John Williams, composer of the iconic themes from Superman, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and many others, is the soundtrack of my childhood. So when the Kennedy Center invited my wife and me to Notes and Frames, a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra celebrating classic film scores, I jumped at the chance.

The show, held June 6, was more than a concert—it was a cinematic time machine. From the booming percussion of King Kong to the haunting strings of Vertigo, each piece reminded us how film music doesn’t just accompany a story—it is the story. These weren’t just background tracks. These scores are characters in their own right.

Conductor Teddy Abrams did a masterful job guiding us through the evening, offering insights between performances. He talked about how many of these composers fled Nazi Germany and brought their talent to Hollywood, shaping the sound of American cinema. And he’s right—this music isn’t written like Mozart or Beethoven. It’s cut, timed, and tailored to fit a scene—and yet, it’s every bit as moving and masterful.

One standout moment for me was hearing “Adventures on Earth” by John Williams from E.T. live. That scene—when Elliott and E.T. take off on the bike—is already iconic, but hearing the music in person, in the grandeur of the Kennedy Center, took it to a new level. The whole room was on its feet. And just when we thought it was over, Abrams returned for an encore—Jaws. That two-note pulse hit like thunder. Without it, Jaws would be a bunch of guys on a boat staring at the water.

The Kennedy Center itself was just as impressive. It was my first time back since a fourth-grade field trip in the early ‘90s. It’s still every bit as grand—and somehow more welcoming. Walking in, we passed people dressed to the nines and others in band T-shirts heading to a rock opera. There’s truly something for everyone there.

If you haven’t been to the Kennedy Center in a while, go. Dress up. Make it a night. Support the live arts. And if the National Symphony Orchestra is playing film music again, I’ll be there—and I hope you will too.

TRIANGLE, Va. – A rusted WWII-era tank gun barrel, likely left behind by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during secretive wartime training exercises, has been recovered from a remote section of Prince William Forest Park.

Interpretive Park Ranger Melissa Weih said the discovery was made in an archaeological site deep in the woods, in an area once used by the OSS — the forerunner to today’s CIA — during World War II. While the exact location is being kept confidential to protect the historical site, Weih confirmed it’s a low-traffic, off-trail part of the park where old training grounds still exist.

Weih believes the barrel, now part of the park’s museum collection, was likely left behind during the OSS’s time at the park from 1942 to 1945. “We actually have archival footage of them training in that area,” she said in an interview. “It used to be an open field, but now it’s completely forested.”

Weighing more than 400 pounds, the heavily rusted barrel had been known to park staff for some time, but its removal required significant coordination. It is currently being cleaned and preserved, with hopes that it can eventually be displayed to the public — though its size and weight present a challenge.

This find adds to the park’s growing collection of OSS-era artifacts, which already includes missile tail sections and other remnants on display at the visitor center. Weih noted that the park consulted experts at Marine Corps Base Quantico, who confirmed the barrel poses no explosive risk due to the amount of soil lodged inside.

The artifact offers new opportunities to deepen the park’s interpretation of its wartime history. “People are really fascinated by the OSS,” said Weih. “Learning more about the tools they used and what training looked like gives us a more complete picture beyond what’s in the archives.”

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – Kalahari Resorts & Conventions celebrated a key construction milestone on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as CEO Todd Nelson, Governor Glenn Youngkin (R), and state and local leaders gathered at the future site of Virginia’s largest indoor waterpark to tout the project’s progress and economic promise.

Held at the towering 11-story construction site off I-95 in Spotsylvania County, the event marked a symbolic step toward the opening of Kalahari’s fifth and most expansive resort, scheduled for November 12, 2026.

“The Finest Site We’ve Ever Built”

Kalahari CEO and founder Todd Nelson opened the program with remarks about the resort’s family-run legacy. Flanked by his wife, Shari, and several children who help run the company, Nelson underscored that the project—like the rest of their four-resort portfolio—is a fully family-owned and operated venture.

“We don’t have any partners. We don’t even have a board of directors,” Nelson told the crowd, which included state officials, local leaders, construction partners, and members of the media. “This is our fifth resort… and I think this is the finest site that we have of all our resorts.”

The new resort, located just off Interstate 95 near Dominion Raceway, is modeled after Kalahari’s Round Rock, Texas, location but will be even larger. When complete, the Spotsylvania resort will feature:

• 175,000-square-foot indoor waterpark (the largest in the state)

• 150,000-square-foot convention center

• 90,000-square-foot adventure park

• Ten acres of outdoor pools

• 907 guest rooms and suites

The development will also bring 1,500 permanent jobs and up to 800 construction jobs at peak, making it a key driver of economic activity in the region.

Visual Showcase and Ceremony

The milestone event featured a steel beam signing ceremony, drone footage of the site, and a striking view of the resort’s rising 11-story structure. Media guests were treated to local cider, a curated music soundtrack, and direct access to Kalahari executives and state officials.

The event served to not only showcase progress but also reaffirm the state’s commitment to fostering large-scale, family-friendly destinations. With over 80,000 group room nights projected in its first year, and growth toward 140,000 annually, the Kalahari resort is expected to become a cornerstone of Virginia’s tourism economy.

“We do it ourselves”

Nelson, who founded the company with his wife Shari, spoke about the family-run nature of the Kalahari brand.

“Sharon and I have been married for 45 years. Five kids, 13 grandbabies. We do it ourselves,” he said. “We don’t have any partners. We don’t do anything. It’s Sharon and I and the five kids. We don’t even have a board of directors. We figure we have a board of directors meeting every day when we’re at work.”

He introduced several family members, including his son Travis, the company president, and daughter Ashley, who works at the Round Rock, Texas, resort and handles corporate matters. Nelson called Shari “the peacekeeper in the family,” adding: “She never tells me what to do in the business. She always says, whatever you do, don’t bankrupt us.”

Reflecting on the property, Nelson said, “I think this is the finest site that we have of all of our resorts. It is. It just is. It could not be any more perfect if we were to try to dump a couple of my bankers out here.”

“When I was pitching all the banks, I would say on a 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, this site is a 12,” he added.

Nelson also praised several people instrumental in bringing the project to Virginia, including:

• Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation: “She’s not only superb at her job, she does anything that you ask, and she’s become a friend.”
• Kevin Marshall, a local project supporter: “Kevin just takes care of it. It’s such a most beautiful thing here… We absolutely love Kevin.”
• Eric Terry, President of the Virginia Restaurant and Lodging Association: “Eric has been a tremendous supporter of ours… We thank you, Eric.”

Nelson highlighted the resort’s expected impact: “We’re going to employ right around 1,500 people here. We’re opening up November 12th of 2026. We’re ahead of schedule. Everything’s just going really, really quite well.”

“The largest store I’ve ever seen in my life”

Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura brought energy to the podium. Noting the scale of construction, he joked, “So did you guys catch what Todd mentioned earlier? He called this whole thing a store. This is the largest store I’ve ever seen in my life.”

He praised the project as emblematic of the business momentum in the Commonwealth: “Great things are happening in Virginia, and business leaders like the Nelson family are doubling down because they believe, they have confidence, that tomorrow will be better than today in the great Commonwealth of Virginia.”

“Those magic words: You are hired”

Governor Glenn Youngkin closed the event by emphasizing the project’s alignment with Virginia’s economic priorities.

“This is a $900 million project that’s going to employ 1,500 people in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Youngkin said. “That to me is the big statement today. Opportunity abounds. Opportunity is everywhere.”

He lauded the Nelson family’s vision: “I’m inspired by the fact that there’s 13 grandchildren. There’s five children. There’s a marriage that is extended through all of that and demonstrates what it means first to put family ahead of everything.”

Youngkin also noted the state’s use of “a very unique financing… that comes through our tourism area,” and celebrated Virginia’s broader economic achievements: “We have well over 220,000 jobs today that are open and ready for people to come to Virginia.”

He concluded with a message about employment: “When we see more Virginians with more opportunities and those Virginians are able to hear those magic words… you are hired. They’re special words. And I have to say the Nelson family is about to utter those words to even more people than they already have. And it matters.”

Early Wednesday evening, they gather in the side parking lot and head out for a 90-minute ride on a few routes through the city before coming back to wet their whistle on the wide variety of in-house brews the brew master creates at Red Dragon. 

“The group is open to everyone,” said Red Dragon owner Mark Perry. “Some ride in from Stafford,” he added.

One of the lead riders is Bill Evans, a cyclist who went to high school with Perry. Bill’s brother Tom and another rider, Dan Baker, are part of the core group. Sometimes there are 30 riders, and in cases of rain, some riders come anyway and sit down for a cold one instead of riding. Bike Works and Old Town Bicycle support their rides in Fredericksburg.

The Red Dragon menu has a variety of beers, all brewed on site, and some locally made sodas that are frequently mixed with the beers for particular flavors. The sodas are from Maggie’s, a small business on nearby Caroline Street that features subs, hot dogs, and salads. On Maggie’s soda list, they have root beer, orange dream, cream soda, ginger ale, and ginger ale ‘heat,’ with an extra kick. 

When mixed with Red Dragon’s beers, they become drinks on the menu like “Orange Creamsicle Sour,” “Here Be Dragons,” or “Black Jack,” to name a few. They also serve a beer called the “Road Rash Red,” a name connected with the biking world.

Perry served as a military pilot and owns a stake in the Rail House Brewery in Aberdeen, N.C.

Red Dragon is part of the Fredericksburg Area Beer Trail, an established route beer connoisseurs use while making a beer run into a day trip. There are 11 area breweries on the trail, and there’s a passport all trail users can download to keep abreast of happenings along the trail. At each brewery, the passport can get stamped, and once it’s full, prizes are awarded.

Soon, the Red Dragon cyclists can ride on a new trail portion along Lafayette Boulevard between Twin Lake Drive and St. Paul Street in the City of Fredericksburg. This $2.37 million project includes a new section of path that will connect with an existing shared-use path on Lafayette Boulevard that currently terminates at St. Paul Street.

The path will be accessible, with ramps and crosswalks built where the route intersects with Twin Lakes Drive, Springwood Drive, Kensington Place, and St. Paul Street. It is expected to be completed this November.

MANASSAS, Va. – A colorful new mural celebrating pollinators will be unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 6 at 4 p.m. 🐝

The Bee City Pollinator Mural Dedication will take place at Kerbobble Toys, located at 9216 Center Street in Old Town Manassas. In a Facebook post, the store invited the community to join the event and praised Patricia and Cassidy of Kerbobble for their creative work bringing the mural to life.

Kerbobble Toys is a family-owned shop known for its eclectic mix of vintage and modern toys, games, comics, and collectibles. Located in Historic Old Town Manassas, the store offers a treasure-hunting experience for visitors seeking nostalgic finds and unique gifts.

Residents are also encouraged to save the date for the annual Manassas Bee Festival, happening June 21, 2025, at Liberia House. The festival is a local favorite and highlights the importance of bees and pollinators in our ecosystem.

By Sgt. Dean Gurule

QUANTICO, Va. – The Gary Sinise Foundation held a live concert featuring The Lt. Dan Band aboard MCB Quantico, May 22.

The concert, made possible by the United Service Organization Mid Atlantic Division, the Gary Sinise Foundation, and the Robert Irvine Foundation, drew in more than 500 attendees, including service members, their families, civilians and retirees.

“It’s an important thing to me to be able to say thank you and to be able to recognize the military for the importance of what they do,” said Gary Sinise, an acclaimed actor, musician and humanitarian.

The event served as a community gathering to show appreciation for service members, veterans, and their families. The event featured a free show and Mission BBQ dinner for everyone in attendance.

“I feel like I’m a beneficiary of what you all do,” Sinise, explained, who has spent several years supporting military personnel and their families through his foundation’s programs. “You volunteer to stand up for your country, and I want to stand up for you. It makes me feel good to know that there’s something I can do to support on many fronts through my foundation and through concerts.”

The Lt. Dan Band, named after Sinise’s character from Forrest Gump, has performed to uplift military communities worldwide for over 22 years; altogether, the band performed over 580 shows for hundreds of thousands of people.

“The Lt Dan Band isn’t just a group of talented musicians… they are a force of gratitude traveling across the country and the world to say sometimes what goes unsaid,” said Col. Jenny Colegate, the commanding officer of MCB Quantico. “Thank you for reminding us that service and sacrifice is seen and valued.”

This event marked the first time the Lt. Dan Band performed on MCB Quantico, bringing together all those who serve on MCB Quantico.

“To our Marines, Sailors, civilians and families, this evening is for you, for the long hours, the missed holidays, the deployments and the dedication you show day in and day out, thank you.” said Colegate.

The concert was more than music and a free dinner; it was an affirmation of support to the military community.

“What would we do if no one wanted to protect and defend us? I’d like to say thank you to our defenders and their families, and I suggest that if you see someone in uniform—military personnel, a police officer, a firefighter, or an EMT—just know that taking the time to thank them yourselves will mean a lot.” said Sinise. “They don’t ask for much at all. They are just doing what they signed up to do, but that little gesture of gratitude from a stranger will make their day.”

MANASSAS, Va. – Time is running out to catch the Prince William Art Society Members’ Exhibit at the ARTfactory gallery in Historic Downtown Manassas. The final day to view the exhibit is this Friday, May 30, and art lovers are encouraged to stop by while they still can.

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MANASSAS, Va. – The ARTfactory is inviting audiences on a journey back to 1930s Berlin with its new production of Cabaret, opening this season at the Wind River Theater. 🎭

Known for immersive theater experiences, the ARTfactory will transform the performance space into the smoky, seductive Kit Kat Club — the setting of the iconic musical. Audiences will step into a world where glitz, music, and freedom clash with rising political darkness.

For those unfamiliar, Cabaret is a Tony Award-winning musical that tells the story of Sally Bowles, a bold American singer performing at the Kit Kat Club, and her relationship with a British writer named Cliff Bradshaw. The show unfolds during the final years of the Weimar Republic as the Nazi party gains strength, with the Emcee serving as a surreal guide through the club’s performances and the changing world outside. With memorable numbers like “Wilkommen,” “Maybe This Time,” and “Cabaret,” the show is equal parts dazzling and sobering.

Guests can choose from general admission or premium floor seating, including optional enhancements like priority seating, wine flights from Nokesville Winery, and charcuterie boxes from Pampas Fox Catering. All tickets include pre-show entertainment beginning 30 minutes before curtain. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., July 11 to 27.

For tickets and details, visit the ARTfactory’s website.

Headed to the stage first, however, is Lend Me a Soprano, a fast-paced farce by acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig. Running through June 22, this gender-swapped adaptation of Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor is set in 1934 at the Cleveland Grand Opera Company.

The plot centers on Lucille Wylie, the opera manager, who faces a series of comedic mishaps when the star soprano arrives late, her jealous husband causes a scene, and the assistant Jo must step in to save the performance of Carmen. Directed by Vince Worthington, the production promises a night of laughter with mistaken identities and backstage chaos. Performances are held at the Wind River Theater, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Located in the historic Candy Factory building in Old Town Manassas, the ARTfactory serves as a regional hub for arts, theater, and cultural education. It offers classes, exhibits, and live performances year-round, supporting creativity and community engagement across Northern Virginia.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – It’s time for another Friday Family Movie in the Park event.

Prince William County Parks & Recreation will show Mufasa: The Lion King (PG) on a giant outdoor screen at Veterans Memorial Park on Friday, May 30. The free movie night runs from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., making it a perfect end-of-week outing for families.

The park is located at 14300 Veterans Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks for a cozy evening under the stars. The event is part of a summer series of free outdoor movie nights hosted throughout the county.