South Fairfax Chamber Dedicates New Lorton 'Welcome' Sign

Drivers have a new introduction to South County.

Lorton's new eight-foot-tall "welcome" sign was unveiled on Thursday, along northbound Route 1 near Gunston Road. The sign carries the logos of 10 Lorton-area organizations and boldly reads "Lorton, Virginia - 1875."  "It's here to stay," said Shep Crow, a founding member of the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, who led the effort to get the old sign removed and replaced.   Crow and Lorton's Ray Rainwater took down the former sign, and Crow spent two years raising support and gaining County approval for the new sign. Each community organization listed on the sign contributed funds for the project. Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland complimented Crow at the dedication ceremony. "Without your efforts in spearheading this project …

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Obituaries

Mason Neck Champion Gerald Lyons Dies

Lyons, 74, gave decades to community organizations, including LCAC, Gunston Hall Plantation and the Mason Neck Citizens Association Board.

Gerald Lyons, that staunch Mason Neck advocate, untiring volunteer and friendly neighbor, died on Thursday, Aug. 16. He was 74. "He was a dear," said Sallie Lyons, of her husband of 42 years. "He loved to do his art and share his ideas with people. He wasn't happy if he wasn't doing something artistic for a good reason."  Lyons, a talented graphic designer with a wickedly sharp wit, passed away after suffering from a stroke on Aug. 10. "Jerry", as his friends called him, was born on Feb. 1, 1938, in Springfield, IL. He studied architecture at Southern Illinois University and Washington University in St. Louis, before he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1961. Lyons served two years in the Army, and it was there that he got a penchant for …

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Dick Kennedy

10:11 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

This is a beautifully written tribute to a real gentleman who made extraordinary contributions to our community in many different areas, and charmed everyone he met along the way with his laid-back manner, wit, and extraordinary sense of humor.   more ›

Ft. Belvoir's Warriors In Transition Collaborate with Mason Neck Parks

Local parks hope to make positive impact when wounded warriors make use of their parks.

It will soon be common to see busloads of soldiers from Fort Belvoir's Warriors in Transition Battalion being dropped off to enjoy the amenities of Mason Neck. Over the last few months, members of the Mason Neck Citizens Association have met with representatives of the U.S. Army and the heads of the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area, Mason Neck State Park, the Liz Hartwell National Wildlife Refuge and Pohick Bay Regional Park. All parties are for the partnership worked out by the citizens group, and the details of improving facilities to fully meet the needs of the soldiers are being ironed out.  "Therapeutic riding is one of the five most requested events with our warriors," said Capt. John Votovich, the Fort Belvoir Warriors …

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Lucia Ferguson Elected President of Mason Neck Citizens Association

The association elected new officers at its meeting Tuesday night.

There's been a change of command with the Mason Neck Citizens Association. Lucia Ferguson was handed the reins by outgoing president Michael Devlin at an association meeting at Gunston Hall on Tuesday night.   "We're going to have a great year," said Ferguson, a seven-year member of the association who has served the association as vice president, secretary and director. "One of the things I really want to do is increase our membership," she said. "Less than half the residents on the Neck are members."  Devlin served as president for two years. "It has been my pleasure working with you all," he said at the meeting. Membership in the citizens association is $20 per family or $10 per individual.  Ferguson, a Connecticut native, has clear …

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