<sh>Rosemont
<bt>It was just before midnight on New Year's Eve and it happened on the steps of the Masonic Temple. A man proposed marriage to a woman just before midnight in front of hundreds of people just prior to the first fireworks, set off as part of the First Night Alexandria celebration. Witnesses said the cheers from people near the couple caused them to believe that the woman accepted his proposal. First Night Alexandria celebrations were a big success this year. A record 13,000 people came to the 28 venues, equipped with 39 stages and 72 performing acts.
It's the new Book Swap at Maury School and Maury needs your unwanted children's books. Maury will gladly accept gently used, age appropriate reading materials — books, magazines and comic books. Donations can be left in the office labeled “Library” or “Book Swap.” For further information, contact Ann Garrison, Maury Library Media Specialist at 703-706-4446.
Congratulations and thanks to new Hooffs Run Park Chairpersons Beth and Ian MacPhail, who will lead volunteer efforts for the park due to Nora Graham's departure. Rosemont thanks Nora for her dedicated service to the Park during 2004. Nora reports that the Fairy Castle has just been installed at Hooffs, along with 3 new trees. The trees were planted close to the play equipment to provide shade in the years to come. Sunday at 3:30 p.m. is clean-up time for the Park so please join neighbors at that time. Special thanks to Peter Schenk for his hard work in obtaining and watering the trees and plants in Hooffs Run.
You can make a difference in the City's open space acquisition plan by nominating land in Rosemont for preservation. The nominations deadline for land to be considered for acquisition as open space or park land has been extended until Monday, January 31. For nomination forms or additional information call Aimee Vosper at the Parks and Recreation Department, 703-838-5041.
Rosemont news goes to Francine_Neville@hotmail.com