Neighborhood news: Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week

What’s the most natural place to marvel at autumn’s show? A National Wildlife Refuge is hard to beat — and you can see for yourself during National Wildlife Refuge Week, which celebrates the richness of the 550 units that make up the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The week will be celebrated locally Oct. 17 at the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Woodbridge. Join a ranger and ham radio operators to learn about the miracle of bird migration and the world of ham radio. The program is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be canceled in the event of rain.

Ranger Marty McClevey will help visitors learn to identify raptors as they fly over the refuge in the southerly migration. Just take a comfortable chair, a pair of binoculars, sun screen and sun glasses and join in the fun. Meet in the central parking lot. You will need to pay the $2 per car entrance fee. Pets are prohibited.

Did you know that there is a connection between radios and wildlife refuges? Meet at the central parking lot to learn about station K4NWR as ham operators attempt to link up our local refuge with wildlife refuges across the country. Learn about how ham radios work and how important they are to emergency communications and even biology.

The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge is at 14050 Dawson Beach Road in Woodbridge. For more information, call 703-490-4979.

Harvest festival

Rippon Lodge will hold its 7th Annual Harvest Festival on Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy crafts, performances, living history demonstrations, activities, games, food and music. Learn about local history through displays and living history.

Rippon Lodge was built in 1747 and is a fascinating historical monument. It is the oldest documented home in Prince William County. The modest frame farmhouse and grounds tell the stories of the people who have lived there over the centuries. Tours will be offered throughout the day.

Admission is $5 per person; children younger than 2 get in for free. No reservations required. For more information, call 703-499-9812. Rippon Lodge is located at 15520 Blackburn Road.

Bunny Mahar reports your neighborhood news from the Woodbridge area every Saturday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Bunny at .