Alexandria Gazette Packet

31 Pages·2014·3.82 MB·English

Alexandria
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Gazette Packet
Page 19
25 Cents
Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper November 13, 2014
Found Money
Honoring
School Board votes to fund
Veterans
increased cost of TC tennis courts.
B
By Vernon Miles completed and unnecessary
ugler Brent Anderson called the Veter-
Gazette Packet projects to pay for the increased
ans Day ceremony to assembly and at- T costs of the tennis courts.
tention at the Mount Vernon Commu-
he six tennis courts at T.C. “The former [School Board]
nity Center on Tuesday afternoon, Nov.
Williams High School will budgeted around $500,000 [for
11. The bugle call was followed by Piper Timothy
not cost $800,000 as the tennis court],” said School
Kirkpatrick leading two members of the Old Guard
originally planned. The latest es- Board Chair Karen Graf. “Three
carrying the Medal of Honor Flag. Molly Millard
timate by the School Board places months later, they were told that
sang the National Anthem and the American Heri-
the cost closer to there was a
tage Girls from St. Rita Church Troop 1381 led
$1.2 million. The “This is not petty problem, the
the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. More than
tennis courts $800,000 [for
100 residents and the Friends of Rocky Versace were initially cash, the amount the courts and
gathered to pay tribute to all those who have
budgeted at lights] was not
served in the armed forces. The annual ceremony that we’re under.
$500,000, with going to be
is organized by the Friends of Rocky Versace and
$250,000 added enough. [The
the staff of the Mount Vernon Community Center. That’s a 60
to install the in- new School
frastructure for Board] was go-
percent increase.”
the potential ad- ing to have to
dition of lights. — School Board member add in buffering,
Photos by
At an Oct 16 they’d have to go
Louise Krafft/ Justin Keating
Gazette Packet meeting, the through permits
School Board and legal fees.”
Piper Timothy Kirkpatrick plays the passed a budget transfer of Of the budget transfer, $358,000
Armed Forces Medley in honor of all $500,000 for its Capital Improve- came from a switchgear at T.C.
those who have served. ment Plan (CIP) to take funds from See Board Votes, Page 25
Flood of Sewage
Burst water line on South Jordan
Molly
Millard results in flooding of 14 homes.
Keynote speaker Brig. sings the
General (USA, ret.) Jack National By Vernon Miles burst.
Nicholson recounts the Anthem. Gazette Packet But it wasn’t water from the
three times he partici- H burst line that residents were
pated in attempts to elping a crew remove his walking in that morning; the burst
rescue Captain Rocky water-damaged belong- damaged a nearby manhole, and
Versace from the pris- ings from his 89-year- water from that line overflowed
oner of war camps he old mother’s home was not how into the sewer system. Residents
was being held in during Guy Foster, discharged from the woke up to eight inches of sewer
the Vietnam War. Navy in 1969, had planned on water flooding the lower levels of
spending his Veterans Day. The their homes.
home of Foster’s mother was Carolyn Brown, a resident of the
among the 14 on South Jordan neighborhood for 36 years, said
Street damaged by extensive that her husband had spent the
flooding last Thursday, Nov 6, morning of Nov 6 downstairs try-
when a main water line managed ing to find the source of the wa
by Virginia American Water had See Burst Water, Page 25
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www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ November 13-19, 2014 ❖ 1
2 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ November 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Alexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren
703-778-9415 or [email protected]
Hopkins House Celebrates 75 Years
Learning center helps Erin Cosgrave is a parent who sends her
son Dillon to school everyday at the Hopkins
shape youngsters’ House, and she says the facility provides
him with a safe learning environment.
futures. “My son loves going to school, and I can
thank the wonderful teachers for that. They
provide a stimulating learning environment,
By Melissa Skinner
and that has been a direct influence on who
Gazette Packet
W my son is today. He has learned how to play
with others, be polite and empathetic all
ith a mission to “Build the Ph while having fun,” she said.
foundation for the future,” o
t Cosgrave and her husband decided to
Hopkins House in Alexan- o
b enroll their son in Hopkins House after hear-
dria celebrated 75 years of y
T ing rave reviews from close friends who also
success on Nov.1. Hopkins House, a non- is
a had their children in school there.
profit learning center, has provided academ- r
ics to preschooler’s, camps for adolescents a P “The school’s great reputation in the com-
h munity, combined with the fact that it is a
and has helped young adults establish a o
to year-round school, helped us make our de-
career path since its establishment in 1939. g
r cision. Leaving my child for the first time
J. Glenn Hopkins, president and CEO, said a
ph in the hands of strangers is the hardest thing
that alumni from Hopkins House have gone y
on to become doctors, lawyers, judges and Hopkins House board chair Mark Eisenhour, president J. Glenn Hopkins I have ever done. The teachers at Hopkins
engineers. and host committee chairman Robert Hicks raise their glasses in an House made the transition easier, through
“We really define our success by the suc- anniversary toast. their attention to Dillon and to us as par-
ents,” she said.
cess of those that come through our doors.
Cosgrave believes the 75th anniversary
Meaning, we look back at some of our The school not only helps preschooler’s, their own. “We are committed to making
means that Hopkins house has reached a
alumni who go on to be very successful. The but it also helps teenagers and young adults sure those families who cannot afford
significant place in the community.
great things they do for the community and without a college degree gain an early child childcare receive some sort of assistance in
“It is well established, and continues to
the world mirrors the dedication of our fa- certificate. By participating in this program, giving their children an education and a
provide for our children. I look forward to
cility,” Hopkins said. young people are able to break the cycle of better life,” Hopkins said.
being a part of its continued growth. We
“The people who have been apart of our poverty, receive medical benefits and im- The school also celebrated the expansion
are expecting our second child in April, and
legacy remember it as a very special place, prove the early childhood profession. of a third center opening.
have already signed him up to begin as an
a home for children in the community. In In honor of 75 years of service and suc- “We believe we have a great product with
infant in July 2015,” she said.
the later years, the impact we have had in- cess, the house hosted a masquerade ball the service provided to children. We want
For more information visit
tellectually on children is unheard of,” he as a way to celebrate and raise funds to help to make sure it is available to as many chil-
www.hopkinshouse.org.
said. parents who cannot afford childcare on dren as possible,” Hopkins said.
Friends Mourn Death of David Abshire
Ambassador, public he was always an optimist,” said Max
Angerholzer, president and CEO of Center
policy leader dies. for Study of the Presidency. “At a time where
Washington seemed to irreparably broken,
and civility was a lost art, where compro-
By Vernon Miles Phmise became a dirty word, Dave [Abshire]
o
Gazette Packet twas able to remind folks that we’ve faced
o
F bmuch more difficult times … He made a
y
or a career spent around the world, Lcareer of taking on these tough challenges.”
o
David Abshire always considered Al- uis James Kitfield, a senior fellow at Center
exandria home. Abshire was a former e Kfor Strategic and International Studies, said
ambassador to NATO, a cofounder of the raAbshire always looked for the opportunity
f
Center for Strategic and International Stud- ftfor good in a crisis.
/
ies, and president of the Center for Study G “He’d been ill for quite some time, and
a
of the Presidency and Congress until 2012. zeeven through the very end he had an opti-
t
Abshire’s life of service ended Oct. 31 when tmistic vision, and wanted to gather thought
e
he died at his home in Alexandria. Pleaders,” said Kitfield. “He never gave up.”
a
c
Even in his final days, Abshire took an k One of Abshire’s favorite sayings was from
e
active leadership role in Washington. In a tMark Twain: that history doesn’t repeat but
Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO David Abshire introduces Don Beyer
final opinion piece titled “Last Call to Great- it rhymes. According to Angerholzer,
and his wife Megan to guests at a party given at his Old Town residence
ness,” published in Real Clear Politics, Abshire’s goal was to find good lessons,
in August of 2009. Beyer had been just been sworn in as U.S. Ambassa-
Abshire gave some parting advice to his good rhymes, from history and pass those
dor to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Joining Ambassadors Abshire and
readers. on to future leaders. At his home in Alex-
Beyer on the porch were U.S. Sen. John Warner, SCAN founder David
“Set aside your own rivalries,” wrote andria, Abshire’s family hosted foreign dig-
Cleary, former Virginia Gov. Chuck Robb, Don and Megan Beyer, Linda
Abshire. “engage the very best people from nitaries and the local community alike.
Robb and U.S. Rep. Jim Moran.
within your organizations and beyond, and “No matter who you were,” said
chart a course together that puts America gether in strategic planning of Navy mis- born to lead, and he led.” Angerholzer, “Dave was proud to be your
back on the path to greatness — before it’s siles and later collaborated when Warner These traits were vital when Warner and friend and wanted to help you in any way
too late.” served in the Armed Services Committee Abshire both worked on the Iraq Study he could.
Former U.S. Sen. John Warner had known and Abshire was ambassador to NATO. group in the George W. Bush administra- Abshire was 88 years old and is survived
Abshire for 40 years, when Warner was Sec- “He was a very bright man, always was tion. by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Sample
retary of the Navy and Abshire was assis- looking at the present of a situation and the “There was an Abshire method: It didn’t Abshire, their five children, and 11 grand-
tant Secretary of State. They worked to- future consequences,” said Warner. “He was matter how difficult a problem might be, children.
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ November 13-19, 2014 ❖ 3
Living Legends
Charles Eugene ‘Tony’ Gee
Civic leader,
businessman
and pastor.
By Joseph S. Shumard
C
harles Eugene
“Tony” Gee is more
than just legend-
ary. He was a pioneering Af-
rican American business
leader during a period of pro-
found social change in Alex-
P
andria and played a critical ho
t
role in the economic devel- o
opment of lower King Street. by Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg, U.S. Rep.-elect Don Beyer, Gen. Bon
S Wood (USA ret.) and Margaret Wood at the veterans week kick off.
What many people think of t
e
when they think of Tony Gee ven Alexandria Honors Veterans Week
is the Snack Bar restaurant, H
which started out on lower al U
p
King Street in Alexandria. It er .S. Rep-elect Don Beyer joined Events include a veterans art exhibit at
s
was originally owned by Ruth o city officials in kicking off the City Hall, which will run through Dec.
n
and Salvatore Galardi, who Alexandria Honors Veterans 10, a veterans history project and busi-
Gee was a pioneering African American busi-
first hired Tony as a porter in week at a reception Nov. 10 at the Ly- ness seminars for transitioning veter-
ness leader during a period of profound
1958. He quickly became the ceum. ans.
social change in Alexandria.
manager and ultimately the
owner. The Snack Bar later
tion, as a member of the Election Board of
moved to Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, Alexandria, and as a member of the advi- AEDP president and
where it continued in operation until 1993. sory boards of Virginia Power, the George CEO Val Hawkins,
At both locations, the Snack Bar was a Washington National Bank and Burke & right, welcomes
groundbreaking enterprise and Tony was its Herbert Bank & Trust. attendees to the
face — serving a sizeable clientele of loyal As president of the Alexandria Kiwanis Alexandria Honors
patrons and helping it become a significant Club (2003-4), he led a major project to Veterans kickoff
community institution. The Snack Bar renovate the Guest House (a non-profit resi- event Nov. 10 at the
served more than 500 meals each day, five dential facility that helps women make suc- Lyceum. With him
days a week. Tony made it a point to know cessful transitions from incarceration back are John Sims of the
the name of every one of his customers and into the community). In addition to per- Alexandria Veterans
developed good friendships with many of suading Kiwanians to donate funds to the Advisory Group and
them. At the same time that he was build- project, Tony developed a partnership with Emily McMahan,
ing his own business, Tony was encourag- Habitat for Humanity (which did most of executive director
ing other local businesses to get started and the major construction work) and procured of the Alexandria
to grow. While at his King Street location, interior decoration, plumbing, and other Veterans Business
he helped organize 84 Alexandria business materials donated by Alexandria business Enterprise Center.
owners and became the founding president
community.
of the Old Town Business Association.
Another example of Tony’s leadership was
Tony has served on more than 15 local Bulletin Board
his organizing a “Law Day” while serving
advisory boards, business organizations,
as a member of the Criminal Justice Advi-
and public commissions, including service sory Council of Northern Virginia. It was Email announcements to gazette@connection
as chaplain of the Alexandria Jail, as a newspapers.com. Include date, time, location, de- help make the 2014 holiday season brighter for
held at Charles Houston School, and at- the most vulnerable community members – low-
trustee of the Alexandria Hospital Founda- scription and contact for event: phone, email and/
tended by 11th and 12th grade Alexandria or website. Photos and artwork welcome. Deadline income families, foster children, and elderly and
disabled residents — through the annual
City Public School students. A “first of its is Thursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.
Holiday Sharing program. Contact Suzanne
Living Legends: kind” event it, featured the Alexandria Chief Kratzok at 703-746-5663 or
of Police, City Attorney, Commonwealth HOLIDAY GIVING [email protected] for more.
The 2014 Project Attorney and more than 30 others from the Holiday Sharing Sponsors Wanted. The Toy Drive. Runs through Dec. 12. The Weichert
family of Companies recently announced the
legal communities of nine Northern Virginia Alexandria Department of Community and start of its 36th Annual Toy Drive. Members of
Living Legends of Alexandria is an ongoing counties. The highlight was a question and Human Services (DCHS) invites the public to the community are invited to drop off
501(c)(3) photo-documentary project to identify, new, unwrapped toys at the company’s
honor and chronicle the people making current answer session devoted to the law. sales offices.The toys will be delivered
Wicked
history in Alexandria. The project was conceived in Throughout his years as an Alexandria throughout the holidays in conjunction
2006 to create an enduring artistic record of the businessman, Tony found time to pursue the with local charities that assist
people whose vision and dedication make a posi- Local author Michael Lee financially and physically
study of religion. He became a Baptist min-
tive, tangible difference to the quality of life in Pope spoke at Alexandria’s disadvantaged children.Visit
Alexandria. ister and served three congregations for Athenaeum Saturday, Nov www.weichert.com/offices/ for more.
Platinum and Gold sponsors this year are the more than 30 years, including four years as 8, on the bloody and myste- Operation Christmas Child. Runs
Alexandria Commission for the Arts, Alexandria pastor of the Third Baptist Church in Alex- rious history of region. Nov. 17-24. Churches, businesses,
Toyota, Club Managers Association of America , “Wicked Northern Virginia” warehouses and homes across
Dominion, Goodwin House, Inc., Gregg & Monica andria. is the fourth book by Pope Alexandria are being transformed into
Murphy on behalf of Senior Services of Alexandria, These are examples of what Tony Gee has and chronicles various bi- collection spots for Operation
Christmas Child. Area collection sites
Linda Hafer, Renner & Co. and Nina Tisara. accomplished on an ongoing basis over sev- zarre and macabre events,
hope to collect thousands of gift-filled
This is one of a series of profiles that will appear eral decades. He is recognized as a leader from a mother poisoning shoeboxes from individuals, families
this year. For information, to volunteer, become a her family to the assassina-
for his many contributions to the Alexan- and groups for needy children. A full
sponsor or nominate a future Legend, visit tion of an American Nazi in
list of Alexandria’s collection locations
www.AlexandriaLegends.com or contact dria community and exemplifies what is Arlington. can be found online at
[email protected] . meant by “good citizen” and Living Legend. www.samaritanspurse.org.
4 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ November 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ November 13-19, 2014 ❖ 5
People
From Leaf Piles to Mulch
P
Trucks vacuum come back in a couple of weeks h
o
and see the difference. Some piles t
o
up autumn’s are higher than the cars.” The s b
crews work from the end of Octo- y L
droppings. ber to the end of December. It is ou
difficult to know exactly how long ise
K
a run will take because the volume r
By Shirley Ruhe a
of leaves is unpredictable, wet ff
Gazette Packet t
T leaves can clog up equipment and /G
occasionally trucks need repair. az
he gray vacuum hose “Now the leaf collection work- et
t
weaves back and forth ers are on a 7 a.m.-3:30 p..m e P
across the pile of schedule,” Moore said. But about ac
leaves like an elephant next week they will begin the 10- Natasha Nardone shows ket
trunk searching for a peanut. hour, six-day a week schedule in- a few of her “heartfelt Renee Rutkowski with a
Darnell Moore is beginning the cluding holidays except Christmas. creations” at the holiday new piece of “Unique
first pass of the leaf season in “red” Some of the trucks have work craft fair. Stained Glass.”
Zone 1 on Morgan Street, “a heavy Darnell Moore grinds up lights so they can keep going when
section of Alexandria with more the leaves with windows it gets dark. As Moore works his Straight from the Heart
trees.” Jeffrey Duval, acting closed and gray cap in way down a cul de sac, a resident F
deputy director of operations for place to avoid the swirl of rushes her last plastic sheet of
the City Department of Transpor- dust as he works Zone 1 in leaves out to the curb just in time irst Christian Church of ing trays, felted Christmas or-
tation and Environmental Ser- Alexandria. to watch them disappear. A lot of Alexandria hosted its naments, personalized statio-
annual holiday art and nery and cards along with a
vices, says Alexan- the residents rake the leaves to the
craft fair on Saturday, Nov. 8, multitude of one-of-a-kind gift
People dria is divided into five zones, and Old curb, but they can also use brown bags provided by in the church hall. More than ideas. More information on the
Town is divided again into four subdi- the city to recycle the leaves and bag together.
At Work visions. Duval says the city puts the Moore is driving one of two special leaf collection three dozen crafters and ven- outreach programs at the First
dors displayed and offered Christian Church of Alexandria
collection dates online as well as tips trucks, new last year. They have a separate engine
handmade goods for sales: can be found at
for how to make collection more effi- and can be operated completely from inside the truck.
Homemade jellies and jams, www.fccalexandria.com or
cient for the workers such as raking the leaves from Moore is one of a few people who currently can drive
stained glass, fused glass serv- [email protected]
under the car and avoid placing leaves in front of them. They are a lot faster and take fewer people
storm sewers. with just a rake man and the driver who operates
“Old Town is harder because there are a lot more the hose with a joy stick inside. Moore drives on the
cars and tighter streets, and you have to watch both passenger side of the large, white truck. He steers
sides,” Moore added. “I operate using mirrors — it is the oversized wheel with his left arm and works the
so tight. It will take 3-4 days to finish Zone 1, then joy stick up and down with his right hand to move
in a couple of weeks when more leaves have fallen, the hose back and forth until he sees a clean curb.
we will make a second pass. It’s not bad here, but “Hear that? The hose is starting to work slower. We
have a separate PLT unit system with a
pack blade that pushes the leaves to the
rear.” He pushes a button and waits for
the orange light to flash on. “That
means we are ready to go again.” At
the beginning of the leaf season, he re-
moves about 2-3 truckfuls a day and
takes them to the recycling center to
grind up for mulch. Moore is wearing a
gray cap and keeps the windows closed
to keep out the swirls of dust stirred up Madeline Ramsey offered
by the leaves grinding. gourmet dill and curry Cady Sinks of CMS Knits
As the truck rumbles down the red dip mixes and home- works on a small scarf at
maple- lined street, Moore points ahead. made jams and jellies. the craft fair.
“There is Felix Bouknight. He has just
been dropped off to meet me. Felix is a
seasonal worker who will help me by
raking leaves in tight places where the
hose won’t reach. We’re a crew of two.
P
hOn the other trucks you need a crew of
o
tothree because someone has to manually
s
bwork the hose from outside. It is heavy
y
Sand takes a while to learn, a lot of skill.”
h
ir He started this kind of work right out
l
eyof high school, operating heavy equip-
Rment in Arlington, then owning a truck
u
hebusiness and now three years in Alex-
/
Gandria. But he says, he really started as
a
zea youth where he got a lot of practice
t
twhen his father used to have him back
e
Pup big boats with trailers. The truck
ac Jeanne Svikhart of
krumbles down the street, growing
e Phoebe takes a nap as Jewelry Attitudes wears
tlouder as the grinder gears up. The
Felix Bouknight, a seasonal leaf collector, rakes her dad Justin Stephens and shows her one-of-a-
“one-armed bandit” is headed for an-
scattered leaves into a pile for the vacuum hose as tours the artists booths. kind jewelry items.
other pile of leaves.
he assists Darnell Moore in their crew of two.
6 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ November 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ November 13-19, 2014 ❖ 7
News
The Right Stuff
12K Race
Officials with
USA Track and Astronaut Buzz P
Field visit h
o
Oronoco Bay Aldrin salutes to
Park in ad- by
vance of the USPTO veterans. Jea
Nov. 16 Na- n
n
tional Road By Jeanne Theismann e T
Racing 12K Gazette Packet he
Championship I ism
a
race through n
t was one small step taken 45 n
Alexandria. /
years ago. Around the world, G
The race, eyes were collectively riveted to az
e
which will t
grainy pictures on a television screen t
e
feature a new while others gazed up at the sky in won- P
a
1-mile race der and awe. America had achieved the ck
and kids fun impossible as Buzz Aldrin joined fellow et
run, is open to astronaut Neil Armstrong in walking on Former NASA astronaut
all runners the surface of the moon. Buzz Aldrin.
and a portion
“I was one of three lucky guys who
of the pro- got selected for that mission,” said Ald- of Fame Museum following the cer-
ceeds will rin of the historic Apollo 11 moon land- emony, remains at the forefront of ef-
benefit the ing in July of 1969. “I just happen to forts to continue human space explora-
Alexandria come along at just the right time with tion.
Police Founda- just the right credentials.” “The most difficult to bring back are
tion. Streets Speaking to a standing room only the first ones to land,” Aldrin said. “But
along the crowd at the U.S. Patent and Trade Of- if we have a destination, a time frame
course will be fice Military Association’s Veterans Day and a plan, I believe we can achieve even
closed from 6 ceremony Nov. 6, Aldrin talked about his greater success in space.”
a.m.to noon continuing passion for space explora- Aldrin brought some levity to the cer-
on the day of tion. emony when he was asked about the
the race. Visit “I would like to see us get to Mars,” significance of the now iconic photo-
www.alexandria Aldrin said. “But we need the American graph taken of him on the moon with
police people to feel the same passion for our Armstrong and the lunar module visible
foundation.org. space program as we felt 45 years ago.” in the reflection of his helmet.
After graduating third in his class at “That picture is still famous around
the U.S. Military Academy at West Point the world,” Aldrin said. “The reason for
in 1951, Aldrin went on to earn a doc- its importance is simple — location, lo-
torate at MIT and is the holder of three cation, location.”
U.S. patents for his schematics of a Aldrin, who noted that his mother was
Streets along the modular space station, Starbooster re- born the same year the Wright Brothers
course of the Nov. 16 usable rockets and multi-crew modules took their first flight, was awarded the
USATF race through for space flight. Congressional Gold Medal in 2011 for
Alexandria will be “We never heard the word STEM back his achievements in space exploration
closed from 6 a.m. to then,” said Aldrin of the widely-used and its impact on American history.
noon. acronym for the study of science, tech- “I was just a young towhead from New
nology, engineering and mathematics. Jersey,” Aldrin said. “But I am fortunate
“But I would add an ‘A’ to that to stress to be an inhabitant of this wonderful
the importance of the arts in giving this country of ours and humbled by the
country ‘STEAM’ power.” great privilege I had to serve my coun-
Aldrin, who toured the Inventors Hall try.”
Obituary
Marie Elizabeth Krafft dria. She attended State University as Assistant Professor of vival time she could be found on the slopes
Blessed Sacrament El- Chemistry and proceeded to progress rap- at Beaver Creek, Colo., ducking under the
Marie Elizabeth Krafft, the Martin A. ementary School, T. C. idly through the ranks. She was internation- ropes to catch the last chairlift while the
Schwartz Professor of Chemistry and Bio- Williams High School, ally known and acclaimed for her seminal rest of her family had long-ago retired for
chemistry at Florida State University, 58, of and Northern Virginia contributions in organometallic chemistry the day. She spoke about her condition with
Tallahassee, Fla, died Nov. 9, 2014 after a Community College be- and synthetic organic chemistry. Ultimately, a composure and openness that put those
two-year long struggle with brain cancer. fore attending Virginia she was named Martin A. Schwartz Profes- around her at ease and made them feel
Surviving family members include Marie’s Polytechnic Institute sor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. closer to her.
husband, Dr. Robert A. Holton and her son, and State University Outside the university, Marie was a star Instead of sending flowers, donate to:
Paul Evan Holton, stepsons Robert L. Holton (Virginia Tech), where student in Leadership Tallahassee’s Class 24 Faith Presbyterian Preschool, Marie E. Krafft
and David J. Holton, her father Frank J. she earned her B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees (2006-2007). She was a member of the Endowment, 2200 N Meridian Rd, Tallahas-
Krafft, eight siblings: Barbara A. Krafft; in chemistry. Subsequently, she was a Mary Brogan Museum Board of Directors, see, FL 32303 or Turn About, 2771
Paula Sue Hanson and her husband Mark; postdoctoral associate with Professor Gil- Faith Presbyterian Preschool Board of Di- Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308.
Jeanne Y. Krafft; Donald F. Krafft; Martin J. bert Stork at Columbia University. rectors, Maclay School Board of Trustees, The service for Marie will be held Thurs-
Krafft and his wife Joey; William A. Krafft While at Virginia Tech, Marie met and Turn About Board of Directors, and Vice day, Nov. 13, 2014 at 11a.m. at Faith Pres-
and his wife Gail; Stephen E. Krafft and his later married the love of her life, Dr. Robert President (and subsequently President) of byterian Church. The burial will follow at 2
wife Michelle Yahn; Nancy E. Krafft Moyer; A. Holton. Robert and Marie have a son, the MDS Research Foundation. She also p.m. at MeadowWood Memorial Park (700
aunts Marie Kelleher and Jean D. Short, and Paul Evan Holton, and Robert has two sons, served in varying capacities at Faith Pres- Timberlane Rd, Tallahassee). Susie Mozolic
numerous nieces and nephews. Robert L. Holton and David J. Holton, from byterian Church. of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the fam-
Daughter of Frank J. Krafft and the late a previous marriage. Marie handled her disease with incred- ily with their arrangements
Pauline B. Krafft, Marie grew up in Alexan- In 1984 she joined the faculty of Florida ible bravery. Well beyond her expected sur- (www.bevisfh.com or 850-385-2193).
8 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ November 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
H o u s e
Union Soldier Revisits Fort O pNpeorvaneesetlsc emch9mh obaoeoe.onlmr l tt 1.aoa7urnyrds
Local historian takes
Celebrating Over 60 Years
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ort Ward doesn’t do as good a job holding out et
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Southerners as it used to. While today the e
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battlements are little more than a few mounts a
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and a wooden gate, in 1861 the fort was part of the Kevin Moriarty guides tour at ket
defenses of Washington D.C. Kevin Moriarty is typi-
Alexandria’s Fort Ward
cally one of the historians at Fort Ward that helps
run the local museum. But on Saturday, Nov 8, and drilling along these very roads.”
Moriarty helped bring this history alive by assuming While Fort Ward was never under attack, Moriarty
the fictional identity of an ancestor present at the answered audience questions about the war by draw-
fort during the Civil War. ing from his experiences at the Battle of Malvern Hill
“I haven’t been back here since the war,” said in Henrico, Va.
Moriarty with a smile to the audience, letting them At the end of his presentation, Moriarty drifted back
know he was going into character, “so my memory’s into his normal role as a fort historian. In honor of
a little hazy.” Veteran’s Day, the discussion closed with remember-
Moriarty committed to the role with woolen trou- ing the experience of the Civil War veterans after
sers and a heavy union coat, complete with a medal the war.
from the Army of the Potomac. Moriarty “recalled” “Many of these veterans had more in common with
his time at the fort, saying he and many other sol- the enemy soldiers than they did with the people
diers would often go on leave into Washington D.C. back home,” said Moriarty.
to get away from the war for a weekend. It wasn’t “The tour was very good, it got me personally in-
combat, but Moriarty said being at Fort Ward did vested,” said Ken Roddenberry, one of the visitors to
have its downsides to units stationed there. the site who followed Moriarty on his tour. “I’m happy
“All the generals would come out and expected a I was able to learn more about what it was like to
parade,” said Moriarty. “There was a lot of marching survive here.”
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ November 13-19, 2014 ❖ 9
Opinion
Alexandria
Gazette Packet
Thanksgiving Help for Those in Need
www.AlexandriaGazette.com
@AlexGazette
An independent, locally owned weekly
newspaper delivered
Roll up those Catholic Charities. That is to say, more than a United Community Ministries is seeking do- to homes and businesses.
Published by
quarter of a million people, including many nations to its food pantry, donations to help Local Media Connection LLC
sleeves and help. children, go hungry on a regular basis. prevent homelessness for 300 families on the 1606 King Street
T Catholic Charities is launching a new food brink, plus children’s books and toys. Alexandria, Virginia 22314
distribution project, the St. Lucy Project, de- www.ucmagency.org/how-to-help.html Free digital edition delivered to
your email box. Go to
his week is the week to jump in to signed to respond to food insecurity in the dio- Northern Virginia Family Services needs help connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
help the many organizations that cese. “The reality in Northern Virginia is that with Operation Turkey, for 800 families. Food,
will help needy families through thousands of our neighbors suffer from grip- money and volunteers needed. www.nvfs.org/ NEWS DEPARTMENT:
[email protected]
the holidays. Here are a few ideas ping poverty and hunger,” said Bishop Paul S. For a list of nonprofits serving the City of
of how to help, but the opportunities Loverde of the Catholic Diocese of Ar- Alexandria see links at http:// EdSittoerv, e7n0 3M-7a7u8r-9e4n15
are limitless. lington. “Pope Francis has consistently a l e x a n d r i a v a . g o v / [email protected]
Editorial
More than 236,000 people living in called us to be a ‘church of the poor index_quicklinks.aspx?id=7640 Vernon Miles
Reporter, 703-615-0960
the area do not have access to enough and for the poor.’” The project will pro- [email protected]
food to sustain an active, healthy life for all vide food in Alexandria and other parts of — Mary Kimm Jeanne Theismann
members of their households, according to Northern Virginia. See www.ccda.net for more. [email protected] 703-778-9436
[email protected]
@TheismannMedia
Preparing for Important Conversations Jon Roetman
Sports Editor, 703-752-4013
[email protected]
@jonroetman
Steve Artley
By Mary Lee Anderson allowed us to handle her Senior the Bar Association cospon- [email protected]
Executive Director affairs without conflict, Services of sored ‘Senior Law Day,”
Senior Services of Alexandria and share our memories Alexandria where attendees learned ADVERTISING:
A and grief together. She had about the legal and financial sales@Fcoor nadnveecrttiisoinngn ienwforsmpaatpioenrs.com
s young adults, my brothers and I made sure we had those tools everyone should have in 703-778-9431
would always groan when our mother important conversations, place. This month’s speaker series, cosponsored Debbie Funk
Disply Advertising/National Sales
insisted on talking about her end-of- and we were grateful for by Senior Services and ACT for Alexandria, will
703-778-9444
life plans. She made sure we all had copies of her strength and guidance. build upon the information shared at Senior [email protected]
her will and medical directive, and that we all It is hard for families and Law Day as we discuss how to “Prepare for Julie Ferrill
Display Advertising, 703-778-9446
knew who was getting which treasured family loved ones to talk about plans for aging, but Important Conversations.” There will be pan- [email protected]
heirlooms. there are ways to make it easier. Knowing how elists from AARP, Merrill Lynch Elder Care and
Tara Lloyd
She started those conversations when she to prepare for important, difficult conversa- Synergy HomeCare to provide guidance on Display Advertising, 703-778-9447
[email protected]
was only in her 50s, and each of us would say: tions can be just as important as actually hav- getting these conversations started and the
Andrea Smith
“Mom you’re too young to talk about this. We ing them. Topics such as knowing when to give outcomes you can expect. The event is taking
Classified Advertising, 703-778-9411
can have these conversations later.” She would up car keys, needing assistance with daily ac- place on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 9:30 a.m. – noon, [email protected]
agree, but still insisted that we all knew what tivities of life, drafting important documents at Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Semi- David Griffin
Marketing Assistant
to expect, probably because she had seen first- that will be legally binding or carrying out one’s nary Road in Alexandria. It’s free, open to the 703-778-9431
hand how a lack of planning can divide a fam- wishes are tough conversations and having public, and light refreshments will be served. [email protected]
ily struggling with the death of a loved one. some useful tips and where to go for assistance To register online, go to
Publisher
When she passed away, we were all devastated, can be invaluable. www.seniorservicesalex.org or call 703-836- Jerry Vernon
[email protected]
but we were all very grateful that her foresight In October Senior Services of Alexandria and 4414, ext. 10.
Editor & Publisher
Mary Kimm
Letters to the Editor [email protected]
@MaryKimm
Sports over Editor in Chief
Steven Mauren
Photography:
Scholarship? John Bordner, Deb Cobb,
Louise Krafft, Craig Sterbutzel
Art/Design:
Laurence Foong, John Heinly
To the Editor: Production Manager:
Geovani Flores
Who wouldn’t like to look
around at their finances and find Editor Emeritus:
Mary Anne Weber
a loose $545,000 floating around?
The Alexandria School Board did CIRCULATION: 703-778-9426
recently and was delighted to Circulation Manager:
Ann Oliver
spend it right away — not on [email protected]
children’s education — but on ten-
A Connection Newspaper
nis courts.
I am not sure the taxpayers of The Alexandria Gazette Packet is distributed
weekly to selected homes in the
Alexandria should be so happy City of Alexandria.
Any owners or occupants of premises that
about this “lucky find.” When do not wish to receive the paper can notify
originally proposed, the new ten- the publisher by telephone at 703-778-9426
or by email to
nis courts at T.C. Williams High [email protected],
By School were priced at $608,768. and the ddisistcroibnutitnoru ew siellr vbiec en.otified to
St Then it was decided to add lights
e
ve which increased the cost an addi-
A tional $220,000. Now there is an
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t
l ”ooops” from responsible officials
e
y
/ that they forgot to include in their
G
a estimate all kinds of “soft costs”
z
e
t (their term) that amount to an-
t
e P other $545,029. That brings the
ac cost of the courts up to almost $1.4
ke See Letters, Page 14
t
10 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ November 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com