s Shouse Village Voice December 2019

Neighborhood A Word from Our President… Happenings Suzanne Keating 703-757-7252

Board Meeting What a great 50th anniversary celebration we had in November! I’m sorry December 16 that not everyone could make it. The committee outdid themselves with 7:00 pm, SVCC delicious appetizers and beverages, a violin trio, a short but impactful program, and ample opportunity to connect with old and new community Holiday members. We had a slide show with historical photographs and new Caroling pictures on display on the walls. The Community Center looked great with December 22 new carpeting, kitchen flooring, counters and new plantings near the 6:3 0 pm, SVCC monument. Supervisor John Foust presented us with a proclamation recognizing our 50th year, Stephanie Yeonas read a congratulatory letter

Annual Mtg. from her 94-year-old father, who built our development, and historian January 22 Carole Herrick assured us that probably did not sleep in 7:00 pm, SVCC our neighborhood but he most likely fox hunted around our woods. The event was a lovely way to wrap up our year-long recognition of 50 years of community. We’ve attached the presentations to the newsletter so you can A Friendly Reminder: catch up on what you may have missed.

For the safety of your Board Service neighbors, please be We are still looking for candidates to serve on the Board in the coming sure your lamp post year. We especially need someone who is interested in the Social Director is in working order! role. You don’t have to be a party animal to serve as the Social Director. The role can be easy if you are willing to rally teams of community

members to put on events. It takes a village to pull together Halloween parties, Easter egg hunts, Shouse Day, etc. You would not be alone in managing these. We have lots of willing party planners. Your job would be to coordinate volunteers, manage the budget for events, report to the Board, send out announcements, etc. Board meetings are monthly for 1 to 1 ½ hours.

I have truly enjoyed my years of Board service. I connected with the community in a different way and certainly got to know other Board members through making decisions together. Please let me know if you are interested in joining the Board. We need you. Community “Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa Contact

Information Vice President's Report

Ali Ganjian 703-938-0976 MINUTES FROM ALL SVCA BOARD MEETINGS ARE POSTED ON THE SVCA WEBSITE AT Route 7 Corridor Improvements Work is well under way to widen Route 7 between Jarrett Valley Drive and WWW.SHOUSEVILLAGE.ORG

Reston Avenue. We have already seen early improvements made to the north side of the intersection between Route 7 and Towlston; Towlston has been expanded to include a full right turn lane from Towlston onto Route You can also find procedures for 7. Additional information can be found on http://www.connectroute7.org. filing a complaint against the Board on the website under

Documents, HOA. As part of the widening effort, VDOT has approached Shouse Village

Community Association with an offer to obtain a permanent utility easement for power and communications as well as a temporary construction easement [email protected] for a small portion of SVCA property at the southwest corner of the [email protected] intersection. The purpose of the easement is to bury a power line, which is [email protected] currently above ground, serving a light pole in the median on Towlston, and [email protected] to relocate buried communications cables. We are just one out of hundreds [email protected] that VDOT is either directly purchasing land from or obtaining an easement [email protected] from. Recently, several SVCA Board members met with a representative from [email protected] VDOT to receive their offer. The primary focus of the SVCA Board has been to [email protected] protect our community assets, namely the Shouse Village monument located [email protected] at the southwest corner of the intersection. The Board requested that the [email protected] area for the proposed easements be staked (you may have noticed stakes with white ribbons, and wondered what they were there for). The SVCA Board is actively working with VDOT, including requesting that language be added to Newsletter submissions are due by the the easement agreements providing protection to the monument as well as 21st of each month. Please send in any requesting that the utilities be re-routed so as to not require an easement in electronic photos or art you may have. the area of the monument.

Neighborhood Watch In October I had an opportunity to attend a Neighborhood Watch training class hosted by the McLean District Station of the Fairfax County Police Department. With the upcoming holidays there is an increase in package theft throughout Fairfax County. There are a few things we can do year-round to help deter crime in our neighborhood. 1) Lock car doors 2) Keep your garage door closed – yard equipment, especially snow blowers, are valuable targets 3) Don’t leave bicycles and other items outside unattended 4) Hold mail and avoid package deliveries while you are away. If you observe something suspicious, please do not approach and instead call the non-emergency number: 703-691-2131.

Lake and Grounds Directors Mary Anne Hampton 703-255-4944 Susan Burk 703-865-6367

Fall Clean-Up Donors and Volunteers Our sincere thanks to: Kenneth & Ashley Armstrong, William & Anne Baughman, Cris & Nicki Birch, Bev & Marilyn Blois, Bill & Julie Bridgham, Jack & Paula Bruggeman, Bill Crockett & Diane Maloney, Brian & Fran Davenport, James & Stephanie Erwin, Martin & Heidi Franklin, Ali & Colleen Ganjian, Scott Garver, Jack & Melanie Irving, Al & Gwen Kaltman, Suzanne Keating, Matt Kingsley, David & Debbie Keever, Alan & Lynne Lawhead, Jody Levinson, Tammy Le & Garry Ho, Odin Milbury, Todd Milbury, Keith & Ann Montgomery, April & Dan Moser, Melody Nolfi, DiAnn Park, John Ryan, Cathy Sribar, Barney Thomson, Sherry Watkins.

Fall Clean-Up: We had a very successful Fall Clean-Up. Hard work on the part of volunteers resulted in an amazing difference to the hillside by the pool. If you've only heard about the difference the clean-up made, please take a walk between the tot lot and the clubhouse and see for yourself. While a huge difference was made at the pool, we ran out of hours to complete several necessary fall projects. Thanks to the kind donations of those that could not make it, we were able to hire Fernando and his crew to move the branches and debris washed up against trees during the July 8 storm. This was important to the health of the trees, facilitating decay of the debris, and preventing undesirable creatures from finding a home in the piled-up branches. The remaining damaged plants were also removed from the Shouse Drive monument area.

Fall Planting and Miscellaneous A combination of native and ornamental plants and trees have been installed at the Shouse Drive monument. This includes two new beds, which will do the double duty of being aesthetically pleasing and one day reducing the visibility of the transformer box and other utility boxes near the monument. In addition, a maple tree has been planted at the tot lot and the hillside adjacent to the tennis courts has been planted with viburnum. Trees planted around the pond that didn't make it have been replaced at no cost.

We are in the process of contracting to have more dead and problematic trees removed as well as having the fence repaired at the Mandolin Court path entrance.

Community Center Director

Tim Judkins 571-338-0968

It was great to see everyone at the 50th Anniversary Gallery Unveiling and Reception. We have some wonderful new artwork in the sitting area that showcases the history of Shouse Village. Also, as mentioned in the last newsletter, the kitchen has been updated with new countertops, newly painted cabinets, and new flooring as well as new carpet in the seating area. The AV system is also nearly complete and will be available for rentals and parties next year. All in all, this has been a great year for the Community Center, which will continue to be enjoyable for years to come.

If you would like to reserve the Community Center, please complete the online rental application at https://goo.gl/forms/Ca1lMrDhblDOQyy72 . Check availability on the calendar page on shousevillage.org.

50th Anniversary Gallery Unveiling and Reception

ffff

Around the Village:

Looking for Help? Check out the Students for Hire section of your directory for a listing of students to babysit, pet sit, house sit, be a mother's helper, shovel snow, do yard work, or fulfill community service opportunities.

Dear Shouse Village Residents: At your neighborhood child care (Just Like Your Home), we provide a warm, loving, nurturing environment where children can learn, play, and grow. State Licensed, CPR, 1st-Aid Certified; One on one attention; Flexible schedule option available; Open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday; Healthy lunch and snack will be provided. Please call to discuss your child care needs. 703-255-0101

Shouse Village Book Club meets at the SVCC on the second Sunday of each month at 7:30 pm to discuss a broad range of books. Please consider dropping in for our next meeting. December 8: The Matriarch by Susan Page. Contact Ann Montgomery: 703-609-4889; [email protected].

Shouse Village History

John Ryan

Interview with Harl Jeffrey

Early on in Shouse’s Historical efforts, Harl Jeffrey was interviewed by the early Historical Committee. Harl Jeffrey was an original owner and major contributor to the development and progression of many defining elements of Shouse Village. Harl moved to Shouse Village in 1969 with her husband, Joe, and their two daughters. The major points that drew the Jeffrey family to Shouse were the fact that the neighborhood was new at the time, as well as that an elementary school was proposed to be built within walking distance from the neighborhood. Unfortunately, that school, which later became Colvin Run, would not be built for nearly another 35 years. Harl herself would move from Shouse in 2009 after 40 years in the village, but still keeps in touch with fellow original residents.

Harl’s fondest memories of Shouse include its community spirit. For the originals, Shouse was a place where people knew all their neighbors. It was a safe community where parents could allow their kids to go either by themselves or with friends to Shouse’s common grounds, such as the pool, without worry. If there was ever an event or a party in the village, most neighbors would be in attendance. Whether it was a party at the Community Center or ice-skating on the lake, Shouse residents were always socially active in one way or another. Harl's favorite memory, though, was Shouse’s first ever New Year’s Party. The party, held at the Community Center, was extended unexpectedly when a snowstorm rendered the villagers unable to get to their cars. The partygoers were stuck inside the Community Center well into New Year’s Day. They ended up walking home, getting completely covered in snow in the process. As the streets were not yet dedicated, no snow plows would come to Shouse. It would be three whole days before residents could move their cars.

Harl was involved in many aspects of original Shouse, from the block representative system to the newsletter and even the making of Shouse’s first directories. During her 13-year tenure working on the newsletter, Harl received a request from Shouse’s Board of Directors. Having much experience as a writer, Harl was asked to write a memoir of Shouse’s history. Being an original resident, Harl had both the writing skill and personal historical knowledge of Shouse to complete this assignment. The document, called “Shouse Village: The First Decade,” would go on to become the most essential resource for anyone wishing to learn about village history. An addendum written by Peter Storm was later added to the document in a future reprint about 10 years after its initial release.

In addition to her already large efforts in serving Shouse Village, Harl was also a member of several Shouse committees, such as the Social Committee and the Youth Committee. When serving on the Youth Committee, Harl simultaneously served on the Finance Committee. She also sponsored the junior teen club for a year, and helped manage the Community Center for 11 years, primarily scheduling rentals. Needless to say, Harl Jeffrey was one of the most active contributors to Shouse Village in its now 50-year history. Shouse is only as good as the people in it who volunteer to maintain its standard of living. Few have done more for Shouse than Harl and all of us should be grateful for her efforts.

COUNTY OF FAIRFAX,

Resolution

WHEREAS, Shouse Village is a community of 260 homes built on the Spring Glade estate—a historic house and dairy farm—and named for Catherine Filene Shouse who had donated adjacent property for Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts; and

WHEREAS, the Shouse Village Community Association—also known as the SVCA—was incorporated on December 16, 1968, and regular meetings were established in April 1970; and

WHEREAS, from the outset, the association strived to establish a sense of community for the new development and its diverse residents, and expanded to focus on the stewardship of the 48 acres of common area consisting of woodlands, a trail system, lake, playground, basketball and tennis courts, a pool and community center; and

WHEREAS, the SVCA involves many residents in its operation, offering a full slate of community activities, including a competitive swim team, and consistently provides a voice for the interests within the McLean Citizens Association and greater McLean community; and

WHEREAS, the success of the Shouse Village community is exemplified by the number of youth who grew up here and have returned to reside there as adults; NOW THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby recognize the Shouse Village Community Association for 50 years of fostering a sense of community for generations of residents.

Signed by Sharon Bulova, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and

John W. Foust, Supervisor, Dranesville District on November 16, 2019

50th ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION “THE TOWLSTON TRACT”

Carole Herrick

Mary Anne asked me to say a few words about the Towlston Tract, a historic piece of land that we are standing on this evening. I would like to begin with Lady Catherine Culpeper, who married Thomas 5th Lord Fairfax in 1690. With this marriage the Fairfax family acquired over 5,000,000 acres of land in the American colonies. Thomas 5th Lord Fairfax took over management of the proprietorship until his death in 1711. Lady Catherine Fairfax then took over management of the proprietorship through resident agents in Virginia. After her death in 1719, her son Thomas 6th Lord Fairfax inherited the proprietorship. Eventually, he moved to Virginia residing at first in the home of his cousin, . He eventually established residence in what now is Loudoun County. Fairfax County was founded in 1742. It was named after Thomas, 6th Lord Fairfax.

William Fairfax built a home above cliffs of the which he named . The house and grounds were magnificent. It was plantation style living. is located on that property today, but the house no longer stands. Belvoir was located adjacent to the Washington property known as . William’s son, Bryan Fairfax, was a close friend of George Washington. William Fairfax died in 1757 and Bryan inherited, among other properties, the Towlston Tract, consisting of 5,568 acres. Later, he constructed a house on the tract which he named Towlston Grange. The house was not palacial in appearance. It was a simple wooden framed structure that was probably built to serve as a hunting lodge; however, Bryan used Towlston Grange as his primary residence, living there for over 21 years: 1768-1789. The house still stands on the other side of Route 7 across from the property formerly owned by Hazelton Labs and now cleared for a development of upscale single-family homes.

Bryan enjoyed fox hunting and often invited Washington out to hunt with him. This Washington did. Those of you who live in Shouse Village can probably claim that Washington rode his horse or walked over your front yard. After a martini or two, you might add that he tied his horse to a tree in your yard, but just make sure that it is a large tree and not a sapling. It would really be pushing it to suggest that Washington actually “slept in your house.”

After the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, England and her American colonies, now the United States of America, were two separate countries. Bryan was bestowed the title of 8th Lord Fairfax in 1793. But this was in title only because the colonies under proprietorships no longer existed. Upon Bryan’s passing in 1802, his son Thomas became the 9th Lord Fairfax. Thomas also erected a house on the Towlston Tract and named it . The date is thought to be 1790. It was a stately house built far more elaborate than Towlston Grange and witnessed plantation style living. Ash Grove remains today behind the Walmart on Route 7 and is a part of Fairfax County’s newly created Resident Curator Program.

It is thought that the country home we can see out the window was built as a log-cabin style house in 1840. At that time the area was still forested and beginning to be cleared for

dairy farms. Over time, the house was added on to. The Civil War arrived in 1861. Very little happened in this general vicinity, but a lot activity took place in Vienna, Langley, and Lewinsville. But both Federal and Confederate troops traveled the Alexandria-Leesburg Turnpike (Route7). Soldiers probably roamed the woods here and pickets may have been stationed nearby, but that was about it regarding the war and Shouse Village. Not to be dismayed, John Mosby and some of his men did ride down Towston Road, but that was on the opposite side of Route 7. When the war ended, the opposing sides had to “come together” and live peacefully with each other. All the farms had been destroyed. It took time to get them back in good working order. In time Fairfax County became the premier agricultural center of the state. It was known for its dairy farming.

In 1941 Lisle Smith and his wife purchased the country home and roughly 200 surrounding acres. They named their property Spring Glade and undertook dairy farming. At the same time, Smith worked for the Federal government and was acquainted with Harry Truman. As President, Truman and his wife, Bess, visited Spring Glade more than once. The Smiths enjoyed fox hunting and were members of the Fairfax Hunt. For well over 10 years, the opening hunt for Fairfax Hunt took place at Spring Glade. In 1963 the Spring Glade farm was sold to the Yeonas Company. It was not until 1969 that the Yeonas Company began the development of Shouse Village. I am a member of the Fairfax County History Commission and cannot thank the Yeonas family enough for keeping the lake, building this community center on the site of an old barn, and not destroying the Spring Glade house. It was repaired, brought up to code, and sold as a private residence. Fairfax County has a list of Inventory Sites and Spring Glade is on that list.

There are three historic homes constructed on the Towlston Tract within a short distance of each other that remain today. Spring Glade, which remains in private hands; Ash Grove, which is part of the county’s Resident Curator Program; and Towlston Grange. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Towlston Grange is up for sale. The real estate agent is interested in historic preservation and is hopeful that the purchaser will understand the significance of the property and maintain its historic integrity.

Shouse Village is one terrific neighborhood. You are most fortunate to live here. Thank you so much for inviting me here this evening to be a part of your 50th Anniversary celebration.