Neighborhood news: Ship named for late Gainesville Ruritan

Gainesville Ruritans made history when the Gravely DDG 107, U.S. Navy Aegis Guided Missile Destroyer, was christened at the Northrop Grumman ship building yard in Pascagoula, Miss.

The ship was named in honor of the late Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely, who had been a Gainesville Ruritan club member for more than 20 years.

Alma Gravely, the admiral's widow, sponsored the ship and invited the Gainesville Ruritans to the christening.

Among those attending were B.J. Penn, acting secretary of the Navy; Mike Peters, president of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding; and keynote speaker Ret. Adm. J. Paul Reason.

Other attendees included Tracy Walker, club president; Cindy Hughes, club secretary; Tony Guiffre, club treasurer; Gainesville District's County Supervisor John Stirrup; and Ruritan Bart Colandene.

The principal of Gravely Elementary School, Michele Salzano, and her husband, C.J., also attended.

Theresa Kapp, Linda Ropchock and Mary Ellen Colandene accompanied the Ruritans.

The ceremony opened with musical honors, presentation of the colors and the national anthem. After Adm. Reason's keynote address, with one swing, Alma Gravely christened the ship with the traditional bottle of champagne.

Stirrup presented a Prince William County proclamation recognizing Vice Adm. Gravely's accomplishments.

Club president Walker and principal Salzano accepted American flags on behalf of the club and the school. The Gravely's prospective captain, Commander Douglas Kunzman, presented the flags.

Bart Colandene said, "This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Treasurer Guiffre remarked that he first met Gravely in a shopping center parking lot where they talked for about an hour.  Later, he "learned Sam was a retired vice admiral from the U.S Navy."

"Sam was a man to be admired not only for his character and humility, but for his works in our Ruritan Club, in the community and in his career."

Gravely, a firm believer in education, had said he lived by a philosophy that shaped his entire life: "Success in life is the result of several factors. My formula is simply education, plus motivation, plus perseverance."

Help a pug in need at Pug Picnic in Haymarket on June 7

Where can you go to watch pug water aerobics and a pug costume contest to save pugs in need?  To the Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue fundraising picnic!

The picnic will be held at Fat Dog Farm, 4361 High Ridge Road, Haymarket, on June 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. One hundred percent of the donations will go to MAPR.

The cost for adults is $17; $10 for children younger than 12. Children younger than 5 will be admitted for free. The rain date is June 14.

MAPR is a non-profit organization dedicated to pug rescue.

"Due to dog owners losing their homes, we are experiencing more dog surrenders than ever before," said Doris Donella, one of the organization's volunteers.  "Donations are down 95 percent from last year."

For more information, see http://www.midatlanticpugrescue.org.

Volunteer tour guides needed at historic mill

Historic gem Chapman's/Beverley Mill needs volunteer tour guides Saturdays and Sundays, beginning in mid-June.

Attend a one-hour training Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Chapman's/Beverley Mill, where director Ellen Percy Miller will also conduct a tour in conjunction with the festivities of the 250th anniversary of Fauquier County.

Constructed in 1742, Chapman's/Beverley Mill is one of the most important historic properties in the county.

The mill is located on the Fauquier-Prince William border along Broad Run, north of Interstate 66 and Va. 55.

For information, contact Betsy Tannich, volunteer coordinator for the Turn the Mill Around Campaign, at 540-253-5888.

Katherine Gotthardt reports your neighborhood news from the Gainesville and Haymarket area every Wednesday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Katherine at .