108th Birthday | Puppies Ginger And Moxie | Star Wars: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Northern Virginia include a woman who celebrated her 108th birthday and joked she will date only older men, a new bookstore with books for all ages is opening this fall, and two service puppies who will help inmates have names after a public vote.

Plus, the Big Red Machine Little League team is honored by a town council, a vegan ice cream shop plans a grand opening ceremony, and a $1 million Virginia Lottery prize is claimed by a local man.

Here are some of this week's good news headlines:

'You Want To Look Ahead': NoVA Woman Celebrates 108th Birthday

Vera Punke has lived a long life and has been widowed four times. Now, at 108 years old, the spunky Arlington resident jokes that she will only date older men. Punke, a resident of The Jefferson in Arlington since age 95, celebrated her 108th birthday on Tuesday, Aug. 29 and held a birthday party the following day.

New McLean Bookstore To Feature Books For All Ages, In-Person Events

A new bookstore will be opening in Chesterbrook Plaza in McLean this fall, filled with books for all ages as well as greeting cards, journaling supplies and unique gifts. Fonts Books & Gifts, which will be located at 6262B Old Dominion Drive, is owned by Amber Taylor, who spent nearly four years learning the business at Arlington’s One More Page Books.

Big Red Machine Takes Over Vienna Town Council Meeting

It was a sea of red in the Vienna Town Council room as Vienna Little League players from two teams were honored Monday for their tournament success. Vienna American's 8-10 All Star team was honored for sweeping the Southeast Region Tournament of State Champions to win the championship. The All Star Majors team, had competed in the southeastern regional tournament of the Little League World Series and just missed advancing to the World Series final.

Service Puppies Named For New Program At Loudoun Detention Center

Two service puppies at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center have names after a public vote. The puppies, Ginger and Moxie, are the first dogs to participate in a new inmate program from nonprofit Heeling House and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. The service puppy program hopes to allow inmates to bond with an animal to change their lives.

Upcoming Festivals

• Star Wars-Themed First Thursday To Bring Stellar Fun To Del Ray
• Falls Church Festival 2023 To Feature Restaurant Tastes, Rides, More
• Musical Program For MPAartfest 2023 Features Top Blues, Jazz Artists

Food and Dessert

• Vegan Ice Cream Shop To Celebrate Grand Opening Of Herndon Storefront
• Virtual Food Hall Overseen By Michelin-Star Chef Debuts
• Fresh Produce For Sale Weekly Outside Providence Community Center

Teachers and Community Leaders

• McLean Teacher Spotlight: Ileana Perotti Gives Beyond The Classroom
• Q&A: Teacher-Turned Writer In Vienna Plans Upcoming Book Release
• Head Start's Imogene Keith Is 'Completely Devoted' To Her Students
• Dr. Kooyoomjian Has Given 50 Years Of Service: Patch Community Leaders

More Good News Stories

• $1 Million Lottery Prize Claimed By Man In Richmond Highway Corridor
• Ribbon-Cutting Held For Affordable Senior Residences In Franconia
• Vienna Halloween Parade 2023 To Be Led By Coach Pudge, Theme Announced
• New Fairfax Police Academy Class 'Record-Breaking Size': Chief Davis