Neighborhood News: Tour welcomes early 'birders'

Get up with and visit the birds tomorrow! Merrimac Farm's bird tour will start at 7:30 a.m. Birders will meet at the Stone House Visitor Center, 15020 Deepwood Lane.

"We're just starting to get serious about developing a bird list for Merrimac Farm," said Kim Hosen, executive director of Prince William Conservation Alliance. "To date, we've recorded 124 different species.

"Some notable birds we've recently seen at Merrimac Farm are Wood Thrush, Eastern Meadowlark, Green Heron, Red-eyed Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Virginia Bluebirds and wild turkey."

This bird list is online at

pwconserve.org/merrimacfarm/wildlife.

Nokesville fire and rescue seeks volunteers

Want to help save lives? The Nokesville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department is seeking volunteers who wish to serve their community.

On July 30 at 7 p.m., the department will hold an informational meeting at Station 25, 9405 Devlins Grove Place, at the intersection of Sudley Manor Drive and Linton Hall Road.

Volunteers will be provided firefighter and/or EMT training and equipment. Call 703-594-2134 or visit nvfdrs.org for more information.

Dance Academy offers summer camp

Join the Prince William Dance Academy over the next couple of weeks for dance and dance-related crafts and activities at its Dance Camp and its Mermaid Adventure Camp.

Dance camp for beginners ages 6 to 9 will be held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students will experience a full week of dance styles and basics in jazz, ballet, tap, hip-hop, and Irish dance, as well as learn dance history and terminology. Crafts and movies will add to the fun. Cost is $185.

Mermaid Adventure Camp for children 5 to 7 years old will run July 27 through July 31 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Campers will have a daily dance class, story time and crafts, and they will go home with their own magical Mermaid Manual.

No dance experience is required, and snacks will be provided. Cost is $160.

The academy is at 12926 Fitzwater Drive. For more information, call 703-594-3223 or visit princewilliamdance.com.

Join a cross-county Civil War tour

The folks at the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre say to join them on a Civil War Tour on Aug. 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn about events and battles that occurred here in Prince William County and that ravaged homes and businesses.

Sites and activities include a walking tour of Occoquan and visits to Brentsville, Liberia and Chapman's Mill.

Cost is $80 per person, which includes admission to sites and a boxed lunch.

Space is limited, and reservations are required. Call 703-365-7895 for reservations and more information.

Katherine Gotthardt reports your neighborhood news from the Nokesville, Bristow and Brentsville areas every Friday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Katherine at kgotthardt@comcast.net.