Historic Franconia Legacies · Spring 2016 Historic Franconia Legacies Franconia Museum Inc. 6121...

Spring 2016

Historic Franconia Legacies

Franconia Museum Inc. 6121 Franconia Road, Franconia, Virginia 22310

E-mail: [email protected] Web: franconiamuseum.org

Volume 15 Issue 1 Franconia Museum

In Memoriam

Debbi Wilson Museum Vice President

1951—2016

Special points of interest:

In Memoriam — 1 Debbi Wilson President’s Message 2 Hometown Bus Tour 3 In Loving Memory of 4 Debbi Wilson Photos of Debbi 5 Iron Road of Franconia 6 Both Sides Tour 7 Marriage in the Museum 8 New Board Member 9 Baseball in Franconia 10 Baseball (continued) 11 Baseball (continued) 12 In Memoriam 13 In Memoriam 14 In Memoriam 15 In Memoriam 16 In Memoriam 17 Share Your Stories. 17 Help Needed. 2016 Current Friends 18 2016 Current Friends 19 Museum Info 20

The old saying that you don’t realize how important someone is until they are gone is doubly true at the Franconia Museum. Debbi Wilson’s illness and subsequent death has turned my world upside down because I have always counted on Deb to tell me which way was up! That’s why this edition of the newsletter is a tad late. Frankly, I have a hard time putting words on paper in her ab-sence. Without Deb to prod me into meeting the deadline, I admit I have had a hard time getting back up to speed. Having admitted that, I want to thank Jane Higham, Judy Hutchinson and Nathaniel Lee for their help in keeping the internal gears running for the Museum lately. Jane has made sure all of our memberships and contributors have been acknowledged, and Judy has taken over production of the newsletter as well as organizing the 2016 membership campaign. Nathaniel has assumed Deb’s role of handling our electronic outreach through our e-mail list and Facebook. In addition, Judy is working on another volume of Franconia Remembers. Our schedule has been set back because of Deb’s loss. You can’t imagine how much work it has been to go through the materials Deb left behind and find exactly what we needed. Everything was there, in its special place. We just had to find it! Thanks to Judy for a yeoman’s job in that department. Thanks to those of you who made a contribution to the Museum in Debbi Wilson’s honor. She specifically asked that she be remembered through your contribution. The Museum Board is hum-bled by your thoughtfulness on Deb’s behalf. As I mentioned in my eulogy at her memorial service, we are going to honor Deb with a special display at the Museum. She gave us the uniform she wore while working on AutoTrain years back, so we are going to display it at the Museum, along with her picture riding the rails between Lorton and Florida and back. We are working on the next edition of our book series, Franconia Remembers, which will in-clude stories and pictures about Franconia families, as well as sports pictures from days gone by. If you haven’t submitted your old sports pictures, please do so as soon as possible. With these sub-missions, please provide identifications of the people in each picture and the year it was taken. Drop by for a visit at the Museum on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Also, if you have any used books you would like to donate, we’d appreciate adding them to our collection to sell in order to raise funds for the Museum. If you like to read, you no doubt will find something interesting. Paperbacks are only 50 cents and hardbacks $1. There is a selection out in the lobby at all times the Government Center is open. Just put your donation in one of the envelopes we provide and slide it under the door. There is a bigger selection inside that you can browse through when we are open.

Historic Franconia Legacies—Franconia Museum Inc.

Carl Sell

President’s Message ...

We would love to hear from you … If you would like to give us your comments or send us a word or two, please contact us by mail or email.

Franconia Museum 6121 Franconia Road, Franconia, VA 22310

[email protected]

Franconia Mueum Web Page Has Moved

Visit this incredible link to the mid-1700s, George Washington, And the birth of our Nation, right here in our community.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Belvale, built in the mid-1700s, is located at 7001 Telegraph Road. It is owned by Steve and Donna Vermillion, who have graciously agreed to welcome members of the Franconia Museum for a tour inside the house. Belvale was owned by George Johnston, George Washington’s neighbor and legal advisor who also was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. Belvale once adjoined Washington holdings at Mount Vernon. (This visit will be part of the Museum’s annual Summer Tour, the details for which have not yet been finalized. This is an opportunity to sign up early and assure one of the limited spaces available for the tour of Belvale. The cost is $25 per person. Send your check to the Franconia Museum, 6121 Franconia Road, Franconia, VA 22310. Include your e-mail and phone number so we can update you on the plans for the tour. Don’t delay. This is a limited opportunity first offered to members of the Franconia Museum.)


A Unique Opportunity For Franconia Museum Members

Visit Historic Belvale

Eulogy from Memorial Service I’m Carl Sell and I come to pay tribute to Debbi Wilson on behalf of myself, Davie and Joe Alexander and their daughters Sherri and Cathy, as well as the Franconia Museum. Davie and Joe couldn’t be here today, but they loved Deb like a third daughter. Their own daughters loved Deb like a big sister. Like Joe, I have great respect and admiration for Deb for her love of Franconia and the huge efforts she made to make our community a much better place. She followed in the footsteps of her adopted mother, Helen Wilson, Joe’s confidant, conscience and supporter during much of his tenure as Lee District Supervisor. In fact, first Helen and then Deb were with Joe for all the 32 years he served as Supervisor. Deb took over after her mother passed away. It was no surprise that things continued to run smoothly and efficiently.

As a youngster, Deb was a member of a local baton twirling group that performed at area parades. The highlight was the annual Franconia Volunteer Fire Department parade. Deb would perform with a group known as the Judyettes, who would lead off the parade. When the Judyettes finished, Deb would run back to the start, pick up an Alexander for Supervisor sign and march with the group supporting Joe. She also was the Alexander’s babysitter, remembering fondly that Joe always brought home a pizza from Rose Hill pizza on the nights she spent with the girls. Pizza was a delicacy back then, not like today when there seems to be a shop on every corner.

One of our cherished memories of the Wilsons is a picture of a very young Debbi and her little wheel-barrow helping her dad, Jim, move dirt for the footers he dug for the house the family built on Barry Road in Windsor Estates, just off Beulah Road. Helen’s streak of rugged individualism obviously rubbed off on Deb. Helen rode a Harley motorcycle from Indiana to Washington in 1941, and joined the Navy after World War II started. She later met Jim while working at the Torpedo Factory on the Potomac in Alexandria. He was a crane operator. They were married in 1943.

While living in a trailer park at Fairfax Circle, they befriended a young girl who had been living with a foster family. She moved in with the Wilsons, and later had a daughter named Debbi. Helen and Jim adopted Deb and she became a Wilson through and through. The family moved into the homemade house in Franco-nia and Deb attended Franconia Elementary, Mark Twain Intermediate and Edison High School. After school, she would work with her mother in Joe’s office, first in Groveton and later at the Franconia Government Cen-ter, just across the street from Alexander’s Franconia Hardware.

For a while, Deb worked as a hostess on the Auto Train, which ferried vacationers and their cars from Lorton to Florida. Some time back, she gave her Auto Train uniform to the Museum and it will become a per-manent display in her honor. Deb was one of the early supporters of the Museum and has been the Vice President for Administration the last five years. The title doesn’t tell the story, because Deb was the heart and soul of the Franconia Museum. Just like it was when I served as Joe’s Planning Commissioner, I had the good fortune to have a Wilson to make sure I remembered everything to do as president.

Probably only Deb and Joe and I recall that the site of this memorial service once was part of Lee Dis-trict. We remember the difficult zoning case and how hard everyone worked to make sure the church and school fit into the community. Since then, Lee District has shrunk in size but grown tremendously in popula-tion. Deb and her mother were involved in much of the activity that makes our community the great place in which to live that it is today.

The Board of the Museum is humbled by this memorial service for Debbi Wilson. We pledge to continue the progress she has helped us make. I promise to finish the list of chores she left for me. If you want to be close to Deb, visit our Museum. And, the Helen Wilson Community Room is right across the hall.

On behalf of Davie and Joe Alexander, I thank you for coming to remember our very special friend .


In Loving Memory of Debbi Wilson

Franconia Mueum Web Page Has Moved


As job superintendent, Debbi is helping her Dad with the footings for their new house.

Debbi as a Judyette in 1963.

Debbi with her Mom, Helen Wilson, long-

time secretary to Joe Alexander. When

Debbi’s Mom retired, Debbi replaced her in

that job.

Debbi with Joe Alexander, her boss, but more importantly her

second Dad (Debbi’s claim). Looks like they are completing

another success-ful campaign.

Debbi & Ricky in 1996

their land to the railroad company in 1871, they earned the right to name the train station built on their property. Thus, the Franconia name began to symbolize more than just a farm, but the community built around the station. It would not be long before the name of the road on which it sat changed also. Thanks to the success of the train station, the Old Fairfax Pike was renamed to Franconia Road, and the name lives on. Nathaniel Lee serves as a member of the Franconia Museum’s Board of Directors, historian and museum docent. His family has lived in Franconia for three generations, watching the area transform from a farming community into a bustling suburb.


This Forgotten Land: A Tour of Civil War Sites and Other

Historical Landmarks South of Alexandria, Virginia

By Don Hakenson

This Forgotten Land Vol. II Biographical Sketches of Confederate Veterans Buried in Alexandria, Virginia

By Don Hakenson

A Tour Guide and History of Col. John S. Mosby’s Combat Operations in

Loudoun County, Virginia By Don Hakenson and Charles V. Mauro

Get your copy today by contacting Don at 703- 971- 4984 [email protected]

NEW LOCAL HISTORY BOOK HOT OFF THE PRESS!

More Books Written By Board Members About Local History

“THE IRON ROAD OF FRANCONIA: A HISTORY OF THE RF&P RAILROAD

IN FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA”

BY NATHANIEL LEE Museum Board Member Nathaniel Lee has recently published a book on the history of the railroad that runs through the Franconia community today. Copies of the book, “The Iron Road of Franconia: A History of the RF&P Railroad in Fairfax County,” are available at the Franconia Museum or online at www.createspace.com/6190241. This railroad was born in the era of the legendary railroad tycoons, and its history weaves a tale of political intrigue in the Reconstruction Era. With the world’s largest railroad, the Pennsylvania Railroad, on a quest for bigger markets and a transcontinental line, the small flag stops that served Franconia’s farms and small neighborhoods had long been forgotten but for the efforts of people who walked in the woods and recalled vague tales of trains stopping there long ago. The name “Franconia” exists to this day thanks to the railroad station. In 1859, Frankhonia was just a 191-acre farmstead operated by the Fowle family. When they sold

mailto:[email protected]


.

BOTH SIDES TOUR: CHECKING THE HOOF PRINTS IN HANOVER

At the May meeting of the Franconia Museum Board of Directors, Vice President for History Don Hakenson presented a check for $500, the latest contribution earned from the Museum’s sponsorship of the semi-annual Both Sides Civil War Tours. Since 2009, the Museum has received $4,400 from the tours.

The April 2016 tour followed Confederate Major General Jeb Stuart’s route to Gettysburg, starting at Rowser’s Ford on the Potomac in Montgomery County. More than 50 riders enjoyed stops in Rockville, Maryland, Westminster, Maryland, Hanover, Pennsylvania, and Hunterstown, Pennsylvania. The tour ended at the East Cavalry Field outside of Gettysburg where Stuart battled Union cavalry on July 3, 1863.

Hakenson, Carl Sell and Ben Trittipoe served as tour guides. There was a special stop at a church near Littlestown, Pennsylvania to visit the grave of Private Edmund Sell of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, who was killed by Mosby’s guerrillas at Stephenson’s Depot just north of Winchester, Virginia, on November 16, 1864. Carl Sell learned about his distant cousin while preparing for the tour. Edmund Sell’s gravestone says he was “killed by Mosby’s Guerrillas.” Mosby wasn’t there, but he organized the expedition as part of his disruption of Union activity in the Shenandoah Valley. The Rangers attacked a Union group that was ferrying messages to the command in Winchester.

Sell prepared an information booklet on Private Sell and the incident of his death with help from Hakenson, an acknowledged expert on Mosby. Don also conducts twice yearly Mosby Tours in June and September. In addition to his work with the Franconia Museum, Don is heavily involved with the Stuart-Mosby Historical Society. Trittipoe is the president of the Society. The group recently raised $40,000 to refurbish Stuart’s statue on Monument Avenue in Richmond. The Franconia Museum was one of the contributors.

The next Both Sides Tour will take place this coming October. Again, the destination will be Gettysburg to visit a new museum at the Lutheran Seminary, as well as sites of cavalry battles at Big Round Top in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, and Monterrey Pass at South Mountain at the Mason-Dixon Line. The all-day bus tour also includes lunch.

To be sure you receive information about the tours, contact Don at [email protected] or 703-971-4984.

Tour guides Ben Trittipoe, Carl Sell and Don Hakenson check the spot where George Armstrong Custer, who had just been promoted to Brigadier General, tethered his horse on June 30, 1863 in Hano-ver, Pennsylvania. The spot is marked by golden horseshoes! The tree on which the horse was tethered is marked with a star. This was one of the interesting spots visited by the Both Sides Tour on April 30 as the group followed Jeb Stuart's route through Maryland

and Pennsylvania to Gettysburg. Photo by Bill Kamenjar

mailto:[email protected]


MUSEUM BOARD MEMBER GETS MARRIED AT THE MUSEUM By Carl Sell

When Franconia Museum Board member Joseph “Sonny” Wright announced he planned to marry a Franconia girl, his colleagues asked where and when the ceremony would be held so they could attend. Sonny said he didn’t rightly know. “Why not right here?” was the response. So, Sonny and Mearle Stanley Lamb were married at the Franconia Museum on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. Franconia native Charlie W. Wood, Senior Pastor at Mt. Calvary Community Church, conducted the service. Don Hakenson, the Museum’s Vice President for History, escorted the bride. Sonny’s brother-in-law, Andy Anderson from Rocky Mount, VA, was the best man. Charlie Wood and Terry Lee Ryan provided their talents to serenade the happy couple. It was the second marriage for both. The bride grew up on Fleet Drive, right around the corner from Beulah Street and Franconia Road. She went to Franconia Elementary School and Annandale High School. Her father, Wallace Stanley, was a carpenter, and her mother, Ruby, managed the home and raised eight children. Mearle had five brothers and two sisters. Sonny lived in several places in Franconia and knows the area like the back of his hand. His father, Joseph McKinley Wright, was active in the Franconia Fire Department and worked at Fort Belvoir. His mother was Helen Elizabeth. Sonny had three sisters. He was active in the fire department and served in the Navy. Among those who attended were Mearle’s sister, Pauline Stanley Cleveland, and sister-in-law, Ann Wallace Stanley, and Sonny’s sister, Jeanne Wright Anderson. Friends in attendance included Board members Margie Simms, Judy Hutchinson, Joyce Young, and Bob Young. Also on hand were Jimmy Woodard, Edian Norris and Bobby Higham. The Museum provided the wedding cake. Board

members Carl Sell, Don Hakenson, Phyllis Ford, and Cary Nalls chipped in with lunch. Board member Nathaniel Lee helped with the setup. Board member Jane Higham provided the punch bowl, and Museum friend Ken Curry took the pictures. Nalls Produce provided the floral centerpiece and flowers for the bride. Linda Nichols and Connie Beatty from Rose Hill arranged and served the spread. Connie had never met Sonny and Mearle be-fore, but she cried anyway! Linda Waller, an aide to Supervisor Jeff McKay, said it was a “beautiful event” that almost brought her to tears. Sonny and Mearle live in Fredericksburg. He remains on the Museum Board so both can keep up with things in their hometown.

Pastor Charlie Wood of Mount Calvary Com-munity Church on Beulah Street (left) reads from the Bible during the wedding ceremony of Joseph (Sonny) Wright and Merle Stanley Lamb, held on June 10 at the Franconia Museum. Sonny's Best Man, brother-in-law Andy Anderson, is on the right.


There are few people currently associated with the Franconia Museum who have as deep roots to the area as Mary Smith, who recently joined the Board of Directors. Others such as Margaret Welch, Donald Walker and Marge Tharpe serve as senior advisors to help Mary give the rest of the board a history lesson when needed.

Mary’s father, Woodie, was the first paid fireman at the Franconia Volunteer Fire Depart-ment. Her mother, Mary Evelyn Broders Smith, was a teacher at Franconia Elementary School. Both of her parents’ families have deep roots in Franconia. Woodie’s ancestors once farmed at Clermont and lived at historic Ashland, which still stands today on Walhaven Drive. The Brod-ers owned land near what is now Springfield Mall, and lived in the house that stood at Fran-conia Road and Commerce Street where the Sunrise Assisted Living facility is now located.

Mary Smith grew up in Franconia. She attended Franconia Elementary, and graduated from Lee High School in 1963, just a month be-fore her father died. In those days, the Smiths lived in the first house on the left past the rail-road tracks, going toward Springfield. Mary and her mother moved to Rose Hill in 1970, and Mary has been there ever since. Her mother died in 1985.

Members of the Museum Board who are friends with Mary have been pestering her to join them in guiding the day-to-day operations for some time. After retiring from her job on 15 November 2015, at what is now CVS in Spring-field, she finally relented. She had worked there for 50 years. It was People’s Drug Store when Mary started back in the day. Like many familiar names of the past, People’s is long gone, but the store survived under new ownership.

Although still working, Mary attended most all of the Museum events, and has been on each of the sixteen Civil War Both Sides Tours, as well as each History Day sponsored by the Museum.

The Franconia Volunteer Fire Department has a special place in Mary’s heart because of her father. Woodie worked as a mechanic for Holmes Bakery and volunteered at the firehouse for a number of years before Fairfax County de-cided to hire full-time firefighters to augment vol-unteers because of a growing population. As a youngster, Mary spent much of her time with her dad at the firehouse because Woodie shifted from the role of paid employee to volunteer when he wasn’t actually working.

In 1960, Mary was the Franconia Fire Department Popularity Queen for the annual parade and carnival celebration, raising more than $2,000 in contributions as residents voted by donating their spare change.

Mary has seen Franconia and the fire-house grow tremendously during her lifetime. From the little two-bay firehouse where the gov-ernment center stands today, to the huge facility around the corner on Beulah Street, the fire-house remains a focal point for the community. Volunteers paid for the buildings and equipment over the years, including most of the equipment in the new county-owned facility in Kingstowne. Volume VII of the Museum’s Franconia Remem-bers book series is about the history of the fire department, and it includes a chapter featuring Mary and her father.

MARY SMITH — NEW BOARD MEMBER


Roger Able, Carl Sell and John Bloyer. No, Carl didn’t play for the Senators! He was a sportswriter for The Star and played in exhibition contests before Senators’ games for Press teams against

Radio-TV and Hollywood All-Star teams. Roger and John played for Carl in the Pioneer League. They both graduated from Edison. They also helped out with pre-game chores for the Senators.

Carlton “Moe” Kersey, Senators Manager Gil Hodges, and Thomas “Buddy” Blake. Moe lived in Sun-ny Ridge and Buddy in Rose Hill. They played baseball for Carl Sell in the Pioneer League, and both graduated from Edison. Carl took players to the Senators games, and they would get to know many

players. Hodges was an 8-time major league All-Star selection while with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

BASEBALL IN FRANCONIA

R


BASEBALL IN FRANCONIA — continued

Mike Lester in uniform, and his younger brother Marty at the FYA

field, now Clermont Park.

Roger Able pitching in the first Pioneer League game on the ballfield at what is now Clermont Park, across from Ridgeview on Franconia Road. It was built by players, coaches, managers, and parents on land

that was owned by Virginia Concrete.

Franconia Pioneer Optimists, 1966-67 FYA team.

Coach Paul Lester is in the center, in the green shirt.. Behind him in glasses is Randy Cassada, son of Harold Cassada (sponsor). Mike

Lester is in lower right, in glasses.

Are you in this photo or do you know any of the other team mem-bers shown here? Do you have photos of Franconia teams you

are willing to share with the Muse-um? We plan to include an ex-tensive section of sports photos in our next issue of “Franconia

Remembers.” If you have photos or information we can use, please

contact the Museum.


BASEBALL IN FRANCONIA - continued

Hayfield All-Stars Baseball Team at the Virginia Hills Ball Fields near Kings Highway.

District Manager: Carl Sell.

Players from left to right are:

Gary Guy, Jim Bearden,

Ronnie Banks, William Watson.

1953 Franconia Elementary School Baseball Team Row 1—Barry Knight (Pitcher), Billy Billington (Captain), Wayne Heflin (2d Base), Bradley Rogers (Pitcher)

Row 2—Bill Higham (3d Base), Mr. Coppage (Coach), Wallace Burdett (Catcher), Charlie Sutherland (Center), Jimmy Gibson (Rt Field), Tommy Lytle (1st Base), David Gallian (Lft Field),

Joe Piatt (Shortstop), John Swite (Center)


In Memoriam

WILLIAM “BILL” FLAMMER, SR. July 19, 1938—February 4, 2016

William (Bill) Flammer, Sr., always attributed his success to the hard work ethic he learned from his parents while growing up in Franconia. According to his son, Bill, Jr., he particularly credited the life lessons he learned at the Franconia Volunteer Fire Department as the cornerstones of his careers.

Bill became a master electrician and accomplished musician. He earned his master electrician’s license in the early 1960s, and had a successful business for many years. He taught himself to play the steel guitar, bass, dobro and rhythm guitar. Bill and his wife, Valli Rae, performed with many of the greats of country music such as Patsy Cline, Roy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Conway Twitty, Faron Young, Donna Dixon, and many others. Always the perfectionist, Bill was an avid bowler who sought the perfect game. He achieved it in 1997.

The Flammers lived on Burnett Street in Franconia. Bill’s father, also named William, worked for Atlantic Research. His mother, Katherine, was a member of the Gorham family from Franconia. In fact, her brother, Howard, and his wife, Ethel, named their daughter Katherine in her honor.

Bill attended Franconia Elementary School and Annandale High School. After two years with the United States Army in Germany (1959-1961), Bill remained overseas for the rest of the decade, playing with bands all over Europe. He returned to the United States and set up an electrical contracting business in Fort Washington, Maryland, and worked on many of the big construction projects in the Washington area,

including the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington. On September 11, 2001, Bill was doing electrical work on a high rise building in the Ballston area of Arlington and witnessed the terrorists crash the airliner into the Pentagon.

He continued to play and sing with Valli Rae alongside some of the elites of country music. They were main attractions on their own, and rarely turned down a chance to perform. If you were a fan of country music back in the day, you no doubt saw Bill and Valli Rae when they performed at such local venues as the Village Barn and Hillbilly Heaven. Recently, he brought his band, Smooth Country, to the Mount Vernon High School Alumni picnic to entertain some of his old friends.

Bill passed away at age 77 on February 4, 2016. He and Valli Rae lived in Colonial Beach, Virginia. In addition to Valli Rae, Bill is survived by sons Darryl Flammer and Bill Flammer, Jr., as well as a sister, Lorraine, and numerous grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his two daughters, Audre and Kimmy. Services were held at the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Colonial Beach. Bill was buried next to his daughter, Audre, in Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf, Maryland.


In Memoriam … continued

JOSEPH EDWARD KING February 5, 1955—April 22, 2016

Joseph Edward King, age 61, passed away on Friday, 22 April 2016, at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA. He is survived by his wife Laurie; two children, Sarah Elizabeth Merzlak (Jonathan) and Joseph Matthew King; one granddaughter, Shenandoah Joelle Merzlak (born 22 April 2016); his siblings, James H. and Bonnie L. King (David Ortiz); and a multitude of close family and friends. Mr. King was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph H. and Nancy L. King.

Mr. King was born in Arlington, VA, on 5 February 1955, and was raised in Franconia, VA. Drawn to the beauty and history of Fauquier County, he raised his family in Hume, where he remained until taken by the Lord.

The King family was heavily involved in school, community, and youth sports activity in Franconia. Joe attended Franconia Elementary School, and his mother was also the secretary there. He graduated from Edison High School in 1973. Both parents were involved in the Franconia Youth Association where Joe played football and baseball. He was a lifelong fan of ACC basketball.

Joe’s meticulous genealogical research led him back through our nation’s history beyond the Revolu-tion. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and had a keen interest in US and Virginia History, political science and current events. He was an accomplished musician who enjoyed playing tra-ditional US music with and for others. He played guitar, mandolin, and upright bass well, and enjoyed some banjo and piano. He performed in musical theatre.

Joe’s paid occupations ranged from rocket science to song and dance. He managed restaurants, worked in QA for Atlantic Research Corporation and IBM, and was an entrepreneur in catering, hospitality and event management businesses.

Joe was raised Catholic, and was a nondenomina-tional Christian who appreciated God’s creation. He enjoyed the outdoors and cared for animals, both wild and domestic. He is also survived by Gracie the cat. His enthusiasm for life and all that he did was compel-ling. He had a passion for people, and cultivated last-ing friendships from many different walks of life. He was well loved and will be missed by many. Marjorie Simpson Miller was born April 8, 1948, and spent her entire life in Franconia, VA. She attend-ed Franconia Elementary, Washington Irving Interme-diate, and Edison High Schools. Marjorie’s family was well known in Franconia. Her mother, Margaret, worked for many years in the High’s Dairy Store on Franconia Road. Her husband, Barry, and his family were also well known in the community. They were long-time Franconia residents, and Barry’s father ran the IGA on Beulah Road for a number of years.

Marjorie died suddenly in her home on 29 February 2016. She is survived by her 3 sons, Barry Miller, Tracey Miller and Henry Miller (Kristen), and her 5 cherished grandchildren, Jaden, Chase, Samantha, Ethan, and Lilly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Barry Nolan Miller, her brother, Donald Jr., and her parents, Donald Sr. and Margaret Simpson.

MARJORIE SIMPSON MILLER April 8, 1948—February 29, 2016


PEGGY ANN UHLER BONNER

March 22, 2016

Peggy Ann Uhler Bonner grew up on Valley View Drive in Franconia, VA. She attended Franconia Elementary and Washington Irving Intermediate Schools, and graduated from Edison High School in 1965. Her family was very active in the community, especially the Franconia Fire Department. Peggy’s father, Robert Uhler, and some of his neighbors on Valley View Drive were instrumental in initiating the formation of the Franconia Fire Depart-ment. He is named as one of the men in the original charter of May 6, 1935. The original firehouse was built by most of the original volunteers. In the 1950s, it was necessary to provide a new bay on each side of the existing firehouse. Most of the carpentry work was again done by volunteers, including Peggy’s older brother Roland “Bobby” Uhler. Peggy’s moth-er, Mrs. Lottie Uhler, was a member-at-large of the Executive Committee of the Ladies Auxiliary. Peggy had retired as an administrative assistant at Fort Belvoir. On March 22, 2016, at the age of 68, she passed away at her home in Fredericksburg, VA. She is survived by her husband, Henry L. Bon-ner; son Clinton Bonner and his wife, Jaime, and their children, Mikayla Bonner and Lily Bonner; daughter Jacquelyn Bishop and her children, Emma Bishop and Quinn Bishop; brother Roland “Bobby” Uhler; and nephew Jason Uhler. Private services were held at Quantico National Cemetery.


Andrew Sloan April 23, 2016 Class of 1981

Edison High School Alumni

Adrian Bennett April 9, 2016

Class of 1980

Ernest A. Phillips March 30, 2016 Class of 1966

Dana May Rodda April 6, 2016

Class of 1983

Wesley Snow November 11, 2015

Class of 1976

Lee H. Warren III August 25, 2015 Class of 1980



Edison High School Alumni continued

Barry N. Brogan February 4, 2016

Class of 1977

Thomas Chambers November 18, 2015

Class of 1970

Barry Ratcliff February 24, 2016

Class of 1972

Jean Pearson March 8, 2016 Class of 1972

Jamaal Paul April 2016

Class of 2008

Cathy A. Maust March 15, 2016 Class of 1969

Edison High School Alumni continued

Theodore Rybicki March 4, 2016 Class of 1968

Vivian A. Lacy February 27, 2016

Class of 1965

Deborah Dean October 9, 2015 Class of 1969

Penny Thompson November 25, 2015

Class of 1965

Mildred Potter December 9, 2015

Class of 1969

Jacqueline Foster October 28, 2015

Class of 1981


Edison High School Alumni

continued


Keri E. Fields November 20, 2015

Class of 2011

Rochelle Mapes November 13, 2015

Class of 1965

Joseph Bose October 31, 2015

Class of 2013

Carla Moravitz October 27, 2015

Class of 1990

William Dowling July 6, 2015

Class of 1965

Patricia Conley April 26, 2016 Class of 1965

Share Your Stories …

Everyone has a story to tell and we want to hear yours! If you are inter-ested in sharing your stories with us, please email us at

[email protected]

The Franconia Museum is also look-ing for artifacts, photos, and maps (gifts or loans) to be used in future exhibits. Franconia Museum, Inc. is a 501 ( c) ( 3 ) private community based not-for-profit organization.

Volunteers Needed Call To See What Help We Need

Carl Sell at 703-971-4716 Don Hakenson at 703-971-4984


2016 Franconia Current Friends

Sandra Ackley Nancy Anwyll

Daniel & Julie Baker Betty Barnett

Ruth “Connie” Beatty Mr. & Mrs. G. J. Bierer

Stephanie Breeden Virginia Bresnahan

Suzanne Briar Ruby Calkins

Therese Chaplin Floyd & Renae Cline

Margaret Cooke Kennon Cooksey David A. Cruden

Kathy Dakon Richard J. DiBuono

Stephen & Holly Dougherty John Faith, Sr.

Tim & Joy Fleming Norma Galloway

Charles “Chuck” Garbers Lawrence & Dianne Brown Gilley

Lynne Haas Gomez Ethel Gorham Renee Grebe Michael Hahn

Mary Hakenson Geraldine Harlow

Stan Harrison John W. Haskins Mary Lou Henry Marlene Herrling Jennifer Higham

Karen Perkins Royall

Robert Scrimshaw Beth Seitzinger

Karen & Margaret Seitzinger Sharon & Jeff Sheldon

Bob Sherman Marjorie Simms

Ronald & Kris Simms Mary Evelyn Smith

Walter E. Smith Doug & Suzi Stanton

Richard Stone Carolyn Banks Summers Jean Felix & Tim Sullivan Kathryn Ogden Talbert Robert & Nancy Talbert

Thomas Thomas Edward Trexler Robert Uhler

Brenda Walton Robert “Bob” Warwick

Kathy Weaver Woody “Sonny” Wise Jim & Peggi Woodard Joyce & Bob Young

Non Profit Friends

James & Nita Jones Bonny Dyer Jones

Kathleen Shaw

Nancy Lee & Bill Higham

Jane Hilder Georgia & Terry Hill Sue & Gary Hotto

Richard W. Jefferies Elizabeth D. Johnson

Mike Kalis Lynda Kandul Barbara Keck

Gene & Audrey Kelley Ed & Rosemary Kley

Gordon Kromberg Fred & Laura Landon

Aimee Lee Gary & Kandi Lee

Milton & Dianne Lee Oliver & Julia Lee

Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Levine Loren Family

Lewis & Winifred Lyles Barbara MacDonald

Robert & Elnora Markle Helen McClary Edna Mitchell Patricia Nilson Dick Orndorff

Bill & Cassie Parker Larry & Marge Peard

Robert Pearson Arlene Perkins

Nisar Qamruddin Michael & Virginia Rauer

James C. Rice Erin Rogers

Our apologies if we missed your name … please let us know and we will add you to the next publication!


Business Founding Friends

Both Sides Tours - Carl Sell & Don Hakenson

Kaplan, Inc. Lindner Family Foundation

Mosby Tours - Don Hakenson & Gregg Dudding

Sherman Properties - Steve Sherman Sheehy Ford

Lifetime Friends

Honorable Joseph "Joe" & "Davie" Alexander

Vikki S. Beaty Lawrence & Stephanie Bianco

John Briar, III Charlotte Brown

Thomas & Peggy Brown Bill Cooke

Bob & Peggy Cooke Kenneth Curry

Fairfax County Historical Commission Charlie Fenimore

Ann Marie Gardner Judy Tharpe Hutchinson

Laurel Grove Baptist Church Honorable Jeff McKay Bob & Marcia Moon

Cary Nalls William Poppe Tom Sachs

Bernice Schurtz Honorable Mark Sickles

Robert Daniel (Danny) Simms Jean Starry

Marjorie Bagget Tharpe Donna Poppe-Wagner

Mary Elizabeth (Mary Jane Simms) Whitaker Helen R. Wise

Ron Wise

Franconia Museum Friends

Our apology if we missed your name … please let us know and we will add you

to the next publication!

Founding Friends

Olander & Carolyn Banks, Sr.

Sky Phillips Beaven Daniel & Marcia Brown

Shirley Dove Davis Gregg & Debbie Dudding

Lynn Fitzgerald Phyllis Walker Ford

Paul & Johna Gagnon Clemens S. Gailliot Jr.

Peter Gentieu Don & Carol Hakenson

Bob Heittman (In Memory Of) Andy & Jane Higham

Hon. Gladys Keating (In Memory Of) Dan & Rita Kuntz

Sue Patterson Betty & Arthur Nalls (In Memory Of)

Brother & Ruby Schurtz (In Memory Of) Daniel Everett Simms

Everett (Tom) Simms, Jr. Don & Jacqueline Walker

Homer & Ruth Glover Weller

Lifetime Business Friends

Dove Heating & Air Conditioning

Jefferson Funeral Chapel

Event Sponsors

Both Sides Tours – Carl Sell & Don Hakenson

Dove Heating & Air Conditioning Five Star Carpet

Laurel Grove School Association Mosby Tours – Don Hakenson & Gregg Dudding

Nalls Produce Sherman Properties – Steve Sherman

Business Friends

Fairfax County History Commission

Hayfield Citizens Association James Rice, Attorney

Business Founding Friends

Both Sides Tours - Carl Sell

& Don Hakenson Kaplan, Inc.

Lindner Family Foundation Mosby Tours - Don Hakenson

& Gregg Dudding Sherman Properties - Steve Sherman

Sheehy Ford

Lifetime Friends

Honorable Joseph "Joe" & "Davie" Alexander Vikki S. Beaty

Lawrence & Stephanie Bianco John Briar, III

Charlotte Brown Thomas & Peggy Brown

Bill Cooke Bob & Peggy Cooke

Kenneth Curry Fairfax County Historical Commission

Charlie Fenimore Ann Marie Gardner

Judy Tharpe Hutchinson Laurel Grove Baptist Church

Honorable Jeff McKay Bob & Marcia Moon

Cary Nalls William Poppe

Bonnie Ruetenik Tom Sachs

Bernice Schurtz Honorable Mark Sickles

Robert Daniel (Danny) Simms Jean Starry

Marjorie Baggett Tharpe Donna Poppe-Wagner

Mary Elizabeth (Mary Jane Simms) Whitaker Gregory Wilson Helen R. Wise

Ron Wise

Our apologies if we missed your name … please let us know and we will add you

to the next publication!

We’re on the Web! www.franconiamuseum.org


Congressman Jim Moran Delegate Mark Sickles Supervisor Jeff McKay Honorable Gladys Keating Honorable Joe Alexander Honorable Dana Kauffman

Carol Hakenson Nathaniel Lee Cary Nalls Steve Sherman Margie Simms Mary Smith Sonny Wright Bob Young Joyce Young

Special Advisor Jim Cox Senior Advisors: Marge Tharpe Don Walker Margaret Welch

Webmaster: Jim Sapp

2016 Board Of Directors: President: Carl Sell (Pub Co-Editor)

VP for Administration: Vacant VP for Education: Phyllis Walker-Ford VP for Historical Activities: Don Hakenson (Pub Co-Editor) Secretary: Judy Hutchinson Treasurer: Jane Higham

*** We Are Open ***

Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Saturday

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Contact us at [email protected]

and set up a time with Carl Sell, Don Hakenson, or one of the other Board Members, and tell them your story of

your Franconia remembrances.

Past Board Members

Honorary Directors:

Directors:

Newsletter Editor: Judy Hutchinson

Delores Comer Debbie Dudding Gregg Dudding Johna Gagnon Bob Heittman Dan Kuntz Rita Kuntz Andy Higham Jenee Lindner Marcia Moon Betty Nalls Sue Patterson Edith Sprouse Christine Tollefson Jacqueline Walker .Debbi Wilson

REMEMBER WHEN …

Franconia Museum Ribbon Cutting – March 25, 2006

Left to right: Johna Gagnon, Debbi Wilson, Sue Patterson, Jac Walker, Brad Center, Dana Kauffman, Phyllis Walker Ford

FRANCONIA. . .FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

Historic Franconia Legacies · Spring 2016 Historic Franconia Legacies Franconia Museum Inc. 6121...

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Transcript of Historic Franconia Legacies · Spring 2016 Historic Franconia Legacies Franconia Museum Inc. 6121...