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Great Falls Connection ❖ November 2-8, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

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November 2-8, 2016

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Great FallsGreat Falls Searching forMan or Woman

of the YearNews, Page 16

Searching forMan or Woman

of the Year

WellbeingPage 14

Supporting All ThingsGreat FallsNews, Page 12

Madjesti Honored inGreat FallsNews, Page 17

Katie SimmonsHickey of Great Fallswas Woman of theYear for the Leuke-mia and LymphomaSociety in 2015.

2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ November 2-8, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Great Falls Connection ❖ November 2-8, 2016 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Jamie Liu, 17, of the Langley HighSchool Color Guard waits for therifle she twirled into the air toreturn.

Troop 55 was setting up their haunted housein anticipation of all of the 12 and underchildren who were invited to trick-or-treatby the local merchants.

“We totally like to do this,” says Gary Pan,the troop’s scoutmaster.

This was his troop’s third year creatingtheir spooky experience. Nearly 800 kidswalked through the haunted house last year

and they were hoping for 900 thisyear.

As soon as they opened, therewere long lines of children eagerlywaiting with their parents to gothrough. Though it was a trickierprocess than usual, since the kidshad school earlier in the day thistime around.

“The kids set this up yesterdayafternoon,” Pan says while point-ing to the haunted house. Butstrong winds that night blew downall of the walls and they had to re-build.

“Or, we’re thinking maybe it’sreally haunted.”

News

By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

Not even a school night couldkeep kids from staying up latefor a Great Falls tradition: theHalloween Spooktacular.

“It’s a tradition that goes back about 20years,” says Erin Lobato, director of Cel-ebrate Great Falls Foundation. “Homes arejust not that close and it’s hard for peoplewith little legs. It’s just a way for safe trick-or-treating.”

Lobato has attended the annual Hallow-een gathering for the past four years andsays that attendance has grown each year.Her foundation passed out over 1,000 glowstick necklaces last year and were preparedto accommodate another large crowd onMonday.

“We always give them out,” she says. “Wewant to keep our little ones safe.”

The festivities at the Great Falls Village

Centre kicked off before the sun went downwith a pet parade and costume contest.Dogs were judged in Prettiest, Scariest, BestTeam, Most Original and Best Show Offcategories.

Angela Bongiorno, member of the Opti-mist Club of Great Falls and self-proclaimeddog lover, and Odiorne Beebe, member ofthe Great Falls Friends & Neighbors club,judged the contest and selected the winnersfor each category.

Kristie Kim and her dog Cece, a vizsladressed in exercise wear, jazzercised theirway across the judging table.

“That’s how Cece stays in shape,” saysKim.

Linda Waitkus, owner of Great Dogs ofGreat Falls, sponsored the pet pandemo-nium and was on hand to pass out dog treatsand poop bags. After all, trick-or-treaterswere on their way to the green and she saidshe didn’t want any messes.

Meanwhile in the parking lot, the Lan-

Spooky Fun on a School Night

Matthew Godbout and Blue, his Australian cattle dog, are dressed up asa team: Disney’s Snow White and Prince Charming.

The Hayre family is in Oz: Ava, 10, as Dorothy; Nicole as Glinda;Will as the Scarecrow; and Ginger, their 3-year-old miniaturepoodle, as a flying monkey.

Great Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

Kristie Kim and Cece, her vizsla,jazzercise for the judges.

Izabella Britton, who turns 1-year-old nextweek, was monkeying around with herdad, Don Britton.

From left — Angela Bongiorno and Odiorne Beebe are entertained by thedogs as they judge their costumes.

gley High School Marching Saxons andColor Guard performed in Halloween cos-tume.

“Spooktacular gets us out in the commu-nity and it’s fun for the kids— both themand the little ones,” says Alexandra Singer,the band’s program administrator.

Back on the green, Boy Scouts of America

Photos by Fallon Forbush/The Connection


News

By Christina Tyler Wenks

Sixth-graders again have an oppor-tunity to write for fun, money, andbragging rights for being pub-lished. Online registration is now

open for the Great Falls Writers Group’s(GFWG) third annual Youth Writing Con-test on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Registra-tion is first-come, first-served at http://w w w . s i g n u p g e n i u s . c o m / g o /30e0845a4a82ba4fa7-great.

Sixth-graders who reside in the 22066 ZIPcode or attend public school in Great Fallsmay participate. Rules are on the registra-tion webpage.

“Our goal here is not just to embrace andcelebrate the bright young writers in thecommunity but to validate and affirm thefact that their written words have a posi-tive, lasting impact,” said Kristin Clark Tay-lor, GFWG founder and facilitator. “That’swhat GFWG is all about — feeding thatfire.”

“Creators put a lot of thought into thecontest format so that it welcomes all genresof writing,” said Michael Cappitelli, contestcommittee chairman. “No warning of a writ-ing prompt and no outside parental involve-ment or electronics level the playing field.”Use of electronic equipment during the con-test is prohibited.

Feedback from students, parents andteachers persuaded GFWG to expand thecontest site to the greater Great Falls com-

GFWG YouthWriting ContestWHO: All sixth-graders in Great FallsWHAT: Youth Writing Contest hosted bythe Great Falls Writers GroupWHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Stu-dents may participate in any of one offour times: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 noonand 1:30 p.m.WHERE: Great Falls Library, 9830Georgetown Pike, Great Falls 22066Register online at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0845a4a82ba4fa7-great

Registration Opens for Third Annual Youth Writing Contest

Photo by Amanda Pfeifle

Author Henry Cole, left, and Friends of the Great Falls Library PresidentMichelle Miller, right, flank the ten finalists of the Great Falls WritersGroup 2016 Creative Writing Contest on April 30, 2016. Finalists are,from left, Erin Kearns, Katherine Stockton, Julia Toloczko, Riley Luce,Miky Kassem, Julia Fremberg, Cecelia O’Sullivan, Elisabeth Anderson,Luke Tibbs, and Karma Kassem.

munity, shifting the contest site from class-rooms to the Great Falls Public Library, 9830Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, which also

welcomes home-school and private-schoolstudents to participate. The contest providesfour sessions accommodating studentsaround other weekend commitments.

Entries are judged blindly and scoredupon criteria such as creativity, originality,content, grammar, and story development.Published authors, college professors andlibrarians generously give of their free timeto judge entries.

The Friends of the Great Falls Library iscontributing prize money and hosting theGFWG Youth Writers Awards Gala where thewinners will be announced on Saturday,April 29, 2017, at the Great Falls Library.


Opinion

Who knows what will happen onElection Day? Voters can avoidthe uncertainty of possible traf-fic gridlock, bad weather or

other impediments by voting “absentee-in per-son.” If you work, you qualify to vote absenteebecause of the possibility you could be com-muting and working for 11 hours on ElectionDay. There are many other reasons votersqualify to vote early in Virginia.

Voters can vote absentee-in personat Fairfax County Government Center,Conference Room 2/3, 12000 Govern-ment Center Parkway, Fairfax, nowthrough Friday Nov. 4, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. andSaturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Nov. 5 is thelast day to absentee vote in-person.

Absentee voting is also available at 10 satel-lite locations, now through Friday, Nov. 4, 2-8p.m. and Saturday Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Satellite voting locations:❖ Providence Community Center - 3001

Vaden Dr., Fairfax❖ Franconia Governmental Center - 6121

Franconia Rd., Alexandria❖ McLean Governmental Center - 1437 Balls

Hill Rd., Community Room, McLean❖ North County Governmental Center, 1801

Cameron Glen Dr., Community Rooms, Reston

❖ West Springfield Governmental Center -6140 Rolling Road, Springfield

❖ Mason Governmental Center - 6507 Co-lumbia Pike, Annandale

❖ Mount Vernon Governmental Center -2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria

❖ Sully Governmental Center - 4900Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly

❖ Lorton Library - 9520 Richmond Hwy.,Lorton, Saturdays only.

VOTING ON THE QUESTIONS:Here are our recommendations:Vote YES for the MEALS TAX. Fairfax County

needs to find alternatives to the real estate tax,and in Virginia, there are not many optionsallowed to localities. This is one of the few al-

ternatives available, and it requires areferendum.

Vote YES for the three Fairfax CountyBond Questions: Vote YES for Trans-

portation; vote YES for Parks; Vote Yes forHuman Services.

Vote NO on on Question One. This anti-unionlanguage is already Virginia law; it doesn’tbelong in the Virginia Constitution.

For Voters Who Arrive Without Identi-fication

If you arrive at your polling place on Elec-tion Day without an acceptable form of photoidentification, or you face any other challengeto voting at your polling place, don’t panic orgive up. You will be given the opportunity tovote a provisional ballot. Ask for a provisionalballot if one is not immediately offered. You

will then have until Monday, Nov. 14 to resolvethe issue and demonstrate your right to vote.

After completing the provisional ballot, youwill be given written instructions from the elec-tion officials on how to submit a copy of youridentification so that your vote can be counted.

A voter will have until noon on Monday, Nov.14, following the election to deliver a copy ofidentification to the local electoral board or toappear in person to apply for a Virginia VoterPhoto ID Card. Voters may submit a copy oftheir ID via fax, email, in-person submission,or through USPS or commercial delivery ser-vice. Please note that the copy of the ID mustbe delivered to the electoral board by noon onMonday, or the provisional ballot cannot becounted.

Also by noon on Monday following the elec-tion, the voter may appear in-person in theoffice of the general registrar, in the locality inwhich the provisional ballot was cast, and ap-ply for a Virginia Voter Photo ID Card. At thecompletion of the application process, the votermay request a temporary identification docu-ment. This document may be provided to theelectoral board to suffice the identification re-quirement.

CORRECTIONVoters who do not present photo ID and vote

by provisional ballot have until noon on Mon-day, Nov. 14 after the election to present theiridentification. Previous coverage reported thatthe cutoff was Friday.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Vote early (“absenteein person”) throughSaturday, Nov. 5.

Vote No Later than Tuesday, Nov. 8

Editorial

Always Here andAlways WorkingTo the Editor:

Throughout the campaign forCongress in Virginia’s 10th District,I’ve been struck by the differenttenor of the two campaigns. Chal-lenger LuAnn Bennett is runninga campaign based on rhetoric andsoundbites. Congresswoman Bar-bara Comstock is running a cam-paign based on ideas and solu-tions.

LuAnn Bennett’s case for herelection has been weak at best.She’s spent her time attackingCongresswoman Comstock, at-tempting to distort her record, andtrying to use national politics toinfluence voters.

Congresswoman Comstock, onthe other hand, has presented herrecord over the last two years.She’s highlighted her work on hu-man trafficking, drug addictionand intervention, and domesticviolence. She’s talked about thelegislation she passed to increaseSTEM opportunities for youngwomen and make it easier for col-lege students to pay down theirstudent debt. She’s stood strong on

national defense and terrorism,opposing the Iran nuclear deal andother policies that make us lesssafe. She’s run a campaign basedon ideas and solutions. But mostimportantly, Comstock is alwayshere and always working. Shedoesn’t show up just when sheneeds our vote. She attends com-munity events, meets with con-stituents, and responds to our con-cerns. She’s not interested in head-lines. She’s interested in results.

The difference is clear. Vote Bar-bara Comstock on November 8.

Glen SjoblomGreat Falls

Holding Lineon TaxesTo the Editor:

Washington doesn’t have a rev-enue problem; it has a spendingproblem. Try telling that to LuAnnBennett though, who supportshigher taxes and has criticizedCongresswoman BarbaraComstock for fighting higher taxesin the state legislature. With healthcare premiums skyrocketing andwages stagnant, the last thing my

Letters to the Editor

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Great Falls

family can afford is to send moremoney to Washington. But I’mafraid if we elect LuAnn Bennettto Congress, she will be a blankcheck for a President HillaryClinton.

We need someone in Congresswith a proven record of holdingthe line on taxes. CongresswomanBarbara Comstock opposed thelargest tax increase in Virginia his-tory when she was in the state leg-islature. And she will be a checkon higher taxes and spending inCongress. Vote Barbara Comstockon Nov. 8.

Carla LanzaraGreat Falls

Meals Tax:A Tool We HaveTo the Editor:

As a fiscal conservative, to meit’s pretty simple — the meals taxis one of the only tools we have asan alternative to property taxes.It’s widely agreed that Virginiacounties rely too heavily on prop-erty taxes for revenue, forced bystate laws barring them from othersources that cities and towns have

(such as taxing alcohol or increas-ing tax on tobacco) and returningto us just 22 cents on every staterevenue dollar generated inFairfax County.

There’s a reason why most Vir-ginia counties have adopted ameals tax. It’s why the McLeanCitizens Association (no shrinkingviolet on fiscal restraint) and thevenerable League of Women Vot-ers are among the many groupsthat have analyzed it and supportit. Every dollar collected this wayis better (including almost 1/3cheaper) than that dollar comingfrom real estate taxes.

Adopting it also will show Rich-mond that we’re taking advantageof the one alternative revenue toolalready available — rather thanisolating ourselves in this predica-ment — bolstering our case inseeking a fairer share of state rev-enue returned to us.

People should not conflate themeals tax question with spendingissues; a “no” vote on this does notpromote fiscal restraint, or substi-tute for citizen vigilance and hold-ing our elected officials account-able on program performance and

See Letters, Page 19


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Veterans’ DayCeremony at theGreat FallsFreedomMemorial

On Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.,the annual Veterans Day Remem-brance Ceremony will be held atthe Great Falls Freedom Memorial.The ceremony will honor all whohave served the country in theArmed Forces. The event will in-clude a Marine Corps color guard,patriotic songs by the LangleyMadrigals, and remarks by two-star General Julie Bentz. The Free-dom Memorial is located behindthe Great Falls Library at 9830Georgetown Pike. The ceremonyis open to all. Ample parking isavailable in the library parking lot.In case of rain, the ceremony willbe held in the library meetingroom. Seating will be provided,but attendees are encouraged tobring their own portable chairs.

For more information, contactBruce Ellis Fein, Friends of theGreat Falls Freedom Memorial,703-248-0390 [email protected].

Week in Great Falls


John Stitzer, 88,of Great Falls,Dies

John Mark Stitzer has diedpeacefully in his sleep. His wife of37 years Alison Kern (“A”) was athis side; awake earlier, he’d visitedwith his daughter Alison Leighton(“Leigh”). Born in Mahanoy City,Pa., on Jan. 12, 1928, John servedin the U.S. Army in Korea andgraduated from Kutztown StateCollege. He enjoyed a long andsuccessful career at the DefenseIntelligence Agency, living first inWashington, D.C. and thenBethesda, Md.

His favorite sport changed fromfresh water fishing and canoeingto — with his Alison and Leigh—cruising and sailing the Chesa-peake on the family’s sloop AC-TIVE. He was a member of theWest River (MD) Sailing Club andthe Edgartown (MA) Yacht Club.

In the winter, he loved skiing the“black” trails of Canada, New En-gland, Colorado, and Austria. Hiswit, warm smile for everyone, andceaseless energy were so appreci-ated during his popular tenure asPresident of the Arlington Hall SkiClub. Later, he was a super “horseshow Dad” for his Leigh. For thepast decade, he has lived in GreatFalls, where he enjoyed gardening,music, poetry, bird (and donkeys)watching - and morning coffees intown with his good friends.

John also leaves a daughter BethRoss of Martinez, Calif.; a sisterBarbara (Mrs. Louis) Greis of Crys-tal Beach, Fla.; numerous niecesand nephews (and grands); andAbby, Kensi, and Skit -adoring ca-nines. He was predeceased by hisparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne D.Stitzer; two brothers, Wayne andHarry (Pete) and a sister, Marbeth.

The family plans a private burialand a memorial celebration of hislife at a later date. In lieu of flow-ers, a donation to the MahanoyCity Historical Society is sug-gested.

John Stitzert’s birthday partyat The Old Brogue/Katie’s: onleft - starting in front: ChuckDorigan, David Pacelli, ToniWheaton, Alison Stitzer, SteveIhde, Tenby Ihde at end GinnySinclair; on right - starting inback: Richard Pariser, LinellBroecker, John Stitzer, LeighStitzer, Fred Weck.

John Stitzer

Obituary


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Calendar

See Calendar, Page 11

Send announcements toconnectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.Deadline is Friday at noon for thefollowing week’s paper. Photos/artworkencouraged.

ONGOINGGreat Falls Farmers Market.

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 778 WalkerRoad Great Falls.greatfallsfarmersmarket.org

Colvin Run Mill open 11 - 4 p.m.daily, closed Tuesday. 10017 ColvinRun Rd, Great Falls. Fairfax County’soperational 19th century waterpowered gristmill, offers recreationaland educational activities for all agesthrough daily tours, school programsand special events. Fees: $7/adult,$6 students 16+ with ID, $5 children& seniors. Winter Hours: January &February, 11am-4pm, last tour 3pm.Admission to park is FREE except forsome special events.

Art Walk in the Village: FirstFridays beginning Sept. 9, 6 - 9p.m. through Dec.31 at 756 WalkerRoad, Great Falls. Admission free andopen to the public. greatfallsart.org/artwalk/

SATURDAY/NOV. 5Stop Hunger Now Meal Packaging

Event 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. RedeemerLutheran Church 1545 Chain BridgeRd McLean. To donate to StopHunger Now McLean or to register tovolunteer for the November 5th MealPacking Event go to http://events.stophungernow.org/McLeanRotary2016

SCA Alumni Event at Great FallsPark in Virginia 9 - 1p.m. Great


Special thank you to

From Page 10

Calendar

Falls Park, 9200 Old Dominion Drive,McLean. Connect with SCA and learnabout SCA programs in DC andExplore the natural and historicalresources of Great Falls Park via aranger-led guided hike. SCA alumni,staff, current members, family,friends, and supporters throughoutthe DC metro area. Guests welcome.Bring a reusable water bottle anddress for the weather. Please wearsturdy hiking shoes appropriate for a3-mile hike. Lunch will be [email protected]

Wishes Wills and Wealth 10 - 11a.m. at Brightview Great Falls, 10200Colvin Run Road. Learn about severaltools that exist to preserve wealthand protect assets. This seminar iscomplimentary, but an RSVP isrequested as space is limited. 703-759-2513 [email protected].

Children’s Flea Market 11- 1 p.m.McLean Center 1234 InglesideAvenue. There will be bargain pricesat the Children’s Flea Market.Children’s toys, clothes, games andother items will be sold by those whoknow them best...the kids. Helpsupport our local youths’entrepreneurial venture. Admission:free. www.mcleancenter.org

SUNDAY/NOV. 6All Saints Sunday at 5:30 p.m. St.

John’s Episcopal Church located onemile east of Beltway Exit 44, at 6715Georgetown Pike. Requiem in DMinor will be offered at St. John’sEpiscopal Church The St. John’sChoir will be joined by choristersfrom St. Dunstan’s Church and willbe accompanied by three trombones,a french horn, and an organ. 703-356-4902 www.stjohnsmclean.org.

3rd annual McLean InterfaithChoral Concert 7 p.m. at TempleRodef Shalom 2100 WestmorelandStreet, Falls Church. The concert willfeature choirs from local faithcommunities. Admission: free. Justbring Thanksgiving food items for thefood pantry.

TUESDAY/NOV. 8, 2016Election Day. General election. Visit:

sbe.virginia.gov/ andfairfaxcounty.gov/elections/

upcoming.htm

FRIDAY/NOV. 11Everything Christmas Sale Preview

Sale: 4 - 7 p.m. Main Sale is 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday. At The FirstBaptist Church of Herndon 681 EldenSt. There will be holiday decorationsand a variety of gift options. Theproceeds benefit The Closet of theGreater Herndon Area, whichsupports the Herndon-Restoncommunity through grants to localnonprofits and college scholarships tolocal students.

SATURDAY/NOV. 12Everything Christmas Sale 9 a.m.-

noon At The First Baptist Church ofHerndon 681 Elden St. There will beholiday decorations and a variety ofgift options. The proceeds benefitThe Closet of the Greater HerndonArea, which supports the Herndon-Reston community through grants tolocal nonprofits and collegescholarships to local students.

Vienna Volunteer Fire DepartmentFall Bazaar and Craft Show 10 -4 p.m. held in the Flame Room at thefire department, located at 400Center Street, South. The craft showfeatures crafts and home basedbusinesses. Admission: Free.Proceeds from the rental of the tablespaces and raffles benefit the firedepartment in their effort to raise

funds for lifesaving fire and rescueequipment. To reserve a space callCarol at 703-309-3468 or [email protected].

Model Trains and Thomas OpenHouse. 1-5 p.m. Historic ViennaTrain Station, 231 Dominion RoadNE, Vienna. See and hear model

Plan Ahead Great FallsFRIDAY-SUNDAY/NOV. 25-27Thanksgiving Art and Craft Show presented by The Northern Virginia

Handcrafters Guild (NVHG) at the recently renovated Spring Hill RECenter, 1239Spring Hill Rd., McLean. The show will feature the original handmade craft andartwork of approximately 80 juried artists and artisans offering original jewelry,woodworking, photography, painting, fiber art, pottery, fused and stained glass,and much more. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4p.m. Admission is $5 for adults (free for children 12 and under) and includes freereturn and free parking. For more information, visit www.nvhg.org.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/ DEC. 2-4McLean Holiday Crafts Show. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday,

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave. McLean,VA 22101. This highly regarded, juried show features fiber arts, wood, ceramics,pottery, jewelry, glass, holiday decor, fashion, items for children, gourmet foods,paper art, photography, sculpture, paintings and more. Cost: Adults $5, childrenfree. Visit http://www.mcleancenter.org/.

SUNDAY/DEC. 4Great Falls Celebration of Lights 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. rain or shine. at the village

Center in the heart of Great Falls. Celebrate the season with our AnnualChristmas Tree Lighting. Hot cider and cocoa will be served next to the fire.Seasonal music will be performed by the local children’s choral groups. Thepetting zoo and pony rides will be open for kids until Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive byantique fire truck. www.celebrategreatfalls.org/celebration-of-lights

SUNDAY/DEC. 18Living Nativity at Great Falls United Methodist Church. Three 20 minute,

one act plays of this glorious event will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. Comelisten to the story, sing some carols, pet the animals, enjoy refreshments, andrekindle your you for Christmas. 10100 Georgetown Pike Great Falls,www.greatfallsumc.org. Questions? Call 703-759-3705.

The lighting of the Christmas Tree during the 25th AnnualCelebration of Lights and Great Falls Holiday Fest on Dec.6, 2015 at the Great Falls Village Center in Great Falls.This year’s celebration takes place on Dec. 4 at the villageCenter in the heart of Great Falls 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. rain orshine.

Photo by Steve Hibbard/The Connection

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By Adrienne West

The Connection

Dean Edmonds is thefirst one to tell youthat he is living adream. “If you dream

big, you never know what willhappen. If you [told] me 1.5 yearsago that I would help buy a bigsteamboat like the Delta Queen, Iwould have said you were crazy.Well, I am now a token owner, butowner I am. That is amazing,”Edmond says.

He never expected to be in-volved in saving a piece of Ameri-cana in the form of a steamboator a train car or a postal truck, andhe is passionate about all threeendeavors. Likewise, he is just aspassionate about keeping the “realhometown” feeling to Great Falls,his home since 1993. He and hiswife Lynn Ann moved here fromAlexandria because her parentswere here and for the betterschools and neighborhoods. Theybegan supporting a number ofcommunity organizations and

Dean Edmonds preserves symbols of small-townAmerica.

Supporting All Things Great Falls

Dean Edmonds with his 1959 Cadillac.See Americana, Page 13

1929 Ford Model AApostal truck

Photos contributed

Delta Queensteamboat


People

From Page 12

have become known for theirphilanthropy.

Edmonds sums it up well. “Inever really think about what I dofor the community; I just enjoydoing it. I first became involvedwith the community through theAmadeus Orchestra and GreatFalls Concert Series before weeven moved here. I was active sup-porting the Boy Scouts, and sincemoving to Great Falls, I have sup-ported the Great Falls Volunteerfire department. I do not knowwhen I first started supporting thelocal Brogue Charities that MikeKearney started. From there thatlead to my support of CelebrateGreat Falls and the July 4th cel-ebration to include the fireworks.”

When asked why it’s importantfor Great Falls to continue the fire-works tradition, he had a few rea-sons. “First of all, I love the bigshow.” Lynn Ann calls it the“hometown special.” Edmondsalso likes that the community islike a family and people know himhere. He helps the Friend of theFireworks organization through

financial support and volunteer-ing. He and his wife feel the fire-works event is one of the thingsthat make Great Falls special, andthey have no desire to go to D.C.and get lost in the shuffle.Edmonds says he likes “knowingthat what I do here makes a dif-ference.”

As curator of the Postal Service’soldest active mail truck, a 1929Ford Model AA, he has driven it inthe July 4th parade for the last fewyears. Other vehicles he hasbrought to the festivities includehis 1977 Ford pickup and a 1959Cadillac.

With the Pullman train car, Do-ver Harbor, he introduces youngergenerations “to how travel oncehad grace and civility.” Then thereis his biggest preservation effort,rescuing the Delta Queen steam-boat from the scrap yard withplans to return her to service oninland waters.

Dean Edmonds continues tomake a mark in the community byhelping those that strive to pre-serve small-town America, and byshowing us the value of appreci-ating our heritage.

Preserving Americana

1934 Pullmancar DoverHarbor

Dean Edmonds 1959 black Cadillac (second from right)

Photos contributed


By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Holiday weight gain betweenHalloween and New Year’sEve is not only common, anew study published in the

New England Journal of Medicine found theissue to be global. Researchers tracked theweight of nearly 3,000 people in the UnitedStates, Germany and Japan, and found thatevery single person studied gained weightduring the period of time from October toJanuary.

“Some people … just give up on [weightmanagement] during the holiday season.With Halloween candy, Thanksgiving andthen Christmas, I think some people say, ‘I’mjust going to deal with it in the New Year,’”said Domenica M. Rubino, M.D., of theWashington Center for Weight Managementand Research in Arlington. “It’s easy to getderailed that way. It’s better to say, ‘Howam I going to manage it?

What different ways can I celebrate?’”In fact, Rubino advises patients to con-

sider starting a weight-management pro-gram before the holiday season. “It givesthem a little extra structure during the holi-days,” she said.

There are a few, simple ways to combatthose holiday pounds today. “From a nutri-tion perspective, start thinking about itnow,” said Dietician Lauren Trocchio. “Knowthat you’ll be at a party or a dinner and therewill be a lot of food accessible to you andhave a plan.”

Avoid arriving at a party on an emptystomach. “Keep up with a routine so you’renot too hungry,” said PsychotherapistRaquel Willerman. You will have a betterchance of making a wise food choice ifyou’re not starving.”

Also, be aware of what food traditionsmay be most important or memorable. “Forsome people, it doesn’t feel like it’s the holi-days if we don’t have sweet potatoes withmarshmallows on top or mashed potatoeswith gravy, even if those food choices are adetriment to their health,” said Rubino.

Therefore, watching alcohol consumptionand practicing portion control rather thanforgoing tempting foods altogether areamong Trocchio’s recommendations.

“If you’re going to have holiday cocktails,your inhibitions might be lower, so you cantry limiting your cocktails and alternatingthem with seltzer,” said Trocchio. “Ratherthan substituting fat free versions of foodthat you want, practice portion control.”

Caring for one’s emotional well-being canmitigate the risk of over eating as well.“Know ahead of time that a lot of thingswill be overwhelming,” said Willerman.“There will be an increased number of fam-ily members in close proximity, there couldbe traveling, the amount of food, there area lot of overwhelming things happening atonce.”

Such mindfulness practices can helppeople avoid emotional eating traps. “Go-ing home can be stressful during the holi-days,” said Rubino. “It can be a trigger touse food to help calm and cope.”

To manage feelings of anxiety or stress insuch situations, Willerman recommendsdiaphragmatic breathing — also known asbelly breathing or deep breathing. “Take 10breaths and push your stomach out like aballoon, she said. “It forces a kind of relax-ation response to help you not feel over-whelmed. When people get overwhelmed,you become more of an emotional thinkerand it’s more difficult to think through andactivate the plan.”

In addition to a dietary plan, an exerciseplan is critical, too. “Ask yourself, ‘What amI going to do when the weather gets colder?’said Rubino. “Planning is most importantgoing into the season. You need winter tran-sition exercises.”

Among the activities that Rubino recom-mends is walking at an indoor location likea museum or shopping mall. “It is harderwhen it gets colder and darker, but the ideais to get people moving in a way that buildsit into their day-to-day life, like taking thestairs,” she said. “It should be a sustainablechange like brushing your teeth, so that itfeels really weird if you don’t do it.

“You can get the whole family involvedwith an activity like dancing with a Wii. Youcan start some kind of tradition with anactivity that gets people outside.”

Advanced planningis key to keepingoff pounds.

ManagingHolidayWeight Gain

Photo by Marilyn Campbell

Develop a plan now to combatholiday weight gain.

Wellbeing

“Some people … justgive up on [weightmanagement] during theholiday season. ... Somepeople say, ‘I’m justgoing to deal with it inthe New Year.’ It’s easyto get derailed that way.”

— Domenica M. Rubino, M.D.


News

By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

Katie Simmons Hickey, age 35, ofGreat Falls works on the retailside of mortgage banking withThe Simmons Team with her sis-

ter Lindsay at their office in the VillageGreen. With a passion to help raise fundsfor cancer research, she hosted 14 events,raising $277,000 in 10 weeks during herreign as Woman of the Year for the Leuke-mia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) in 2015.

The Man and Woman of the Year cam-paign is a national fundraising competitionin which participants build fundraisingteams to raise funds for LLS blood cancerresearch in honor of local children who areblood cancer survivors, the Boy and Girl ofthe Year.

“There were 27 candidates and I was thewoman who raised the most money in thisarea and the first runner up in the coun-try,” she said. “The campaign was monitoredover 10 weeks so we knew exactly howmuch we raised. It’s just a fun and excitingtime and a great thing to do.”

She added: “Now I’m on the leadershipteam looking for candidates for 2017 Manand Woman of the Year competition; it’s a10-week campaign and competition to raisethe most money. It’s going to kick off inMarch 2017, with the Grand Finale on June3. “The candidate from either Great Fallsor McLean must be committed to raisingthe minimum of $20,000 in 10 weeks forLLS.

“My definition of success is achievinggoals that are completely ridiculous — do-ing things that no one else has done orwould dream of doing.... Just finding theopportunity, and how we can give back. I’min it until we can find a cure,” she said.

As far as her fundraising goal, she said:

“My goal for every year that I continue tostay on the leadership team is $2.5 milliondollars in 10 weeks, March 23 thru June23,” she said. “There will be 25-30 male andfemale candidates.”

On Thursday, Oct. 6, the Dolce Vita Sa-lon and Spa on Elm Street in McLean, did ahair and fashion show at the Ritz Carltonin Tysons Corner that raised $11,000 forcancer research. “We had a silent auctionand live auction, and about 100 people at-tended.”

“I did it to raise money for my goal andteamed up with them in hopes of finding acandidate to mentor this year,” she said. Themoney will be going to the Leukemia andLymphoma Society’s Circle of Hope.

After that experience, she’s looking forqualified candidates that she can mentornow for 2017 so that she can break somerecords. “My goal is to continue to mentorpeople. We are actively looking for candi-dates to kick off the campaign in 2017,”she said. “I want to get candidates —whether male or female — to representGreat Falls.”

“My personal goal is to set a leadershipteam record with dollars raised, and themost rewarding result of these campaignsis the research grants that you earn withthe name of your choice,” she said.

One of her research grants in 2015 wasnamed for Elizabeth Ellickson, who died in2007 of leukemia at age 14. Her mother

Carol is a real estate agent in Great Falls. “Iraised $277,000, and for every $50,000raised, you could get a research grant,” shesaid. “After I raised the money, I got to raisethree grants, and she was one of the girlsthat I chose to raise it for.”

The reason she’s so passionate about help-ing is because her husband Brendan’s fa-ther Marty passed away from cancer andshe was looking for something to preoccupyher mind. Her best friend also had lym-phoma, but is in remission now and recentlybought a house in Great Falls. She startedby raising a little money — $100 here andthere — but really got the fever when shebecame Woman of the Year.

Katie is married to husband Brendan; thecouple has two children: Rylie, age 6, andBlake, age 4. If you are interested in be-coming Man or Woman of the Year for theLeukemia and Lymphoma Society, [email protected] to set upa meeting. For more details, visit the websiteat: www.mwoy.org.

Katie Simmons Hickey is looking for candidates to raise moneyfor Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Searching for Man or Woman of the Year

Steve Hibbard/The Connection

Katie Simmons Hickey of Great Falls was Woman of the Year for theLeukemia and Lymphoma Society in 2015.

Photo contributed

(From left to right): Katie Simmons Hickey with Jean Paul Achour andhis wife Fatima of the Dolce Vita Salon and Spa in McLean.

One of the hair models at theDolce Vita Salon and Spa hair andfashion show at the Ritz Carlton inTysons Corner.

Participants at the Dolce Vita Salon and Spa hair and fashion show at theRitz Carlton in Tysons Corner that raised $11,000 for cancer research.

Photos contributed


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News

By Peyton Jacobs

The Connection

The Seneca Hill AnimalHospital honored an in-credibly brave hero onThursday, Oct. 29

named Madjesty, or “Arvin” to hishandler and team back in Sri Lanka,the Marshall Legacy Institute’s MineDetection Dog of the Year. Madjestyis a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois whowas donated by the Homan family,faithful patrons of Seneca Hill Ani-mal Hospital for years. He is alsosponsored by the U.S. Departmentof Defense, along with many ofthese dogs overseas. Madjestyworks as one of the 218 Mine De-tection Dogs around the world thathave been provided to armies by theMarshall Legacy Institute. This or-ganization seeks to relieve suffer-ing and provide hope, progress, andstability in war-torn countriesthrough providing Mine DetectionDogs, as well as through the Survi-vors’ Assistance Program which hashelped hundreds of landmine sur-vivors receive prosthetic limbs,medical assistance, and vocationaltraining.

The dogs are trained intensivelyfor 18 months to safely and effec-tively search for explosive odors,and for other signs of these danger-ous landmines that were left behindafter conflicts in countries such asSri Lanka, Lebanon, Angola, Iraq,and Afghanistan. “Each dog receivesan army identification number andis given the same benefits as anyother human soldier,” said Brig.Amith Seneviratne, Commander ofthe Engineer Brigade within the SriLankan Army. “After seven years ofwork, they retire and live with theirhandler for the rest of their lives.When the dog passes away, we holda special funeral ceremony and Ihave a plaque [honoring the dog]made for them.”

Since 2004, the Mine DetectionDogs and their handlers havesearched and cleared over 95 acresof land in Sri Lanka, allowing hun-dreds of displaced Sri Lankans to return safely totheir homes. Madjesty has been working with histeam of twelve dogs for about five years, and willcontinue to do so until his retirement. “These dogsare extremely effective in this process,” said Perry F.Baltimore III, President and CEO of the Marshall

Legacy Institute. “They are very good. But the han-dlers have to be perfect, and that’s what we havehere. These two work perfectly.”

If you would like to learn more about MLI and howyou can donate, volunteer, or sponsor a dog, visittheir website at www.marshall-legacy.org.

Madjesti Honored in Great FallsMine DetectionDog of the Yearrecognized atSeneca HillAnimal Hospital.

Perry F. Baltimore III, President and CEO of the MarshallLegacy Institute (center), presents award to Dr. JaniceHoman and John Homan at Seneca Hill Animal Hospital.

From left — Dr. Janice Homan, Corp. Nawarathne,Madjesty/Alvin, John Homan, and Brig. AmithSeneviratne at the ceremony.

Photos by Peyton Jacobs/The Connection


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Not a WeekIn the Knees

This is an easy week. No 24-hour urine col-lection on Tuesday. No pre-chemotherapy labwork on Wednesday. No stress on Thursdaywaiting for the lab results (to determine if I goin for chemotherapy on Friday). No chemother-apy infusion on Friday. No subsequent sideeffects: fatigue, general discomfort, eating chal-lenges, etc., for the following Saturday to 10-days-later-Monday. No CT Scan. No P.E.T. Scan.No M.R.I. of the brain and/or liver. No anxietyconcerning the results, and no follow-upappointment with the oncologist to assess thedamage/discuss the results from all of theabove. And most importantly, no strategy ses-sion (with my oncologist) to consider the treat-ment options because things have changed forthe worse, which at least for this quarterlymoment in time, they have not! For a cancerpatient undergoing treatment for an incurabledisease, this week is as good as it gets.

Given my chemotherapy infusion intervals:alternating between four and five weeks; myCT Scan intervals: occurring quarterly; my P.E.T.Scan and M.R.I. intervals: every six months —and not every infusion/scan is on a similarday/date schedule, I probably experience thekind of relative calm I described in the openingparagraph, one to two weeks out of every fouror five weeks (depending on my infusion sched-ule) per quarter. Every third month, this ‘relativecalm’ is interrupted by my recurring scans andM.R.I.s. To try and summarize, I would saythere’s probably three to five of these one-to-two-week intervals over the course of sixmonths when I can semi inhale and breathenormally (lung cancer-related issues notwith-standing). Hey, I’m not complaining; it’s a livingand one I’m incredibly lucky to still have, nearlyeight years post diagnosis. I’m just saying.

And though I’m generally not in thechicken-counting business (nor am I in the col-lecting my eggs-in-one-basket business, either),I am happy take my life one day at a time, andcount myself fortunate to do so, never presum-ing any facts not in evidence. Nor do I expectany guarantees or clarification concerning mypresent/future treatment and/or any sideeffects, challenges, compromises, relating toyours truly having cancer. As Linda Hunt asStella, a k a “The Midnight Star” (she “alwaysshines at night”) said to Kevin Kline — asPaden, in a bar scene from the movie “Si-lverado:” “The world is what you make of itfriend. If it doesn’t fit, you make alterations.”

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Cancer is like a roller coaster, but one with-out any tracks; and one that rarely returns tothe station to allow you to get off and get yourbearings. For cancer patients, the trip is non-stop, with few opportunities to change direc-tion. All you can do is buckle up and enjoy theride, sort of. Much easier said than done, Iadmit.

Nevertheless, viewing one’s circumstanceswithout any hope or humor is hardly the posi-tive attitude worth embracing. There’s good, asthis column seeks to highlight; and more thanenough bad, as any cancer patient/othersimpacted by this terrible disease knows, to goaround. As much as I wish it had gone aroundsomewhere else, the reality is, it hasn’t and itlooks as if it’s here to stay; just like me (frommy pen to God’s eyes).


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From Page 6

Letters

spending. This referendum is NOT thelogical or useful place to register con-cerns about spending and fiscal restraint.Those matters need to be addressed con-

tinually in their own right, via politicalscrutiny of the budgets and spending andoperations.

William AndrleMcLean

By Tom Davis

Former U.S. Representative

On Nov. 8, Fairfax County votershave an opportunity to cast apowerful vote for themselves, and

for better government by voting “no” on theproposed Meals Tax. A “no” vote will senda message to the county Board of Supervi-sors that higher taxes should not be rou-tine, and that county leaders must focus onbetter management, and more importantly,

the School Board, moreefficiency, and greaterrespect for taxpayers.

The ballot languagefor the meals tax referendum was carefullyworded to avoid guarantees for how themoney will be spent, while pro-tax forceswant voters to believe it will be used forteacher pay raises and property tax relief.

In fact, there are no guarantees for thisat all. To remedy this glaring political er-ror, a public relations campaign has beenlaunched, partially at taxpayer expense, byteacher unions and some on the countyboard, to try to convince voters that theboard’s intentions are to use the new rev-enue for teacher pay hikes even though nosuch requirement exists.

Voters shouldn’t buy the argument, andthey shouldn’t approve the new tax.

A closer look at school spending showsthat the intentions of the School Board areto delve into more political correctness andsocial engineering. One example, is theirrecent release of an RFP to identify a com-munity convener to “study” and bring aboutthe name change of Jeb Stuart High School,despite the fact that the Stuart-area popu-lation and students oppose the change.

There are a number of problems with a

new tax on prepared foods and meals, butmost troubling is the very regressive natureof this proposed new tax. The tax would beimposed on all meals at restaurants andcarry-out, in addition to prepared food soldat convenience stores, food trucks, etc. —meals that are necessities, not luxuries, formany working men and women, and busyfamilies. The new tax would also be leviedon all ready-to- eat foods including a longlist of items such as deli foods and grocerystore rotisserie chickens.

While there are many other problemswith the proposed tax, it’s also troublingbecause it confirms an unhealthy focus bycounty leaders on higher taxes and morerevenue as opposed to better management.

Earlier this year, county leaders passed a$100 million increase in property taxes —also presumably to fund education. Now,they’re back in front of voters asking foranother $100 million in the form of theMeals Tax.

Easy money makes for bad management.In 1992, as board chair, I supported a mealstax. The county budget was in terrible shapecoming off a real estate depression that sawour commercial tax base collapse. Votersrejected the tax, we took the opportunityto reorganize our budget from top to bot-tom and two years later were named theBest Financially Managed County inAmerica. The budget problems today arenothing of that magnitude. And with noguarantees as to how the money will bespent, plus the current School Board’sspending proclivities. I am voting no.

It’s important that voters reject this, joinme in voting “no” on the Meals Tax.

Tom Davis is former U.S. representative and pastchairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Reject the Meals Tax“A closer look at school spending showsthat the intentions of the School Board areto delve into more political correctness andsocial engineering.”

The artist members of Art Happens Here! (AHH!) Stu-dios will be exhibiting in The Arts of Great Falls Galleryin November (Nov. 3 – 30). The five Great Falls artists –-Julie Dzvonik, Lori Goll, Mary Ellen Mogee, Ann Noel,and Jay Pigeon—are painters in different media includ-ing acrylic, oil, and pastel, and different styles fromabstract to representational. Visit the exhibit and meetthe artists on Friday evening, Nov. 4, 6-9 p.m. as part ofFirst Friday Art Walk in the Village. The Arts of GreatFalls Gallery is on the Village Green at 756 Walker Road,in the same building as the Artists’ Atelier. Open hoursafter the Art Walk are Wednesdays 2-4 p.m., and Satur-days 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., with entry through the Atelier.Details on the Art Walk can be found atwww.greatfallsart.org/artwalk/

Mixed Media art createdby Mary Ellen Mogee,AHH! Studio artist.

New Gallery Exhibit in Great Falls Village

Opinion

Commentary


Great Falls $1,295,000

www. GreatFallsGreatHomes.comJan & Dan Laytham Dianne Van Volkenburg

Great Falls $2,425,000 Great Falls $1,399,000

Great Falls $1,899,500 Great Falls $1,099,000 Great Falls $2,499,000

Reston $829,999


Purcellville $549,999



Great Falls $535,000


Reston $635,900

Leesburg $315,000

Susan CanisAssociate Realtor

Sally MarvinAssociate Realtor

Jan & Dan LaythamDianne Van Volkenburg

Office: 703-757-32229841 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 • 703-759-9190Justin Scango

Associate Realtor

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