Saturday, May 8^th, wasn’t the warmest Spring day for the sixth annual Family Fun Day in Historic Downtown Front Royal, Virginia, but it was pushing 60 degrees under partly sunny skies – and rain of the previous night was long gone thanks to some still brisk winds whipping through town, so who could complain?

The annual array of classic cars dominated the northwestern portions of the Village Commons parking lot, with food stands, specialty stands, and games highlighting the southeastern, East Main Street side of the lot and surrounding grassy areas.

Live music was presented by John Landis and his From the Heart bandmates, as John took a little break from his nearby barbershop at 8 Chester Street.

You could complain about the weather not being warmer – but why? Below, From the Heart takes the Gazebo stage. Royal Examiner Photos by Roger Bianchini

Royal Examiner tracked down the driving force behind Family Fun Day, this year dressed as King Crawdad – as the line was long in anticipation of bags of fresh crawfish being ready for sale, along with the other food options available. We spoke with King Crawdad’s alter ego, C&C Frozen Treats’ William Huck, about the sixth incarnation of this now-familiar downtown event.

“Here we have the community coming together to celebrate life and to celebrate mother (on Mother’s Day weekend) and celebrate community right here in Front Royal, Virginia,” Huck began with a nod to Town Manager Steven Hicks: “We couldn’t have done this without the help of Steven Hicks, who was instrumental in getting me the permit I needed. He was down earlier, and I had a nice visit with him today as the festivities were going on. So, I want to say thank you to our town manager.”

Of his costume and about-to-be-consumed brethren, King Crawdad observed with a nod to his wife Nina’s assistance, “It’s crawfish – crawfish is family coming together and having a good time. And Front Royal and Warren County is our family.”

King Crawdad appeared momentarily torn as his brother crawfish prepared to transition to food for Family Fun Day’s heartier eaters. – Sometimes there must be sacrifices for the greater good as the patiently waiting crawfish line proves.

Of the “fun” aspect of the day geared toward that family’s younger members, Huck pointed out, “We’ve got games and activities for the kids to play back here to win some prizes – stuffed animals, beads, and baubles.” And of the day’s “fun” aimed the bigger boys and girls way, he added: “The classic cars show, which we’ve had included in Family Fun Day from year one.”

Above, toys for the big kids to admire; below, games and other adventures for the younger kids.

“It’s an honor to be here for six years and next year will be lucky seven. And I promise next year we will have a carousel. And we’ll turn this into something that everybody else will be jealous of,” Huck forecast of a future another year removed from the COVID-19 pandemic and its public safety health measure restrictions on public gatherings.

And we can’t wait.

Beyond the White Picket Fence ‘Family Fun Day’ specials sign a dog waits patiently in food line with owner. Below, that dog is rewarded for his patience.

Not only games for the kids, but other booths with adventures to share.

The town caboose is a familiar play stop for the kids, making any day ‘fun day’.

And toward the new town pavilion, Josh Ingram hosts Pablo Guittierrez and internationally known Chihuahua Rico at his classic Jeep.

A classic Mustang and an apparently ‘classic’ electric car side by side. Well, that’s not exactly under the hood, explaining that lack of one at left in third photo.

What did I just see, indeed!

Above and below, more traditional classic cars, including from the ‘Helltown Cruisers’, all with hoods and engines under them.

Above, King Crawdad returns to the festivities from his headquarters at C&C Frozen Treats. Below, getting in the ‘Family Fun Day’ spirit White Picket Fence offered a number of event and Mother’s Day-themed specials.

What’s not to LOVE about Family Fun Day, from any direction?

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On May 8, 2021, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) Deputy R.W. Marcelle observed a 2003 Cadillac passenger vehicle being operated in a reckless manner on Route 11 North in the area of Welltown Road. The Cadillac was observed accelerating rapidly, clearly traveling well above the posted limit of 40 mph, before merging onto Route 37 southbound.

Deputy Marcelle, caught up to the vehicle without activating his emergency lights and siren to establish an accurate speed. Marcelle caught up to the vehicle, prior to the Route 522 exit, where he estimated the Cadillac’s prior speed to be over 100 mph and now slowing on the exit ramp before stopping at a red traffic light.

Deputy Marcelle decided he would stop the vehicle in the area of the Sheetz in Sunnyside, once the light cycled green, so both vehicles could clear the ramp and intersection. Upon the light turning green, the Cadillac made a left turn South onto Route 522 and accelerated rapidly. Marcelle now activated his emergency equipment to pull the subject over only to have the Cadillac accelerate and pull away from him. Deputy Marcelle next radioed that he had a subject attempting to flee a traffic stop and tried to catch up to the suspect. Marcelle noted that the Cadillac was now traveling above 100 mph and headed towards the city limits of Winchester.

The driver of the Cadillac had created distance between himself and the deputy and was coming up the bend of Route 522 where the 4-lane divided roadway transitions down to a 2-lane non-divided configuration. The Cadillac’s momentum carried it across the centerline and partially into the northbound lane where it side-swiped a 2016 Honda Civic operated by Jeremy Nicely of Winchester. The Honda was struck along its driver’s side before spinning across the northbound lanes and coming to rest on the southbound edge of the road facing south.

The Cadillac now continued south, in the northbound lane, and hit a 2003 Chevy Trail Blazer, operated by Zachary Harner of Winchester, head-on. This impact pushed the Blazer back approximately 50 feet and caused the Cadillac to spin 180 degrees, flip onto its roof, and come to final rest next to the Blazer.

Deputy Marcelle, still attempting to overtake the Cadillac, witnessed the Honda come spinning across his lane where he was able to avoid a crash with it. Once clear of the Honda, Marcelle saw the aftermath of the second event, between the Cadillac and the Blazer, and radioed in requesting an appropriate emergency response. Marcelle and other responding deputies used fire extinguishers to contain a small fire that was coming from the exposed undercarriage of the Cadillac. The positioning and condition of the Cadillac prevented deputies from gaining access to anyone in the vehicle.

Frederick County Fire / EMS arrived at the scene and began extrication procedures on the Cadillac in addition to the treatment of serious, but apparently non-life-threatening, injuries to Harner in the Blazer. Once access to the cockpit of the Cadillac was made, it was clear that the driver had not survived and was pronounced deceased on scene.

Lt. Warren Gosnell and members of the FCSO Traffic Division responded to the scene to handle the fatal crash investigation. The driver of the Cadillac was identified as Kondwani Rogers with a Waterford Lane address in Frederick County where personal notification was made to Rogers’ family of his death. Harner was transported to Winchester Medical Center and underwent surgery for various fractures and injuries as a result of the crash. The driver of the Honda refused medical treatment.

All three vehicles are considered to be total losses. Members of the FCSO Patrol Division, VDOT, and Virginia State Police all assisted on this call. The roadway was shut down for approximately six hours during the investigation, and it was noted that this is the second major crash at this location in the past 10 days.

Press Release from Frederick County Sheriff’s Office

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May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to start or continue good skin health habits to protect yourself against skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. This adds up to at least one in five Americans developing cancer by the age of 70.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. More Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined.

Prevention
Sun protection is a great and easy way to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), everyone should take the following steps to protect themselves from the sun’s damaging rays:
– Seek shade when appropriate. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
– Wear clothing with built-in sun protection, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses. Look for clothing with a UPF label.
– Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. Most adults need about an ounce, enough to fill a shot glass. Reapply about every two hours.
– Never use tanning beds.
– Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand.

What to look for
The AAD also encourages regular skin checks. Brigham Health Hub recommends self-skin checks using the ABCDE rule:
A: Asymmetry (the two halves look different).
B: Borders (irregular or poorly defined edges).
C: Color (dark black or multiple colors).
D: Diameter of greater than six millimeters, or about the size of a pencil eraser.
E: Evolving size, shape, or color.

If you see any suspicious spots, talk to your doctor right away. See a dermatologist regularly for preventative skin checks.

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The crisp white flesh and peppery taste of radishes make them a great addition to salads and sandwiches. Plus, the leaves of this root vegetable can be used as a leafy green much like lettuce and spinach. Although they can be found year-round, red radishes are generally ready to be harvested in the spring.

Health benefits
Radishes pack a punch with their distinct taste, but they’re also loaded with nutrients. In particular, radishes are a good source of vitamin C and other antioxidants that protect your cells from damage. They’re also rich in minerals like calcium and potassium, which help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. Other compounds in radishes can help prevent diabetes. Plus, this vegetable is low in calories and a natural appetite suppressant.

Selecting and storing
For maximum taste, choose radishes that are about the size of ping pong balls. Make sure they’re firm with a smooth, vibrant red exterior. If you buy radishes in bunches, the leaves should be stiff and bright green.

Radishes can be stored for about a week in a perforated plastic bag. Place them in the crisper drawer of the fridge to help prevent them from drying out.

To stock up on these tasty vegetables, visit your local farmer’s market.

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Do you want to freshen up your yard or completely redesign the look of your property? If so, here are five advantages to working with a team of lawn care and landscaping professionals.

1. Your plants and trees will thrive. While all species require sunlight to grow, some need much more of it than others. Plus, certain plants prefer direct light, while others do well in the shade. A landscaper will ensure each plant is in an ideal location to get what it needs.

2. Your planting times will be perfect. Some species need to be planted at a specific time of the year to grow and survive the change of seasons. Leaving this work to a professional will ensure you don’t make any mistakes.

3. Your landscaping will be cohesive. The style of your home, the size of your property, and the layout of your driveway and yard can affect the look of your landscaping. A specialist will take these elements into account before proposing a beautiful and practical design for your front and backyard.

4. Your lawn will be expertly installed. If you want to lay sod, the ground must first be properly prepared using specialized equipment. A landscaper will have the right tools and experience to quickly and efficiently complete this task. If you already have a lawn, a professional will make sure it stays lush, healthy, and free of pests.

5. Your hardscape will be stronger. Walkways, stairs, walls, and patios can be installed using a variety of materials. A landscaper will consider factors such as the frequency of use and weather conditions when designing every detail.

If you want to boost your home’s curb appeal and wow your guests, be sure to hire a team of landscaping professionals this spring.

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Are you being considered for a job that you now realize isn’t a good fit? Here are three tips to help you withdraw your candidacy without damaging your reputation.

1. Do it as soon as possible
After going through the interview process, you may realize that the position or company isn’t what you thought. You can take a few days to decide, but it’s best to let the recruiter know sooner rather than later to avoid wasting their time.

2. Confirm it in writing
You may want to announce your withdrawal over the phone if that’s been your primary means of communication with the recruiter. However, you should always follow up in writing. A simple email thanking the recruiter for their time and consideration will help keep the door open for future opportunities.

3. Provide a brief explanation
Avoid getting bogged down in the details about your decision to withdraw. If you’ve accepted a job elsewhere, you can mention it but don’t specify the company or position. If you don’t like the company culture, simply state that you don’t feel the position is a good fit for you at this time. If you’re not satisfied with the proposed salary or benefits, reaffirm your interest in the company before specifying your reason for the refusal.

By following these tips, you should be able to drop out of the hiring process without burning any bridges. This is particularly important if you want to apply for another position with the company at a later date.

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