By Barbara Del Roca
Hello neighbors. My name is Barbara Del Roca and I�ve been elected chair of the Founder�s Day Committee. As you know, Founder�s Day is August 4, and this year we�re celebrating in style! I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about the history of Founder�s Day and what we have planned for this year.
As you may know, the Pine Oaks community was founded in 1962 by developers Wyatt, Sefeld & Wilkes, who were looking for an untouched area of Northern Virginia where they could sell housing units to middle- and higher middle-income families. And so, Pine Oaks was born! Pine Oaks has seen many changes over the years, but one thing that hasn�t changed is our community spirit. Every year since 1979, residents of Pine Oaks gather to celebrate the neighborhood�s founding and congregate with their fellow residents for some fun and fellowship.
This is my third time serving as head of the Founder�s Day Committee, and this year�s 27th annual, 44th anniversary event will be my best ever. In addition to the traditional events like the concert, parade, and dinner, this year I�ve asked founding developer Michael Wilkes� nephew, David, to come as our honored guest. He�ll ride up front in the Founder�s Day parade, and at the celebratory dinner we�ll be presenting him with a certificate of appreciation to place on his uncle�s grave or urn. I�m very excited about him coming and I�m certain he will accept the invitation. As for the rest of Founder�s Day, the concert will feature local musicians Groove-asauras Tex, Erica Bell, and 2Gazi. I�m sure it will be a fun event for the young, and the young at heart!
Now we come to what I need from you, the proud residents of Pine Oaks. First, everyone should purchase tickets to the Founder�s Day dinner and concert. Your tickets help defray for the cost of the event, and any remaining proceeds are donated to my foundation, Caring Wishes. Second, if Dennis Fern is reading this, I�d like to remind him to wear pants this year. And if anyone else sees Dennis around the neighborhood, make sure to tell him the same thing. Finally, why not volunteer your talents and your time to the Founder�s Day Committee and help with setup and cleanup at the Founder�s Day dinner. If you�d like to volunteer, just come knock on my door (1870 Harwell Drive) and my husband Tom will be happy to take your name down. Remember: Founder�s Day this year is August 4, and the dinner and parade take place on August 5.
Hope to �see you there�!
Your neighbor,
Barbara Del Roca
Julia Schaun, Pine Oaks Book Club Co-Chair
Hello Pine Oaks! Last month we had an exciting discussion of Khaled Hosseini�s The Kite Runner. After briefly delving into Afghan history and culture, Terry Otter compared the relationship between Amir and his father with his own. It was a very personal discussion, and we thank Mr. Otter for sharing it with the group, although I�m sure there was a point in his life where his father did, in fact, love him. After all, who doesn�t love babies? I want to thank my co-chair Barbara Del Roca for hosting the meeting, and Rick Post for leading the discussion. For any residents who are interested in joining our Book Club, we have just a few simple rules:
1.) All Pine Oaks residents are invited to attend, but you must be willing to host or lead the discussion at some point. The Pine Oaks Book Club does not discriminate, except based on geography and literacy.
2.) We ask that you read the specified book for that month, and not another book of your own choosing. While we encourage reading, it is difficult to discuss eight different books that some fellow residents may not have read. We cannot �take your word for it.�
3.) No disparaging remarks about other Book Club members. While our discussions may veer into the personal, and you may not always agree with what others have to say, please keep your comments respectful. Otherwise known as �Heather�s Rule.�
4.) The Pine Oaks Book Club is not a daycare service, and not just because our meetings are held at night (the first Wednesday of every month). If you do bring your children with you, they must be adequately prepared to contribute to the discussion, including having fully read the month�s assigned book as well as any additional research or readings they feel are appropriate.
5.) Finally, please respect the meeting�s host or hostess. The Pine Oaks Book Club tries to provide a comfortable environment for thoughtful and stimulating discussion, but please be mindful that you are a guest in someone�s home, and act accordingly. Also known as �Heather�s Rule II.�
So with that in mind, the Pine Oaks Book Club welcomes you!* Next month�s book for discussion is Joan Biskupic�s biography, Sandra Day O�Connor. There�s not a better time than the celebration of our nation�s Independence to read about such an independent-minded lady!
Yours in reading,
Julia Schaun
* Please see rule 1.