Neighborhood news: Something for everyone at BARN sale

Transitional Housing BARN Inc., which provides housing and educational services for homeless women and children, will hold its monthly fundraising yard sale Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Choose from new and gently used clothes for men, women and children; housewares; toys; collectibles and more.

Clothes cost $10 per bag. Housewares, collectibles and toys are priced individually.

Transitional Housing BARN is at 9541 Linton Hall Road.

Contact Becky Goodman at bgoodman@barninc.org for more information, or visit barninc.org.

Nokesville Day is almost here

Come join the fun when the Nokesville Ruritan Club sponsors the 37th Annual Nokesville Day on May 15 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Fitzwater Drive.

Enjoy a parade, food, crafts, music and youth activities, and learn more about community service organiza-tions.

The event is free and open to all.

Nokesville Day helps Ruritans raise funds to serve students in the community and the needy.

Vendor space is $70. Contact Gail Williams at 703-594-2669 or at gailwilliams1@verizon.net for informa-tion and application.

For ad sales or other information, contact Sharon Thomas at 703-801-8703 or at ssy-nan2001@yahoo.com.

Parade participation is free. Contact John Kelly at 703-791-5634 or at jmkelly145@comcast.net.

Register to follow the Gray Ghost

Follow a ghost on May 15 when the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre sponsors "In the Foot-steps of the Gray Ghost: Col. John S. Mosby Van Tour."

Join Mosby expert and guide David Goetz for an in-depth tour of the places and events related to Confed-erate Col. John S. Mosby, known for his lightening raids and secretive missions during the Civil War.

Tourists will visit several locations in "Mosby's Confederacy," an area in western Prince William, Loudoun and Fauquier counties where Mosby based his operations.

The tour will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost is $80 per person, which includes lunch and admission to rarely visited sites

Reservations are required.

For more information and reservations, call 703-365-7895.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre is located at 12229 Bristow Road.

Register for Master Naturalist Program

Merrimac Farm's Master Naturalist Program begins May 27, and reservations are being taken through May 14.

Master Naturalists are people who want to make a difference by helping maintain the quality of natural areas and local ecosystems.

Participants become certified Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service. They receive 50 hours of training, including classes and field trips.

Charlie Grymes, Prince William Conservation Alliance chairman and Merrimac Farm Master Naturalist, said, "The more you know about your local places, the more interesting they are. This is a great opportunity to discover nature close to home."

No previous experience is needed.

"The most important qualification for potential Master Naturalists is a desire to contribute to your local environment through volunteer service," said Master Naturalist Marian Hamamo.

The program will be held at the Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, 15020 Deepwood Lane.

For more information, including how to apply, visit pwconserve.org/masternaturalist, or contact Kim Hosen at naturalist@pwconserve.org or at 703-499-4954.

Help Victory win grant

Through its "Pepsi Refresh Project," Pepsi is offering a $5,000 grant to the organization with a project voted "most popular," and Victory Elementary School hopes to win that grant.

The grant money would enable the PTO to purchase Promethean Boards, interactive white-boards that allow children to learn hands-on.

To help, visit refresheverything.com/vespto through May 31.

Click on the "Vote for this Idea" button, and follow the instructions.

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.