Publications by John Toler

The Past is Recalled by a Flight Jacket

For over 60 years, my family had custody of Lt. Russ Ellwood’s flight jacket. But recently, it was returned to his family in Washington State, in time for Memorial Day 2009.

My father, Cdr. John H. "Jack" Toler, USNR (ret.) came in possession of the jacket honestly in 1945. He and Russ were friends growing up in Lincolnshire, Illinois outside of Chicago, and later roommates at Beloit College in Wisconsin.

‘Swine flu’ cases in Virginia now up to 23

With three cases of swine flu reported in Fairfax and one more case each in Arlington and the Peninsula area, the number of cases of H1N1 “swine flu” reported in Virginia has now risen from last week’s 17 to 23. The breakdown is as follows: one case each in Norfolk and Three Rivers; two cases each in Arlington, Chesterfield and Peninsula; and 12 cases reported in Central Shenandoah.

Recalling Eastern Loudoun’s Dairy Industry

Since 2006, Loudoun County has had only one surviving dairy operation: Dogwood Farm outside of Purcellville, which has been run since 1847 by generations of the Potts family. Throughout the county, the once-common sight of black-and-white dairy cows grazing in open green fields has been replaced by growing suburbia. Today, some of the open fields used for grazing cattle or growing hay can still be found, but the dairies are gone.

Dulles South Group Gets a Look Into Region’s Future

The update on the state of the region presented to members of the Dulles South Business Alliance (DSBA) on May 12 provided two distinct perspectives.

Cancellation of Chrysler dealership franchise agreements hits home

According to a list provided by Chrysler LLC, 26 Virginia auto dealers may lose their franchise agreements as part of the automaker’s plan to eliminate 800 of its 3,200 franchises nationwide.

Family Participated in Emily Olsen’s Commissioning

On May 8, 2009, Emily E. Olsen, a 2005 graduate of Broad Run High School, was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant the U.S. Army in a ceremony at Radford.

Update: Blaze Displaces Broadlands Family of Six

Sitting at a patio table next to the swimming pool behind his charred home off Mitchell Court in Broadlands on Monday afternoon, Patrick Sack watched as crews from several businesses and agencies examined the damage caused by a fire the previous morning that did an estimated $800,000 in damage.

‘Distracted Driving’ the Cause of 80 percent of Auto Crashes

State law enforcement agencies and the AAA designated April 29, 2009 as “Distracted Driving Awareness Day,” and urged Virginia drivers to make a pledge to pay attention while driving.

According to a Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) study, nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve driver inattention within three seconds of the crash.

More Than Double Funding Expected for Paving in Northern Virginia

The Virginia Department of Transportation has historically used a district-based assessment of highway maintenance needs, allocating funds to each of VDOT's nine construction districts with each district using the funds at their discretion.

Ashburn Farrier Continues Honored Country Tradition

Like the pastoral four-acre oasis on Stubble Road in old Ashburn that he enjoys with his wife Virginia, farrier John LaRocque, 63, provides us with a window into our community’s past.

Daysville–Gone But Not Forgotten

Several Nonprofits Withdraw From United Way, Form New Group

Recently, more than 20 Washington, D.C.-area non-profits have suspended their memberships in theUnited Way of the National Capital Area, and joined a new fundraising organization called Community1st-America’s Charities of Greater Washington, D.C.

Please Help a Mom on Mother’s Day

Lisa Schumacher is 47 years old. Lisa, her husband Gus and their son Samuel have lived in Ashburn for the past 14 years.

On Feb. 23, 2009, Lisa was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments at Inova Fairfax Hospital since her diagnosis. While chemotherapy helped put the disease into remission, it cannot permanently keep this form of leukemia in remission.

Mount Hope Baptist Church, founded in 1835

For almost 175 years, Mount Hope Baptist Church has been an important part of the Waxpool community, witnessing many the many changes that have occurred in this part of Loudoun County. With the removal of the old Waxpool store and the demolition of other buildings, Mount Hope remains as an important link to the past–with a commitment to the future.

Broadlands Pilot Collects, Shares Information on Abandoned Airfields

During the workday, Paul Freeman, 41, of Broadlands spends his time working on a new air traffic control system at his office at ITT in Herndon. But after hours, he works on his Website, www.airfields-freeman.com, which is totally dedicated to collecting and organizing information about America’s abandoned airfields.

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Contact John at jtoler@loudouni.com.