JANUARY 2022
Family Comes First:
THE DUARTE FAMILY ALSO INSIDE: Cover photo by The Little Photo Shop An exclusive publication serving the residents of Lake Manassas, Virginia Oaks, Morris Farm, Saranac, Glenkirk Estates and surrounding areas.
Area Dancers Appreciating Live Performances Increasing Mental Health Awareness among Student-Athletes Ask the Librarian: Sora into a New Book Kids Corner: Buckland Bots win LEGO competition
Pg. 5 Pg. 10 Pg. 12 Pg. 13
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PUBLICATION TEAM Publishers: Michael and Debbie Wykowski Content Coordinator: Marianne Weaver Designer: Jody Zipp Contributing Photographer: Melinda Ratcliff, The Little Photo Shop
Happy New Year!
Do you make new years’ resolutions? Usually, I do not. But after the past two years, maybe I should. Not the tired, old “get in shape” (although, I should), or “stay on top of the laundry” (which would make my family happy), but something … more.
Debbie and Michael Wykowski, Publishers
Marianne Weaver Content Coordinator
ADVERTISING Learn more about becoming a sponsor. Contact: Michael and Debbie Wykowski Email: mwykowski@bestversionmedia.com or dwykowski@bestversionmedia.com Phone: 703-203-9130 FEEDBACK/IDEAS/SUBMISSIONS 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: mweaver@ bestversionmedia.com. BECOME AN EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Michael and Debbie Wykowski at dwykowski@bestversionmedia. com or 703-203-9130.
My son is a junior. I’m not sure how that happened. It seems like just yesterday we moved to Gainesville and he started kindergarten. Now we’re talking about college and careers. My daughter is a freshman. Wasn’t it just yesterday that I had to brush her hair? Now she’s got a blunt bob that I mostly see from the back as she is on her way out the door. My resolution for 2022 is to spend more time with these two before seeing them requires a long drive or plane reservations. What are your 2022 resolutions? What does your family have planned for the new year? Keep us in the loop as your family plans, plays, travels and explores. Send an email to me at mweaver@bestversionmedia.
Debbie and Michael Wykowski,
PUBLISHERS
Marianne Weaver, CONTENT COORDINATOR
FOOD PANTRY
NEEDS
Please help us feed the hungry in NoVa! We need: fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy and meat (if delivered directly to HoM).
Submitted by House of Mercy Food Pantry
To help keep the food pantry stocked all year, please donate: Cans of tomatoes, chicken, tuna, vegetables, soup, beans, fruit and corn; macaroni and cheese; olive/vegetable oil; pasta and sauce; cereal. Check out the link to our website for an Amazon wish list as well: www.houseofmercyva.org Food Pantry / Donation Center / Thrift Store 8170 Flannery Court, Manassas, VA 20109 Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (703) 659-1636 / info@houseofmercyva.org 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. © 2022 Best Version Media. All rights reserved. NEIGHBORS OF LAKE MANASSAS
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EXPERT Contributors EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Primrose School of Haymarket Georgia P Wiley 703-754-2800 | team@PrimroseHaymarket.com www.PrimroseHaymarket.com
Georgia, owner of the Primrose School of Haymarket, also owns and operates the Primrose School at Ironbridge Corner. Because of the Wiley’s struggle to find quality care for their own three children, Georgia knew exactly what she was looking for when she opened a child care center - a school like Primrose. Georgia says, “As the owner, ... I recognize the importance of creating a safe, nurturing and healthy environment for the children. I also seek to create a work environment that allows our educators to excel in their passion for teaching young children, and the Primrose curriculum offers just that opportunity.” FAMILY MEDICINE Lifetime Family Medicine 703-754-0425 www.facebook.com/LifetimeFamilyMedicine
Lifetime Family Medicine, a proud member of the Privia Medical Group, is based in Gainesville. They have three doctors, two physician assistants, and one nurse practitioner, including Dr. Theresa Shupe, voted a 2017 Top Doctor by Washingtonian Magazine. Comments from their patients include “definitely the best doctors’ office I have been to,”“always so friendly and helpful,” and “They make the experience as quick and easy as possible.” INSURANCE Puffenbarger Insurance & Financial Services Jennifer Puffenbarger 703-352-0707 | jennifer@pinsfs.com www.pinsfs.com
Puffenbarger Insurance & Financial Services is locally owned Insurance company who specializes in Home, Cars, Business, farms, wineries, Life, Financial and much more. The leadership team includes three generations of the Puffenbarger family. Being a family-run business, we’re well aware that each family has its own specific needs when it comes to insurance. Owner Keith Puffenbarger started the business in Gainesville, Virginia in May of 1989, and now has locations in Fairfax, Warrenton, and Culpeper serving clients in the District of Columbia, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
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ORTHODONTICS TEEM Orthodontics Dr. Madueke Ekoh 703-753-4777 | teemortho.com
Dr. Ekoh’s journey started in Nigeria, obtaining his Pre-Bachelors in Dental Surgery before emigrating to the U.S. He received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery and Orthodontist certificate at Howard University. To keep up with the advances in orthodontic care, Dr. Ekoh regularly attends numerous seminars, and is an active member in several professional associations, including the American Association of Orthodontists. He lives in Haymarket with his wife and four children. “My vision is to make advanced, high quality and cutting-edge orthodontic care available and affordable to everyone. I believe that great orthodontic care should not only improve the smile, but help people experience the joy of living better.” PERFORMING ARTS Lasley Centre for the Performing Arts Kalie Lasley 540-905-2782 | klasley@lasleycentre.com www.lasleycentre.com
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. REAL ESTATE Ashley Tauzier Berkshire Hathaway Home Services PenFed Realty Cell: 571-469-0901 | Office: 703-396-6000 ashley@mynorthernvarealtor.com
Ashley Tauzier is a realtor and 19-year military spouse. Her knowledge of NoVA neighborhoods, builders, schools and community amenities contributes to her value. She prides herself in being attentive and responsive to her client’s needs – striving to make your real estate transaction stress-free, whether you are a first time homebuyer or a seasoned seller. Ashley looks forward to helping you reach your real estate goals!
Dance:
Live and In-Person By Marianne Weaver The performing arts are LIVE! After a COVID-induced hiatus, dancers are back on stages and audiences couldn’t be happier. In December, local ballet dancers laced up their slippers and delighted audiences with performances of “The Nutcracker.” Irish dancers packed up their shoes to compete at Oireachtas in Greensboro, N.C.
Ballet: The Nutcracker Morris Farm resident Madelyn Bath, 12, joined the Lasley Centre Company Nutcracker cast for the fourth time. This year, she had her first solo as the Columbine Doll, and was also a Snowflake and Russian Dancer. “Nutcracker season is my favorite time of year,” she said. “Being back on stage in front of a live audience almost made me cry!”
Versatile Photography
Irish: Oireachtas Grace Linehan, 12, and Anna Weaver, 15, also Morris Farm residents, attend different Irish dance schools, but the two never miss the chance to catch up at competitions especially at the Oireachtas (pronounced Uh-ROCK-tus), a three-day regional championship that took place in Greensboro the first weekend of December. The event drew more than 2,000 dancers from across the southern region, which includes Alabama, Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Mexico. Grace, who trains with Kristin Butke Irish Dance, placed 15th (out of 35) in the traditional set competition. Her eight-hand ceili team placed second. Anna, who dances with McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish dance, placed 16th (out of 92) in the solo competition and qualified to compete at the North American Irish Dance Championships in Montreal this summer. Her dance drama team, where she played Miss Louisiana, placed second.
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RESIDENT FEATURE
Family Comes First:
THE DUARTE FAMILY
“We spent the day at a Navy lacrosse game with her dad,” said Jeremy. “I had asked her dad for permission to marry her earlier that week. I’d had the ring for a few days and it was burning a hole in my pocket. Like any other hopeless romantic, I pulled it out and handed her the ring with no real plan.” Or actual request. “He forgot the part where he’d actually ask me to marry him,” said Erin. “Of course, I said yes anyway!” They were married Oct. 6, 2007, at the Fair Lakes Hyatt.
By Marianne Weaver | Photos by The Little Photo Shop Jeremy and Erin Duarte met through a mutual friend. “Our first official date was a double date with my roommate and Jeremy’s friend,” said Erin. “I invited them over for steak and then asked Jeremy to cook it since I had no idea how.” They dated about a year before getting engaged in March 2006.
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“Our wedding was a blast,” said Erin. “We have a very fun group of friends and everyone had a great time. Our tables were named after different Cowboys players.” The Duartes are Dallas fans. “We went to the final Redskins/Cowboys game at the old Texas Stadium for our anniversary the year before it closed for good,” said Jeremy. Last month, they took their sons – Jaxon, 12, and
Austin, 11 – to their first NFL game: Washington Football Team vs. Dallas Cowboys. “It was so fun,” said Jax. “I loved trash talking to all the Redskins fans!” Austin had a blast as well. “It was the best time EVER!” he said. “I was so happy the Cowboys won.” FAMILY BUSINESS Jeremy earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Radford University. He is the director of human resources for an IT government contractor. Erin earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from East Carolina University and master’s in human resources management and organization from Capella University. “I also used to do HR and recruiting management for IT government contracting organizations but took a leap of faith and decided to quit the corporate world and open a Burn Boot Camp in Leesburg, Va.,” she said, adding that the gym is scheduled to open this month. “I decided to make a big career change after joining and falling in
love with the Gainesville Burn Boot Camp. It is a community like no other. We figured we should open our own and pay it forward so others could experience all the amazing things we have by joining!” Jax and Austin were born in Ashburn, where the family lived before moving to Glenkirk Estates. “My parents moved to Oak Valley in Gainesville 20 years ago when there was nothing out here,” said Jeremy. “Erin and I said it was way too far, but after we had two babies 14 months apart, we decided the closer to family the better. Erin got a job working from home, so it was an easy decision to make the move from Ashburn.” It’s a decision without regret. “This neighborhood is like an extended family. I can’t say enough good things about it,” said Erin. “My boys have had the same kind of childhood I had. Almost every day I can go outside and see four to five bikes on my lawn and kids are constantly in and out. I know all of us have made lifelong friends and it does not get better than that!”
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Jax is in seventh grade at Gainesville Middle School. Austin is in fifth grade at Glenkirk Elementary School. “Both boys say that PE is their favorite subject,” said Erin. “But as for actual school subjects, Jaxon likes math and Austin likes science.” Both boys play basketball with GBA. “I have coached for many years and have finally set them free to play under other coach’s direction,” said Jeremy. “Jaxon is playing GBA travel and I just took the VP role for the GBA organization. Since I hung up my coach’s hat, I felt this was a great way to continue to support the organization and give back to the community.” DOWN TIME Most days, the boys can be found outside with their neighborhood friends playing football, basketball, fishing and riding bikes. They also enjoy spending time with their parents. “We love being together as a family,” said Jeremy. “We love going to escape rooms, traveling, snuggling on the couch, watching movies, and getting wings! Our family goes out for wings at least once a week.”
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They also enjoy spending time with their rescue dog, Rufus. “We got him when he was 5 from my Aunt who rescues animals in Florida,” said Erin. “Jeremy and I flew to Florida and drove him back. He had a pretty rough life before we got him. He definitely is a bit on the special needs side with a lot of issues, but we love him dearly.” The Duartes travel often to Florida, specifically St. Augustine, to visit Erin’s mother. They also try to work in an annual friends’ vacation. “We try to do a fun trip with friends to an island or somewhere tropical,” said Erin. “Some years we go, just the four of us, to OBX. We love to travel!” No matter what obstacles they encounter, Erin said family always comes first. “Kindness always,” she added. “And life is much better with a sense of humor.” Do you know a family that has an interesting story to share? Let us know! Send an email to dwykowski@bestversionmedia.com.
REAL ESTATE SOLDS MLS.................... ADDRESS.......................................... LOCATION.................................... BEDS...... BATHS........ SQ. FT........... PROPERTY TYPE..........SOLD PRICE VAPW2007386......7748 ROYAL SYDNEY DRIVE................. VIRGINIA OAKS...........................................4..................3.5................ 4,164 ...................DETACHED...........................$680,000 VAPW511560........16 TURTLE CREEK CIRCLE...................... LAKE MANASSAS TURTLE POINT.........4..................4.5................ 3,100 ................ TOWNHOUSE.........................$667,053 VAPW2007342......15144 WINDY HOLLOW CIRCLE.......... LAKE MANASSAS.......................................5..................4.5................ 4,264 ...................DETACHED...........................$780,000 VAPW2005088......8276 ROXBOROUGH LOOP................... LAKE MANASSAS.......................................5..................5.5................ 6,550 ...................DETACHED....................... $1,150,000 VAPW2000633......8075 MONTOUR HEIGHTS DRIVE....... VIRGINIA OAKS...........................................3..................2.5................ 2,458 ................ TOWNHOUSE.........................$471,000 VAPW2010018......14322 LADDERBACKED DRIVE............ MEADOWS AT MORRIS FARM...............5..................4.5................ 6,159 ...................DETACHED...........................$875,000 VAPW2009498......8049 MONTOUR HEIGHTS DRIVE....... VIRGINIA OAKS...........................................3..................2.5................ 2,292 ................ TOWNHOUSE.........................$465,000 VAPW2009914......15957 SPYGLASS HILL............................. LAKE MANASSAS.......................................5..................4.5................ 6,538 ...................DETACHED....................... $1,202,500 VAPW2000807......14187 CATBIRD DRIVE............................ MEADOWS AT MORRIS FARM...............3..................3.5................ 2,302 ................ TOWNHOUSE.........................$520,000 VAPW2009298......8809 YELLOW HAMMER DRIVE........... MEADOWS AT MORRIS FARM...............4..................3.5................ 3,324 ...................DETACHED...........................$590,000 VAPW2000589......8875 YELLOW HAMMER DRIVE........... MEADOWS AT MORRIS FARM...............4..................3.5................ 3,989 ...................DETACHED...........................$659,000 VAPW2009470......14215 MURPHY TERRACE...................... GLENKIRK ESTATES....................................4..................4.5................ 4,023 ...................DETACHED...........................$706,000 VAPW2009780......8154 LANDFALL COURT......................... VIRGINIA OAKS...........................................3..................3.5................ 2,560 ...................DETACHED...........................$545,000 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 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.
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CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
Morgan’s Message:
Increase Mental Health Awareness among Student-Athletes By Gary E. Fendler | Photographs provided by Morgan’s Message
Rodgers; Meaghan Birnie; Clare Kehoe; Elise Koehl; Maddie Roberts and Kat Zempolich.
Some stories shouldn’t end. In the two-and-a-half years since Morgan Dupé Rodgers died by suicide in her college apartment in Durham, N.C., on a warm mid-July evening in 2019, the strength and support of friends and supporters throughout the greater Virginia community has been instrumental in sustaining the growth of a nonprofit organization, Morgan’s Message, whose goal is to increase awareness about the mental health challenges that affect studentathletes at the high school and collegiate levels. Morgan was a senior at Duke University and played on the D1 women’s lacrosse team. She sustained a career-ending knee injury in her sophomore year. One year after Morgan’s passing, her family, friends and former teammates gathered and decided to create Morgan’s Message. Co-founders include Dona F. Rodgers, Morgan’s mother; Morgan’s twin sister, Aberle
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“We launched an education program (Morgan’s Message Education Program) built around studentathlete ambassadors on high school and collegiate campuses,” said her mother, who is the co-founder and president of the Gainesville-based nonprofit. “Sharing stories in safe environments is critical to eliminating the stigma and normalizing the conversation about mental health issues. Morgan suffered in silence and she lost her battle. That must change.”
colleges and universities than in any other state – 30 at high schools and 19 at the collegiate level. High school ambassadors established chapters on campuses at numerous schools around the state, including Prince William and Fauquier counties. Rodgers expects even more counties will get involved, too. In Prince William, thriving high school chapters are established at Battlefield, Brentsville District, Charles J. Colgan, Patriot and Unity Reed. “We don’t recruit ambassadors,” Rodgers said. “Our ambassadors self-identify and volunteer by visiting our website and applying. We can be found at morgansmessage.org.”
Fifteen months after “signing” its first campus ambassador, Morgan’s Message now has 505 ambassadors on 265 high school and collegiate campuses in 32 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. And, it grows each week.
Rodgers said this rapid growth reflects two realities: 1) mental health challenges among student-athletes is a larger issue than commonly acknowledged and 2) using peer-to-peer conversations as a way to connect with students and encourage them to speak freely is a successful approach.
Unsurprisingly, Morgan’s Message has student-athlete ambassadors on more Virginia high schools and
“Morgan’s Message was built by and for studentathletes,” Rodgers explained. “Peer-to-peer contact puts
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students at ease and allows them to share stories, to talk about their fears and concerns so they understand that they are not alone, that their feelings are valid and that it’s ok to not be ok sometimes.” Morgan’s Message hosts a weekly podcast called “The Mental Matchup” (TMM), which completes its second season in late December. Two TMM hosts, co-founder Zempolich and Schuyler DeBree, former professional soccer player and Duke classmate, interview student-athletes, coaches, administrators and medical professionals about their mental health experiences, helping to widely broadcast stories that previously were never shared or only spoken in whispers. Raising awareness among students, coaches and family and friends involves more than one conversation, Rodgers stressed. Campus ambassadors agree to conduct at least one group meeting each month with fellow athletes to discuss various topics including anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders and injuries, among other topics. Based on attendance numbers the ambassadors share, approximately 9,000 attendees participate monthly across all campuses.
In addition to monthly meetings, Dedication Games are organized between competing teams. Ambassadors from each team contact each other and agree to conduct a joint pre-game sideline presentation or broadcast a scripted message on jumbo scoreboards to spread mental health awareness among spectators, Rodgers explained. This past fall, Battlefield and Patriot High Schools’ field hockey teams held these games. We anticipate even more of these games in the upcoming spring sports seasons as well. Morgan’s Message will host the Inaugural Mo Madness Youth Lacrosse Tournament at Fauquier County’s new Central Sports Complex in Warrenton Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1-2. It’s a twoday event for class years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 and honors Morgan, who was a standout lacrosse player at Highland School, Kettle Run High School, Cardinal Girls Lacrosse and Duke University. Morgan may have lost her silent battle with the mental health challenges that afflict so many, but her passing was the catalyst for Morgan’s Message, a student-athlete-focused organization
dedicated to increasing awareness of and leading the conversation about mental health. Morgan’s story continues. For more information on Morgan’s Message, visit morgansmessage.org and/or @morgansmessage.
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ASK THE LIBRARIAN
SORA into a NEW BOOK By Tammy Hinkle, Librarian This past year, Prince William County Schools purchased a great reading app for all its students. Sora, by Overdrive is free to all students in PWCS. It is easily accessible through you’re your student’s Clever Page. The county is providing more than 400 digital books for elementary students, and just as many for middle and high school. There is a great mix of popular fiction and nonfiction books. They are multi- user books, which means more than one student can check the book out at a time. You
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can encourage your child and his best friend to read the same book and have their own book club. The best feature of Sora is that all accounts can be linked to the Prince William Public Library without the need for a library card. It’s so simple. When you are in the Explore page, at the top of the page, Prince William County Schools is listed right under Explore. Clicking on PWCS will open the drop down. Select Add Library and enter your ZIP Code. Then select Prince William Public Library System. Once you add Prince William
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Public Library, you will want to go into Preferences and select Juvenile. That will limit the books your child sees to age-appropriate materials. It’s that easy. Now your child will have access to all the digital and audio books available through the public library. Since Sora can be accessed through Clever, your child can access these books through their PWCS devises. Reading is just a few clicks away. HAPPY READING! Follow me on Twitter: Buckland Mills Elementary School @hinkle_tammy
KIDS CORNER
Sponsored by The Goddard School
Congrats to Buckland Bots! By Tammy Hinkle The Buckland Bot robotics team from Buckland Mills Elementary School won a Judges Award for overcoming obstacles such as quarantines and computer problems that caused them to lose three weeks of work at the regional FIRST Lego League competition in Woodbridge, Va. The team buckled down and worked hard. Team members came to school at 4 a.m. one morning each week and on teacher workdays. “It was more fun than staying at home and being lazy,” said team member Nimet. Tilly added, “I learned how to code a robot and work as a team!” Their hard work paid off when they earned a spot to the State FLL competition in Harrisonburg, Va. on December 4, 2021. The team had a great time and ended up placing 10th at the table mission. “I really enjoyed going to the competitions,” said Ayana. “We committed well, and we did really well on the table missions.” This rookie team improved their score by 120 points from the regional competition. “It was exciting to watch how well our robot performed,” said Andy.
Way to go Buckland Bots! NEIGHBORS OF LAKE MANASSAS
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CALENDAR of EVENTS Sunday, Jan. 9
BOOKS ON TAP! MONTHLY BOOK CLUB
@ Ornery Beer Company Taproom, 8088 Flannery Court, Manassas Like Books? Like Beer? Books and beer pair perfectly in this beer book club hosted by Ornery Beer Company and Prince William Library. Time: 6 p.m. • Cost: Free • jraghunathan@pwcgov.org Saturday, Jan. 15
VIRGINIA GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE, INC. MEET & GREET ADOPTION DAY
@ Ornery Beer Company Taproom, 8088 Flannery Court, Manassas Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of German Shepherd Dogs. Come out and enjoy a beer while supporting and finding a new forever home for some wonderful dogs. Food truck on site. Time: 3:30 – 5 p.m. • shepherdrescue.org Saturday, Jan. 15
CHEF RYAN ROSS NEW YEAR WINE DINNER
@ Event Center at The Winery at La Grange, 4970 Antioch Road, Haymarket This is the first wine pairing dinner of the year at the Winery at La Grange. Enjoy a ride on a symphony of flavors from bite to sip. Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. • Cost: $150 wineryatlagrange.com Saturday, Jan. 22
RMS MARDI GRAS – 20TH ANNIVERSARY KICK-OFF
@ Sweeney Barn, 9310 Discovery Blvd., Manassas The Renaissance Montessori is turning 20! Come celebrate 20 years of exceptional Catholic Montessori education at the annual RMS Mardi Gras at Sweeney Barn and enjoy festive bites from Pampa’s Fox Catering, craft cocktails from expert mixologist Jim Feehan of Cousins & Co., and live music from Mike Flaherty’s Dixieland Direct Jazz Band. Time: 7:30 p.m. • Cost: $50 before Jan. 14 rmsmardigras.com
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Saturday, Jan. 29 FREE KIDS MARTIAL ARTS INTRODUCTORY CLASS @ Premier Martial Arts, 7986 Crescent Park Drive, Gainesville This introductory class is built to help your child grow in confidence, discipline, and fitness. Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. • Cost: Free premiermartialarts.com/gainesville Friday, Feb. 4 FIRST FRIDAY AROMA WINE TASTING @ Aroma, 9249 Center Street, Manassas On First Fridays, Aroma Wine Tasting in Manassas will offer their wine flight – four half glasses of wine. Time: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. • Cost: $10 • moraisvineyards.com Friday, Feb. 4 THE SOUPER BOWL @ Historic Downtown Manassas, 9201 Center Street, Manassas The Souper Bowl is our annual soup competition that began in 2014. Competitors enter their best soup for a chance to win cash prizes! Tasters will be given a taster pass upon entry; samples will not be handed out to anyone without a taster pass. Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. • Cost: $10 tasting pass visitmanassas.org/event/souper-bowl/2022-02-04 Friday, Feb. 11 CASINO NIGHT @ The Regency Dominion Valley Golf and Country Club, 15351 Championship Drive, Haymarket Benefits the Father Jon O’Brien Knights of Columbus Charitable Giving Programs. One Triple Crown horse race ticket ($500 to winner), blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, slots, money board (operated by professional gaming company), raffles, prizes, silent auction. Open to public. Must be 21 years or older. Time: 6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. • Cost: $75 per person, includes Italian buffet dinner. Cash bar fjobkofc.org/casino-night/ or contact Jeff Carnicelli at jeffcarn@comcast.net
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Hello January Tuesday, Feb. 15 BEAU SOIR ENSEMBLE AT HERITAGE HUNT @ Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club, 6901 Arthur Hills Drive, Gainesville Beau Soir Ensemble reschedule performance includes music by Rameau, Alexander Jacobsen, Mel Bonis, Sydney Guillaume and Glinka. Time: 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. • Cost: Free heritagehunt.net Saturday, Feb. 19 POP UP! MINI SUCCULENT TERRARIUMS @ Ornery Beer Company Taproom, 8088 Flannery Court, Manassas Succulent Mini Terrarium Pop Up table. All materials provided: glass planter, succulent, and decorations. Walk-ins only. No tickets required. All ages. Time: 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $10 each (cash, Venmo or PayPal) hello@creationnation.events Saturday, Feb. 19 TAKE THE PLUNGE TO SUPPORT SPECIAL OLYMPICS @ Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge Join and/or donate to our team “PWCPD” or create your own team. Remember – wear your costume! Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. polarplunge.com/prince-william Sunday, Feb. 20 2022 TEEN EXPO @ 9509 Lee Court, Manassas, Va. Come see the latest trends in the area for Quinceanera or sweet 16 parties. Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. • Cost: Free with preregistration, $10 at the door xcenioevents.com/2022-teen-expo
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