Latest from Vale Club's President: 
Many activities planned before summer break

When our April speaker was unable to attend the meeting at the last minute, one of our longtime members, Priscilla Bezdek, happened to be in the building and offered the services of her sister who was visiting and was in the car. Her sister Conchita Irizarry was a recording artist in the Philippines during the sixties. Watching Conchita sing I could not help but notice the happy, smiling faces of our members as they clapped along. Thank you Pricilla. This was followed by our members being able to catch up with one another and munch on the delicious food they had brought for Ann Marquis’ going away tribute. As you know, Irene and Anna have “stepped into the middle of our yard” with a SALE May 21-22. What a Sale it will be with all your treasures!!! Some of the most fun is when we get together to sort the items and price. Trust me, this is one of the most bizarre ways to get to know one another and the humor is contagious.
The last Vale Club Board Meeting for 2021/2022 will be May 24. Do contact anyone on the Board (names in your Directory) or myself if you have anything you would like to have addressed before next fall.
Be sure to take a look at the parking lot planting beds. Elizabeth Fribush and Pam Guffain were able to get the Boy Scouts to do the planting of those beds for an Eagle Scout award. They look wonderful and I know Elizabeth is quite proud and well she should be.
With all the normal social activities (clubs etc.) in May and June, we will end the year with the Club Art Sale on June 4. Author Kim Burns will be coming to the Schoolhouse June 7, the Vale summer Party will be at the home of Sue and Chip Bowers on June 10, and last, but not least, we will hold our end of the year luncheon with swearing in of your new 2022/2023 Officers on June 14.
Trecia Buster Vale Club President

FVS History Highlights: “a place to tie to” ‘Waples Mill’

A previous newsletter article reviewed the history of Waples Mill; the focus this month is on a member of the Waple family, George Waple, who attended the Vale School (as a classmate of Stan Proffitt who was highlighted last month). George was born in Oakton in 1921. His great-grandfather rebuilt and operated Waples Mill. He attended Vale School only for first grade, then switched to Oakton School, but had to repeat the first grade because, as he said, “all he knew was how to draw two mules pulling a wagon.” He loved to tell stories of growing up in Vale, especially time spent with his buddies fishing and swimming in Difficult Run. He spoke at Vale Club meetings several times, drawing a map that showed the landmarks of his childhood. After graduating from Fairfax High School he enlisted in the army at age 17. His Division landed in Normandy 2 days after D-Day. He was later stationed at Ft. Myer and served as head usher for affairs of state in the Truman White House. After retiring from the military he moved to New Jersey but his heart remained in northern Virginia. He returned frequently and never failed to reach out to the Vale Club and stop by the schoolhouse. He was so very proud of the marker erected in 2000 on Waples Mill Road near his family’s mill after seven years of effort on his part; and of course Waples Mill Elementary School bears his family name. George wrote a book about his amazing life; description from Goodreads says: “Country Boy Gone Soldiering” is a record of a young man’s journey from obscurity in a poor Virginia farm community founded by his great grandfather, to a productive interesting life where he made significant contributions fighting Americas Wars, honoring its heroes, and supporting key leadership personalities and missions for the United States of America. George died in 2010; born and raised in Vale and it forever remained home to him.