Merianne Jensen, the newly appointed Vice Chair of the Prince William County Republican Committee, discussed her journey into politics and outlined her plans to invigorate the local Republican Party and secure victories in upcoming elections.

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Once on the edge of selling to a private owner, a beloved community pool has a new board of directors working to rejuvenate the facility and keep the neighborhood pool tradition alive. 

Ferry Farm Community Pool, in Stafford County near Fredericksburg, is hosting a fundraiser at Stafford’s Highmark Brewery on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The family-friendly event includes live music, a bounce house, face painting for children, and a cornhole tournament with a cash prize. The pool is a non-profit community pool located near Ferry Farm. Memberships are available to the public.

Several guest bartenders will be taking shifts during the event. Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue Scott Mayausky, Treasurer Mike Sienkowski, and George Washington District Supervisor Deputy Deuntay Diggs will join Jeremy Grey, host of the morning show on WBQB-FM, and others in pouring beers.  Several businesses have donated to themed raffle baskets, which will accompany a silent auction and 50/50 raffle.

Justin Barcas, vice president of the swimming pool board of directors explained, “The pool is a piece of Americana. It represents community.” In an email, Barcas states he grew up spending summers at the pool and wants future generations, including his children, to have access to the same experiences.

In 1956, the Ferry Farms Civic Association committee surveyed teenagers to determine the area’s recreation needs, and a pool was the number one request. Committee co-chair Ralph Nieman invested personal funds to build the pool. In 1957, the pool cost $20,900 to build.

Barcas wrote, “The pool soon became home to the Ferry Farm Flying Fish…one of the first teams in the Rappahannock Swim League.  Of historical note, Jeff Rouse, Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder in the 100m backstroke [and for whom the Jeff Rouse Swim & Sport Center in Embrey Mill is named], began his swimming career at age five. “

The swimming pool’s new board of directors took charge in Fall 2023. The previous board faced repair estimates of $60,000 and proposed selling Ferry Farm pool to Little Fish, a swim lessons company. Brittany Reddan, event coordinator, said several pool members stepped up to create a new board to explore alternative ideas and solutions to fundraise and finance the needed repairs, including Reddan herself.

The Highmark fundraiser will be the second pool fundraising event hosted by the new board. Patrick Gerrard, board president, wrote “The community support for both the yard sale and Highmark Brewery fundraiser have seen phenomenal community support. The yard sale had about 10 families either show up to sell or donate their goods to the pool. The Highmark Brewery fundraiser has seen more community engagement than we could have asked for.” In his email, he said they have also been exploring other avenues, including working with Stafford County’s Economic Development Authority and exploring grants.

Reddan said she was “blown away by the outpouring of support for our small community pool.” In her email, she said so many people in the area have shared their experiences spending summers at the pool, doing swim team, and lifeguarding. Many now bring their own children. Reddan said the pool “has clearly made a positive impact for so many people in south Stafford.”

Co-secretary Bridget Baxter emphasized the fundraiser’s goal is to raise funding to replaster the pool and avoid passing the financial burden to members. In her email, Baxter added the board’s mission is to keep the pool community-owned and focused on being a safe place for families. Donations are also being accepted online.

The fundraiser is from 1 to  6 p.m. at 390 Kings Highway.

Kelly Sienkowski is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.

In “They’re Playing Our Song” now at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, Carson Eubank and Ashlee Waldbauer command the stage with a dynamic energy that transports the audience into the heart of the comedic journey. Eubank’s portrayal of Vernon Gersch, a wisecracking composer in search of a new lyricist, is solid, and his piano playing is so authentic that you’d swear he’s actually at the keys (which he proved he could really do at the Stafford County Business reception held at The Riverside on Wednesday, April 24, 2024).

Meanwhile, Waldbauer’s portrayal of Sonia Walsk, who experienced early songwriting success and is and is in awe of Gersch’s accomplishments, exudes energy, pulling the audience right into the passenger seat of his car on the dramatic drive out to Long Island and on to her moving rendition of “I Still Believe in Love,” (with which Waldbauer also wooed the crowd during an impromptu performance at the business reception).

Vernon and Sonia, have their own storied history, drawing inspiration from the real-life relationship between Marvin Hamlisch, an American composer, and conductor, and one of the few to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award, and Carole Bayer Sager, who wrote the chart-topping hit, “A Groovy Kind of Love,’ while still at New York City’s High School of Music and Art. Eubank shared insights into the play’s semi-biographical nature, revealing how Neil Simon dramatized the anecdotes shared by Hamlisch about his collaboration with Sager.

Eubank and Waldbauer discussed the unique challenges and rewards of carrying a two-person show. Waldbauer emphasized the intense focus required to keep the performance on track, highlighting the trust and camaraderie she shares with Eubank. Eubank humorously acknowledged Waldbauer as a superior acting partner to Tom Hanks’ volleyball in “Castaway.”

“I think we’ve had multiple conversations about how this is easily the hardest show we have ever done, but it’s also been the most rewarding at the same time. We describe the show as ‘a train that you got to make sure that you are on it and focused 24/7,’ because once you fall off, there is no getting back on. But thankfully, Carson and I have built such a trust with one another that we know that if something goes wrong or if there’s a line flub, we’ve got each other. And that’s been really, really fun to build with one another in this rehearsal process,” said Waldbauer.

“The play is semi-biographical about the two of them, but it’s not Marvin and Carol. It’s Vernon and so on. So they changed the names. And it’s interesting little quick backstory about how the play was written. Marvin Hamish and Neil Simon lived in the same building in New York. And Marvin would tell these stories to Neil about this girl, Carol, that he’s working with and all these idiosyncrasy democracies of hers. And Neil would just laugh and laugh and say, you really got to write this stuff down. But then, one day, Neil came and left a little manuscript on Marvin’s doorstep that had been all of the stories, and Neil had written them down and created this draft of a play. And as Neil tells it, he took the events of what Marvin described and then dramatized them a little bit. So yes, it’s semi-autobiographical about the two of them, but not fully,” explained Carson. “I think it hits all the right notes in terms of it’s got the comedy, so it’s mostly just a fun evening at the theater.”

Regarding the appeal of “They’re Playing Our Song” to audiences, Eubank underscored the blend of comedy and music, with a score by Marvin Hamlisch featuring both familiar tunes and catchy up-tempo numbers. Waldbauer echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the show’s ability to entertain and engage audiences with its comedic elements and musical prowess.

“They’re Playing Our Song” comes on the heels of Riverside’s celebrated production of “Jersey Boys,” full of singing familiar songs and dancing – the actors on stage and the audience in the seats. Eubank and Waldbauer praised the theater’s commitment to bringing diverse and quality productions to the community.

“When we build a season, we’re always trying to think about, first of all, what our audiences know that they want. They want “Jersey Boys,” they want “Beautiful,” which we’re doing later in the season. But I think by doing those shows, you earn their trust and you earn their respect for what you’re doing and knowing that whatever we produce here is a quality and they enjoy everything they see,” said Carson, who is also the newly named Associate Producing Artistic Director/Music Supervisor of Riverside Center.

“And as a New York-based actress, I love coming back to this theater. I mean, it’s my third time coming back, and every time, they just reel me in with a juicy little roll,” added Waldbauer. “I’ve just been so grateful for the relationship relationships and the people here are just awesome.”

The show runs now through May 12, 2024, at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, 95 Riverside Parkway in Stafford County. You can purchase tickets online.

Police were called to a fatal hit-and-run incident on April 24 at 10:19 p.m., near Route 1 Pine Bluff Drive near Dumfries.

The crash involved a motorcycle. According to the Prince William police, the operator of a 2023 Kawasaki Ninja 400R was speeding southbound on Route 1 toward Pine Bluff Dr. Meanwhile, a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck traveling northbound on Richmond Highway entered the intersection, crossing the motorcycle’s path.

The resulting collision caused the motorcyclist to separate from the bike. The driver of the pickup truck fled the scene, leaving the truck behind a nearby business. Despite a search attempt by a police K-9, the suspect remains at large.

The motorcycle operator, identified as Joseph Emmanuel WORD, 20, of Dumfries, was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to injuries. The Crash Investigation Unit urges anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to come forward as the investigation progresses.

Potomac Mills mall is set to welcome Vineyard Vines this fall.

According to the mall’s press release, the store, known for its preppy vibe, will welcome shoppers in the Fashion District, adjacent to Bloomingdales.

Vineyard Vines was founded in 1998 by brothers Shep and Ian Murray and has established itself as a lifestyle brand known for its iconic smiling pink whale logo.

The brand offers an array of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children, focusing on coastal living and leisure. Its product line spans from polos and T-shirts to signature Shep Shirts.

Potomac Mills mall is located at 2700 Potomac Mills Circle in Woodbridge.

April 23 was National Talk Like Shakespeare Day, and the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office — known for its creative press releases — got in on the action. Here’s its full accounting of criminal incidents posted that day, written like the “Bard of Avon.”

Stafford County Sheriff’s Daily Incident Report:  Release Date April 23, 2024

ASSAULT
Shelton Shop Road, 4/21, 8:36 p.m. Twas a dark and chilly night, When Deputy Croson respondeth to a fight. One combatant hath partaken of ye-olde-alcohol, And causeth disturbances, which leadeth to his fall. He receiveth a large gash upon his head, And endeth his evening in a hospital bed. Thou thinketh a crime, methinks nonsense Tis clearly a case of ye-olde self-defense. As surely as the sun doth set in the west,

In this fisticuffs, no charges were pressed. Deputies responded to a disturbance on Shelton Shop Road and one of the subjects required treatment at a local hospital for an injury to his head. Deputies determined the injured party was assaulted as a result of self defense and no charges were placed.

DUI
Cambridge Street, 4/21, 3:00 a.m.
Motorist of 24 years from Fredericksburg City, T’would drink and drive, which is not ‘ery witty. He doth crasheth into a parked car, on the side of yon road, Deputy Ward respondeth and hath his car towed.
Eyes were quite glassy, his balance unsteady, Placed in jail with a bond, the endeth already. A 24-year-old male from Fredericksburg crashed into a parked car and was arrested for DUI. He
was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a bond.

Cliff Circle, 4/21, 6:37 a.m.
Deputy Gildea doth respondeth to an SUV on its side, Driven by a drunk driver, near yon trailer double wide. The 18-year-old driver, from the County of Stafford, T’was too young for alcohol, so not all above board. T’was arresteth for DUI, went right to yon jail, Methinks Magistrate not pleased, for he receiveth no bail. An 18-year-old male was arrested for DUI after crashing into a parked car and overturning his SUV. He was jailed without bond and additionally charged with underage alcohol possession.

Corvair Street, 4/21, 4:48 p.m.
Deputy Suarez observeth a Ford maketh improper turn, An intoxicated driver lacketh license, quite a concern. Of Stafford County, a woman of 53 years, Will now be the recipient of many a jeers. Hopefully she learneth, next time call an Uber, For ‘ere night she was jailed until sober, her bond unsecure. A 53-year-old female was arrested for DUI after she made an illegal turn. She was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

Corvair Street, 4/21, 4:48 p.m.
Deputy Suarez observeth a Ford maketh improper turn, An intoxicated driver lacketh license, quite a concern. Of Stafford County, a woman of 53 years, Will now be the recipient of many a jeers. Hopefully she learneth, next time call an Uber, For ‘ere night she was jailed until sober, her bond unsecure. A 53-year-old female was arrested for DUI after she made an illegal turn. She was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

LARCENY

Walmart, 11 Village Parkway, 4/21, 12:59 p.m.
Deputy De Hoyos respondeth to the pilferage of a cart of grocery, T’would be hard to imagine this canker blossoms roguery! A license plate twas provided, a quick check with DMV, A warrant is now on file, you shant take things for free! A female suspect fled the Walmart with a cart full of groceries. Staff provided her vehicle information and a warrant is now on file for her arrest.

Hunton Drive, 4/21, 4:45 p.m.
Deputy Amato learneth of the theft of yon chariot. Resident’s Corolla disappeareth faster than a horse named Secretariat.
The car twas entered into a national database, listed as stolen. Prosecution awaiteth for those who hath a role in! A resident reported their Toyota Corolla stolen from their driveway.

TRAFFIC OFFENSE

Stafford Hospital, 4/21, 5:22 p.m.

Beef-witted scallywag causeth damage to a car. Owner twasn’t there, now we searcheth for cause of the mar.
A driver reported his unoccupied vehicle was struck by a hit and run driver in the Stafford Hospital parking lot.

WARRANT SERVICE
3000 Block of Richmond Highway, 4/21, 2:41 p.m. A wanted driver Deputy Martinez did stop on the street, A smoke wagon found concealed in the door neareth the driver’s seat. Outstanding warrants were served, addeth a new one for the gun,
He was released without bond, so let’s hopeth he won’t run. A wanted suspect was stopped in the 3000 block of Richmond Highway. During the arrest a concealed handgun was found in the door. He was released by the magistrate on the outstanding warrants and the new concealed weapon warrant.

Prince William Parks and Recreation sponsors today’s weather forecast.

Summer Job Alert: Parks and Recreation Hiring Seasonal Workers Now! Want to earn some extra cash this summer and enjoy your job at the same time? PWC Parks and Recreation is now hiring for seasonal jobs.. Camp Counselors, Lifeguards, Cooks and more…

As the workweek progresses, we can expect a shift in weather patterns. The National Weather Service forecasts high pressure to regain dominance today and Friday, bringing with it cooler temperatures and dry conditions. However, a significant warm-up is on the horizon for the weekend as a warm front approaches the region.

Today, a reinforcing shortwave is moving across northern Virginia, nudging yesterday’s cold front further southward. This movement prompts the return of high pressure, expected to build to the north throughout the day and night. Temperatures will notably drop, with highs reaching the 50s and lows dipping into the middle to upper 30s.

Friday will see a mix of sun and clouds, with clouds increasing in the southwest. Despite being cooler than previous days, temperatures will be more moderate, hovering near 60 to the lower 60s for most areas. Friday night brings the next chance for showers as warm advection precedes a system approaching from the center of the country, along with its associated warm front.

As Saturday unfolds, high pressure will continue its southeastward movement, allowing the warm front to push farther into the region. Expect a few showers, mainly along and west of the Blue Ridge, with temperatures ranging from the upper 50s to lower 60s in the north and middle to upper 60s in the south. Saturday night’s lows will be milder compared to the previous nights.

Sunday promises a significant warm-up, with sunny skies and temperatures soaring to around 83 degrees Fahrenheit, marking a stark contrast to the cooler conditions earlier in the week.

Prince William County Police Daily Incident Report: Animal Cruelty Investigation – On April 21 at 4:27 PM, officers responded to the area of Oakwood Dr. and Armada Pl. in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate an animal cruelty. The investigation revealed at approximately 4:00 PM, an unknown woman left a dog next to a guardrail in the above area before leaving in a black
Nissan. A short time later, a Good Samaritan located the dog suffering from a broken leg and contacted the police. The dog, described as a 1–2-year-old brown chihuahua mix, was transported to the Animal Services Center for medical treatment. Animal Control Officers are seeking assistance from the public to identify the dog and obtain information leading up to the dog’s abandonment.