Dumfries is home to one of the nation’s top McDonald’s restaurant managers.
Jason Thomas recently received the Ray Kroc Award, an annual performance-based award that recognizes the top performing McDonald’s restaurant managers in the country.
Named after McDonald’s Corporation founder Ray Kroc, the award was established fourteen years ago in 1999 to honor hardworking managers in both corporate owned and independently owned and operated restaurants – those who make Ray Kroc’s vision of excellence come to life in restaurants and for customers each day.
A select 142 managers were chosen this year to receive the Ray Kroc Award, an honor that comes with a cash prize, a Ray Kroc award trophy, ring and pin and atrip to Chicago for an awards gala in March hosted by McDonald’s USA President, Mike Andres.
Ray Kroc built the McDonald’s business on the belief that greatness can onlybe achieved through the dedication and support of a company’s people. The award was named after him based on his commitment to people and recognizing their contributions to the organization he helped establish. Each year, this prestigious award is given to the top 1 percent of U.S. general managers from both independently owned and operated and company owned restaurants to recognize their superior performance and achievement.
“Jason being honored with the coveted Ray Kroc Award is a true testament to his leadership, being a part of the community he serves and taking care of our customers’ needs each and every day,” said Bill Boston, Owner/Operator of the Dumfries McDonald’s. “We are truly proud to have Jason as part of our McDonald’s family and commend him on this truly amazing accolade.”
Winners of the Ray Kroc Award run high performing and profitable restaurants that meet McDonald’s critical customer standards of Quality, Service and Cleanliness. They have strong business knowledge and achieve superior results in restaurant operations, people management and building the business.
As a recognized leader in the restaurant, they develop a restaurant team focused on ensuring customers get a fast, accurate and friendly experience every visit.
McDonald’s owner/operators or regional staff nominate restaurant managers for the Ray Kroc Award to recognize their hard work, dedication and commitment to McDonald’s. From there, a selection committee of representatives from McDonald’s Operations, Training and Human Resources select the top 1 percent of General Managers for the Ray Kroc Award.
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Experience the magic of opera up close at Virginia Opera: A Taste of Opera on Wednesday, February 5, at 1:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Enjoy a captivating selection of famous arias, duets, Broadway favorites, and more, performed by the talented members of Virginia Opera. This intimate performance promises a mix of drama, passion, and world-class voices.
Tickets are $40 and include both the concert and a dessert reception. The performance runs 60 minutes with no intermission and is perfect for all ages.
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Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade will present her proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the county school board on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The meeting, open to the public and streamed live on YouTube, will begin at 7 p.m.
A significant component of this year’s budget is a $1.098 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), aiming to address overcrowding, modernize aging facilities, and support long-term student enrollment shifts.
Major Investments in New Schools and Renovations
The CIP includes multiple new school construction projects, such as:
Stafford County Public Schools will host the inaugural Career GPS: Guiding Pathways to Success Expo on April 23, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stafford Regional Airport.
The event is designed to introduce approximately 2,500 sixth-grade students to various career pathways through hands-on learning opportunities, interactive exhibits, and connections with local professionals and businesses. The expo aims to help students begin planning for high school and their future careers by exposing them to various industries.
Director of Career and Technical Education Stephanie Carter emphasized that Career GPS is more than just a field trip. It calls it an opportunity for students to explore possibilities, make informed decisions, and gain confidence in selecting pathways that align with their interests. The event will feature interactive exhibits showcasing different career fields, high school student ambassadors who will share insights into academic programs, and opportunities for students to engage with industry professionals.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) students and staff were honored at the Virginia General Assembly for their work on the FCPS Youth Mental Health Taskforce. The delegation, invited by State Senator Tara Durant, spent the day in Richmond serving as legislators and meeting with state officials.
The students arrived at the Virginia General Assembly Building at 9:45 a.m. January 29, 2025, where they met with Senator Durant before touring the historic Capitol. They then participated in a Q&A session with legislators, discussing the importance of youth mental health initiatives.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
