June 1: Youth Concert

The Lyon Park Community Center hosted the third in its budding music series—and it did not disappoint! The musicians were part of the elite program of Senior Chamber Ensembles of American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras, directed by Tsuna Sakamoto, violist of the National Symphony Orchestra. Their chamber music enchanted a full house, performing pieces including Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 6, Prokofiev String Quartet No.1, Gershwin Lullaby, Florence Price String Quartet, and a Mendelssohn String Octet. Learn more about this program on the Senior Chamber Ensemble Program — American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras website. Here’s a piece they performed for us: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo-ZJmUk3l0&feature=youtu.be.

July 23: Open Mic Night

Music at the Lyon Park Community Center continued in July with our first open mic night. The invitation brought 13 different talented performers to the stage singing and playing a variety of instruments such as keyboard, guitar, mandolin and sax. There was even a lap steel player! Genres included folk, jazz, blues, classical, old time rag, blue grass, and more! The evening capped off with the performers and audience joining together for a grand finale sing and play-a-long version of “This Land is Your Land” that would have made its composer—the great American folk singer Woodie Guthrie—proud. It was hard to say whether the performers or the audience had more fun, but everyone seemed to agree we should do it again! If you might be interested in performing at a future Open Mic Night, please send an email to LPCCGovernors@gmail.com.

August 9: Celebrating American Musical Diversity

The rhythms and sounds of America at 250 rang out from the Lyon Park Community Center on August 9, the latest in the Center’s series of free concerts. The Mandoleers, an Arlington-based mandolin and guitar orchestra, packed the house with a booming celebration of America’s diverse musical heritage. The concert followed the group’s annual weekend workshop, an opportunity for new players to join the orchestra.

The evening began with small ensembles representing numerous heritages and genres in our nation— then the full 30-member orchestra came together, opening with two Native American pieces that captured the room. From there, the group moved into unique and beautiful renditions of familiar favorites such Dvorak’s Goin’ Home, Leonard Bernstein’s America, Lift Every Voice and Sing, closing with voices and instrument United in This Land Is Your Land. It was a sight to be heard! For more information about the Mandoleers and their performance schedule go to Mandoleers.org

The LPCC has big plans for more free music in the coming months. On October 25, the Virginian Quartet will entrance us with the music of Beethoven and Schubert. Thanksgiving Eve, November 25, will be another Open Mic night, building on our first open mic success in July. In December we’ll have an evening of folk music, with two different local duos playing original and known works. Finally, to start the new year, on January 24, we will host The Big Howdy, a favorite local Bluegrass band that has played a number of local venues. For updates on LPCC concerts, see “Upcoming Events” at LyonPark.org and watch the sign board at the corner of N. Fillmore and Pershing Streets. If you have any comments or suggestions or want to perform, email LPCCGovernors@gmail.com. Hope to see you at a concert soon! 

By Paul Showalter

The 100th Spring Fair was a beautiful day filled with fun, sugar, and ponies.

Setup for the Fair began on Friday with several people (David Grahn was a workhorse on both days) bringing all the tables and supplies out of the basement. Darcy Rosenbaum (our Spring Fair chair) (and son Benton) prepped the center for a day’s worth of fun.

Saturday morning started early for a bunch of us, to make sure the day went off without a hitch. And it was a spectacular day. The sun was shining; the park was full of kids playing games and bouncing in the bounce house; cookies and other baked goods were sold at the Woman’s Club bake sale; Troy’s pizza slices were flying out of the oven and into hungry mouths; Llama’s and chickens were painted on faces; popcorn, water and cotton candy were sold; and prizes were exchanged for prize tickets. We played numerous games of “Cake-A-Bout” in the sun (John Rosenbaum handled the MC duty like a pro). Our very own Layla Moustafa painted all the kids faces this year. She did another excellent job.

There were 10 different games for kids to play this year. This year, we were able to secure a petting zoo and pony rides for the children. There was always a line for the ponies, and the petting zoo animals fascinated the kids. This was sponsored by Bicycling Realty Group (Natalie Roy).

This event, like every event at Lyon Park, could not happen without a large group of volunteers. Many neighbors stepped in to help, and it was appreciated. We had several high school and college volunteers with us on Saturday. Leo Pegoraro was incredible all day on Friday and Saturday. We even had a crew of Middle and Elementary school students (Alex and Helen Peters (with their mother Claire), Benton Rosenbaum, and Dhilan and Ankush Bahl) running games. All volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the day to make sure everyone had fun—and we appreciate their efforts.

Special thanks to Theo Roiniotis and Billy Hans for sticking around and helping with the cleanup. They helped to pack away games, tents, and tables. They even carried everything into the basement. An extra special thanks goes to my wife Sharon, for not only helping with setup on Friday night, but working all day all over the park, and cleaning until the last box was packed away in the “little blue pickup truck.”

Darcy Rosenbaum works tirelessly to produce an outstanding event for the community. We are lucky to have someone so committed to our neighborhood and willing to get involved.

If you like the Lyon Park t-shirts you see in the picture and want to purchase one, reach out to me at LyonParkEvents@gmail.com.

If you have a rising Freshman, sophomore, junior or senior who wants to volunteer in our community, have them reach out to LyonParkEvents@gmail.com. We have many volunteer opportunities during the Summer and Fall. 

By Paul Showalter

The 2026 Spring Egg Hunt was an incredible success thanks in part to all of our attendees as well as our amazing volunteers.

We had lots of candy…and more than 3,500 plastic eggs. What does that mean? Another fabulous Spring egg hunt in Lyon Park. Numerous volunteers spent hours stuffing candy into those little plastic eggs the weekend before the event. 

The weather on Saturday was better than we could have planned. Lyon Park was full of kids (and parents) having fun (and collecting thousands of eggs in a hurry). We hope you were able to join us. If you watch the videos of the event posted online, you will laugh. The kids are excited and hilarious. We had a large number of kids find Lucky Eggs. They turned them in for special Peeps® prizes and lots of smiles.

When our Giant Bunny made his appearance, everyone went wild. It was a great addition to our event, and a fabulous photo op. Thanks to Neel Vaidya from Troy’s for being such a trooper.

Thank you to my amazing team of volunteers (young and “slightly” older)…without you, the event would not have been possible. Your hard work made it a successful event.

These types of events make Lyon Park special and a true asset for our community. Please step up and get involved in our next big event, the 100th Lyon Park Spring Fair. 

By David Newman

It was Tuesday, March 24, 2026, exactly 68 years after Elvis Presley was inducted into the US Army, that five women, including four principal players from the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and a guest artist, performed at the Lyon Park Community Center in the “Music by Women in honor of Women’s History Month” concert.  For 90 minutes, a full-house audience was transported, by flute, harp, violin, and cello, to a world where everything was beautiful.  The LPCC Board of Governors worked with long-time neighbor, friend, and LPCC supporter, Susan Robinson, the harpist, to bring the performance to the community, but it was the Musical Performance Trust Fund and the American Federation of Musicians Local 161-710, which made it possible for the concert to be offered free of charge.  The concert was a reminder of how important it is to support the musicians who perform at the Kennedy Center, including the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, the Washington National Opera, the National Symphony Orchestra. 

The LPCC Board of Governors is committed to bringing more music to the LPCC and welcomes your suggestions, which may be submitted to LPCCGovernors@gmail.com and David.S.Newman@hotmail.com.   

By Gary Putnam

The 2026 version of the  Lyon Park Chili Cookoff is now history and for the second year, Susan Demske took home the winner’s ribbon with “Highland Street Heaven Chili”. A very good example of what a bowl of red should look like. Second place went to Marie Edwartoski with “My Best Chili”—mild and sweet with gentle heat. Third: Rhodri Morgan with “The Fighting Irish Chili”-gentle on the classic spices leaving the shredded brisket sweet and mild. Best Vegetarian Chili was Helen White with her punny “Hel Hath No Fury Chili,” which critics said was mild and tasty. Honorable mention—spiciest chili—Phillippe Alepin’s “5-Chile Chili,” a classic bowl of red, properly spiced with vigorous taste and spirit.

The rest, more or less in descending order of votes: The Surendra Family with “Ginger Chili,” a jolt of traditional Indian spices giving a new face to an old friend; Ben Henry’s “Chili Verde”—spicy and surprising in a good way; Trish Montgomery’s “Sweet with Heat”—if you like sweet potatoes, you’ll love this one—the Chiliheads gave thumbs up on this one; The Hawkins Family with “An Exciting and Delightful Chili”—the critics said it could have used more spice—”Like kissing your cousin!: Gary Putnam’s “Dog Breath” was aptly named; Sara Alepin’s “Mole Chili”—the meat was properly cubed rather than ground, nice balance of heat; Lisa Morgan’s “Christmas Eve Chili”—definitely not a typical Bowl of Red—an interesting blend of chopped vegetables with a unique finish; (Anonymous)”Bacon Beef Bean Supreme” was unique, a bit on the thin side with good flavor …but why No Name? It wasn’t THAT bad!; Sara Newman’s “Go Easy Turkey Chili”—mild chili flavors with ground turkey, two kinds of beans and the gentle hint of very very mild chili.

Winners were selected by popular vote of the diners. Evaluation and critiquing of the entries was done by Theo Roiniotis and his assistant, Spiro. Notes were taken by Gary Putnam—badly. None of whom accept responsibility for this, yet another chili culinary travesty. Very little cash was received to influence the voting. 

Did you know it takes more than 70 individuals to ensure the Lyon Park Citizen newsletter arrives at your home every month? Kerin Seward and Elizabeth Sheehy complete the layout each month, send it to the printer, and then it lands at Kim Franklin’s house. She distributes boxes of newsletters to Zone Captains, who then distribute to Block Captains, and they deliver it to you!  On Sunday March 8, the newsletter distribution team enjoyed tea, cookies, and good company in the Lyon Park Community House sunroom, as well as some well-deserved thanks for their commitment to getting out the newsletter in rain, shine, and snowcrete! 

If you are interested in joining the team (less than a two-hour commitment per month) please contact Elizabeth at LyonParkEditor@gmail.com.

Thank you to the Newsletter Distribution Team!  

The Lyon Park Womans Club did it again! Many of us look forward to the Valentine’s Cupcake Sale all winter. To suggest that every delectable cupcake is made with LOVE is an understatement. With about 10 bakers and nearly 1,000 cupcakes, the Womans Club sold out early and made many Valentines in Lyon Park and Ashton Heights very happy—what a success! Combined with the cheese sales, they raised $2,500.

There were a number of new flavors this year, including Salted Caramel, Black Walnut, and Pineapple, Banana Smoothie baked by Shelya White, and the intriguing High Hat Chocolate Dipped cupcakes offered up by sisters Donna and Deb—delicious! Speaking of chocolate, at first glance there sure was a lot of chocolate on the list.  But as it turned out, it was lovely: chocolate fudge, chocolate cream cheese, cherry chocolate chili (with a little bit of a kick), devils food chocolate with chocolate chips in the mix, the High Hats, the High Hat minis…lots of chocolate, but not boring!

It took lots of volunteers to make it all happen….bakers, organizers, cupcake guides (there were SO many choices!) and neighbors to purchase the treats. Lindy Love (so aptly named!) kept everyone on task and created the beautiful red-and-pink themed ambience in the Lyon Park Community House. A big THANK YOU to everyone who made it possible, especially Margaret Fibel who organized behind the scenes with who was baking what and how many, Elizabeth Wray and Jim Burke for managing the money, and EVERYONE who helped set and clean up. Can’t wait till next year! 

By Elizabeth Sheehy

On February 9, two weeks after the arrival of Snowcrete in the DMV, residents in Lyon Park gathered along Washington Boulevard to observe the Walk for Peace. Anticipating the monks’ ambulatory arrival from Alexandria, Lyon Park and Ashton Heights residents shared survival stories from the recent storm and many held signs in support of peace. The 19 monks who left Fort Worth, TX on October 26, 2025 walked the 2300 miles to Washington DC, aiming to raise awareness of peace with the millions of people who followed their journey. This was an amazing opportunity to witness history in our backyard.

Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara led the monks, who walked briskly in a single file, on rural roads and through urban centers, in sunny weather and through the recent snowstorms that buried the area. The cold was their biggest obstacle, forcing them at times to cover their bare feet and bare heads with warm shoes and wool caps. To get through the worst of it, they focused on their breathing. The monks believe that even in a world filled with conflict, peace can be achieved, and it begins with creating peace in the mind. “Mindfulness is the key to show people that peace is something that is possible and always begins from within,” Pannakara shared. 

Their message is an important – though difficult – one for those of us who run around, always keeping busy, proud of our multi-tasking skills. Phones and overloaded schedules pull us away from mindfulness. The monks advise that every morning when you wake up, you write down on a piece of paper “today is going to be my peaceful day.” Don’t touch your phone until you’ve finished your personal morning tasks, including making your bed. Throughout your day, try to think about what actions you can take to create peace in the mind. 

By Elizabeth sheehy

Please save the date for a community concert on Tuesday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. The Lyon Park Community Center, with assistance from DC Musicians Local 161-710 and the Music Performance Trust Fund, commemorate Women’s History Month with an evening of music by women, performed by women!

Neighborhood old timers will see some familiar faces, as principal players from the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra join our neighbor Susan Robinson performing music for flute, harp, and strings. The repertoire spans the years from 17th century composer Maddalena Sirmin, to the romantic Fanny Mendelssohn, and includes the works of three living composers: Stella Sung, Libby Larsen, and Lena Auerbach. The quintet enjoyed a thrilling tour to South Africa a few years ago, and are delighted to be reuniting for this event.

This concert is free and suitable for older, concert-ready kids. It will be about 90 minutes, including a short intermission, and a post concert Q and A and reception with the artists. Tickets will become available closer to the concert date, accessible through the link on the Upcoming Events page.