Allday opened up his tiny house Airbnb in early November and has been nearly booked since his opening.

The cost of tiny homes like Allday’s range from $50,000 and $70,000.

Prior to getting into the tiny house business, Allday was in the military. He said, after the military, he decided to buy a conversion van and outfit it for living.

“I went up to Canada and just lived in the van for about a year. I left Canada and drove all over the US and lived in it for another year.”

Allday said this experience taught him the philosophy behind tiny homes.

“One of the most difficult things to do is simplify your life,” he says, “There’s things we keep in our life that we think we need but we don’t. They’re just comfort features and things we want. It’s an effort to strip away all of the crap that clouds your space and your soul.”

Allday said the everyday things we’ve become accustomed to like things and social media distract us from connecting more with ourselves and others.

“Creating a space where other people can experience that is what I like to do,” he says.

Allday had two main goals when opening up his tiny home on Airbnb.

“Creating that space and allowing people to come and reconnect with each other and I wanted to find a way to live in my home for free and not have to pay any bills,” Allday said.

Allday said he has received multiple five-star reviews from guests staying in his home since it opened in November of this year.

Lauren, of his five-star guests commented, “Great place to stay! Super cute with lots of amenities. Loved that they left drinks and snacks for us. Great communication. Totally recommend to anyone coming to the area.

Allday said he seeks for his guest to experience something different from the norm. He said he cleans, puts the food out and places mints on the table. He said he makes it very personal and they feel that when they check-in.

“If I can put it in one word, it’s ‘experience,’” Allday says.

Allday said his tiny home is between 450-500 square feet. He said the home has a nice u-shaped lounge, elevated off the floor when you walk in. There is a breakfast nook before you get to the kitchen with two bench seats on each side, perfect for eating or working. The home has a full kitchen and a full bathroom with a composting toilet and there is a queen-sized bed in the upstairs loft.

Allday said those that value space can still enjoy a tiny home by finding privacy in nature, whether that is through walks, hiking or the private cabana outside his home.

Allday’s tiny home is located off Route 17 in Hartwood, in Stafford County.

Prince William County and the Town of Occoquan has agreed to are in talks to move the current Visitor’s Center, located at 200 Mill Street in Occoquan, into a nearby kiosk.

Why it matters: The Occoquan Visitors Center serves as the key tourist welcome center in eastern Prince William County.

• It serves 17,000 people a year, according to county tourism spokesman Dan Cook.
• In 2015, officials talked about closing the center.

The new kiosk would be located next to the Mill House Museum, located at 413 Mill Street, according to town documents.

While the new kiosk is being constructed, the county could enter into a month-to-month lease agreement with the town to maintain operations of the Mill Street location until construction of the new kiosk is complete.

The draft lease agreement provides that the county will pay the town $1 per month during its term.

• The lease states that the building will continue in its use as a Visitor Center only during the construction of the new kiosk.

The county would bear the responsibility of all maintenance and repairs of the building as the leaseholder.

• The lease also provides that the county will absorb any responsibilities for damages incurred to the building during the term of the lease.
• The lease would automatically renew each month until the new kiosk opens.

The installation of the new kiosk will require approval by the Town’s Old and Historic District.

• It would also require approval from the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, which could hear the matter next month.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will also need to review as the kiosk is located in its right-of-way on Mill Street.

The kiosk has met the minimum requirements of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and a motion was made by the Town Council to authorize the signing of the lease agreement to move this project forward.

This story has been corrected.

DUMFRIES – The operators of a series of gaming facilities in Virginia now has its eye on Dumfries.

The Colonial Downs Group announced the acceptance of paperwork by the  Prince William County Clerk of the Court to begin the process of a Town of Dumfries voter referendum to allow a satellite wagering facility in accordance with a state code of Virginia.

Dumfries business owner, Linda Wilkins, submitted paperwork in favor of the facility, “I’m excited about this opportunity to bring a major entertainment facility to Dumfries. It will mean good paying jobs for our residents and more tax revenue for the town.”

Colonial Downs wants to open one of its Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in the town, similar to the one it opened at its horse track just off Interstate 64 in New Kent, Va. in April.

The facility features video gaming machines, also known as HHR machines, that look like slot machines. The operator says the games are a:

“competitive substitute for traditional casino-style games. The major difference that sets HHR apart from traditional casino-style games is the results of these games are not random.

And adds “The definition of pari-mutuel is the operator does not have a stake in the outcome of the wager and the net pool is returned to the players.”

Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood said the town officials have been hands-off in this process at this time. Wood said while he doesn’t know enough about it yet, he is in favor of anything that can increase their economic development and attract people to their town.

“We must explore all options that can increase our tax base,” says Wood.

Virginia State Senator Scott Surovell (D-36)  is supportive of this project as well.

“Out of state gaming facilities have been funding their schools with Northern Virginians’ money for years and it’s about time we took steps to keep those dollars here,” says Surovell, “This facility would be a game changer for Dumfries economic development.”

Per Virginia law, the localities that have not already approved pari-mutuel wagering must require a voter referendum before such facilities can be located in their community. Signatures from at least 5% of qualified voters must be sent to and certified by the General Registrar.

Colonial Downs is currently in the midst of this signature drive in the town of Dumfries.

“About 7 out of 10 residents are excited to hear about the news,” says Wood.

Wood said the town has some history with Colonial Downs. Wood says, over 20 years ago residents rejected the idea of adding a Colonial Downs facility.

“The town has changed,” said Wood, “We have a younger demographic now that is more engaged.”

Councilwoman Cydny Neville said she invites  Colonial Downs officials to a meeting of the Town Council to make their pitch about what they would like to build in the town. So far, no one from the organization has done so.

“I’m open to having a discussion, but I have to protect the interests and the residents of the town,” said Neville.

The next Rosie’s with 700 HHR machines will open in Richmond this month. A third is under construction in Hampton with a planned opening in the fall.

Each Rosie’s also features simulcast horseracing, restaurant, bar and gift shop. The Virginia Racing Commission has currently established a statewide cap on HHR machines, limiting them to 3,000.

STAFFORD COUNTY —  The Stafford County community rallied together in an attempt to save Camille, a two-year-old French Bulldog.

In the end, however, the famed animal didn’t survive her surgery.

Nicole Bates, assistant manager at the Stafford County Animal shelter and foster mom to Camille, said the frenchie was brought to the shelter on a Saturday right before closing. Bates says the owner bought Camille two years ago as a puppy.

“Every puppy in her litter died before they were 18 months old. Camille was the last of her litter,” says Bates.

Bates said Camille was having breathing problems, which are common for the breed.

“I didn’t think there was anything we could do for Camille, but I want to try,” says Bates prior to the surgery. “I took her home. She really wants to live. She’s a fighter.”

Bates said Camille’s health problems were never diagnosed. Previous cost estimates to get her topped $13,000. The shelter posted photos of Camille to Facebook to chronicle her story, and to rally support for the needy animal.

Bates said they were referred to a surgeon, who said Camille needed a soft palate reconstruction to open her nostrils to improve her breathing. Camille was given a 50/50 chance of surviving the surgery.

Bates said Camille was very calm.

“She has to be in the company of you always,” said Bates. “She is a joy to have. The hardest thing is hearing her breathe.”

Megan Hubbard, president of Friends of Stafford County Animal Shelter (FOSCAS), said the surgery was estimated to be between $2,600 and $3,000. Hubbard said she formed Friends of Stafford County Animal Shelter to support the needs of the shelter.

Bates said since the animal shelter is a government agency, they cannot ask for financial assistance. Friends of Stafford County Animal Shelter fills that gap.

Hubbard established the FOSCAS in fall 2015. Hubbard said they were able to provide emergency vet care their first year. She said they are growing each year with the number of animals they are able to help.

“When people have a way to help, they will,” says Hubbard, “We have great community support.”

Hubbard said they raised $3,165 for Camille’s care and they already paid for her initial vet evaluation. Hubbard said FOSCAS is also paying for her medications.

Camille went for surgery on Tuesday, April 9, but she died during the operation. “We tried,” said Bates. “I have to remember that.”

Hubbard said FOSCAS continues to work with the Stafford County Animal Shelter to provide homes to animals. Hubbard said federal employees can donate via their paychecks, and donors also have the option to donate to a specific animal, like Camille.

Hubbard said when the goal has been met, FOSCAS deposits the excess into an emergency fund. Hubbards says the donations can cover expenses such as flea and tick medications for the shelter.

NOKESVILLE — After an unusually short season in 2018 due to unpredictable weather conditions, Burnside Farms 2019 Festival of Spring will return with a bang.

“This is going to be our best year ever,” says Leslie Dawley, proprietor, “It’s going to be incredible.”

Dawley said they planted 1.2 million tulip bulbs this year, the most they’ve ever had.

Dawley says the farms plan to open two weeks after the cherry blossoms bloom. She estimates the opening to be around the middle of April, but possibly sooner.

Dawley says once the farms are open, they will remain open for three-and-a-half to four weeks.

“We have over 400 varieties of tulips,” she said.

Dawley said when the farm opened six years ago, there were only 35,000 tulips and 15 varieties.

“We have grown each year,” she said.

Dawley said Burnside Farms is one of only a handful of places in the world where you can pick your own tulips and the only farm of its kind in our area.

The tulips begin in early bloom, then progress to mid and late bloom over the weeks that they are open, says Dawley.

“The best time to come is 1-2 weeks after our opening,” she says, “That’s when we have the most flowers.”

Dawley said the farm plants new flowers every single year.

She encourages visitors to come during the week if you want to avoid crowds as they are most busy on the weekends.

Dawley said the farm has a picnic area for families to hang out and a designated play area for children. She recommends visitors to wear farm-worthy shoes.

Dawley said a new addition this year is their theater, where they will be featuring the film, Tulip Mania. She said this film is about the first economic crash recorded due to tulips. Dawley said the movie was played in Amsterdam.

The farms are located at 11008 Kettle Run Road in Nokesville, near Patriot High School.

For field updates, or to answer any questions prior to coming, visit burnsidefarms.com.

Dawley said Burnside Farms would like to remain in their current location for the foreseeable future. That may be easier said than done as the county’s population continues to grow and farming fades from the landscape.

“There is very little farmland left in Prince William County,” she says.

The Rural Crescent Preservation Coalition is a movement to save the remaining farmland in Prince William County.

“This will keep us where we are,” said Dawley, “This would preserve attractive land that would otherwise go to houses. It’s a good thing.”

Originally identified in 1964, Prince William County’s Rural Crescent — between Quantico and Manassas National Battlefield Park — was drawn on a map to identify land to be preserved. The Prince William County Board of Supervisors in 1998 enacted the boundary line, which limited the number of homes that could be built on land inside the rural area.

Growing demands from farmers who say farming is no longer a way of life in Prince William County and who want to sell their land to developers have pushed for changes in the restrictions inside the rural area. Those restrictions which limit homes to one home per every 10 acres gives little incentive for developers to purchase land on which to build.

A 2013 study of the rural crescent by county officials which provided recommendations on changing the restrictions is sitting on a shelf collecting dust.

Dawley said it’s important for people to know about the Coalition and support it so that farms like theirs can continue to exist and serve the community.

Dawley said she is looking forward to this year’s season.

“It will be a special year.”

DUMFRIES — The Dumfries Town Council voted to appoint a new town manager in their February 19 meeting.

The council voted 5-1 on the appointment of Keith C. Rogers, Jr. as the new town manager. It’s a job that pays $133,900, according to the town’s 2019 budget.

Mayor Derrick Wood has been serving as the town’s interim manager for the last 8 months.

Rogers will begin his term on February 26. He hails Rogers hails from Richmond, where he worked as the city’s senior policy advisor. He held other roles there, too, such as senior assistant to the CEO, and assistant city clerk.

During his 12 years in Richmond government, Rogers oversaw:

• U.S. Department of Transportation Ladders of Opportunity Bus Rapid Transit Study
• Richmond’s $25 million Community Partner Grant Program
• The expansion of Richmond’s residential recycling program

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Town of Dumfries and excited to become a part of positive change and the excitement that’s currently happening in the Town,” says Rogers, “I am looking forward to working with the Town Council, Staff, and the community to move us closer to our 2030 vision.”

Rogers holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Rogers is a member of the International City Managers Association and the Virginia Local Government Management Association. Rogers is also a past adjunct professor at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Political Science program at VCU.

“As a Council, we took our time to ensure Keith’s experience and values would help us to continue to develop the Town of Dumfries into a community where businesses want to locate, and families want to live, work, and play,” says Wood, “We believe that our community will become more involved, as Keith has demonstrated a commitment to engaging residents in municipal governing.”

Former town manager, Robbert Ritter, cleaned out his desk after an emergency council meeting last August.

Mayor Wood said the council needed someone that was more proactive and willing to work with them. Ritter had only completed a year and a half of his two-year contract.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY -- Prince William County is a big place. More than just the county of nearly a half-million people, there are five towns and two cities geographically located inside Prince William County’s borders.

When it comes to economic development, different businesses are drawn to different areas and around the county.  

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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY -- The Prince William County School Board like the idea of ads on school buses.

It met convened on February 7 and took a straw on this subject, and the board voted in favor of the advertising 5-3.

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DUMFRIES -- For the very first time, the Mayor of Dumfries will host a ball.

Mayor Derrick Wood will host the "Black and White Ball" April 13 at 7 p.m. Wood says he is organizing this event to raise scholarship funds for high school seniors who want to attend trade colleges.

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