B rookside OCTOBER 2020
An exclusive magazine serving the residents of Brookside, Vint Hill, Snow Hill, Jamison’s Farm, Warrenton Chase and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Cover photo by The Little Photo Shop
Neighbors
The Brown Family
KEEPS MOVING FORWARD ALSO INSIDE: - Waggin' Hearts Bring Comfort to Many...pg 16 - A Fall Recipe for Mushroom Lovers...pg 20 - And Helpful Articles from Our Experts
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OCTOBER 2020
D e ar Residents, How is it fall already? It seems the weather turned very quickly these past few weeks, late warm summer days turned to chilly, autumnal ones. Usually, this time of year, I am packing the calendar with fall activities, and although many events have been canceled, there are still quite a few to enjoy in this wonderful fall weather! PUB LICATION TEA M Publishers: Michael & Debbie Wykowski Content Coordinator: Aimée O’Grady Designer: Olivia Gendusa Contributing Photographer: Melinda Ratcliff, The Little Photo Shop ADV ERTISING Contact: Michael & Debbie Wykowski Email: mwykowski@bestversionmedia.com or dwykowski@bestversionmedia.com Phone: 703-203-9130 FEEDBACK/ID E AS/SUBM I SS I O N S : Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month. Go to www. bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to: aogrady@bestversionmedia.com. HOA SUB MISSION INFO RM AT I O N Are you on the association board for your subdivision? Contact us for information on how you can submit articles, updates, reminders, events and more to the residents. We create customized homeowners association sections at no cost to the HOA or the residents.
This month we meet the Brown family. Nichole and Michael have started their own farm in Vint Hill and look forward to supplying their farm store with beautiful scarves with fleece from their growing herd of Alpacas. Nichole is excitedly planning her event at her farm while helping the couple’s two children with their coursework for this school semester. Sally Petty shares information about Waggin’ Hearts Therapy Dogs. The organization from Rappahannock has been making people smile for over 15 years and looks forward to continued growth and new partnerships. Two of our expert contributors offer guidance during COVID-19, and Just Ask provides parents with tips on how to safeguard children during virtual learning. As the cooler temps continue to roll in and we begin to bundle up for winter, we offer you a delicious cream of mushroom soup with torn croutons to warm you up. We hope that you enjoy your fall and continue to seek out local adventures.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2020 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
Aimée O’Grady, Content Coordinator
Debbie and M ichael Wykowski , Publishers
Dr. Shannon Moore and Associates 540-347-0555 www.warrentoneyes.com 528 Waterloo Road, Warrenton
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EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS HEATING, COOLING AND PLUMBING Appleton Campbell Featured Employee: Roger Safrit “There is no better sense of accomplishment than leaving a customer's house at the end of the day knowing that they are comfortable and that they have been our top priority from the initial phone call, to the end of the day walking them through how to operate their brand new system.” Roger Safrit, HVAC Installer. Appleton Campbell is a Class A contractor with masters in Plumbing, Gas Fitter, HVAC & Electrical. Please visit appletoncampbell.com to learn more. 540-347-0765 | appletoncampbell.com HOME CARE EverNest Home Care Chris Gay Chris Gay is the owner of EverNest Home Care, a licensed home-care provider located in Warrenton and serving clients throughout the Northern Virginia area. From personal care services to companionship services and beyond, EverNest’s home care offerings are tailored to suit each of their client’s lifestyles and needs wherever they call “home.” Through their extremely selective recruitment process, they’ve taken the care necessary to curate the best team of nurturing, attentive professionals. 571-483-8806 |www.evernestcare.com DESIGN BUILD – KITCHEN AND BATH REMODELS AND NEW HOMES Golden Rule Builders, Inc. Joel Barkman Joel is the President/Owner of Golden Rule Builders, Inc a design build firm in Catlett, VA specializing in kitchen/bath remodels and custom homes. Joel has been named the Builder of the Year by the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA), and Business Person of the Year by the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce.Joel and his wife Patty have five children and are active members of the Dayspring Mennonite Church. He also serves on the boards of Good Life Ministries in India, New Horizons Ministries in Colorado, Lord Fairfax Community College and Fauquier Hospital. 540-788-3539 | www.GoldenRuleBuilders.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/GoldenRuleBuilders FAMILY LAW, CRIMINAL LAW AND ESTATE PLANNING Mark B. Williams & Associates, PLC Featured Attorney - Joseph R. Pricone Mark B. Williams has been practicing law in Virginia since 1990. He focuses on criminal law and personal injury. The firm also includes attorneys Alyssa D. Phillips, an experienced family law advocate, William D. Ashwell, who handles estate planning, business, and civil litigation cases, and Joseph R. Pricone, who practices criminal and traffic law. Mark B. Williams & Associates provides a high level of personal service and a total commitment to protecting the interests of the their clients. (540) 347-6595 | www.mbwalaw.com EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Saint James’ Episcopal School Rachel Sirene Saint James’ Episcopal School (SJES) in old town Warrenton offers preschool (age 2) through Grade 5 with purposefully small class sizes, caring faculty, appropriately challenging academics, Christ-centered worship, and multiple service opportunities. Academics are rooted in children’s innate curiosity to learn, whether in preschool through play, or elementary classes with project-based learning across all curriculum or exploring the outdoors through inquiry-driven discoveries. SJES is accredited by VAIS. 540-347-3855 | www.saintjamesepiscopalschool.org
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OCTOBER 2020
PRIVATE EDUCATION Covenant Christian Academy Amanda Bryson Covenant Christian Academy (CCA) is a VCPE-recognized independent school located between Gainesville and Warrenton, Virginia. CCA is a certified member of UniversityModel® Schools International and is fully accredited with AdvancED. Our international organization supports over 80 college-preparatory schools worldwide. The University-Model® combines the best aspects of public, private, and home education. 540-680-4111 | info@covenantva.org | www.covenantva.org
DERMATOLOGY Lawrence J. Finkel, M.D. Dermatology Dr. Larry Finkel - Board Certified Dermatologist For almost 20 years, Dr. Larry Finkel has served the community's dermatological needs. He is Warrenton's and Fauquier County's most experienced and longest practicing dermatologist. As a member of several dermatology-related associations, he has lectured and is published in professional journals. Dr. Finkel is also an avid community sponsor, supporting many groups including: the Fauquier Free Clinic , the Fauquier Hospital Foundation, the Falcon Booster Club at Fauquier High School, the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, the American Children of SCORE, and Allegro CSA. He also performs with Fauquier Community Theater and sings tenor in Mint Condition—a local Barbershop Quartet. 540-347-2020 | finkelderm.com DOG WALKING, PET SITTING AND PET CARE SERVICES My Pet’s Friend Melissa and Richard Macias My Pet’s Friend is veteran-owned and provides fully licensed and bonded dog walking, pet sitting and pet care services in Fauquier County. Brookside residents Melissa and Richard took over MPF in 2018, having been its original clients in 2009. Their core mission: Providing pets with love and care in the comfort of their own home while providing owners with a stress-free way to handle their pet’s needs without compromising their own security and privacy needs. 540-905-4884 | missy@my-pets-friend.com www.my-pets-friend.com INSURANCE State Farm Insurance Carmen Rivera Carmen first started with State Farm in May 2000. She and her team help the members of our community manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. They always provide exceptional, personalized and caring customer service for you and your family! They are focused on Auto, Homeowners, Renters, Life and Small Business Insurance in Warrenton and the surrounding areas. 540-347-1566 | www.carmenriverainsurance.com carmen.rivera.e3uu@statefarm.com REAL ESTATE RE/MAX Regency Dawn Arruda Dawn is an experienced 3rd generation real estate professional dedicated to providing her clients with the highest level of service. For her, “Real Estate is more than selling a house. It is marketing a home and making sure my clients have a smooth and worry-free experience from start to finish.” Dawn uses a designer approach and the latest technology to make it happen. 540-729-6740 | www.dawnarruda.com | arrudahomes@teamregency.com
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Michael and Debbie Wykowski at dwykowski@bestversionmedia.com or 703-203-9130.
CABINET PAINTING Heather’s Painted Treasures Heather Workman Heather Workman is the owner and operator at Heather’s Painted Treasures. Her team specializes in taking tired and dated cabinetry and give them “new life.” They have a unique style of prep, cleaning, priming and painting your cabinet doors and drawer fronts in their temperature controlled, ventilated and dust free paint booth. This results in amazing cabinets that are as close to “factory new” without the factory! 703-655-7852 | www.heatherspaintedtreasures.com TAX PREPARATION Marshall Consulting Group, LLC Douglas M. Marshall, III CPA As a leader in the accounting industry Doug is committed to providing close, personal attention to his clients. He takes pride in giving you the assurance that the personal assistance you receive comes from years of advanced training, technical experience and financial acumen. “We believe in the value of relationships. We view every client relationship like a partnership, and truly believe that our success is a result of your success!” 540-347-2161 | www.mcgllccpa.com PERFORMING ARTS Lasley Centre for the Performing Arts Kalie Lasley Kalie Lasley is an American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Affiliate Teacher and the Executive Director of Lasley Centre for the Performing Arts in Vint Hill. Ms. Lasley has an extensive background in dance, including time as a professional dancer at the prestigious San Francisco Ballet. Lasley Centre opened in 2011, growing into a 9,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility where students from pre-ballet to pre-professional train to be technically sound artists in a nurturing environment. 540-905-2782 | klasley@lasleycentre.com www.lasleycentre.com
"When Quality and Service Count" INSPIRING MODERN FARMHOUSE DESIGN-BUILD!
LANDSCAPING Landkraft Landscape LLC John Gorg John Gorg is owner and operator of Landkraft Landscape, LLC where “Landscapes with Distinction” are created. Landkraft a design-build company specializing in outdoor living spaces featuring fine patios, walks and planting arrangements. John is a graduate of Virginia Tech’s landscape architecture program, has 20+ years experience in the field, and a personal touch to make each project a success through a process of consultation, creative landscape design and quality craftsmanship. 571-237-5719 | www.landkraftlandscape.net EYE CARE Dr. Shannon Moore and Associates Dr. Shannon Moore, Optometrist This practice has been providing expert eyecare to Warrenton and the surrounding commuities since 1979. Dr. Shannon Moore joined the practice in 2005 and Dr. Lisa Butterfield in 2015. Having vast knowledge of ocular disease, surgical eyecare and optics, the doctors can diagnose, manage and treat a variety of ocular diseases as well provide patients with the most accurate prescriptions for their glasses and/or contacts. They also co-manage with several leading ophthalmologists to ensure that any ocular condition they find can be managed and treated by the appropriate doctors. The practice has been voted "Best of Warrenton" and "Best of Fauquier" a total of seven times since 2007. 540-347-0555 | www.warrentoneyes.com
DESIGN BUILD | KITCHEN & BATH REMODELS | NEW HOMES | ADDITIONS
www.GoldenRuleBuilders.com Showroom: 3409 Catlett Road, Catlett, VA | 540.788.3539
Brookside Neighbors
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Resident Feature
The Brown Family
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Nichole is mom to sixth-grader Emma and third-grader Will, who she will homeschool this year due to COVID-19. But Nichole is up for the challenge and is embracing it with so many other challenges on the family’s 23-acre farm that they moved into just over a year ago. She views the pandemic as a blessing for what it has brought to her family.
become established and he was able to spend more time at home. Last year, before the pandemic, he and his partner sold the business to investors, they still work daily and run B&S but their days are much more flexible,” says Nichole. Today, Michael can spend even more time with his family developing their farm.
“My husband, Michael, works in pre-construction site-development and launched B&S Site Development 17 years ago. In the early years of our marriage he worked long days six days a week. Over the past five or so years, his crews have
The couple met in Manassas at work. Nichole was working for a silt fence company at the time, and Michael came in looking to make a purchase. “I think my boss gave him my number,” laughs Nich-
he Four Arrow Farm name was chosen by mom, Nichole Brown, to represent the four members of the family who are always moving forward.
Keeps Moving Forward By Aimée O’Grady | Photography by The Little Photo Shop
ole. Michael was raised in Washington, VA. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1997 and spent four years in the Army before settling down in Fauquier. He left the Army as a First Lieutenant Field Artillery Officer. Nichole was raised in Fredericksburg. Settling in Warrenton was a nice compromise, although it took a little getting used to for Nichole. “It felt so remote when we moved here,” she says, “But today I love where we live.” Just a few years ago, the couple decided they wanted to leave their smaller lot and
Resident Feature
look for land. “When we saw a parcel for sale next to the community where we were living, we knew it was for us,” she says. They bought the land and spent the next year building their home. They settled into the house in July 2019. Today, the property is home to three Kunekune pigs that weigh close to 200lbs each, four Nigerian Dwarf Goats, 19 chickens, and seven alpacas, two of which are pregnant, with two more young males coming soon. By 2021, the farm will have a total of 11 Alpacas. The pigs and goats are pets. The chickens earn their keep by providing nearly a dozen eggs daily. But the alpacas are where the farm will look to make some revenue. “We wanted an animal that would produce something other than food. We got the alpacas in January and plan to shear them once a year. We sent the fiber to be processed and made into scarves with natural coloring. We are having socks made as well with the fiber.
These will be sold in our farm store,” explains Nichole. The eggs will also be sold at the farm store and will be managed by Emma. While Michael works and Nichole manages the children’s education for this year,
the farm is run with help from a friend. “With all the fencing and mowing and animals, it’s too much to keep up with,” explains Nichole. But soon, the family will have even more help. “We sold a few acres of our farm to my parents who just moved continued on next page
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Brookside Neighbors
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Resident Feature
into their home. With this large of a farm, it takes lots of hands to keep it running and everyone healthy,” says Nichole. With help at the farm, the family can look to the future and make plans for travel. “We enjoy the out islands of the Bahamas and love Disney,” says Nichole. Until their travel dates, there is plenty to do at the farm to keep everyone busy. And off the farm, Emma and Will are both registered for activities at the Haymarket Ice Plex. “Last year Will began playing ice hockey, and Emma will be taking figure skating lessons after being introduced to it at a birthday party last year. Last fall Nichole and Michael hosted a large fall farm festival to welcome their friends and family to their new farm. While the party was postponed this year because of the pandemic, the couple continues looking ahead to many life celebrations and community events to be had at Four Arrow Farm.
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share?
Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at aogrady@bestversionmedia.com.
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OCTOBER 2020
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Real Estate August 2020 SOLDS SOLD DATE
ADDRESS
PRICE
August 3, 2020 6324 Vint Hill Road August 3, 2020 7035 Executive Court August 4, 2020 6950 Tanglewood Drive August 7, 2020 7116 Baldwin Ridge Road August 10, 2020 3698 Dockside Drive August 10, 2020 7339 Lake Willow Court August 10, 2020 3688 Dockside Drive August 11, 2020 7182 Heron Place August 12, 2020 7284 Mill Run Drive August 12, 2020 6517 Grays Mill Road August 14, 2020 2195 Pump House Court August 20, 2020 5005 Parkside Court August 21, 2020 6555 Grays Mill Road August 21, 2020 5008 Parkside Court August 21, 2020 6387 Cedar Brook Ln August 24, 2020 7101 New Kensington Court August 24, 2020 6083 Kirkland Drive August 27, 2020 7187 Baldwin Ridge Road August 28, 2020 5892 Chittenden Drive August 31, 2020 7041 Wintergreen Court August 31, 2020 5546 Angus Hill Drive August 31, 2020 6107 Mint Springs Drive August 31, 2020 2221 Pump House Court August 31, 2020 4667 Gates Road
BEDS BATHS
$637,500 $415,000 $630,000 $775,000 $560,000 $550,000 $626,500 $800,000 $425,000 $327,000 $585,000 $720,000 $200,000 $649,999 $575,000 $565,000 $720,000 $579,000 $580,500 $650,000 $620,000 $641,500 $555,000 $652,000
4 3 5 5 3 5 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 5 4 5 5 4 4 5 4 4 5
2.5 3 4.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 4.5 2 2 4.5 3.5 1 4.5 3.5 3.5 4.5 3.5 3.5 3 5 3.5 3.5 3
LOCATION VINT HILL SOUTH HILL ESTATES BROOKSIDE AUBURN MILL ESTATES BROOKSIDE BROOKSIDE BROOKSIDE BROOKSIDE MILL RUN ACRES WARRENTON BROOKSIDE BROOKSIDE WARRENTON BROOKSIDE WHITE'S MILL BROOKSIDE LAKE WHIPPOORWILL AUBURN MILL ESTATES JAMISON'S WOODS WARRENTON JAMISONS FARM LAKE WHIPPOORWILL BROOKSIDE BROOKSIDE
SQUARE FEET LOT SIZE SQ FT 2,774 2,300 5,921 5,166 2,895 3,542 3,403 5,012 1,607 1,894 4,842 5,023 1,025 5,484 3,896 4,788 4,015 3,164 2,896 3,118 5,060 3,830 4,260 4,077
56,850 22,094 46,117 87,120 7,653 10,071 20,055 8,093 49,131 65,340 8,107 20,295 74,052 10,010 11,230 47,376 47,062 52,886 59,647 91,411 40,167 40,689 7,932 25,679
Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. The data does not represent the listings of any one agent or agency but represents the activity of the entire real estate community in the area. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in the magazine is separate from the statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.
I’M LICENSED TO SELL Dawn Arruda & Co. LLC Realtor
Dawn Arruda
Realtor® ABR, CDPE, MCNE
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Brookside Neighbors
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Expert Contributor
Coping within this New COVID Environment
PART 2
By The EverNest Home Care Team
Testing and the options available
In this second of a three-part series, we continue to offer guidance when caring for your elderly loved ones in this new environment of social distancing and look into Risk Mitigation for COVID-19 testing as the threat continues.
H
ere we discuss some of the options when seeking COVID-19 testing and some simple guidelines to reduce risk as your loved ones may be concerned with the dangers in venturing out into the public for COVID-19 testing to include—visiting a doctor's office or another testing environment.
There are three types of tests available: an antibody test that identifies if you have been infected in the past, a viral test that informs if you currently have the virus, and a third test that requires further discussion. This third test is a saliva test administered by a qualified person and offers a result in 15 minutes. This test involves a saliva swab from the back of the mouth, a recent advancement primarily from the Abbott Laboratories. The test is approximately 85% reliable, which is comparable to the other tests mentioned. Therefore, if you test positive, you can self-quarantine for 48 hours and retest. This is a significant improvement in the retuning of the test result. Currently, our brave first responders are trying this in Dade County, Florida, and should be widely available in October or November. Check with your health care provider. The fee is expected to be $5-$10 per test. If you are showing symptoms, call your health care provider and arrange an online or telehealth appointment. This is a safe and sound first step toward testing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two versions of an at-home testing kit. However, the sample you collect from your saliva or nasal passage will still need to be forwarded to a laboratory. Talk to your health care provider about the efficiency and availability of at-home testing and if it's right for you. Depending on the supply of test kits available, the test could be administered directly. If there is any delay in receiving these kits, you will need to seek another source. Local or state health department websites can provide information and locations for testing in your area. Drive-through testing, which allows you to remain in your car while being tested, may be preferred. This drive-through option is also available at some pharmacies in selected areas. We suggest calling ahead as you may need an appointment.
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OCTOBER 2020
There are several testing centers available in the Warrenton area. Among them is a drive through test center where rapid COVID testing is offered, located at Piedmont Urgent Care 493 Blackwell Rd. Warrenton, VA 20186. The cost per test for county residents is $75.00 and you typically have your results within a few hours. Another option is the CVS Walk-In Clinic located at 510 Blackwell Road Warrenton, VA 20186. The results here usually take 2-3 days. In most cases, your health care provider should let you know a time frame for getting your COVID results back, but that can vary from hours to even a week or longer. EverNest Home Care can assist you and your loved ones through this process and more. Please contact us for a free consultation! We are fully committed to the health and well-being of our clients and caregivers. Please know we are here for you and will continue to provide quality care while enforcing several new safety measures.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments and be sure to follow us for Part 3. For more information, you can email chris@evernestcare.com, contact our office at 571-483-8806, or visit us online at www.evernestcare.com.
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Brookside Neighbors
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Calendar of Events
OCTOBER 2020
PLEASE CONFIRM EVENTS BEFORE ATTENDING.
MONTHLY
historical games and activities! Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $25/person Location: 10 Ashby Street, Warrenton www.facebook.com/ events/2736420059908080
• Teen (Grades 6-12) Kahoot Trivia Meet-Up
OCTOBER 7
Check Culpeper County Library for dates and times: http://youseemore. com/culpeper/ • Teen (Grades 6-12) Art and Writing Zoom Meet-Up
OCTOBER 7
Family History Day The Fauquier History Museum welcomes you and your family or loved ones to join us for a special day of historical games and activities! The Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail welcomes you and your family or loved ones to join us for a special day of
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OCTOBER 2020
Homeschool Art Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Express your inner artistic ability and make wonderful art selections, including the use of recycled items. Each week a different theme will be selected. The instructor will help guide you through your selection and work with you to finalize your art. Painting, drawing, and other art forms can be used to create your own personal artwork.
Age: 5-12 Cost: $74/participant Location: Arts and Crafts Room, Warrenton Community Center, 430 E. Shirley Ave, Warrenton www.facebook.com/ events/738655913357871
OCTOBER 8
Effee’s Fundraiser for KRHS Band Come grab a sweet treat at Effee’s and show support for the KRHS Bands! Make sure when you get your favorite treat, you mention the KRHS Bands! Time: 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. Location: Effee’s Frozen Favorites, 5051 Lee Hwy, Warrenton www.facebook.com/ events/1421726814884642
OCTOBER 10
OCTOBER 14
YHikes (Youth Hikes) 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join us for our monthly Saturday YHikes! (Youth Hikes) with the following additional guidelines to keep everyone safe: There will be no bathrooms available and no access to the farmhouse. No sharing of binoculars, hand lens, etc. Masks will be required when social distancing is not possible. Group size will be limited. Families with children ages 6 and older are invited to come along as we explore the field station and learn about the animals, fungi and plants that live here. You never know what we’ll find! This program is an wonderful opportunity for families to explore nature together. We pick a different trail to explore each month and usually move slowly as we stop often to look at and learn about all the different species that live in northern Virginia. Closed toe, preferably waterproof, shoes or boots, hats, sunscreen, bug spray, and water bottles are recommended. Registration required: https://cliftoninstitute.org/ Location: The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Rd, Warrenton Cost: Free
Nature School 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Take a break from screens and join us! Each session will include a structured learning activity on a particular topic and an exploratory nature walk. For students in Grades K-6. Cost: $10/class Location: The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Rd, Warrenton www.facebook.com/ events/759110014964814
OCTOBER 21
4-H Canine Science In this series, you will learn about animal behavior, dog training techniques, and careers in dog training. All sessions will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 4 PM. Time: 4:00 -5:00 p.m. Location: Fauquier 4-H, 24 Pelham St., Warrenton www.facebook.com/ events/2652404038337117
OCTOBER 31
Boys & Girls Clubs of Fauquier 2nd Annual 5K & Kid's Run Join us for this family friendly run/walk to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fauquier! The Club is a place where a kid can become whatever they dream. Participants will RUN TO BECOME stronger, faster and healthier while also becoming heroes to
OCTOBER 12
Fauquier County School Board Meeting 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Location: www.fcps1.org/live
the kids of our community. Time: 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Location: Main Street, Warrenton Cost: $25/participant To register: bgcf5k.com
OCTOBER 31
Old Bust Head Benefit 5K Come have some family fun on a fast and rolling course through Vint Hill. This is our 7th annual race benefitting Finley's Green Leap Forward (www.finleysgreenleapforward.org) and will be held rain or shine. Serious runners welcome as well as those who just want to come out to run, walk, or stroll to support a great cause. Dogs & costumes welcome! This year the race will be held both in-person and virtually! Either way, you’ll be supporting Finley’s Green Leap Forward and participating in the fun. Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Cost: $20/registrant Location: Old Bust Head Brewing Company, 7134 Farm Station Road, Warrenton www.oldbusthead.com/old-bust-headbenefit-5k-2
NOVEMBER 5
Stamp & Coin Club Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m. Monthly meeting that takes place the 1st Thursday of every month. Location: 6194 Dumfries Rd, Warrenton www.facebook.com/ events/869031396877418
AFTER
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BEFORE
AFTER
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571-237-5719 Brookside Neighbors
13
Expert Contributor
TRAFFIC TICKET?
Virginia Expands Safe Reporting of Overdose Protections
Understand your legal consequences. Get experienced help.
By Joseph R. Pricone
I
n 2015, Virginia began to protect individuals who summon police or emergency medical services to assist a person experiencing a drug overdose. The 2015 law provided the reporting party immunity from prosecution of drug possession and paraphernalia investigations that began due to the overdose. However, the law did not provide immunity to the person actually experiencing the overdose. In July of 2020, the Virginia Code was updated to provide immunity to both the caller and the person experiencing the overdose. The new law protects both individuals from prosecution of drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, drunk in public, and underage possession of alcohol charges that arise as a result of law enforcement responding to the overdose emergency. The new provision aligns Virginia with other states that have enacted “good Samaritan” laws providing legal defenses in overdose situations. The public policy articulated by the legislatures enacting the new laws is to encourage citizens to report overdoses without the fear of being charged with a crime. The new Virginia provision enhances that policy by providing protections to both the caller and the person experiencing the overdose.
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9th Annual Valor Awards By Gloria Williams, Chair, Valor Awards Committee
T
o provide a fitting tribute to the men and women in local law enforcement, fire and rescue who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep our community safe, the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce will be holding its’ 9th annual Valor Awards on October 22, 2020. Each year first responders are honored for work done the previous year.
Prior honorees include: Town of Warrenton Police Officers who de-escalated a situation where a suicidal man was holding a hostage with a gun. Thanks to their swift response, calm demeanor, and decisive action, the hostage was freed, and the man was taken into custody without incident.
2019 honorees with Master of Ceremonies, Lauryn Ricketts of NBC4.
A member of the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management team coordinated multiple units in response to a multi-car accident, which included a vehicle fire. While overseeing drivers extracted from vehicles and calling for trauma transport, he raced on foot to a nearby fire station to return with a fire engine to extinguish the fire. In addition to first responders, the Valor Awards honors a local Veteran. Last year Dr. David Snyder was honored for his many contributions to our community, including his work with youth. Help us celebrate, honor, and recognize the invaluable efforts of our local law enforcement who work tirelessly to keep Fauquier citizens safe and respond in times of need. Date: October 22, 2020 Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Location: Fauquier Springs Country Club, 9236 Tournament Drive, Warrenton, VA Cost: $50/attendee For tickets: www.fauquierchamber.org Because of COVID-19, the event will have a limited number of attendees at the Fauquier Springs Country Club but will also be aired online. For more information, please contact The Fauquier Chamber at 540-347-4414 or email mailbox@fauquierchamber.org.
When VA State Police Trooper stopped at 7-11 to fill his car with gas on his way home from work, he saw an older adult face down on the concrete in front of the store. He administered CPR while emergency services were called and continued to do so until the man started breathing.
Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Pokémon, Warhammer, Board Games & more
Two members of the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department were honored for working nights, weekends, and holidays to identifying online predators who traveled to Fauquier County for the purposes of child abuse and exploitation. Their work resulted in four individuals being charged.
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Brookside Neighbors
15
Charity Spotlight
At Rappahannock County High School with the Child Abuse Awareness Event
Waggin’ Hearts Therapy Dogs By Aimée O’Grady
Since 2004, Waggin’ Hearts Therapy Dogs has been bringing smiles to faces within the region. Run by an all-volunteer base of approximately 30 volunteers, nursing homes and senior centers have been greeted warmly by furry four-legged friends. Volunteers also participate in the Books & Barks R.E.A.D. program at local schools and libraries. This program was developed by the Intermountain Therapy Animals organization in Utah and offers children the irresistible opportunity to polish their reading skills by reading to a therapy dog. Waggin’ Hearts was started to meet the needs of more volunteer therapy dog teams for the Books & Barks Reading Partners Program that director, Sally Petty, started at the Rappahannock County Library when she moved to Sperryville. “I was visiting there twice a month with my Golden Retriever, Jazz. There were so many more children who wanted to have the opportunity to read to Jazz that we simply needed more teams. I gave a presentation on therapy dogs at the library and there were 17 people in attendance some bringing along their dogs,” says Sally. From there, Waggin’ Hearts Therapy Dogs was born with a core of seven new teams plus myself and my daughter. Most people enjoy sharing their special dogs with others. It is a win-win-win situation as the folks visited really enjoy the time spent
Don and Bonnie at Operation First Response Day for Wounded Warriors in Warrenton.
with the dogs – many have had to give up their dog or haven’t been able to have a dog for a few years. It is a time they can enjoy petting a dog, interacting with them & enjoying conversation with the dog’s handler. The dogs also enjoy all the extra attention! The handlers find visiting and sharing their dogs extremely rewarding. It is a wonderful feeling to bring joy & happiness to those we visit! For Mary McCabe, being a member of Wagging Hearts fulfills her in many ways. "I love volunteering with people that come together with their dogs, and each other, to bring a smile or a little joy to others. Whether it is visiting a nursing home or interacting with school children in a reading program, I always get the feeling that we do matters, and how we choose to give back matters. Finally, I have had
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First Day Hike at Shenandoah River State Park with Dick and Ginny Fox and Jake.
the pleasure of meeting and working with a really great group of people that are fun to be with." Therapy dogs are special volunteers themselves. Each dog is evaluated prior to being accepted into the program. Dogs must behave and have proper socialization to be a good therapy dog. One of the best ways to begin training a future therapy dog is to take your dog out to a basic obedience class, take them to meet lots of different people, take them to a lot of different places to get used to various noises, equipment, different surfaces to walk on, etc! Any breed of dog can become a therapy dog if they are able to meet the requirements and pass the testing process. For Sally, one special moment stands out: “My most memorable visit was when I was still being tested with my first Golden Retriever – Maggie. We were in the psychiatric unit of a hospital and a young man followed us through the whole visit. If we stopped in the hall to visit with one of the staff, he would lay on the floor talking quietly to Maggie. If we were in a room visiting with someone, he would wait at the door for us to come out and would continue talking to Maggie as we moved along the halls. At the end of our visit when we had left that ward, a nurse came running out and told us that that man hadn’t uttered a word in the 4 months of being there. I had tears and goose bumps! Ah! The power of our special dogs!” Waggin’ Hearts is excited to be expanding its role in the community with a new partnership with Hero’s Bridge, a local nonprofit that provides services to veterans age 65 and older that has a Paw Patrol program that brings pets to veterans for therapy. For more information, visit them at: http://wagginhearts-therapydogs.org/main/.
Think your dog is up to the task of being a Waggin’ Heart? Here is a socialization challenge to do with your dog: 1.) Visit someone with a pool & let the dog watch people splashing & playing in the pool. 2.) Meet an unfamiliar person carrying a large object (big box, musical instrument, suitcase, etc.) 3.) Visit a retail store – Petco, PetsMart (sometimes a Lowe’s will let you in with a well mannered dog). 4.) Visit with a person in a wheelchair or using a walker or crutches. 5.) Meet a person in uniform. 6.) Meet a person wearing a hat or scarf, something unusual that your dog hasn’t seen before. 7.) Meet a man with a beard (if your dog isn’t used to seeing men with beards). 8.) Meet a new dog that your dog isn’t familiar with. 9.) Visit a crowded place (a busy sidewalk area, mall, athletic game, parade, etc.). 10.) Experience a new LOUD sound (an outdoor band concert, vacuum cleaner, sirens, etc.). 11.) Watch someone on a bicycle, skateboard, rollerblades, etc. Get to the point where your dog will not react to it. Showing interest is ok, but not pulling and barking! 12.) Visit with the mail person, UPS delivery person, etc. Make good things happen! 13.) Meet a child under the age of 5 yrs old – one who is not a member of your family. 14.) Take your dog for a ride in an elevator. 15.) Expose your dog to stairs of various kinds – different surfaces, open & closed stairways. 16.) Add one new experience not listed here ____________________________ Compiled by: Sally Petty, July 2004
Brookside Neighbors
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Expert Contributor
FORBEARANCE.
What it is and why you need to know. By Dawn Arruda
W
hen COVID hit the US, and the world came to a halt, and business shut down,
most people who called their mortgage
Nearly 8% of mortgages in this country,
servicer and asked to be put in the program
roughly 3.8 million homeowners, are in
may not have exactly know the terms, lots of
forbearance, according to the Mortgage
unemployment hit a record high not seen
homeowners didn’t even get a document to
Bankers Association as of July 26th. It is
since the great depression. The government stepped in and created a Mortgage relief program through the CARES Act, which initially granted a 180-day Forbearance to homeowners with mortgages backed by
fill out or sign. They just assumed they didn’t have to make a payment. It is important to note that if you applied, even if you inquired they may have set you up for the program,
important to know what this means for you as the homeowner and how every servicer will handle these missed payments differently. Some will ask that they be paid when the forbearance time is up (that means you must
the federal government or government-
you should and must know the terms of your
sponsored enterprise such as Fannie Mae
forbearance. THIS IS NOT A FORGIVEN
tack the payments on the end of the loan,
or Freddie Mac. Private lenders typically
AMOUNT OF YOUR MORTGAGE! It is a
some may work out a payment plan that gets
allowed 90 days. It is important to note that
pause button if you will.
you back on track but the important thing to
pay all payments to catch up), some may
It ’s time to call Dawn Arruda to schedule your in home consultation We’ll be ready for you. Will you be ready for us? Get started now with our
1 2 3 4 5
5 Golden Rules
Depersonalize: Remove personal items that will distract a buyer from being able to see the home as theirs and not yours. Declutter: Maximize the space in your home by removing items that aren’t essential. Overcrowded rooms make a house look smaller. Sanitize: A deep cleaning is the easiest and least expensive part of staging your home and has the most impact. Neutralize: Neutral paint colors appeal to a wider variety of buyers. Don’t forget your baseboards! Modernize: Consider simple changes like switching out the hardware and fixtures to make your home look more up-to-date.
Dawn Arruda & Co. LLC Realtor
Each office independently owned and operated
RE/MAX Regency | 7373 Comfort Inn Drive | Warrenton, VA 20187 Warrenton: 540-341-8933
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OCTOBER 2020
remember is you need to know the terms of the agreement when they come due because again, this is not a forgiveness. If you cannot work this out you could fall into a foreclosure situation and not even realize it. Some ways of working these forbearances out might be to talk to your trusted mortgage advisor about a possible refinance, with the rates so historically low this might be a good way to get back on track if the lender will allow. Keep in mind refinancing might not be the best thing if the fees for the refi are typically 2 to 6%, and that might not make sense if the rate change isn’t significant. Remember to keep your credit scores intact as lenders have tightened down on standards to qualify for refinancing. Ask for an extension with your servicer (to whom you make your payments to). If you are under the CARES Act you can ask for another 180 days. Remember, you still will owe those payments.
You can ask your lender for a loan modification which can change the terms of the original mortgage, be sure to understand everything about this prior to agreeing. Loan modifications can be a bit of surprise when you go to sell because you may owe more on your loan than you think.
you feel you can’t afford your home it might be a great time to sell with inventory being low and prices improving. Have a good honest conversation with your trusted Realtor. The moral of this story is to know where you are and where you might be, so that you can be ahead of the curve. Foreclosure is the last resort option, and the Cares act protects you until the forbearance time comes to an end, so know the facts and details. Also, stay on top of what the state is doing. Some states are issuing temporary moratoriums and stays. Be diligent and ask for help from the people you trust. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay positive! And gets some Vitamin D!
You can also take advantage of a really great seller's market by listing your home for sale. Pending home sales nationally jumped by over 44 percent in May and the national home price jumped over 7% in the first quarter. So if
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Brookside Neighbors
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Recipe Corner
Cream of Mushroom Soup with Torn Croutons and Buttery Roasted Mushrooms By Anita Parris-Soule
I know mushrooms are a polarizing topic; people usually either love them or hate them. I’ve loved mushrooms as long as I’ve been old enough to eat them. Like, really loved them. My favorite pizza was and still is mushroom. Just cheese and LOTS of mushrooms. I try sneaking mushrooms into just about everything. In fact, the only time I didn’t love mushrooms was when I was pregnant with my son. Thankfully, once those first trimester hormones passed, I was back to my old mushroom loving ways. Hands down, cream of mushroom soup is my favorite way to cook and consume mushrooms. I even had a soft spot for the old red and white can when I was little, but I always begged my dad or grandma for the homemade version, and often was lucky enough to get it. When I was a little girl, my dad and I would go on “mushroom hunts” through the woods near and on our farm. He had a little mushroom guide, and he had a deep knowledge of mushroom varieties. He’d get so excited when we’d stumble upon some, telling me what kind they were and what we could make with them. Or he’d tell me the dangers of others, and why we couldn’t pick that variety. Eventually, we’d find our way home with a bag full of various fungi and I’d beg him to make cream of mushroom soup. Never quite the same, but always delicious. My favorite then and now. I’m not as knowledgeable on the various mushroom varieties, and don’t find myself foraging very often. I do have my very own guide now that my sweet husband bought for me after I told him about the mushroom adventures of my youth, so I’ll have to get out “hunting” when it’s mushroom season again. Lucky for me, the variety of mushrooms available at most grocery stores and certain farmers’ markets is vast, and this soup can be made with any combination of them. Whatever you choose will be perfect, so get creative. It is rich, creamy, and comforting, but not overly thick as some “cream of” soups can be. Also, some mushroom soup recipes are ridiculously skimpy with their mushroom proportions, and
20
OCTOBER 2020
the end result is really disappointing. So, while my amount might seem excessive, I promise it’s worth it. This is serious mushroom soup; I’m not messin’ around. I still love topping it with my childhood favorite of crumbled saltines or oyster crackers. But for something more substantial and dinner time appropriate, I like to serve it with grilled cheeses (for dunking, of course!) made with either Fontina or Gruyère cheese as these two cheeses pair really nicely with mushrooms and thyme. Or my latest obsession, torn bread croutons, and buttery, roasted mushrooms. It is the best combination. I’ve been roasting mushrooms for YEARS, but never thought to add them to this. No matter what you serve it with, you’ll be happy. It’s the perfect fall or winter meal, kind of like a big, warm hug for your tummy. Yum, yum, yum….
Ingredients: FOR THE TORN BREAD CROUTONS: • 1 loaf of hearty white or French bread, torn
into rough, bite size pieces • 1 stick of butter • handful of thyme, sage, rosemary (any combination of these) • salt and pepper to taste FOR THE ROASTED MUSHROOMS: • 1 pound wild mushrooms, I prefer oyster and small shiitakes • 1/2 stick, (4 tablespoons) salted butter • handful of hearty herbs, I prefer sage, thyme, and/or rosemary • salt and pepper FOR THE SOUP: • 48 ounces of mushrooms; any variety and combination, cleaned, stems removed and reserved, caps sliced • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 8 sprigs fresh thyme (remove leaves from 4 sprigs and finely chop. Reserve the other 4 sprigs for your stock) • 1 bay leaf • 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock • 1 cup water • 1 cup marsala or dry white wine • 2 cups heavy cream • 2 cups half and half • 1/4 cup flour • 4 tablespoons butter • Salt and pepper • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Instructions FOR THE CROUTONS: 1. Add butter and herbs to a large skillet, preferably cast iron, 2.
cook over medium-high heat until butter is brown and herbs are beginning to crisp.
3.
Add bread chunks to skillet and toss to coat as evenly as you can in the butter and herb mixture.
4.
Sprinkle with a bit of salt and a good grinding of black pepper if desired.
5.
At this point you can turn the heat down a bit and continue cooking, stirring often, until bread is crisp all over but still
with a bit of chew on the inside. 6.
Or, you can spread the mixture evenly onto a large baking tray and place in a 300 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes for some hands-off cooking time.
7.
Allow to cool to room temp while you prepare the soup. Or once cool, store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
2.
FOR THE ROASTED MUSHROOMS: 1. place mushrooms, herbs, and butter onto a large, rimmed baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 2.
3.
Roast in a 400 degree oven for 25-30 minutes until mushrooms are browned and crisp. They will shrink a TON. See my photos. Remove from oven and let sit at room temperature while you prepare the soup!
FOR THE SOUP: 1. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan and add mushroom stems. Cook
sionally, until liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add wine and cook, again, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add the final tablespoon of butter. Once melted add flour and stir for a minute or so until you can’t see the white of the flour anymore and the mushroom mixture becomes thick and pasty.
for a few minutes until stems begin to brown. Add stock, 1 cup of water, and 4 sprigs of thyme. Bring to a boil and let simmer while you prepare the mushrooms. In a large pot or dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons butter and add onion and a good pinch of kosher salt. Cook over medium heat until onion softens and begins to brown. Add sliced mushrooms, garlic, chopped thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper, and cayenne and white peppers. (At this point you might think I’m crazy, but just trust me! The mushrooms cook down quite a lot during the next few steps.)
3.
Stir, and cover with a tightly fitting lid for 5 minutes.
4.
After 5 minutes, stir again, replace lid and cook for another 5 minutes.
5.
At this point your mushrooms will be very soft and have quite a bit of liquid.
6.
Remove the lid and continue cooking over medium-high heat, stirring occa-
7.
Strain the mushroom/chicken stock directly into the soup pot containing the mushrooms and cook for 15 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring and scraping the bottom occasionally.
8.
After 15 minutes you will have a thick, almost gravy-like consistency. Add cream and half and half. Stir to combine and heat through, but make sure not to boil. Taste for salt and pepper, adjusting as needed.
9.
Serve in big bowls topped with torn bread croutons and roasted mushrooms.
Enjoy!
Anita Parris Soule is a food-obsessed Warrenton native with a passion for delicious food and beautiful words. She is a blogger, food photographer, and recipe developer at www.cookonawhim.com. Check her out on Facebook www.facebook.com/cookonawhimblog and Instagram www.instagram.com/cookonawhim
Brookside Neighbors
21
An Update from By Karen Buckley, Executive Director Public schools throughout the country will continue distance-learning regiments for the first half of the academic year. Parents are not just worried about COVID-19, they’re concerned about what they’re seeing in the news about increased incidences of human trafficking. The Polaris Project reported in June 2020 that the “number of crisis trafficking cases handled by the Trafficking Hotline increased by more than 40% in the month following the shelter-in-place orders compared to the prior month (from approximately 60 to 90 in a 30day period).” This issue is a staggering one and Just Ask is asking what more can we do to protect our children. Human traffickers are taking advantage of young people’s increased presence online and use this medium as a way to groom their victims. Currently, students are at home, separated from their friends and extended family, and seeking to satisfy their need for vital social contacts online. According to child psychologist Tarana Aris, now more than ever, “parents and families have to be vigilant about the kind of online content their children are being exposed to, who their children are interacting
t logy
with online, and which websites they are accessing frequently.” We are seeing other facets of human trafficking in the news as well. We have all read updates on the Ghislaine Maxwell case and the terrible things she allegedly did to support Jeffery Epstein’s pedophilia. Stories like these remind us that human trafficking poses an ever-present threat to our children. Here are a few tips to safeguard your children during their increased computer usage: • Turn off your home WiFi at 9:00 p.m. Groomers and traffickers want to be the last person your child has contact with before sleeping. • Discuss the nature of your child's online friendships. Never let them send pictures (of any sort) to those friends. • Periodically check your child's backpack for electronic devices you did not buy for them. Groomers are known for providing gifts children cannot afford on their own. • Talk to your child about healthy relationships and what kinds of behaviors are appropriate for teens.
• Tell your child you love them unconditionally and that you will always be there for them, no matter how difficult the subject matter may be. Just Ask’s efforts are important because we work to prevent trafficking, and we are working even harder to protect families during these unsettling times. Our goal is to continue protecting our young people, families, and communities through our education and outreach programs. We have taken our Community Conversations into a virtual webinar format and, as a result, are reaching audiences throughout the United States. This is an exciting opportunity for us, and we are embracing the challenge to make our Community Conversations relevant to many communities simultaneously.
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