Col. John “Duke” Snider, 71, of Manassas, passed away on June 28, 2024. Born in Oxford, Ohio, in 1953, Snider’s early life was marked by achievements such as achieving Eagle Scout rank and excelling in various sports. His academic and military careers were equally distinguished, beginning with his time at Duke University and extending through a 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a fighter pilot and held various command roles.
After retiring from military service, Snider continued to impact his community through various roles, including Chairman of the Manassas City Board of Elections and a Manassas City Airport Commission member. His efforts were integral to the expansion of the Manassas Airport, moving it closer to accommodating commercial flights, which was approved by the city council last year.
Throughout his life, James was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, embodying the virtues of kindness and compassion. His commitment to his faith was evident in his everyday actions and the love he shared with those around him. As a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, James’s legacy is carried on through his family, whom he adored immeasurably.
James is survived by his four children: Brenda Ferri Kennaugh, Debra Ferri Lucia, Joanne Ferri Lesher, and Thomas Ferri. He was a cherished grandfather to Mandelyne Lesher McCombe, Kaitlin Lesher, Taylor Kennaugh, David Lucia, Ryan Kennaugh, Nicole Lucia, Faith Lesher, and Matthew Kennaugh, and a proud great-grandfather to eight great-grandchildren. James was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Verna Zonts Ferri.
Join us on Sunday, May 31st, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM for a beautifully curated afternoon celebrating the romance and inspiration of European travel. We recommend arriving at 2:45 PM for the best seating. We’ll begin with a brief presentation highlighting unforgettable journeys along Europe’s iconic rivers with AmaWaterways, followed by a special screening of Under the Tuscan Sun — a heartwarming story set against the breathtaking landscapes of Tuscany and the transformative power of embracing life abroad. A minimum $5 per person donation to Manna Food Center is required to attend, and we are proud to match donations up to $500. You may also elect to donate more. Non-perishable food donations are also warmly welcomed. Raffle proceeds will benefit Manna as well, helping provide nourishment and support to families in our community. Come immerse yourself in the beauty of Europe, enjoy wonderful company, and make a meaningful difference. We look forward to welcoming you.
Fredericksburg’s annual Agricultural Fair kicks off Friday, July 26 and runs until Sunday, Aug. 4. The Miss Fredericksburg Fair Pageant will be held Thursday, July 25.
The Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair’s website says it was established in 1738 and is the oldest fair in both Virginia and the United States. The range of entertainment has varied over the years, from Williamsburg comedians in 1752 to horse racing by the Fredericksburg Jockey Club in 1774, then hot air balloons in the 1880s. The fair has weathered interruptions with no events from 1881-1886 and during the Great Depression in the mid-1920s. It was revived in 1948 by a group of local farmers and the Jaycees, a non-profit community organization.
Jason Williams and Rich Wilson became fast friends when they started riding in the same areas and found one another on a fitness app, which fueled their competitive spirits to break one another’s records.
Both had been riding at Andrew Leitch for years and separately thought of ways to expand and clean up the trail. As volunteers with Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) — a nonprofit of local DMV mountain bikers that aims to increase access to natural surface trails — the two realized they could get this project off the ground.
The train that derailed on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Cobblestone Square, an apartment complex in Fredericksburg, had been experiencing mechanical issues, so the train was parked at the city’s Virginia Railway Express (commuter rail) station before moving to its final destination in Richmond. The two crew members on board did not secure the train cars properly, resulting in five cars derailing, said Randy Marcus, a CSX spokesman during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Marcus said the crew’s whereabouts at the time of the derailing are not known, and the company plans to have them complete additional training and education programs. No one was injured in the derailment.
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Fredericksburg’s biannual Restaurant Week kicks off this Friday, July 26, and runs through Sunday, August 4, 2024, offering patrons a variety of dining experiences. According to Danelle Rose, Tourism Marketing and Communications Manager for the city, this summer’s event promises a diverse range of specials across over 30 participating restaurants and businesses.
“Restaurant Week allows the restaurants to showcase their creativity with the flexibility to offer specials that suit their capabilities and resources,” said Rose. Each establishment has the autonomy to design its menus, ensuring that offerings cater to all budgets—from gourmet three-course meals to budget-friendly treats like cupcake specials at coffee shops.
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Stafford County Public Schools is set to implement significant operational changes for the upcoming school year, which begins on August 13, 2024. The school division has introduced a new system for identifying school buses and a district-wide ban on cell phones in the classroom.
Starting this school year, buses will no longer be identified by fleet numbers but will use route numbers instead. This change is designed to streamline the process of locating and tracking buses, especially when substitute buses are deployed. Sandra Osborn, the spokeswoman for Stafford County Public Schools, explained the decision, stating, “Identifying buses by route number simplifies the sub-bus process as any bus may be identified quickly with the route number. We no longer need to issue updates to which bus number a family needs to look for – they will simply look for the route number on any of our buses.”
Fairfax County Animal Shelter teams up with Adopt-a-Bird-Network for a class titled “Flock Talk: An Introduction to Chicken Behavior” on Sunday, July 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Lorton Campus, located at 8875 Lorton Road in Lorton.
The class aims to educate both new and experienced chicken keepers and individuals interested in learning more about chickens. It will explore various aspects of chicken behavior, including the social structure within flocks, the behavior of roosters, chicken communication methods, and their feeding and foraging habits. The session will also offer tips on maintaining the health and well-being of chickens.