Our focus returns to the newer members of our parish family…. Spotlight
On
Lynn and Alan Anstine

      Affectionate bickering heralds the arrival of Lynn and Alan as they, very kindly, visit for a 'kitchen table' interview. Married for 40 years, the two are a real team, praising each others strengths, supporting each others choices.

     So many people say "I don't know why you want to write about me, I'm not interesting." Lynn begins with the same statement, then, just like everyone else, proceeds to prove it wrong.

     Born in Olney, Maryland, to Carol and Gilbert Ballinger. Lynn grew up in the family home in, what is now, Great Seneca State park. Acquired by eminent domain after a lengthy court battle, it is currently home to the park ranger.

     Educated first at St. Martin's Catholic school, moving in 4th grade to Gaithersburg elementary, then on to Gaithersburg high school, Lynn was subjected to her father's rigid, structured rules. Not permitted to participate in school sports or any social activities, but made to do chores in and around the house, she found solace in reading and drawing. Both are still very important to her, in fact her helpful notes for the interview are scattered with thumbnail illustrations. She also learned stenography, achieving an exceptional skill level.

     Lynn's mother was subject to the same rigid conditions. Forced to stay at home with the children, she had a limited vision of the opportunities available to her and her children, something which would colour the first stages of Lynn's adult life.

     When the state acquired the family home, Gilbert Ballinger purchased a farm in Nokesville, Virginia. At age 16, Lynn moved to another state and another high school, Brentsville District, something which was to have a major impact on her life.

     The year before Lynn was born in Maryland, Alan was born to Alva and Monroe Anstine in Arlington, Virginia. Middle child of 8, Alan grew up in a very different family environment.

     Alan's father worked for C & P Communications Company, a job which took him and the family to the Canal Zone in Panama for a time. Alan's mum chose to stay at home with her children; however, at the age of 40, she went to work for the Department of Army in the personnel office. Being a very intelligent, dedicated worker, Alva was rewarded with promotions, ending her career as a GS-13 programmer, no mean achievement.

     Educated first at Bennett, then at Osbourn High School (with a break in 55/56 while they lived in Panama), Alan enjoyed the activities that school offered: played trumpet in the band; little league; track; and Boy Scouts.

     Alan describes his High School years as fun. Being highly intelligent (and it is no surprise to learn that he's another Mensan in our parish family) with a deep love for History, Geography and Government, Alan had no difficulty passing his exams. He did, however, have a great deal of difficulty submitting to the school's idea that in order to receive an education, one had to attend class. Alan felt that class was a waste of time because he "knew the stuff", so he skipped classes to go to hang out at the Capital where, at various times, he met LBJ, Richard Nixon, Robert Byrd and Daniel Inouye. Needless to say, the school staff were not happy.

     While Alan was in High School, his family moved to Nokesville, but Alan continued his schooling at Osbourn. Alan's sister was friends with Lynn's sister, and it was through them that Alan met Lynn. He was so smitten with her that he changed High Schools for his Senior year so that he could be with her.

     Lynn's mother encouraged her to look for secretarial work after high school, thinking that it was a good career move. Thanks to Lynn's exceptional stenography skills, her first job was secretary to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

     After high school, Alan went to work for the Virginia Department of Highways as a Surveyor.

     In 1965, Lynn and Alan eloped to Winston-Salem, NC. The ceremony was not recognized by the Catholic church, they were told that any children they had would not be baptized in the church. Although Lynn was Catholic, because Alan was Methodist (his great-grandfather, the Rev. Daniel Webster Anstine, had been a circuit rider) they were not permitted to marry in the Catholic church, but by special dispensation were married in the rectory. Alan took religious instruction to become a Catholic, but simply didn't feel he could convert. Lynn was disappointed with the edicts of the Catholic church, and joined the Methodist church, but still didn't feel "right" about it. It would be some years, and after much seeking, that they would find the right "fit".

     In 1967, Alan and Lynn decided to move to Arlington, Va. Job opportunities were better, and the pay was higher. Once again, Alan took a job as a surveyor. The move coincided with Lynn's pregnancy, and that same year saw the birth of their only daughter, Kimberley. Lynn stayed at home with her daughter for the first two years, then returned to work as a stenographer for an insurance company. She then went on to become a stenographer for Arlington County Govt. …in an ironic turn of events she worked for land acquisition, although they did little with eminent domain. For the next several years, Lynn would study different occupations in her spare time, knowing that there was more to life than stenography, trying to find her niche.

     In the meantime, Alan saw an ad. for the Police Department. After taking the required test, he began working as a Records Clerk; however, two weeks later he was called to the personnel office because they wanted to certify him as a police officer. He wasn't sure that it was the right path for him, so it wasn't until 1972 that he became a police officer in Arlington. While he was working for the police dept., he went to college, majoring in Administration of Justice with a minor in Accounting. After 25 years of police work, including a break to work with another government agency, he was an instructor at the Police Academy, and decided to move to Remington, 62 miles south-west of Washington. For a year he commuted to his job, eventually deciding that it was too much travel, he retired. He went to work in the records section of the Fauquier Sheriff Department. By this time, his hands were giving him severe problems, requiring treatment that meant he could no longer fire his police weapon. Alan was forced to retire on disability and referred to the Department of Rehabilitation Services. He was sent back to school and got a degree in Paralegal Services. He went to work in Social Services, enjoying the work and its' opportunity to assist others.

     When they moved to Remington, Lynn decided to go to college where she earned an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts. She got a job at the college (Old Dominion Univ. at Lord Fairfax) with the Distance learning programme, Teletechnet, working part-time. At the same time, she was employed by the Germanna Community college, also part-time. In the educational field, Lynn had finally found her niche. She enjoyed monitoring the courses, proctoring and all the tasks associated with her career. Sadly, her career was cut short by the onset of severe rheumatoid arthritis, which limits the use of her hands.

     When their daughter, Kimberley, decided she would like a permanent church home, it was on the advice of a colleague that Lynn and Alan decided to visit the Episcopal church. Finally, they had found the right "fit". Both became active in their church: Lynn was a Lay Reader, Chalice Bearer and a member of the Altar Guild; Alan was even more active, serving on the Vestry, as Junior Warden and as Senior Warden.

     Kimberley is now married, with two children - and a successful career - living in Maryland.

     Though there is no space to go into details of all Alan's interests, it is worth noting that he served in the Coast Guard Reserve, & the Army Reserve, with honourable discharges from both. He was also very active in politics in Remington, serving first on the Board of Zoning Appeals, then one term on the Council, and two terms as Mayor.

     Both Lynn and Alan are lovers of history, and never dreamed they would leave Virginia. They visited Charleston, decided that it was another place rich in history, with a kinder climate. Now they feel that living here is a 'dream come true'.

     Although Lynn had to give up her career and take permanent disability. Alan would like to find some kind of job that would make use of his paralegal skills. (He is currently taking a class "SC law for non-lawyers".) In the meantime they enjoy 'antiquing', cooking, and would like to travel more - with England as their dream destination, as they are both Anglophiles - but, as they are also animal lovers who have dogs that they've rescued, travel is almost impossible. Like all animal lovers, they tend to live their lives around their dogs which include representatives of the Dachshund, Maltese and Poodle breeds.

     They are enjoying being part of St. Thomas, and are happy to be part of the choir, as well as Lay Readers and Chalice bearers.

     Once again, the narrative doesn't tell their entire story, but I hope it gives you some idea of these two very welcome additions to our parish family.