Springfield People

Springfield People

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Week in Springfield

upervisor Pat S. Herrity (R-Springfield) signed a proclamation designating Sept. 17 as United States Constitution Day in the Springfield District. The proclamation reminds citizens of the great heritage of the Constitution, which safeguards our liberties and freedoms. Constitution Week is observed annually Sept. 17-23. The photo shows Supervisor Herrity presenting the proclamation to Sue Kennedy, regent of Anna Maria Fitzhugh Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Springfield’s Renaissance Man

Leonard Kalkwarf publishes book and wins five gold medals from the Senior Olympics.

Leonard Kalkwarf can best be described as a true Renaissance man; an avid history buff, the 85-year-old resident of Greenspring retirement community in Springfield is also an accomplished athlete, an ordained minister, and a published author. His advice to other seniors is simple: keep active and stay positive.

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Lee High Graduate Helps Make Coast Guard Rescue

Former Springfield resident Lt. Brian Ward piloted a helicopter as part of a “textbook” response.

On Friday afternoon, Sept. 6, a garbled mayday call from a commercial fishing vessel roughly 40 miles off Cape Mendocino, Calif., meant Coast Guard Lt. Brian Ward would get a rare chance at a major rescue. The excitement for his four-man helicopter team was palpable. These cases only come along about once a month. But with extensive training on his side, Ward, a 2000 Robert E. Lee High School graduate, kept a cool head and executed a textbook, successful rescue mission as aircraft commander.

Obituary: Arthur Woodrow Beveridge, 70, Springfield Musician, Dies

Art Beveridge, a popular musician from Springfield, died Aug. 7, at the age of 70. He died at Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, where three weeks earlier doctors had performed a 6X bypass operation in a heroic effort to revive his failing heart. His wife, son, brother and several close friends were present when he passed.

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Insiders’ Tips: What are the best things about living in Springfield?

“We came for the schools initially. The commute to the Pentagon is very convenient. I like the art guilds in Alexandria and Springfield. The swim club was nice. Folks are decent out here. There hasn’t been a radical change. It’s very stable.”

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Matthew Schmitz and Megan Taylor To Wed

Megan Taylor, daughter of Daniel and Anne Taylor of Springfield, is engaged to Matthew Schmitz, son of Daniel and Nancy Schmitz of Bristol, Ill.

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Winning Gold, Bronze

Greenspring residents Jack Cason and Charlie Edwards were awarded top medals at the National Senior Games.

Neighbors Jack Cason and Charlie Edwards competed in archery at the National Senior Games in Cleveland last week.

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Mobile Vet Provides At-home Care

Eric Cryan’s service visits pets in their own environments.

Most people associate going to the vet with wrestling their trembling pets into an animal carrier and dragging them into a cold, unfamiliar office. Eric Cryan, founder of Nova Mobile Vet, makes people discard this grim association.

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Col. Gadson Comes to Sangster

Wounded Warriors inspire young audience.

Movie buffs might know him from his role in the 2011 blockbuster “Battleship” as Mick, the gruff wounded vet who helps save the world from aliens, but to the students at Sangster Elementary School in Springfield, he is known as real-life hero Col. Gregory D. Gadson, Ft. Belvoir garrison commander and Purple Heart recipient.

Local Author Wins Book Award

The Nautilus Book Award has named its 2013 Gold Winner in Religion/spirituality: “Faith Beyond Belief: Stories of Good People Who Left Their Church Behind.” Author Margaret Placentra Johnston holds degrees from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (BS, OD 1982), and the Catholic University of America (BA, 1973. MA, 1974.) From 1983 to 2003 she operated her own private optometric practice in Springfield and currently sees patients part-time in Alexandria and Georgetown.

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Keys to Mobility

Keifer Wolfe receives a free car from Progressive.

Through the collaborative efforts of several local companies, Keifer Wolfe, a local military member training to be a Navy SEAL, was presented with a free Ford Escape at the Progressive Insurance building in Springfield on Wednesday, June 12, in order to replace his current transportation means—running, public transportation, and borrowing his friend’s cars—with a car of his own.

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A Day to Remember at Edison High

Thomas Edison High School graduates urged to be “doers and not watchers.”

After an array of silver and light blue caps and gowns filled Constitution Hall at Thomas Edison High School’s graduation ceremony on Friday, June 14, the commencement began with Principal Pamela Brumfield at the podium.

Week in Springfield

Look at 'the Other Side of the Wall'

“From the Other Side of the Wall,” a presentation by Palestinian farmer and Director of Tent of Nations Daoud Nassar, will take place June 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 7434 Bath Street in Springfield. Tent of Nations, a peace center located on the Nassar family farm near Bethlehem, emphasizes building bridges of understanding, reconciliation and peace in a region torn by conflict. Contact: Mill Olver, 703-569-3099 or beveolv@aol.com.

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Springfield Dads

Harold and Kyle Michael of Springfield relax in the park while Kyndra hangs around.

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100 New Citizens Sworn In

Congressman Connolly, Chairman Bulova, Delegate Keam participate in naturalization ceremony in Fairfax.

The new citizens, accompanied by many family members, filled the Government Center's auditorium for the naturalization ceremony held by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Congressman Connolly, Chairman Bulova and Delegate Keam addressed the group, each describing in their words what it meant to be an American.

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