Holiday Happenings 2+ Clifton Stars 6 Independence at Home

7

Babysitters List 9 Band of Parents 10+ Audubon at Home 12

Membership 13+

OWLS 9

Clifton of Past 16+

Clifton Day Recap 14

Inside this issue:

DECEMBER 2008 A PUBLICATION OF THE CLIFTON BETTERMENT ASSOCIATION WWW.CLIFTONVA.ORG VOL. 46. ISSUE 4

What a busy time of year this is for everyone. In Clifton, there are lots of holiday fes-tivities taking place. So before you read any further, stop and go get your calendar to mark these dates because you are not going to want to miss a thing. Details about events below are given in various articles in this issue of the Clatter.

President’s Corner ......................... By Michelle Stein

Change! You may be tired of hearing that word but it sure is an accurate description in Clifton these days. The Hermitage is closed, but Trummers will open in the spring. The Acacia Lodge is 3 feet higher and hopefully out of flood danger forever. Long and Foster is moving out of their building and the Pink Pantry is closed. The Main Street Pub had a fabulous fall. It was great to sit out on their porch for dinner. The Polo Pub, fondly known as the “Back of the Hand”, is my choice for a bowl of

ham & bean soup on a chilly night. A wine store is opening soon next to the Pub. Construction is underway on new offices in an old building across from the community hall. People are moving in and out and babies are being born. A new Clifton Day website is under construction. What has not changed? Fred is still chair of Clifton Day, Steve G is still our treasurer, Gary is planning the 5K, Dariece is still “Clattering” and I need help. I have a long list of to-do’s that need doing. Call or email me and we will find something to fit your schedule and ability. Help me with some Change! And then there are those new blue license plates… Michelle Stein, CBA President 703-830-4908 home/ 703-539-8000 office michellestein@cox.net

Dates of Which to Make Note...

Saturday, November 29th - Clifton Business Coalition Holiday Activities Begin Late night shopping this night and every Friday evening until Christmas. Photos With Santa Begin Holiday Hours for Clifton Eateries Saturday, December 6th - Historic Clifton Candlelight Tour, Tickets Now On Sale Sunday, December 14th - Jazz Holiday Benefit Concert Sunday, December 21st - Clifton Christmas and Chanukah Party January, 2009 - Transition in Place Services Begin for Seniors in our area February, 20009—Lots of Clifton Betterment Association memberships expire don’t let it be yours.

Historic Clifton Candlelight Tour

Sat., December 6, 2008 Tickets: $15.00

Available at Clifton Shops after Nov. 10, 2008

2:00 – 3:00pm * Caroling on Horseback Parade – follow the parade to King Field on Chapel St.

for Costume Judging, Cookies & Caroling

4:30-7:30pm

* Tour Five Decorated Homes * Strolling Dickens Carolers

* Neighborhood decorated with Luminarios *Live Music in Town Churches

7:30-8:00pm * Caroling in Town Square, Roasting Marshmallows,

* Hot Chocolate & Tree Lighting

For further information contact Lynne (703) 322-1811 or Jennifer (703) 830-2129; lghassoc@erols.com

Clifton Shops will also be open!

The 2007 Tour was a fantastic success! This year should be even better, as we are adding in and continuing a number of new traditions! Tickets for this year’s tour are $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12 and are avail-able at most Clifton shops.

The Tour, on Saturday, December 6th, will begin at 2:00pm with the Holiday Horse Parade. See the article on the next page for details.

Beginning at 4:30 and continuing until 7:30pm, we will be enjoying strolling, costumed Dickens Carolers as they wander through the streets of Clifton. In the Clifton Baptist Church on Main St. (please note the Clifton Primitive Baptist Church will not be in use this Holiday Season due to necessary inte-rior renovations) guests will enjoy the heavenly musical duo of flutist, Gail, and her friend, Karen, on the harp. They will join us for two hours and be followed by Marcio Botelho’s String Trio. At the Clifton Presbyterian Church, singers from Chantilly High School will be serenading us with holiday favorites.

Five homes will be on the tour – all an easy walk through town. There will be shut-tle vans this year.

The Burdette’s & Witt’s on Clifton heights, Arlene & Paul Posner on Main St. (complete with latkes!), Steve & Kim Bittner on Chapel St. and Brant and Kathy Ba-ber on Ford Lane will be offering their homes for tour-ing.

Visitors can stop by the Caboose to visit with town citizens who will be sharing a jolly “ho, ho, ho” and holiday cheer with those who are interested in a quick “warm-up” before heading up the hill to the Clifton Presbyterian Church.

At 7:30pm, hot chocolate & marshmallow roasting will be available in Ayres Square. Then, at 7:45pm, caroling will commence at the Square and at 8:00pm the town Christmas tree will be lit by a special Clifton family!

(Continued on page 4)

Historic Clifton Candlelight Tour

Arlene and Paul Posner

Clifton Horse Society will once again decorate their horses and walk through the town of Clifton on December 6th at 2pm, prior to the Can-dlelight homes tour also occurring later that day. They will assemble in the flood plain, which is a large field just prior to entering the town, and walk

out at 2 PM. The route will take them across the train tracks, left on Chapel Rd, right on Water St., right on School

St., right on Main St. , left on Chapel Rd. to end at King’s Field, where we will have a costume judging contest, sing carols, and pass out cook-ies. There will be approximately thirty horses and riders, dressed for the Christmas season. We welcome

the parade audience to follow us back to King’s field and watch the horses parade around in their costumes, and join in carols. The organizer, Jeannie Jirucha is in need of a choir, music, anyone that could help with the caroling part of the event. Please call her at 703 250-5484 if you can help.

Holiday Horse Parade

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After the tour is over, there will be a Thank You “Cast Party” for all volunteers, docents and homeowners - at the home of Brant & Kathy Baber. Please join us for this wonder-ful Clifton tradition – each year seems to be better than the past – this is our 7th year co-ordinating the tour!

If you are interested in docenting/being a tour guide at one of the homes or churches, please let either Lynne Garvey-Hodge (703) 322-1811; lghassoc@erols.com or Jennifer Chesley (703) 830-2129; jen2beach@aol.com know – if you share your time with us, you will receive a free ticket for the tour.

Kids and adults are invited to the annual Clifton Christmas and Chanukah Party at the Town Hall from 4:30pm to 7:00pm on Sunday, December 21st. Santa is expected at about 5:00 pm. A kids’ Christmas craft will also be available. Afterwards, we'll have dinner including Latkes and fixings, adult and kids' beverages, menorah lighting, mu-sic, some folk dance lessons, and dreidel contests. Please bring an unwrapped toy for do-nation to local children/families in need. Please also bring a main dish, salad or green vege-table, or dessert to share. FREE to CBA members and their guests and all children. Questions? Sheldon Hofferman 703-323-1885 or ibkoolpaw@yahoo.com.

Clifton Christmas and Chanukah Party

Pictures will be in Ayre Square

Saturday, November 29th 6 - 7 pm Friday, December 5th 6 - 8 pm Saturday, December 6th 1 - 4 pm Friday, December 12th 6 - 8 pm Friday, December 19th 6 - 8 pm

• $10 sitting fee includes one 5 X 7 photo. More photos can be purchased separately online.

Santa Photo Schedule *

Clifton’s official holiday kick-off begins the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 29th. Spare your-self the hassle of going to the mall and support your local economy! Little twinkly trees all over Town will lift your spirits. Strolling carolers throughout the Season will remind you that not all holiday gifts have to be wrapped!

Take advantage of late-night shopping starting on the 29th. Town shops will stay open for your conven-ience until 8 pm on the 29th as well as every Friday until Christmas. Leave your spouse or significant other at one of our two new popular pubs while you shop, then meet up for a bite to eat. Witschey Photography is back this year by popular demand. The photographers and Santa will be hanging out in Ayre Square next to the Heart in Hand. Bring your family dressed in matching sweaters, your pets in their fake reindeer ears or your new baby in that Baby’s First Christmas outfit for photos

Clifton Business Coalition Holiday Happenings

Heart in Hand Restaurant

11 AM for lunch Tuesday - Sunday 5 PM for dinner Thursday - Sunday

(Last seating at 9 PM) Reservations are recommended:

703.830.4111 Note: Holiday hours may vary depending on private party activity. May be open on some Mondays. Call to confirm.

Holiday Hours for Clifton Eateries

Polo Pub 11 AM - last call 1:30 AM Tuesday - Sunday

The Main Street Pub at Clifton Store 11 AM - 10 PM Monday - Friday 11 AM - 11 PM Saturday & Sunday

Peterson’s Ice Cream Depot and the Dog Pound will be closed for the season.

Page 5

with the Jolly Gentleman. Send these special pictures to your friends and relatives in your holiday cards. (See box for schedule)

Noodles and Noggins Toy Store on Main Street is hold-ing its annual holiday celebra-tion for children on Saturday, December 6th, from 11 AM - 4 PM. Call 703.815.8600 or go

online at www.noodlesandnoggins.com for details.

Celebrate the holidays in Clifton this year by sharing a meal with your family or out of town guests at The Heart in Hand Restaurant or The Main Street Pub at Clifton Store. See below for hours of opera-tion.

Star Light, Star Bright….The Clifton Star I See TonightBy Dariece Rau

Have you seen the Clifton Star and wondered who is responsible for putting that up each year, how do they change the light bulbs, how long has it been there…?

Robert and Mary Lee Peterson are the ones to thank for that sea-sonal light. The Peterson’s have been living here for 31 years and have been lighting the star for well over 20 years. Mr. Peterson is a HAM Radio Operator, call sign W3YY, and the star is mounted on his antenna.

Each year Mr. Peterson climbs the tower before it gets too cold in order to do the required maintenance on the star like replacing light bulbs. As we all know, sometimes the challenges of other priorities take over and occasionally he has been late and had to do maintenance in the cold weather or has gotten

the star lit up later than normal. On the later occasions, people have contacted the Peter-sons asking if everything was ok or if they needed help with the star that year. Mr. Peterson had seen similar things on con-struction cranes and thought they were nice. When another HAM friend, who originally had the star, moved to California he asked Mr. Peterson if he would like it. The rest is Clifton history. The Peterson’s enjoy keeping the tradition of the star going each year as it seems to bring pleasure to those in the community. I know that my children look forward to seeing the star each year. You, and your loved ones, can see the star beginning the first day of Advent (Nov. 30th) through the end of Epiphany (Jan. 6th).

The Peterson’s enjoy keeping the tradition of the star going each year as it seems to bring pleasure to those in the

community.

Page 6

Noel Sweeney, a Clifton resident, started his own business not long ago that is both good for the envi-ronment and great for organizing your home. It is called Eco-Nize. They design, build and install cus-tomized eco-friendly green closet systems, garage storage and cabi-net systems, home offices, laun-dries, pantries and much more.

Recently, the Washington Post Magazine ran an article featuring Noel. You can read the article via the internet by visiting washingtonpost.com. Next, in the search window type in “making it - eco-nize” and it should bring up the link to the article. In addition, to the newspaper article, Eco-Nize is getting lots of other attention. A PBS show called "Building Green" will feature Eco-Nize in a segment that will air this fall. The company is also going to be in in a Wedding Magazine in January and in Northern Virginia Magazine in March, Congratulations Noel on the recognition you are receiving on your business.

Another Clifton Star—Noel Sweeney

Clifton/Fairfax Station-Transition in Place Services (CFS-TIPS) is a new organiza-tion dedicated to helping sen-ior citizens remain independ-ent and in their own homes. Having just recently attained 501(c)3 non-profit status, the group had its inaugural “kick- off” meeting on Sunday, Sep-tember 14, in Clifton. TIPS, as it is called, is planning to start services in January 2009. In order to accomplish this, TIPS is recruiting poten-tial members, supporters, and volunteers.

Modeled after a transition-in-place pro-gram in Bos-ton called Beacon Hill, the plan is to initiate, in January, Phase I ser-vices pro-vided by the Senior Checked Company un-der the management of TIPS. Phase I will consist of coordi-nating phone calls from senior citizens looking for safe, reli-able contractors for hire, rides to the grocery store or doctor's office, and information about local clubs, organizations or programs. These services may help seniors avoid mov-ing into a retirement home. The goal is to use the limited services offered in Phase I to build up enough membership

to expand services fur-ther. This Phase will introduce TIPS to the community and begin to help those interested in receiving these new services. An annual membership fee of $100 per Household and $50 for Individuals will be re-quired for Phase I. Phase II will include ex-panded services, using volun-teers and partnerships with local taxi services to provide

regular transportation, handyman, cleaning and home repairs and help man-age medical and other bills. The idea is to become a conci-erge service for senior citi-zens, where they can seek help for whatever they need. As the services expand, so too will the annual membership fee. Phase III will provide a full range of advertised services with a cost of membership in the neighborhood of $800-

$1,000 per year for each cou-ple. TIPS will explore ways to subsidize services from some of the less

affluent potential members, possibly through charitable donations. TIPS is going to be soliciting volunteers who would be willing to assist in the program as it moves for-ward into Phases II and III.

Some of our neighbors have lived in this area for most of their lives and do not want to move to a retirement home. Some of these people may be house rich, but with modest retirement benefits, and will require both financial plan-ning assistance and, in some cases, aid. The organization used the kick-off meeting in September to introduce the program to potential mem-bers, to answer questions and to refer already existing ser-vices to senior citizens looking to remain in their homes. TIPS is looking to cover both Clifton and Fairfax Station south of Braddock Road and north of the Occoquan, be-tween Union Mill Road and Ox Road.

The isolation of residents in the Clifton and Fairfax Sta-tion areas from public trans-portation makes it more diffi-cult to run errands and take

A Plan for Seniors to Retain Their Independence at Home Page 7

Phase I will consist of coordinating phone calls from senior citizens looking for safe, reliable contractors

for hire, rides to the grocery store or doctor's office, and information

about local clubs, organizations or programs.

Page 8

and John and their two dogs, Lucy and Char-lotte.

The Antons bought their new house from Bill Hollaway and Phyllis Lovett who in turn

moved to Frog Hill with their three children, Hillary, Jackson and Aurora. Bill and Phyllis bought Kara and Paul Wade's lovely home on Frog Hill as the Wade's were moving to Richmond.

The Fifth grade Junior Girl Scouts of Troop 1149 of Clifton were captivated by the story of American suffragists as told by Mrs. Robert Walker (AKA Lynne Garvey-Hodge).

The group were met at The Canary Cottage by Mrs. Walker who talked with them about the long struggle for women to get the right to vote in the United States and her own imprisonment at the Occoquan Work House in 1917. After the talk, Ms Lynne talked briefly about the history of the Canary Cottage and treated the girls to hot cider.

Everyone encouraged their parents - especially their Moms - to "get out and vote"!

The town of Clifton has a Sunshine Committee that has been very busy since the last issue delivering goodies to two new families in town. In addition to these two NEW families, there are two estab-lished families that have moved within the town boundaries.

New family in Lev and Helen Buller's old house at 7211 Main Street: Erin and Steffan Tenges-dal. They have two children, Clau-dia and Austin. Erin grew up just outside of the Town of Clifton on

Evans Ford Road where her parents still reside. New family in Mi-chael and Claudia Anton's old house on Frog Hill at 12635 Water Street: Monica and Donald Byrne and their two chil-dren, Julia and Joel.

The Antons moved from Frog Hill to live on the Town Playgound Park with their 3 kids, Christina, Tommy

Sunshine Committee Happenings

advantage of events and services in their communities. The lower density level, with one house per 5-acre lot, has caused residents to be spaced out and therefore somewhat cut off from next

door neighbors who might otherwise be available for help. With TIPS, members can call one number and ask for help. They can call that number and feel safe, feel they will get a safe contractor, someone who has been investigated.

Clifton/Fairfax Station—TIPS is being led by President Fran McWhorter, VP David Smith, and Secretary/Treasurer Bill Cole as of-ficers, plus a Board of Directors and Legal Counsel. They became in-volved in the organization to help others their age who were having

more difficulty getting around their communities. Over the next few months, the members of TIPS will be briefing members of the community and local organizations. Anyone interested can obtain more information by writing to CFS-TIPS at PO Box 311, Clifton 20124, or by send-ing an e-mail to: cfs-tips@cox.net .

If you wish to be added to the TIPS e-mail newsletter, please send an e-mail with the subject: “TIPS Newsletter” to: cfs-tips@cox.net.

(Independence at Home continued from page 7)

OWLS Older Wiser

Livelier Seniors

Dedicated to Fun and Fellowship!

Clifton Presbyterian Church invites all Clifton area senior citizens to a monthly luncheon meeting. Lunch begins at 12:30 PM the second Monday of each month except July, and is fol-lowed by a speaker or enter-tainment. The cost is $7, pay-able at the door. Reservations are required by calling Bette Petersen or Marilyn Hedges.

All presentations include an audiovisual feature. Forthcom-ing speakers will be Talula Guntner, assistant dean of travel and tourism at Northern Virginia Community College:

Christmas caroling in December with soloist Leslie Peterman; Information Technology in the Home by Dr. Michael Carring-ton in January and an expert on the current financial system in February.

For further information and to be placed on the mailing list for meeting notices please contact Bette Petersen, 571-248-8292; Marilyn Hedges, 703-830-8198; Betty Alphin, 703-272-8695; Lois Arorian, 703-385-1928; and church secretary Wema How-ard, 703-830-3175.

Diana Armendaris, 15, 703-968-2774, Experience with children of all ages.

Dayton Coupland, 14, (703) 830-4149, Male, Robinson Honor Roll student.

Nadia McQuade, 13, 703-802-2059 Jelena Williams, 14, 703-988-0318 Meredith Ross, 17, 703-830-7034, (schoolwork/tutoring for younger kids) Speaks English/ Spanish.

Emma Ross, 15, 703-830-7034, (schoolwork/tutoring for younger kids) Speaks English/ Spanish.

Cara Wood 15, 703-988-0819, Experience with all ages/cleaning kitchens after meals and picking up.

Erica Wood 12, 703-988-0819, Experience with all ages/cleaning kitchens after meals and picking up.

Clifton Area Babysitters The Clifton Betterment Association does not officially endorse any of the following

individuals on the babysitters list. It is provided as a courtesy to our readers.

Page 9

Thank you goes to everyone in town who makes Halloween so much fun for all Clifton residents whether from in-town or out.

A lot of time and energy goes into those wonderful decorations that are put up each year and the creative-ness is so much fun to see. Thank you for helping our kids make such wonderful memories!

Thank You “In Town” Residents

Dear Clifton Community,

It was over 3 years ago that a group of friends and neighbors gathered at the gazebo to hold a vigil for our son Nick. We were leaving to seek medical treatment in New York at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center the next day. My son was 15 at the time and his world had just been changed forever with the diagnosis of stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. This disease has changed our lives forever. Nick is still in treatment three years later. He battles everyday to live his life in as normal a way as possible. He is a senior in high school with hopes of college next year. Through this journey the Clifton Community has been by our side. You have supported us through meals, cards, friendship, fundraisers and donations. Our family is deeply touched.

I am not the kind of person who can just NOT do some-thing to try and change a terrible situation. I helped form a nonprofit organization that funds new treatment options for Neuroblatoma at Sloan-Kettering. The four doctors there who specialize in Neuroblastoma research and treatment have several new therapies that need more funding than what is currently available. The "Band of Parents" is simply a group of parents who seek funding for these treatments.

This holiday season we are hosting an evening of holiday jazz music at Heart n Hand to benefit Band of Parents. My oldest son, Jeff Franca, has put together a wonderful group who will entertain you and get you in the spirit of the season. Hope will abound that evening as we all band together to help make these new treatments closer to reality! We have weeks at several vacation homes that friends have kindly donated for a silent auction that evening, so you can plan an off season get away! This event will sell out quickly as it is open to more than just the Clifton Community, so send your form early.

In addition to the benefit evening, Band of Parents will be doing their annual cookie fundraiser. Many of you supported that last year. This year it has merged to be a part of a larger group called Cookies for Kids Cancer, www.cookiesforkidscancer.org. You can pick the childhood cancer you want your cookie order to benefit. Ordering started mid November on the cookiesforkidscancer website. Simply place or-ders for all of your clients and holiday gifts, and select Band of Parents as the organization.. A profes-sional bakery has picked up our cause and is doing all the work this year. We just need to bring aware-ness to the cookie drive.

After three years we still draw on the strength and support of the community that raised Nick. Thank you for considering our cause and our family hopes to see you on the 14th!

With hope, Caryn and Jim Franca

Band of Parents Page 10

8.

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Audubon At Home in Fall, 2008, by Sarah Mayhew, Fairfax Master Naturalist Fall and winter are my favorite times of year to go bird watching. A brisk walk with binoculars in hand finds many birds that live here year-round or come south to Virginia for the winter. There are fewer species of birds present in colder weather, so it is easier to learn their names. Cardinals, Chickadees and Titmice are sure to make noise in the winter woods. Without leaves on the trees, the woodpeckers are suddenly much more visi-ble as they make their rounds pecking at dead tree limbs. Our area has 7 species of woodpeckers: Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, Red-headed and Pileated Woodpeckers and Yellow-shafted Flickers and Yellow-bellied

Sapsuckers (unfortunate name, isn’t it?). Some birders set an informal goal of seeing all 7 species in one day when they are out on a winter birding trip and with persistence they succeed. If you wish to attract wintering birds close to your house, the best way is to landscape your yard with a variety of native plants that will provide shelter and winter food for birds. Next best thing is to provide supplemental seed in a bird feeder and fresh water. To keep the water from freezing you can use a specially-designed electric heater or a solar dish that uses the sun’s heat to keep water from freezing. Many woodpeckers readily come to suet, so you can see them close by if you install a suet feeder near a window. The “Wild

Bird Center” store has a large variety of feeders and watering systems for sale that have been tested in our climate. They have frequently given me good advice and I recommend them. So get out of the house and see what birds you can find in your yard and the local parks this fall and winter. You'll be surprised by the variety and beauty of the birds that inhabit our winter landscapes.

The Meals on Wheels program in the Clifton area provides meals to older neighbors and neighbors with disabilities who are unable to shop and prepare meals for themselves. A group coordinator is needed for the Clifton route. Duties include:

• Accepting new meal referrals by phone or e-mail Mon.-Fri. during business hours.

• Contacting new meal recipients & explain program.

• Contacting food provider for start up or cancellation of meals.

• Tracking weekly meal counts. The commitment takes approximately 20 hours/month and mileage reimbursement is available. If you are interested, please contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406; TTY 703-449-1186. E-mail DFSAAAvol-unteer@fairfaxcounty.gov. Meals on Wheels and Volunteer Solutions are part of the Department of Family Services’ Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.

Meals on Wheels Group Coordinator Needed for Clifton

Gardening Tip: As this issue of the Clifton Clatter is being published, brisk winds are blowing leaves off the trees and around our yards. Rather than removing all leaves from your property, have you considered composting, which returns the nu-trients to your soil? Fall is the time to stock-pile leaves to have “brown matter” available in the spring to mix with “green matter” to make the best possible compost pile. An easy way to do this is to make a simple fence-wire enclosure in an inconspicuous part of your yard to hold the leaves. I use a leaf vac shredder/blower to chop the leaves so I can store a huge quantity of leaves in a small space. In the spring, I mix 50% chopped leaves with 50% grass clippings and create a steaming hot compost pile very quickly. By the end of the summer, my compost is ready to be spread around my garden to enrich the soil. You can also use chopped leaves to mulch your flower beds. They decompose more quickly than the shredded hard-wood mulch, enriching the soil as they suppress weed growth and conserve water. An added bonus is not needing to bag the leaves you use around your yard!

We want your pictures of the fun you and/or your kids have this win-ter. Be sure and send in pictures of your winter

fun, your snow people (or animals) or any-thing else you would like to share with the readers of the Clatter. The pictures may be used in a future issue. Email them to cliftonclatter@cox.net or mail them to Clifton Clatter, c/o Dariece Rau, 6801 Bluff Ridge Lane, Clifton , VA 20124.

Pictures Wanted

Well, it is that time of year again when the kids and many adults start wishing for snow and wondering how much we will get this year. If you care to take a guess at what our deepest snowfall will be this winter, you won’t win a prize for guessing correctly, but you may

see your name in the Clatter! Email your guesses by December 15th to cliftonclatter@cox.net. Measurement will be based on the amount that falls at the editor’s house.

February 09 renewals

Please send asap. Jim & Maureen McIntyre James & Shireen McQuade

Gene & Judi Molinelli Ed & Mary Lou Moore Larry Murphy & Candace Anderson Tim & Kathy Wood Jamie & Donna Netschert Ed & Linda Nicastri Wayne & Donna Nickum Bob & Mary Lee Peterson Rick & Phoebe Peterson Patrick & Esther Pline Paul Radam & Deborah Dillard Phillip & Anne Rapp Kelly & Trisha Robertson Mark & Cindy Siegel Peter Noonan & Sara Singhas Jeff & Michelle Stein Tom & Nancy Temple Don & Diane Tepper David & Dawna Thompson Gene Ulm & Carolyn Machado Bob & Pam Wallace Scott & Heather Williams John & Kathy Wisiackas Travis & Suzi Worsham Mark & Margo Khosravi Betty Bosanko Joe & Tracy Ferry John & Helen Esser Lane Johnston Jim & Becky Witt Charlie & Debbie Besley Michael Evans & Robin Graine Paul & Arlene Posner Nick & Ruth Diffenbaugh Ian & Joanna Ormesher Scott & Laura Satterfield Chris & Pam Della Santina

Richard & Wendy Rudman

February 09 renewals

Please send asap. Bill & Helen Ackerman Mac & Karen Arnold Tom & Nancy Basham Kevin Bell & Terry Matlaga Joe & Jean Bertoni Mike & Chris Booth Don & Betty Boyd Bev & Lynn Broadbent Mike Brown & Buffy Price Tom and Wendy Burdette Jack & Terry Burgess Fernando & Sheila Callo Dean Clamons & Carly Gewirz Lloyd & Hilary Cohen Tres & Teri Crawford David & Laura Linton Blair & Linda Diseati Rick & Diane Dygve Marshall & Stephanie Eubanks Robin Graine Michael & Wendy Ferrell Jim & Caryn Franca Craig & Libby Fritsche Steve & Jennifer Goetzinger Mike & Mary Goegel Len & Linda Goldstein Hal & Marilyn Hedges Gerald Hennesy Sheldon Hofferman & Gail Gertner Allan & Karla Hoffman Bill Hollaway & Phyllis Lovett Doug & Emmi Holmes Dennis Hottell & Terese Colling Bill & Paula Hummel Skipper & Sherry Joyce Vernon & Ginny Keen Dan & Mary Ellen Kelliher Steve & Wilma Kime Timothy & Kathleen MacDonald Gordon & Karen Marr

Howard & Pat Lasus David & Julia Ross Bob & Sandy Cromp Sally Rood Mark & Laureen Young Richard & Cyndy Pratt

Mark & Camille Wurm

Please send asap.

February 09 renewals

Please check for your name to the left, or be-low. …Renewal lists, pink labels, whatever. Here they are! February is a huge renewal month! The February list is above and left. Please do it NOW before you forget. If renewals are too late and your membership has lapsed, your name is listed below. Please, if any of you reading this list knows anyone here, kindly remind them about their CBA renewal. I’m sure they have just forgotten, so please remind them of all the good things CBA does, espe-cially at this time of year!

Sept. & Nov. reminders

Please keep current. Jon & Pam Breyfogle

John & Andrea Neyland

Jeremy & Jennifer Lustman

Paul & Denise Murphy

Wylie & Sharon Lowery

Todd & Kelly Timm

Randy & Julie Thompson

David & Diane James

Emmi’s Membership Corner Page 14

Emmi’s Membership Corner (cont.) Please welcome these three families into the CBA fold. Make them feel especially welcome in the upcoming festive holiday season. BYRNE, Donald & Monica Julia & Joel 12635 Water St. Clifton, VA 20124 (703) 815-1925 M_ptaszek@yahoo.com TENGESDAL, Steffen & Erin Claudia & Austin 7211 Main St., P. O. Box 218 Clifton, VA 20124 (703) 830-5534 erin@tengesdal.com WANDELT, Ed & Karen Corey, Bridget, & Jenny 11710 Amkin Dr. Clifton, VA 20124 (703) 250-9576

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Scouts were recognized and presented with Rank Advancements and Merit Badges earned in 16 categories.

Boy Scout Troop 1104 Holds Court of Honor Ceremony

Pictures from Troop 1104 ‘s Court of Honor and Rocket

Other Awards Given Tyler Walter—Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm and Gold Palm Daniel Nix—World Conservation Order of the Arrow (Scouting’s National Honor Society): Garrett Clay, Michael Dulan, Sam Hensle, Nate Simpson, Tyler Walter, Aes Winkowski, Mr. Lee Clay and Mr. Bill Walter.

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everen

t ▪

Cour teous ▪ Fr iendly ▪ Helpful ▪ Loyal ▪ Trustworthy

Ben Achtermann—Second Class Scout Zach Beck—First Class Scout Ian Bunting—Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class Scout Aaron Christian—First Class Scout Chris DiAntonio—Second Class, First Class and Star Scout Matt Dulan—First Class Scout Mial Fessenden—Eagle Scout Josh Glover—First Class Scout Giff Hampshire—Second Class and First Class Scout Brandon Jones—Second Class and First Class Scout James Mangahas—First Class Scout Zack McCall—Tenderfoot

Rank Advancements Awarded Jessie McCarty—Life Scout Ricky Munch—Star Scout Dillon Nold—First Class Scout Daniel Reese—Life Scout Matthew Reese—First Class Scout Nicholas Reese—Life Scout Bobby Richard—Eagle Scout Will Ridenour—Eagle Scout Zach Schebish—Eagle Scout Tom Stone—Scout John Tolbert—First Class Scout Alex Winkowski—Life Scout

What a spectacular Clifton Day!!!! As chairman of the Clifton Day planning committee, I want to extend my thanks to everyone who participated in Clifton Day 2008. We had over 200 vendors, great music all day long, train rides, pony rides, a free petting zoo, magicians, jugglers, dancers, theatre, story-tellers, kids’ activities in the park, a Civil War reenactment and lots and lots of food!

Our volunteers did an amazing job – these people work so hard for our community. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Clifton residents, CBA members, Presbyterian church, Lions Club, Women’s Club, Gentlemen’s Club, Clifton Fire Department, Acacia Masonic Lodge, 49th Virginia Infan-try Civil War actors, Dave Sampson collection crew and others spend countless hours planning, preparing, setting up and cleaning up. I wish I could list each and every one of you, but I don’t have enough print space! But a big thanks from all of Clifton. You make Clifton Day possible.

Next year Clifton Day 2009 is scheduled for Sunday, October 11th. Hope to see you there on another glorious fall day! Come on out and enjoy the fun and the food.

And check out some of these happy faces from this year’s event on the following page.

Fred Ansick Clifton Day Chairman Clifton Betterment Association

Clifton Day 2008

CORPORATE Sponsors National Harbor Norfolk Southern Railroad

GOLD Sponsors Sun Design Remodeling Specialist Chesapeake Landscape & Design Ourisman Fairfax Toyota

SILVER Sponsors ING Red Coats Inc

BRONZE Sponsors Wetland Studies & Solutions Inc American Disposal Pink Pantry Peterson’s Ice Cream Depot Heart-in-Hand

Please thank our 2008 sponsors by supporting their businesses over the coming year. With their help, we have the finances and services to pull this all together.

Page 18

Clifton Day

2008

Some photos from Clifton Day 1972 Courtesy of David Smith

Page 20

Clifton Around 1970 - Oh How Much It Has Changed! Thank you David Smith for submitting these photos.

Clifton Hotel in 1969 aka Hermitage Inn

Soon to be Trummers

Mayhugh House under Restora-tion in 1970

Mayhugh Tavern after Restoration in 1970-71

Page 21

Quigg House in 1970

Ink Sketch of Ford House by Tom Lipps in 1971 Ford House as Restored in 1970

Buckley Brothers Store and Old Post

Office (later An-tiques of

Clifton) in 1970

Scary, Scary, Scarecrow Contest Results Thank you to everyone who par-ticipated in the Scary, Scary, Scarecrow Contest. The win-ning entries are pictured to the left. Congratulations to all! 1st Place - Sponge Bob Square Crow, Entered by Karen Floyd’s Daycare 2nd Place - Goodbye Sum-mer, Entered by Ms. Talbots 4th Grade Class at Clifton Elementary 3rd Place - Ninja Turtle, En-tered by Mrs. Godfrey’s 1st Grade Class at Clifton Elementary Honorable Mention Goes to: Johnny Appleseed, Miss Busch’s AM & PM Kindergarten Classes, Achieve, Mrs. O’Quinn’s 2nd Grade Class and Hula Girl, Mrs. Owens’ 4th Grade Class all at Clifton Elementary.

“Miss May Rogers, a daughter of J. W. Rogers of Sharon, Mo., and niece of Mrs. G.B. Wright and Mrs. J. M. Berger, has been dividing her time be-tween two aunts. She leaves here for Clarke County next week to visit other relatives, after which she will return to this place before leaving for her home. Mr. Bergers is a farmer on one of those Missouri farms that yield 10 barrels of corn and 2- bushels of wheat to the acre with almost any kind of a season or fertilizer.

The machinery for the new furniture factory of the McMullen Bros. of Clifton, is on the ground and they expect to be doing business in a remarkably short time. They are going to put in the planer and dress the lumber for the building that will house it.

At the last meeting of the town council the mayor appointed a committee to look into and report on the advisability of putting in some street lamps on main street in the town.

Rev. J. Clifton Bradford will hold services in the Baptist Church on Sunday morning, Christmas day

at 11 o’clock, it being the regular 4th Sunday appointment. The B.Y.U.P. will hold their regular annual meeting and election of officers on the evening of the same day. A president, vice president and secretary will be selected. All aspirants for office will please take notice.

Miss Helen McDonald, after an absence of several months, has returned to the hotel to stay with her aunt, Mrs. Bell.

Mr. Fred Larrick railway mail clerk has been transferred from the Washington and Greensboro mail route to a line from Harper’s Ferry to Winchester over the B&O.

R. M. Kivett and Buckley Bros. have sold a lot to J. W. Puckett and a house and lot to F. G. Cooksey on Dell Ave.

Mr. D. W. Buckley’s new house on Chestnut street is about finished. Some say it will “come off” on the 28th.

The snow has stopped the workmen on the new switch system being put in on the Southern Railway at this point. The tower is about finished.

B. C. Utterback and Miss May passed through here Monday morning on their way to the city. The Southern R. R. Co. has moved the depot back south about 90 feet, near where it was before it was moved last year.

S. H. Detwiler is “Still” moving that barn…

The grist mill in town is in full operation, grinding cob or corn meal every Tuesday and Friday, which is a great convenience to the general public. Mr. Woodyard has secured the services of Mr. J. W. Puckett as miller, who has had long experience in this business at Newport News, Va.

Dr. J. C. Meredith is building a new residence on his farm, two miles from Clifton, on the Centreville Road. --Nuf Ced

As we move into the Holiday Season, this look at “times past” in Clifton is an insightful reflec-tion of how Clifton citizens in 1904 celebrated the holidays. Please note the word “still” in reference to the Detwiler barn – a most likely double entendre – as a town still is “still” care-fully sequestered at a former citizen’s property outside of town! Also noteworthy, is the issue of lighting on Main Street – we can only imag-ine how dark it must have been in this little town before the advent of street lighting! The town mill was undoubtedly a place of local conversation and convenience! We can see that a snow fall preceded Christmas – giving the area the beautiful Christmas card feel we still find delightful! Enjoy this stroll down memory lane: from the “Fairfax Herald”, December 16, 1904 (when the town of Clifton and other local areas had their own column in this weekly newspaper that served Fairfax County) – Lynne Garvey-Hodge, Fairfax County History Commission

“Fairfax Herald”, December 16, 1904 Page 23

A Good Home for a Great Cat

Seeking Renovation Volunteers A renovation committee for Primitive Baptist

Church located at 7200 Main Street, just south

of Cross Street is being formed.

About the Primitive Baptist Church The Clifton Primitive Baptist Church is one of

the oldest and most significant structures in the town of Clifton. This simple structure represents a significant reminder of the long-standing history of Black Americans in Fairfax County. In 1863, during the Civil War, William Beckwith died and left 200 acres of property to his slaves, whom he freed in his will. In 1869, the former slaves and their children formed the Cub Run Primitive Baptist Church Association and erected the Primitive Baptist Church. Inside is a simple altar, handmade pews, and pot-bellied stove, all origi-nal to the church. This is the oldest African-American church in Fairfax County.

The Task at Hand The church and surrounding property is in dire need of care and renovation. I am look-ing for 6 to 8 volunteers to join me in bringing this precious part of our local history back to life. If you are interested in investing your time to this effort, please send an e-mail to Steve Bittner (stevebittner@aol.com). Steve will send out an e-mail once the committee is selected organizing the first meeting. The planned kick-off for the project is early January. Thank you for your consideration.

Cinnamon is a purebred Himalayan that is 4 years old. She is a wonderful people person cat. She loves to hang around to see what you are doing, give you a gentle nudge when she wants a little attention and a soft meow when she needs to be noticed. However, what she doesn’t tolerate is to have to share a

home with another fe-male cat. She was raised with two dogs for her first three years and is great around children. She tolerates being car-ried around like a ragdoll without complaining. If you are looking for a great companion, give Dariece Rau a call at 703-815-4440.

Have you got a new neighbor? Be sure and share your copy of the

Cl i f ton Clat ter with them so they can find out about

Clifton Betterment Association membership.

The Clifton community affirms a desire to interact with one another in an environment of

respect and integrity. We are a community that: -is committed to the dignity and value of one another. -assumes the best in each other. -communicates clearly and directly. -provides open forums to address difficult issues in an orderly, respectful manner. -behaves towards one another, both individually and collectively, with honesty, decency and responsibility. -holds the preservation of our unique historic character in the highest regard. -participates in community activities, organizations and events in the best interest of all.

Your officers of the

Clifton Betterment Association President - Michelle Stein

1st Vice President - Jan Schneiderman

2nd Vice President - Steve Bittner

Secretary - Chris Spina

Treasurer - Steve Goetzinger

Dariece Rau is the Editor/Publisher of the Clifton Clatter. Please contact Dariece at cliftonclat-ter@cox.net (703-815-4440) with any questions, concerns, or news to share! The Clifton Clatter is published four times per year and is the official newsletter of the Clifton Betterment Association (CBA). Its contents are for information only. Articles express the opinion of the authors, not the CBA. The CBA Officers, the Clatter Publisher, and the contributors assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences resulting from information provided in this edition. The CBA does not officially endorse any of the products or services advertised herein.

Placing an Ad in the Clifton Clatter is Easy! Display Ad Sizes and Rates: 10% discount with annual advertising plan!

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Send check and this form to: Clifton Clatter Advertising c/o Dariece Rau 6801 Bluff Ridge Lane Clifton, VA 20124 Send ad (in a picture format or pdf) and instructions to: cliftonclatter@cox.net

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