Fairfax County Park Authority • Fairfax, Virginia 22035 • 703-324-8695 • fax 703-324-3996 • tty 703-324-3988 • www.co.fairfax.va.us/parksp

It’s rush hour. You’re stuck in traffic on Little RiverTurnpike, headed west toward home. Idly, you lookaround and see Ravensworth Road going off to the

left to cross Braddock Road. To your right is ColumbiaPike and, with a jog on Annandale Road, is GallowsRoad. Sitting in your car, you are in a gridlock of history.

Right now you are on an age-old Indian trail thatpredates white settlement of the area. Known informallyas the Shenandoah Hunting Path, it was a high forestpath that followed natural easements down to thePotomac River. The path later became a thoroughfarefor travel between the mountains down to the port ofwhat is now Old Town Alexandria. George Washingtontraveled this road across the Blue Ridge in 1748 in hissurveying travels when he was only 16 years old.

By Washington’s time the foot and horse track wasalso carrying heavy wagons hauling grain for export fromthe large farms to the west. On the rutted path, the

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WHAT’SINSIDE…

News about nature, history and horticulture in Fairfax County Volume 2, No. 4 Summer 2002

Carousels CombineHistory and PleasureBy Jeanne Niccolls, Park Authority Collections Manager

Remember your first “painted pony” ride? The music of the carousel and the motionof the galloping horses conjure up the very essence of summertime. Adults delightin such memories from their own childhoods and young children thrill to the

up-and-down rides on prancing, elegant horses. A long-time fixture at county fairs andtraveling amusement shows across America, carousels remain popular today.

The notion of carousels developed out of contests in medieval Europe that replacedtournaments involving actual confrontations between mounted and armored knights. Infact, the term “carrousel” in French means “entertainment by knights involving chariot races,pageants and exercises.” As these tournaments increased in grandeur, the trappings for horsesbecame even more elaborate, serving as the inspiration for later carousel wood carvers.

Catching a ring has been part of the carousel tradition since its earliest appearance. Inthe 17th century, competing riders attempted to catch balls of clay filled with scented oil,suffering the “smell of defeat” if they failed. This inspired the French creation of spearinggold rings with lances, an activity that was stylized and added to mechanical amusement

heavy ox-drawn wagons had a difficult time navi-gating the steep grade crossings of the stream val-leys enroute. The trail was no longer adequate forcontinuing western economic expansion. It was clearthat a new road system was critical to futuregrowth.

In 1796 the Little River Turnpike was charteredas the first private toll road in the nation. The roadwas set in an artificial bed filled with pounded orbroken stone (“macadamized,” named for JohnLoudon McAdam who pioneered the technique),much better than the usual muddy roadways.Wooden or stone bridges crossed the many streamsalong the way.

By 1820 this central connector stretched 34miles from the Little River in the western farmlandsat Aldie between Warrenton and Winchester to

What’s in a Road Name?By Jane Scully, ResOURces Editor Summer

Spectaculars ....... 2Americorps ........ 3What to Read,200 Years Ago ... 4What Makes aFarm Show? ...... 5Summer Readers 6Fresh Produce .... 6Milling Around .. 7Sully AntiqueCar Show ........... 7MosquitoMenaces ............. 8Avoiding Ticks ... 9WildlifeWindow ........... 10RabiesAwareness ....... 11

2 RESOURCES

Editor: Jane ScullyPhotos: Don Sweeney,

Jane ScullyIllustrations:

Nancy HornsteinCirculation:

Karen TempleProduction:

Innovative Projects

RESOURCES isproduced quarterly bythe Fairfax County ParkAuthority. Inquiries, sug-gestions and commentsshould be addressedto Jane Scully, Editor,Resource ManagementDivision, Suite 936,FCPA, 12055 Govern-ment Center Parkway,Fairfax, VA 22035-1118.To receive your free copyof RESOURCES, fillout the form on theback cover or registerdirectly on our web siteat www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/resources.htm.

c RESOURCES is printedon 100% recycled paper.

Summer SpectacularsSummer SpectacularsKayakin’on the RiverSign up for every kind ofkayaking trip this summerout of Riverbend Park.There’s River Wildlife KayakTours, Early Risers Tours,Life on the Potomac Toursall summer long, as well asa Seneca-to-RiverbendKayak Tour on Saturday,August 10. These are smalltrips and age and abilitylimits are also a factor. CallRiverbend at 703-759-9018 for more informationon the tours and programs.

Long Ago at Bailey’s CrossroadsThe Bailey Family of Bailey’s Crossroads, a free exhibit on local social historyresearched by Guest Curator Naomi Zeavin, will be on view at the Clark House at6332 Barcroft Drive in Falls Church from May 19 through November 30.

Hachaliah Bailey of Somers, New York, purchased 526 acres of land between theLeesburg and Columbia turnpikes on December 19, 1837. He was the owner ofthe first traveling menagerie in America and his son Lewis Bailey had earlier touredwith his traveling circus in Alexandria in the 1820s. Early local circus advertise-ments from Lewis Bailey’s career, Bailey family history and photographs, maps andimages of the family home, “Moray,” are among the featured exhibit items. Call703-750-1598 for directions.

Carve Out YourTalents!At Colvin Run Mill, summer Sundaysoften mean a time to get out yourwood-carving skills and learn from agroup of experts. Every first and thirdSunday in June, July and August,from noon to 4 pm, the NorthernVirginia Wood Carvers lend theirtools and expertise to uncover yourown talents as you create a creaturefrom a block of wood. This wonder-ful group has been showing olderchildren and adults how to turn aknife just this way to make a propercorner or round that edge of yourcarved animal. The lesson is free andthere is a nominal charge for theblanks. While you’re there, tour themill and see the larger-than-lifewooden miller sculpted by the woodcarvers. Call 703-759-2771 for moreinformation.

Bargain HuntingBonanza!Do you love finding a greatdeal? Or do you have trea-sures to share? You’re in luckeither way at our popularFlea Market on Saturday, July27, from 9 am to 1 pm atFrying Pan Park in Herndon.Come sell your found good-ies from our large vendorspaces (12' x 24' spaces areonly $30 and you can sharethem with a friend!) Theevent is free for shoppers andall proceeds from vendor feesgo to benefit the division’sprogram for its wonderfulvolunteers. For more infor-mation, call 703-324-8750.

4-H Fair Thee WellCome August 3 and 4, Frying Pan Park is thehome of the spectacular 54th annual FairfaxCounty 4-H Fair. Events and shows includeeverything from sheep shows to turtle races,English and Western horse riding to dogobedience classes.Along with the animals, the Fair displays 4-Hexhibits about foods and nutrition, photog-raphy, art and natural science. In addition toshowcasing 4-H accomplishments, there are rides, demonstrations, an artsand crafts show and live entertainment.The 4-H Fair is put on by members who are 9 to 19 years old. The Fairexemplifies Frying Pan Park and 4-H’s shared history and ongoing connec-tions. Come join in the fun, Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4!

Take A Kid FishingWhat a great treat for both adult and child! On Friday evening, June 28, from 7:30to 8:30, young anglers, accompanied by adults, can learn some basic techniquesabout catching fish at Hidden Pond Nature Center’s own pond. You provide thefishing rod and staff will provide hooks, bait and bobbers and lots of helpful tips.Reservations and advance payment of $3 are required. Call Hidden Pond at 703-451-9588 for more information and reservations.

Concert in the GardenGreen Spring Gardens Park is the lovely evening setting for musical concerts.The many gardens are transformed in the soft light and gentle breezesencourage the nodding flowers. On Wednesday, July 17, from 7 to 8 pm,the Fairfax Symphony Youth Band will send music wafting our way as werelax and enjoy the night garden. Bring a picnic dinner if you wish. Theevent is free.

Meadow Wildflower WalkLate summer is the best time for viewing field wildflowers.On Saturday, August 24, from 9 to 11 am, walk in themeadows and around the pond at Cabell’s Mill in EllanorC. Lawrence Park and observe coneflowers, milkweeds,bush clovers, goldenrods, hawkweeds and other spectacu-lar plants. Sturdy shoes and a field guide are recommended.Free reservations should be made by calling 703-631-0013.

Summer 2002 3

V OL U N T E E R S

As stewards of over 21,000 acresof parkland, the Fairfax CountyPark Authority has plenty to keep up

with all year round. Our large volunteerprogram of over 700 people is a vast assetto parks in helping to protect and interpretthe natural and cultural resources foundthroughout. They lead tours, cultivate parkgardens, work with school groups and muchmore.

Yet there remain important, larger-scaleprojects that require consecutive large blocksof time–and funding—to complete. Theseprojects include rooting out invasive plantsthat strangle native species, felling andcutting up dead trees to reduce fuel supplyfor fires and preservation of historic sites toprotect them for visitor education andexperience.

Responding to these imposing parkneeds, the Fairfax County Park Authoritysponsored a team of 18-to-24-year-oldsfrom the Americorps*National Civilian Com-munity Corps to work at five of our parksites. Erin Chernisky, Resource ManagementDivision Volunteer coordinator, drew up a

AmeriCorps Brings Muscle—and More—to the Parks

strong proposal and a detailed eight-weekwork plan that was accepted and funded bythe federal agency. The value to the county ofthe team’s work is $49,975, a cost that wouldotherwise be borne by local taxpayers.

At Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, this delight-ful group of ten young women helped toprotect water quality there by improvingcheck dams designed to slow the flow ofwater as an important erosion control mea-sure. With chainsaws, handsaws and loppers,they have delimbed and taken down deadtrees with aplomb. Avril Wood-McGrath, arecent high school graduate and the young-est in the group, is the chainsaw expert.

Denise Patel fully enjoyed her experiencewith dam building and construction of mulchand gravel bins at Sully Historic Site. A self-described “nerd” about physics and marinescience, Denise is passionate about the envi-ronment and hopes to work as an advocatefor its protection.

At Hidden Oaks, the team removedinvasive multiflora rose that is threateningthe beautiful and rare native orchid, the pinklady’s slipper. They constructed woodenbenches at Colvin Run Mill and a cattle catchpen at Frying Pan Park. And at several sitesthey cleared away over- and undergrowththat could fuel dangerous fires.

Tana Clarke, a graduate of James MadisonUniversity, speaks of how they really roll asa team. “We can move through and clear outan area in record time. We really work welltogether.” Tana plans to do graduate workin clinical psychology, as does Kate Conners,a graduate of Penn State. Both youngwomen cite the AmeriCorps work they didearlier this year in Salt Lake City with adomestic violence shelter as providing focusto their future careers.

Team Leader Christy Burke, in her secondyear with the program, explains that the goal

of the 10-month program is to make animpact on the community in some way. Thiscan be through programs in schools or workin shelters or, as with the parks, by assistingpeople to enjoy the community in ways thatcouldn’t happen without their efforts.

The personal challenge for team mem-bers, Christy explains, is to help them sortthrough “How am I going to get what I wantout of this project? What are my goals?” Itmeans taking personal responsibility for howyou understand yourself and for creating asatisfying role in whatever project is at hand.

The project at hand at Ellanor C. LawrencePark one brisk day in late March was man-aging an egg-rolling/nature tour/story-tellingchildren’s event. Between encouraging littleFoxes and Rabbits at one game and dem-onstrating proper egg-rolling techniques, thisgroup enjoyed doing “the fun stuff.” Butthey take well-earned pride in their success-ful team projects. As Tana and Avril note,the experience is a great confidence builder.

The Park Authority thanks AmeriCorpsand all the team members for their stew-ardship work that will continue to enhancevisitors’ experiences with history and naturein the county. We couldn’t do it withoutyou!

Encouraging children as they participatedin springtime games like Foxes and Rabbitswas also part of the job.

Clearing out overgrowth on park forestfloors can reduce the chances of destructionfrom devastating fires.

4 RESOURCES

C U L T U R A L R E S O U R C E S

What They Read200 Years Ago in FairfaxBy Deane Dierksen, Sully Volunteer Docent

Many ordinary people in 1800couldn’t read at all or, if theycould, owned little besides

a Bible and perhaps an almanac asreading material. Members of thegentry class, such as Sully ownerRichard Bland Lee and his fam-ily, were more fortunate and,luckily for us, their choice inreading survived in letters,documents and even copies ofbooks they owned.

Richard Bland Lee served as astate delegate and as the firstCongressman from Northern Virginiaunder the Constitution. He was a friendof James Madison; his wife Elizabeth wasa lifelong friend of Dolley Madison. WhatRichard and Elizabeth and their cousin and frequentcorrespondent Cornelia Lee read ranged from newspapers to prac-tical and serious non-fiction to drama and poetry to novels.

The major political parties of the day had competing newspa-pers that, to say the least, were not overly concerned with truthand documentation! Opinions were strongly held and each sidebelieved the other side was leading the country straight to perdi-tion. Richard Bland Lee subscribed to Gazette of the United States,the Federalist newspaper.

Novels were widely condemned 200 years ago. Thomas Jeffersonconsidered fiction “a mess of trash” and Noah Webster thoughtthat “at best novels may be considered the toys of youth.” A 1797English article, “Novel Reading as a Cause of Female Depravity,”was reprinted several times in the United States. Many people,mostly men, worried that if women read fiction they would beruined for their more serious duties as republican mothers. Never-theless, an increasing number of readers, especially women, readnovels. Elizabeth and Cornelia Lee were no exception.

Most of the novels they mentioned were of the gothic andromantic genre very popular at the time. Then as now a gothicnovel included romance and a heroine in great danger, often in acastle or other exotic locale. Cornelia wrote about Mrs. AnnRadcliffe’s The Romance of the Forest, and also read The Mysteriesof Udolpho, which was the most popular of Radcliffe’s many works.

The Children of the Abbey, a tale, byReginia Maria Roche, was so popular

that 72 editions were publishedbetween 1796 and 1912.

Elizabeth acknowledged criti-cism of fiction in a letter toCornelia asking for another novelas “a desert at intervals to thesounder food of Anacharsis—and as I never have a stomachfor solids, in the absense of mydeal Old Man—I shall read

nothing of Consequence.” WhenRichard was at home, he read aloud

to the family and commented on theworks of Anacharsis, a Scythian philoso-

pher who was in vogue during this period.Books for children mentioned by the Lees

were definitely of an improving nature. A book foryounger children was Tales of the Castle or Stories of instructionand delight, by Stephanie Felicite, comtesse de Genlis. She was adisciple of Rousseau, noted one critic, and “set a stern face againstmake-believe of any sort; all marvels must be explained rationally.Her stories taught children more than they wanted to know, a cir-cumstance that endeared her to a certain type of parent. One ofher qualities [was] priggishness….”

Both drama, in the works of William Shakespeare, and poetrywere important to Elizabeth and Cornelia Lee. They particularlyliked James Montgomery and William Cowper. Cowper is still readbut not Montgomery whom one source found to be “…emphati-cally a good man; greatness, whether intellectual or poetical, cannotbe claimed for him.” Cowper “wrote of the joys and sorrows ofeveryday life and was content to describe hedgerows, ditches, rivers,haystacks, and hares.” Interestingly, both of these poets werestrongly opposed to slavery, yet the Lee ladies seemed undisturbedby their own families’ ownership of slaves.

The reading material of the Lee family places them in the liter-ary and social context of their time. The correspondence and jour-nal writing that provide the fascinating inside views of life as it waslived is an unending resource for historians and interested fellowreaders alike. The Virginia Room in the Fairfax County Library offersa fine collection of these bygone treasures.

Summer 2002 5

A G R I C U L T U R A L R E S O U R C E S

What Makes a Farm Show?By Todd Brown, Farm Manager, Frying Pan Park

Frying Pan Park will hold its annual Farm Show, thesite’s biggest event of the year, on July 13 from 10am to 4 pm. The Farm Show brings together

former and present farmers, 4-H members, park volun-teers and staff who come to show off their animals,equipment and crops and to share their storehouse offarm knowledge with the thousands of show visitors.

These visitors get a chance to witness and becomeinvolved in the many activities that took place on aworking farm in the early to mid-1900s and those on afarm today. So much happens every day that showingall of the different jobs, chores and activities that hap-pen throughout a year is a real challenge. For example,showing newborn animals to families takes carefulplanning, coordination with the farmer(s) and help fromthe “powers that be.”

The Farm Show objective is the same as the every-day goal of Frying Pan Park: we strive to educate andentertain our visitors. We achieve that by offering some-thing for everyone. Grandparents can travel downmemory lane when they see four or five farmers in bib-overalls harvesting wheat with a 60-year-old threshingmachine. A mother can tell her toddler the similaritiesof a newborn lamb with those she saw as a child.

Together, a whole family can spend a relaxing 20minutes together on a hayride through the woods andcrop fields around the park. Or they can eat hot dogswhile watching the antique tractor pull. Kids can play inthe corn box while dad is trying his swing on the farmputt-putt course. Family members can choose theactivities that catch their interests throughout our farmshow.

To make all of these activities happen requires a tre-mendous amount of planning and coordinating. Thataccounts in part for the Farm Show’s success over theyears. The planning process begins as soon as last year’sshow is over, with everyone involved reviewing the eventjust completed and discussing new ideas, changes andimprovements. The wheel of planning started rolling.Many voices helped in shaping the show for this year. Abirthing plan and a crop plan were even prepared.

Each year we ask, “What pieces of antique farmequipment need to be repaired and restored to use onshow day?” “What farmers have a particular breed ofcows, pigs, sheep or goats that we want to display?”

“What routine farm chores (such as sheep shearing) canbe scheduled for the day of the show?” These ques-tions must be addressed quickly. And of course, anygood farmer has to have a back-up plan.

Another huge question is where to find knowledge-able volunteers to help us out. Luckily we have a greatgroup of individuals who supply wonderful items andaccurate information for the show. A core of former andcurrent farmers from Fairfax and surrounding countiesis always willing to give their support. Members fromour Hoofers & Heifers 4-H Club assist with the yearlongplans and on the day of the show help with cow andgoat milking, corn shelling and animal grooming dem-onstrations. All of the event volunteers are well-trained,motivated people who look forward to participating inour annual event.

This year we are planning to focus on the draft horsesand the farming practices done with these gentle giants.We also plan to have a “barn raising” demonstration.Free hayrides will take visitors around the park. An an-tique tractor and lawn tractor pull will take place, alongwith several antique farm equipment demonstrationsdone by real farmers. Kids’ games and activities are al-ways a big part of our Farm Show.

This event is a summertime bargain, and the cost isonly $10 a car. So pack up the family and spend a sum-mer day down on the farm. You will have fun and maybelearn something along the way. For more informationcall Frying Pan Park at 703-437-9101.

FyringPan Park’s

huge annualFarm Showtakes placeon July 13.

6 RESOURCES

S U M M E R E V E N T S

I t’s that wonderful time of the year when freshproduce, starting with spring greens, spinach,strawberries and asparagus, bedeck the stalls and

stands at your local Fairfax County HomeGrownFarmers’ Market. Soon the abundance of summerfarms is spread out before you, with tomatoes sittingfatly beside gleaming eggplants, peppers of everyvariety on show, and the sumptuous fruits of summer—melons, blackberries, cherries, peaches and plums—everywhere you turn. Ah, the delights of summer!

There are nine sites where the county’sHomeGrown Farmers’ Markets are held weekly, morn-

ings from Tuesday through Saturday (see box for your local market’s schedule). They aresupervised by the Fairfax County Park Authority, but the daily operations are the responsibil-ity of the volunteer Market Masters. They want to bring you the very best in local produce, aswell as tasty baked goods, cut flowers, potted plants, cider and honey, jams and preserves.

It’s a hometown pleasure to get to know your vendors and their farms. They can tell youwhich pepper is strong enough—but not too strong—for a particular dish. How and whichone of a dozen varieties of heirloom tomatoes will subtly change a favorite recipe.

An added attraction is the free Master Gardener Plant Clinics, a feature at most of themarkets. Customers can get answers to their horticultural questions and bring in diseasedplant samples for a diagnosis or insect samples for pest identification. This is a terrific servicefor Fairfax County residents.

Visiting the Farmers’ Markets is a wonderful way to get out of the grocery store andreturn to a way of life so familiar to our parents and grandparents. Maybe you can recreateGrandma’s fresh blueberry pie using the real thing. For more information on location anddirections to each farmers’ market, check our site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farm-mkt.htm or call 703-642-5173. Here’s to good eating!

Get Your Fresh Produce Here!

Looking for a way to keep your kids interested in books andinvolved in reading over the summer break? The Fairfax CountyPublic Library’s summer reading incentive program is the answer,

and many Fairfax County Park Authority sites help with the fun.In cooperation with the Fairfax County Public Schools, the

Library’s program includes a coupon book filled with incentives toreward summer readers and their families. From June 18 to August31, kids who read the required number of books will win prizesdonated by area businesses and county sites. These include mer-chandise at local stores, meals at restaurants and tickets to GeorgeMason University sporting events. The library teams up with thePark Authority to include coupons for hayrides at Frying Pan Park,mini-golf games and other activities at parks and RECenters.

Last summer over 40,000 kids throughout the county

DOUBLING REWARDS FOR SUMMER READERSparticipated in the reading program and 20,000 of them earned acoupon book. Colvin Run Mill Historic Site has been a partner inthis popular program for four years, since its inception. We offer afree child’s tour of Colvin Run Mill and the miller’s house and typi-cally redeem more than 150 coupons from avid young readers.Last summer 164 coupons were turned in at the site—representinga whopping 2,460 books read by our young patrons!

The program has proved to be a truly a winning combination forlots of people across the county. Local libraries are busy checkingout books to kids; in thousands of homes kids are reading; and atthe parks we are welcoming interested children and their familieswho carry away enjoyable, hands-on experiences.

For more details, go to the Library’s web site in June atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.

Come to your local Home-Grown Farmers’ Market!TUESDAYSMt. VernonMay 7 – November 26, 8:30 am – 12:30 pmSherwood Regional Library2501 Sherwood Hall LaneFairfaxMay 7 – 29, 8:00 am – 12:00 pmVan Dyck Park on Old Lee Highway

WEDNESDAYSViennaMay 8 – October 30, 8:00 am – 12:30 pmNottoway Park, 9601 Courthouse Road(between Nutley and Sutton Roads)

Frying PanMay 8 – October 30, 8:00 am – 12:30 pmFrying Pan Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon

THURSDAYSHerndonMay 9 – October 31, 8:30 am – 12:30 pmSpring Street next to Town Hall and Red Caboose

AnnandaleMay 2 – November 7, 8:00 am – 12:30 pmMason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike

FRIDAYSMcLeanMay 10 – November 15, 8:30 am – 12:30 pmLewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road

SATURDAYSBurkeMay 4 – October 26, 8:00 am – 12:00 pmVRE Parking Lot at 5671 Roberts ParkwayRestonMay 18 – November 2, 8:00 am – 12:00 pmLake Anne Plaza off North Shore Drive

Summer 2002 7

Corral and shop for the perfect auto accessory. Arts, crafts andantiques are on display in the Flea Market, which boasts more than100 vendors. And for the perfect memento of the day, the CarClub will be selling the 2002 limited edition collectable car showpins for $5 each.

While you’re there, treat Dad to a delicious lunch or snack fromone of several food vendors on the grounds. Get your toes tappingto the music of Jumpin’ Jupiter, the popular 50’s rock ‘n’ roll band,and the Fairfax Symphony Dixieland Band.

The members of the Car Club spend thousands of hours eachyear preparing for the Antique Car Show and have forged a uniquepartnership with the Park Authority. Through this high-quality carshow, the group raises funds for the club and produces revenue forthe Park Authority. This cooperative effort earned the Car Club theprestigious Elly Doyle Park Service Award for 2001 in recognition ofits outstanding contributions to the Park Authority.

Tickets to the show are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 forchildren. Guided tours of the first floor of the 1794 house areincluded in the price of admission. Come and spend the day!

For more information call 703-437-1794.

S U M M E R E V E N T S

S ully Historic Site hasthe pleasure of hosting its 29th Antique

Car Show on Sunday, June16, from 10 am to 4 pm,and you are invited. Cel-ebrate Father’s Day at thisannual event co-sponsoredby the Fairfax County ParkAuthority and the ModelA Ford Club of America.It’s a wonderful opportu-

nity to see the evolution of transportation in Fairfax County.More than 400 antique and classic cars will fill the grounds for

this largest car show in northern Virginia. There’s the excitement ofcompetition as the trophies are awarded in all classes. The showattracts a diverse audience and brings recognition to cultural andnatural resources that might otherwise be unknown to a largesegment of the community.

Lucky buyers can purchase the car of their dreams at the Car

SULLY ANTIQUE CAR SHOW IN JUNE

Don’t let your kids just mill aroundaimlessly this summer! Bring themto Colvin Run Mill to mill around,

relax under the shade trees and experi-ence some local history. Our series of fourhour-long weekday afternoon programsare journeys to the past that encouragechildren to use their imaginations insteadof electricity to make some old-fashionedsummer fun.

On Mondays preschoolers enjoy beingLittle Ears at the Mill. They visit the barnfor stories, songs and activities from long,long ago. Then they learn about grindinggrain when they take a tour of the mill.The theme changes each week, and“Children and Chores,” “The Farm,”“Picnicking,” and “Toys” are some of thethemes for this summer.

On Wednesdays, kids 6 to 10 years oldgo on a History Hunt. They search the site,

Milling Around on Summer AfternoonsBy Ann Korzeniewski, Colvin Run Mill Historic Site

Children hand-crankand eat delicioushomemade ice cream,explore the Hands-On History Trunk, playold-fashioned games,and even try theirhands at traditionalchildren’s chores atthe mill.

The Milling Aroundseries runs from Mon-day, July 8, throughFriday, August 23. Allprograms begin at 1 pm and cost $3 perchild—accompanying adults are free. Inkeeping with a laid-back summer attitude,reservations are not required unless youplan to bring 10 kids or more. For direc-tions to the park or more information, callthe office at 703-759-2771.

following clues to local history, on a scav-enger hunt that takes them through thebuildings and around the grounds. After thehunt they gather together to make a take-home map displaying their discoveries.

The Puppet Show for preschoolers ispresented on Thursdays. Children take aguided tour of the mill where they meetpuppets Marvin the Miller, Alvin the teen-aged “Dusty,” Fred the Farmer and hiswife Matilda who explain how the millworks and how grain is ground. After-wards kids can feed the hungry ducks onthe millpond.

On two special Thursdays, visitors areinvited to stay after the puppet show,spread their blankets on the lawn andenjoy a free outdoor program of story-telling and other surprises from 2 to 3 pm.

Fridays wrap up the week with IceCream Making for kids of all ages.

8 RESOURCES

N A T U R E M A N A G E M E N T

Mosquito Menaces

Monitoringfor Dead

BirdsCulex pipiens, the

common housemosquito in our area, isone of the species that

has transmitted the WestNile virus to humans by

picking up the virus frominfected birds that are

carriers. Crows and bluejays are particularly

vulnerable to the WestNile virus, and often die

after becoming infected.When a mosquito bitesan infected bird, it may

carry the disease as itpreys on humans. TheFairfax County Health

Department continues tomonitor dead crows, jays

and hawks that appearto have died in the past

24 hours of naturalcauses. If you find one,

please call the HealthDepartment’s hotline at

703-246-2300.

mosquitoes lay their eggs and where their larvaegrow and live. Empty water from toys, wheelbar-rows, wagons, unused hot tubs, rain barrels, flatroofs, plastic drain pipes and in-ground pipes.Clean and change water in bird baths every five toseven days.

Cover canoes and other boats with a tight-fitting tarp or turn them upside down. Changewater in wading pools regularly or turn themupside down. Clean out leaves and debris thatmay be blocking water in roof gutters. Store oldtires where they can’t collect rainwater. Removesagging areas in tarps on woodpiles or gardenequipment. Store, remove or turn upside downtrash cans and lids, buckets, bottles, flowerpotsand pet water bowls.

To avoid being bitten by the adult mosquitoes,make sure all window and door screens are freeof cracks and holes that mosquitoes could use asan entry. Use yellow “bug lights” for outdoor light-ing. Wear long sleeves and long pants outside orworking in the garden. Use insect repellant onclothing or on skin that is not covered. Productsthat contain DEET are effective, but be certain tofollow the labeled instructions closely.

For more information on protecting yourselffrom mosquitoes and on the issue of West Nilevirus, check the Fairfax County Health Department’sweb site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/hd.

Mosquitoes are more than buzzing, peskysummer insects that can eat up a pleasantevening outdoors or make gardening

into a challenge of wills. They can affect the healthof humans because of their ability to transmitdiseases as they feed on animal and human blood.Recently health officials have become concernedthat some mosquito species may carry a diseaseknown as West Nile virus, which can cause flu-like symptoms and, in rare instances, death.

The fact is that the risk of becoming ill fromWest Nile virus is still extremely low. Before 1999the virus had never been identified in the West-ern Hemisphere. In 2000 there were 20 cases ofWest Nile virus and two deaths; in 2001 therewere 56 cases and five deaths. Diseases likeinfluenza, which cause 20,000 deaths per year,make West Nile numbers look miniscule. How-ever, this year the first positive-testing bird wasfound in April, as opposed to July in 2001 andSeptember in 2000, making mosquito controlincreasingly important.

Mosquitoes need only a few tablespoons ofstanding water to breed. Running streams andcreeks or ponds with predators such as fish,tadpoles, or dragonflies are not good mosquitohabitat; on the contrary, in such functioningaquatic habitats, the mosquito plays an importantrole as a food source.

The Fairfax County Health Department hasdeveloped a program of putting biological controlagents in the many catch basins throughout thecounty to control mosquitoes in their larval state.It has also enlisted all citizens in an effort to protectthemselves against mosquitoes and thereby thepossibility of getting West Nile virus.

Most mosquitoes are actually poor fliers. So ifyou are being bitten, they are probably breedingaround your home. And that’s an environment youcan control. To eliminate mosquito breeding,eliminate areas with standing water where

If You Go Down in If You Go Down in

Summer 2002 9

N A T U R E M A N A G E M E N T

Avoiding Ticks

The threat posed by ticks and the diseases they may carrymight be enough to persuade some folks that the forest trailsand meadows of parks are places to be avoided. But with a few

simple precautions, the risk can be eliminated, or at least greatly reduced.

For starters, keep the risk in perspective. Fairfax County averages about12 cases of Lyme Disease and about 3 cases of Rocky Mountain SpottedFever a year. Wiht a little care, you can still enjoy the many enchantingplaces of summer in the woods.

The best way to avoid ticks is to:Walk to the center of mowed trails. Ticks do not jump or

fly onto their hosts. They wait on low vegetation and attachthemselves when you brush against tall grass or underbrush.

Wear light-colored clothing so that ticks are easy to seeand remove before they can bite you.

Tuck shirts into trousers and trouser legs into socks. Wearlong-sleeved shirts buttoned or snug at the wrist.

Apply an insect repellent that’s specifically formulatedto protect against ticks. Products containing 30 per-cent DEET or 0.5 percent permethrin are almost 100percent effective in repelling ticks. (Permethrin prod-ucts work on clothing, not skin.) DEET should not beused on very young children, and on older childrenand adults, it is safer to apply it to clothing rather thandirectly to skin.

Do a tick check every four to six hours when there’s arisk of contact.

Ticks must be attached at least four hours—24 hours inthe case of Lyme Disease—for the disease-causing organ-isms to be transferred. So removing ticks as fast as they’refound will significantly reduce the risk of contagion.

The best way is to grasp the tick with tweezers as closeto the skin as possible and gently, but firmly, pull it straightout. If tweezers aren’t handy, protect your fingers with gloves,tissue or a paper towel.

After you’ve removed the tick, wash your hands with soapand water and apply an antiseptic, such as alcohol or iodine,to the bite.

If you are infected, remember that both diseases respondreadily to treatment, particularly in the early stages. For LymeDisease, be on the alert for flu-like symptoms or a slowlyexpanding red rash around the bite. For Rocky Mountain Spot-ted Fever, watch for a sudden fever, a severe headache andmuscle aches, followed in two or three days by a red spottedrash which begins on the arms and legs (including the palmsand soles) and spreads to the rest of the body. Be sure andlet your doctor know you have been bitten by a tick.

the Woods Today…the Woods Today…

So if you DO go down in the woods…

10 RESOURCES

Duke Street in Alexandria. Ever canny andforward thinking, turnpike commissionersand big landowners like Richard Bland Leeof Sully and Thomas Moss of Green Springmade sure that the new road was locatedadjacent to their lands for ease of trade.

This turnpike was quite successful. It hadhouses every five miles where a gateprevented further travel until the tollhousekeeper collected the fee. Tolls were “foreach head of sheep, five cents, each headof hogs, five cents, every horse or mule anddriver, three cents, and every stage orwagon and two horses, ten cents.” For theyear of 1816, the tolls amounted to almost$25,000, quite a sum for its shareholders.

Off to your right as you wait for thenext stoplight is Columbia Pike (“Columbia

H I S T O R I C R E S O U R C E S� Roads continued from page 1

There’s no place like home!”served as Dorothy’s mantra inthe Wizard of Oz. I heartily

agree. For me, home is not only acomfortable place where I’m sur-rounded by family and friends. It isalso an appealing place to observewildlife. As the drama of each seasonunfolds, I watch from my exclusiveseat—a chair by the large sliding glassdoor in the kitchen.

Our backyard is the stage; animalsof varying color, shape and size areactors; and my husband Gary and Ithe appreciative audience. We are alsothe stagehands. During the 15 yearswe’ve lived in our house, we’ve addedbackdrops to the stage—native wild-flowers, berry-bearing shrubs andflowering vines. Feeders, nest boxesand a birdbath complete the picture.

To track the drama in our yard, wekeep a journal of what we see. Hereis just a small sampling of the sceneswe’ve witnessed.

A WINDOW ON WILDLIFEBy Mona Enquist-Johnston, Manager, Volunteer and Interpretative Services

HUMMINGBIRD ACTION — July 18An immature ruby-throated hummingbird, with its speckled throat and hesitant, unsure

flight pattern, came to the yard. This tiny, feathered gem visited the butterfly bush’spurple, tubular flowers and the bright red hibiscus flowers. Obviously still hungry, thehummingbird flew up to the gutters where it ate an insect.

Onto the scene came an adult hummingbird. It feasted first at the feeder and thenhad a taste of wildness at the bee balm, butterfly weed and salvia. At this point I enteredfrom backstage and began working in the yard. The immature bird returned with hastyvisits to the marigolds and zinnias. As the hummingbird neared, I froze in place. Attractedby my bright orange shoelaces, it landed right on my shoe. Wow!

BALD-FACED AND BOLD —August 21My husband and I watched in amazement as a bald-faced hornet attacked a black

swallowtail butterfly. The hornet pulled it to the ground, eating the head, thorax and partof the abdomen. We couldn’t tell, but it didn’t appear to sting the butterfly.

Drawn outdoors in fascination, Gary and I looked closely in the yard for other insectactivity. We found a praying mantis well camouflaged in the lemon balm. Peeking into theherbs, we discovered black swallowtail larvae chomping on the dill. It was a day wheneveryhting was eating!

They say that the world is a stage. I can vouch that the Johnston backyard certainlyserves as a stage for intriguing wildlife observations. But the time, money and effort ittook to plant and nurture growth that is attractive to wildlife has enriched our yard andour lives. Noting our wildlife observation in a journal has been fun. We watch the dramaof the seasons and recall those scenes throughout the year. So remember—there’s noplace like home to enjoy nature.

Turnpike Road”) that continued from LittleRiver Turnpike through Bailey’s Crossroads toAlexandria’s rival, Georgetown. It crossed theriver via Chain Bridge, originally built of woodbut wiped out several times. The first chainsuspension bridge was built there by the turnof the nineteenth century.

Maybe you should try to take that left onRavensworth Road, an old rolling road usedfor rolling tobacco barrels down to the portat Alexandria, to Braddock Road. BraddockRoad was built in 1752 for the use of troopsduring the French and Indian War. While theroad was named for the British generalEdward Braddock who led the troops, heactually never used it and took a differentroute to Ohio (still part of the Virginia claim),where he and most of his men wereambushed by the French and killed.

So maybe that’s not too cheering. Howabout going north on Gallows Road? Thisroad between the present towns of Viennaand Fairfax opened as early as 1742 whenFairfax Court House was established on Free-dom Hill, to serve as an access to that earliestlocal seat of justice from the Ox Road. This issignified in its grisly traditional name, “theGallows Road,” where condemned criminalswere taken to meet their fate near the placewhere the old courthouse had stood.

Out of the gridlock now, getting home ismaybe ten minutes away. It’s a far cry fromwhat the Indian hunter, the loaded ox cartsor the wagons on the turnpike had ahead ofthem. Yet as we follow the same paths, wetoo pursue our livelihoods on roads whoselocations were long ago decided by ridges inmountain gaps and fords in streams.

“

Summer 2002 11

H I S T O R I C R E S O U R C E S

� Carousels continued from page 1

devices that became popular in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Thesedevices consisted of a rotating platform turned by a servant or by horses.

In the 1860s Frederick Savage adapted the steam engine to themachinery that rotated the platform and developed a system of over-head gears that gave the animals their characteristic up-and-downmotion. Thus the modern merry-go-round was born.

Immigrant woodcarvers populated carousels with colorful andfantastic horses, animals and other figures. These beautiful creaturesthrilled generations of children. But by the Great Depression, handcarving had become too expensive. Manufacturers began to makemolded figures out of cast aluminum and decades later, of fiberglass.

Carousels played other interesting roles as well. At the turn of thecentury, owners of new electric trolleys and railroads encouraged Ameri-cans to ride their lines by ending them near parks and amusement centers,which often featured a carousel. Great Falls Park, located at the end ofthe line for the Great Falls & Old Dominion Railroad, was one suchexample. Tourists took the electric trolley from Georgetown out to thepark where one of the featured attractions was a wooden carousel.

Interest in early carousels was revivedin the 1970s. Today, in addition to carou-sels operated by commercial amusementparks, many older carousels have been lov-ingly preserved, restored and cared for inAmerican museums and municipal parks.

The Fairfax County Park Authority isextremely fortunate to own five carousels,four of which are in operation. The oldestone, a 1922 Herschell-Spillman carouselwith 16 all-wood horses and two chari-ots, has been carefully stored and awaitsfunding for its restoration.

The carousel in operation at LakeAccotink Park was made between 1937and 1945 by the Allan-Herschell Company.Originally it held three rows of ten horseseach. The half carved-wood, half cast-aluminum horses were made earlier,between 1926 and 1931 and some havebeen replaced with other elements.

Lee District Park also has an Allan-Herschell Company structure, made between1945 and 1955. Its 20 cast-aluminum horsesare arranged in two rows. Although the samecompany made the carousel structure andoperating mechanism at Lake Fairfax Park,its 20 horses made by Thiel Manufacturing Company of Leavenworth,Kansas. All of them are cast aluminum and are arranged in two rows.

The King Carousel Company of Mount Plymouth, Michigan, madethe carousel at Burke Lake Park between 1965 and 1970. Its tworows of 20 horses made entirely of molded fiberglass represent amore recent innovation in carousel-horse manufacture.

The Park Authority carousels operate daily all through the summer(see hours in box). Bring your family, come for a spin this summer andtake a ride! Let the magic horses weave together a delightful summerday with the centuries-old heritage of the carousel.

CAROUSELSSCHEDULESThe carousels in theparks are already openand will be throughoutthe summer. The hoursfor carousel rides are:

Lake Accotink ParkHistoric carousel:weekdays from noon to 6or 7 pm, weekends from11 am to 7 pm. AfterLabor Day, weekendsfrom noon to 5 pm.

Lake Fairfax: dailyfrom 11 am to 7 pm.Fall weekends from noonto 4 pm.

Burke Lake: daily from11 am to 6 pm. Open fallweekends.

Lee District Park:Saturdays from 10 am to 5pm. Sundays and holidaysfrom noon to 6 pm.

It’s that time of year again when warmerweather brings out new flowers and wildlife. All animals look cute and cuddly but

please remember that they can be danger-ous. In 2001, 46 animals tested positive forthe rabies virus in Fairfax County. Theseincluded raccoons, foxes, skunks, bats andeven a cat. So far in 2002, 16 animals havetested positive, including a dog.

What to do? The most important actionis prevention. The best way to prevent rabiesexposure is to keep your pets vaccinated andkeep your distance from wild animals.

It is very important that you maintaincurrent vaccinations against rabies for yourpets (dogs, cats, and ferrets). The Health

RABIESAWARENESS

By Linda Smith, Fairfax County HealthDepartment, Rabies Control Program

Department often receives reports of pets beingin a fight with a rabid raccoon, skunk, or otherwildlife. If unvaccinated, those pets are at riskof infection.

You should never feed wildlife, including straycats, or make pets of them. Keep trash in canswith locking lids. Do not leave food and waterdishes outside: available food increases the like-lihood that an animal will become less fearfulof humans and dependent upon them for food.That increases your risk of being bitten.

Rabies in humans can be transmittedthrough a bite, scratch or saliva on an openexisting wound or mucus membrane (i.e.,eyes, mouth). If you are bitten, wash the areain warm soapy water for 10 minutes andcontact your physician or local emergencyroom for treatment. All animal bites shouldbe reported to Animal Control or the HealthDepartment for recommendations.

If bitten by a dog, cat or ferret, obtain theowner’s information so the animal can be quar-antined. Wild animals can appear healthy butmay indeed be carrying the rabies virus.

Remember, no matter how cute a wildanimal is, there is always a chance of beingbitten. So admire wildlife from a distance!

S U B S C R I B E !

Burke Lake Park7315 Ox Road, Fairfax StationCall 703-323-6600

Colvin Run Mill10017 Colvin Run RoadGreat FallsCall 703-759-2771

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park5040 Walney Road, ChantillyCall 703-631-0013

Frying Pan Park2709 West Ox Road, HerndonCall 703-437-9101

Green Spring Gardens Park4603 Green Spring Rd., AlexandriaCall 703-642-5173

Hidden Oaks Nature Center7701 Royce Street, AnnandaleCall 703-941-1065

Y O U R P A R K S

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MAIL TO: Fairfax County Park AuthorityJane Scully, Editor • Suite 936, Resource Management Division12055 Government Center Parkway • Fairfax, VA 22035-1118OR: subscribe through our web site atwww.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/resources.htm

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Apt. #

Here are some of the parkswhere summer is spectacular!

Hidden Pond Nature Center8511 Greeley Blvd., SpringfieldCall 703-451-9588

Huntley Meadows Park3701 Lockheed Blvd., AlexandriaCall 703-768-2525

Lake Accotink Park7500 Accotink Park Rd., SpringfieldCall 703-569-3464

Lake Fairfax Park1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, RestonCall 703-471-5414

Riverbend Park8700 Potomac Hills StreetGreat FallsCall 703-759-9018

Sully Historic SiteSully Road, ChantillyCall 703-437-1794

Need directions? More information?Visit us online at: www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks

❑ Nature centers❑ Local history❑ Kids’ projects❑ Hiking

❑ Birds❑ Archaeology❑ Events❑ Historic sites

❑ Gardening and❑ horticulture❑ What else?

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12055 Government Center ParkwayFairfax, Virginia 22035-1118

Please share the subscriptioninformation for ResOURceswith a friend, or include it inyour Homeowners’ Associationpublication to give your membersthe opportunity to subscribe.

As ResOURces celebrates itssecond full year of publication,we invite your comments on whatwe have offered to date andwhether the publication is usefulto you. Let us know if you enjoythe publication and what sugges-tions you may have for the future.Please fill out our feedback format www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/Resources/feedback.htm.

As always, we are delightedto be discovering and telling youabout the many special events,people and places of your parks.

Summer HighlightsSummer Highlights

Dinosaurs of the Culpeper BasinOn Wednesday evening, July 10, from 7:30 to 8:30 pm come and explore the rich localfossil evidence of dinosaurs in Northern Virginia’s Culpeper Basin. Visit sites in Cen-treville and Chantilly where archosaurs roamed the land 200 million years ago. Learnabout dinosaur movement, feeding habits, young and the plants of their world! Formore information and free reservations, call Ellanor C. Lawrence Park at 703-631-0013.

Touring the Presidents’ GardensOn Tuesday, July 9, join an all-day journey back into the times and worlds of presidentsJefferson and Madison. Tour the gardens and homes of these two great statesmenand landowners who greatly enjoyed the science of botany and plant breedingthemselves. At Jefferson’s Monticello, shop the historic plant area and have lunch atMichie Tavern. Then head over to James Madison’s lovely home and gardens atMontpelier. The tour runs from 7 am to 6 pm, and the $100 fee includes lunch, bus,admission and driver’s tip. For more information and for reservations, call GreenSpring Gardens Park at 703-642-5173.