Residents enjoy last day of summer vacation

By Kipp Hanley

Published: September 1, 2008

The only thing twin brothers Victor and Ivelin Western caught in a few hours of fishing on the Potomac River was seaweed.

But that didn’t matter much to them. They were enjoying their last day of freedom Monday before school resumed this week at Swans Creek Elementary School in Dumfries.

After spending the summer reading and at ice hockey camp, the 10-year-old fraternal twins spent Labor Day with their parents, uncle, maternal grandparents and their 3-year-old brother, Daniel, at Leesylvania State Park.

“We’re just throwing the line out there,” said father, Jim Western, who fished with his twins while his youngest played on the swing set with his grandfather. “We’re just spending time together more than anything.”

Leesylvania State Park was the site for anything and everything summer on Monday. Families grilled out in the wooded picnic area while their children fish, swam, tossed the Frisbee and kicked the soccer ball.

Ed and Jennifer Rastelli of New Jersey were visiting their family for the holiday weekend. The Rastellis and the Gazzoli family were cooking traditional Labor Day food — burgers and hot dogs — and just enjoying the day in general.

William and Linda Gazzoli and their 9-year-old son Kyle live in Dale City and come often to the state park, typically to hike the 2-mile long nature trail. Kyle said he was looking forward to classes starting at Dale City Elementary School, with his favorites subjects being mathematics and science.

On the other hand, Potomac High School pupils Anna Janby, 15, and her friend, Gara, 15, weren’t too thrilled about the prospects of going back to school.

“Summer is no work, all play,” said Anna, who was also celebrating her 3-year-old sister Amira’s birthday with her parents.

Western said he was sad to see the summer ending and his children going back to school.

“I always hate this time of year,” Jim said. “I guess you’re conditioned to hate this time of year when you are growing up.”