Dr. Anna Green Hand & Upper Extremity
Dr. Ralph Garretson Sports Medicine
Dr. James Ward Sports Medicine
Dr. Robert Smith Sports Medicine
Dr. Scott Koenig Hip & Knee Replacement
Dr. Louis Magdon Spine Surgery
Dr. Daniel Heller Pain Management
Dr. Michael Poss Pain Management
Dr. Yevgeny Kats Foot & Ankle
Summer is in full swing. That means sunshine, swimming and hopefully some time off. If you still want to relax and unwind, while staying local, see our To Do List on Page 8.
But if you can get away, even for an afternoon, I recommend reading our Road Trip guide. It features recommendations for places to visit in Northern Virginia, Piedmont and the Shenandoah Valley regions. Find details about it on Page 10.
I am pleased to bring you a continuation of our series introducing new restaurants coming to and around Virginia Gateway. Restaurants like the Silver Diner and Tommy’s American will surely redefine Gainesville’s dining scene. Learn more about them beginning on Page 12
Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novel, “Go Tell the Bees that I am Gone,” which inspired the last season of the series, piqued my interest in beekeeping. Learn about bee lore, the magical medicinal qualities of honey, and the family that has centered its life around bringing honey to market on Page 20
We also celebrate a fantastic baseball team, whose state championship has been a long time coming. I’m talking about the Battlefield Bobcats. Read the recap of their hard-fought championship game on Page 24
Stay cool, and have fun.
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR STACY@WHGLIFESTYLE.COM
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STACY SHAW
Family is the secret ingredient for Blackstone Honey Bee Farms
SHAW
a Blast Battlefield High School baseball wins first state title BY ERIC HOBECK
The highest selling homes in Haymarket and Gainesville last month
Leopold Preserve, Thoroughfare Cemetery and county courthouse expansion ON THE COVER Dressed in a protective suit, Andrew Jenkins of Blackstone Honey Bee Farms removes a frame from an artificial beehive, showing a honeycomb consisting of honey and pollen and capped with beeswax. LUKE CHRISTOPHER
For an up-to-date list of events around the region, visit
It’s July. Time to unwind. But you don’t need to leave town to take in entertainment. Theater, arts, music and sports. It’s all happening near you.
Prince William Little Theatre presents Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” accompanied by an original score by the creators of “Hairspray.” $35. July 10-19, 8 p.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas.
Jeff Kinney’s popular character takes the stage as Pied Piper Theatre presents the heartfelt musical, ”Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” See Greg Heffley navigate middle school. July 24-25, 7-9:30 p.m. Manassas.
Christopher Durang’s comedy “Beyond Therapy” follows two neurotic singles as they navigate dating and their unbalanced therapists. July 24 - Aug. 2, 7:30-10 p.m. ARTfactory, Manassas.
Prince William Arts Society’s group exhibit “Nostalgia” features work by 25 local artists that express emotional landscapes shaped by time and memory. Opening Reception, Saturday, July 11, 6-8 p.m. ARTfactory, Manassas.
Relax. Express. Create. Art for Calm and Creativity, hosted by Crossroad Arts Alliance , is a mindful art workshop to help spark your creativity using journaling. Leave feeling grounded, inspired and recharged. Sunday, July 26, 1:30 p.m. Aroma II, Haymarket.
Polo in the Park features two arena polo matches showcasing the skills of internationally recognized players. Bring a picnic or visit vendors. Saturdays, July 11, 18 and 25, 6-10 p.m. Morven Park International Equestrian Center, Leesburg.
Join a team to help monitor butterfly numbers and track trends for the North American Butterfly Association at the NABA Butterfly Count. Training is provided. Sunday, July 19, 9 a.m. , Manassas.
Sunshine Ridge Farm in Gainesville presents live music. Sip wine by the lake and listen to Eli Lev on Friday, July 10, 5 p.m. ; Jason Masi on Friday, July 24, 5 p.m., and Mo & Mary Mac, Saturday, July 25, 5 p.m.
Blues, rock and blue grass performer Brian Grilli brings his eclectic style to Rockwood in Gainesville, Saturday, July 25, 9 p.m.
Kena Shriners’ Fez & Furious - Kart 64 Showdown is a retro Mario Kart 64 tournament with cash prizes and high-stakes competition. Saturday, July 11, 7 p.m. $10-$85. Manassas.
Kena Drawdown is a Shriners fundraising tradition with a chance to win a $10,000 prize. All proceeds support the lifechanging work of Shriners Children. Saturday, July 18, 6 p.m. $100. Manassas.
Quick summer getaways and fun experiences, just a road trip away
Sometimes, you just need a break. Thankfully — to our north, south, east and west — it’s not too late for a spontaneous summer jaunt.
In the summer of America 250, one of NORTHERN VIRGINIA’s most-immersive places to dive into the thrilling and history-making moments of the American Revolution is found at the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir. Dive into two Revolutionfocused exhibits, featuring augmented reality — and reality, including a special gift given by Gen. George Washington to the Marquis de Lafayette.
Speaking of our first president, George Washington’s Mount Vernon now includes a beer garden featuring rotating local craft brews. And visitors to the estate can now take advantage of Mount Vernon’s new shuttle service from the King Street Metro station in Alexandria.
Next month, the largest county fair in Virginia, the Prince William County Fair, runs Aug. 7-15, promising livestock demonstrations, a petting zoo, rodeos and carnival rides.
Our own PIEDMONT AREA presents its own array of delights. In mid-August,
Time to hit the road!
the Brandy Station Firemen’s Fair returns Aug. 12-16, featuring its signature Firemen’s Parade and the Lawn & Garden Tractor Pull, alongside classic carnival rides, games, food and live music every evening. Of course, shopping and sipping options are aplenty, including:
• Just down Route 211 in Little Washington, R.H. Ballard Shop & Gallery offers an artful mix of unique home goods, specialty gifts, fine art and decor.
• Head south, to Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery and Tap 29 Brewery, celebrating over 40 years of Virginia winemaking, guests can enjoy standout selections, including the Governor’s Cup Gold Medalwinning 2024 Petit Manseng, while enjoying live music and relaxing among scenic vineyard views.
• To the north, Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in Purcellville is pouring its award-winning spirits in a refreshed tasting room.
• Round out the summer Sept. 5 by watching the round-up at the Culpeper Rodeo, featuring bull riding, barrel racing and mutton busting.
In the SHENANDOAH VALLEY, music festivals abound, notably:
• Staunton’s Oak Grove Folk Music Festival in late August features three days of folk and acoustic music, including concerts, an open mic show and a gospel sing
• The 22nd Annual Watermelon Pickers’ Fest in September in Berryville, offering bluegrass, country and Americana music.
Throughout our region, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is celebrating the 90th anniversary of Virginia State Parks in June, marking nine decades of conserving and stewarding the state’s natural, scenic, cultural and historic resources.
BY STACY SHAW
Welcome to part two of our series in which we introduce you to restaurants coming to the Virginia Gateway and the surrounding retail space in Gainesville.
These new restaurants are bringing something new to the table, starting with the Silver Diner. It’s a large diner with an extensive menu. I imagine it will be hopping from morning to midnight.
Then we have Best Buns Burgers & Bakery, known for its breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, conveniently located near the Route 29 entrance/exit ramp.
Two health-conscious eateries are also coming to Virginia Gateway: South Block and Honeygrow. Both are great options for vegetarians. For the meat-lovers, Virginia Gateway welcomes Talkin’ Tacos, which specializes in authentic street tacos and burritos.
Last, but not least, is the much-anticipated Tommy’s American, a new concept from Great American Restaurants. It could just become Gainesville's number one destination restaurant.
Here is a look at some of the new restaurants.
Full service 1950s-style diner
Regional chain
The Silver Diner is such an institution throughout the DMV that having one come to Gainesville makes it seem as though the neighborhood has finally arrived.
The Silver Diner plans to open its 25th location in Gainesville at the site previously occupied by Out of the Blue Seafood Restaurant. That building has been razed to make room for The Silver Diner’s icon building with its distinct silver exterior.
Bob Giaimo and Ype Von Hengst founded the first Silver Diner in Rockville, Md., in 1989, but its iconic style dates back much farther, inspired by a bygone era, a time when warm apple pie, hot coffee and friendly service met weary motorists across the country.
“There is something special about a diner from nostalgic tabletop jukeboxes to comfortable booths to the friendly people. So when my partner, Chef Ype Von Hengst, and I wanted to start an American family restaurant that bridges the gap between tablecloth restaurants and fast food, the diner was the perfect answer,” Giaimo writes on the Silver Diner’s website.
The duo visited over 500 U.S. diners, seeking to understand their timeless appeal. They determined it came down to unique architecture, generous helpings and a friendly wait staff.
Silver Diner’s extensive menu features breakfast classics such as pancakes, omelets and waffles; lunch favorites like plus burgers, large sandwiches and salads, and dinner entrees. Over the years, the diner has added more diverse entrees and more farm-to-table dishes.
This will be Silver Diner’s second Prince William County location; one at Potomac Mills in Woodbridge opened earlier this year.
Where: 5005 Wellington Road
Who: Founded by Bob Giaimo and Ype Von Hengst in 1989
How: Modeled after classic mid-century American diners
When: Still under construction, no opening date provided More info: silverdiner.com
STANDOUT MENU ITEMS
Fried Pickle-Brined Chicken & Waffle
Breaded boneless chicken (halal), pecan waffle, cherry pepper honey, sausage gravy and syrup
Organic Bison Huevos Rancheros
Crispy whole wheat tortillas, chorizo hash with organic bison, cage-free eggs over-easy, peppers, salsa roja, scallions, cilantro, goat cheese, guacamole
Whole House Remodel & Renovation
Custom Kitchens & Bathrooms
Basement Finishing & Remodeling
Water Damage Repair
Mold Remediation
Plumbing & Electrical
Doors & Windows
Custom Wine/Wet Bars
Interior/Exterior Painting
Home Maintenance/Repair And Much More!
New concept by Great American Restaurants
If there’s one question Gainesville residents love to ask is, “when can we get a Sweetwater Tavern?” With one just north of here in Centreville, the chances are slim.
However, it seems we may get something even better. Great American Restaurants, the Northern Virginia-based hospitality group behind Sweetwater Tavern, is launching a concept restaurant here called Tommy’s American.
Tommy’s American restaurant will open at the site of the former DMV building just off Linton Hall Road, next to the chain’s other incoming restaurant, Best Buns & Burgers Bakery.
Tommy’s American is named after Tom Rush, Great American Restaurants’ chief operating officer. Rush is a longtime Gainesville and Haymarket resident who lives here with his wife, Abby, and their three children. The couple met while working at Sweetwater Tavern.
“I’m overwhelmed and humbled to see Great American Restaurants opening in a place I’ve called home for over 20 years, let alone it being named after me,” Rush said in a news release.
“I can’t wait for it to open and for Tommy’s American and Best Buns to become part of our community.”
Rush graduated from James Madison University and the Culinary Institute of America. He began his career with Great American Restaurants and has held numerous positions in the company, including head kitchen manager, executive chef and managing partner.
Rush has led the opening of numerous eateries for the company, including Coastal Flats, Ozzie’s Good Eats, Patsy’s American, Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks, Best Buns Bakery & Burgers and the new fast-casual concept Stupid Good BBQ.
“Tom’s leadership, dedication, and passion for hospitality have been foundational to GAR’s success and continued growth,” Jon Norton, CEO of Great American Restaurants, said in the release.
The restaurant is still under construction but is expected to open this year.
American-style eatery and cafe
Best Buns Bakery & Burgers is unique among casual dining restaurants. Is it a breakfast place, a burger joint or a bakery? It’s all three. Best Buns features breakfast sandwiches, mouth-watering build-your-own burgers and other specialty sandwiches. But it is also a bakery with croissants, fresh bread, pastries, cupcakes and cookies – and even a Starbucks coffee bar.
This is the first location for Best Buns in Prince William. Best Buns is also a Great American Restaurant.
Best Buns sets its own rules. Customers can grab a pastry from a self-serve case, order a traditional breakfast sandwich or the much-raved-about honey chicken sandwich on a buttermilk biscuit.
Best Buns is under construction at the site that was formerly the VDOT offices, off Linton Hall Road near Route 29.
An approximate opening date wasn’t immediately available.
What: Best Buns Bakery & Burgers,
Who: Great American Restaurants
Where: 14100 Whitney Road, near Linton Hall and Route 29
Opening: Later this year
More Info: bestbunsbakeryandburgers.com
STANDOUT MENU ITEMS
Spuntino Sandwich
Chicken breast, basil aioli, roasted red pepper and watercress on rosemary
Build your own burger Add wicked-good sauce, pickles, sauteed onions and mushrooms
What if there was a restaurant at which salads and stir-fries took center stage? That’s the question Philly restaurateur Justin Rosenberg asked himself before founding a hip urban restaurant to please vegans and omnivores alike.
Honeygrow is a franchise that fills a niche in the fast-casual market, offering freshly made-to-order stir-fry, salads and a honeybar. This summer it will fill the space next to Sephora in Virginia Gateway.
Honeygrow serves curated bowls of stir-fry and salads, or you can create your own. The Honeybar is a selection of desserts, like chocolate mousse or cheesecake with toppings like fruit or honey.
Rosenberg describes options as “gorgeous food, sourced intelligently,” and cultivated by a team of creatives. The entrepreneur launched Honeygrow in 2012. To date, Honeygrow has opened 45 restaurants, mostly in the Mid-Atlantic.
“I’m so excited [about Honeygrow],” said Erin Blankenship of Bristow, “There is one right across from my office in Tyson’s Corner, and I love it so much. I’m super excited [to have it come to Gainesville] – I mean, they have stir-fries and salads. They’re fresh and delicious.”
Blankenship said that she can eat at Honeygrow and feel healthier afterwards. “It is very fresh and delicious and flavorful, and they are always changing up the menu.”
Celebrate Summer With Us!
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
8:30 AM: Holy Eucharist 10:30 AM: Holy Eucharist 11:30 AM: Fellowship
Livestream on our Website Sundays at 10:30 AM! Our full schedule is on our website!
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Warrenton Lifestyle and HaymarketGainesville Lifestyle Magazines mailed right to your door!
Who: Founded by Justin Rosenberg of Philadelphia
Where: 5063 Wellington Road, Virginia Gateway, Gainesville
Opening: Early July Info: Honeygrow.com
STANDOUT MENU ITEMS
Red Coconut Curry
Red coconut curry sauce, rice noodles, roasted tofu, pineapples, jalapeños, carrots, scallions, cilantro (gluten free, vegan)
Key Lime Cheesecake
Strawberries, blueberries, graham cracker crumble, and a creamy, zesty lime cheesecake filling BY
Fresh smoothies and bowls
South Block is bringing communities together one fresh and healthy smoothie at a time. Its flavor-packed menu offers fruity combinations to satisfy any summer thirst. With items like classic smoothies, protein bowls and grab-and-go toasts, it’s an experience worth tasting at the Promenade this summer.
Founder Amir Mostafavi, a Northern Virginia local, launched South Block in 2011 after the success of his Campus Fresh eatery at George Washington University.
The brand quickly became a beloved neighborhood staple. In the years that followed, South Block expanded to new “blocks,” continuing to share its positive energy and fresh, handcrafted offerings. Gainesville will be the brand’s 27th location.
Aloha Bowl
A blend of organic acai, bananas, strawberries, pineapple juice topped with organic granola, strawberry, pineapple and coconut
Mermaid Smoothie
A blend of pineapple juice, blue majik,
“We are stewards in every community where we operate, and our mission is to make people feel awesome one block at a time through good vibes and fresh food,” said Alex Lawrence, director of marketing. “All of our smoothies and bowls are handcrafted to order, ensuring you receive something fresh and nutritious with every order.”
Andreas Morales, manager of Muse at Virginia Gateway, is excited to have South Block moving across the street from her job. She frequented the Fairfax location that was next to her high school not so long ago. “It was super-duper popular with the kids,” she said.
Today she still prefers South Block’s smoothies to others, noting they mix in fresh fruits – not frozen. She also likes the various toppings on the yogurt bowls and smoothies such as toasted coconut, almond butter and blueberries.
Where:
The Promenade at Virginia Gateway Who: Amir Mostafavi of Northern Virginia Opening: Later this summer
More info: southblock.com
For more than 185 years, we’ve forged personal relationships with our customers and communities, funding economic development and rallying around the causes that are important to our neighbors. With local bankers you know and trust, businesses and individuals throughout the Commonwealth continue to choose United Bank.
Talkin’ Tacos features a savory assortment of classic and creative Mexican dishes that add up to a celebration of flavor. It couples its flavor with a hip urban style that adds to the restaurant’s allure.
The street-style Mexican restaurant is coming to Atlas Walk Way and will probably open in the fall, according to a representative of Virginia Gateway. The restaurant originated in Florida, and this will be its second location in the DMV with its other in downtown Washington.
Talkin’ Tacos serves distinct Mexican fare including Mahi Mahi Tacos, Chicken Quaesabirria, Bean Rice Bowl and its Crispy Stack Wrap. Talkin’ Tacos prioritizes freshness; food is made fresh and from scratch.
Co-Founders Omar Al-Massalkhi and Mohammad Farraj were eager to display culinary creativity without straying far from its street-wise roots. Talkin’ Tacos also still offers its cuisine through food trucks and tents.
“Our success in Washington, D.C. inspired us to look toward neighboring communities, and Gainesville quickly rose to the top of our list. [Gainesville’s] remarkable growth, strong family-oriented culture, and position as a thriving suburban hub made it the ideal place for our next location,” said Farraj. “We’re excited to introduce Talkin’ Tacos to Gainesville and look forward to serving residents with the bold flavors and energetic atmosphere that have made us a favorite.” L
Writer Samantha
Low contributed to this article.
What: Talki’n Tacos
Where: Atlas Walk at Virginia Gateway
Who: Co-Founders Omar Al-Massalkhi and Mohammad Farraj
When: Scheduled to open in fall
More Info: talkintacos.net
Birria Mac & Cheese
Macaroni, birria, four-cheese house blend, cilantro, takis, pairs well with in-house made hot sauce.
Chicken Achiote
Three chicken achiote tacos: corn tortillas, achiote chicken thighs, avocado salsa, pickled onions, cotija cheese and cilantro.
BY STACY SHAW | PHOTOS BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER
The Greeks considered honey “food of the gods.” The ancient Minoans of Crete engaged in sacred hive rituals on behalf of their mother goddess. In Hinduism, the Veddas refer to their primary deities, Vishnu, Krishnu and Indra, as the “nectar-born ones.”
If bees are sacred, then beekeepers Richard Pounds and his family at Blackstone Honey Bee Farms in Broad Run are alchemists, transmuting the natural world through pollination and offering us the golden, delicious superfood we called honey.
Richard “Rick” Pounds, 71, has been around bees all his life. He grew up on a farm in Culpeper. Later, while working for his uncle in construction – and even after he started his own construction business, while living in Nokesville – he often came across bees people considered nuisances.
But while many people are
afraid of bees, Pounds was fascinated by them.
After retiring, Rick moved to a rural property in Broad Run where the previous owner planted 1,050 yards of natural flora and indigenous wildflowers to protect against erosion. A friend who operated a 3,000-colony apiary, or bee yard, offered him some colonies. He accepted.
“Honey bees can travel five to six miles in a day looking for flowers,” Rick said. “Mine have to go only 100 yards.”
Rick started beekeeping, producing honey and beeswax candles. In 2023, he launched Blackstone Honey Bee Farms from his apiary on John Marshall Highway, selling honey on-site, at local markets and mom-and-pop shops.
Thankfully Rick did not have to go it alone. His son Austin, 29, is his second-in-command. While his other sons Richie, 47, and Hunter McCarten, 20, and
his stepson, Gary Guerrero, work there a few times a week as well.
Austin’s close friends, Andrew Jenkins and Seth Rollins, work on weekends. “It’s a pleasure working with my sons and the other boys,” said Pounds. “It’s all about family.”
Austin realizes the importance of their work. “[Without bees] you wouldn’t have flowers or plants, and not a lot of the growth and vegetation at all in the world,” he said. “I also take the bee pollen for my allergies, so that’s pretty cool as well.”
Rick’s wife, Angela Salazar, who assists with paperwork and sells at markets, doesn’t mind bees in her backyard. “I’m not afraid of them. If you ignore them, they don’t bother you.”
The only family member who doesn’t like bees, Rick said, is his daughter, Valerie. “She wants nothing to do with them.”
Like the Pounds, bees form a hardworking family unit. The queen lays 1,500 to 2,000 eggs a day. Younger females are caretakers; older females for-
Honey soothes throats and calms coughs; combats allergies; is rich in antioxidants; supports heart health, improves cholesterol levels and reduces blood pressure; offers better blood sugar management than sugar; and aids in digestion, nourishing “good” bacteria in your gut. While you should never give honey to infants under 1 years old, it makes a good homeopathic medicine for children.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Austin Pounds works full time at Blackstone Honey Bee Farms with his father, Richard Pounds; Andrew Jenkins and Seth Rollins sell whipped honey at the new Gainesville farmers market; natural honeycomb offers nutritional benefits, enzymes and antioxidants; Jenkins wears a protective suit as he opens a beehive.
age for nectar, pollen and water. The males exist to mate with the queen.
“Their job is really living for the queen, getting the honey for the queen,” Austin said.
In bee yards, colonies are kept in artificial hives, large wooden boxes containing screens and frames. The bees turn nectar into honey. Honey falls into honeycomb frames and the bees cap them with beeswax.
Rick and company cut the wax and honey from the frames. They heat raw honey, only slightly, so as not to kill the useful enzymes.
Austin recommends using local honey to treat allergies. Since the bees source local pollen, it's a homeopathic remedy. One can sweeten tea, coffee or yogurt with honey or go “right to the source” and eat a pinch of pollen.
Blackstone sells its raw and natural honey, also offers flavors like Cinnamon Honey and Wildflower Honey. Whipped Cinnamon Honey can be used as a topper or spread. “That’s very popular,” Rick said.
But the farm’s Hot Honey –infused with habanero peppers – is the best seller. It has a spicy kick, Rick said. “People love it on pizza.”
Blackstone also produces an assortment of natural candles.
Beeswax candles burn clean and clear the air. As its negative ions rise, allergens like pet danger and dust fall. People also prefer beeswax candles for their natural fragrance and warm glow and because they are long-lasting.
Selling the goods is part of the fun, and Blackstone participates in nine weekly markets in Prince William, surrounding counties and beyond. “Farmers markets are fun; you meet people and get to grow your business,” Rick said.
Salazar loves hearing her customers share the positive experiences they’ve had with their products. “There’s a real sense of community at the markets, seeing
people every week. Plus, they have all these products that are farm to table.”
Mitch Berliner, owner of Central Farm Markets, which opened a new location at Virginia Gateway, first met Rick at his Bethesda, Md., market. “Rick is an outstanding vendor, person and is a huge fan of getting the Gainesville Market up and running,” Berliner said.
Because pollination increases agricultural growth and quality, Rick receives multiple requests from farmers who want to rent his colonies. However, he graciously declines, knowing that chemicals – even from neighboring farms –could contaminate his colonies.
Blackstone honey bees are very healthy, as certified by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Rick wants to keep it that way.
However, he does sell hive kits and helps people set up their own colonies. He will even come to ethically remove honey bee swarms.
Today, Blackstone Honey Bee Farms manages 42 colonies between the Broad Run beeyard and a secondary location in Fauquier County, and Rick aims to increase that number to 75.
“I will continue to grow the company for the boys. Austin is ready right now to step in and take charge,” said Rick. “That makes me very proud.”
Austin, who takes great pride in helping people and the environment, is happy to oblige. “When I first started, it was just to help [my dad] out, but today I genuinely enjoy what I do.” L
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.
More information about Blackstone Honey Bee Farms can be found at blackstonehoneybeefarms.com.
BY ERIC HOBECK PHOTOS BY BILL KAMENJAR
It couldn’t be happening again, right?
Luke Raflo got hold of one, launching it high in the June air to deep right field.
In the final at-bat of last year’s state championship game, Raflo also hit a high fly ball deep to right – but it became Battlefield’s final out and delivered local rival Gainesville its first title.
If this time was going to be different, if this team was going to be different, if this season would finally have a happy ending after so many years of heartbreak for a proud program, it just couldn’t fall at the warning track again.
When the ball disappeared beyond the outfield fence, the roar that echoed through the Bobcats' section of the stadium is best described as two-plus decades of frustration being set free at last.
Raflo's grand slam in the top of the seventh blew the game open as Battlefield claimed its first Class 6 baseball championship with a 6-3 win over host Independence on June 13, ending a wait that began in the spring of 2005 and only intensified after Jay
Burkhart took over as head coach in 2011.
For the walk-off devastation of 2016 and the indignity of last season to be put to bed once and for all, the Bobcats (21-8) had to tap into some of their infectious self-assuredness, one of many intangibles that helped the team overcome a rocky 7-6 start to the campaign.
It began during warmups, when starting pitcher Alex Kamprowski looked completely at ease as he threw around in the cage –but he wasn't just putting on a good face.
“Coming into the game, I felt absolutely
controlled the entire time,” the rising senior said. “When I showed up, I didn’t have [any] jitters at all … I didn’t feel like anything was going to go wrong.”
Staked to an early 1-0 lead courtesy of Christian Gomez’s RBI single in the top of the first, Kamprowski rewarded his coach’s trust by allowing one run on three hits over four innings, striking out five and sitting down the first six Tigers batters in order. It soon became apparent that neither lineup would be able to easily replicate the kind of output that resulted in scores of 13-10, 11-
10, and 12-6 in the teams’ three prior meetings, all of which went to Independence.
“It’s just one of those things where … they’re two of the best arms in Northern Virginia,” Tigers head coach Joe McDonald said of Kamprowski and Josh Gunning, who came in for three innings of relief. “Both of their guys were sharp today.”
Tied 1-1 in the fifth, Brady Burkhart stepped in with two outs and Teagan Leach on first. A senior and the coach’s son, Burkhart ripped a double to deep right-center to score Leach and put the Bobcats back in front.
Leach, nicknamed “Sweet T,” drew a walk to lead off the seventh before he was caught trying to steal second; Gunning followed suit, and after Burkhart flew out to left, Gomez singled and Yogi Colangelo walked. The stage was set for Raflo.
Sporting an American flag-styled headband and the nickname “Bald Eagle,” the rising senior saw the 0-1 delivery from Michael Zingaro a bit high and away, extending just enough to get full contact.
Everyone in purple held their breath, daring to silently ask themselves if the moment they’d dreamed about was seconds away. Soon enough, Raflo’s bomb set off another one, as his teammates erupted out of
that it turned into an accidental headbutt; the skipper even joked that Brady was “a little violent.”
But make no mistake about it, Saturday was an emotional day for the family. “It’s kind of like his graduation,” said the elder Burkhart, choking back tears. “I treat these kids like my own kids, but I really did have one on the team this year. It was an awesome privilege.”
“Since I was 4 [years old], we’ve been losing state tournaments,” joked Brady Burkhart. “For my senior year, to do this, it meant more than anything in my life. It was my dream.”
the dugout and their supporters jumped, hugged, screamed and high-fived in a sea of unbridled pandemonium.
“I honestly just blacked out,” Raflo said of his date with redemption. He returned to the dugout to shouts of love and praise.
Battlefield fans could be forgiven for acting as though the championship had already been won, but it was only natural that their final trophyless minutes would come with a sweat.
Michael Bowden swung on Gunning’s first pitch of the seventh and sent it past the left-
field fence, and Colton Hicks did the same thing two batters later.
With a runner on first, facing a 1-2 count with two away, Joe McDonald swung into Gunning’s final delivery, sending it high and deep to center field. When it dropped safely into Nico Moritz’s glove, the Bobcats charged out of the dugout once more and toward the mound, piling onto each other in disbelief.
The younger Burkhart quickly found his father, enveloping him in a hug so fierce
To a man, the difference in the 2026 Bobcats was easy to pinpoint. Talented as they may be, that nebulous little thing called chemistry gave them the ability to trust each other in any situation, first developed off the field through things like trips to Chick-fil-A or Chipotle after most practices. Not that their early struggles didn't eventually pay dividends either.
“I thought that humbled us a bit,” Jay Burkhart said. “I think we thought that we were just going to show up and people were going to bow down to us, but when they saw the players that we have, the commits we have, the name on our chest, they play a
little bit harder.”
The game was a family affair for not just the Burkharts, but the entire team, and it was a community one as well. Battlefield baseball games have long been some of the school’s most popular events, coinciding with their status as perennial regional contenders.
For the trophy presentation, it looked like
The five highest-priced homes that sold in each of the two local ZIP codes between mid-May and mid-June. Photos and home data from Realtor.com.
14521 BLUFF POINT COURT
$1,525,000
Sold: May 21
5 Bedrooms
6½ Bathrooms
6,684 square feet
7306 SUGAR MAGNOLIA LOOP
$1,450,000
Sold: June 12
6 Bedrooms
5½ Bathrooms 4,412 square feet
6010 TROTTERS POINT LANE
$1,100,000
Sold: June 10
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
3,969 square feet
6198 CHANCELLORSVILLE DRIVE
$1,075,000
Sold: June 1
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
3,247 square feet
5500 LIBER COURT
$960,000
Sold: June 12
4 Bedrooms
3½ Bathrooms
4,724 square feet
Local home sales bounced back in May and were up 17.5% in the Gainesville and Haymarket ZIP codes combined, compared with May 2025.
More signs of strength... Pending sales, median sales prices and new listings were up in both ZIP codes, according to the latest data from the Prince William Association of Realtors. And homes continue to sell quickly –within two weeks on average.
Closed sales:
• Down 12.9% in Gainesville to 54 units
• Up 71.4% in Haymarket to 60 units
• Combined sales totaled 114, up from 97 a year earlier
New Pending sales:
• Up 9% in Gainesville
• Up 45.5% in Haymarket
Median sales price:
• Up 3% to $782,450 in Gainesville
• Up 9.9% to $802,500 in Haymarket
Average days on market (homes sold in May):
• 12 in Gainesville
• 10 in Haymarket
15271 RIDING CLUB DRIVE
$2,150,000
Sold: May 29
6 Bedrooms
6½ Bathrooms 9,487 square feet
4388 DESPAIN PLACE
$1,785,000
Sold: May 27
4 Bedrooms
3½ Bathrooms 6,162 square feet
15038 WALKING STICK WAY
$1,425,000
Sold: June 15
5 Bedrooms
5½ Bathrooms 7,173 square feet
5330 CHAFFINS FARM COURT
$1,400,000
Sold: May 25
5 Bedrooms
4½ Bathrooms 6,053 square feet
15060 SAWGRASS PLACE
$1,249,000
Sold: June 12
4 Bedrooms
4½ Bathrooms 5,385 square feet
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For Gainesville High School’s graduating class, it’s all about the journey. As students received their diplomas May 29, speakers at the commencement ceremony implored the graduating seniors to embrace the challenges that come with life.
The ceremony, held at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, saw over 630 students cross the stage to receive their diplomas.
Sophia Do, Gainesville’s senior class president, told her fellow graduates to stay in the fight.
“If you love something … you have to let your passion shape your character and push beyond what might feel logical, comfortable, expected,” Do said. “The only way to get to the finish line is to keep running, no matter what you’re doing.”
Prince William County has committed to spending over $233 million to renovate and expand its shared judicial center in Manassas over the next six years. The initiative is driven by significant population growth and an increasing need for courtroom and office space.
Current renovation work at the Lee Avenue facility totals $33.1 million. Expected to finish by fiscal 2028, the upgrades include infrastructure overhauls for fire safety, HVAC and elevators, alongside restoration of the commonwealth’s attorney space.
A larger $200 million expansion project will eventually add 12 new courtrooms to the site. Design work is currently underway, with construction on an accompanying parking garage expected to conclude in April 2029. The main courtroom building is slated for construction between September 2028 and January 2031.
Bull Run Harley-Davidson in Manassas has closed and consolidated with Patriot Harley-Davidson following a sale.
California-based Performance Brokerage Services announced the transaction, with Lindsay Automotive Group selling to PVM Enterprises and its chief, Paul Veracka, who owns Patriot Harley-Davidson.
The Manassas shop, at 9321 Center St., closed at the end of May, and employees started to transition to the Fairfax location in early June.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has named Leopold’s Preserve in western Prince William County a National Recreation Trail. The designation was part of five new National Recreation Trails and one National Water Trail announced last month as part of Great Outdoors Month and National Trails Day.
Leopold’s Preserve Trail System is a free, 7-mile network of trails within a 380-acre preserve west of Haymarket, at 16290 Thoroughfare Road. The trails traverse wetlands, meadows, forests and historic landscapes and feature relatively flat terrain accessible to a wide range of visitors. Over 30 interpretive signs highlight local ecology and history, making the preserve both a recreational destination and a refuge for wildlife in a rapidly developing region.
Afederal appeals court has dismissed the Coalition to Protect Thoroughfare’s lawsuit regarding the alleged desecration of the Scott family cemetery.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit this spring ruled in favor of Prince William County and International Investments LLC, effectively upholding an earlier U.S. District Court decision. The legal dispute, led by Frank Washington, focused on land near the Farm Brewery at Broad Run. The court determined that Washington could not maintain a claim as the cemetery's trustee and concluded that no constitutionally protected property interest or “taking” had been established.
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