Make summer healthy with organic foods

GAINESVILLE, Va. -- Produced without chemicals and preservatives, organic food has been proven to support health and wellness.

The Gainesville Community Supported Agriculture program can help you stay healthy this year.

Local residents may sign up for 22 weeks of seasonal vegetables, herbs and flowers. Participants pick up produce at Stoney Lonesome Farm, 7502 Cerro Gordo Road, Gainesville, between 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays or Sundays, starting Sunday morning.

Produce is harvested on pick-up day.

Participants may help with the harvest to learn more about organic gardening and farming, and to receive a discount on their share.

"It's a really neat way for PWC residents to get involved with farming and great for the children to visit where their food comes from," while petting the goats and other animals, said Pablo Elliott, who coordinates the program.

Families may also have picnics at the farm.

For more information, e-mail farm@slfarm.us, visit, www.slfarm.us or call 703-754-9145.

Fling into spring at Family Fun Day

The MarketPlace at Madison Crescent will hold its second annual Spring Fling Family Fun Day from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday with performances on the lawn at Crescent Park.

Enjoy renowned kid's rock band, Rocknoceros, at 2 and 4 p.m. when the popular three-piece act will feature songs from their latest recording, PINK!

The event, which includes fun for the entire family, will highlight Gainesville's face painter, Miss Lyn, who brings with her a talented balloon sculptor to twist up the day.

Madison Crescent merchants will be out to meet and greet attendees.

Learn more about the services and shopping options at the center while entering to win a Madison Crescent gift basket.

New this spring is Eggspectation, Gainesville's latest restaurant which boasts "an all-day dining experience," serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Another new addition, Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery and Fruit Company, now occupies the former Maggie Moo's space and offers visitors an array of delicious and healthy treats.

The MarketPlace at Madison Crescent continues to further its reputation as a great dining destination for local residents.

The event will run rain or shine.

The MarketPlace at Madison Crescent is located at the intersection of U.S. 15 and U.S. 29 in Gainesville. For directions, visit madisoncrescent.com.

Let children travel through time at Rainbow Station this summer

This summer, history will come alive for children ages 5 to 14 when "Time Travel" is offered at Rainbow Station at Haymarket.

Each week, the school will provide a different mini-course recreating a well-known time in history such as the Medieval era, the New World and the Wild West. Participants may sign up for as many weeks as desired. Doors will open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., June 21 to Sept. 1 at Rainbow Station, 6810 Piedmont Center Plaza. Weekly tuition for five days is $240; four days, $198; three days, $165; two days, $135; and one day, $82. There is an additional activity fee of $50.

For information, e-mail Linsey Wyne at lwyne@rainbowstationhaymarket.org, or call 571-261-2015.

Katherine Gotthardt reports your neighborhood news from the Gainesville and Haymarket areas 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 kgotthardt@comcast.net.