The Lantern – December 2025

HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer, Dunn Loring Woods! The Civic Association is excited to announce our 2025 Holiday Decoration Contest, celebrating the creativity and festive spirit of our neighborhood. All decorated homes will be automatically entered, no registration required!

Neighbors can cast their votes online between December 15th and December 22nd. Winners will be announced on December 22, with prizes of $100 for 1st place, $50 for 2nd, and $25 for 3rd, and featured recognition in the Lantern newsletter. All winners will have a beautiful holiday yard sign displayed on their lawn on December 22nd to let them know they have won.

Let’s light up Dunn Loring Woods together and make this holiday season the brightest one

yet!

Cast your vote by clicking here (DLW Holiday Vote)! Alternatively, please contact Ken Quincy or call (703) 573-7919 to cast your vote.

TRAFFIC ISLAND CLEAN-UP DAY TOMORROW DECEMBER 13

Hello neighbors! This Saturday will be the warmest day of the week and we are looking for

volunteers for our annual Traffic Island Clean-Up Day!

Join us this Saturday, December 13 at 1:00pm to clean up the traffic islands at the three entrances to Dunn Loring Woods (Cedar/Cottage, Cedar/Bowling Green, and Cottage/Gallows). We’ll be gathering leaves, trimming back plants, and tidying our neighborhood islands for winter.

Meet us at the island on the corner of Cedar and Cottage, and bring gloves, trimmers, and/or a rake if you have them. This is a great way to make a visible difference in our neighborhood, as well as an opportunity for students to earn service hours!

Reach out at Jacqueline Andros with any questions. Hope to see you there!

DLWCA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Adopt an Island! Do you like to garden, or just like to see a nice-looking entry to our community? We are looking for 3 volunteers who will tend to the 3 islands; not a huge effort, just weeding and trimming shrubs a few times a year. If you would like to volunteer for one of the important roles above, or want to adopt an island, please reach out to Director of Beautification, Jacqueline Andros.

WITH WINTER WEATHER ROLLING IN…

Please be cognizant and keep sidewalks free of snow and ice. While there is no legal mandate at county level, there are expectations:

• Community Expectation: Fairfax County asks residents to clear sidewalks in front of their homes to help everyone get around safely.

• Be a Good Neighbor: Clear snow from sidewalks, fire hydrants, bus stops, and accessible parking spots.

• Shovel: Clear sidewalks in front of your home, including paths to schools or community

buildings.

• Clear Obstructions: Don't shovel snow into streets or block storm drains and fire hydrants.

• Help Others: Offer to help elderly or less able neighbors.

In Summary: It's about being a responsible community member in Fairfax County!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE LANTERN

This newsletter, The Lantern, is no longer distributed in print. It is uploaded to the DLWCA

Website both as its own standalone page, and as a Blog Post, which you can subscribe to using any RSS reader. The newsletter is also e-mailed to the DLWCA-Talk e-mail list, which you can subscribe to as a resident or renter – dlw-talk+subscribe@googlegroups.com

New resident or renter? Check out https://www.dlwca.org/movein for important info, and

welcome!