President's Message By George Darnell

Happy 4th of July!

I hope you survived the heat wave at the end of June. Wow! Even the outdoor pool

was not cool and the concrete was miserable. I hope that was not a harbinger for the

rest of summer. We are planning only one trip in July, and it begins in an airconditioned winery on the top of a breezy hill. We still have a few seats left, but hurry.

Join me in the Lake Frederick Fourth of July Parade down Rachel Carson, led by

Admiral Larry Marsh, USN, Ret. It is always a fun time. Friends and family are

welcome. We step off at 8:30 a.m. on Bald Eagle Drive between the Lodge and model

homes. Dress for the weather and for walking in patriotic garb. We sing patriotic songs

along the way . . .

June Recap

June was a busy month, with two outstanding trips to Monticello and Fredericksburg

Area Battlefields. Read the trip reports in this issue. Our Potluck Lunch meeting on

June 9th in Rachel’s Kitchen was special. Our neighbor, Rachel Battles, who works

with Main Street Travel in Front Royal told us about a trip to Ireland in 2026, and other

services of Main Street Travel. You can find her contact information in the MTL

Directory if you want more information.

July Trips

Get ready for an unforgettable experience this July! We have an exclusive trip

planned: a delightful Fauquier County Wine Tour on July 21. This tour organized and

led by Bill Johnson, promises to be a day filled with exquisite wines, beautiful scenery,

and great company. Check out the flyer in this issue and secure your spot by

registering on MTL Events.

The July 14th meeting is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Rachel’s Kitchen. Please bring a dish to share.