Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine March 2026

Blooming Business A

BURNSIDE GROWS FROM FAMILY FARM TO DESTINATION

Gainesville teens organize TEDx event

Haymarket restaurant provides a taste of Nepal Manassas Museum will transport you through time

LiveLiFeHealthiest Your LiveLiFe

LiveLiFeHealthiest Your LiveLiFe

Compassionate. Caring. Nationally recognized.

LiveLiFeHealthiest Your LiveLiFe

Fauquier Health has earned Leapfrog’s Top General Hospital award for outstanding quality and safety—the only hospital in Virginia and one of just 36 in the nation to receive this distinction.

Compassionate. Caring. Nationally recognized.

Compassionate. Caring. Nationally recognized.

This honor acknowledges the efforts of our caregivers to keep our patients safe. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the safest hospitals in America.

Fauquier Health has earned Leapfrog’s Top General Hospital award for outstanding quality and safety—the only hospital in Virginia and one of just 36 in the nation to receive this distinction.

Fauquier Health has earned Leapfrog’s Top General Hospital award for outstanding quality and safety—the only hospital in Virginia and one of just 36 in the nation to receive this distinction.

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

This honor acknowledges the efforts of our caregivers to keep our patients safe. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the safest hospitals in America.

This honor acknowledges the efforts of our caregivers to keep our patients safe. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the safest hospitals in America.

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

See all we have to offer at FauquierHealth.org

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

See all we have to offer at FauquierHealth.org

See all we have to offer at FauquierHealth.org

Stronger starts here.

OrthoVirginia is Virginia’s largest provider of orthopedic medicine and one of the leading providers of physical, hand and occupational therapy. OrthoVirginia’s team of orthopedic specialists provides both surgical and non-surgical care to patients.

With over 160 physicians and 37 locations across the state, expert care is close to home.

Convenient Haymarket and Manassas offices.

To view all of our Northern Virginia area orthopedic physicians and their specialties, scan the QR code or visit orthovirginia.com/physicians

To schedule an appointment, visit us online orthovirginia.com | or call 703.277.BONE (2663)

Spring is on its way

As I write this, age-old snow is still on the ground, and our area just narrowly escaped snowmaggedon, so it seems awfully fanciful for me to put tulips on the cover. Yet, I will trust the experts. Burnside Farms’ tulip festival begins in mid March, and Google AI tells me that snow is “excellent for spring flowers.”

Like the seasons, people, places and businesses evolve. However, it takes people who work and care for them to move them in the right direction.

Last year, photographer Luke Christopher and I visited Burnside Farms on a particularly hot April afternoon during the tulip festival. The fields were stunning and bustling with people from all over, enjoying seeing the tulips, as well as food, wine, entertainment and shopping.

Every time I visit Burnside Farms it has evolved. It began as a small Haymarket farm and it now has 60 acres, upon which to plant 2 million tulips and daffodils combined. The story of the ever-growing farm is that of the American Dream: The Dawley family took a small business and through hard work and dedication transformed it into something beautiful to be seen and shared by many. The Burnside

The Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and distributed to over 15,000 selected addresses. While reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to any such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. While ensuring that all published information is accurate, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or omissions. Reproduction in whole or part of any of the text, illustration, or photograph is strictly forbidden. ©2026 Rappahannock Media LLC.

Lifestyle magazines are sister publications with Northern Virginia’s Leading News Source, INSIDENOVA.COM

Farms story begins on Page 16.

The same could be said for the Thapas. For them, the Himalayan Grill in Haymarket is more than a business. It allows them to bring a bit of Nepal to their new neighborhood, and to share that old world flavor with others. Read about their restaurant on Page 22.

Likewise, two Gainesville High School siblings realized a way to use their talents to serve their community, and thus organized TEDx Youth Haymarket. That act led other young people to find their voices and share powerful messages. Find their story on Page 10.

Even looking at the Manassas Museum, one realizes the area has transformed tremendously. It was thanks to trains, planes and highways that the area progressed, and thanks to people who cared that the city’s charm and history were preserved. That feature can be found on Page 26.

I hope you enjoy some fair to warm weather this month, and while you are out and about, don’t take our community for granted (or the nice weather.)

– Stacy Shaw CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

PUBLISHER

Dennis Brack

dennis@whglifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Stacy Shaw

stacy@whglifestyle.com

ART DIRECTOR

Kara Thorpe

kara@whglifestyle.com

ADVERTISING

Sales Director: Jim Kelly

jim@whglifestyle.com, 434-987-3542

CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Jay Ford creative@whglifestyle.com

ACCOUNTING

Carina Richard-Wheat cwheat@insidenova.com 540-905-7791

SUBSCRIPTIONS subscribe@whglifestyle.com 540-675-3338

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICE

Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazines 1360 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192 ON THE WEB

InsideNoVa.com/WHGLifestyle Facebook: @HaymarketGainesvilleMag

sports and features from Fauquier, Prince William, Arlington, Fairfax, Stafford and throughout the region. Sign up for daily news headlines, breaking news alerts and a Gainesville/Haymarket newsletter — delivered to your inbox! facebook.com/insidenova twitter.com/insidenova

Dr. Anna Green Hand & Upper Extremity

Dr. Scott Koenig Hip & Knee Replacement

Dr. Miguel Pelton Sports Medicine

Dr. Robert Smith Sports Medicine

Dr. James Ward Sports Medicine

Dr. Louis Magdon Spine Surgery

Dr. Daniel Heller Pain Management

Dr. Michael Poss Pain Management

Yevgeny Kats Foot & Ankle

The Problem Most People Don’t Know About

Sleep problems don’t always look like loud snoring.

For women, poor sleep and undiagnosed sleep apnea often show up as:

• Constant exhaustion, even after a full night in bed

• Insomnia or restless sleep

• Anxiety or depression

• Morning headaches, jaw pain, or facial pain

• High blood pressure or heart rhythm issues like atrial fibrillation

For children, sleep and airway problems may look like:

• Hyperactivity or ADHD-like behavior

• Difficulty focusing or learning

• Mouth breathing, teeth grinding, or restless sleep

• Bedwetting

• Delayed growth or emotional regulation challenges

SNORING ISN’T NORMAL. CHRONIC FATIGUE ISN’T NORMAL.

Behavioral issues may be a sleep problem, not a behavior problem.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Sleep affects every system in the body, including the brain, the heart, pain processing, behavior, and development. When breathing and airway issues during sleep are overlooked, women and children can go years without answers while their health quietly declines. Early evaluation can change outcomes, especially for children during growth and for women at risk for heart disease.

THERE ARE ANSWERS

At Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Virginia, we focus on identifying sleep, airway, and pain-related conditions that are often missed using a comprehensive, patient-centered approach for both adults and children by working closely with sleep physicians to orchestrate your treatment.

If you or your child never feels rested, struggle with unexplained pain or fatigue, or have sleep concerns that haven’t been taken seriously, it may be time to look deeper. Better sleep isn’t just about rest, it’s about lifelong health.

Dr. Bonnie Foster DDS, RDH, D-ABCP, D-ABDSM

to do list

The Fine & Performing Arts

For an up-to-date list of events around the region, visit

There may still be chill in the air, but that’s no excuse not to enjoy some real world entertainment. What did people do before they were glued to their screens? The most cultured headed out to the theater or symphony. For the avant-garde among you, try an art reception or gala.

SELECTIVE SYMPHONIES

Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Sonic America with Melanie Young, harp

For this all-American program, the MSO’s principal harpist draws on Native American motifs demonstrating a musical range spanning restorative tones to sweeping melodies. Saturday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Mozart, Leshnoff & more with Demarre McGill, flute

McGill, principal flute of the Seattle Symphony, brings his rich, expressive tone to Mozart as well as modern composers. Saturday, March, 7, 8 p.m., Center for the Arts, Fairfax

VIBRANT VISUAL ARTS

The Fifth Annual Art of the Piedmont Gala and Fine-Arts Auction

Enjoy regional art, meet local artists, bid in the auction and support Montessori school scholarships in a festive evening with food and drinks, Friday, March 6, 7 p.m., Washington Street, Middleburg.

THEATER-GOING

Auguster D. Williams Jr: A Solo Exhibit of Resilience, Healing and Transformation

Mixed-media collage artist Auguster D. Williams Jr. presents two- and threedimensional works created from discarded and salvaged materials. Artist reception, Saturday, March 14, 6 p.m. On display: March 13-April 19. ARTfactory, Manassas

‘Visiting Mr. Green’ by Jeff Baron

The touching and humorous stage play explores human connection across generations and cultures as a community service obligation evolves into a surprising friendship. March 6-8, various times. ARTfactory, Manassas

Fauquier Community Theatre: ‘Calendar Girls’ the British comedy

Based on the true story of older women who posed for a calendar to raise money for leukemia research, the show has become a fast hit. Various dates and showtimes March 6-22 FCT’s Vint Hill Theater on the Green

ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre: ‘The Princess and The Pea’ for young audiences

In this children’s production, the Prince seeks a lady to marry, but his stepmother–the Queen–complicates the issue with hilarious mischief. Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., ARTfactory, Manassas

Pied Piper Theatre Conservatory: ‘In The Burning Darkness’

This powerful and moving drama is set in a school for the blind where optimism and despair collide. March 13-15, various showtimes. ARTfactory, Manassas

Prince William Little Theatre: ‘Head Over Heels’ the musical

Dust off your leg warmers, break out the Aqua Net and enjoy a musical about love and identity, set to the iconic Go-Go’s catalog. March 13-15, various show times. Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas

PLUMBING PROBLEMS

Speaking Up

Gainesville students organize local TEDx Youth forum BY

STACY SHAW

Saranya Patel, coorganizer of TEDx Youth Haymarket, speaks at the January event.

Aarav Patel loved working as a school reporter for Gainesville High School, but after joining the Governor’s School program his junior year, he could no longer fit journalism classes into his schedule. He had been listening to TED Talks and came up with an idea to organize a TEDx Youth event as a way of serving his community through communication.

Aarav, 17, who lives in the Reserve of Lake Manassas, and his sister, Saranya, 16, organized Prince William County Teams’ TEDx Haymarket Youth, held in January at Piedmont Country Club. The event, the first of its kind in the county, featured a diverse group of young people delivering thought-provoking speeches and was almost entirely student-led and organized.

Titled, “Unmuted: Voices Uncovered,” the event challenged speakers to get real

and honest. “[I wanted] to encourage kids to get out of their comfort zone,” Aarav said, “to explore their careers or hobbies, or just to talk about stuff that wasn’t talked about before.”

TEDx Conferences invite the world’s leading “thinkers and doers” to present their ideas in the form of short talks. TEDx Youth’s mission is to inspire curiosity, ignite new ideas and empower young leaders; it operates much like a TEDx conference with speakers between the ages of 13 and 25.

Planning for the local event took several months and began with seeking participants over social media.

The team received 18 applications for speakers. Aarav felt all their ideas were “super strong,” but some overlapped, so he chose the most engaging people to “help their ideas shine through.”

Presenters, schools and topics:

Allison Davenport, Osbourn Park

“The Cost of Being Summarized”

Conner Mather, graduate

“Becoming What the Internet Likes: An Influencer’s Story”

Riley Devereaux, Battlefield

“The Epistemic Violence Climate Change Reveals”

Omar Ali, Gainesville

“A Bullet With No Noise”

Rigel Villaruel, Gainesville

“Versions of Me”

Hirah Contractor, Gainesville

“Tradition Isn’t the Problem. Silence Is.”

Yuvi Uppalapati, Gainesville

“The Paradox of Being an EMT and Human Being”

Zepnep Calik, Gainesville

“The Leader I Thought I Wasn’t’”

He decided on eight speakers: five from Gainesville High School; one from Battlefield High School; another from Osbourn Park and one young adult.

The forum addressed issues that affect their generation – topics such as the dangers of growing up online, instability at home, climate change anxiety, and navigating an uncertain future while still making a positive impact.

And it featured some polished orators, such as youth climate activist Riley Devereaux, 17, a Battlefield student who served as country’s national youth delegate, presenting to the European Union about how forced migration as a result of climate change affects cultural identity.

Another experienced speaker was Connor Mathers, 20, who gained 2 million followers on his online platforms as a teenager. During his speech he advised people not to believe everything influencers show them. “I’ve seen the perfect lifestyles that are just staged corners of a messy room… all made to por tray a lifestyle that frankly doesn’t exist.”

Less experienced presenters had strong voices and Aarav to coach them through the process. “Every person has their own way of expressing themselves,” Aarav said. “I

did my best to pull the bubbles of thought I could see – expand it, or shift it a little to the left or right.”

Zepnep Calik, a junior at Gainesville, said the process actually made her speech more authentic.

“Writing and editing my speech pushed me to reflect on moments in my past that felt awkward and uncomfortable,” she added. “It was definitely a process, as it gradually built my confidence and helped me

become more comfortable with expressing myself just the way I am.”

Hirah Contractor, another Gainesville Model UN member, reluctantly came to appreciate Aarav’s high standards.

“Memorizing the speech forced me to actually internalize it; I could not hide behind notes,” she said. “I had to believe every word. I also realized that speaking is not about being perfect. This time, I focused on being honest. That shift changed everything. I grew in confidence, but more importantly, I grew in courage.”

In keeping with the theme of “Unmuted,” the speeches were personal and explored the tension among outspokenness, silence and more quiet forms of communication.

Yuvi Uppalapati of Gainesville High School talked about being an EMT and thinking “if you feel too much, you are weak. If you show it, you are unprofessional.” Eventually he learned to remove his “emotional armor” and be present.

Allison Davenport, the speaker from Osbourn Park, shared how she felt dismissed by her physician. “I felt like I was reduced to a bullet point on a differential diagnosis list – that I wasn’t someone sitting there with real worries and real concerns.”

She plans to become the kind of medical professional who sees the patient behind the diagnosis.

Calik spoke about her realization that good leadership is “not flashy or obvious.” “[Quiet leaders were the] ones who were finding small problems that no one else even noticed, and they checked on people quietly.”

Contractor explored how the idea of family reputation can lock its members in shame and silence. “I’m not a psychologist; I’m not a social worker, but I am a high school student who knows the power of listening.”

She said that she was pleasantly surprised that her message did resonate with older generations.

“Younger people are more open to talking about mental health and abuse…but I also saw older audience members listening carefully. That gave me hope,” she said. “I think when you speak with sincerity, people can feel that.”

Students shared how friends can encourage each other to take positive risks such as stepping on stage in a talent show or TEDx talk.

“Honestly, Saranya Patel is the reason I said ‘yes’ [to the TED event],” Contractor

said. “When she told me I was qualified and that my speech would be powerful, it meant a lot. Sometimes you need someone else to see something in you before you can see it yourself.”

Everything came together the day of the event. “Planning this event was definitely challenging, but it was also incredibly rewarding,” Saranya said, explaining it was a collaborative effort.

Even with Aarav heading to college, the Patels hope to hold another such event next year. “I would love to expand the event and make it even more engaging, inclusive and community-driven,” Sarayna said.

Aarav was very happy with how it turned out. “For us, the event wasn’t about being on a stage. It was about creating a space where people felt taken seriously and where listening actually happened.” L

More information can be found at tedxhaymarketyouth.com. All of the presentations can be viewed on YouTube.

Stacy Shaw is an award-winning journalist. She is the editor of Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine and publisher/owner of the local news site BristowBeat.com.

ST. PAUL’S

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

EASTER SUNDAY Easter Services at 8:30 am & 10:30 am Easter Egg Hunt at 11:30 am Holy Week schedule is on our website!

8:30 AM: Holy Eucharist 9:30 AM: Church School & Choir Rehearsal 10:30 AM: Holy Eucharist & Children’s Liturgy 11:30 AM: Fellowship Celebrate the EASTER With Us! Livestream on our Website - Sundays at 10:30 AM!

Blooming Business A

BURNSIDE GROWS FROM FAMILY FARM TO DESTINATION

BY STACY SHAW / PHOTOS BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER

Every year in early spring, Burnside Farms in Nokesville holds a Holland-style tulip festival.

While it was the first pick-your-own tulip festival in North America, and remains one of the largest, that was not the original vision for the farm. A series of happy accidents and a willingness to say “yes” to opportunity led to a blooming agritourism business for the Dawley family of Northern Virginia.

In 1995, the late David Dawley and his wife, Leslie, now in her 70s, had a growing florist business in Chantilly. Needing a larger

supply of freshly grown flowers, they bought Burnside Farms in Haymarket, a 15-acre historic property near James S. Long Park and Route 15. It became a growing, shipping and receiving site for their business.

During those early years, Burnside Farms grew over 100 varieties of specialty-cut flowers, including tulips, dahlias, sunflowers and daffodils, for florists and other wholesale accounts.

The enterprise became a family affair, involving Leslie’s mother, Majorie Raney and David and Leslie’s children: Michael, Katie

and Daniel, then ages 16, 12 and 8, respectively. After David passed away in 2003, three generations continued to manage the farm.

By 2010, Burnside Farms was growing potted plants for garden centers. Like many roadside farms it also held seasonal festivals. Then, one day, a bigger opportunity arose.

“In the fall of 2011, our bulb supplier was going out of business and offered us a deal on 35,000 tulip bulbs that we couldn’t refuse,” Leslie said. “Thirty-five thousand bulbs was probably 34,000 more than we needed for our spring plants.”

Know BEFORE YOU go

The festival typically runs from late March through early April.

Purchase online tickets from the website, choosing date and time.

Admission includes five flowers per person. Additional tulips are $1 per stem.

Bring a basket to carry flowers.

Pack a picnic lunch or check to see if food trucks will be on site.

Where comfortable walking shoes and boots when it is muddy.

The atmosphere is familyfriendly with a playground and other activities.

The best time to visit is early in the season before flower beds have been picked through. Seasonal passports are available.

college

Leslie convinced her son Michael to seize the opportunity. “We decided to plant them in our one-acre field and open up in the spring with pick-your-own tulips. It would be a pretty sight to see so many blooming tulips.”

In spring 2012, they sent an email to their subscriber list of about 500 customers, letting them know about our tulip festival.

The tulip fields were too beautiful to ignore.

“The response was incredible,” Leslie said. “From the very moment we opened, we knew we were on to something special. With the help of social media and our visitors’ posting photos of their visit, it was an instant success. As the tulips began to emerge early spring 2013, so too did the excitement on social media.”

Burnside Farm’s social media feeds exploded with anticipation of the flowers blooming.

The most frequently asked question they received was, “what’s next?” The Dawleys decided to launch the “Summer of Sunflowers,” another annual festival in July and August each year.

By fall 2013, they knew they couldn’t continue to plant by hand and bought a custom-built flower-bulb planter from Holland. That year, they planted 250,000 daffodil and tulip bulbs.

And after another incredible season, they had outgrown their small home farm, so they leased an additional 20 acres in Haymarket, allowing them to plant six acres with spring flowers.

In 2015, the Dawleys planted 550,000 bulbs, Leslie said. “Through the power of social media and word of mouth, we saw a staggering increase in visitors.”

In 2016, they set another lofty goal: to plant 1 million flower bulbs. And now they plant more than 2 million bulbs each year.

BURNSIDE FARMS TODAY

Since 2018, Burnside Farms’s tulip field and Festival of Spring has been on 70 acres along Kettle Run Road in Nokesville. The Festival of

Spring has grown in size, scope and attendance.

And today, Leslie, “Mike” and his wife, Jess, of Centreville, own and operate Burnside Farms (although they lease the Kettle Run fields.)

“Mike and I started dating in 2007 and got married in 2014,” Jess said. “We also have two beautiful children – Nolan, 10, and Annabelle, 8 – who both love to help out on the farm as much as they can.”

People come from all over the Washington region to see the vibrant fields of red, orange, yellow white and violet tulips and yellow daffodils.

“The tulip fields are absolutely gorgeous,” Jess said. “ It just looks like a carpet of gorgeous, vibrant colors. It’s just breathtaking,”

The fields now include photo op spots, picnic tables and a new 4,000 square foot tulip- and sunflower-themed playground. Food trucks and beer and/or wine vendors are usually present on weekends, and sometimes there is even a live band.

“We provide more than just a place to come see and pick flowers,” Jess said. “We want to provide something to our guests that they can really consider an experience.”

And there is no typical visitor to the tulip festival.

“We draw a very diverse crowd,” Jess said, “families looking for a fun outing with their kids; teens, 20-somethings and influencers who are posting

photos or videos on their social media pages, and young couples on dates.”

People even propose on the tulip field. “It’s very exciting when we get proposals on the farm and that happens fairly frequently.”

Burnside Farms typically holds its Festival of Spring in late March through early April, but weather conditions can affect the flower harvest. But when the festival is open for tulip season – visitors will know. The farm is bustling.

As the festival grew, the Dawleys made adjustments. Rather than allowing people to pick bulbs – which disrupts the flower beds – they sell high-quality bulbs in bulk. The seasonal store also sells vases, local jams and jellies and artisan-made souvenirs.

They also switched to online ticket sales with designated dates and times for entry.

“We reached a point where we needed to set a daily capacity to avoid overcrowding,” Jess said. “Online ticketing helps us manage that capacity, and it helps visitors, too – people can check availability ahead of time and avoid making the drive only to find we’re sold out and can’t accommodate more guests.”

Burnside Farms also offers “Season Passports,” inviting people to visit often, “because the fields are constantly changing.”

The stunning setting captured on camera helped the festival grow organically. “We’ve never had a marketing budget,” Jess explained. “People find out about us from word of mouth, articles in local – or sometimes nationwide – publications and through social media.”

However, Burnside Farms does promote its Summer of Sunflower festival, with hopes of growing that festival to similar renown. A major attraction is the farm’s “Sunflower Sunset” foam Friday dance parties and Saturday night concerts.

Now Burnside Farms is neither a flower wholesaler nor a garden center but a major agritourism business that four generations of Dawleys continue to grow.

“Burnside Farms is special because we always go the extra mile to provide our guests with a little something unexpected,” Jess said. “We have guests that return year after year and we manage to give them a bit of a new experience each time.”

Stacy Shaw is an award-winning journalist. She is the editor of Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine and publisher/owner of the local news site Bristow Beat.com.

$215 $215 Weekly Fee

JUNE 8 - JULY 31 • 7:30AM - 5:30PM

Dive into a summer full of pool days, hands on creations, epic camp games, exciting field trips, surprise guest visitors, and nonstop fun from start to finish.

JUNE 1 - AUGUST 7 • 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Discover a wide range of camps designed to match your child’s interests and your family’s schedule! No need for a full‑day commitment, pick the sessions that work for you. From dance and adventure to arts, sports, and so much more, there’s a perfect camp waiting for every young explorer!

A Taste of Southeast Asia

Locally owned Himalayan Grill wants to transport you to Nepal

BY HEATHER STIETZEL

From the lanterns, to pictures on the wall and even the spirits available to customers, the Himalayan Grill, in the town of Haymarket, makes its Nepalese guests feel at home, and all their diners feel as though they have been transported to Southeast Asia.

Husband and wife owners Nepal and Anita Thapa of Gainesville celebrated Himalayan Grill’s one-year anniversary in January. Both Thepas grew up in Nepal. They met in college and moved to the U.S. as students in 2002.

Family is the tie that binds this business together, they explained, and members of the family help run the restaurant. “My father-in-law is our bartender,” Nepal said, “and our three kids [ages 19, 16 and 9] help with the business.”

Their inspiration for opening the restaurant was simple – “we like food,” Nepal said. They previously owned Taj Palace in Warrenton (2017-2020).

“We chose Haymarket because it lacks casual dine-in restaurants amongst many

fast food restaurants,” said Nepal, who also wanted to provide an authentic Nepalese experience.

Nepal is a small country that shares borders with China and India. Its culture is influenced by both countries, yet is also distinctly its own. The same is true for the food. If you ask the Thapas what they recommend, they will say Basmati Rice, served with lamb, goat, chicken or seafood, such as salmon, shrimp or tilapia.

However, their most popular dish is Momo: dumplings stuffed with cheese, served with tomato and chili pepper sauce. While dumplings are popular in both China and India, Momo is very much a Nepalese dish created with its own style and flair.

Head chef Ram Bastola has over 20 years of experience cooking Nepalese food, and all food is made in house from scratch.

The Himalayan Grill also caters to those who are more familiar with Chinese cuisine, and many patrons will ask for their chicken served with a side of chow mein, a popular Chinese offering on the menu.

Stressed About Summer?

Looking for that perfect summer camp for your kids?

However, Anita also emphasized that the dishes are healthy. She is a nurse and feels strongly about how she feeds her family and her customers. “Anita is the boss,” Nepal said.

Himalayan Grill uses ingredients such as garlic, turmeric and ginger, which are anti-inflammatory, and have been shown to offer multiple health benefits.

The Thapas are also selective about what they do not include, such as frozen food, artificial colors and preservatives. “We try not to add salt to our dishes,” Anita added, “which is particularly beneficial to our senior population.”

Not only does the restaurant cook everything fresh, but a quarter of the food is locally sourced. One area of pride is shopping produce from the Haymarket Farmer’s Market.

Himalayan Grill does not use pork nor beef in any of its cuisines. For people on plant-based diets, the restaurant offers many options, including vegan dishes. Anita said they wanted to provide more options to their communities with dietary restrictions.

The Thapas recognize that about 40% of their diners are Southeast Asian, estimating that 20% are Nepalese and another 20% Indian, so their food must be authentic.

They also cater events and special occasions. They have even catered weddings of up to 200 people.

Shaili Priya of Haymarket had been meaning

to take her family to Himalayan Grill for a long time. She recently ate there for the first time and is eager to come back soon.

“The food was some of the best I've eaten and tasted like any restaurant in India. I especially loved the Tandoori Chicken Wings and the Chicken Steamed Dumplings as those taste like the authentic food you would get from a street vendor in Asia,” Priya said. “The chicken sizzlers were unique and delicious. The entire restaurant glanced in our direction when the steaming plate arrived.”

Himalayan Grill also gives back to the community by donating to nonprofits and silent auctions and hosting community fundraisers.

But most of all, the owners say they most value introducing Nepalese food to more people in and around Haymarket.

Nepal said he views the restaurant not only as another choice of where to eat, but also as a “melting pot,” where people from different backgrounds come to enjoy their food. “And we want to continue that.” L

Himalayan Grill is at 6624 Watts Road in Haymarket. More information is available at himalayangrillva.com.

Heather Stietzel of Bristow has a B.A. in journalism. She is director of membership sales for the Prince William Chamber of Commerce.

Take a Trip Through Time

Museum presents history of Manassas, surrounding communities

BY DHRUV AMITABH

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANASSAS MUSEUM COLLECTION

In 1972, the city of Manassas was preparing for its centennial celebration the following year. As city staff were compiling historic memorabilia, resident Walser Rohr had the idea to have a temporary museum to house the artifacts, most of which were donated by residents.

After the centennial, the city decided to make the makeshift museum permanent and gave it a home in the historic 1896 Hutchison Building on Main Street.

Over the years, the museum acquired more artifacts and outgrew that historic building. So, in 1991, the city opened a new museum on Prince William Street with more exhibit spaces and educational offerings for visitors of all ages.

On July 28, 2023, the museum reopened after a remodeling and expansion of the facilities. The newly renovated building offers even more room and interactive displays, plus more natural light.

EXHIBITS

While some of the artifacts in the Manassas Museum date to the Stone Ages, most exhibits span five centuries, beginning with the arrival of the English explorers in the Virginia Colony. The exhibits progress through the centuries with emphasis on indigenous people, Civil War military history, notable Black residents and how transportation advancements transformed Manassas from a rural outpost to a thriving small city that connects Prince William County to Washington.

Exhibits are constantly changing – as often as three times a year.

Virginia’s First People

This prehistoric exhibit showcases an array of items and drawings belonging to Virginia’s indigenous peoples dating as far as 16,000 BC. Many of the items were preserved by the Patawomeck Nation, or “Potomac People” who were recognized by the commonwealth of Virginia in 2010.

The Hall of Remembrance

The Hall of Remembrance presents artifacts belonging to the indigenous tribes of the area, including the Nottoway, Chickahominy and Mattaponi. Visitors can peek inside recreated longhouses, common homes for indigenous people during that period.

Early English Settlements

Worldwide British explorer John White was a map maker and artist who helped build and govern the English settlement at Roanoke Island in 1585. Visitors can peruse White’s first-hand accounts of his travels, including his maps, illustrations and notes about the Virginia Colony.

Sentry to the Ages - new exhibit

As of 1860, there were about 2,356 enslaved people in Prince William County, which included Manassas. A new special exhibit, Sentry to the Ages, features a vase from the Liberia House, dating from 1825-1860. The vase is said to been repaired by Nellie Naylor, a once enslaved woman who managed the estate during the Civil War.

On the Tracks of History - refreshed exhibit

The Manassas Gap Railroad, built in 1851, put Manassas on the map. The junction connected the town along the Orange and Alexandria lines. Later as the Virginia Midland Railway, in 1873, it connected Manassas to Washington. Visitors can learn more about the railroad depot, located just across from the museum.

20th

Century Transportation

A huge timeline on the wall of the museum marks Manassas’s transportation advancements, such as rebuilding of the Southern Manassas Railway Depot in 1912; the Manassas Landing Strip in 1932, which went on to become the Manassas Regional Airport; the construction of Interstate 66 in 1964, and the Virginia Railway Express in 1992.

Civil War & Two Battles of Manassas

The First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, was the first major land battle of the Civil War, and the Second Battle of Bull Run, in 1862, was even larger in scale. Relics from the battles on display include rifles, letters from soldiers to their loved ones and battered cannon rounds. Museum visitors can write a message for posterity, just as the soldiers once did.

Reconstruction & the Peace Jubilee

In 1911, Manassas hosted the National Peace Jubilee, a celebration to commemorate 50 years since the First Battle of Manassas. Intended to promote peace between Union and Confederate veterans, each of the 48 states sent a Peace Maiden to participate in the festivities. The museum holds memorabilia from the event.

Notable Black Residents

Museum visitors can learn about Black residents who made strides during reconstruction. These include Jane “Jennie” Serepta Dean (1848-1913), who founded the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth in 1893. The school offered academic and vocational training to hundreds of young Black students.

Interactive Family Tour

The Manassas Museum and the new Manassas City Public Library have partnered to create a guide that includes family-friendly activities and conversation starters as well as a hands-on art activity to complete together. The guide is free at the library and at the museum store. L

The Manassas Museum management also oversees a number of city-owned historic sites, including:

Liberia Plantation (1825)

Mayfield Earthwork Fort (1861)

Cannon Branch Earthwork Fort (1864)

Hopkins Candy Factory building (1908)

Southern Railway Depot (1914)

Annaburg Park

Old Town Hall

Manassas Industrial School/ Jennie Dean Memorial

Know Before You Go

The museum is at 9101 Prince William St. in Manassas and is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free, and donations are always welcome. Many K-12 educational and interactive programs are available, and memorabilia is sold at the Echoes Museum Store.

More information at manassasva.gov/things_to_do/manassas_museum

Druv Amitabh, a tenth-grader at Wakefield School, is a published author, winning a featured spot in the iWrite anthology called “I Write Short Stories by Kids for Kids,” three times. He specializes in writing about local history.

Harness the power of Hyper-Local for your business

When readers turn to our pages, they see people they know and others they’d like to know – local heroes, amazing kids, neat neighbors, and rising stars. They see beloved businesses, favorite mail carriers, and long-standing members of the community. They see their family and friends. They see themselves.

And when you promote your business in Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine , over 80,000* potential clients will see your message. *Total Combined Readership

To Advertise, Contact Jim Kelly Sales Director | jim@whglifestyle.com | 434-987-3542 Tony Haugan Multimedia Marketing Specialist | thaugan@fauquiernow.com | 540-672-8547

TOP 10 H&G’s

The Big Picture:

Local home sales posted a second straight monthly gain in January, although it was entirely due to the Haymarket ZIP code. Sales were up 61.1% in the Haymarket and Gainesville ZIP codes combined, compared with January 2025.

Mixed signals:

Pending sales were up significantly in both ZIP codes, and median sales prices also were higher, according to the latest data from the Prince William Association of Realtors.

The January Details:

Closed sales:

• Down 16.7% in Gainesville to 20 units

• Up 216.7% in Haymarket to 38 units

• Combined sales totaled 58, up from 36 a year earlier

New Pending sales:

• Down 35.5% in Gainesville

• Up 100% in Haymarket

Median sales price:

• Down 20.6% to $643,500 in Gainesville

• Up 18.8% to $725,000 in Haymarket

Average days on market (homes sold in January):

• 31 in Gainesville

• 28 in Haymarket

14425 WOODWILL LANE

$972,500

Sold: Feb. 12

4 Bedrooms

4½ Bathrooms

4,686 square feet

6945 SUNDAY SILENCE COURT

$850,000

Sold: Feb. 13

3 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2,834 square feet

14836 CARTAGENA DRIVE

$830,000

Sold: Feb. 2 4

7722 YALTA WAY

$799,990 Sold: Jan. 22 4 Bedrooms 3½ Bathrooms 3,195 square feet

15610 CALUM COURT

$1,465,000

Sold: Feb 4

5 Bedrooms

6½ Bathrooms 4,363 square feet

15086 SYCAMORE HILLS PLACE

$1,200,000

Sold: Jan 6

4 Bedrooms

4½ Bathrooms 5,762 square feet

15509 MELLON COURT

$1,140,000

Sold: Jan. 31 4 Bedrooms

3½ Bathrooms 3,950 square feet

4550 GEYSER CREEK LOOP

$1,040,000

Sold: Jan. 28

4 Bedrooms

4½ Bathrooms 4,380 square feet

5662 CARIBBEAN COURT

$899,900

Sold: Jan. 19

5 Bedrooms

4½ Bathrooms 4,933 square feet

Contact: Jim Kelly, Sales Director jim@whglifestyle.com 434-987-3542

you may have missed...

Two new eateries coming to Gainesville

Great American Restaurants is entering the Prince William dining scene.

The Northern Virginia-based hospitality group –which operates popular eateries like Sweetwater Tavern and Coastal Flats – recently announced that Tommy’s American restaurant and Best Buns Bakery & Burgers will open in Gainesville at the site of the former DMV building at 14100 Whitney Road near Linton Hall Road and Route 29.

A new concept, Tommy’s American is named after Tom Rush, Great American Restaurants’ chief operating officer. Rush is a longtime Gainesville and Haymarket resident, along with his wife, Abby, and three children. The couple met while working at Great American’s Sweetwater Tavern in Centreville in 1996.

Best Buns Bakery & Burgers features breakfast sandwiches, pastries, build-your-own burgers and other sandwiches. Best Buns recently announced another new location opening in Falls Church.

An approximate opening date wasn’t immediately available.

Keep up with all the news from around your county: SUBSCRIBE! To InsideNoVa/Prince William, $49/year, delivered weekly www.insidenova.com/subscribe VISIT! InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for daily headlines and our weekly Gainesville/Haymarket-only e-newsletter FOLLOW! InsideNoVa on Facebook and Twitter @InsideNoVa

Willing Warriors’ retreat to offer group therapy

ANorthern Virginia-based nonprofit is providing free group therapy services at the Willing Warriors' veterans retreat in Haymarket.

Ten Ten Life, a faith-based organization in Herndon, will offer three-day intensive therapy retreats utilizing the Confessional Community group model developed by Falls Church psychiatrist Curt Thompson, according to a news release.

Ten Ten Life has a network of over 20 trauma-focused therapists across Northern Virginia and the greater Washington area.

Willing Warriors provides cost-free retreat stays and other programs for wounded, ill or injured military veterans and their families. The programs have served over 3,000 veterans in 10 years.

Brentsville’s Mystique Ro competes in Winter Olympics

Mystique Ro, Prince William County’s first Winter Olympian, finished seventh in the skeleton mixed team event at the 2026 Games in Cortina, Italy.

Ro and U.S. teammate Austin Florian finished with a combined time of 2:00.39. The other U.S. team, consisting of Dan Barefoot and Kelly Curtis, took 10th with a combined time of 2:01.43.

Ro finished 15th overall, Feb. 14, in the women’s individual skeleton.

Ro’s combined four-heat time was 3:52.48. Ro, a Brentsville High School graduate, was 17th coming into the second day of competition.

Fellow American Kelly Curtis was 12th with a fourrun time of 3:52.13.

Austria’s Janine Flock won the gold medal with a combined time of 3:49.02, followed by Germany’s Susanne Kreher (silver, 3:49.32) and Germany's Jacqueline Pfeifer (bronze, 3:49.46).

Skating community remembers plane crash victims

Holding back a sudden swell of emotion, Alexis Winch paused to take a breath.

“It’s been hard,” the 11-year-old Ashburn figure skater said recently of the fallout from the Jan. 29, 2025, crash of American Airlines Flight 5342. “Some people left the rink; some even quit. It’s just like –you’re losing a lot of people."

Winch was friends with Everly Livingston, 14, a victim of the regional jet’s mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River.

The crash killed 60 passengers, two pilots and two flight attendants aboard the American Eagle jet and the three U.S. Army members in the helicopter.

Winch and a few peers participated in a commemorative tribute skate at the Ashburn Ice House in late January following a sculpture unveiling ceremony.

“It’s hard for me to imagine it’s been one year,” said Kitty Kelly McGorry, director of Capital Theater on Ice, who was crash victim Alydia Livingston’s head figure skating coach. “It feels more like 10 days or 10 years. It’s just been painful. But I feel like I miss them every day."

Western Prince

1360 Old Bridge Rd. | Woodbridge, VA 22192 540-349-2951 | www.insidenova.com/whglifestyle A division of Rappahannock Media/InsideNoVa