www.fallsrun.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Board Meetings:
FRCA: 3/22/17 @ 7PM
Villas: 3/6/17 @ 7PM
TAX HELP
The AARP offers free tax help at
England Run Library every Monday
and Saturday through April 10, from
9:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Appointments
are requested, but some walk-ins are
accepted. Call one week in advance
at 540-899-1703
Spring Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, April 8, 2017
8:00 – 10:00 AM
At the Center
The Wall of Honor Committee
(WOH) puts on a pancake breakfast each spring and fall for Falls
Run residents to enjoy. Reservations not necessary. Donations
accepted – and fund other WOH
activities during the year. Come
one, come all to eat fluffy pancakes
and tasty sausages while visiting
with friends and neighbors.
Your thoughts count!
Watch for an online survey
regarding speeding in Falls Run.
Paper copies will be available at
the Center.
Fredericksburg, Va.
MARCH 2017
Falls Run – How It Began
by Connie Block
In 2001, Del Webb advertised its
proposed Falls Run Active Adult
Community. John and Dolores
Renninger of 132 Bridgewater
Circle saw an ad in the Washington Post and immediately were
interested. So were others – 140
put down $1,000 deposits to enter
a lottery to choose lots. Mary Ann
and Jim Seidlinger of 38 Chantilly
Place were #17 on the V.I.P. list
for the February 9, 2002 drawing
to select their home site, floorplan
and architectural options.
Original residents made all selections, inside and out, from photos.
There were no model homes at
first. The 12 exterior options and
65 interior ones had to be pinned
down in a half hour meeting, as
well as on which wall to locate the
TV cable plug!
Sue and Dick Billin of 121 Bridgewater Circle were visiting the area
from Pennsylvania. All real estate
offices were closed on Sunday but
the Visitors Bureau told of a new
development off Route 17. The
Billins found “lines of people
waiting to go into two trailers to
see a salesperson,” and were told
“We just released this lot, so it’s
not in the lottery. We can hold it
for you for 24 hours.”
Homes were to be completed
within three months and preconstruction pricing was good.
Del Webb planned 580 single
homes on 185 acres with future
All future residents were given hardhats to wear
when they visited their homes during construction.
Photo: Susanne Lazanov
multi-family homes on 33 additional acres. There were six house
floor plans (though only four
models were built) ranging in size
from 1,100 to 2,000 square feet.
Basements and lofts were options
on select lots and lot premiums
ranged from $1,000 to $30,000 for
size and open space.
The 16,000 square foot recreation
center would include a 2,200
square foot fitness facility and a
75 foot long indoor pool. Plans
included tennis courts, a bocce
ball court and a community
garden but not an outdoor swimming pool. Initial buyers and
residents successfully negotiated
for an outdoor pool, which took a
long time to complete - to contain
Falls Run – How It Began
on page 2, column 2
2
March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
Falls Run Gazette
Falls Run – How It Began Continued from front page
The Falls Run Gazette is the
official publication of the Falls
Run Community. The magazine,
distributed to all Falls Run
residences, is published monthly
11 times per year, with a combined July-August issue. Story
ideas or articles can be submitted
to the Gazette Committee Chair
([email protected]).
costs, cement trucks jettisoned
extra cement from house foundations at the pool.
antiques, identified it as an ink
bottle from a Confederate officer’s
portable desk.
Shirley Dorland, the first resident,
moved into 22 Chantilly Place
in August, 2002. The general
manager brought a photographer
to snap a picture as she opened the
front door – only the key wouldn’t
work!
Committee Chair: Susan Smart
Committee Secretary:
Brenda Dudley
Editor: Susan Smart
Many first residents referenced
the drastic topographical changes
that occurred within Falls Run.
Trees were felled and carted
off – along with all the topsoil.
According to the Community
Disclosure Booklet, “Del Webb
has reserved the right to remove
peat, gravel and other material
from Falls Run (including Common Area) during the Development Period… [and] may sell such
material without obligation to the
Community Association.” After
the earth moving, the Billins
found a small three-sided glass
bottle in their yard. Gene Chenault
of 2 Linden Drive, an expert in
There were challenges. Gloria
Nicholson of 15 Buchanan Court
recalls fellow residents successfully
lobbying for a cement turn around
pad for the postal truck so mailboxes could be in front of their
houses. Many retaining walls were
constructed between houses and
streets that are at different levels.
Ask Dee Roppo of 11 Buchanan
Court about the wooden pedestrian bridge over the drainage
ditch near her house.
Staff writers:
Connie Block
Barbara Chadwick
Jeanette Doolittle
Joan Frank
Pat Parkinson
Judy Rao
Sue Silvers
Susan Smart
Contributing writers:
Chuck Heath
Mary Mork
Donna Kappler
Staff photographer:
Brenda Dudley
Advertising manager:
Lara Lewis
[email protected]
Falls Run
Community Association
President: Bob Lawrence
General manager:
Anthony Lugo
(540) 899-9958
[email protected]
Activities director:
Lara Lewis
(540) 371-4563
[email protected]
©
2017 Falls Run Community Association
THEN: Construction behind the Center at Falls Run
Photo: Dick Billin – May 3, 2004
According to Jake Bernard of
355 Bridgewater Circle, when the
Stafford County Fire Marshall’s
office reviewed Del Webb documents (after construction was
under way), it determined fire
trucks would not reach the rear
of homes. To continue building
houses, interior sprinkler systems
became a requirement.
Falls Run – How It Began
on page 3, column 1
March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
3
Falls Run – How It Began Continued from page 2
Norm and Shirley Kolb, who
moved to 15 Sugargrove Court in
2003, recall “dirt roads and earth
moving equipment everywhere.”
Del Webb didn’t pave a street until
ready to start construction on a
group of houses, so paved streets
suddenly ended in dirt roads.
Norm said, “I never saw anyone
build houses as fast as Del Webb.”
Jake Bernard “worked on property
and grounds and got to know
county personnel on a first-name
basis.” That helped in addressing
precarious dead trees on the
adjoining property outside Falls
Run, directly behind the first
villas. The county withheld the
private home occupancy permits
until the trees were removed.
The community center’s grand
opening was in November 2003.
Its official name, The Center at
Falls Run, was selected in March
In memoriam
Mac McComber
Harry Ravert
The Falls Run Community extends sincere sympathy
to the families on the loss of their loved ones.
2004 from residents’ suggestions.
Construction began on Villa
homes in 2004 and the first resident moved into one in March
2005. Del Webb retained control
until all the land was developed.
Residents participated in decisionmaking and the first sevenmember Board of Directors was
elected on December 12, 2005.
Pictured below:
NOW: October 2016 view from the air
Photo: Ralph Warren
Hats off to…
...Jayme Meney for
saving FRCA a
bundle of cash by
replacing toilets
in the restrooms
himself.
March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
4
Home is where the Heart is!
Happy Spring!



My Listings in Falls Run: 2016
Sold: 16
Buyers I represented
Purchased: 3
Rentals Listed
Leases: 5
Thank you for your patronage!
Pat McCord
Cell: 703-407-1947 & 54 0-907-0315
1910 William Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Your Resident
Falls Run Realtor
Certified Sr. Housing Specialist
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March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
Who Knew: Jim Smithfield, Local Author
by Barbara Chadwick
Jim Smithfield is our latest entry
into the literary world, with his
publication of Overlooked Confederates: Minorities Who Fought for the
South. Since he was a young boy,
Jim has had a love of and interest
in the Civil War, which came by
chance. When he was 11 years old,
he and his biking buddies got lost
in the woods. They saw smoke
coming from the chimney of a
log cabin. Corporal was the old
man who answered Jim’s knock
at the door. Corporal, the only
name Jim knew him by, was 100
years old. From that encounter,
Jim and Corporal became friends
as Corporal shared his Civil War
experiences. He had joined the
Confederate Army as a drummer
boy. Jim was able to read the journals that the old man kept each
time they visited. Jim would cut
wood for Corporal and do small
chores around his small property.
One day Jim arrived at the cabin
to find the well caved in and no
one home. Jim never knew what
had happened to Corporal.
When Jim moved here many years
later, he joined the Round Table
Club, a club dedicated to sharing
and promoting interest in the
Civil War. This group has raised
more than $35,000, which is used
to maintain Civil War property.
5
Joan’s Vocabulary
by Joan Frank
Decorum – when your drink
is served in a designer bottle.
Defibrillator – the machine
that knows when you’re lying.
Delegate- the entrance to the
sandwich shop.
Diphthong – what must be
done to clean your underwear.
Dirty – the polo shirt that
hasn’t been washed yet.
Disintegrate – how to explain
how shredded cheese is made.
Photo: Barbara Chadwick
was a Cherokee Indian, (not a
very good Indian, as he helped
encourage the government to start
the Trail of Tears). A few complete
troops were made up of blacks.
Jim’s interest in this war shines
with each word, his passion shows.
This was a labor of love that took
three years to research and write.
Jim does have a hero, or really a
heroine, Phoebe Levy Pember. She
was raised in Charleston, S.C.,
and was a young widow from a
wealthy Jewish family. With
Jefferson Davis’ permission, she
was able to train 300 black women
as nurses for Chimborazo Hospital,
known as the Hospital on the Hill,
in Richmond, which under her
administration became the world’s
largest hospital at the time. The
hospital often treated as many
as 15,000 patients per day with
never enough food, medicine or
bandages, but she worked wonders
helping these soldiers from the
north or south, black or white.
Jim wrote his book for many
reasons, but one was to let readers
know that the southern troops were
made up of others besides white
Anglo-Saxon Protestants, as had
been reported. They were aided by
some 50,000 Irish Catholics, 13,000
Jim’s book is available on Amazon,
Jews, and over 3,000 blacks who
Books a Million and Barnes and
were fighting for their masters.
Noble.
Stan Watie, a Brigadier General,
Document – the dock you
should have parked your
boat in.
Dutiful – when you really
need a laxative.
Ease – what comes after d in
the alphabet?
Embargo – when you want a
few drinks.
Endear – what you want to
do after your flowers are
eaten.
Enterprise – giving a gift for
a raffle.
Equestrian – someone who
asks too many questions.
Equip – short joke in your
email.
Etch – what happens when
you get a mosquito bite.
Eucalyptus – your car hits
ours.
Eureka – when it’s time to
take a shower.
Exacting – when the previous
spouse wants even more.
Exchange – what’s left
after paying alimony.
Exile - where you have
to sit when you
buy cheap seats.
Falls Run GAZETTE
6
March 2017
Comprehensive
cancer care,
close to home.
A cancer diagnosis can be
overwhelming. We’re here to help.
We’re with you every step of your cancer care
journey, from diagnosis, through treatment
and recovery, and into survivorship. With
a variety of services and treatment options
available, we’re here for you:
• Latest diagnostic and imaging
technology
• Nurse Navigators helping you
to maneuver through the
treatment process
Mary Washington Healthcare Regional
Cancer Center has several locations to
care for you, close to home:
Fredericksburg
• 1300 Hospital Drive
• 1001 Sam Perry Boulevard
Stafford
• 101 Hospital Center Boulevard
Montross
• 15394 Kings Highway
• Advanced treatment methods with
the newest available surgical and
therapeutic options
• Novel and integrative therapies
to assist with healing
• Survivorship support through
specialized cancer rehab
Cancer.mwhc.com
March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
Valentine’s Day Luncheon by Brenda Dudley
were decorated with cleverly
arranged centerpieces created by
Kit Wilkinson and Jo Ann Boyette.
Our own Lin Bailey presented
each lady with a pink carnation and
placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
7
Photos: Brenda Dudley
Director, Lara Lewis and all the
members of the social committee
certainly made everyone feel
like a special Valentine.
Our special guest speaker was Terri
P. Morris, M.D., Ph.D, representing
Glow MD of The Dermatology
Center, located in Fredericksburg.
She gave a very informative talk
on the importance of skin care.
After a delicious lunch of salad,
sandwiches and wraps and an
array of desserts, each attendee
Our speaker, Terri P. Morris, M.D. Ph.D. of glowMD,
was given the opportunity to be
The Dermatology Center.
treated to either a hand or neck and
The ladies of Falls Run were treated back massage. Along with goodie
to a spectacular sold-out Valentine’s bags that were at each seating,
Day luncheon sponsored by the
several items were also awarded
Social Committee. The tables
in ticket drawings. Our Activity
Everyone having a good time at this pink celebration!
Patricia Caron won a beauty basket.
March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
8
In the garden:
Spring Lawn Care Made Easy—Just Follow the Plan
by Chuck Heath, Advanced Master
Gardener and Tree Steward
With spring just around the corner,
your lawn is ready for some TLC.
Here is important information
and a recommended program for
regular lawn maintenance that has
proven to be successful:
■■ Labels - The label on any
container of crabgrass and
broadleaf weed control (with
or without fertilizer) tells the
ingredients, what they will and
will not control, how to use the
product safely and what to do in
case of ingestion or inhalation.
Never buy controls for your lawn
that kill “both weeds and grass.”
Please read and follow all labels
carefully.
■■
Crabgrass prevention - You
need to put down 2 applications of crabgrass pre-emergent, which prevents crabgrass seeds from germinating:
First, when forsythia bushes are
in bloom or the soil temperature reaches 55 degrees (generally around March 20) and
second, 60 days later (around
May 20). The best pre-emergent,
Dimension, contains the chemical “dithiopyr.” If you purchase
“generic” crabgrass preventer,
please make sure the label clearly
states that the chemical is “Dithiopyr”.
For each application,
you will need enough
to cover 5,000 square
feet and is effective for
up to 4 months.
■■
■■
■■
roadleaf weed control B
Bayer Advanced makes “Season
Long Weed Control for
Lawns,” which you attach to
the end of your garden hose and
spray on your entire lawn. It
contains a pre- and a post-emergent that kills current weeds and
prevents new ones for up to six
months. No other
product provides this
level of protection.
Follow the directions
closely, and apply it on
April 15 and again on
Oct. 15.
ertilizer - You should have
F
fertilized your lawn three times
last fall (September, October and
November). If you need a greenup, apply fertilizer in May at half
of the label’s recommended rate.
Remember that grass cannot take
up much fertilizer in the spring
and it runs off into the rivers and
bays.
omplete lawn renovation C
If you are planning a complete
spring lawn renovation, which is
very different than a fall renovation, contact us for our recommended program.
If you use a lawn service, I suggest
giving them a copy of the flyer
available at the Monday morning
plant clinics. Be assertive, and insist
on getting the products that will
keep your lawn green and free of
crabgrass and weeds. Remember, if
you skip an application, crabgrass
and weeds will visit your lawn.
Other Spring Lawn & Yard Issues
Yellow Nutsedge and Green
Kyllinga – Yellow Nutsedge is a
very fast-growing yellowish weed
that will grow up to 6 inches per
week and has a small nutlet among
its roots. It is easy to pull
but you will leave the
nutlet behind and it will
sprout quickly. Green
kyllinga is a weedy
sedge that has become
a major problem in turf
and ornamental plantings in Virginia. It is short
and has little seed balls
on the end of spikes. If
you do not kill the nutlet
the sedge will keep
sprouting. The only
Spring Lawn Care Made Easy—
Just Follow the Plan on page 9, column 2
Want A Violation Notice?
Here are the things that will get you a violation notice: Algae/
mold on roofs and siding, unapproved lawn ornaments and
signage, lots of broadleaf and grassy weeds in your lawn, tree
topping, unapproved tree removal, weeds in your planting
beds, uncut lawn, and dead plants. Just take a look around and
address any issues you see on your property.
March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
Chef’s Corner
by Sue Silvers
Turkey Chili – Quick & Hearty
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground turkey
2 cans (14.5oz) cans chopped stewed
tomatoes, undrained
1 (15oz) can spicy chili beans
(Giant has them)
3 tsp chili powder
small pkg of store bought-already made
cornbread
Directions:
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over
medium-high heat. Crumble and cook
turkey until no longer pink, about 5 min,
then drain. Stir in remaining ingredients,
bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer
for 5 minutes stirring occasionally and
enjoy with corn bread!
9
Time Marches On
by Judy Rao
No matter who we are,
We all have 24 hours a day.
Yet many people complain “no time,”
It’s how you use it, I say!
Some days go slowly like a turtle
Walking along a beach.
Some days the clock jumps forward,
Making us want to screech!
I like days with no watch
Worn on my wrist.
Wandering from one chore to another
Using up my list.
A lifetime seems shorter after
Six or eight decades are gone.
We are not immortal,
It’s a part of life’s song.
The only time that nature has
Is sun up and sundown.
Let’s just get with the rhythm
To see eternal times abound.
Spring Lawn Care Made Easy—Just Follow the Plan
Continued from page 8
known herbicides that kill both the plant and the
nutlet have the chemical “Sulfentrazone.” Two
products that kill the nutlet are “Ortho Nutsedge
Killer” and “Image Nutsedge Killer.” They can be
found locally in many stores.
Monday morning plant clinics have resumed in the
Center. You can always reach me at skibuff39@
gmail.com or 540-368-8113. Master gardeners
also make no-charge house calls as part of our
community service.
Please see the activities page for information on the “Spring
Lawn and Garden Talk” that will take place in the
Center on March 3rd from 1:00PM to 3PM.
10
Falls Run GAZETTE
Frogs of Falls Run
by Pat Parkinson
This beautiful blue frog is highly toxic, so you
wouldn’t want your grandkids to pick one up. The
frogs of Falls Run are nothing like this. Several residents of Falls Run collect indoor and outdoor frog
statuary to enhance their homes and gardens. A few
Falls Run residents like images of natural wildlife,
such as birds, insects, and other animals.
Photo: John Parkinson
You’ve probably seen
everything in our
neighborhood yards
and gardens. Some
critters stand, sit, hop,
smile, frown, play
checkers, eat flies
and even perform
daily chores, such as
bathing the babies.
We see frogs eating
insects, hopping,
standing, smiling
or bathing. One
photo exhibits a frog
Photo: John Parkinson
standing to welcome
visitors, and another photo illustrates how the frog
catches a fly or insects. It just shows how nature can
decorate one’s home.
Judy and Pad Rao also grace their yard with happy
frogs; these two lovers welcome friends, while the
solitary blue frog, not at all like the toxic blue frog,
smiles a welcome to all who visit.
But do frogs behave like these that live with Pat
and John Parkinson? They collect frog statuary,
for both indoors and outdoors. Here a mother frog
bathes her baby frogs, not a sight seen in nature.
However, there is a male frog in Africa that watches
over his tadpoles until they become baby frogs.
Photo:John Parkinson
March 2017
Photos: Pad Rao
March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
Green Lies
by Jeanette Doolittle
In New York City, the St. Patrick’s Day parade
is green. Magically, beer and flowers turn green,
people wear a bit of green on outer clothing, or
maybe a lot. Mayor Koch declares “All are Irish on
March 17th” and dons a green tie and marches in
the parade. The Sanitation department paints a green
center line on Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street to 86th
Street. Packed subways and buses carry people to
the biggest parade of all. Huge crowds with smiling
faces embrace the excitement, the music, and just
being there. The parade goes on in snow, sleet, rain
and the high winds of March and doesn’t bother
the merry marchers or watchers at this party.
Eons ago, while attending a Catholic all-girls high
school staffed by nuns, a group of four juniors –
best friends – talk about going to the parade, but
sadly it’s a school day. The only way to attend is
to play hooky from school. The first mention of
the word was shocking, but the idea continued
to intrigue us, as did the mere thought of being
naughty. We were delighted with our bravery.
Talk moved into planning and the sense of danger
and drama rose as we realized the possible consequences from school and parents. Our plan was
accompanied by prayer: We will leave home wearing
our uniforms so as not to alert parents, gather near
school, bring money for subway and food, etc., tell
parents we’d be home late from school due to some
after-school activity so as not to raise concerns.
The parade fell on a Friday and if questioned on
Monday, we would say parents forgot to call school
to report us sick, a story that, with our perfect attendance and some luck, would likely be believed.
We did the deed successfully and had great fun.
Every March 17th the memory of that St. Patrick’s
Day surfaces, along with guilt, pride and glee.
St. Patrick’s Day Did You Know…
by Joan Frank
There is no evidence
that the shamrock was
sacred in Ireland.
St. Patrick was not Irish, he was from Wales.
The three-leafed clover, or shamrock,
was originally a teaching tool used by
St. Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity.
According to legend, the four-leafed
clover represents hope, faith, and love,
and God added another leaf for luck.
The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade took place
in New York in the 1760’s.
For many years, blue was the color most
often associated with St. Patrick. Green was
considered unlucky. St. Patrick’s blue was
considered symbolic of Ireland for many
centuries and the Irish Presidential
Standard is still blue. Green has been
symbolic of Ireland since about 1640.
For many years, Dripsey in County Cork
had the world’s shortest parade, just 77 feet,
the distance between two pubs – The Weigh
Inn and The Lee Valley.
In 2010, the Sydney Opera House went
green to mark the 200th anniversary of
St. Patrick’s Day there. In Sydney, St
Patrick’s Day was first marked in 1810, when
Lachlan Macquarie, the Governor of New
South Wales, provided entertainment for
Irish convict workers.
In Chicago every year, the Plumbers Local
Union 110 dyes the river “Kelly” green.
The dye lasts for about five hours.
Guinness sales soar on St. Patrick’s Day.
Recent figures show that 5.5 million pints of
the black stuff are downed around the world
every day. On St. Patrick’s Day that figure
is doubled.
11
12
Falls Run GAZETTE
In The Junk Drawer
by Barbara Chadwick
With all that has been going on in the Middle East this
is so very interesting about that area.
1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq.
2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was where
civilization began.
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.
4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq
5. Jonah preached in Nineveh, which is in Iraq.
6. Assyria, which is in Iraq, destroyed the temple in
Jerusalem in 701 B.C. Remnants of the Assyrian
people survive there in Iraq as an indigenous
people.
7. Jesus preached in Iraq.
8. The wise men were from Mesopotamia (Iraq),
Arabia, and India.
9. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the “writing
on the wall” in Iraq.
10. In the city of Palmyra in Syria, the ancient temple
of Baal was razed by ISIS.
11. Chogha Zanbil in Iran is one of the few ziggurats
(a style of temple) to exist outside of Mesopotamia.
What an amazing place in history and the start of
civilization. How different it is now.
When hanging a painting or photo, ever have problem
finding the nail put hang the wire? The answer is here.
Once you have the nail in the wall, put a dinner fork
on the nail so the fork handle is away from the wall.
Now slide the wire over the fork handle over the fork
onto the nail and slowly remove the fork. Hurrah, the
picture is hung!
“A democracy will fail when the crimes of the youth no longer
horrify us.”
“Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what
you can do for your country.”
Both sayings are attributed to the Roman philosopher
and orator, Marcus Tullius Cicero in 64 B.C.
March 2017
Horoscope for Pisces
by Barbara Pixley
February 19-March 20
Element: Water
Symbol: Two Fish
Pisces is the sign of love
and the dreamer, and is
the most emotional sign in the zodiac. They
love looking at the stars but if they can’t find
the Big Dipper, they cry. They cry a lot.
Pisces people are affectionate, nurturing and
have an off-beat sense of humor. They enjoy
spending time in solitude with fine wine,
listening to music, reading poetry; they
like to quote Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
They also enjoy swimming and need time
to sleep. If Pisces was a road sign, it would
read: “Rest Area to the Right.” Pisces need to
drink a lot of water and stay focused (where
was it I parked my car?). You could recognize a Pisces in school – they have their
chin in their hand, staring out window.
They dislike hot places, people who claim
to know it all, criticism, violence and
losing their sunglasses. Pisces can be spiritual, psychic and absorbed with pondering
the condition of the human race. How
many Pisces does it take to change a lightbulb? None, only the inner light matters.
Windy March is coming up!
Call County Recycling at 540-899-7722 for a
recycling container with a lid. It’s free and will
keep trash from blowing out of the small box
containers to fly around the neighborhood.
March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
13
’Eggquisite Eggs’: Welcome to Spring
by Barbara Pixley
From ancient times, various
cultures around the world have
decorated eggs as the symbol of
spring: new life and rebirth after
winter. There is a story that the
’Easter egg’ has pagan origins and
came from ’Eostre’-the Germanic
goddess of fertility. Eostre could
take the form of her sacred animal:
the hare. The hare, or rabbit, is
another symbol of fertility-thus
’the Easter Bunny,’ but this story
probably has more recent origins.
The Pennsylvania Dutch brought
the Easter Hare, or Oschter Haws,
to Pennsylvania. They dyed eggs
using red onion skins, which I
did with my Pennsylvania Dutch
grandmother. If children were
good the Easter Hare would place
eggs in the grass where the children would hunt for them. Little
boys made nests for the eggs out
their hats and little girls, out of
their bonnets. Thus the Easter
egg hunt and Easter bonnet.
Ancient people also worshipped the
sun – the yolk of the egg was seen
as the sun, the white as the moon.
In spring festivals, eggs were glorified by being dyed in two or
Photo: Barbara Pixley
three colors. The early designs
look similar to those on neolithic
pottery. When Christianity was
introduced, ancient and religious
customs fused. The decorated egg
became a benevolent talisman.
Decorations on eggs became more
complex and beautiful. This is
especially true in the Ukraine,
which is renown for the art of
Pyzanky, meaning ’egg-writing.’
The decorated eggs are believed
to contain great power. Colors
and designs have symbolic meanings and each family has its own
ritual and secret formulas. It’s
believed that a bowl of decorated eggs kept in the home will
keep the family healthy, ward off
thunder and ensure the harvest.
And as long as pyzanky are made,
evil (in the shape of a serpent)
will be kept chained to a cliff.
Made with love and pride, they
are placed on graves to ensure
the safe transport of the spirit.
Pyzanky is a wonderful, intricate
art, a wax resist technique using
special tools and dyes. Dozens
of them are in a display case in
my home – ’eggquisite’ eggs
that say, “Welcome to Spring.”
Bring a little sunshine to a senior’s life! You can make a
difference by volunteering to visit a senior in the greater
Fredericksburg area. Volunteer training is provided and
no special skills are required.
Visit mhafred.org or call 540-371-2704 for more
information.
March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
14
Between the covers
by Barbara Chadwick
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
by Marie Kondo
When we moved here we moved
into clean bright houses, but after
several years our drawers and
closets have gotten a little cluttered.
Putting things away was no solution; that just creates the illusion
that the clutter problem is solved.
Once the storage containers are
full, the problem is back.
But The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie
Kondo, is a powerful little book with huge organizing
ideas that will solve the problem. And the best part of
following the author’s plan is that you will never need
to do it again. Ever!
Kondo’s approach is room by room, little by little.
The idea is to go through the house defining the areas
most in need. It does not have to be done in a day
or a week. She suggests taking one day a week to do
one spot. Because the most difficult things to part
with are gifts from friends and family, the author
also deals with that and with the emotions attached
to those gifts. This a book definitely worth a read.
Computer Corner
by Susanne Lazanov
If you want to enlarge an entire
document or Web page, press
the Control key as you rotate the wheel on top
of your mouse.
WELCOME
NEW NEIGHBORS
by Mary Mork/Sue Silvers
Vera Lukas (34 Fawn Lane) came from
Naperville, Illinois. She moved here to be
closer to her daughter and son-in-law who live
in Annandale, Va. Vera retired in 2001 from
Lucent Technologies where she worked for
15 years. Vera enjoys sewing, embroidery,
crocheting and quilting, as well as gardening.
She plans to check out a few more activities
at the center and has already joined the Wii
group. She has an adorable 15-year-old Westie
named Daisy Mae.
John and Linda Firrell moved here
(44 Goose Creek Circle) from Rockville,
Maryland. John was the Projects Manager for
Research at NIH and Linda worked at George
Washington University. Both recently retired.
John originally is from Ramsgate in Kent,
England and Linda is from Dallas, Texas. They
have a daughter and three grandchildren in
Haymarket, VA, and a son who lives in Florida.
Bruce and Maria Register (12 Goose Creek
Circle) moved here from Tampa Florida.
Bruce’s position with the Economic Development Department for Stafford brought them to
Stafford County. Maria is originally from Cuba.
Their constant companions are a dog named
Sofia and a cat named Monet.
Hats off to…
For more information please contact
Lara Lewis
(540) 371-4563 | [email protected]
...Chuck Heath for the many hours
freely given to helping residents
with law/gardening/tree issues.
March 2017
Falls Run GAZETTE
15
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904 Princess Anne St., Ste. 102 • Fredericksburg, VA 22401
The Overington
T e a m
Anne Overington
(540) 207-0526
Elizabeth Overington Catherine Sturtevant
(540) 207-0523
(540) 903-9035
[email protected]
www.theoveringtonteam.com
• Confidential meeting for home pricing, marketing and sale
• Decluttering, cleaning, and organizing
• Estate sale services or online auction of collectibles
• Moving coordination and/or set-up in new home
• Home repairs, maintenance and lawn care
“Real Estate for Generations”
10601 COURTHOUSE ROAD
FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22407
Falls Run GAZETTE
16
March is….
Household Hints
American Red Cross Month – The Red Cross
began in 1906, and President Obama has proclaimed
March as the official month to honor the Red Cross.
It is actually an international effort with loads of
opportunity for volunteer work or ways to raise
money to donate to their causes.
by Judy Rao
More uses for tea bags…
1. Freshen your dresser drawers and even
your car with fresh tea bags. Herbal,
fruity or floral will add an extra pleasant
smell.
Kite Month – In many states, March is already a
mild month, windy, and perfect for flying kites. If
you’ve been cooped up all winter, favorite March
activities involve finally going outside.
2.Inject flavor into foods the way the chefs
do—tea bags can add complex flavors to
pastas and grains.
Women’s History Month – Celebrate the many
contributions made by women around the world. And
throughout history. Consider Queen Elizabeth I,
Sacajawea, Betsy Ross, Harriet Jacobs, Mme. Curie,
and Rosa Parks. Find a movie or short biography
about their lives.
National Peanut Butter Month – Lots of opportunity for yummy peanut butter treats this month –
from peanut butter on celery, to cookies, to bars, to
cupcakes, to peanut butter on toast, peanut butter
and jelly sandwiches, and let’s not forget peanut butter
candies and ice cream treats.
March 2017
3. Salt on the roads can hurt a dog’s paws
but pressing old tea bags on each paw two
times a day will help them heal.
4.The soothing effects of tea will make
burns, bruises, chapped lips and sunburn
heal and feel better. Hold the wet tea bag
on the bruise or sore area.
In-Home Care Services
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In-Home Care Services
Learn how Comfort Keepers® can be
the solution you have been looking for.
Our services include
• Companion Care
• Personal Care
• Private Duty Nursing
• In-Home Safety Solutions
Call for a
FREE in-home assessment
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(540) 205-3336
419 Chatham Square Office Park • Fredericksburg, VA 22405
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Fredericksburg-182.ComfortKeepers.com
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