A Penny for Your Thoughts: News of Greater Falls Church

Each year, in preparation for Celebrate Fairfax!, members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors nominate a Lord Fairfax and a Lady Fairfax from their districts, honoring them for their outstanding service to their community.

The “Lords and Ladies” were recognized at a dinner Monday night at the Fairfax County Government Center, and also appeared at the Board’s regular meeting on Tuesday morning.

Mason District’s 2010 Lord Fairfax is restaurateur Mike Magill of Annandale. Any worthy cause in Fairfax County can count on Mike as a loyal friend and supporter. Annandale High School students benefit from skills building; kids enjoy the pizza tours and get a first look at the food service industry. Working with Central Fairfax Services, Mike was one of the first local businesses to employ persons with intellectual disabilities. An active member of the Annandale Chamber of Commerce, Mike supports the annual fall parade, the spring Bed Race fundraiser for Special Olympics, and the Mason District Park free summer concerts. A monthly “Eddie’s Night” for Eddie’s Club, and work with the Leary School and Phillips School are a few more of the many worthy efforts that make Mike Magill deserving of recognition as Mason District’s 2010 Lord Fairfax.

Lady Fairfax this year is Cindy Waters, immediate past president of the Lake Barcroft Association Board of Directors. Following a successful career on Capitol Hill, Cindy turned her attention to civic activism, using her organizing and issues-oriented skills for the Lake Barcroft and J.E.B. Stuart High School communities. Cindy is president of the Stuart PTA, and serves on the board of the Stuart High School Educational Foundation, which provides need-based scholarships for Stuart seniors pursing post-secondary education. Cindy chaired the Fairfax County Public School Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee, and is a parent representative on the Virginia Association for the Gifted. Cindy’s dedication to improving her community makes her a worthy 2010 Mason District Lady Fairfax.

Mason District lost another treasure last week, with the passing of Thomas Bowman White, Jr., known by most as “Bo” White. Ironically, Bo was the first Lord Fairfax for Mason District, when he was selected by then-Mason District Supervisor Tom Davis for the honor in 1984. A retired Marine Colonel (Bo always reminded me that, although he was retired, he was not a “former” Marine: once a Marine, always a Marine!), Bo lived in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood. After a stint as president of the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations, Bo served as the Mason District representative to the Fairfax County Park Authority from 1986 until 2002, chairing that board for two terms. Bo oversaw the preservation and renovation of the Clark House and many improvements at Green Spring Gardens, as well as helping secure Pine Ridge as a permanent park. Bo was an active park volunteer, and worked with the Friends of Mason District Park as a concert host for many years. He enjoyed both the music and the people tremendously.

Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be e-mailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov