineyards are spread among dry flat land. It has also given me a chance to learn the language and geography of the cities and towns in Portugal. I’m tracing my family roots through wine.” Miguel makes an effort to share his passion and knowledge of wines with his staff. Every Monday, he holds a wine tutorial with employees where they all taste and talk about a certain wine.

“If I taste it, it’s easier to remember and recommend to others,” explained Chris Zevgolis, a Carmello’s server from Manassas. “We have many people come in knowing exactly what wine they want to try, and some ask us to recommend a different wine every time.” After just a few months of working at Carmello’s, the servers often transform into true oenophiles. “My favorite wines on our list are the Portuguese. Now that I’ve learned about the wines, I can taste the different grapes and flavors unique to Portuguese wines and have come to enjoy them,” said Zevgolis.

Photos courtesy Jennifer Garnett

Kim Mannix, a Carmello’s server from Prince William County, said that her favorite wines on the list are Italian. “ey have a full body and go down smoothly.” she explained. “Our wine list really extends from one end of the wine spectrum to the other.” With a wine list like this, there is sure to be a match for everyone. “ere is great value in Portuguese wines,” said Miguel, which seems to be true, as most of Carmello’s wine sales are Portuguese wines. “Portuguese wines are not generally served, and are quite unique in the area. People travel from all over to try our different wines.” Carmello’s extensive wine list includes more than 50 Portuguese wines, making it one of the finest in the Washington, D.C., metro area and comparable to top Portuguese wine lists along the East Coast and across the nation. Along with Portuguese wines, Carmello’s wine list also includes many Italian bottles, as well as Spanish, Australian and domestic brands. eir wine list won Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence in both 2010 and 2011. Carmello’s has even made it a goal to teach the community about their unique wines and pairings. Carmello’s holds wine dinners four times a year, with their new seasonal wines, where they serve a five-course meal with a different wine pairing each course. e Portuguese wines, mixed with the traditional Portuguese and northern Italian menu items, make you feel like you’re dining in Portugal or Italy. e whole experience in Carmello’s seems to transport you to another world. “We’ve really made it a point to sell our wines at a very discounted price compared to other restaurants so that everyone can enjoy a nice glass or bottle of wine, and share our passion,” said Miguel. is special anniversary month at Carmello’s is an ideal time to find your perfect glass of wine. For more information on Carmello’s, located at 9108 Center Street in Manassas, visit http://carmellos.com, or call (703) 368-5522.

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family fun

Local Pottery Studios Provide Creative Outlet for Young and Young at Heart

By Audrey Harman, Contributing Writer

Both Paint Your Heart Out and Manassas Clay are slightly different from one another, but enjoyable for the young and for the young at heart. At Paint Your Heart Out, you and your family can enjoy working on both mosaics and ceramics, where you compile them or paint them to your liking, and pick them up in a week. Primarily, when you come into Paint Your Heart Out, you choose your own premade pottery piece and paint and glaze it with the help of the instructors. ey then have it ready for you to pick up about a week after you decorate it. Alex Waid, an employee at Paint Your Heart Out, said that some people bring children as young as toddlers where they can “play around with the paint” and finger-paint a piece picked out by a parent. is is something great to do for a grandparent or for family to do for new parents, while keeping the child involved in the project the entire time. e finished product is always unique and has those personal touches by the person decorating and creating. Some families come into the airy bright studio on the upper story of the Victorian building next to Madigan’s Waterfront on Mill Street in Occoquan and work on larger pieces or mosaics together. 12 | February 2012 prince william living

Photos courtesy Tamar Wilsher

great way to keep kids and teens busy where you can still be involved, too, is to drop into a do-your-own pottery studio, like Paint Your Heart Out, in Occoquan, or Manassas Clay, in Old Town Manassas. Both are places where you can personalize and decorate premade pottery pieces or where you can mold and create your own pottery. e best part about gathering up the family and taking them to studios such as these is that you get everyone out of the house and they can paint and literally play with mud and you get to leave the mess behind you and take home a unique handmade project at the end of the day. Some of the best kinds of fun happen when you get your hands a little dirty, but it’s even better when you don’t have to clean up the mess you made.

Assisting child with paint at Paint Your Heart Out.

It is the perfect place to make a unique, well-constructed gift for any occasion. If you want to get a bit more personalized, you can arrange to come in and design your own clay piece with the aid of the business’ founder, Nikki Vandover, or another able employee, and they will put it in the kiln to prepare for you to paint. Vandover also makes custom pieces and stated on Paint Your Heart Out’s website that “creating is an act of self-discovery”— something the studio encourages. Generally, families will work on painting vases and platters for the family’s use or for grandparents or other relatives. Paint Your Heart Out is a great place to come and host a child’s birthday party or a Scout meeting as well. e employees give as much instruction as needed, and let you do your own creative thing.

Take-home kits and gift cards are also available if you want to take the experience home with you or share it with others. e busiest times of the year at Paint Your Heart Out are on the weekends, especially during the summer and around Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. e studio offers all kinds of objects to decorate, from ornaments to teapots. But if you’re not content with making just one thing, their website boasts a variety of classes for ages five and up and party packages. Manassas Clay is another pottery option with a slightly different concept. Set along the bustling Center Street in Old Town Manassas is the gallery and studio, founded 15 years ago by Jane Cullum, of Fairfax, and Fran Newquist, of e Plains. ey chose the Manassas location because, as Newquist said, “It is a nice meeting spot”—right in the middle of where they both live. Manassas Clay offers nice options in teen and children’s classes. Parties for three or more people can also be held at the studio where everyone works on the same project with the help of the instructors. As Cullum pointed out, “sometimes even parents need as much instruction as their children.” Parties are generally hand-building projects, as opposed to pottery that’s created on a potter’s wheel, so people of all ages can enjoy creating pieces. Students of Manassas Clay range in age from

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Decorating and molding clay pieces keep little and big hands busy and allows the minds of the young and young at heart to take oﬀ in a creative direction. Next time you and your family are looking for either a group or individual activity, check out Paint Your Heart Out, online at www.paintyourheartout.com, or Manassas Clay, online at at www.manassasclay.com, for events and class options.

Author Audrey Harman is a 2011 Hollins University alumna with a B.A. in English and Spanish. She currently resides in Woodbridge with her family.

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seven to 74 and classes are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. e building was once an old five-anddime, so, as Cullum said, “there is plenty of room.” Not only does Manassas Clay offer up classes, they also have clay supplies for sale, gallery space for 30 local artists, and studio space. eir busiest time of the year is from the end of November through December, especially in their gallery as people are looking for gift ideas. It’s great to have the gallery attached to the studio, because then students can see what they can strive to create.

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prince william living February 2012 | 13

going places

Below the Surface By Theresa McElroy, Contributing Writer

t is not uncommon these days for teenagers to be actively involved in sports. is is especially true during the summer months when school is out. With so many different swim leagues throughout Prince William County and the Northern Virginia area, a lot of kids spend their summers competitively swimming. For one Prince William County local, though, swimming has become more of a lifestyle than a sport. Local 19-year-old C.D. Hylton High School graduate Alicia Cheripka is a highly regarded swimmer on the East Coast. She began competitively swimming year-round at age six with the Ft. Meade Dolphins in Maryland. She and her family then moved to Northern Virginia and Cheripka began swimming for the Prince William Swim Club’s (PWSC) Amberjax swim team. After a year-long move to Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., the Cheripkas returned to the Northern Virginia area, and Alicia returned to swimming for the Amberjax. “Being part of a military family, you move a lot,” Cheripka said. “Sports were a main way for me to meet people wherever we were. at’s how I fell in love with swimming.” Cheripka really took the local swimming scene by storm in 2008 when, as a freshman, she placed fifth in the 100-yard backstroke at the Virginia State AAA high school swimming competition and made it to the finals of the 100-yard freestyle event. Her sophomore year, Cheripka moved from the PWSC to Occoquan Swimming (OCCS). With the OCCS, she qualified for the National Club Swimming Association Junior Olympics in the 100-yard backstroke event, where she set her personal best time of 57:50. By the end of her sophomore year, though, a

14 | February 2012 prince william living

major obstacle turned up in her path. “All athletes have minor aches and pains, but when the dull ache in my shoulder continued to spread and get worse, I knew it was serious,” said Cheripka. With the backstroke using the widest range of shoulder motion, the shoulder pain seemed detrimental to Cheripka’s goals. After many doctor visits, MRI results showed a torn bicep tendon in her right shoulder, likely the result of overuse. Cheripka and her family made the hard decision to have the surgery the winter of her junior year in high school. Due to the length of rest and physical therapy necessary after such a shoulder surgery, she was forced to sit out her entire junior year. “I grew up in the water so it was heart-wrenching not being able to compete,” Cheripka said, “But being captain of my high school team I was always present at practice and competitions to cheer on my teammates and still be there for them.” “Being raised in a military family has taught Alicia to be adaptable to any situation and to deal with challenges,” explained Cheripka’s father, Bob. “Having to work through numerous moves with new schools, new friends, and new swim teams has enabled her to piece together many good things from a lot of diﬀerent places.” Alicia’s senior year was the big test. “In my ﬁrst competition after my surgery, it was obvious I was a little slow and nervous of my shoulder,” she said. At the beginning of her senior year, she switched swim clubs from OCCS to the Quantico Devil Dolphins and met head coach Rick Benner.

“e biggest thing that makes Alicia such a great competitor is her drive to be better, said Alicia’s mother Laura. “Even when she has an oﬀ race, she motivates herself to get right back in the pool and practice harder. She also sets high goals for herself and is not afraid to work hard to go after them.”

“Just like swimmers followed Michael Phelps’ coach Bob Bowman, swimmers idolize and follow Coach Benner,” said Alicia. Having dealt with a similar shoulder injury during his swimming career, Benner was just the person to help get the swimmer back on track. “He showed me how to use my shoulder in a whole new way after my surgery and was there for me as support since he understood what I was going through from basically starting over in the pool,” she said. “We developed a training plan that focused on strengthening both her shoulder strength and conﬁdence before competitions,” explained Benner. “By training her back muscles, less of the intensity of swim strokes was carried out in her shoulders.”

Photos courtesy Aleda Powell

Alicia began full-out training again at the end of 2010. It took a lot of time and perseverance but she developed a full range of motion in her shoulder and said she’s “back to where I was before, if not better.” Alicia is also an excellent student in the classroom, having received the Academic All American Award from USA Swimming this past year as a senior. After graduating from high school, Alicia decided to take a year oﬀ to focus solely on swimming, and she qualiﬁed for and competed in the 100 LCM backstroke event at the Junior National Olympics this past August. She is now focused on making the Olympic Trial cuts this summer, which is already a possibility with an Olympic qualifying time a mere three seconds faster than her current 100 LCM backstroke.

eresa McElroy, who grew up in Lake Ridge, is a junior studying business marketing at Shepherd University. She can be reached by email at tee_mcelroy@hotmail.com.

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on a high note The Creative and Performing Arts Center: Providing Cultural Enrichment Through the Arts By Keasha Lee, Contributing Writer

n 2002, a small group of Prince William residents came together through a shared desire to create something that would provide the community with quality and culturally diverse entertainment to be enjoyed by all ages. Within two years, the vision and ideas shared among this group led to the formation of the Creative and Performing Arts Center, or CAPAC (pronounced KAY-PACK), a 501(c)3 nonproﬁt organization providing entertainment through the arts while promoting cultural diversity. One of CAPAC’s founding members, Executive Director Denise McPhail, spoke of her own exposure to the arts and why forming the organization was important to her. “ere was nothing in the area that had a focus on culture and theatrical performance in this area,” she said. “When I was young, my parents ensured that we were in New York to see a live performance each year, so my love for the arts and the community propelled me to this project.” CAPAC is managed by a board of directors, many of whom oversee speciﬁc committees within the organization. “I chose CAPAC because I love theater,” said Venus Miller of Woodbridge. “I can’t act, sing or dance so I thought assisting the organization from behind the scenes would be a good use of my talents as chair of the Marketing Committee. We market the performances to the public to ensure we have people at the performances to enjoy our productions, and we market the organization for those interested in volunteering or getting involved.”

Excellence through Service Volunteers are really at the heart of what allows CAPAC to thrive; it’s important to have as much assistance as possible from people who really enjoy the arts and want to create memorable experiences for themselves and the community. “We have performers who spend tons of their precious time getting ready for a play. ey get on stage and give the audiences their all,” said Miller. “We have our directors and production crew who work at regular jobs all day, then show up on nights and weekends, energized and ready to make things happen. I’m in awe of what they do.” 16 | February 2012 prince william living

In anticipation of the July 2011 play Amazing Grace, a call for help was made to Triangle resident Chaz Pando. “ey called me while I was still in college ﬁnishing my senior year to direct the show,” he said. “I was honored to take the position [because] I am all about supporting the arts.” It really takes dedication and determination to see that one’s goals are achieved, and the people involved with seeing CAPAC’s mission through are deﬁnitely focused. “CAPAC and its leadership are very passionate about the arts and I love it, especially for the demographic and region we are in,” added Pando. “It gives everyone an opportunity no matter what age to participate.” Because CAPAC often blends creative specialties within their performances, they have used the expertise of choreographer and Woodbridge resident Catrina Stroman to assist with the dance segments for many of their performances. “Participation with CAPAC has given me an opportunity to share my gift of dance with so many youth and adults as well as making a positive impact in my own community,” Stroman said.

History Lessons through Art rough the years, CAPAC has put on many successful events that have combined history and education to provide a lasting impact on all involved. One example of such a presentation was a 2004 performance that chronicled the life of Langston Hughes through the use of narration, song, and poetry. Sounds of Voices and the Poetry of Langston Hughes was performed by children, teens and adults. McPhail’s twin daughters, Simone and Ciarra, have been active with CAPAC throughout their young lives, and for one of them the Langston Hughes production was especially memorable. “My sister and I recited ‘e Negro Speaks of Rivers,’ said Simone. “at poem has always remained in my heart as well as some of the other poems performed during that recital, and I can now connect them to things I see in my own life as well as in the world today. ese poems have also contributed to my appreciation and love for poetry.”

In 2005, CAPAC did a production that honored the life of Jane “Miss Jennie” Serepta Dean, a woman CAPAC Board members with “Manassas Industrial School born into slavery who lived in for Colored Youth” Alumni School founded by Jennie Dean. Western Prince William County. She was 13 years old when slavery was abolished, and thereafter providing quality strove to make a better life for herself and others. Dean taught productions to the public, and fellow black people life skills and helped establish churches. Her the audiences truly respond to all biggest accomplishment was founding the Manassas Industrial that CAPAC gives them.” CAPAC School for Colored Youth (now the site of Jennie Dean Elementary was present at the Hylton Performing School). Arts Center’s grand opening ceremony in May 2010. at same year, CAPAC shared “e production that had the most lasting effect on me was the the stage with the Count Basie Orchestra at the Life of Jennie Dean,” said Ciarra. “I was a dancer in the production Centennial Commemoration of the Niagara and am still very close with the people I danced with. e thing Movement—a precursor to the civil rights era— that impacted me the most about that play was seeing all the hard at Harpers Ferry Historical Park located in work that my mother and her counterparts were doing that was Harpers Ferry, W.Va. paying off.” Stroman, CAPAC’s choreographer, also recalled being touched by that production. “e choreography took the audience through a difficult time period and the participants were able to deliver a powerful history lesson and play all in one,” she said. e play was an eye-opening and heartwarming event for spectators and performers alike. “It’s amazing to know how many people’s lives she touched in Prince William County and surrounding areas,” said Denise. “ere were members of Ms. Dean’s family who attended the play and thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Expanding Awareness Although CAPAC is a small organization made up of just 13 board members and six committee members, it makes a grand impact through its ways of oﬀering creative expression, education and inspiration to anyone who chooses to get involved. is determination is increasingly earning CAPAC recognition from larger theater organizations. “CAPAC is one of our Aﬃliate Artists here at the [Hylton Performing Arts] Center and we are delighted to have them,” said Susan Landess, sales and community outreach coordinator for the Center, which is located in Manassas. “Denise and all the folks at CAPAC are so wonderful to work with. ey are very focused on

CAPAC performed an original play called Remembering Angels in Birmingham, a historical tribute in song, dance, and spoken word for Hylton’s grand opening weekend. “It was a very touching and powerful presentation that I was proud to have had an opportunity to choreograph for,” remarked Stroman. e year 2012 will bring new and exciting prospects for CAPAC to again work with the Hylton Performing Arts Center, with an encore presentation of Amazing Grace, a play based on the children’s book written by Mary Hoﬀman. “is opportunity will give our children a chance to perform in a world-class venue,” said Denise. “We know where to go with the production and how to make it bigger and better for a larger audience.” e partnership will also give the Hylton Performing Arts Center a chance to serve audiences of all ages. Landess said, “We are looking forward (continues on page 18) prince william living February 2012 | 17

Photo courtesy CAPAC

Denise added, “e thing that fascinated me most were the children who not only learned their own poems, but also those of the teens and adults. After the play was ﬁnished, I kept hearing stories from parents about the impact the poems had on their children. e children now have a repertoire of stories and knowledge about a key ﬁgure in literary history that they most likely would not have learned in school.”

(continued from page 17) to CAPACâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s April show of Amazing Grace; it should do well here as we have been developing more of a family audience for some of our shows.â&#x20AC;? Providing people with positive exposure to arts and culture is key to CAPACâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success. â&#x20AC;&#x153;î &#x201C;ere is no better activity for young people,â&#x20AC;? said Ciarra. â&#x20AC;&#x153;CAPAC and programs alike teach young people the conďŹ dence they need to excel in their studies, it boosts self-esteem, and it broadens horizons for all who participate by introducing them to both the production and performing aspects of theater.â&#x20AC;? Simone agreed, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Performing in front of people helps eliminate so many fears that can develop as you grow older, like the fear of public speaking and stage fright. î &#x201C;ose fears often limit people from doing what they could possibly one day love.â&#x20AC;?

Envisioning the Future î &#x201C;e growth of CAPAC is ultimately dependent on funding and space. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A dream for me is to have our own studio to rehearse in and even do our own performances,â&#x20AC;? said Denise. Enlisting more support from local businesses would certainly help achieve this goal for CAPAC.

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Miller said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are at the cusp of something exciting and special. With a bit more funding, we could move forward to increase our performances and provide more opportunities for theatergoers, theater participants, families and all.â&#x20AC;? Despite some of the needs of CAPAC, in usual fashion, there are more accomplishments to be reached and the planning process has already begun for the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 2014 we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary and are looking forward to getting lots of people involved with the coordination of the events that will occur throughout the year,â&#x20AC;? said Denise. CAPAC serves as a testament that the dedication of just a small group of people can make a lasting impact to many. CAPAC advocates cultural diversity and extends an invitation to all of Prince William County and neighboring jurisdictions. Its goal is to build stronger communities through the arts. For more information regarding CAPAC, visit them on the Web at www.capacweb.org or call 703.441.2479. Keasha Lee is a writer, public relations professional and actress. She resides in Woodbridge with her daughter.

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giving back A Song to Brighten Your Day

By Olivia Overman, Contributing Writer

Barbershop quartets and choruses, which were once a ﬁxture on every street corner, used to bring entertainment to all who cared to listen. Today, and since their revitalization in the 1950s, barbershop singers are becoming popular once again. “It was the movie e Music Man that helped bring back barbershop music,” said Bill Gallop, vice president of public relations and a chorus member for the BRT. Made up of 25 male volunteers, the BRT continues the tradition of bringing joy through music to places such as local hospitals, museums, retirement homes, malls, churches and historical sites, giving back to the community from which they came. ey also perform at baseball and basketball games, festivals and stores. A lot of what the group does is performing at charitable events, some of which they get paid for, some not. During December, they performed at 18 events over 11 days, said Al Litchﬁeld, president of the BRT. One such event was in aid of the Cancer Support Group at Prince William Hospital.

Photos courtesy Sean Flores

barbershop quartet and chorus, I hear you say. Do these groups still exist today? Well, actually, yes! And if you haven’t heard one of the 20 chapters in the Washington, D.C. metro area, you are missing out. With a 30,000strong membership, the Barbershop Harmony Society is one of many societies promoting barbershop music in America and throughout the world. And Prince William County is very proud to have its own barbershop group based right here in Manassas— the Bull Run Troubadours (BRT).

The Bull Run Troubadors, based in Manassas and made up of 25 male volunteers, continues the barbershop chorus tradition of bringing joy through music to places such as hospitals, museums, and retirement homes.

given Tuesday evening you will ﬁnd the group rehearsing at the Covenant Presbyterian Church on Hoadly Road. New members are always welcome to come along and meet this formidable group of men. Members come from all walks of life but have one thing in common—a love of singing.

“e quartets have also volunteered their individual singing services to...play the part of the quartet in the e Music Man for the Upper Room eatre Ministry at All Saints Church [Manassas]. One of them also joint ventured with Osbourn High School choirs to put on a show and shared the proﬁts with the school,” said Litchﬁeld.

“Any man that loves to sing will so enjoy the barbershop style and songs that he will want to join,” said Al Elkins, BRT’s chorus manager. Comprised of five quartets—Prince William Sound, DayTime Quartet, H.O.V. 4, the Fo Pa’s and Sho N’ Off—the quartets, as well as the chorus, specialize in bringing musical entertainment to public and private events. “When the four voices sing that [seventh] chord and get the right mix it will leave you with goose bumps on your arm,” said Elkins. “We sing for anniversaries, holidays, church groups and in the Dale City 4th of July parade,” said Gallop. After breaking into the chorus of “When I’m 64”, Gallop proceeded to tell how the chorus sings “modern stuff” now.

A non-proﬁt association, BRT sponsors musical education and provides scholarships, and as the average age of the group currently is 55, passing on the expertise and traditions of this a-cappella style singing is very important. But, don’t think this is just a bunch of old men singing old-fashioned tunes! “One guy is in his mid-20s,” said Gallop, and the group always welcomes new members. On any

“In the last seven years we have begun singing Beatles songs as well as John Denver and the Mamas and the Papas,” Gallop said. Valentine’s Day sees BRT’s charitable giving go just a little bit further when they perform as “Singing Valentines.” For a fee of $50, BRT quartet members serenade loved ones with songs and present them with a single silk rose and a photograph. Included in

20 | February 2012 prince william living

this price tag is a donation of a portion of the proceeds to the local Prince William County charities, ACTS and SERVE. “We want to make someone’s day; we love to do this,” said Gallop. Last year the group helped make the day of about 50 people in the county alone. Asked where the funniest place he performed was, he said “the funniest place we sang was for a mechanic in a big garage. e poor guy was so embarrassed.” Male a-cappella singing is an old-fashioned sound that makes you yearn for the “good old days,” Gallop opined. “I have sung in front of people since I was a toddler. My first solo was when I was six years old [in church]. I first found barbershop music in high school in Florida and started singing with a barbershop chapter down there in 1980.” After being away from music for nearly 30 years, Gallop returned to the music he loved when he joined the chapter in 2008. Asked why he chose this style of music over all the others, he said “this is my extended family, like a large family with 20 older brothers. I look forward to being around them every week and I miss these guys when I cannot attend a rehearsal or a performance.” e BRT is an officially chartered chorus of the National Barbershop Harmony Society in Prince William County and has been providing barbershop harmony programs in the county since 1957. Scholarship programs include sending music teachers to summer camp for “barbershoppers” (called Barbershop Harmony College East) so that they can find out what “barbershopping” is all about. “We paid for the tuition at Harmony College East for Laura Britton, music teacher at Forest Park High School,” said Litchfield. “We have had school singing groups in our annual show several times throughout the years as well as having (BRT) quartets sing to school singing groups,” said Gallop. “We have supplied some music to various school choruses and quartets and, when one school was doing e Music Man, one of our quartets coached the school quartet.” Encouraging and supporting barbershop-style singing is important and, in recognition of this importance, BRT has supported the Barbershop Harmony Society “Youth in Harmony” program. is program includes training for youths through oneday workshops held throughout the country, as well as “harmony explosion camps” for high school singers, festivals and enrichment programs. Over the past year, BRT has performed at community events, such as the September 11th Remembrance at Chick-fil-A at Signal Hill, where they helped commemorate by performing patriotic songs. e group also took part in the Buckhall Volunteer Fire Department’s 15th anniversary celebration during August, and continuing their program of giving back and bringing joy to the community, BRT also took part in the Free Family Summer Concert series during July and August at the Harris Pavilion in

Old Town Manassas. “I love singing—church choirs, gospel music… But I love the barbershop singing deeply,” said Elkins. What more needs to be said? is is what the BRT bring to the Prince William community—a deep love, encouragement and enjoyment that gives back to all ages. More information on the Bull Run Troubadours can be found online at www.brtva.org. A graduate of American University’s School of Communication, Olivia Overman has written articles for a number of online and print publications. She lives with her husband and son in Woodbridge. Overman can be reached by email at ooverman@princewilliamliving.com.

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calendar Surprise Valentine's Day Visits from Screech and Uncle Slam

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February 14 (Book before Feb. 8) Lake Ridge Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too. Surprise your beloved this Valentine’s Day with a special visit from Washington Nationals’ mascot Screech or the Single-A Potomac Nationals’ Uncle Slam. Screech is available for a ﬁve-minute surprise appearance, during which he’ll deliver a Valentine’s Day card along with a balloon and a box of chocolates. e cost is $150. Fans can call (202) 640-7640 or email mascot@nationals.com to book him before Feb. 8. For just $100, P-Nats fans will receive a dozen red roses and two tickets redeemable for any Potomac game other than opening day or July 4. And, of course, the package will be delivered by Uncle Slam. Book the Uncle Slam package by calling Lake Ridge Florist at (703) 494-2299 prior to Feb. 10.

The Tschaikowski St. Petersburg State Orchestra February 8, 8 p.m. Merchant Hall Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle | Manassas Since its founding shortly after World War II, this grand orchestra has developed an extremely diverse repertoire ranging from Baroque through 20th Century music. Admission Fee: VIP $69 / $59 / $49 / $39

Pied Piper Children’s Theatre Presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Auditions) February 10 and 11 Pied Piper Children’s eatre, Center for the Arts 9419 Battle Street | Manassas For additional information and to make a reservation for an audition, call (703) 330-2787.

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys

February 1-29 Harris Pavilion 9201 Center Street | Manassas Ice skate the whole month of February at the Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas. For additional information, visit http://harrispavilion.com/index.php.

February 11, 8 p.m. Merchant Hall Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle | Manassas Don’t miss this incredible night of music that will enchant bluegrass fans across generations! Admission fee: $30, $38, $46. (Family-friendly performance. Halfprice tickets are available for youth through grade 12 when accompanied by an adult.)

Valentines for Veterans

Singing Valentine Telegram

February 1-7 Chinn Park Regional Library 13065 Chinn Park Drive | Woodbridge Help make a hospitalized veteran’s Valentine’s Day brighter by having your family make Valentines’ and dropping them oﬀ by February 7, 2012 at Chinn Library. e library will deliver them to the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Hospital in celebration of both Valentine’s Day and Hospitalized Veterans Week. e public is also invited to drop oﬀ supplies to make the cards at the library. For more information about this or any other library program, visit the Chinn Park Regional Library, or call (703) 792-4800.

February 12 and 13 Looking for a unique Valentine’s gift? A barbershop quartet from the Bull Run Troubadours will deliver a singing Valentine to your sweetheart in the local Prince William County area. For more information or to order, contact Dan Sobrio by phone at (703) 361-2690, or visit www.brtva.org/svindex.html.

Family Outdoor Ice Skating

22 | February 2012 prince william living

Youth Orchestra Performance February 12, 3 p.m. Gar-Field High School 14000 Smoketown Road | Woodbridge e Youth Orchestras of Prince William

County have scheduled a performance of their Preparatory, Primo, & Repertory Orchestras. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students and seniors, and are available at the door. For additional information visit www.yopwva.org/ concerts.html

Spring Training Baseball Camp Feb. 18-19 and 25-26 Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School 17700 Dominican Drive | Dumfries Baseball players in grades 6-11 are invited to participate in the ird Annual Spring Training Baseball Camp at Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School. Coaches work with players on the fundamentals of hitting, throwing, and ﬁelding. For more information and to register, visit www.jpthegreat.org, or contact baseball coach Brian Dunleavy, either by phone at (703) 445-0331, or by email at brian.dunleavy@jpthegreat.org.

“Winter Classic” Charity Texas Hold-em Tournament February 25 Dumfries Triangle Rescue 3R 3800 Graham Park Road | Dumfries 4th annual charity Texas Hold-em tournament, hosted by the Montclair Lions. $2,500+ in prizes including “Last Woman Standing” and “Gunslinger” award of two Washington Nationals Baseline Reserved seats for player who takes out the most players in special prize pool. $50 donation for 5,500 in chips. LIMITED to 250 players. Washington Nationals Fan Van will be present. For tickets and for more information, email Montclair_Lions.Texas.hold_em@verizon. net.

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tambourines and elephants Fries with that? By DeeDee Corbitt Sauter “So, DeeDee, what do you think your youngest is going to be when he grows up?” Ox is closing in on three years old, and although I want to make sure that my children are encouraged, supported, challenged and have a stable future, I think that the age of two might be a wee bit early for the baby to make career decisions. And I hope you are not implying that I should make that decision FOR him right now. I don’t even know how to address that. Pushing a kid toward a particular career field is not uncommon, but can also backfire. Apparently (I say apparently because I have no recollection of this), my parents used to drive me around the wealthier part of town, pointing to the grand gated homes with marble fronts and flowing fountains. At the end of the driveways could be seen stone statues guarding the double doors and the staircases beyond, and an ethereal glow seemed to magically surround each mansion. These homes and these neighborhoods were to be my life goal. Fast forward a vague number of years and my homes have varied from slovenly college dorm room to middle class mayhem. It’s clear that their goals of my future were not met. It’s not all a loss… I am happily married with two children I need to steer into a career, a messy home and no car payment. Really, what is wrong with that? Back to my children and their criteria for a happy future: I have told my oldest that he can do anything at which he excels. I am tired of parents telling children that they can be anything at all. Frankly, that is just a lie. One of my closest friends is so bad at math she was actually fired from a Burger King in the ’80s because she could not make change. Those were the days before computerized cash registers so she would just hand out a random amount of money to the customer. Her tray was never even close to accurate and her fast food career quickly came to an unceremonious end. Therefore, if she ever said she wanted a high-profile career in banking or any type of

sales, I would simply have to point and laugh like any supportive friend. See? She obviously can’t be or do anything she wants. I have actually had parents tell me that they have signed their child up for two sports every season so they can ensure an athletic scholarship, which will guarantee a successful college career and in turn a flourishing livelihood. After all, I have never known a high school jock to make bad decisions. Unfortunately, with the number of people who are counting on scholarships, they really need to invent more sports. Again, I digress. When my oldest, who we’ll call “Bird,” was a wee lad, he refused to speak. He created his own sign language to communicate his needs and all the relatives thought he was so smart that they predicted he would have a career in law, medicine or science. No one mentioned fast food for him; non-talkers are clearly not able to ask you if you need fries with that. As for me—I just thought he was stubborn and that my future looked tiring.

Lately, I have started to make things up, as I am fully aware that any prediction I have will be as accurate as if I require my child to hold fast to a career chosen now. I tell them the youngest will probably be a paid assassin or playground bully as evidenced by his general violence with his Matchbox cars. He will cover as a Wal-Mart greeter because of his happy nature when meeting new people. The oldest will obviously make millions, if not thousands, as a zookeeper because of his love for animals, which as you know is so incredibly unusual for a child. Me? I intend to live in a huge house on acres and acres of land with marble staircases and a gilded carriage…

DeeDee Corbitt Sauter is a resident of Prince William County. Her column, “Tambourines and Elephants,” appears monthly in Prince William Living.

My youngest, however, talks non-stop, and has entire conversations regardless of whether or not anyone is paying attention. He has two volumes: loud and louder. His imaginative play extends from the LEGO table to the dinner table. Because of this, all the relatives are convinced of his superior intellect and predict a career in law, medicine or science. I am continuously asked what I think my children “will become,” and at least once at every family gathering, I am cornered about their futures. I often repeat what the child has told me himself. For example, when my oldest was about four and could finally speak, he announced that he was going to become the first football player to fight fires on the moon in heaven. But that can’t beat my friend’s daughter, who aspires to be a stop sign, but has also considered an alternate career as an umbrella. This is the same friend who was fired from Burger King, so I am not sure that is entirely unrealistic.

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Shopper’s Food and Pharmacy 9540 Liberia Ave | Manassas

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independent Hill neighborhood Library 14418 Bristow Road | Manassas Kids on the Move/Church on the Move 13061 Touchstone Circle | Woodbridge Laser Quest 14517 Potomac Mills Road | Woodbridge Manassas Christian Academy 8757 Signal Hill Road | Manassas Manassas Christian School 9296 West Carondelet Drive | Manassas Manassas Park -Parks and recreation 99 Adams Street | Manassas The Merit School of Prince William 14308 Spriggs Road | Woodbridge Minnieland at Ashland 5555 Assateague Place | Manassas Minnieland at Braemar 12700 Correen Hills Drive | Bristow Minnieland at Bristow 10368 Bristow Center | Bristow Minnieland at Cardinal 10910 Feeder Lane | Woodbridge Minnieland at Cloverdale 3498 Cranmer Mews | Woodbridge

Prince William Public Library System–Lake ridge neighborhood Library 12964 Harbor Drive | Lakeridge Prince William Public Library System–nokesville neighborhood Library 12993 Fitzwater Drive | Nokesville Prince William Public Library System–Bull run regional Library 8051 Ashton Ave | Manassas Prince William Public Library System–Central Community Library 8601 Mathis Ave | Manassas Prince William Public Library System–Chinn Park regional Library 13065 Chinn Park Dr. | Woodbridge Prince William Public Library System–Dale City neighborhood Library 4249 Dale Blvd | Dale City Prince William Public Library System–Dumfries neighborhood Library 18007 Dumfries Shopping Plaza | Dumfries

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