Salute to Stafford celebrates county, residents

STAFFORD — Stafford County Parks and Recreation joined with the Citizens to Serve Stafford and produced Salute to Stafford Day on Saturday. It was a day for local businesses and groups to share their wares with Stafford County residents.

Children were invited to play on moon bounces while their parents checked out the “Celebrity Dunk” list. Anthony Romanello, county administrator; Shawn Dunskin, fire chief, Engine Co 2; Laura Rudy, treasurer; and Supervisor Paul Milde, R-Aquia, were just a few of the people on the list to be dunked.

Clevo Wheeling, who organized the celebrity dunk, said that people were enjoying it. Milde was very encouraging, as a few parents led their children to the booth and showed them where to throw the balls.

In another room, at the Alfred C. Community Center, James Calvert had been asked to come and set up a few of his toy fire trucks. He brought in about 200 out of more than 2,000 he has at home.

“Kids like it. They can come and push all of the buttons and hear the noises,” Calvert said.

The Rappahannock Sierra Club had set up a display inviting people to come join their efforts to support the greater Rappahannock watershed.

Representatives from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries were also at the event, showing people what male and female turkey legs look like, as well as the fur and skulls of some animals. Children and adults were welcome to take a look and try to figure out what skin belonged to which animal. Volunteers Tim Hall and Patricia Wood were part of a new volunteer program the DGIF has begun, inviting people to volunteer to help out the department as it keeps an eye on Virginia wildlife.

Stafford County’s SERVE, as well as other animal protection groups set up booths both to raise awareness and to raise funds. Local Girl Scout troops had set up informational displays inviting people to join with a brand-new program.

As guests entered through the main entrance, a George Washington impersonator was available to answer questions about his boyhood home and tourism in Stafford. A presentation from the Stafford County Historical Society informed people about a little more of what Stafford was like in the days of yore.

A number of crafts were available at an “Aquia camp” for youngsters, including face-painting, necklace-making and coloring.

“It’s really fun,” said Katie Wilcox, 3.

Members of local groups — including Scottish, Irish and traditional Indian dancers — performed on a stage in the center of the festivities throughout the day.

Booths from local vendors surrounded the stage.

Stafford resident Teaira Little brought both cake samples and a double-layer wedding-style cake to the event. She runs Lil Tea’s Specialty Desserts out of her home.

Another one of the vendors, Mona J. Ryerson, was taught how to quilt when she was a little girl but “didn’t really like it. Until my 30s.” Her grandmother taught her how to quilt, and now occasionally assists her as she creates quilts large and small, quilted children’s books and more.

Participants Nancy Morgan and Debbie Anderson began creating beautiful desserts, and enough people told them that they ought to sell them that eventually, so they tried it. Oma’s Basket has been a success ever since.

“Everything is homemade, and everything is always made fresh — which can occasionally be a little worrisome!” Morgan stated.

A number of handicrafts were available to be sold, including a number of handmade jewelry items, luminaries, tiaras and handmade placemats.