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The Library Director’s 2020 End-of-Year Playlist

"Too Cool for Yule"

Funky Cassette Tape
Cassette Case Playlist

When I was younger, I made mixtapes for my friends, my siblings, my work colleagues, and often, just for me. For those under 35 who might not have had the experience of methodically pouring over your record and tape collection or waiting patiently by the radio for the replay of that one tune that really captures the essence of the person you are making the tape for, the hours you can spend with your two-slot cassette player are some of the most intimate and lonely, exhilarating and exhausting, optimistic and indulgent, and simply joyful experiences you can have (just ask your parents). Each tape is a story of a person. Some are goofy. Some are sobering. Some are topical. And some are just a hodgepodge of inanity. But each one is special. Every mixtape is a piece of your heart and glimpse of the “you” you are when no one is looking.

For the past 13 years, I have published a “Too Cool for Yule” playlist, as my love letter to the County and the people we serve. And while (sadly) Spotify has replaced the cassette tape, making the process easier, like much of 2020, this playlist was more difficult than ever to create.

How can I truly honor those that have left us too soon, the sacrifices we have all had to make, and the growing uncertainty of what next year will bring? How can I capture both the compassion and caring our neighbors have shown for one another throughout the pandemic, and our fervent wish for brighter days to come? So this was my attempt:

Open playlist in Spotify

From the mournful twang of Pete Seeger to the unbridled joy of Little Richard. With solemnity from the Boston Camerata and the eccentricity of Tom Lehrer, we hope this playlist has something for everyone. If you are alone for the holidays, please know, we are here for you. And let us hit pause for a moment to reflect on the immortal words of John Prine:

No Libra sun, no Halloween
No giving thanks for all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is, though old so new
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do

I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart

As one of my wise colleagues recently told me, even though many of us cannot celebrate the holidays this year, if we’re lucky, there will be many, many more to come.

Stay safe, stay hopeful.

Diane

Scrawled signature of Diane Kresh

Oral History: The Arlington Food Assistance Center

Interviews with Ann Rudd and Andy Lee

Arlington Voices the Oral History Collection

Oral histories are used to understand historical events, actors, and movements from the point of view of real people’s personal experiences.

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) was founded in 1988 under the goal of “obtaining and distributing groceries, directly and free of charge, to people living in Arlington, VA, who cannot afford to purchase enough food to meet their basic needs.” Its formal mission statement as of 2020 is “to feed our neighbors in need by providing dignified access to nutritious supplemental groceries.”

Established by a small public-private committee, the organization began distributing food in a Red Cross van, which was purchased at the Capital Area Community Food Bank in Northeast D.C. The group initially delivered to a small, rotating list of families provided by local churches. Its early founders were Anne Rudd, William Knull, and Anna Barber, who had attended Rock Spring Congregational Church together.

AFAC's Certificate of Incorporation, June 30, 1988.

After over a year of operating out of the van, the First Baptist Church of Clarendon offered AFAC its first fixed operating site, increasing the number of clients the organization could serve. In 1992, AFAC acquired its own full-time operating site at 2900 North Washington Boulevard. The organization moved to its current headquarters at 2708 S. Nelson Street in June 1997 to accommodate its growing operation. More than 30 years after its founding, AFAC now serves more than 3,000 families per month.

In these oral history interviews, founder Anne Rudd and longtime AFAC volunteer Andy Lee describe the early days of AFAC and how the organization grew to become a cornerstone of the Arlington community.

Example of a fundraising effort held by AFAC, advertised in the Washington Post, October  12, 2000. Image courtesy of the Washington Post.

Narrator: Ann Rudd
Interviewer: Michelle Jones
Date: November 20, 2013

Michelle Jones: And how do you really get started? That’s a large—that’s a large job to accomplish.

Ann Rudd: Well I know that they started out—they were using the churches for storage of food.

MJ: Oh.

AR: They were—they used the Baptist church in Clarendon. And they used the Unitarian church and they used Little Falls Presbyterian.

MJ: And what you—

AR: They were sites where people picked up food. Twenty-five years ago was what? Something around three sites.

MJ: So this is around 1988?

AR: Yes. Yeah, so it’s been twenty-five years.

MJ: Okay. So um—Well how did you get—information out to the community?

AR: Well they worked through the county with the Department of Human Services, churches, and community organizations, you had to be referred-you could get food the first time.

MJ: Is that how you received funds? Or how—

AR: No!

MJ: — how did you get started and find a place and—? (speaking at same time)

AR: They did not—they just started calling churches to find a place. As for the money, it was donations. People donated food.

MJ: And what was your involvement in getting all of this going? Were you more on the ground trying to get donations and actual goods or—

AR: I think I was more-or-less contacting churches to see if they would let us set up there. So I think it was those three churches, but it was mainly on the Baptist church when Clarendon was the main place. And it was only open on Saturday morning.

AFAC informational mailer distributed to community members.

Narrator: Andrew “Andy” Lee
Interviewer: Anne Webb
Date: September 30, 2013

Anne Webb: So—what—but you started volunteering when AFAC was still rather small and you’ve seen it grow exponentially. Tell me about your role in all those changes.

Andy Lee: Absolutely. Sure. When I first started volunteering we were serving —serving I think around 70 families per week.

AW: Um-hm (affirmative)

AL: We had one bagging on Friday night and then one distribution on Saturday morning. AFAC was housed in the basement of what was then, Clarendon Baptist Church, and subsequently, as we grew and hired our first staff, we needed office space so Bill Knull at the time, who was president of the board, found a location at 10th and Washington which was at the time we found it, it was being used as a motorcycle repair shop, so it was an absolute mess. … We remained there for several years and then the vision was that we need to expand further as our client load increased and we also need to be closer to our clients. Being in Clarendon the majority of our clients at the time were in Arna Valley, which no longer exists as far as low-income housing but that’s where a lot of our clients were, as well as in the Columbia Pike corridor.

So, we found a location in Shirlington working with real estate agents, Bill Knull primarily, looking at different sites and the current location on South Nelson Street, proved to be for the most part meeting the majority of our needs and so we moved in there I believe in 1996 or 1997 timeframe after some reconstruction of the infrastructure of the building and we’ve been there ever since.

In an addition, we had two primary satellite distribution sites, Clarendon Methodist Church as well as the Gunston Community Center while I was on the board. That has since expanded to multiple different locations, you know we are doing outbound. But at the time South Nelson Street was our primary location as well as the two satellite sites that we had.

As far as the client loads, as I said, when I started, we were about 70 families a week. I think at the peak last year we were around 1,600 families per week on average. I think it’s down now a little bit. But it’s still very high compared to what it used to be.

The AFAC logo as of 2020. Image courtesy of AFAC.

These interviews are available at the Center for Local History. Oral history interviews with Fred Jones, Robert Gallagher, Roberta, and John Overholt, and Ed Nolan also detail the history and work of AFAC.

Want to learn more? Record Group 313 in the Center for Local History also holds documents from and related to AFAC dating from 1948 to 2018

The goal of the Arlington Voices project is to showcase the Center for Local History’s oral history collection in a publicly accessible and shareable way.

The Arlington Public Library began collecting oral histories of long-time residents in the 1970s, and since then the scope of the collection has expanded to capture the diverse voices of Arlington’s community. In 2016, staff members and volunteers recorded many additional hours of interviews, building the collection to 575 catalogued oral histories.

To browse our list of narrators indexed by interview subject, check out our community archive. To read a full transcript of an interview, visit the Center for Local History located at Central Library.

Library Operations Update: 2021 Service Changes

Preparations Underway for New Express Service at Two Locations

The Arlington County Board has allocated funding to reopen two Branch Library locations – Shirlington and Westover – for Express Library Service. Preparations are underway, and service is planned to begin as soon as January 2021. 

What is Express Library Service? 

  • Patrons will be able to browse collections, check out materials and pick up holds.
  • Patrons will use self-serve checkout stations.
  • All other services will be unavailable, including public seating, meeting rooms and public computers.
  • Occupancy will be limited; patrons will be asked to take no more than 30 minutes inside the library.
  • State and local public health guidelines will apply.
  • Service will operate during select days and times, including on weekends.

What does this mean for the Library?

When Express Library Service begins at Shirlington and Westover, Central Library will continue to operate the current Holds Pickup Service in the Auditorium. All other library locations will remain closed (including the Columbia Pike Branch, which is under construction).

What are our next steps?

More details about Express Library Service will be published in late December. Arlington County is closely monitoring public health data, and Library operational plans are subject to change as necessary.

Please continue to send us your feedback. We read and consider all comments.

Send Us Your Feedback

If you have a question that requires a response, need help accessing your Library account or placing holds, please contact us by phone, online chat or text.

Charles Rinker: Speaking Out

A Tireless Proponent for Fair and Affordable Housing

Graphic image of a megaphone

Join us for a new series of stories from the Center for Local History highlighting members of our community who made a difference in ways that helped shape our history and created positive change. 

Their voices were not always loud, but what they said or did had a significant impact on our community.

Charles Rinker

Charles Rinker (1940-2015) was a tireless proponent for fair and affordable housing in Arlington County. His reach also extended to Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax County in Virginia as well as Montgomery County and Baltimore in Maryland.

His ability to meld economic savvy with public advocacy and popular sentiment made him a powerful and highly effective presence in organizations he helped found and establish such as AHC, Inc. (Arlington Housing Corp.), Arlington New Directions Coalition, A-HOME (Arlington Home Ownership Made Easier), TOAC (Tenants of Arlington County) and BRAVO (Buyer and Renters Arlington Voice).

Never reluctant to confront institutional resistance, Rinker’s ethos could perhaps best be summarized by his statements:

“If private profit is made in such a way as it deprives others in the society of the necessities of life—food, shelter, clothing, health, etc.—then it’s wrong, no matter what face one tries to put on it.”

“Ultimately we need more than the criticism of friends and neighbors to deter the displacement of low-and-moderate income households…but moral indignation from the community would be a good start.”

TOAC (Tenants of Arlington County) pamphlet

Do you have a question about this story, or a personal experience to share? 

Use this form to send a message to the Charlie Clark Center for Local History.

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Voting in Arlington: Then & Now

November 3 is fast approaching and voting this year has taken an unprecedented turn in the wake of the pandemic, with thousands of Arlingtonians voting early or sending in absentee ballots. The voting process in Arlington and beyond has historically been anything but static – here’s a look at how the voting process has changed over the years.

“People standing around a voting booth,” Arlington County, 1968. PG 214

Sign that says “Vote for the Library Bond, November 4.” Arlington County, 1959. RG 29

Arlington’s First Elections

According to historian C.B. Rose, no one living in what is now Arlington would have been able to vote until these early settlements were incorporated around 1645. Voting likely increased when the land of present-day Arlington was established as Fairfax County and received its own Court House in the town of Alexandria in 1752. At this point in time, all voting had to take place at a Court House, which limited eligible voters who lived far away from these buildings.

The first American elections were conducted by voice vote, or with paper ballots also known as “party tickets.” Unlike the “Australian” or “blanket ballots” that were used in the latter half of the 19th century, these early ballots only carried the name of candidates from a single party. These ballots would then be counted by local party and election officials.

In 1869, a change to the Constitution meant that “secret” ballots were now required and required voters to register prior to elections. A registrar was assigned for 1,000 voters along with an accompanying polling place – an early version of the precinct system.

The Struggle for Women’s Suffrage

“Votes for first time at 79. Arlington, VA, Oct. 15. This is Mrs. O'Leary (not the Mrs. O'Leary who kissed the cow who kicked over the lantern to start the Chicago fire) but Mrs. Lucy O'Leary of this town who will cast her first vote on November 3 at age 79, for Gov. Landon. She now lives on small government pension with the aid of a small garden.” Arlington County, October 15, 1936. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

In these early elections, only a fraction of the population was permitted to vote, initially granting the right solely to propertied white men. Because of these limitations, throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, women’s suffrage was a major reform issue nationwide.

Gertrude Crocker was among those on the front lines fighting for women’s right to vote, and would later become a prominent Arlington citizen, owning and operating the Little Tea House. Crocker was among the “Silent Sentinels,” who, on January 10, 1917, participated in the first picket protest outside of the White House.

The 19th Amendment was adopted on August 18, 1920, after decades of advocacy. But after the milestone of women’s suffrage came another portion of the journey for equal voting rights for all. Though women had achieved the right to vote, large portions of the country’s non-white population were still disenfranchised.

Read our series on important figures and events leading up to the passage of the 19th Amendment.

“Citizens at the Wilson High School waiting to vote in the national presidential election. The election started at 7:45 a.m., and a continuous stream of people, mostly men, came in. The women came later in the day.” Arlington County, November 7, 1944. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Fighting Discrimination and Voter Suppression

Though the legal milestones of the 15th and 19th were achieved, in practice, African American voters faced innumerable barriers to voting – from Jim Crow laws, voter suppression tactics, and overt violence.

Shortly after the passage of the 15th amendment, Virginia instituted a poll tax to restrict African American men from voting in 1876. This law was repealed in 1882, but in 1901 the state’s General Assembly called for a new constitution granted suffrage solely to white men.

A new constitution passed in 1902 and required voters to pay a tax of $1.50 six months prior to an election for each of the three years preceding an election. This disenfranchised approximately 90% of the state’s African American voting population and nearly 50% of the white men who had previously been registered to vote in Virginia. The 1902 constitution also created an administrative structure that was difficult for any average citizen to navigate. Virginia maintained poll taxes until 1966.

Read more about voter suppression and how local activists responded to these policies in Arlington in “If You Don’t Vote, You Don’t Count”

Local activists and groups such as the Arlington chapter of the NAACP worked tirelessly to combat voter suppression, instituting outreach campaigns and legal challenges to the poll tax. In a suit from Arlingtonian Portia Haskins against the Virginia Board of Elections and the Arlington County general registrar, the court ruled in her favor in 1966, determining that “[t]he provisions of Virginia’s dual voter registration…which treat persons who are registered only for federal elections differently from persons registered for all elections violate the equal protection laws of the 14th Amendment.”

Poll Tax Month: a 1956 Virginia Poll Tax Flyer created by the NAACP, explaining what the poll tax was and how it related to being able to vote in both local and federal elections. View item information in Project DAPS.

The Modern Age of Voting

The last century has also seen technological developments in how we place our votes. From paper ballots, voting machines were introduced in the mid-20th century to modernize the voting process. Today, further developments, such as digital scanners introduced in 2015, continue to streamline how we vote and how our votes are counted.

Arlington County has also seen incredible growth from its humble electoral beginnings. The County now has 54 voter precincts and accompanying polling places. Almost every aspect of voting has changed in the centuries since the County’s beginnings: from who had the right to vote, to how voting was carried out. Be sure to cast your ballot on November 3!

An early mention of the use of voting machines in Arlington. From the Northern Virginia Sun, January 5, 1940.

An early opportunity for voter to try out a voting machine. From the Northern Virginia Sun, October 18, 1951.

For more information on the history of Arlington voting, see the Arlington Historical Society’s Virtual Exhibit: A Short History of Voting in Arlington.

Election day 2020 is on November 3! Early voting will be taking place until October 31, and all mail-in ballots must be postmarked by November 3 or returned in person by November 3 at 7 p.m. Ballot drop-offs are available throughout the County. Information about in-person voting locations and other voter information in Arlington can be found through the County’s elections website.

To learn more about Arlington's history, visit the Center for Local History on the first floor of the Central Library.

Do you have a question about this story, or a personal experience to share? 

Use this form to send a message to the Center for Local History.

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2020 Pumpkin Decorating Contest Winners

Having a Gourd Time with Your Library!

We are thrilled to have received 42 pumpkin submissions for our first virtual Pumpkin Decorating Contest! It was hard to choose the winners, as we adored so many. Thank you for submitting, attending the virtual decorating programs and carving out fun with the folks at the library!

Best Kids Upto Grade 5 Pumpkin:
"The Witch" by Elaina V.

“I was not alone in the pumpkin patch. There were warty pumpkins and neat pumpkins and big pumpkins and small pumpkins. One day, a farmer picked me up out of my patch and drove me to a nearby grocery store to sell me. Soon, a masked man came and picked me up (it’s coronavirus, dude). He drove me to his home and there was a little girl and her mom. They cut me and carved me and poked me and prodded me. One time, my owner picked me up and put me in the bathroom (for some reason). I finally saw myself through the bathroom mirror. I had an ugly, big nose and a long pointy black hat and silver paint smudged everywhere and big eyes. And then I thought, this look suits me.” – The Witch (aka Eliana, age 8)
Eliana V. "The Witch" - “I was not alone in the pumpkin patch. There were warty pumpkins and neat pumpkins and big pumpkins and small pumpkins. One day, a farmer picked me up out of my patch and drove me to a nearby grocery store to sell me. Soon, a masked man came and picked me up (it’s coronavirus, dude). He drove me to his home and there was a little girl and her mom. They cut me and carved me and poked me and prodded me. One time, my owner picked me up and put me in the bathroom (for some reason). I finally saw myself through the bathroom mirror. I had an ugly, big nose and a long pointy black hat and silver paint smudged everywhere and big eyes. And then I thought, this look suits me.” – The Witch (aka Eliana, age 8)

Best Grade 6-12 Pumpkin:
"Just Eat It" by Anne A.

Anne A., "Just Eat It"

Best Adult Pumpkin (TIE):
"It's a Magical World" by Steve M. and
"Arthur Celebrates Libraries" by Abby H.

The "stars" were made using 3 different sized nails inserted at various angles, so their luminosity changes depending on your viewing angle. So if you walk around the pumpkin, it "twinkles". Also, Hobbes' orange fur is the skin of the pumpkin.
The "stars" were made using 3 different sized nails inserted at various angles, so their luminosity changes depending on your viewing angle. So if you walk around the pumpkin, it "twinkles". Also, Hobbes' orange fur is the skin of the pumpkin.
Steve M., "It's a Magical World" - The "stars" were made using 3 different sized nails inserted at various angles, so their luminosity changes depending on your viewing angle. So if you walk around the pumpkin, it "twinkles". Also, Hobbes' orange fur is the skin of the pumpkin.
As a kid, I watched Arthur on PBS regularly. Years later, I revisited the series and found it just as charming as it had always been. Now, I read Marc Brown's Arthur books to my niece. As a librarian and book lover, it's no wonder my favorite scene from the series is Arthur and his friends' performance of "Library Card," a song that appears in the episode "Arthur's Almost Live Not Real Music Festival" and proclaims "Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card." I couldn't help but illustrate Arthur's library card and sage lyrics on a pumpkin with paint. And, Arthur, I heartily agree.
Abby H., "Arthur Celebrates Libraries" - As a kid, I watched Arthur on PBS regularly. Years later, I revisited the series and found it just as charming as it had always been. Now, I read Marc Brown's Arthur books to my niece. As a librarian and book lover, it's no wonder my favorite scene from the series is Arthur and his friends' performance of "Library Card," a song that appears in the episode "Arthur's Almost Live Not Real Music Festival" and proclaims "Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card." I couldn't help but illustrate Arthur's library card and sage lyrics on a pumpkin with paint. And, Arthur, I heartily agree.

Honorable Mentions...

Best Alternative Gourd:
"Dragons Love Halloween Candy" by Kelley M.

Best Dressed:
"Minnie Fang" by Ari T.

Most Intricate:
"Spotted Owl" by Carolyn B.

Hey Judges! Do you love pumpkins? And Halloween? And candy? So do dragons! If you want dragons to trick-or-treat at your house (socially distanced, of course), you’ll need boatloads of candy! Just make sure you bury all the spicy candy in the backyard or donate it to a Tasmanian devil. The one thing dragons can’t stand is spicy Halloween candy because it gives them the yummy troubles. Hey Dragon, how do you feel about Red Hots, Fireballs, and Hot Tamales? Too late...
Kelley M., "Dragons Love Halloween Candy" - Hey Judges! Do you love pumpkins? And Halloween? And candy? So do dragons! If you want dragons to trick-or-treat at your house (socially distanced, of course), you’ll need boatloads of candy! Just make sure you bury all the spicy candy in the backyard or donate it to a Tasmanian devil. The one thing dragons can’t stand is spicy Halloween candy because it gives them the yummy troubles. Hey Dragon, how do you feel about Red Hots, Fireballs, and Hot Tamales? Too late...
Carolyn B., "Spotted Owl"
Ari T., "Minnie Fang"

Check out these other pumpkins we loved!

Nicolas D., "The Scary Tree"
Sharing a love of books and storytelling to playing outdoor hide and seek, the Feliciano brothers and Kan kids live across the street from each other and have become the closest of friends this year. We had a blast carving pumpkins together on our driveway - a first time for most of the kids! Pumpkin seeds were saved to roast and snack on and the pumpkins will be composted after Halloween in the bountiful Kan garden. Happy kids carved happy pumpkins!
Jennifer F., "Happy Pumpkins, Happy Kids!" - Sharing a love of books and storytelling to playing outdoor hide and seek, the Feliciano brothers and Kan kids live across the street from each other and have become the closest of friends this year. We had a blast carving pumpkins together on our driveway - a first time for most of the kids! Pumpkin seeds were saved to roast and snack on and the pumpkins will be composted after Halloween in the bountiful Kan garden. Happy kids carved happy pumpkins!
Wakana & Akane H., "Oh, Nooooo! My Sister!!!!!"
"I love Bad Kitty books because they're funny and she's silly. I've read almost all of them by myself and with my mom and dad. My pet cat, Bartleby, looks just like Bad Kitty."
Amelia H., "Bad Kitty" - I love Bad Kitty books because they're funny and she's silly. I've read almost all of them by myself and with my mom and dad. My pet cat, Bartleby, looks just like Bad Kitty.
This year my daughter and I read through the entire Tiffany Aching series within the Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett. In the 4th book, I Shall Wear Midnight, a repeated image is a hare running. It has been our favorite series of books to read. She related a lot to Tiffany, a young witch and I related a lot to the older witches in the stories who helped guide Tiffany. I hope that my daughter will always remember those stories and the many many hours we spent reading together. The quote repeated within the story goes - "The Hare runs into the fire. The fire, it takes her, she is not burned. The fire, it loves her, she is not burned"
Janet H., "The Hare Runs into the Fire" - This year my daughter and I read through the entire Tiffany Aching series within the Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett. In the 4th book, I Shall Wear Midnight, a repeated image is a hare running. It has been our favorite series of books to read. She related a lot to Tiffany, a young witch and I related a lot to the older witches in the stories who helped guide Tiffany. I hope that my daughter will always remember those stories and the many many hours we spent reading together. The quote repeated within the story goes - "The Hare runs into the fire. The fire, it takes her, she is not burned. The fire, it loves her, she is not burned"
During COVID quarantine time, I thought it'd be cute to build my own pumpkin house. Went flower picking in Loudon County, and used them to decorate the windowsills of the pumpkin chalet!
Kathryn H., "Pumpkin Chalet" - During COVID quarantine time, I thought it'd be cute to build my own pumpkin house. Went flower picking in Loudon County, and used them to decorate the windowsills of the pumpkin chalet!
Arlene G., "This skull is on fire!"
As someone with the bad habit of constantly touching my face and eyes, the CDC's COVID prevention recommendations (don't touch your face, eyes, nose, mouth) have been very hard to follow! My pumpkin is an homage to how much scarier my bad habits became in 2020.
Amelia R., "Don't Touch Your Eyes!" - As someone with the bad habit of constantly touching my face and eyes, the CDC's COVID prevention recommendations (don't touch your face, eyes, nose, mouth) have been very hard to follow! My pumpkin is an homage to how much scarier my bad habits became in 2020.
This pumpkin were carved by 3 beautiful girls who had a blast, every single one has different inspirations. Mariana, 10 years old, was the artist behind the first pumpkin, first one to the left, she was inspired by her favorite emoji face. Maddie, 9 years old, was behind the throw up pumpkin, and she wanted to create something scary and disgusting at the same time and I think she did a wonderful job. Layla, 5 years old, was the artist that required the most help but still she did a wonderful job with the mini hear emoji pumpkin which she choose the design of, helped the grown ups with the cat pumpkin and she also made a beautiful design with marker on the remaining pumpkin, no carving necessary she said is perfect jus the way it is. With love Andy Aupair
Andy M. & kids, "Dream Work" - This pumpkin were carved by 3 beautiful girls who had a blast, every single one has different inspirations. Mariana, 10 years old, was the artist behind the first pumpkin, first one to the left, she was inspired by her favorite emoji face. Maddie, 9 years old, was behind the throw up pumpkin, and she wanted to create something scary and disgusting at the same time and I think she did a wonderful job. Layla, 5 years old, was the artist that required the most help but still she did a wonderful job with the mini hear emoji pumpkin which she choose the design of, helped the grown ups with the cat pumpkin and she also made a beautiful design with marker on the remaining pumpkin, no carving necessary she said is perfect jus the way it is. With love Andy Aupair
One day, like any other, there was a pumpkin. A farmer was soon coming to harvest it. Of course the pumpkin didn't have feelings, but if it did it would feel proud being from "the finest in the patch," the farmer said. A kid picked up the pumpkin and said in a gruff voice, "This is the one!" Back at the house, the kid was ready to carve.
Alex K., "Stumpkin" - One day, like any other, there was a pumpkin. A farmer was soon coming to harvest it. Of course the pumpkin didn't have feelings, but if it did it would feel proud being from "the finest in the patch," the farmer said. A kid picked up the pumpkin and said in a gruff voice, "This is the one!" Back at the house, the kid was ready to carve.
2020 has been quite a year...while grappling with the pandemic and other terrible occurrences, I've also had a number of successes and happy moments. As a tribute to both the good and the bad of this year, I carved these pumpkins - one happy, one scary!
Hannah A., "Beauty and the Beast" - 2020 has been quite a year...while grappling with the pandemic and other terrible occurrences, I've also had a number of successes and happy moments. As a tribute to both the good and the bad of this year, I carved these pumpkins - one happy, one scary!
Helen T., "Haunted House Pumpkin"
Once upon a time, there was a ghost and the ghost met a pumpkin! And the pumpkin turned the ghost into a fox and the fox ran away. The fox turned back into a ghost and then a big dinosaur came and ate the ghost up. And then the dinosaur stomped into the water and sank and turned into a fish. The fish turned into a tiger shark! And the tiger shark never turned back into a dinosaur. The pumpkin with the face turned into a...pumpkin (without a face)! And lived happily ever after. The end.
Ella H., "Ghost Carve Boo" - Once upon a time, there was a ghost and the ghost met a pumpkin! And the pumpkin turned the ghost into a fox and the fox ran away. The fox turned back into a ghost and then a big dinosaur came and ate the ghost up. And then the dinosaur stomped into the water and sank and turned into a fish. The fish turned into a tiger shark! And the tiger shark never turned back into a dinosaur. The pumpkin with the face turned into a...pumpkin (without a face)! And lived happily ever after. The end.
Tricia T., "Pumpkin Sweet Pumpkin"
Jadon O., "Winking Jack"
I am 8 3/4 years old and I carved this pumpkin all by myself. I choose the name 'give me a treat!' because, she is looking up and smiling so I thought it would fit. I hope you choose mine!
Kira S., "Give me a treat!" - I am 8 3/4 years old and I carved this pumpkin all by myself. I choose the name 'give me a treat!' because, she is looking up and smiling so I thought it would fit. I hope you choose mine!
My pumpkin dreams of going to space. Her gaze is directed towards what is up above, the stars, planets and the moon.
Jaya S., Jack o' Astronaut" - My pumpkin dreams of going to space. Her gaze is directed towards what is up above, the stars, planets and the moon.
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Olivia Q., "Flower Forest" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Katie M., "I Will Try" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Katerina B., "COVID Cadette" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Lucy M., "Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Pumpkins" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Hadley B., "Cadette Craving Creativity" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Alexis Q., "Pom Pom Beehive" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
Delanie J., "Masky" - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 502 spent time decorating pumpkins for the contest. Thank you for inspiring the fun!
In memory of my beloved recused cats. I loved and cherished them. They were such a comfort to me. Starbucks my black Halloween cat Charvet my furry white cat Puzzles my brown furry cat Tiffany my black dog
Kathryn D., "My Cats" - In memory of my beloved recused cats. I loved and cherished them. They were such a comfort to me. Starbucks my black Halloween cat Charvet my furry white cat Puzzles my brown furry cat Tiffany my black dog
COVID 19 has turned the world upside down so ...When life gives you pumpkins, make pumpkin pie. As a proverbial phrase, it’s helped and encouraged optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortunes. Like a pumpkin, you must be well rounded and get plenty of sunshine and the great outdoors. Have thick skin, appreciate and give thanks to life’s bounty, breath, breath and breath!!! Keep growing big as a pumpkin but be gentle to your surroundings. God bless the little ones in our lives who help us during these challenging times ❤
Amy F., "When Life gives you pumpkins..." - COVID 19 has turned the world upside down so ...When life gives you pumpkins, make pumpkin pie. As a proverbial phrase, it’s helped and encouraged optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortunes. Like a pumpkin, you must be well rounded and get plenty of sunshine and the great outdoors. Have thick skin, appreciate and give thanks to life’s bounty, breath, breath and breath!!! Keep growing big as a pumpkin but be gentle to your surroundings. God bless the little ones in our lives who help us during these challenging times ❤
Loren K., "Bloody Vampire"
I created this pumpkin by using masking tape to make the shapes.
Malina A., "Mr. Pumpkin" - I created this pumpkin by using masking tape to make the shapes.
Mila N., "They Are Back"
Olive G., "Howloween"
Sanjay R., "Pumpkin Scarry- like Richard Scarry"
I carved different sea creatures all around the pumpkin and then painted an ocean scene on it.
Sophia G., "Ocean Commotion" - I carved different sea creatures all around the pumpkin and then painted an ocean scene on it.
General Grevious was one of the most feared and terrible Jedi Hunters of the Clone Wars, he is the perfect character to carve on a pumpkin!
Siddharth G., "The Wrath of General Grevious" - General Grevious was one of the most feared and terrible Jedi Hunters of the Clone Wars, he is the perfect character to carve on a pumpkin!
My son absolutely adores Star Wars and wanted to decorate our pumpkin really unique this year, because no “ordinary” pumpkin will do in 2020!!
Sydney K., "Space Pumpkin" - My son absolutely adores Star Wars and wanted to decorate our pumpkin really unique this year, because no “ordinary” pumpkin will do in 2020!!
Gabriella Z., "The Witch Flies at Midnight!"

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Portia Haskins: Taking a Stand

Graphic image of a megaphone

Join us for a new series of stories from the Center for Local History highlighting members of our community who made a difference in ways that helped shape our history and created positive change. 

Their voices were not always loud, but what they said or did had a significant impact on our community.

Portia Haskins

In 1965, Hall’s Hill/High View Park resident Portia Haskins filed suit against the Virginia Board of Elections and the Arlington County general registrar after learning she was required to re-register in order to vote in the upcoming election, despite having already paid her poll taxes in February and having registered for federal elections the previous year.

On April 1, 1966, in the case Portia A. Haskins v. Levin Nock Davis et al., a Federal District Court ruled in Haskins’ favor arguing that “[t]he provisions of Virginia’s dual voter registration…which treat persons who are registered only for federal elections differently from persons registered for all elections violate the equal protection laws of the 14th Amendment.” This landmark decision eliminated what was essentially a selectively administered and enforced poll tax imposed chiefly on African-American voters in Arlington County.

Photograph of Portia Haskins. Date of Photo Unknown.

Recent events have shown that progress is a process and part of an ongoing struggle.  Accomplishments both great and small are seldom an endpoint but are a constant series of steps forward which cannot be taken for granted.

Portia Haskins has recently completed and published a book on the history of Mt. Salvation Baptist Church.

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