GreatGreat FallsFalls BackBack toto thethe FutureFuture Inside HomeLifeStyleHomeSpring 2015 LifeStyle News,News, PagePage 33 Sports, Page 16 ❖ Budget Discussion Weathers the Storm News, Page 4 Classifieds, Page 18 ❖ Great Falls Designer Jon Benson with Sun Designºrecreated the corner of the kitchen to incorporate window seats perfectly aligned with the family breakfast table. Photo courtesy of Sun Design Celebrate Great Falls, Local Media Connection LLC online at www.connectionnewspapers.com with Wine Tasting Home LifeStyleLifeStyle People, Page 10 Entertainment, Page 14 The Grange was built in ❖ 1929 to be the social center of Great Falls. Now that it is acces- sible to all, after long- needed ADA renova- tions, the community hopes it will become a Opinion, Page 8 hub of community activity once again. /The Connection Ken Moore Photo by www.ConnectionNewspapers.comMarch 11-17, 2015 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ March 11-17, 2015 ❖ 1 A Great Falls tradition for over 25 years Vienna $2,500,000 2347 Huntermill Road 6.7 Acres of prime land Under Contract Ideal site for a magnificent estate Subdivide to McLean $1,308,000 2/3 potential 2 acre lots 7601 Lewinsville Road The Lot has 3,077 SQ FT that has been thought- Special Permit fully configured to accommodate for a Place most business usages in a 4 story, of Worship Class A building in a great setting. 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Great Fall Office | 703.759.6300 | 731-A Walker Road | Great Falls, VA 22066 2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ March 11-17, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] Photos by Ken Moore/The Connection Musicians with the Difficult Run String Band filled the historic commu- The Grange was built in 1929 and used to be the community center of nity center with sound. “Musicians say the acoustics are fantastic,” said Great Falls. “The Grange could be the jewel of Great Falls,” said Jorge Kathleen Murphy, president of the Great Falls Community Farmers Mar- Adeler, the way it was in the past. ket. Community celebrates the Back to the Future renovations of The Grange. By Ken Moore Kathleen “It’s an establishment "Now its time to have The Connection Murphy, presi- that’s been around dent of the longer than most of conversations to bring he 13 steps of The Grange Great Falls us,” said T.R. Cook, of our community center blocked the historic commu- Historical the Optimists Club. T nity center from one of its origi- Society and “For a long time, it back to life." nal purposes “as a symbol of manager of was just a building — Kathleen Murphy, Great Falls commitment to community involvement Great Falls standing in the way. and progress.” Community Now, it’s a focus point Historical Society On Saturday, March 7, about 75 members Farmers Market. that can really benefit of the community gathered to celebrate the the community.” "Through all its history it renovations to the 1929 building and grounds that now make it accessible to all Ann Kosche, of Cindy Jordan, of has always been the of Great Falls. Herndon, calls her- the Fairfax County “For far too long, it was not accessible to self the Puttery Mom. Park Authority, center of the community. our residents with disabilities and to our She calls the Great operated the new senior citizens,” said Supervisor John Foust, Falls Community wheelchair lift It can become that who helped secure $350,000 for the Farmers Market a Saturday. “It’s $503,000 project from County carry-over great way to meet been a long time again." funds in 2013. The Fairfax County Park people. Of the event coming,” she said. — Phil Pifer, Great Falls Citizens Authority funded the balance of the project. Saturday, she said, “My mother Association “Great Falls has many assets, but one “It’s nice to see some wouldn’t be able thing it does not have is an official commu- fresh faces that might to come into this nity center,” said Foust. “The Grange is our not know we’re here building without "Great Falls has many de facto community center.” year round.” it.” And Saturday, the community came to assets, but one thing it The Grange in a manner used for in the past that can really benefit the community,” said the effort won’t stop here.” by the original farmers that built the hall in T.R. Cook, of the Great Falls Optimist Club. Of course, Adeler knows a gem when he does not have is an the center of Great Falls. “It’s gone through ups and downs, but sees one. official community Kathleen Murphy and Cindy Jordan through all its history it has always been “The potential is extraordinary,” he said. brewed hot apple cider; the Difficult Run the center of the community. It can become “The Grange could be the jewel of Great center." String Band filled the hall with banjo, bass, that again,” said Phil Pifer, of the Great Falls Falls.” — Supervisor John Foust guitar and fiddle music; Adrian Bessenyei, Citizens Association. He said the possible activities for youth, 5, colored, when he wasn’t helping his The Great Falls Grange Hall was the first senior citizens, adults and the entire com- Kathleen Murphy, president of the mother Marcela Bessenyei, one of the ven- grange hall built in Virginia and one of five munity are “endless.” Great Falls Historical Society and Great dors with the Great Falls Community Farm- granges built in Fairfax County, said The past decade, “the building has been Falls Community Farmers Market. ers Market; and most all of the 75 patrons Kathleen Murphy, president of the Great completely underutilized,” said Julie Casso, Stay tuned, or get involved. gathered and talked before and after the Falls Historical Society. of Arts of Great Falls, formerly Great Falls “We can do a lot more to bring the day’s event. “Now that the Grange has been brought Foundation for the Arts. community together. Come join us,” “For a long time, it was just a building up to code the question is what are we go- “It is time to begin to have conversations said Eric Knudsen, president of the standing in the way. Now it’s a focus point ing to do with it?” said Jorge Adeler. “I hope to bring our community center to life,” said Great Falls Citizens Association. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ March 11-17, 2015 ❖ 3 News Viewpoints What would you like to see in the budget? Beverly Bradford, Great Falls: “I’d like to see $200,000 to start that resident curator program for the Turner Farm House.” Photo by Abigail Constantino/The Connection Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville), Joe Mondoro, county deputy director of budget, Jane Strauss, school board member and Kristen Michael, FCPS finance assistant superintendent, present the advertised FY 2016 budget to Great Falls residents on Wednesday, March 4. Kris Gregory, Dranesville District: “I would like to see increased funding for the library. I’m one of the library advocates. The library system has suffered disproportionately. It has taken Budget Discussion the highest percentage of cuts since the recession. We would very much encourage the county to try and consider finding some more alternate revenue Weathers the Storm sources.” Michael pointed to the increasing num- Great Falls residents ber of students, 28.2 percent, who will be eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in Bill Canis, vice president of the Great Falls meet county 2016. She also stressed the increase in ex- Citizens Association: penditure to offset for full-day Mondays and “We’re happy to hear that the parks budget has representatives, point the growing size of classes. been pretty much kept intact. The resident curator- Kris Gregory asked about the driving force ship program is very important here in Great Falls to community’s for student enrollment growth. Strauss said because we have a very prominent house right out that employment opportunities, birth rate here on Georgetown Pike that’s been falling down budget priorities. and young families wanting to live closer for four years and it’s owned by the park authority. to jobs are among many factors contribut- The best option we have for it is to have the resident By Abigail Constantino ing to the increase. curatorship program be put in place and for the park The Connection Michael said that the FY 2016 budget is authority to pick someone to actually live in that “realistic and balanced,” but acknowledges house as the curator.” upervisor John Foust (D- that it does not fulfill all of the needs of Dranesville), School Board mem- FCPS but it addresses its priorities.