UVA Health has installed secure drug take-back receptacles in the emergency departments of its Culpeper, Haymarket, and Prince William Medical Centers to make safe year-round disposal of unused and expired medications more convenient for patients, visitors, and staff.
About 1,500 men, women, and children from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community gathered at Masroor Mosque in Manassas on Friday, March 20, to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Members began arriving at 9:30 a.m. for the special day marking the end of Ramadan.
Imam Salman Tariq led the Eid prayer and delivered the sermon, urging the community to live simply and follow the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. He reminded worshippers that true success lies in serving God and continuing the good deeds practiced during the holy month, rather than chasing wealth. Chapter President Kareemullah Kaleem then shared an Eid message from the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, quoting the community’s second Caliph on striving for a deeper union with God.
Get ready for the annual Occoquan PEEPS Show in Occoquan
Now in its 9th year, the free, family-friendly event runs April 1-4, 2026, with no tickets required. Businesses and community members craft whimsical PEEPS marshmallow dioramas displayed in shop windows throughout the town and at Town Hall.
Stafford County Parks and Recreation is highlighting stories rooted in the county’s history, with a focus this month on the Rowser Building and the Path to African American Mural.
The Rowser Building, built in 1939 as Stafford Training School, was the only facility in the county where Black students could pursue education beyond the seventh grade during segregation. Local African American families helped fund the land purchase, and the school served students. Over the decades, it evolved into H.H. Poole Junior High and later H.H. Poole High School. In 1976, it was renamed to honor Ella Rowser, an educator who served as a teacher, guidance counselor, and principal.
Drivers along Joplin Road (VA Route 619) next to Prince William Forest Park may have noticed them recently: a few new signs directing visitors straight to the parking lot for the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area.
These fresh markers are shining a spotlight on a hidden gem tucked within one of Northern Virginia’s most treasured outdoor destinations. For those who love getting away from it all without traveling far, the improved visibility makes this special section easier than ever to find and explore.
The Manassas Chorale presents “Gathered As One” on Saturday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center’s Merchant Hall in Manassas. This annual Voices United concert unites the Chorale with the Voices United Festival Choir, directed by a nationally renowned guest clinician. More than 150 singers join the Chorale’s instrumentalists for a program of fifteen selections that celebrate shared music and community spirit.
The Manassas Chorale, founded in 1994 as a small group of about 25 singers, has grown into a 100-voice auditioned community choir under the direction of Artistic Director Rebecca Verner since 1997. Based in Manassas, Virginia, the organization promotes appreciation for quality classical and contemporary music through four major concerts each season and community events. It also sponsors the Greater Manassas Children’s Choir, established in 2015 to offer performance opportunities for young singers in grades K-8.
The Manassas Young Marines, a dedicated unit of the national youth development program, has just been named Division 1 Unit of the Year—a testament to years of hard work, heart, and community impact.
The national Young Marines is a nonprofit youth education and service program open to boys and girls ages 8 through high school graduation (or age 18+). It emphasizes character building, leadership, discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to drug-free, healthy living—drawing inspiration from Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment, without requiring any military family background or pushing enlistment.
Council Member Theresa Coates Ellis highlighted the event during the March 9, 2026, City Council meeting, calling it “a big favorite in our city.” She encouraged everyone to “wear your green so you don’t get pinched” and to “support our businesses afterwards—our restaurants and our shops, and our factory and our museum… so much to see and do in Manassas.”
The parade offers a classic seasonal kickoff, with participants and spectators alike filling the charming downtown area to celebrate Irish heritage and local spirit.
From mid-March through early May, thousands of anadromous fish surge upstream, drawing wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, anglers, and families to the riverbanks. Stafford County stands out as a prime, accessible spot to witness this ancient migration—often called one of the region’s best-kept secrets for those seeking an authentic outdoor experience blending wildlife, history, and seasonal wonder.
American shad (*Alosa sapidissima*) and hickory shad (along with river herring like alewife and blueback) are the stars. These fish spend most of their lives in the salty Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay but return each spring to freshwater rivers to spawn.
Stafford Parks and Recreation is gearing up for a fun-filled spring with a lineup of family-friendly special events designed to entertain kids and parents alike. From egg hunts to reptile encounters and sensory-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone in the coming weeks.
Families looking for engaging ways to spend time together should mark their calendars and register soon—these popular programs tend to fill up quickly.
