National Night Out 2019

National Night Out 2019 was very well attended by Raymondale and Broyhill Park neighbors. Officers from Fairfax County Police and Sheriff's Departments joined us for delicious food and wonderful conversation!
The police were the first to arrive and the last to leave -- police and sheriff reps clearly enjoyed meeting everyone and stayed around to answer questions, hand out helpful information, flash their lights and sirens, and show the kids what their cars look like from the inside. Among the questions: How hot is it to wear all that gear including thick black polyester uniforms on such a sweltering day? To which they all laughed...

The thunder rumbled ominously here and there but ultimately stayed away, which everyone appreciated

Broyhill Park volunteers did a great job grilling for everyone

One of our best turnouts yet, with many folks from both neighborhoods, 50-60 neighbors!

Many thanks to the volunteers who staffed this event or brought food, especially co-organizers Sandy McConville and Carol Ofiesh, and to Woodley Pool for hosting it. 

Next up! Save the date for Raymondale's  popular end-of-summer Block Party on Ellis Court!

2018 Annual Neighborhood Blcok Party: Come Rain or...Rain!

Despite forecasts to the contrary, the annual Raymondale block party picnic last night had two unexpected last-minute guests:   Rain and thunder. And yet! And yet.... At least 45 people showed up anyway to linger over tables laden with food and mingle under umbrellas and shade canopies. Because, after all, the potluck food had already been cooked and the coolers already stocked  before the sky turned dark, and some forecast somewhere had said we would be spared the worst of it. Which turned out to be true. Certainly the kids seemed not to notice the weather, as they got wet playing catch with water balloons anyway. 

Many thanks to the organizers and to all the great cooks who came and brought a dish to share. It was fun to meet so many new neighbors and renew ties with old friends!

Annual Neighborhood Block Party: Perfect Weather!

The weather could not have been more lovely for Raymondale's annual community block party on Ellis court on Friday night. That, plus hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, shrimp fried rice, sides and salads --and a 6-foot table full of desserts -- made lingering easy(!)

One of the great things about the annual picnic is making new friends and catching up with old ones without having to get in a car, dress fancy  or hire a babysitter. The kids had a grand time of their own, running around on scooters, visiting the dessert table, staging a water balloon fight, revisiting the dessert table, creating glow stick creations in the dark, drawing on the sidewalk and doing whatever they wanted before summer finally officially draws to a close.

Thanks to Dustin and Larry for grilling, and to all the neighbors who came, brought something to share, and pitched in. Let's do it again next year! (written by Whitney Redding)

School's Out! So, Burn That Old Homework!

Lots of fun was had at the Raymondale homework burn off this evening on Ellis Court! Kids ripped into their  old school papers with a vengeance before switching to summer with hearty round of Smore's. Final fun was Water balloon toss game and then the kids conspired to chase down An innocent bystander father who got a good soak out of it. Thanks to the Peters family for hosting!

Annual Egg Hunt on a Beautiful Day!

We had gorgeous weather and a big turnout at today's Spring egg hunt on St. James Place. Kids under five got a head start searching for plastic eggs full of goodies,and then the rest of the kids up to 11 years old were off and running. When it was done, lots of people stayed to enjoy meeting new neighbors, picking out free books from the little library, munching on donuts and candy or searching, searching, searching for that last little hidden treasure in the grass. Many thanks to the Brittons for hosting the egg hunt this year! And to the teens who helped hide the goodies before the young ones arrived. Have a good weekend everybody!