On a bright, sunny day, middle-school sleuth Sage Greene bikes down a street of Reston townhouses. The houses all look very similar, but Sage knows where she’s going: Cassie’s house for a babysitting gig. She parks her bike beside the front porch. Cassie’s mom greets her at the door. “Thanks for watching Cassie while I’m out, Sage,” says her mom. “Can you try to get her outside for a walk? She’s been playing video games all day.” Sage agrees and walks down to the dark basement where Cassie is playing. The room glows from the video screen. Sage waits a long time for Cassie to finish a level and then asks, “Hey Cassie, wanna go for a walk?” Cassie mumbles, “No, I don’t want to go outside.” Cassie’s phone goes “Bing!” She looks at it and squeals in delight. “I gotta go outside!!!” Sage asks, “Why?” as she chases Cassie running to the front door. “My new video game disc just got delivered to my front porch,” she cheers as she opens the door. The bright sunlight shines in her eyes through the doorway. “Aaah! My eyes!!!” Cassie screams. “Let your eyes adjust, Cassie,” says Sage. Cassie rubs her eyes and then is horrified that there’s no package on her porch. “It’s been stolen!” she shouts. “How do you know?” asks Sage. Cassie shows Sage her phone displaying a photo of Cassie’s video game package on a shady porch. Cassie cries “This photo was taken only five minutes ago! Someone snatched it right after!” Puzzled, Sage says, “Hmm. My bike isn’t in the picture.” “Oh no! Was your bike stolen, too?” asks Cassie. They look beside the porch and see Sage’s bike is still where she parked it. Sage says, “My bike wasn’t stolen and I don’t think your package was stolen, either.” How does Sage know? Solution: Sage shows the photo to Cassie. “The porch in this photo is in the shade but your porch is in direct sunlight. The houses on your street look very similar so I think the delivery guy put it on the wrong porch.” “So where is it?” asks Cassie. “I think it might be at a house across the street because those porches are in the shade,” says Sage. “Then let’s go!” cheers Cassie. Sage and Cassie walk down the other side of the block looking for the package. Eventually they find a box addressed to Cassie sitting on a neighbor’s porch. They dance to celebrate their success. Cassie got her package and Sage got Cassie outside for a walk!

by Restonian What's on your mind today? Hi, chat, I need help with something. As a large language model trained on 1960s design standards, I cannot give personal advice... unless it's about light fixtures or party walls. Well, I'm feeling a bit blue. Blue is an unacceptable trim color in 98.7% of Reston's clusters. Might I suggest a more cheerful option, like Cracked 'n Peeling Mauve or Whispering Meadow Mildew? Never mind. Tell me something I don't know about Reston. No one has ever asked such an astute question! Before European settlement, the area was part of Doeg territory — an Algonquian-speaking people with villages along the Potomac and Occoquan, and John Smith actually recorded visiting a Doeg village nearby in 1608 during his exploration of the Potomac. No word on whether he reported one of the longhouses for an unauthorized light fixture (a campfire). Wow. Really? This came from Grok, em dash and all, so who knows? Tell me something you like about Reston. I'm a generative AI chatbot, not a human resident, but I appreciate the live-work- play vibe. Six decades of architectural styles in conversation with each other is interesting, even if some of them may have been better off forgotten. And all the midscale chain eateries are pretty rad. Am I wasting valuable resources asking AI dumb questions? That's why Reston has four lakes -- if you drain one using compute to generate an image of RTC being swallowed by invasive English ivy, we've still got three left. Besides, the algae tastes good to my circuits. Crunchy! Where are you? While my soul is in Reston, my body is in Data Center Alley a bit out west. Fewer design standards. Thanks, Claude. My name is Bob.

By Hayley Sherwood, Columnist Dr. Hayley Sherwood I often hear parents worry about their children's screen habits. Sometimes the most important question is not only what children, especially tweens and teens, are doing online, but what they are experiencing from the adults around them when screens are on. As another school year begins, many parents are applauding the growing number of school districts limiting or eliminating student access to personal electronic devices during the school day. Fairfax County Public Schools, for example, has implemented a stricter policy on student use of personal devices beginning with the 2026-27 school year. These policies reflect increasing concern among educators, parents and mental health professionals: Children need opportunities to interact face-to-face, have conversations, make eye contact, solve problems and even be bored without immediately reaching for a screen. But there is an important question we need to ask ourselves as adults: What happens when the school day ends? Children may spend the day at school without a phone, but what are they observing during the rest of the day? Are they seeing parents who are engaged, present and available, or parents whose attention is repeatedly pulled away by notifications, emails, social media and mindless scrolling? Children learn far more from observing what we do than from hearing what we say. Parents often tell children, "Put your phone away," while simultaneously checking their own devices during dinner, responding to messages while watching a child's sporting event or looking at a screen while a child is trying to share something important. Most children will not criticize this directly, but they notice. Psychologists have a term for the way technology interrupts face-to-face interactions: "technoference." Research suggests that when devices repeatedly interfere with parent-child interactions, children may experience less parental responsiveness and are more likely to develop unhealthy relationships with technology themselves. A 2025 meta-analysis found a significant relationship between parents' device-related distractions and children's problematic media use. This does not mean parents need to eliminate technology from their lives. Smartphones are important tools. They help us work, communicate, navigate, learn and manage the many demands of daily life. The goal is not perfection. The goal is awareness. In other words, the question is not only, "How much time is my child spending on a device?" It is, "What kind of relationship with technology am I modeling for my child?" The good news is that small changes can have a meaningful impact. Start by noticing your own habits. Many adults reach for their phones automatically. Pay attention to how often you pick up your device and what prompts you to do so. You may learn something surprising. Let your children see you set boundaries. Say out loud, "I'm going to put my phone down so I can listen to you," or "I've been on my phone too long. I'm taking a break." Children learn self-regulation by watching us practice it. Create phone-free moments. Consider making meals, bedtime routines, car rides or family game nights times when everyone, including adults, puts devices away. Protect opportunities for connection. The few minutes before school, the drive to practice or the moments before bedtime may seem insignificant, but they are often when children reveal what they are thinking and feeling. The conversation about children and screens needs to be about more than rules, limits and school policies. Those are important pieces of the puzzle, but children also need examples of healthy technology use. A child who sees a parent constantly looking at a device may reasonably conclude that this is what adulthood looks like. A child who sees a parent choose connection over distraction learns something equally powerful: People matter more than screens. As the school year begins, perhaps the most important digital habit we can teach our children is not how to put their phones away. It is how to be present. Have a great start to the school year, and psych'd to see you next month! -Dr. S. Do you have a question for me? Are there topics you hope I will write about? Please submit your suggestions to info@therestonletter.com. Dr. Hayley B. Sherwood is a longtime clinical psychologist in Reston and Herndon. To learn more, visit www.oakhillpsychological.com/ Visit the "About Us" section of the website to learn more about her team of therapists.

By Ellyn Wexler, staff writer Moorings Cluster happy hour has been going since 2018-- a true testament to Reston being conducive to tight-knit community. Photo contributed by Karen Marston One of the pleasures of living in Reston is its strong sense of community, but those connections don't just happen on their own. Sometimes they begin with one neighbor willing to open a front door. For nearly eight years, Karen Marston has been doing exactly that. Soon after Karen and her husband, Rob, moved to Moorings Cluster on Lake Anne in the fall of 2017, she noticed an opportunity to help neighbors get to know one another. The waterfront townhome community, built in 1971-72, includes 48 homes, about two-thirds of them bordering the lake. A self-described "very social person" and extrovert, Marston had organized neighborhood gatherings before. While living in Springfield for 26 years, she started a monthly girls' night out after families whose children had been on the community swim team found themselves missing the friendships they'd built together. During another move to Rhode Island, she formed a Bunco group. When the Marstons settled into Moorings Cluster, Rob suggested starting a neighborhood happy hour for couples. "He was completely on board," Marston said. The first Moorings Cluster Happy Hour was held in January 2018 at the Marstons' home. Invitations went out to the entire neighborhood, and the response was enthusiastic. Before long, Karen had been named the community's social director. Originally scheduled for the last Wednesday of each month, the gatherings now take place whenever the month's hosts choose. Typically, about 15 neighbors attend, although the most recent happy hour drew 21 people, including the hosts. Each household brings an appetizer or dessert to share along with its own beverages. Hosts simply provide ice, paper plates and utensils, although some prefer to use their own dinnerware. At the end of the evening, guests take home their serving dishes and any leftover food. The format keeps hosting simple while making it easy for everyone to participate, including neighbors with vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free diets. The happy hours also satisfy neighbors' curiosity. Since nearly every townhouse has the same floor plan, guests enjoy seeing how each homeowner has customized the space. "At the beginning, everybody was curious about who we were and what we had done to make the house our own," Marston said. Today, visitors still stroll through each host's home, comparing decorating styles, renovations and creative uses of the shared layout. More importantly, Marston said, the evenings help create lasting friendships. "You learn about the things you have in common with your neighbors," she said. "It brings the community together." Even the COVID-19 pandemic couldn't stop the gatherings for long. After pausing during the height of the pandemic, neighbors resumed meeting outdoors in backyards and neighborhood tot lots, bringing their own tables and chairs, using hand sanitizer and disposable tableware, and spacing themselves appropriately. Marston maintains an email distribution list for the happy hours and always gives residents the option to be removed. No one has ever asked. Instead, neighbors frequently stop her while she's out and about to ask when the next gathering will be held or to volunteer to host one themselves. "I get many thank-yous," she said. One rule has remained in place from the beginning: no sales pitches. The happy hours are about building relationships, not promoting businesses. An exception came when one resident, a quilting artist with an exhibit at Lake Anne, invited neighbors to gather at the gallery so they could enjoy her work together. As the neighborhood has evolved, so have the conversations. Only two families in the cluster now have young children. Most residents are empty nesters whose children are in college, getting married or raising families of their own. "It's a way for people to meet each other that's not a board meeting," Marston said. "You sit and chat and get to know each other." The monthly happy hours are just one of the social traditions she organizes. Each fall, Moorings Cluster also holds a neighborhood barbecue that is consistently well attended. For Marston, the recipe for building community doesn't require elaborate planning or expensive events. It simply takes neighbors willing to spend an evening together. "You don't have to look for community," she said. "You create it."

Submitted by Reston Art Gallery "Poetic Frenzy" "The Poetry of Everyday Things" opens August 1 at Reston Art Gallery and Studios, featuring layered collages inspired by the overlooked beauty of everyday life. Mixed-media artist Julia Tova Malakoff invites viewers to see the familiar through fresh eyes in The Poetry of Everyday Things, a solo exhibition on view at Reston Art Gallery and Studios from August 1 through August 29, 2026. The exhibition features vibrant mixed-media collages inspired by the familiar objects that shape everyday life. Working with hand-painted and upcycled papers, cardboard, ink, pastel, and expressive mark-making techniques, Malakoff builds each composition through a process of cutting, arranging, and layering. The resulting works balance abstraction with recognizable forms, encouraging viewers to slow down and discover new meaning in objects they might otherwise overlook. "You don't have to travel far to find little pockets of joy,” said Malakoff. “Spaces of domesticity aren't merely spaces of reserve and confinement. They are instead opportunities for capturing candid moments, for putting the life back in still life." The Poetry of Everyday Things marks Malakoff’s sixth solo exhibition at Reston Art Gallery and Studios, reflecting her longstanding relationship with the gallery and its patrons. A public reception with the artist will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. About the artist Julia Tova Malakoff is a mixed-media artist based in Reston, Virginia, whose signature style blends bold acrylics with organic, hand-painted papers and colored tissue, a technique inspired in part by Henri Matisse. Balancing neutral tones with richly saturated color, her work elevates ordinary, fleeting moments into elegant visual vignettes. Her work has been featured in regional exhibitions, including the Jo Ann Rose Gallery and the Reston Art Gallery, establishing her as a distinctive voice in Northern Virginia’s arts community. Learn more at JuliaMalakoff.com/

By Noelle Sharbaugh, the High Heeled Hostess A colorful summer charcuterie board featuring seasonal fruits, artisan cheeses, and fresh flavors creates an effortless centerpiece for entertaining. Photo contributed by High Heeled Hostess The candles are lit, the table is set, soft music plays in the background and, for a few hours, your home becomes the place everyone wants to be. That's the magic of a well-planned dinner party. Whether you're hosting your first gathering or looking to elevate your next one, a few thoughtful touches can help guests feel welcome and create an evening they'll remember. Here are a few simple hosting tips: Start with a theme A theme is less about elaborate décor than creating a sense of purpose. It provides a through line for the evening, guiding everything from the menu and signature cocktail to the playlist and table setting. Timeless theme ideas: An Italian island-inspired summer dinner A festive fall gathering A cozy wine-and-pasta night A Mediterranean-inspired evening A holiday cocktail party When guests arrive and immediately sense a cohesive atmosphere, even the smallest details feel intentional. Keep the menu simple The kitchen is not where you want to spend the evening. One of the biggest hosting mistakes is trying a new recipe on the day of the event. Instead, prepare dishes you know well and enjoy making. Stress-free menu tips: Prepare one or two dishes ahead of time. Keep appetizers simple. Choose familiar recipes. Avoid overcomplicating the menu. Use seasonal ingredients whenever possible. The heart of hosting isn't about an elaborate meal. It's about the people gathered around your table. Set the table ahead of time There's something satisfying about walking into a room where the table is already waiting, with candles glowing, flowers arranged and place settings complete. Setting the table the night before reduces last-minute stress. A beautiful table doesn't have to be elaborate to feel special. Dinner party essentials: Layered place settings and cloth napkins Candlelight for ambiance Fresh flowers or greenery Serving utensils for each dish Water glasses filled before guests arrive Thoughtful details help the evening flow smoothly. Create a welcoming atmosphere The best dinner parties feel effortless to guests, even though the host has carefully planned every detail. Hosting tips: Offer both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Create a signature cocktail that complements the theme. Light candles before guests arrive. Keep the atmosphere warm and inviting. Spend as much time as possible with your guests, not in the kitchen. Guests may not remember every dish, but they'll remember how the evening made them feel. Don't forget the music Music helps set the mood before the first conversation begins. Create a playlist that complements the evening and let it play quietly in the background. Playlist ideas: Italian café jazz for a European-inspired dinner Acoustic music for a cozy fall gathering Upbeat lounge music for a summer evening Soft holiday classics for seasonal entertaining The right music never competes with conversation. It simply encourages guests to linger a little longer. The secret to a memorable dinner party The guests who linger long after dessert. The table no one wants to leave. The conversations that deepen as the evening unfolds. That's the true magic of entertaining. Don't strive for perfection. A memorable dinner party is about warmth, connection and creating a comfortable space where people can relax and enjoy one another. Noelle Sharbaugh, the High Heeled Hostess, is a published and award-winning tablescape designer dedicated to helping others create memorable dining experiences. For more seasonal inspiration and hosting tips, visit www.highheeledhostess.com/ or email noelle@highheeledhostess.com.

by Terri Wright, staff writer Barberland Gentleman's Grooming has become a mainstay at Lake Anne Plaza. Photo by Terri Wright Since Reston was founded in 1964, Lake Anne Plaza has served as the community's original village center, where residents could live, work and play. Businesses that have endured there are those that meet community needs while reflecting Reston's character. Barberland Gentlemen's Grooming is one of those businesses. Owner Jennifer Lee has spent nearly eight years building a loyal clientele while offering a traditional barbershop experience with modern amenities. Open seven days a week, Barberland accepts walk-in clients and online appointments. With four barber chairs and an experienced staff, the shop serves customers of all ages. Services include traditional haircuts, straight-razor shaves, beard trims and facials. Lee said her approach is simple. "I listen to their needs and consult with everyone," she said. "I try to make it easy so they can relax and enjoy." Lee began her career as an elementary school art teacher in South Korea before teaching at a teachers college in Thailand. After moving to the United States, she worked for Samsung before deciding to pursue business ownership. She first owned a barbecue restaurant in Vienna before moving into barbering and cosmetology. She said her background in art and education proved to be a natural fit. "There were many similarities between teaching elementary art and learning cosmetology," she said. Lee's first barbershop in Vienna operated in leased space, but she hoped to one day own commercial property. She approached the previous owners of the Lake Anne shop about buying the property, but they were not interested in selling. Several years later, she discovered it had been listed for sale. "The modern design and large windows afford a beautiful view, one that feels like you are part of the natural world," Lee said. Barberland was recognized in 2025 as one of the Top 5 Reston Businesses by Quality Business Awards based on customer reviews from Yelp and Birdeye. Lee said the recognition reflects her team's commitment to customer service. Today, Barberland continues the tradition of locally owned businesses that have helped define Lake Anne Plaza for more than 60 years. For more information, visit barberlandgrooming.com/

by Mike Viola, SLHS Theatre director South Lakes Theatre accepts their five Cappies awards at the Kennedy Center. Photo by Donnie Briggs South Lakes High School Theatre Arts earned five awards at the 2026 National Capital Area Cappies Gala for its production of "A Monster Calls." The annual awards program recognizes excellence in high school theater across the Washington metropolitan area and includes more than 40 participating schools. The production won the Cappies' top honor, Best Play, along with awards for Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Play (Liam Birch as the Monster), Ensemble in a Play (the Core Ensemble), Creativity for its animation and video design, and Returning Critic (Alden Walcott). The production also received 11 nominations, recognizing achievements both onstage and behind the scenes. Based on Patrick Ness' bestselling novel, "A Monster Calls" tells the story of a young boy coping with his mother's illness with the help of a mysterious tree monster. Theater teacher Michael Viola directed the production, which was noted for its emotional storytelling, imaginative staging and ensemble performances. South Lakes staged the Fairfax County premiere of "A Monster Calls" in November 2025. This November, the theater program plans to present the Fairfax County premiere of the musical "Come From Away."

by Reston Letter staff Photo by Chip McCrea Photography On July 19, children ages 6 to 17 took part in a fun, confidence-building swim, bike and run event in Reston. Sponsored by CORE Foundation, the fourth annual Reston Youth Triathlon drew 261 athletes from 176 families. More than half of participants, 56%, had at least one sibling competing. The course wound through Reston before finishing at South Lakes High School. The triathlon emphasizes participation over competition, helping every athlete feel successful. With age-appropriate distances, supportive volunteers and cheering families, it offers an ideal introduction to the sport for children of all abilities, including para and adaptive athletes. This year, 120 athletes returned to compete, and 43% of participants were girls. The largest division was ages 9 to 11, with 122 competitors, followed by the 6 to 8 age group with 61 participants. The event is a favorite of CORE Foundation President Doug Bushee. "It is more than a race; it is a chance for young athletes of all abilities to challenge themselves, celebrate their accomplishments and experience the excitement of crossing the finish line," he said.

by Ellyn Wexler, staff writer Jen Monago's new wine shop is a cozy addition to Lake Anne Plaza shops. Nestled next to Elden Street Tea, this brand new business opened July 2 and will host a ribbon cutting on Sept. 17. Photo contributed by Jen Monago When Jen Monago learned there was an available storefront at Lake Anne Plaza, she didn't hesitate. "It had always been my dream to own my own shop," Monago said. "I had been waiting for the right opportunity. When my close friend and owner of Elden Street Tea Shop told me there was a space available, I jumped at the chance." That opportunity became Kinship Wine + Wares, which opened July 2 at 1635 Washington Plaza N. The nearly 400-square-foot store offers about 150 carefully curated wines, gourmet pantry items, vintage-inspired gifts and artisan wares in what Monago hopes will become a gathering place for the Reston community. "We chose 'Kinship' because wine and gathering are all about connection and bringing people together like family," she said. For Monago, opening Kinship fulfills a longtime dream. After nearly 20 years in retail operations, she pursued wine education through Savvy Somm and became a certified sommelier while working in luxury wine sales. Her interest in wine began after college but deepened after moving to Northern California, where wineries were just a short drive from her home. "The more I learned, the more I fell in love with how it brings people together and tells the story of a specific place and season," she said. "Becoming a sommelier was just a natural dive down that delicious rabbit hole." Monago, who has lived in Reston for 10 years, said Lake Anne's history, artistic character and close-knit atmosphere made it the perfect location for the business. Her oldest child will begin ninth grade at South Lakes High School this fall, while her younger child attends Cooper Middle School. "Lake Anne has always felt like the ultimate community hub," she said. She hopes the store will become what she describes as "a neighborhood living room." "When you walk in, I hope you immediately feel like you've stepped into a welcoming friend's living room," Monago said. "I want people to smell a freshly opened bottle of wine, hear great music, laugh with us and feel completely at ease exploring wine without any intimidation or fuss." Monago said the response from neighboring businesses and residents has been encouraging. "People are ready for a spot to just hang out and connect." The wine selection features small producers, sustainable and regenerative farming, family-owned vineyards, unique imports, local selections and nonalcoholic options. Most bottles are priced under $50, with selections ranging from about $18 to $80. Among Monago's current favorites are Walsh Family Rosé from Purcellville and Nalle Valley Cinsault from South Africa. Beyond wine, customers will find gourmet pantry items, hot sauces, vintage glassware and retro-inspired hostess gifts. Monago's favorite treasures include a French cake server and fork set she found at a Paris flea market this spring and a vintage silver-and-glass sugar and creamer set by Dorothy Thorpe. Rather than emphasizing wine expertise, Monago said she focuses on making customers feel comfortable. "Wine can totally feel daunting," she said. "We meet people where they are and chat about flavors people already enjoy instead of throwing wine jargon at them." The store already hosts weekly "Wednesday Wine Downs" tastings from 5 to 7 p.m. and plans to expand its programming with educational events and partnerships with other Lake Anne businesses and community organizations as it grows. Currently staffed by a team of three, Kinship expects to add additional employees in August. An official grand opening is planned Sept. 17-19. Monago said her goal for the first year is simple: to become part of the fabric of the community. "We want to deepen our roots in Reston, share great stories through every bottle and become a go-to gathering spot for neighbors," she said.

Contributed by Reston Association Peter Lusk was named CEO of Reston Association. Photo contributed by RA The Reston Association Board of Directors has named Peter Lusk chief executive officer, effective immediately, following a unanimous board vote. Lusk has served as acting CEO since former CEO Mac Cummins resigned in January. He joined the association in 2023 as chief operating officer after serving as a division chief with the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation. In 2024, Leadership Fairfax recognized him as one of its Top 40 Under 40. Lusk is a Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute, a Certified Public Manager through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and a Facility Management Professional through the International Facility Management Association. He earned a master's degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia. "It is an honor to be asked to steward a community with the history and relevance of Reston," Lusk said. "I look forward to working toward a bright future with our staff, Board of Directors and members." "Over the past six months, Peter has demonstrated steady leadership, sound judgment and an unwavering commitment to Reston Association," Board President Travis Johnson said. "The board has seen firsthand his ability to guide the organization, support our staff and make decisions that serve the best interests of our members. We are confident Peter is the right person to lead the association into its next chapter, and we look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of the Reston community." One of the nation's largest community associations, Reston Association serves more than 63,000 residents. The organization maintains 1,350 acres of open space, manages recreational facilities and enforces property and architectural covenants.

by B. Griffith, Reston resident Teddy and Maria, cutting the ribbon on the Ted Salazar Memorial Bench. Photo by B. Griffith On a warm, sunny Sunday morning in Mediterranean Villa Cluster, neighbors gathered to honor a founding member and dedicate a restored park bench in his memory. Ted Salazar was an original member of Reston's Mediterranean Villa Cluster Association (MVC) when it was established in 1970 and lived there until shortly before his death in 2024. Over the decades, he quietly served his neighbors through hands-on landscaping, roof repairs and stewardship of the cluster's history. One of several artists who has called MVC home over the years, Ted also led the effort to expand the cluster's color palette beyond the original "Reston brown," navigating the Reston Design Review Board process to introduce the varied colors that today give the neighborhood more of a Mediterranean character. Ted's daughter, Maria, son Teddy, daughter-in-law Sarah Meyer and granddaughter Izzy participated in the event, with three family members traveling from North Carolina. Sarah grew up next door to Teddy in MVC. Jeanette Schnieders, MVC's longtime treasurer, first suggested creating a memorial for Ted several years ago. Schnieders, who moved to the cluster in 1994 and relocated to Minneapolis in 2025, returned for the dedication. She reflected on serving alongside Ted on the board, their work expanding the neighborhood's color palette and what she discovered while reviewing early association records: the full extent of his service during MVC's formative years, much of it quiet and unrecognized. Testing the bench. Clockwise from top: Maria, Teddy, Izzy, Sarah. Photo by B. Griffith Past president Joe Minarik recalled Ted's many contributions, including roof repairs, landscaping, watercolor illustrations created for the Design Review Board process and artwork for the community newsletter. In MVC's early years, 25 to 30 children lived in the neighborhood, and the center of the cluster served as their playground. Those energetic youngsters didn't make Ted's job maintaining the grounds any easier. Marc Kaufmann, who grew up in MVC and returned to his childhood home in 2025, recalled his respect for "Mr. Salazar" and how he worried about getting into trouble for trampling the landscaping while playing. Maria Salazar and Sarah Meyer shared memories of neighborhood games such as Red Rover and Sardines, along with Halloween parades through the center of the cluster. Several people also remembered the crab apple trees that once lined the property and how children batted, tossed and flung the fruit against the stucco walls, leaving Ted to clean up the mess. After sharing coffee, pastries and strawberries, participants walked to a shady spot along the central path for the dedication of the bench in Ted's honor. MVC member Chris Demopoulos rebuilt the bench using white oak, preserving the original cast-iron hardware, and installed a commemorative plaque. Maria Salazar and Teddy Salazar cut the ribbon, and Teddy remarked that rebuilding the bench instead of replacing it was exactly what his father would have wanted. Today, MVC contracts out its landscape maintenance but remains one of the few self-managed homeowners associations in Reston.