A Penny for Your Thoughts

In the run-up to Memorial Day and the official start of swimming pool season for many neighborhoods, we sometimes lose track of other annual springtime events where we say “thank you” to those who make a difference in our community. Here are some that didn’t make the “other paper.”

Linda Rogers-Kingsbury is Fairfax County’s Foster Parent of the Year, and was honored at the “Work of Heart” Regional Foster Parent Appreciation Gala in Washington on May 17. Each year, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments partners with the Freddie Mac Foundation and local jurisdictions to salute foster parents from eight local jurisdictions at a dinner and dance. Supervisors Linda Smyth (D-Providence) and Jeff McKay (D-Lee) joined me in presenting the Foster Parent of the Year award to Mrs. Rogers-Kingsbury, who has parented 35 children altogether, opening her heart and home to children when they needed love and understanding most. For more information about foster parenting, log on to www.mwcog.org, or call Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption at 703/324-7639.

Each year, the Annandale Chamber of Commerce celebrates the Annandale community with an awards banquet for outstanding volunteers. At Annandale’s Star Lounge and Ballroom on Saturday night, several community members were presented with plaques for their service. The Lossie Tucker Meritorious Service Award was given to Helen Winter, a longtime civic activist and the driving force behind the twice-yearly Annandale Clean Up. Citizen of the Year went to Donna and Jim Campbell of Campbell and Ferrara Nursery for their support of various community efforts, including the Azalea Foundation, which works with returning soldiers and their families. Business of the Year went to Beanetics Coffee Roasters, a new gathering spot in the Annandale Shopping Center. Beanetics’ owners David and Amy Starr worked with students at Falls Church High School to produce and market a new coffee, Jaguar Joe, to support FCHS activities. Not surprisingly, the New Chamber Member of the Year award went to Michael Brooks of FCHS, who worked with Beanetics staff and the students on the Jaguar Joe project. Jaguar Joe is available for purchase through the school or at Beanetics. Chamber scholarships also were awarded to Olesea Sandulescu at Northern Virginia Community College, Lara Coulter who is graduating from Annandale High School, and Mai Nguyen who will graduate from Falls Church. Congratulations to all!

There is still time to “adopt-a-spot” at Woodrow Wilson Library, 6101 Knoll-wood Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads. The Friends of Woodrow Wilson Library invite you to apply for the challenge of keeping a specific site on library grounds litter and weed-free. There are 11 locations for adoption, including the azalea beds, a shade garden, the parking islands, and the Andrea Ley garden in the parking lot, dedicated to a lovely young community volunteer who died tragically a few years ago. The Friends will assist with trash bags, watering cans, and materials needed to take care of your “spot.” A little extra care and a few minutes of time is all it takes to keep this well-known and beloved community facility in shape. For more information, call 703/820-8774.