Publications by Elizabeth Puglise

All Around Ashburn: Holiday Happenings

I always try to strike a balance between a source of upcoming events and giving a glimpse of events that have occurred, but as the holidays approach, I have a feeling there will be lots of events to announce. I hope you’ll add these to your calendar and sample some of the great community events put on by various groups right here in Ashburn.

Brambleton’s Town Center hosts “Spirit of Giving” charity event.
There are two parts to the charitable event: a drawing, and a fun run and walk.

All Around Ashburn: A November Pot Luck of Information

The recent charity event and pie auction at the Ashburn Presbyterian church suffered no ill effects of the recent economic downturn. The event, which raises money for the Good Shepherd Alliance, raised over $13,000. Last year the event raised $7,500. "We are thrilled beyond words," Dawn Manausa reported, "we attribute our success to the Lord . . . his hand was evident in every aspect of the evening. He isn’t swayed by the economy but pours out his blessings on those who share with their neighbors in their time of need." Manausa's own pie took home the top bid at $150.

St. Theresa’s Celebrates Dedication of New Church Building

“It took a Parish,” Rev. Richard Guest told his parishioners at all of last Sunday’s masses as he thanked each congregation for their part in building the brand new church building for St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.

All Around Ashburn: Fall Festival at Clyde's

Saturday was a wash, but the weather on Sunday more than made up for it. Clyde’s Willow Creek hosted its annual Fall Festival this past weekend. If you’ve never been to Clyde’s in

All Around Ashburn: Events in October

The Pie Auction will be held at the Ashburn Presbyterian Church.
Pie Auction and More at Ashburn Presbyterian Church

Ashburn Presbyterian Church is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Good Shepherd Alliance on Oct. 24. This is the church’s fourth annual fundraiser, and the second year supporting the GSA. The event, which will have a 1950s theme, will feature a dinner, live music, silent auction and an old fashioned pie auction. All proceeds will be given to GSA to support their programs in Loudoun County.

All Around Ashburn: Wicked Good Fun at AVFRD

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If you’ve never heard of the “Ashburn Slasher” you’re missing an interesting piece of local lore conjured up by the Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department. The tale they developed is the basis for their wonderfully scary and wickedly gory haunted house.

All Around Ashburn: Faithful Friends Get a Blessing

All Around Ashburn Faithful Friends Blessing3.JPG

Owners prayed with and for their pets.

An unusually diverse crowd gathered at the entrance to St. Theresa's church in Ashburn on Sunday afternoon. There were the to-be-expected families, but there were also, dogs, cats and even a pair of rabbits. Pet owners gathered to have their pets blessed on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a saint to whom the characteristics of love of the natural world and the love of poverty are attributed.

All Around Ashburn: Making Lemonade for a Cure

If life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. But what if life gives your child a rare incurable cancer? Well, you make and sell lemonade for a cure. And you ride your bike 3,700 miles across the United States. And organize triathlons to raise money for research. Parents of children with cancer face a long and often lonely battle to save their child and achieve normalcy for their families–and the sweetener they add to the lemons they've been given is hope.

All Around Ashburn: Healthy Local Flavor for Your Furry Friend

Three years after her dog Dooley's death, Jessamyn Ayers still can't tell his story of cancer without shedding tears. The death of a furry family member often leaves an indelible mark on its owners. "He's as much a part of my fabric as my childhood," Ayers said as she choked up recounting fond memories of her Laborador retriever. Cancer is a common ailment among pets, and according to Stream Valley vetrinarian Dr. Michele Dougher, the correct diet, with proper medical care, can help keep cancer at bay and may even help the animal fight it off.

All Around Ashburn: Hockey Rivals Host Charity Event for Inova Blood Services

And thanks to the hard work and generosity of two area hockey clubs, INOVA Blood Donor Services will be getting a much-needed new bloodmobile. "Give blood. Play hockey," reads the sign over the rink at the Ashburn Ice House. It's an advertising sign for Inova Blood Donor Services. But Saturday afternoon it could have said, "Play hockey. Give a bloodmobile."

All Around Ashburn: NOVA Flag Football League Hosts Chinese Celebs for NFL Reality Show

It always sounds cool to say you were on television. And if you play football, it's really cool to be on television for the NFL. Monday afternoon, kids on two teams from the NOVA Flag Football league and their coaches came out in the rain to play flag football expecting to play football with some kids from China in front of NFL cameras. The NOVA league was selected by the NFL to participate in the game for an episode of an upcoming reality show being produced for viewers in China.

All Around Ashburn: NFL to Film "The Blitz" Episode in Ashburn on Labor Day

The National Football League will be bringing TV crews and a youth team from China to Ashburn on Labor Day to film an episode of its eighteen-week series of 'NFL Blitz'. The show will feature a friendly exhibition game with two teams from the local NOVA "NFL" Youth Flag Football League. The Saints, coached by Tim Lasher, and the Patriots, coached by Shawn Gorman are participating, with the children from China mixed into the teams.

Everyone is invited to come out and cheer on the teams.

All Around Ashburn: Krichbaum's 'Camp'-aign a Bittersweet Success

The good news is she raised more than she hoped. But the bad news is that the financial crisis for families at the school is far from over.

Krichbaum and her "school family" on their first day of school in 2009.

Krichbaum's sacrifice four months ago was to keep what she calls her "school family" together.

All Around Ashburn: Curtain Closes on Broadlands Drama

Well, the hospital drama is over in Ashburn. I'm speaking, of course, of the certainty that an HCA hospital will not be going in Broadlands, and very likely may end up in the southern part of the county. In a finely recorded history of opinion, you need only read the Broadlands forums on the hospital topic to get a sense of the emotion behind the issue. Regardless of viewpoint, there were no minced words.

All Around Ashburn: Go for Golf at Brambleton

One of the bridges near the seventh hole.

If you have ever taken up a new sport as an adult, you know that it can be intimidating. There's an anxiety stemming from the irrational thought that you should know more than you do. I played lots of sports growing up and in college, but I'd never golfed, so when my husband said he thought we should try golf together, I panicked. It was like the first time I went to a dinner party and saw too much silverware. What do you do with all those forks?

Contact Elizabeth at Ashburn@loudouni.com.

The Pie Auction will be held at the Ashburn Presbyterian Church.Pie Auction and More at Ashburn Presbyterian Church

The Pie Auction will be held at the Ashburn Presbyterian Church.
Pie Auction and More at Ashburn Presbyterian Church