Stung by the Pandemic, a Centuries-Old Alexandria Newspaper Tries Crowdfunding
The Gazette Packet has raised two thirds of its $50,000 goal
Gazette Packet began publishing in 1784 (its name was the
Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser at first; then the
Gazette and Port Packet; the
Gazette Packet emerged in 1834). Since then, the newspaper has chronicled Alexandria’s evolution from port city to consistently interesting D.C. suburb a transformation that continues to animate its letters pages.
And now it needs some help. The
Gazette Packet launched an online fundraiser late last year in hopes of raising $50,000 for the
Gazette Packet and other publications operated by Connection Newspapers in Northern Virginia. So far it’s about two thirds of the way to its goal.
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Red Hill Garden Club president Monica Murphy makes a delivery of floral arrangements to Jeffrey’s Catering Dec. 17. The club crafted 200 holiday arrangements to be delivered to Meals On Wheels recipients.
Members of the Red Hill Garden Club delivered 200 handcrafted floral arrangements to Senior Services of Alexandria Dec. 17 to be included with meals for the city’s Meals On Wheels recipients during the holidays.
“Red Hill Garden Club and Senior Services of Alexandria have been partnering for many years where we provide special flower arrangements that go with the meals that are delivered by the Meals On Wheels service that Senior Services provides during the holidays,” said club president Monica Murphy. “This year in particular has been very important because needed services have basically doubled if not tripled so we increased our arrangements from the usual 50 or 60 to 200.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Owner Tonya Kemp, left, and sales associate Susan Quinn stand at the store front of Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop on opening day Dec. 11 at Fairlington Centre. Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Owner Tonya Kemp makes adjustments to a display at the Dec. 11 opening of Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop, a retro candy store in Fairlington Centre.
The phrase “excited as a kid in a candy store” took on new meaning as Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop opened its doors Dec. 11 among the shops in Fairlington Centre.
The locally-owned shop is part of the Rocket Fizz franchise and blends a vast selection of soda pop flavors and candies from yesteryear, all wrapped in a colorful and nostalgic motif.
Ollie and Madi Friedberg watch the spinning dreidel on the fifth night of the family Hanukkah celebration.
Menorahs are lit, dreidels are spun and latkes are served as Jewish families across the city celebrate Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival that began Dec. 10 and runs through Dec. 18.
“Observing Hanukkah gives us the chance to learn about battles and the miracle of lights,” said Madi Friedberg, 9, as her family celebrated the fifth night of Hanukkah on Dec. 14.
The Friedberg family observed Hanukkah with traditional latkes, playing the spinning dreidel game and lighting the candles of a hanukiah, similar to a menorah but with a ninth prong to hold the Shamash candle. The Shamash is used to light the other candles.
Photo by John Bordner/Gazette Packet
Jim Henson, seated center, holds his Living Legends portrait presented to him during a walk-by parade in his honor following his diagnosis of lung cancer in late September. With Henson are members of the Departmental Progressive Club and the Living Legends board of directors. Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
A sign presented to Jim Henson memorializing his trademark phrase “too blessed to be stressed.”
Jim Henson was a man-about-town, known for his dapper dressing, infectious smile and engaging personality. But most notably he was known for the five words he uttered each time he greeted friends and strangers alike. To anyone who asked, Henson was always “too blessed to be stressed.”