Issuu

YEAR 30

ISSUE 351

OCTOBER 2026

contents

closeups

history’s stories: st luke’s church

our heritage: french footprints

mental health: skills of healthy conflict

suzanne McElvy: a chat with myself

art in the ’burg ....galleries in october

fused glass artist beckie willows

auto known better: femme fatale

raising awareness

companions: forever homes

Porch talk

astrology & you poetryman: faith

fredericksburg sketches

Ralph 'Tuffy' hicks

A life well lived 22

christine lush-rodriquez an award winning sculptor

iron jawed angels fight for women’s rights

on the porch...life in fredericksburg

nearby nursing powerhouse

everything green: a season of chance

In the Garden: a gust of wind

growing & crawling: goldenrod framed

fredericksburg perspectives

birthplace of religious freedom

tidbits...small bites of local news

season’s bounty: savory fall

umw speakers series

Vino: port more then ruby & tawny

16-17

Calendar of Events

...And More! 32

art attack invades the city

homes for health: jeremiah community

rotary international:create lasting impact

“Spooky Friends” David C Kennedy

Now Open !

Support Your Community Theater

Snead’s Farm Open Daily Through November 1, 9a-6p Military Day October 12

Sponsorships In-Kind Donations Volunteer Financial Donations

10 mi. S.E. of downtown on right side of Rt. 17

540/371-9328 www.sneadsfarm.com/fallfest 2

October 2026

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fb@sneadsfarm

Stage Door Productions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit

You Can Never Unring a Bell Remembering Ralph "Tuffy" Hicks

Some people leave behind photographs, old letters, and keepsakes tucked away in drawers. Ralph "Tuffy" Hicks left behind stories. For decades, Tuffy gathered them- stories about Fredericksburg, its people, its history, its quirks, its triumphs, and its unforgettable characters. He wrote them down, asked questions about them, researched them, and passed them along so that the community would not lose the pieces of itself that might otherwise disappear. But Tuffy was never only a writer. He was a familiar voice, a quick wit, a devoted husband and father, a grandfather, a historian, a civic leader, a coach, a car enthusiast, a relic hunter, and a friend. He seemed to understand that a community is not made only of buildings, roads, and institutions. It is made of the people who remember, the people who show up, and the people who care enough to keep telling the stories. For many readers of Front Porch, Tuffy was the person who helped the past feel close. His writing could turn an old photograph, a forgotten event, or a familiar street corner into a doorway. He reminded us that local history is not distant or dusty. It is all around us- in the places we pass every day and in the memories carried by our neighbors.

He wrote more than 400 stories during his career, including pieces for the Fredericksburg Times and Front Porch. That number is impressive, but numbers cannot fully capture what his writing meant. Tuffy did not simply produce articles. He created connections. He connected readers with the past, newcomers with longtime residents, and one generation with the next.

By alexis grogan

He brought that same enthusiasm to his many interests. He loved local history and Civil War relic hunting. He served as president of the Fredericksburg Civil War Round Table. He was involved with the Rappahannock Region Antique Automobile Club and had a particular fondness for antique Chevrolets and Corvettes. Whether he was discussing history, cars, sports, politics, or the latest goings-on around town, Tuffy had a way of making conversation feel like an event. And then there was his humor.

Tuffy had a quick mind and a memorable way of putting things. He would say, "You can never unring a bell." The phrase carries a little warning, a little wisdom, and perhaps a little of Tuffy's unmistakable wit. Once something has Coach Tuffy Hicks 1987 Senior League Champs been said or done, it cannot be taken back. He also believed in participating Once a bell rings, the sound moves in the life of the community he wrote outward about. Tuffy served on the Fredericksburg City Council, supported local That is true of a life, too. transportation projects, coached youth basketball, and helped promote the city's Tuffy's voice has rung through first youth soccer league. He cared about this community for many years. It can be young people and wanted them to have heard in the stories he wrote, the causes opportunities to grow, compete, belong, he supported, the young people he and discover what they could do. encouraged, the history he preserved, and the laughter he shared. His influence That spirit lives on through the moved outward through his family, his "Tuffy" Hicks Competitive Spirit Award at friends, his colleagues, and the many James Monroe High School. The award is a readers who knew him through his work. fitting tribute because Tuffy understood that competition was never only about We cannot unring the bell of his winning. It was about showing up, giving passing. We cannot make this loss less real your best, encouraging others, and by wishing for different words. But we can continuing forward when things became listen for what remains. difficult.

We can hear him in the stories that will continue to be told. We can hear him whenever someone pauses over an old photograph and asks who the people were. We can hear him when a local question leads to a search through history, when a young person is encouraged to keep trying, or when friends gather and remember the way Tuffy made them laugh. His wife, Anne, his children, grandchildren, extended family, and countless friends will carry the deepest memories of him. The rest of us will carry the parts of his life he shared with the community. Ralph "Tuffy" Hicks spent his life reminding Fredericksburg where it came from and why its stories mattered. Now one of those stories is his. And because he was here, because he wrote, remembered, served, teased, encouraged, questioned, and cared, we will keep hearing him. You can never unring a bell

Infantry Officer U.S.Army

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ON THE PORCH Alexis M. Grogan

Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists Rita Allan Sally Cooney Anderson Dawn Bowmen Sonja Cantu Gary Close Sarah Dye Janet Douberly Jeannie Ellis Tristin Elwell Frank Fratoe Mary Beth Geil Alexis Grogan Janet Hedrick Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks Karen Kallay Nancy Kelly David C. Kennedy Ember Mercury Ray Mikula Vanessa Moncure Pete Morelewicz Patrick Neustatter Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy Penny A Parrish Ylleen Peblete Rick Pullen Paula Raudenbush Gabe Pons Danelle Rose Rob Rudick Clint Schemmer Mandy Smith Viviana Smith Rim Vining Tina Will Ellyn Wenzler Kathryn Willis Christopher Williams Norma Woodward

Front Porch Fredericksburg is a free circulation magazine published monthly by Virginia Bigenwald Grogan, Publisher. The mission of Front Porch Fredericksburg is to connect the diverse citizenry of Fredericksburg with lively features and informative columns of interest to our community’s greatest resource, its people. Messages from our readers are welcome. All article submissions must be received by e-mail by the 16th & calendar items the 19th of the month preceding publication. Writers / Artists / Photographers are welcome to request Guidelines and query the Publisher by e-mail. Front Porch Fredericksburg PO Box 9203 Fredericksburg, VA 22403 Ad Sales: E-Mail: frntprch@aol.com Web Site: www.frontporchfredericksburg.com Facebook: @Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine Issuu @Front Porch Fredericskburg The opinions expressed in Front Porch Fredericksburg are those of the contributing writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Front Porch Fredericksburg or its advertisers. Copyright 2026 Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine All rights reserved.

October 2026

scarecrows & the joy of imperfections By alexis grogan October in Fredericksburg always feels like the town is holding its breath, then exhaling a quiet celebration. The air sharpens, the light softens, and suddenly, my usual errands downtown transform. It's not just a walk; it's an invitation to wander, to notice, to let my attention get delightfully hijacked by creativity. And every year, it starts with the windows. Shops dress them with scarecrows, a charming mix of handmade whimsy and theatrical flair, each one fully committed to its role. You spot one from across the street and think, ‘Well, that one passes the vibe check’. Then another, and another, and suddenly, a quick look turns into a full-blown mission. My feet might complain, but my brain starts to hum with a quiet joy. And that's the secret, isn't it? The slight tilt of a hat, the bold stitch that isn't quite 'perfect,' the scarecrow that looks like it was assembled during a real-life, messy week. It still shows up with confidence. In a town that votes on a favorite, the message lands loud and clear: creativity doesn't need to be flawless to be worth celebrating. It just needs to be made. It needs to be seen. And if it makes someone smile, even better. This initial spark, this celebration of the "perfectly imperfect," doesn't stay confined to the storefronts. As I wander deeper into downtown, the energy shifts from window gazing to a deeper hunt for where the art truly lives. And it's everywhere. I find myself drawn into 810 Weekend Gallery, where the whole vibe is right. Here, Beverly Coates' vibrant floral works bloom, a beautiful testament to focused passion. But the journey doesn't stop there. Just a little further, Art First and Brush Strokes offer their own distinct worlds, showcasing a rich tapestry of different styles, mediums, and voices. From intricate wire works to bold paintings and luminous glass, these spaces aren't just galleries; they're vibrant hubs where the community's creative pulse beats strong. It's the kind of stop that makes you think, ‘Okay, this is why people wander’. This is why we don't just park and leave. Each piece, whether grand or intimate, carries the same honest spirit as those charming scarecrows: made with intention, meant to be seen.

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And then, because downtown Fredericksburg can't resist being extra in the best way, you circle back and realize the creativity isn't isolated. It's sprinkled, stacked, and tucked into corners like it's trying not to be missed. Right on Caroline Street, a skip, hop, and a jump away from the delightful window displays, you've got Artful Dimensions. Here, the art feels close-up and handson, like you're stepping into someone else's imagination for a minute and coming out with your own thoughts delightfully rearranged. It's a place where the process feels as important as the finished piece, echoing that earlier lesson about imperfection being part of the art. And if you're still walking (good for you, you're getting more steps than me!), Canal Quarter Arts is there with its own kind of magic: yarns spun into stories, wire jewelry crafted with delicate precision, paintings that capture fleeting moments. It's the intricacies of turning simple materials into something meaningful, something that speaks. So maybe you start the day thinking you're just going to "see a couple things," and then you catch yourself saying, "Wait, this is a lot." Not in a bad way, but in the way that makes you glance at your schedule like it might just be negotiable. As the afternoon light begins to soften, painting the historic brickwork in hues of amber and gold, the town offers another kind of creative embrace. After all that wandering, a different kind of artistry calls: the warmth and welcome of Fredericksburg's beloved coffee shops and restaurants. At Hyperion Espresso or Agora, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the subtle scent of autumn spices, each cup a small, intentional creation. Or perhaps Anita's Cafe beckons with its cozy corners, perfect for letting

the day's discoveries settle. These aren't just places for a quick pick-me-up; they're community living rooms, where conversations spark and ideas brew, each seasonal special a testament to the care put into the everyday. And when hunger truly calls, the culinary scene adds its own vibrant brushstrokes to October. Whether it's the refined elegance of Ristorante Renato or Orofino, where seasonal ingredients are transformed into edible masterpieces, or the lively, comforting buzz of places like Sunken Well Tavern or Rebellion, each establishment contributes to the town's unique flavor. They're not just serving food; they're crafting experiences, curating atmospheres, and celebrating the bounty of the season. It's another layer of that 'made with intention' spirit, proving that that art keeps a town awake not just through grand displays, but through every thoughtful detail, every shared meal, every moment of connection Read this issue of Front Porch cover-to-cover and discover something new to love in Fredericksburg!

ART ATTACK local artists taking it to the streets by gabe pons where the participants can relax and share their experience with one another over. The day's events climax with Art Attack Live at Original Grinds (615 Caroline St) - live music hosted by Halfway From Back-w wards from 7-9pm free to the public. Picture this: On a sunny September Saturday morning in 2012, a few dozen artists convened on Fredericksburg's main streets of Caroline and William and "posted up" with easels, pottery wheels, and sketchbooks, and did their thing right on the city sidewalks, becoming both an impromptu art demo and a flash mob spec-tacle of creativity. By late afternoon, the first ever "Art Attack" artists headed up to Hurkamp Park for a picnic and to congratulate one another for a fun and arty mission accomplished. On Saturday, October 3rd over one hundred artists will take over Caroline and William street in a one-day creative

Art Attack gives artists and bystanders a real-time opportunity to encourage one another in whatever they're endeavoring in that day. It's the spirit of the event - to come out and be part of the energy that can only happen when so many diverse creative people get together. Inspiration and motivation become viral and before you know it, people want to join in and participate at whatever level they're comfortable with. For some the bar is set high - large canvases appear already primed and patterned. For others, its touch and go with a sketchbook and some colored pencils. Many are seasoned vets, with a kit packed efficiently with all the nec-essary materials, including a hot cup of coffee and a snack.

by penny a parrish The Thirteenth Annual Art Attack Fredericksburg event is made possible with support from: The Fredericksburg Arts Commission fredarts.com; PONSHOP Studio & Gallery ponshopstudio.com; Original Grinds Coffee Shop - instagram.com/ogsfxbg/ Big Wig Productions bigwig.live

Register as an artist participant or guest on the official website: artattackproject.com Thirteenth Annual Art Attack Historic Downtown Fredericksburg! Saturday, October 3, 2026 10a-4 4p

Advance artist registration is encouraged, but walk-ups are also welcome. Registered artists check-in that morning at Ponshop Studio & Gallery (712 Caroline Street) to receive their artist packet. Artists and guests can purchase commemorative stickers and enamel pins during the event. All proceeds go towards future Art Attack Events. Traditionally, businesses located in the event area participate as Art Attack "Allies", promoting the artists working in front of their storefront and vice versa artists and their fans supporting the restau-rants and merchants.

by gabe pons celebration of all styles, media and experience. Now in its thirteenth year, Art Attack has become an (unofficial) Fredericksburg holiday. It's a free showcase of the region's talent - from painting and illustration to ceramics, dance, and music. Art Attack is an opportunity for all creatives in and around Fredericksburg to turn their art studios inside out and share their craft with the public. The street campaign ends at four o'clock, and the artist after party kicks off at Bello Manzo (715 Caroline Street)

Art Attack "recruits" will be located on the sidewalks and other public spaces throughout the Caroline Street corridor between Amelia and Wolfe Street (600 Block thru 1000 Block) and William Street between Sophia Street and Princess Anne Street (100 block thru 300 block). "Art Attack has become like a holiday for local artists", Co-Founder Gabriel Pons says, "It's one day out of the year where we share our work right on the city streets and enjoy a sense of community, creativity, and fun downtown. We work hard to put our best foot forward that day, because we take a lot of pride in making Fredericksburg a beacon of the arts in Virginia."

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A Nearby Nursing Powerhouse at EVCC Eastern Virginia Career College produces healthcare workers fast By Viviana Smith When you think about being a strong nurse, what do you see? Perhaps you see a nurse who runs the clinic halls without breaking a sweat, or a nurse who seems to get everything right. More than likely, you see a nurse that shared a smile with you on one of your scariest dayswhile not knowing it was scary for them, too. At Eastern Virginia Career College (EVCC), many students with the same personality, compassion, and drive walk through the door hoping to change their own lives and impact those of the community. Rather than two and three-year long programs at other colleges, EVCC's fast-track programs take about a year; a big incentive for those who are eager to begin their careers. As the college celebrates 30 years of producing qualified graduates for in-demand industries and 25 years of nationally recognized accreditation, reflection surrounds the program that started its trajectory: Registered Nursing. The RN program became the school's first Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in 2008 and remains its most sought-after program. Nursing school brings its challenges, and the quick turnaround of EVCC's RN program doubles the

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stakes by being completed in only about a year. However, their graduates' ability to work well under pressure sets EVCC nurses apart. In clinicals, students have been revered by the host hospitals for their professionalism and skills. Former nursing students attribute their success to the examples set by instructors and standards of the school. "It prepares you for the real world," shared Priscilla Acquaisie, a 2025 RN graduate. Acquaisie thrived in the fast-paced environment, feeling less pressure and more preparation. Acquaisie's journey to nursing began in China where she studied medicine. Eventually, she found her way to the U.S., pursued her dreams of becoming a nurse and "put everything" into the program. Now working at Spotsylvania Regional in the ER, she shares that she continues to use her experience at EVCC in daily operations. Another graduate, Sophia Nyarko, believes that the environment at the school was highly conducive to learning. Nyarko attributes her self-determination and support from her peers, which is what allowed her to push through the intensity of nursing school.

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"It pushed me to get better," Nyarko said, reflecting on the highpaced environment at EVCC. "It was amazing to finally finish...but when you do, you're like, 'Oh God'." Each new cohort starts with motivated and determined students piling hours of studies, labs, and networking to become well-prepared nurses, often putting their personal lives on hold to do so. The accelerated program is not for the student who wonders what he or she will be one day; it is for the driven person who already knows they will be successful and just needs a college to believe in them as well. From high school graduates, to working parents, to second or third-career adults, EVCC is home to people looking to make a difference in their community by contributing to the local healthcare workforce. Over the last decade, hundreds of students have graduated from their RN programs, with hundreds more taking other courses in healthcare, wellness, and technology in the local community, providing compassionate care and expertise. If you or someone you know, is thinking about a change in careers, EVCC recommends that you channel

that tenacity to motivate a call to their admission department and have a free consultation discussing your dreams and destinations.

EVCC is certified to operate by SCHEV and strives to deliver highquality educational opportunities across Central Virginia and beyond.

Viviana Smith is the Marketing Specialist at EVCC.

This is a paid advertisement

Everything Greens a season of change By janet douberly because the tomatoes eventually give up. Our Belman Road Campus doesn't become less fascinating when summer ends. Nature certainly doesn't shut down for the season-it just changes shifts. The monarchs migrate. The leaves fall. Seeds scatter. Fungi appear. Winter crops grow. Native plants quietly get on with the business of preparing for another year.

Buy your tickets for the Down Home Ball TODAY! Amazing band, great food, drinks, awesome raffle, silent auction AND MORE! Saturday, November 7th at Brock's Riverside Grille! This is our largest fundraiser of the year and is shaping up to be a magical evening! Use the QR code for more information and to get your tickets TODAY!

And we change with them. There is something about October that makes people think the garden is winding down. The days get shorter. The mornings get cooler. Plants that spent July behaving as though they intended to conquer Virginia begin looking a little tired. Leaves start contemplating their dramatic annual costume change, and suddenly everyone starts talking about "putting the garden to bed." But Downtown Greens has never been particularly good at going to bed. Fall is one of my favorite times in the garden. There are seeds to collect, cool-season vegetables to grow, migrating creatures passing through, and an entirely different cast of insects, plants, and fungi taking center stage. There is still so much to see, learn, teach, and do.

Janelle is already well known for her work in our community and brings extensive experience in nonprofits and fundraising to Downtown Greens. Those skills are enormously important for an organization like ours, where big ideas occasionally have to encounter the unfortunate reality that things cost money. But what excites me just as much is the energy she brings with her. Janelle is outgoing, enthusiastic, and genuinely interested in connecting with people. She wants to know our community. She wants to hear your ideas. She wants to build relationships, create partnerships, and find new ways for Downtown Greens to serve the people and ecosystems around us. In other words, I suspect she's going to be busy.

And this fall, Downtown Greens is entering a new season of its own.

That's a good thing, because so are we.

At the end of September, we welcomed Janelle Kennedy as our new Executive Director.

Our Downtown Campus doesn't stop being a place for education, food access, conservation, and community just

I've loved Downtown Greens for many years because it has never been simply a garden to me. It is a place where people can learn how food grows, discover that the "scary bug" in front of them is actually fascinating, take what they need without explanation, get their hands dirty, ask questions, and feel connected to a little patch of land in the middle of our city.

If you have a group or a business that would be interested in taking a guided tour of our Belman Road Campus on your schedule, please email us at admin@downtowngreens.org.financial donation

There is always more we can do with that little patch-and with the 56 acres at Belman Road. So no, fall isn't our slow season. It's simply our next season. This year it brings cooler weather, changing leaves, new projects, new possibilities, and a new Executive Director ready to help us figure out what Downtown Greens can become next. Welcome, Janelle. We've got plenty to do. Janet Douberly is reveling in the changes in season and otherwise at Downtown Greens.

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In the Garden a gust of wind by ray mikula 20 mature trees had fallen. One had hit the corner of the house opening a hole from the garage to the attic. A half acre of gardens in the back yard was covered by about 7 fallen trees. The road in front of the house had about 7 downed trees blocking all traffic. The forest canopy had been drastically changed. Light poured into acres of land that had been gently shaded for hundreds of years. Many trees were uprooted. Every one was a scarlet red oak. Their canopies were the largest of all the trees and acted like giant sails in the giant microburst of wind. The pine trees, all 100 feet or more were snapped off at the base like toothpicks. The white oaks that came On a recent Saturday afternoon in July, while watching tv, a few drops of rain began to fall outside. Within a few minutes a gust of wind began to roar and lasted about 15 seconds. The chair I was sitting in shook as a loud thud made the

house shudder. I looked outside and all the trees in the forest were horizontal. I rushed to the basement but it was all over by the time I got there. When my wife and I emerged from our home we saw nothing but downed trees. In 15 seconds at least

down had been caught by the scarlet red oaks on their descent. The forest was devastated and many of my gardens were demolished. A southern azalea that was 8 feet tall and wide was now 8 inches tall under the weight of the pine that crushed my house. Dozens of trees in the neighborhood were downed by one gust of wind. After weeks of cleanup and repairs things are slowly getting back to normal. The plants are showing extreme resilience. The flattened azalea has rebounded almost to its original height, although it is missing some branches. The liatris that were wiped out, sent up new shoots and are blooming now. The swamp hibiscus and pineapple sage are also

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sending up new shoots but I don't think they'll bloom this year. Some of the younger white oak trees that snapped off half way up are sending out new branches. The older oaks, 100 to 160 years old, are actually sending up sucker shoots from their root balls even as they lie upturned.

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My greenhouse was crushed, but when I managed to get inside a month later, most of the plants were alive. Some had been knocked out of their pots or the pots were crushed. The greenhouse is now replaced and many of the plants are back in their accustomed environment. Many shaded parts of my garden will now be sunny locations and will need plants that fit that condition but the resilience of the plants is what impressed me the most. If you have experienced a devastating storm recently, be patient with your garden plants. Many will recover. RayMikula is a Master Gardener.He has several acres of garden space.

Growing & Crawling goldenrod has been framed By janet douberly Every fall, goldenrod bursts into bloom along roadsides and fields, and approximately five minutes later someone points at it and says, "THAT is why my allergies are terrible." Justice for goldenrod! Goldenrod has been framed. The actual culprit is ragweed, which conveniently blooms at the same time while being green, boring, and remarkably easy to overlook. Goldenrod is standing there covered in enormous bright yellow flowers while ragweed quietly commits crimes in the background. Goldenrod pollen is heavy and sticky. The plant relies on insects to move it around, which is why its flowers are constantly crawling with bees, butterflies, beetles, flies, and wasps. It is also an incredibly important late-season food source for pollinators. Ragweed has chosen chaos. It is wind-pollinated, meaning it releases enormous quantities of lightweight pollen into the air and hopes for the best. A

single ragweed plant can produce around one billion grains of pollen. A BILLION. No wonder we're sneezing. Goldenrod is actually so useful that Thomas Edison once experimented with growing it as a domestic source of rubber. He tested thousands of plants before deciding goldenrod showed the most promise, although he died before completing the project.

So the next time your eyes are watering while beautiful goldenrod blooms everywhere, please direct your resentment toward the inconspicuous green plant lurking nearby. Goldenrod is innocent. Ragweed knows what it did. Janet Douberly loves goldenrod for its ability to feed her beloved wasps and more at Downtown Greens

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Fredericksburg Perspectives by Michael Thomas Harvey

Stratford Hotel-G General Washington Hotel One of Fredericksburg's best-known 20th-century hotels began as the Stratford Hotel, (top) built in 1932 along U.S. Route 1 overlooking the Rappahannock River. Local businessman and contractor E. G. Heflin designed, financed and built the hotel on property with connections to the Washington family. Contemporary newspaper accounts described it as one of the largest privately financed commercial projects undertaken in Fredericksburg at the time. The Stratford formally opened to the public in May 1932. The four-story brick hotel contained about 70 guest rooms and was designed in a Colonial style. It offered private baths, a large dining room, ballroom, rooftop garden and finely furnished public areas. John E. Wynne, an experienced Richmond hotel manager, was chosen to manage the new property. For more than two decades, the Stratford served travelers, local organizations and community events. In 1955, businessman James Gore purchased the hotel from Bessie Heflin and began extensive improvements to the property. In September 1955, the Stratford became the General Washington Inn. Gore said the new name reflected the property's connection with the Washington family. The hotel stood on land where a house known as "The Falls" had once stood. Renovations followed the ownership and name change. The Garden Room was remodeled, a terrace was added, and additional banquet and conference space was planned. Some guest rooms were also converted into hotel apartments. For many years afterward, the General Washington Inn remained a familiar Fredericksburg landmark, carrying forward the history of the Stratford Hotel under a new name. (Now the George Washington Executive Center,bottom ) FREDERICKSBURG PERSPECTIVES is a Facebook group established in November 2022 to promote the exploration, preservation, and discussion of Fredericksburg's shared social history. Its focus is on the businesses, institutions, places, events, and people that have helped shape the community over the past 250 years. Through historic photographs, newspaper accounts, personal recollections, and member discussion, the group encourages greater understanding of the people and places that have contributed to Fredericksburg’s identity Michael Thomas Harvey & Ray Brown are the Administrators Contact them Facebook @Fredericksburg Perspectives

October 2026

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Downtown Storefront Marks the Birthplace of Religious Freedom

bY rick pullen Weedon's Tavern provides a direct line to constitutionally granted religious freedom for all Americans. And yet most locals don't realize its significance. There are no signs or historic markers Cliff Satterthwaite rendering of Thomas Jefferson designating the arriving atWeedon's Tavern site. Even the city's Used with Permission Pauline Felder visitors center An aging storefront that houses makes no mention of it. the Court of Shoppes Antiques Mall in the old Woolworth's building at the corner of That's about to change. William and Caroline Streets in downtown, A group of area residents has marks the spot of one of the most formed the Fredericksburg monumental events in American history. Religious Freedom Alliance whose sole purpose is to On this plot of land in January celebrate and analyze what took 1777, Thomas Jefferson and four other place in January 1777. The members of the newly formed Virginia Alliance hopes to coordinate House of Delegates met at Weedon's with Jarrell Properties-which Tavern and crafted a Bill for Establishing has a contract to purchase the Religious Freedom, later known as the property-to someday house a Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. museum and religious The document evolved into the First bookstore at the location as well Amendment of the U.S, Constitution as place a mural and historic granting all Americans religious freedom. markers promoting the spot. That makes Fredericksburg the birthplace The Alliance is encouraging City of religious freedom for the United States Council to recognize what many believe is and much of the world, which followed our the most significant historical event in the example. city's history. Fredericksburg "is a nexus for religious freedom and disestablishment," says Randall Balmer, professor of religion at Dartmouth College, and author of America's Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State. While other states have claimed birthplace ownership, none reached beyond state borders. Only the work at

Thomas Jefferson chaired the Virginia House's "Committee of Law Revisors" that included fellow delegates George Wythe, Edmund Pendleton, George Mason and Thomas Ludwell Lee. In light of the ongoing Revolutionary War, they met here to rewrite the state's laws creating a new Virginia government free from England. The committee drafted 126 bills

from January 13-17, 1777, including a bill for establishing religious freedom. "The idea of creating any government without an established religion was just novel back then," Balmer says. While a few ancient empires had practiced religious tolerance, the United States became the first nation in modern history to enshrine disestablishment of all religions as the law of the land. In 1777, Virginia taxes financially supported the Anglican church, and you could not be married by anyone other than an Episcopal minister. "There was a lot of resistance from people who had to provide tax money for religions they didn't participate in," Balmer says.

Jefferson introduced his bill in the legislature on June 12, 1779, but it was tabled mainly due to Anglican opposition. In 1785 James Madison introduced Bill No. 82, A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, for his friend Jefferson, who was now in Paris as U.S. minister to France. It passed on January 16, 1786.

primary architect of the U.S. Constitution, drafted the Bill of Rights. Madison incorporated Jefferson's concepts in the First Amendment's Establishment Clause ("Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,") and its Free Exercise Clause ("or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"), declaring religious freedom for all Americans. The last vote to ratify the amendment and make it law was appropriately cast by Virginia. For the past 50 years, numerous religious groups lead by the Knights of Columbus, agnostics, and atheists have commemorated Fredericksburg as the birthplace of religious freedom with a small parade through downtown that ends with speeches at its Religious Freedom Monument on Washington Avenue. Erected in 1932, it's America's oldest monument to universal religious freedom. Through it all, the actual downtown site where Jefferson penned the statute has largely been ignored. The newly formed Fredericksburg Religious Freedom Alliance is determined to change that and expand the annual celebration. The Alliance, which welcomes donations, is working to obtain non-profit status in 2027, the 250th anniversary of Jefferson's drafting of the bill in Fredericksburg. A celebration is planned throughout the city for the week of Jan. 10, 2027. To learn more about the celebration, visit the Alliance at https://fredrfa.com.

City resident Rick Pullen is a journalist, novelist, and Alliance member. Rick.Pullen@verizon.net. Photo of current site by Dawn Bowen

Three years later, Madison, who lived in Orange County and was the

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TidBits

WELCOME TO OUR GREAT OUTDOORS It’s Beautiful ~ Night and Day!

small bites of local News By danelle rose & Amy Peregoy

Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri & Sat 11am-10pm Sun 11am - 9pm Bar open until 2am everyday

Meet FXBG New Soccer Club Fredericksburg has a new team to cheer for! Fredericksburg City Soccer Club - Fred City - will join the United Soccer League with both men's League Two and women's W League teams beginning in 2027

Locally Owned Irish Pub and Restaurant 200 Hanover St. ~ 373-0738

Become a Member

Scarecrow Fest Scarecrow Fest returns October 1-31, bringing a full month of festive fun for all ages. Start by exploring downtown to find scarecrows popping up at local businesses and vote for your favorites throughout the month.(see Calendar) Grab or print a map and make your way through downtown to see them all, then vote for your favorites

fxbgfoodcoop@gmail.com fredericksburgfoodcoop.com

October 2026

Halloween Season Special Ghost Tour TourDiscover Fredericksburg's darker side on a special Halloween season walking tour featuring exclusive access to historic Masonic Lodge No. 4, the Masonic Cemetery, and Amy Lou's Apothecary after hours.Begin inside the Masonic Lodge with stories of its past before stepping beyond the gates of the historic Masonic Cemetery. Follow your guide through downtown for tales of ghostly encounters, witches, tragic deaths, and local mysteries, with new stops and stories for the season.Your evening ends at Amy Lou's Apothecary, a former Civil War hospital, for an exclusive after-hours visit. Each booking includes one special gift to take home.The tour lasts approximately 75-80 minutes and covers roughly one mile. Guests must be able to climb two flights of stairs; the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Weather cancellations receive a full refund.Fridays/Saturdays 7:30-8:45p thru October 31 For tickets & more info: www.historywalksfxbg.co Rubber Ducky Derby Returns Rivierfront Park At 3pm, over 2,000 rubber ducks will race down the Rappahannock River, with prizes awarded to the owners of the fastest ducks. Adopt a duck, cheer from the riverbank, and help make a splash for two great causes while celebrating a brand-new Fredericksburg fall tradition! 3p, Riverfront Park

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www.fredericksburgcsa.com

Fredericksburg Main Street Receives Virginia Main Street Milestone Award f The City of Fredericksburg congratulates Fredericksburg Main Street on receiving a Virginia Main Street Milestone Award recognizing more than $40 million in private investment in downtown Fredericksburg since 2013. This achievement reflects the dedication of local businesses, property owners, community partners, volunteers, and residents who have helped strengthen

UMW Earns National Recognition for Value, Future Readiness and Student Wellness The University of Mary Washington continues to put Fredericksburg on the national stage, earning recognition this fall from Washington Monthly, TIME, Forbes and Niche for its value, student experience and success in preparing graduates for the future.

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and revitalize our historic downtown. Their continued investment and collaboration have played a key role in making downtown Fredericksburg a thriving destination for residents and visitors alike.

New Community Planning & Buildiong Director Ray Cash The City of Fredericksburg is happy to welcome Ray Cash as its new Community Planning and Building Director this summer. Ray has over 22 years of experience in planning, zoning, and community development. He has worked closely with elected officials, staff, residents, and development partners to achieve positive results for communities. Most recently, he was the Assistant Director of Community Development and Planning in Goochland County, Virginia. Danelle Rose is FXBG Tourism Marketing & Communications Manager Amy Peregoy is FXBG Economic Development Manager

Season’s Bounty

savory fall

vanessa moncure

October’s farm market stands are filling up with bushels of apples, baskets of mums and Crayola orange pumpkins - the very last of summer’s tomatoes, bush beans, eggplants, peppers and okra have been replaced by early beets and greens. My garden is being prepped for overwintering, pulling out the last vines and leaves of the past summer bounty, tilling and working in compost and chicken litter to enrich the soil. This year’s garden was a challange...but basil did well. Unlike my other herbs, I freeze basil rather than drying it - strip the leaves from the stem, rinse well and let air-dry, then place whole leaves in quart freezer bags. After they freeze, remove the bag from the freezer and open slightly, then crumble the leaves through the bag with your hands. Seal tightly again and store until ready to use measure in recipes as for fresh herbs dried herbs have a much more concentrated flavor, so use 3-4 parts fresh to one part dried herbs. This method works well for parsley leaves, too - I always keep a bag of fresh frozen parsley for cooking and garnishing - the freeze-dried

parsley sold in the spice aisle tastes just like green confetti. Pesto is not confined to only basil, as pesto is the term for any food made by pounding. Variations using arugula, spinach, roasted tomatoes and olives or even mushrooms have been popularized. I like freezing many herbs as pesto and although many pesto recipes call for pine nuts - I’m not a fan, I think they taste soapy - I think basil freezes better without nuts anyway.

PESTO MONKEY BREAD or BREADSTICKS Pesto: In a food processor fitted with a steel blade (or mortar and pestle or VERY finely chopped by hand) blend 2 cloves of garlic with 1 c. packed basil leaves. Stir in ½ c. each grated romano cheese and grated parmesan cheese along with a pinch of salt. While machine is on, slowly drizzle in ½ c. olive oil. (and okay, if you love pine nuts, add in ½ c. chopped nuts). Set aside, covered, while making the bread. Dough: Stir ½ tsp. sugar and 1 pkg. active dry yeast into ¼ c. warm water and let work for five minutes. This is also

a good way to proof your yeast if you’re unsure it is still active. In a large bowl, measure 2 c. bread flour, ½ tsp. salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, ½ of the basil mixture and 1 c. warm water. Gradually add 1 additional cup of flour as you work the dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding a bit more flour as necessary. Turn dough into oiled bowl, oil the top of dough and let stand, covered, until doubled, about one hour. Punch dough down and roll into about 16 balls, arranging around the bottom of a greased 10” tube pan. Cover and let rise about 30 minutes, bake in preheated 375F oven for 35-40 minutes. Let partially cool in pan, then turn out onto rack. Serve on platter, placing a small bowl filled with the remaining pesto in the center of bread. For breadsticks, just form the dough into 8” long rolls, let rise and bake at 375F for about half the time. Use the remaining pesto as a dipping sauce.

heat and stir in 2 T. fresh parsley and ¼ c. grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

HERBED PORK TENDERLOIN For each pork tenderloin, use 2 T. of pesto sauce for marinade. Rub over pork, place in glass baking dish, cover and leave for 30 minutes. Grill about 3 minutes per side, or until internal temperature is at least 145F. Meanwhile, roast Red Bliss potatoes, cut into about 1 ½” cubes and tossed with scant amount olive oil, at 425F until browned and tender. Remove from oven and toss with pesto sauce, adding 1 T. at a time until well-covered - add S&P to taste. Serve with the pork, along with sliced tomatoes.

Vanessa Moncure has yummy recipes for every season.

PESTO CREAM SHRIMP LINGUINI Any time I combine pasta with seafood, I think of my Dad and his love of “oyster spaghetti” at Pasquale Manale’s in New Orleans. Begin preparing ½ lb. linguini. In a saute pan, melt 2 T. butter and 1 T. olive oil over medium high heat, cook ½ c. diced onion until softened - stir in ¾ lb. shelled and deveined 21-25 count Gulf shrimp (better flavor than farmed) and saute briefly, just til cooked through, about 2 minutes. Remove shrimp and onions and stir in ¾ c. heavy cream, ¼ c. basil pesto and 2 tsp. creole flavoring. Bring to boil, reducing cream to almost half. Return shrimp to pan along with ¼ c. pasta cooking liquid and 1 T. butter. Stir in linguine, lifting and stirring until sauce is well mixed with pasta. Remove pan from

Olde Towne Butcher Traditional Butchery - Fresh Perspective

Clean, local, sustainable, humane foods prepared fresh. Better for you and your family, better for our planet, better for local economy, better food! 401 William St - Fredericksburg 540-370-4105 - OldeTowneButcher.com front porch fredericksburg

October 2026

UMW Speakers Series Hurley Convergence center hosts Christopher Williams performed and exhibited globally and include a multi-year street performance "Regarding the Fall" and correlated line art series "Notes on Performance" a video installation series "Fragmentation Series" and five group works for dance theater focused on translating "street dance" to the stage.

Disability Awareness Month Celebration Major Performer: Bill Shannon October 16, 3p Digital Aud, Hurley Convergence Bill Shannon is an interdisciplinary artist, inventor and maker who explores body-centric work through video installation, sculpture, drawing, linguistics, sociology, choreography and dance. Bill's interdisciplinary works have been

October 2026

Bill is a Guggenheim Fellow in Dance, a Foundation for Contemporary Art fellow in Performance Art, and a United States Artists Fellow in Choreography. Bill has performed globally including New York Live Arts, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Sydney Opera House, MCA Chicago, Temple Bar Square Dublin and many more. While primarily a solo independent artist Bill has also worked as an aerial straps choreographer for Cirque Du Soleil's touring show Varekai and starred in RJD2's viral music video directed by Joey Garfield titled "Work It Out." Currently, Shannon lives in Pittsburgh and continues to work independently on a range of self-directed projects while caring for his family.

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Gender and Sexual Minorities and Their Allies Celebration Major Speaker: Beka Wueste, October 22, 6p, Digital Aud, Hurley Convergence Beka Wueste is an author whose debut novel, "The Unsent Letters of Lucy Prior," earned praise as a "deeply introspective and emotionally resonant novel" (-Kirkus Reviews) and whose second novel, "Fireflies in a Jar," was lauded as, "original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging." (-Midwest Book Review). Her short story collection, "My Side of the Word and Other tales of Death, was described as "lyrical and thoughtful…. a moving, imaginative, and unforgettable exploration," (-Readers Favorite Book Reviews) and was a finalist for the Reader Views short story collection of the year. Beka's latest novel is "Human of the Year," was called "a transformative novel, teeming with flawed but root-worthy characters." (-Reader Views)

Born in Texas and raised in Virginia, Beka earned a B.A. in art history from the University of Mary Washington , and an M.A. in art history from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Beka is also an award-winning visual artist who exhibits her work frequently in regional and national shows. An enthusiastic traveler, avid reader, nature lover, lifelong cinephile, and collector of music on vinyl, Beka lives with her husband and their rescue Shiba Inu in Northern Virginia. Chris Williams, assistant director of the University of Mary Washington's James Farmer Multicultural Center

Vino

The Soup & Taco, Etc. 813 Caroline St.

Port Is More Than Ruby and Tawny

Fredericksburg, VA

by Rita Allen

Serving Traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex Food and Something More!! Tuesday to Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 11am-6pm

Phone: 540-899-0969 soupntaco@yahoo.com

The Sunken Well Tavern

Port has a bit of a reputation. Maybe you think of it as the little glass of something sweet that appears at the end of a big dinner. Maybe you know there is Ruby Port and Tawny Port. Maybe you've heard that it comes from Portugal and that it is fortified. And honestly? That's a pretty good place to start. But Port is a much bigger story than Ruby and Tawny. Port is one of the world's fortified wines, a wine to which grape spirit is added during fermentation. That spirit raises the alcohol high enough to stop the yeast from continuing its work. In other words, the yeast doesn't get to finish the job, so some of the grape's natural sugar remains in the wine. And then things get interesting. Port begins its life in Portugal's Douro Valley, a landscape of steep hillsides, intense summer heat, and vineyards that seem to have been carved into the mountains rather than simply planted there. The grapes are traditionally harvested by hand, and Port is made from a collection of Portuguese varieties that you are unlikely to find filling supermarket shelves around the world. Some are drinkers, Touriga

familiar to Port Nacional, Touriga

Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and others, but the important thing is that Port has never been about one superstar grape. It is a team effort. Different va riet ies contribute fruit, floral notes, spice, structure and other characteristics that come together in the finished wine. And yes, there is still a place for feet. Traditionally, grapes were, and in some wineries still are-ccrushed by foot in large granite tanks called lagars. It sounds charmingly old-fashioned until you remember that winemaking is happening in the middle of a hot harvest, and someone actually has to spend hours in there. But there is a reason for it: Port ferments for a relatively short period, so getting color, flavor and structure from the grape skins quickly matters. Once the winemaker decides the fermentation has reached the right point, the spirit goes in. Fermentation stops, and the young Port begins its much longer journey. Originally, the wines stayed in the Douro before traveling downriver to Vila Nova de Gaia, where they were matured in the famous Port lodges. Once upon a time, that journey was made by barcos rabelos, the distinctive boats built to carry barrels of Port down the Douro. Today, the trip is considerably less romantic and considerably less likely to involve navigating river rapids.

But the destination still matters. In Gaia, the young wines are evaluated and their future begins to take shape. Some will spend their lives in ways that lead toward the familiar Ruby style. Others will follow a very different path toward Tawny. And those are only two doors into a much larger room. Because here is the part that tends to surprise people: There isn't just one kind of Port. There is a whole spectrum of styles, each shaped by choices about grapes, blending, aging, wood, time, and sometimes even the particular character of a vintage. Some are vibrant and fruitdriven. Others are all about the transformation that happens with years of aging. Some are made for sipping slowly after dinner. Others can be absolutely fantastic with food. And once you start looking beyond the two names most people recognize, Port gets considerably more interesting. Ruby. Tawny. Vintage. White. Rosé. And a few other styles that may make you rethink what you thought Port was supposed to be. So if your experience with Port begins and ends with "Ruby is red and Tawny is brownish," congratulations-you have learned just enough to become dangerous. Now come taste the rest of the story. Come catch a class with us at City Vino

City Vino, 100 Hanover St (use Sophia St entrance) owner Rita Allan will answer all your wine questions

Eat Well Drink Well Live Well 720 Littlepage sunkenwelltavern.com 540-370-0911 front porch fredericksburg

October 2026

CALEND

October.... Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice Thursday October 1

Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Remember & Honor those who have faced breast cancer tie a pink ribbon Mary Washington House throughout the month BINGO: St Michael High School Doors open 4pm, starts 630pm. 6310 Campus Dr. ***EVERY THURSDAY Wing It Thursdays Music Bingo @6B&G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9p ***EVERY THURSDAY

Join ODHS dogs on easy walks 7:45 a.m pair a dog w/ participants strolls on flat, paths. Meet ODHS at 3602 Lafayette Blvd***EVERY SATURDAY

Trivia Night with Trapper, 6B&G, WEDNESDAY

Thirteenth Annual Art Attack Historic Downtown Fredericksburg! 10a-4p

LIVE MUSIC Laurie Rose & Peter M

Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival , Daytime outdoor gathering celebrating local and independent authors 10 AM. Riverfront Park

Thursday October 8

Fall Home Show, your one-stop destination for all things home improvement. Thru Sunday FXBG Convention Center

LIVE MUSIC UMW Concert Band Fall Concert Dodd Aud, 7:30p

Fall Festival at John Lee Pratt Park: Family-friendly park event with games and seasonal activities 11 AM

LIVE MUSIC Brookhouse @Rebellion Bourbon, 309 w8ILLIAM St, 6p

Deaf & Hard of HEARING Community Day @Ferry Farm, 1 & 2;30p

Retro Karaoke Reclaim Arvade 2324 PlanK RD, 8P

UVA vs. Virginia Tech Fall Exhibition Game at Virginia Credit Union Stadium: In-state baseball rivalry game with first pitch at 4 PM

Wing It Music Bingo 6B&G, 1140 International Pky

First Friday October 2

Medicinal Mulling: A Pumpkin & Spice Experience hands on program of how DR. Hugh Mercer may have used these ingredients medicinally in 18th Century. Demos 5-8p LIVE MUSIC Bluegrass On Campus Seacobeck Hall: Free music 6 - 8:30 PM "Exposure Unlimited 40th Anniversary Show' Linda LaRochelle, Members Gallery FCCA 813 Sophia St "Fall into Winter" by Stacy Gerise, Brush Strokes Gallery opening reception 5-9p, 824 Caroline St Sophia Street Studios "Fresh!" new works from our artists opening reception 6-0p, 1104 Sophia St Beckie Willows, Canal Quarters Opening 5-8:30p 1517 Princess Anne St Local sculptor Christine Lush-Rodriguez brings a bold solo sculpture show to the Bourbon Room Ironclad Inn 1200 Princess Anne St, 3-9p Assemblages by Gigi Lassan, Artful Dimensions, 1025 Caroline St, opening reception 6-9p Feature Artist Suanne McElvy, Curitiba Café,919 Caroline St, opening reception 5-7p LIVE MUSIC Downtown Sounds Ladia [Pop / Punk / Country & more] FREE Concert Market Square, 6:30-8:30P Breaking Lines, spoken word poetry night, Original Grinds, 615 Caroline St, 8-9p ***EVERY FRIDAY

Bourbon & Boxwood name evokes George Washington's success as a distiller & Mary Washington's love of boxwood gardens. this event, is a beautiful garden party , live music, food & drinks, silent auction, Mary Washington House & Garden, $ Open Mic @Colonial Tavern 7p, 406 Lafayette Blvd ***EVERY MONDAY LIVE MUSIC Abel Acoustic @ City Vino, 7p

Park After Dark Gather under the t an evening of spooky, family-friend

LIVE MUSIC Boutrbon Notes Music & americana music, 7p Ironclad In

LIVE MUSIC Mark Dunn 6B&G, 11

LIVE MUSIC Connor McLaurin Adve

LIVE MUSIC Dark Synth Showcase Ja 2324 Plank Rf, 8p

LIVE MUSIC The Ways to Long High

Sunday October 4

Saturday October 10

Sunday Brunch at the Colonial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd 11a-3p ***EVERY SUNDAY

Fall Arts & Craft Show, Fxbg Conve

Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern, 9a-2 , 720 Littlepage, ***EVERY SUNDAY

ODHS meet at 7:45a be matched w/rescue dog a different trail each week 3602 Lafayette BLVD ***EVERY SUNDAY Variety Benefit evening of cabaret performances, silent auction, karaoke, live muisic, food, cash bar, Reign the Venue, 1409 Princess Anne St, 6-9p LIVE MUSIC UMW Latin Jazz Trio weatherly Wing Seacobeck Hall, 4-5p

Monday October 5

Harvest Day & Flower Bar Event at pumpkin painting, and baked goot

Stand-Up Comedy Night. an evenin talent at 810 Caroline St, LIVE MUSIC To Be Fare Log Home

LIVE MUSIC Whiskey Tango 6 , 6B&

Sunday October 11

Fall Arts and Crafts Festival at Frede Indoor marketplace showcasing han

Fall Opening @St. James House, city's best-preserved colonial dwellings. With its period furniture and stunning art, the home offers visitors a rare glimpse 18th-century life in VA thru Oct 10, 1-4p 1300 Charles St

Thursday October 15

Tuesday October 6

Stage Door Production, Big Four D theatre festival featuring four playwrights. LIVE MUSIC Bruce Middle Group , 7:30-10:30p

LIVE MUSIC Marshall & Company Adventure Brewing, Perchwood. 7-9p

5p. Co-op's Weekly Walk with Doc ***EVERY TUESDAY, 4-5

Saturday October 3

Ukulele Jamming, Fred Food CoOP Beginners, 6:30p Jam 7p Emancipations Hwy

Colonial Tavern Brunch, 11a-3p 406 Lafayette Blvd Blues Jam, 2-4p

Friday October 9

The Pecking Order, An Improv Gam City Vino

LIVE MUSIC Rocky Guttman 6B&G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9p

Sunken Well Saturday: Brunch from 9-2, 720 Littlepage ***EVERY SATURDAY

LIVE MUSIC Stevie Johanson Rebel

LIVE MUSIC Chuck N Boots 6B&G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9:30p

Family Night Kids unde r 12 eat free, Stockyards 407 William St ***EVERY TUESDAY

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 7a-1p homegrown, homemade & andbaked goods,local fresh farm produce ***EVERY SATURDAY

Dalmore Scotch Tasting Event, lea @Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen

320

UMW Disability Awareness Month Shannon 3p Digital Aud, Hurley Co

LIVE MUSIC Lil' Rob6B&G, 1140 In

Wednesday October 7

LIVE MUSIC Greg Roth Adventure B

Open Mic Original Grinds, 615 Caroline St ***EVERY WEDNESDAY

Curitiba Comedy Hour & open mic 6:30-8p LIVE MUSIC Ramona Martinezs Reb

Trivia for a Cause, Brock's Riverside Grill, 503 Sophia St, 6-8p ***Every Wednesday

Trivia Night Sunken Well Tavern, 6:30p, 720 Littlepage ***EVERY WED

Become a Friend Advocate ~ Donate ~ Volunteer Open every Sat 7am-2pm

540~479~4116 1013 Princess Anne St , FXBG 16

October 2026

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donatelifevirginia.org dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#organs.asp

Rain/Shine @Hurkamp Park Thru October

DAR of events 7p, 1140International Pky ***EVERY ealy Ironclad Inn, Princess Anne, 6p

arn & sip, downstairs in the Armory n 309 William St, 6-8p lion bourbon Bar, 309 William St, 6p

trees at Memorial Park after dark for dly stories 6:30p

Series, Chamomile and Whiskey, rock n, 1200 Princess Anne St 40 International Pky, 7-9:30p

enture Brewing, 33 Perchwood, 7-9p

aguardini & Rubicon, Reclaim Arcade,

hmark Brewery, 390 kings hwy, 4p

meshow, wine flight + Live Improv, 7p

Friday October 16

Improvisational Comedy Night - Live and unscripted improv performers take ideas from audience and create both comedy. 810 Caroline St,

LIVE MUSIC 3 Exits to Memphis 6B&G, International Pky, 7-9:30p

Saturday October 17

LIVE MUSIC The Cold North, Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood, 7-9p

Friends of Rappahannock Fxbg Fall Cleanup, 9a-12noon Old Mill Park, free breakfast & check-in, 9-9:30a Whiskey & Wine Festival Immerse yourself in a world of exquisite spirits and fine wines, Fxbg Convention Center 11a-4p Canal Quarters Garage Sale, large selection of original art at discounted prices, 11a-5p, 1517 Princess Anne St Fermentation Festival, local vendors artisan food, beverages, From cheese, Pickles, & sourdough to craft beer, wine, cider, and kombucha, many tasty options to discover. Motts Run Rreservoir, 12-5p "Iron Jawed Angels" movie highlights W omens Right to vote, staring Hiliary Swank Free Screening 2 p. CRRL Fredericksburg Library theater. Quacktoberfest free festival fall-themed activities, carnival rides, local vendors, live music, delicious food, Rubber Ducky 3pm, over 2,000 rubber ducks will race down the Rapp River,. Riverfront Park 2-6p Halloween Movies in the Park watch a DarkWing Duck episode followed by Hocus Pocus. Halloween Riverfront Park 7p Comedy Crave Live Stand Up Showcase, Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St, doors 7, Show 8p

ention Center, 9a-5p.

LIVE MUSIC Something Shiny 6B&G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9:30p

ng of regional and national comedic

LIVE MUSIC Laurie, Peter, & Co, Colonial Tavern Lafayette Blvd, 7-10p

Sunday October 18

&G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9:30p

ericksburg Expo & Conference Center: ndmade pottery, textiles, and jewelry

h Celebration Major Performer: Bill onvergence

Dark Doors an original horror/thriller original one-act plays by local Colonial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd,

nternational Pky, 7-9:30p

Brewing, 33 Perchwood 7-9p

c, Curitibas Art Cafe, 919 Caroline St,

bellion Bourbon Bar, 309 William 6p

Pickle & Grilled Cheese Festival, Fxbg Fairgrounds, 11a-6p

LIVE MUSIC Fascination Street Monstor Mash Relaim Arcade, 8p

t Tater's Corner: Autumn flower bar, 10 A 89 Chatham Heights Rd

5727 Courthouse Rd, 6p

Fall Landscape Walk at Gari Melchers Home and Studio, 10 & 1p, Gari Melcers Home & Studio 224 Washington St

Canal Quarters Garage Sale, large selection of original art at discounted prices, 11a-5p, 1517 Princess Anne St Burgers in the Burg (Rebellion, Mason Dixon, Sammy T's, Harry's Downtown, Cheekies and Eats) grilling up 2,000 sliders to benefit Hope House. Your wrist band includes all the sliders you can eat and a couple of drinks. Music, Bounce House and lots of family fun stuff will be happening. The restaurants are competing for the best burger (that you get to vote for) Riverfront Park, 12-3p

Friday October 23

Fxbg Theater Ensemble - Veronica's Room chilling mystery thriller by the author of Rosemary's Baby explores the thin line between fantasy and reality, madness and murder. Allstate Community Theater thru Nov 1 LIVE MUSIC UMW Dr, Robert Piano Recital, Weatherly Wing of Seacobeck Hall, Room 145 Seacobeck Hall, 7:30-9p LIVE MUSIC Bailey Hayes 6B&G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9:30p LIVE MUSIC Trash Rocket w/Die Feen Reclaim Arcade, 8p

Saturday October 24

Fall Fxbg Garage Sale 45,000 square feet of residential yard sales, all under one roof! 8:30-3p Fxbg Convention Center

www.riverfriends.org

LIVE MUSIC SWING strings Highmark Brewery 390 Kings Hwy, 3p LIVE MUSIC The Wavos Colonial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd8-11p

Sunday October 25

Central Rappahannock Heritage Center Fall Fundraiser at the archive at 900 Barton St., 1- 5p We will be conducting tours, refreshments and holding a silent auction to support our all volunteer archive

Thursday October 29

LIVE MUSIC Elliot Currie Rebellion Bourbon Bar, 309 William St, 6p

Friday Octobr 30

An Intergalactic Halloween Miss Martian Pageant & Best Couples Costume contest with cash prizes, out of this world specials, and much more Happy Endings Bar & Grill, 1315 Princess Anne St LIVE MUSIC Matt Tyrell 6B&G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9:30p LIVE MUSIC Sound of Thunder, Reclaim Arcade,2324 Plank Rd, 8p

Saturday October 31

Treats on the Streets Trick or Treat at participating downtown businesses. 10-12n Halloween Costumne Stroll Meet at the VRE Caroline St Stroll in Halloween costume down Caroline St Strollers and wagons are welcome (bikes are not). Meet 8:30a, pre-stroll; stroll starts promptly @9:30a Haunted FXBGO! Bus kid-friendley haunted bus FREE 10a-12n, Market Square Something Wicked is Brewing Join us for our Witches, Brews & Spells Party 6-9 PM for a night of Halloween fun, great music, and plenty of spooky surprises . Come in Costumnes Log Home 5727 Courthouse Rd Emo Night Halloween Edition Reclaim Arcade Arcade, 2324 Plank Rd, 8p LIVE MUSIC Suzie & The Sparks 6B&G, 9:30pgon

1140 International Pky, 7-

LIVE MUSIC ELBY brass Highmark Brewery 390 Kings Hwy, 8p LIVE MUSIC Dragonfyre Colonial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd, 7-10p If you are reading this 351st issue of FPF, thank an advertiser, now in our 30th year of continuous publication! List your events email frntprch@aol.com: subject Calendar/Events Deadline for November 2026 issue is October 19th.

Helping homeless children and families in City of Fredericksburg, Counties of Caroline, Stafford & Spotsylvania 540 371 0831

540-373-3448 front porch fredericksburg

October 2026

history’s stories

St.Luke's Church By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

I am often asked if I know of the oldest church still standing in Virginia? Growing up in Stafford County, the Aquia Church, a well-known church with an active congregation, comes to mind as many of my ancestors attended the church built in 1757. Saint Lukes was built in 1682; in Smithfield Virginia and is the oldest known church still in Virginia. Many individuals believe it was built earlier in 1632; evidence indicates the current structure was built in 1682, as it is possible an earlier structure may have been at the location. Saint Luke's Church shows the progression from the early wooden churches to the permanent type of brick building with a simple interior rectangular style like Saint George's of Fredericksburg and the Fredericksburg Baptist Church. Many of the restorations were done in the 1950's, without consideration of producing the original type of construction as is now done in strict compliance to original specifications.

Saint Luke's is fortunate to have a hundred-a acre site that has a tour guide seven days a week from February to December that lasts nearly an hour. The discussion is about the Anglican church and its restorations. The church is available for baptisms, weddings, funerals and any other special events on a rental basis. In comparison, many other buildings in Virginia related is the Yeocomico Church 1706 , Jamestown Church circa 1690 Bacon's Castle of 1665. Saint Luke's has always been called "Old Brick Church" which means it was designed and built with an architect. In 1966 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1957 President Eisenhower designated it a National Shrine as the anniversary of Jamestown celebrated the 350th anniversary. Still today all funding comes from private donations.

October 2026

In 1887 there was storm damage to the east wall, 2000 bricks from the Jamestown Church (1639-1647) were included in the repairs of 1890. The roof was replaced in the 1950's, the original was cedar shingles either painted or covered, as was the practice at the time. The tower is the only original know in Virginia to be original. It has a slate roof with a weathervane at the crest. One interesting fact was that no Virginia colonial churches had stained glass windows. Stain glass came much later. The only written record of the interior is in 1746, wives of justices and vestrymen were assigned a box pew. Most of it was reconstructed in the 1950's. The pulpit is a three-decker today, originally it was a two-decker Saint Luke's last renovation was in 2012. It is well maintained and the latest project was to restore the landscaping and outside ponds and roads. If you are looking for a short trip to explore some of Virginia treasures Saint Luke's is a wonderful leisure drive.

PRAYERS FOR ANNE DEDICATED TO: BETSY COX STEWART, GARY SULLIVAN and BEVERLY HANEY

Tuffy was Front Porch’s Resident Historian. This October article.was written shortly before he passed. Tuffy will be greatly missed & We hope he will meet some of the historical figures he so admired up there in heaven. His grandson Connor will be continuing his column Please see page 3 for “Remembering Tuffy”

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OUR HERITAGE french footprints By Clint Schemmer Occupying Stafford Heights and overlooking Fredericksburg across the Rappahannock River, Chatham is the area's most imposing historic home. The brick mansion entertained George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, making it unique in the world.

French artist Jean-B Baptiste-A Antoine de Verger Yet, despite its fame, sketched (from left) a Black soldier in the 1st Chatham is just a building."It's Rhode Island Regiment, a New England militiaman, the people who interacted with it a frontier rifleman, and a French officer at that made the history and the Yorktown in 1781. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS headlines," two National Park Service historians say. Peter Maugle and country is very well cultivated. A mile from town is a superb estate whose Ryan Quint, capping this summer's VA250 proprietor owns 1,000 negroes. He trades lectures Central Rappahannock at Regional Library, spotlighted more than a extensively in tobacco." He referred to William Fitzhugh, for whom Chatham was half-dozen such people, centering on the built in 1771, Maugle and Quint noted. American Revolution. Surprising audience members, they traced a few of the 6,000 or so French soldiers who passed through Fredericksburg enroute to Yorktown in September 1781, or back north in July 1782 after the allied victory that ended the war's major conflict. Fredericksburg then had about 1,000 residents. Accompanying the French commander, the Comte de Rochambeau, and Gen. George Washington on their Alexandre armies' march south were Louis-A Berthier and Jean Baptiste Antoine de Verger. Berthier, an engineer and geographer, created more than 100 handcolored, topographical maps of the French army's American campaign. His maps include the French army's Falmouth camp and its Rappahannock River crossing to Fredericksburg. Fourteen years later, Berthier became Napoleon Bonaparte's chief of staff, responsible for much of the general's battlefield success. The man who mapped how to move French troops across the Rappahannock helped Napoleon move armies across Europe. Here, Berthier eyed where his troops could stay and get supplies. He wrote, "Fredericksburg is a pretty town with a single fine street running parallel to the right bank of the Rappahannock, which you cross at a ferry between 80100 yards wide. There is only one ferry boat." The other French officer, de Verger, illustrated his diary, painting a 1781 watercolor at Yorktown that depicts the variety of soldiers fighting for American independence. De Verger wrote, "Fredericksburg is quite a large town whose surrounding

Fitzhugh, who served briefly in the Continental Congress and supported building Fredericksburg's gunnery, wrote in 1776 that "I would with pleasure part with my last shilling to preserve liberty." Despite that pledge, he and his wife, Ann Bolling Randolph Fitzhugh, hosted a high-ranking British general at Chatham during the war. Maj. Gen. William Phillips, captured at Saratoga in 1777, dined and stayed with the Fitzhughs when he later commanded British prisoners of war barracked in Charlottesville. Maugle said it appears the Fitzhughs hoped their hospitality might free two family members captured by the British in 1778-Capt. Peregrine Fitzhugh, a cousin, and Capt. Robert Fauquier Randolph, Ann's brother. Phillips tried to arrange for their parole, to no avail, a letter indicates. The British general was exchanged late in 1779 for Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln (who accepted Gen. Cornwallis's surrender sword at Yorktown). Phillips took command of crown forces in Virginia in 1781 and orchestrated Petersburg's capture. He died of disease that May and was buried in a churchyard, his gravesite kept secret so no one would disturb his remains.. That William Fitzhugh, a revolutionary who heard Patrick Henry give his "Give me liberty or give me death" speech in Richmond, welcomed this top British commander is but one of many untold histories that Chatham keeps. Clint Schemmer is a retired Free Lance-Star editor..

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October 2026

Mental Health skill of healthy conflict By karen kallay

This month let's consider ways to make the best of life's inevitable conflicts. Let's focus on conflict in personal relationships. After all, good relationships greatly enrich our lives; but they require some skills. If we're lucky, we learn some skills as part of growing up, but nearly all of us can use a review to be ready for the next significant conflict. For the everyday irritations like automated telephone trees, traffic, or an inattentive friend, well, we can stew…or decide to move on to something more pleasant and productive. More important are major conflicts within our important relationships, like with a family member, special friend, or maybe a team-member. For example, this may involve hurt feelings or an important disagreement. Assuming that the relationship is worth maintaining and that hints or conversations so far haven't helped, progress probably will require a deliberate

conversation and shifting from a win-orlose mindset to a collaborative one. Pick a good time and place. This means a private place (on a walk?) when both parties are reasonably rested and calm and agreeing to focus. The initiater calls for a mutual effort to remain calm and caring and identifies the topic. Other topics are for another time. Does this remind you of a movie scene where the woman notifies the guy that she wants "a talk" and he immediately starts to worry? If emotions spike, call a temporary timeout (20-30 minutes) to cool down before resuming. Describe how you feel when the "problem" occurs. Examples: I felt [discounted, hurt, scared, worried, belittled, etc] when you [are late without calling, belittle the kids, completely ignored my idea, etc.] Avoid global statements like "You always…l" Ask your discussion partner to restate your statement until you are satisfied that they hear it.

It's their turn. You just listen and truly try to understand their perspective. You are not preparing your rebuttal. Then you restate their response to ensure that they have been heard. Focus on their stated feelings. Example: "It sounds like you felt ignored when…" Even if you feel that their stated feelings about the incident are inappropriate, you both benefit when you explicitly acknowledge them. It shows empathy. One of the benefits of Note: focusing on feelings is that this avoids disagreements about whether something was right or wrong. The person speaking about their own feelings is the authority! And feelings are often the impetus to the incident being discussed and to any future improvement in the relationship.

Karen Kallay lives in Fredericksburg and volunteers as Community Liaison for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Rappahannock affiliate. She welcomes comments, questions, and column suggestions at kkallay@namirapp.org.

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental illness through education, support and advocacy

Propose a future fix. What can either or both parties do differently in the future? Maybe it's a change in future expectations or actions. Be sure to be realistic and willing to make a sincere effort. If an apology or regret is hovering, this is a good time to say so! Good luck! P.S. In discussions involving politics, approximations of these steps can also be useful, but only if both parties are ready to avoid inflammatory phrases, to truly listen and to identify where their own beliefs come from and with no expectation of converting the other.

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October 2026

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Emancipated Patients homes for health

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By Patrick Neustatter, MD

Micah Ministries is practicing healthcare - albeit in a slightly tangential way. They are practicing healthcare in the form of the Jeremiah Community, a project where they plan to build multiple individual small houses for the districts homeless in a life-ssharing communnity I went to their Ice Cream Social at the Oberle Academy site where various dignitaries, including Sen Tim Kaine and Micah Executive Director Meghan Cotter extolled the project. And we got to see one of the single dwelling units - incidentally constructed in 72 hours. Health Hazards of Homelessness The way this project is practicing healthcare is because unhoused people are at increased risk from a slew of different factors. Chronic illnesses, infectious diseases, injuries, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, substance abuse. And they don't get optimum care as they usually don't have a regular doctor and end up going to the emergency room - which is expensive and not a good form of primary care.

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It works the other way round as well. Health problems lead to homelessness. I learned about a great example of this mechanism when I was medical director of Moss Clinic, and we had two health coaches paid for by a grant from the Potomac Health Foundation.

They told me about this guy who was a truck driver, but he had cataracts so he couldn't drive. He couldn't get his cataracts fixed because he couldn't afford rent and lived in a tent. There he wasn't able to store or administer the eye drops needed after surgery. It was a classic "Catch 22." This cycle was broken when one of the health coaches was able to get him temporary housing where he could do the eye drops. He was able to get his cataracts fixed and got a job. This allowed him to afford housing. It was all very satisfying.

spending relative to healthcare spending experience better health outcomes. But healthcare in the US is all about fixing stuff after it's happened - possibly because of financial incentives - perversely it pays better to fix someone once they've gone wrong than to prevent them getting sick in the first place. And healthcare is a forprofit industry. Another insanity that defies fiscal sense is that the coaches we had at Moss had a massive impact on ER visits and hospital admissions because they provided someone that people could contact and get advice from before things became critical.

Homelessness, and its associated health problems have been on the rise, increasing roughly 30 percent between 2019 and 2024 - though it has dropped a bit, at least for the moment, in the last year.

But as soon as the grant for the pilot project ran out, they were gone. And now we're back to paying a hundred times more when someone gets admitted - I guess because it comes from a different funding source.

There are estimated to be something around 200 people in the Fredericksburg area who are unhoused.

But I like this Jeremiah Project because it fits in the "common sense" category of help with healthcare. It's going to be good for the health of those being housed - as well as their overall wellbeing. And that of the community.

SDOH Homelessness is a great example of "SDOH" - which is something of a buzzword in healthcare these days, standing for Social Determinants Of Health. Poverty, being a minority, having poor access to transport, communication, and healthy food are others - all potent causes of disadvantage and ill health, very often beyond the control of the individual. And it's not like people have just one. To quote the website Health Knowledge. "Disadvantages tend to concentrate among the same people and have a cumulative effect." Studies show that states that have a higher ratio of social services

So if this makes sense to you as well, Micah Ministries is still looking for donations. Jeremaiah Community located off Fall Hill ave near Bragg Hill Family Life Center & Sunshine Baseball Park Learn more about the Jeremiah Project: www.jeremiahcommunity.org Protype of housing above Patrick Neustatter, MD is the Former Medical Director Lloyd Moss Free clinic, & Author of Managing Your Doctor The Smart Patient's Guide to Getting Effective Affordable Healthcare. Website managingyourdoctor.com

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October 2026

Christine Lush-Rodriguez Fortune Flowers Bloom by Yleem Poblete The show arrives during Fredericksburg's First Friday, when downtown galleries, restaurants, shops, performances, and pop-up experiences draw residents and visitors into the city's creative spaces. Lush-Rodriguez's exhibition adds an intimate, one-nightonly stop to the evening: a chance to meet the artist and encounter sculptural flowers that are anything but decorative.

For one evening this fall, the Bourbon Room at the Ironclad Inn will become a garden of intuition, symbolism, and sculptural surprise. Fredericksburg award-winning sculptor Christine LushRodriguez will present One Night Only Fortune Flowers, a solo exhibition on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 3 to 9 p.m. at 1200 Princess Anne Street.

In Fortune Flowers, flowers become talismans, warnings, portals, and mirrors. Lush-Rodriguez approaches the floral form through a 21st-century feminist lens, transforming a familiar symbol of softness into something more charged and selfpossessed. The message is direct: women should look within themselves for the answers they seek. "You have always been enough," the work insists (you should find someone to name here) “That tension between beauty and power gives the exhibition its pulse.

These flowers do not sit quietly in the background. They invite viewers to pause, look closely, and consider what instinct, memory, and inner knowledge can reveal. In LushRodriguez's hands, fragility becomes armor and the feminine becomes oracular," said Rafael Consuegra, sculptor and former studio mate in Miami. A Participatory First Friday Experience As part of the evening, the first 75 attendees will receive a handmade clay fortune cookie from the artist, along with paper to write their own fortune. The gesture turns the exhibition into more than a viewing experience; it becomes a personal prompt, asking visitors to carry a small piece of reflection with them after they leave. Christine Lush-Rodriguez is a nationally recognized, award-winning clay sculptor whose work grows out of the tactile possibilities of earthenware, texture, glaze, and form. She shapes her oceanic and plant-based sculptures on the pottery wheel and by hand-building, then alters them with layered textures and lowfired underglazes and glazes that heighten their color, surface, and sense of organic movement. Long before Fortune Flowers, Lush-Rodriguez had built a reputation for transforming clay into forms that feel botanical, marine, mythical, and deeply personal. Her practice reclaims the flower as a forceful contemporary image: sensual, defiant, symbolic, and self-possessed. She has also played a major role in Fredericksburg's three-dimensional arts community through her long history of

October 2026

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leadership with Artful Dimensions Gallery, a local nonprofit gallery devoted to 3-D fine art and craft. As president and one of the gallery's founding leaders, LushRodriguez brought together her experience as an art educator, fundraiser, program developer, and working artist to help create a space for dimensional artists to exhibit, teach, gather, and build community. That civic work gives this onenight solo show additional resonance. For years, Lush-Rodriguez has helped make room for other artists' voices in Fredericksburg; on October 2, the focus turns fully to her own, with clay flowers that speak in the language of intuition, memory, and inner authority. Christine Lush-R Rodriguez, One Night Only - Fortune Flowers Friday, October 2, 2026, 3-9 9 p.m. Bourbon Room, Ironclad Inn, 1200 Princess Anne Street Admission: Open to the public Artist gift: The first 75 attendees will receive a handmade clay fortune cookie and paper to write their own fortune. Contact: clrfruitoid1@gmail.com or fruitoid@aol.com; 305-8 815-9 9847 Online: Facebook and Instagram

Suzanne McElvy a chat with myself After attending an art appreciation class in high school and perusing local art galleries and worldclass art museums, Suzanne McElvy had resigned herself to admiring the creations of others because making art was clearly something best left to the professionals. "At an early age, I had already come to the stifling conclusion that making art requires a specific and refined talent which I did not possess and could not possibly acquire," she determined. In 2018, Suzanne was immersed in the vibrant world of Wynwood Walls in Miami. The open-a air street art museum blew the doors off her myopic vision of "what art is." Fine art and gritty graffiti coexisted in an explosion of color, bold statements, and larger-than-life murals. "I realized it was me, the viewer, who was determining what constitutes art. The artist's job is simply to make the art then let the viewer decide." With this fresh perspective, she gave herself permission to create. Suzanne started an art journal where she could "play in the paint without worrying what anybody else thought." Her musings began to arrange themselves into a cohesive story of her life and experiences through colors, textures, and words. "That's the turning point when I started to appreciate my own artwork. I got a little bit braver and began posting some of my journal pages on Instagram under the username Papyrling Musings," Suzanne recalled. As a stay-at-home wife and mom homeschooling seven kids, Suzanne's free time was limited. The art journal made her explorations convenient. She could add a layer then tend to her family while paint or glue dried. Her signature abstract style begins with a foundation of "stream of consciousness" writing that guides her thoughts and infuses each piece with a unique energy. She then partially or completely conceals the words with collage papers to add color and texture, followed by layers of acrylic paint to create the design or focal point. Suzanne settled herself on the floor surrounded by a nest of torn pages, old sheet music, discarded books, empty egg cartons, plastic cookie trays, bottles, cancelled credit cards, and sporks. She laughed, "I collect junk like a broody magpie!" Her inspiration comes from trash and other things people might view as ugly, insignificant, or unspectacular. "So much ends up thrown away after it has served its original purpose. I like to take those things and prove they are still

useful and important, worthy of leaving new marks behind in a meaningful way." When asked if she considers herself an artist now, she said, "It's difficult for me to confidently call myself an artist. Scavenging non-traditional items to work with and having no formal training doesn't exactly place me in the 'fine-art' category. Over time, I've realized that's an unfair comparison. My art is… well, my art." A few years after completing her first art journal and gaining confidence in her personal expression, she answered a call for artists at LibertyTown Arts Workshop for "The Artist's Grab Bag" show. The random item she pulled from the assigned brown paper bag was a bisque statue of a child embracing a unicorn with a broken horn. She found a way to incorporate this item into a work of art on canvas. This opportunity paved the way for other works of hers to be chosen for display in juried shows around town. In January 2026, she learned that Curitiba Art Cafe was looking for artists to showcase throughout the year. Suzanne took advantage of this opportunity to unlock her journal-kept secrets and expose them on canvas for all to see. Suzanne's artwork guides us through a search for wholeness, unlocking our potential, and finding hope as we move toward the future. Suzanne McElvy featured artist at Curitiba Art Cafe 919 Caroline Street Meet the artist First Friday, October 2, 5 - 7pm Show runs through October 31 Photo of Suzanne by Cheryl White

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October 2026

Art in the Burg Art Galleries in October Remixed 11 PONSHOP Studio & Gallery Exhibit features thirty . artist workin on unconventional canvas - 12 inch vinyl records This Annual show celebrates the diversity of talent and media all conforming to a once listened to black discs ~Gabe Pons

“Time to Fly”, Suzanne McElvy @Curitiba Suzanne McElvy featured artist at Curitiba Art Cafe 919 Caroline Street Meet the artist First Friday, October 2, 5 - 7pm

Exposure Unlimited 40th Aniversary Show @FCCA Frederick Gallery: Exposure Unlimited 40th Aniversary Show FCCA Members Gallery, Linda LaRochelle Opening Oct 2 6-8 8:30p 813 Sophia St

“Fall 4” Stacy Gerise @ Brush Strokes Gallery “Fall into Winter” Featured artist: Stacy Gerise Brush. Strokes Gallery Opening Reception , October 2 5-9 9p 824 Caroline St. .Experience the breathtaking shift of the seasons through "Fall into Winter"; a solo exhibition featuring the acrylic paintings and photographs of Stacy Gerise. Each painting is inspired by photos she has captured on her walks along the FXBG Canal Path. This striking collection invites viewers into a world of dramatic contrast. Shifting from the vibrant, warm hues of autumn landscapes to the serene, stark beauty of black-and-white winter scenes. Each piece serves as a visual bridge between the color drenched, fall foliage and the minimalist frozen stillness of winter's arrival. Come lose yourself in the changing seasons and discover the timeless magic found within the trees! In addition to the collection on display, Stacy is available for custom house/building portraits. Her work can be seen at: Brushstrokesfredericksburg.com Facebook: Stacy Gerise Art ~-Norma Woodward

“Eye Study: Anxious Lover” Courtney Burke @PONSHOP

“Pour Your Heart Out” Robin Hatty First Friday Opening Reception October 2, 6-9 9p Art First Gallery, 824 Caroline Street Robin is an acrylic pouring artist in that process she found her passion. finding freedom in chaos. Clearly her art hints at the underlying chaos of the world but at the same time each work exemplifies a sense of order in it all. There is freedom on structure and is hinted at in her show. Robin explains “ Alongside my career as a Canine Explosive Handler I* explore my passion through acrylic pouring. Both fields require trust & patience in the process. I find my peace when the first drops of paint touchhes the canvas and begins its motion in unpredictible patterns” Her emotive and expressive creations leave viewer wanting more. ~Gary Close

Beckie Willows October 2, 5-8 8:30 Canal Quarters Arts, 1517 Princess Anne An expanded collection of Beckie’s detailed glass lanscapes, vessels, & nature inspired ornaments will be aviable ~ Ellyn Wenzler

“Fire Within” Robin Hatty @ Art First

Gigi Lassan @Artful Dimensions Assemblages by Gigi Lassan Opening Reception Oct 2, 6-9 9p Artful Dimensions Gallery 1025 Caroline Street Opening Reception First Fri, Oct 2, 6-9 9pm Gigi Lassan's artistic journey is as eclectic and vibrant as her creations. As an educator, gallery owner, and fine artist, her culture and experiences are reflected in her captivating paintings, intricate assemblage pieces, and her jewelry. Says Gigi, "My inspiration has always been from nature's beauty: sunsets, seasonal changes, and forests. I express these elements with shapes, lines, and colors that combine to create geometric abstractions." Gigi's assemblage pieces and "Avec Le Temps" jewelry collection embody the joy she finds in working with recycled elements, turning them into unique, artistic creations. ~Sally Cooney Anderson

810 Caroline Street, 540.371.4099

Works By Beverley Coates 24

October 2026

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Artist on Site Saturdays

Fused Glass Artist Beckie Willows A nature-inspired painterly approach By Ellyn Wenzler

For fused glass artist Beckie Willows, inspiration can be found in nature and the places she visits: a quiet shoreline; a botanical garden; a mountain overlook; or even an interesting shell discovered along the beach. "I collect moments that eventually find their way into my artwork," she explains. Born in California to a military family, Beckie moved frequently while growing up. One place that left a lasting impression was Japan, where she developed a deep appreciation for nature and gardens. She eventually settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia, which has been home for many years. When she isn't working in her studio, Beckie enjoys being outdoors and taking road trips in search of beautiful places that might inspire her next piece. "I've always enjoyed making

things," Beckie says. "As a kid I was constantly creating something." She initially made holiday and home décor, then moved into making jewelry and lampwork beads. When she began seeing fused glass pendants at art shows and bead stores she was immediately intrigued and wanted to understand how they were made. That curiosity quickly became an obsession. "I became completely fascinated by it and wanted to learn everything I could," she explains. Beckie is primarily self-taught, developing her skills through experimentation, books, demonstrations, and workshops with artists whose work she admires. Along the way, she has also benefited from the generosity of other artists who have shared techniques, answered questions, and encouraged her to keep experimenting. Experimentation is an essential part of Beckie's fused glass practice. She asserts that "glass is one of those mediums where every firing teaches you something new." At its most basic, fused glass is created by layering compatible pieces of glass and firing them in a kiln until they melt together into one piece. But Beckie's current work often goes beyond that. She mixes finely ground glass powder with a layering medium, creating what she thinks of as "glass paint." She then builds her images one layer at a time, firing the artwork repeatedly as it gradually

develops. Depending on the complexity of a piece, the process can take anywhere from a day to several weeks. "I love working with powdered glass because it allows me to paint with glass instead of simply assembling it," she says. The technique gives Beckie the ability to create subtle shading, depth, and detail that one may not expect from fused glass. Her work has evolved from simple fused glass jewelry into detailed landscapes, birds, flowers, trees, koi, and natureinspired ornaments.

and strives to make glass behave more like watercolor or paint while still celebrating what makes glass unique. "Glass has a chemistry all its own," Beckie explains, "and a mind of its own." It also comes with many challenges. A piece can take days to create, only to emerge from the kiln cracked, devitrified, or completely different from what she envisioned. Color interactions, firing schedules, thickness, and temperature can all affect the outcome. The unpredictability is part of what makes working with glass both exciting and humbling. The possibilities of glass continue to captivate her. "Glass can be functional, sculptural, painterly, colorful, or incredibly subtle," Beckie says. "Every time I think I've explored everything, I discover another technique." There is always something new to learn. "Glass constantly challenges me and I love that. One successful experiment often leads to five new ideas I can't wait to try." "I hope people see my work and realize that glass can be so much more than they expect," Beckie says. "It's not just a material, it's a way of capturing light, color, and memories." Beckie Willows is the Canal Quarter Arts featured resident artist for the month of October.

Ellyn Wenzler, a former writer and computer scientist, is a resident artist at Canal Quarter Arts. She describes her style as "painterly fused glass inspired by nature,"

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October 2026

Auto Known Better femme fatale By Rim Vining matching raincoat, rain bonnet, and umbrella housed behind the driver's seat. The purse came fitted with matching accessories like a lipstick case, compact, cigarette case, lighter, and comb.

You sense it as the sunlight changes, and you smell it in the air. It's that first whiff of dry leaves that have fallen on the burned-out grass of summer. It's the heightened concentration of diesel fumes from school buses and the sweet smell of high octane as classic cars are released from their garages where they have been hiding from the oppressive summer heat. We call that "FALL!" Glorious, "where have you been all my life?" FALL! We don't ask for much, just "could we please stop with the humidity and heat and let us enjoy the screened porch and drive our old cars?" Maybe even get an evening stroll after dinner without needing a shower when you return. It's like Julie Andrews sings," these are a few of my favorite things." As I've mused before, (when you're old and muse does that make you a museum?) with autumn comes fall colors which in today's world you can only see on trees since the pallete for automobiles is gray, black, white or blue…Thankfully we seem to be over taupe. This wasn't always the case so I Iooked at mid-ffifties color charts for Dodges and came away with Omaha Orange, Sahara Beige and Vista Green. Throw in some Sand Dune White and Saphire Rose (pictured above) and you have 1950's TV shows only available on black and white TVs. And in true Leave It to Beaver and Father Knows Best style, as you do your research you run across the Dodge La Femme! That's a true model marketed in '55 and '56 to appeal to the feminine buyer or I guess the husband who had something to apologize for. For '55 it came in pink or gold and featured: Exclusive Accessories: The 1955 " model included a custom pink calfskin purse stored in a special compartment behind the passenger seat, along with a

October 2026

Give a Child

Production Years: Built only for the 1955 and 1956 model years, with the 1956 version dropping the purse and shifting to an orchid/lavender color palette." Thank you YouTube!

Think About

I didn't find any testimonials from Barbara Billingsley or Donna Reed. Funny? It didn't sell well but the color combos were striking.

Books, Games, Amusing Novelties

So, it is fall and the weather allows for Friday night cruise-ins like the one behind DQ and Tilly's Ice Cream on Kings Highway and the DC British Club is hosting their 30th annual Hunt Country Classic at Great Meadows in The Plains on October 11th where all the fall colors will be out on both the trees and the cars. An Austin Healey in Florida Green with cream coves is truly stunning. Even Enzo Ferrari admitted the E-Type Jaguar was one of the prettiest cars ever designed and some of those colors are over the top. On the homefront, now about a year away from the old car biz I'm actually getting interested in them again. I pulled the cover off the GT, cleaned it up enough to not be embarrassed driving it around and have enjoyed driving it on these nice days despite the price of high test. Now I'm ordering a bolt-on turbo kit just for the fun of it! Why not, I'm not getting any younger and the kids won't know. So get out there and try to find a car that looks like a tree in fall colors instead of oatmeal. Lastly, a shout out for Tuffy Hicks who passed away unexpectedly last month. A fellow writer for Front Porch, an avid lover of old cars and a 'man about town.' He will be missed. ~autoknownbetter@gmail.com

Rim Vining, humorist, friend and a devoted community volunteer.

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Something to

M-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm

810 Caroline Street (540) 371-5684

Raising Awareness Lifting Up the Needs & Voices of Survivors By nancy kelly safety, and hope. Last year, Empowerhouse helped over 4,100 people in the city of Fredericksburg and Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties. Did you know? 1 in 4 women in the U.S. will experience severe physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner in her lifetime.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a national effort dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence and to lifting up the needs, voices and experiences of survivors. During this month, we also want to raise awareness for Empowerhouse, a non-profit that has been helping survivors of domestic violence and their children with our free and confidential services for 48 years. We empower survivors and their children to believe in themselves and build new lives filled with dignity, respect,

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44. Over 10,000 children in our community witness family violence each year. These are devastating statistics that impact the health and well-being of community members. Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life, all orientations, races and socio-economic backgrounds. Since 1978, Empowerhouse has met survivors of domestic violence where

they are, providing support as we assess and focus on their individual needs. Our trained advocates are here to answer our 24-h hour confidential hotline, to offer safety planning, to meet survivors at the hospital or at our Services Hub, or to stand with them when they testify against their abusers in court. Our advocates are also co-located at Sheriff's offices in Spotsylvania, Stafford and King George Counties and are a welcoming and caring presence when survivors of domestic violence need us. Empowerhouse's life-changing hour Domestic services include our 24-h Violence Shelter, which can accommodate up to 40 people at a time, a transitional housing program and support groups for survivors of domestic violence, teens and children. In addition, to help break the generational cycle of domestic violence, we Healthy deliver our interactive Relationships Classroom Presentations to students in area schools. We served over 3,900 students last year with our engaging and informative program.

We meet survivors on the worst days of their lives and walk with them as they find safety, healing services and a hopeful new start. "Now I get to wake up in my own home every day, and I thank God for Empowerhouse and the support and opportunities they provided to my children and me because I was able to persevere, re-discover my confidence, and be resolute in my determination to not fail for my family." ~ -A survivor of domestic violence helped by Empowerhouse If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic violence, please call our free, confidential 24-hour Hotline at (540) 373-9373. We are here. You are not alone. Nancy Kelly is the Development Director at Empowerhouse.

Old Town’s Greatest Tour 35 Monuments, Markers, & Attractions AND the Fredericksburg Battlefields Weddings Reunions Shuttles Parties Group Outings Fredericksburgtrolley.com

540-898-0737

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October 2026

Companions looking for forever homes by lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy While Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) has found adopters for more than 10,000 rescue dogs since 2013, five dogs have lingered at the facility for a total of 83 months. For six years and nine months, by no fault of their own, these dogs have watched their "friends" go to forever families time and again. Some of the dogs are adopted within a couple of weeks, and still the long-term residents wait for their turns.

fetch, she enjoys staying by her human's side. Sunflower loves people and is eager to find "her person," who she'll give her whole heart to.

Hattie

"Fancy Pants” Francis It's been two years since Francis-or "Fancy Pants Francis," as he's nicknamed, arrived at ODHS. The eight year old has marked his time in a kennel in the facility or with fosters. Yet, Francis possesses all the traits adopters would want in a dog. A gentleman, he's laid back, great with dogs and cats, independent and a snuggler. With the perfect mix of playfulness and an easygoing nature, Francis has lots of personality and love to give. This charming boy will bring companionship and a few silly zoomies to his family's life.

Hattie's been at ODHS for one and a half years, and she's great with the volunteers and her fosters. Lively and affectionate, she's good with dogs and kids. She loves running and exploring the outdoors, playing with her toys and romping with other dogs. Crate trained with excellent potty manners, Hattie will come to her new home as a pro. After playing and exercising, Hattie likes nothing better than snuggling and cuddling with her humans on the couch.

Tilly

Sunflower Sixteen months is a long time to wait for her adopter, but Sunflower holds out hope that somebody will cherish her affectionate nature and sweetness. She only wants to be loved, and repayment will be a loyal companion. She likes kids and cats and would do great with another dog in the home. An active girl, who walks beautifully on a leash and loves a game of

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Sweet Tilly has come so far in her journey to ODHS after being rescued from a neglect situation more than a year ago. She was fearful of humans, but, with the love of her foster family and the volunteers, she's blossomed into a confident and beautiful dog. She loves to play with other dogs and cozy up to her humans. Tilly loves weekly hikes with ODHS volunteers and enjoys neighborhood walks. She's a great car rider, where she'll look out the window or curl up in the backseat. The volunteers have brought her to wineries, restaurants and on boat rides, where she's been the

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perfect guest. With great house manners, Tilly's known as a smart girl who knows "sit" and is working on other commands.

More than a year ago, Priya came to ODHS as a scared girl who hid underneath everything or jumped onto a shelf where she'd burrow in the towels. In spite of her background of neglect, she's thrived with her foster family and is a sweet, gentle and affectionate dog. She's good with other dogs and had a best friend named Ducky who came from the same neglect case. At ODHS, the two rescue dogs shared a kennel and curled up together until Ducky was adopted several months ago. Priya, who's waiting for her forever family, enjoys exploring the outdoors, walks well on a leash and is crate trained. .Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy is a Public Relations Professional & a ODHS volunteer

Priya (right)

To find out more about these long-tterm residents at ODHS and other dogs available for adoption, visit www.olddominionhumanesociety.org. Adoption events are Wednesdays from 57 p.m., Fridays from 6-8 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Application surveys submitted in advance are preferred, take priority over walk-iins. 3602 Lafayette Boulevard

Astrology & You THE POETRY MAN

divination, omens, fates & fortunes

By Frank Fratoe

By ember mercury

Faith

being more to life than what meets the eye.

Asleep or awake I cannot hear a pine-cone that falls tonight or regard where it has landed deep in woods beyond my window.

Divination has existed in culture and religion for thousands of years, most notably in ancient Islamic Astrology. During ancient times, it was widely perceived as a science. People sought out astrologers to aid in their serious life decisions. Islamic divinatory practices place an emphasis on the prophetic dreams depicted in the Qur'an, making dream interpretation a foundational concept for the religion. In ancient Greece, oracles were highly sought-after practitioners who were in direct connection with the gods, whereas seers were more widely available and specialized in analyzing the signs sent to them from the gods.

But I have no doubt it’s there since now is the time of year when seasons bring us a cycle preparing nature to rest again Next morning the forest floor is nearly smothered with cones which the boughs had cut loose under a moon-lit sky in autumn.

Frank Fratoe found meaning in words and used them to reflect on life, faith, resilience, and -most notably- love Humans have always been fascinated with the unknown, searching every corner of the earth for something that always remains just slightly out of reach. An answer, an omen, a sign of there

In the past century and a half, the reputation of divination has been hijacked through various social and religious movements. From the 1850s to the 1920s the spiritualist movement was at its peak. Spiritualists believe that the soul continues to evolve in the afterlife, and that spirits have the capability of communication with incarnate humans. This act of communicating with the dead is known as necromancy. Skepticism of Spiritualism gained public merit once spiritual mediumship fraud schemes began to make newspaper headlines. The decade of the 1970s brought with it the New Age Spirituality movement. Influenced by the UFO religions of the 1950s and 60s counterculture, New Age pulls from all religions and cultures, creating a hard to define belief system. A conglomeration of "awakened" Westerners who refuse to educate themselves on the very religions that define their experiences and claims. Often referred to as "culture-vultures" this type of spiritual character tends to profit off of the aesthetics or aspects of Hinduism, Voodoo, Native American cultures, etc. without giving proper credit to the root culture or religion. They're shrinking entire religions into a Western sized package and portraying it as their own discovery Numerology has a New Age reputation with ancient roots. Each number naturally has different symbolic associations. For example, 1 represents new beginnings, 2 representing unity, 3 representing creation, and so on. It makes sense on a fundamental level. Angel numbers have become a popular trend amongst Gen Z, on many young people

you will find repeating number tattoos such as '333' or '444', these numbers have significant personal meaning for each individual. Each person has their own interpretation of what constitutes a sign. Personally, I try to gauge any signs that I see by what I was doing when I saw it, what I was thinking about, the meaning of the sign, and how its meaning aligns with me personally. It's essential to spiritual health to be able to discern signs from coincidences. Omens come in the form of phenomenons and superstitions. A common example of an omen is the belief that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck. In Japan and parts of Europe, black cats are thought to bring luck and prosperity. Eclipses, birds hitting your window, plants dying without reason, seeing a crow, a snake, or an owl are all examples of omens. Prophecies on the other hand, are direct messages communicated to a person from a divine being. Cartomancy is the use of card decks as a tool of divination. Tarot cards of course being the most popular method. In Appalachia, granny witches historically used playing cards to tell someone's fortune. Tarot cards can be used in a variety of ways. Some practitioners use them to communicate with spirits by asking a question and pulling a card, then analyzing the pulled card's symbolism to understand the spirit's answer. Or you could simply ask for a sign from the Universe /God and pull a card. There's no wrong way to practice cartomancy. Studying the Tarot can be a great tool for self discovery. If you feel pulled toward the Tarot but don't know where to start, I highly recommend the book "78 Degrees of Wisdom" by Rachel Pollack. Our fate is written in the stars unchanging and bound to occur, whereas our fortune is subject to the ebbs and flows of life. Astrology as a form of divination is widely perceived in modern times more like a fortune than as our definitive fate. By using our birth chart as a guide, we can align more closely with our fate, our destiny. Fortunes may change, but our fate is where we were always going to end up. Ember Mercury is a singer/songwriter, mystic, & writer based in Virginia. You can find her on embermercury.com Instagram @embermercury Illustration: "Witch Way to Murder" by Tristan Elwell

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Fredericksburg Sketches A visual Celebration of our community

By Paula Raudenbush

City Dock Sometimes a sketch is just a sketch. Other times it tells a story. In this case there was some drama at City Dock. I was there with seven other Urban Sketchers when a flock of swimming Canada Geese were set upon by an enthusiastic chocolate lab. He singled out one big goose and she let him on a merry chase upriver. The rest of the flock followed along. At one point the lead goose took off in flight without actually leaving the water, as they do. The dog thought that looked like a good idea and raised himself halfway up out of the river before he realized he didnt have wings. They got almost to the Pump House and almost to the opposite shore before the lab seemed to realize pursuit was futile and turner back to the boat ramp in defeat. The entire flock turned and followed him.. I could swear I heard them laughing. . Paula Raudenbush is the founder of the local chapter of the Urban Sketchers International. She shows her work at Libertytown Arts Workshop Paula is also an author. Her recent book “The Last to Leave”, is a cozy mystery available on Amazon & Libertytown Arts Workshop

October 2026

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Rotary International create lasting impact

Rotarians have two mottoes "Service Above Self" and "He Profits Most Who Serves Best". Our local area has a strong Rotary presence. There are six major clubs plus a Satellite and University of Mary Washington (UMW) Rotaract club in Area 4 of District 7610. I reached out to my friend, Deneal Kennedy, who is the Assistant Governor of Area 4. She reached out to the local clubs and they provided input regarding the new theme. Melissa Okrasinski, Public Image Chair for Rappahonack Rotary Club reports the "Rotary's theme of create lasting impact is woven into every step we take as Rappahannock Rotarians. It is our ongoing mission to use our club's strengths to benefit our community. We are present in local schools through our Interact and Rotaract clubs. These high school and college students form their own small clubs within the Rotary family and learn the importance of service above self. Our Education Foundation funds various local efforts to support our youth. We provide dictionaries to local elementary schools. Tree planting and river cleanups have environmental impact. Community dinners and handson building activities for homeless shelters help our neighbors in need. Even our volunteer efforts involving the Fredericksburg Nationals and directing traffic during the annual Treats-on-the Streets provide a warm and supportive presence in our community. We have too many single efforts to list in one article. Simply put, if you see a Rappahannock Rotarian in your neighborhood, know they are there to leave it better than they found it!" Donna Almborg, President of The Stafford Rotary Club (SRC), says "SRC is all about 'create lasting impact' in our local community. We are partnering with Empowerhouse to support domestic

Women's Right to Vote By janet hedrick

by mary geil The Rotary International theme for 2026-2027 is "Create Lasting Impact". The Rotary International President delivered the following message: "Create Lasting Impact, encourages all of us, as people of action, to work together to make a meaningful difference in our communities and around the world. It builds on the ways in which members have strengthened their connections to each other and to their communities to Unite for Good, the 2025-26 message. Now, Create Lasting Impact will harness those connections and inspire our members, participants, and the public to take collective actions that lead to a sustainable difference - globally, locally, and personally."

Iron Jawed Angels AAUW Fredericksburg Area Branch, in collaboration with the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, invites the community to a free public screening of the acclaimed historical drama Iron Jawed Angels on Saturday, October 17, at 2:00 p.m. in the Fredericksburg Library theater.

violence survivors. We are partnering with Hope House to supply a fully equipped move in kit to a family moving out of HH into their own home. Last, but not least, we partner with Stafford. County Public Schools by supplying school supplies, warm coats, feminine products, literacy materials, scholarships and contest prizes in addition to providing service and leadership opportunities through Interact Clubs. The SRC is also a proud partner with the UMW Rotaract Club who provides service to the university and the surrounding Fredericksburg community. SRC is a small but mighty club with 1/4 of our members also providing leadership to District 7610. Come check us out if you want to make a difference in our community." Per Patrick Little, "The Fredericksburg Rotary Club strives to create lasting impact in our community each year through our annual scholarship project. Our club awards scholarships to students at five local high schools, as well as two scholarships to Germanna Community College. In total, the Fredericksburg Rotary Club awards $30,000 in scholarships each year. These scholarships help local graduates pursue higher education, achieve their goals, and work toward their professional dreams. By investing in the education and future of these students, our club is proud to create a lasting impact-not only on the recipients and their families, but on the entire Fredericksburg community. Through these scholarships, the Fredericksburg Rotary Club continues its commitment to Service Above Self and to building a stronger, brighter future for our community." More information on the local Rotary can be found at rapprotary.org. I think Paul Harris, the Chicago lawyer, who had the vision for the Rotary and started it in 1905 would be impressed with how the Rotary has grown and what it is doing these days. Mary Beth is a local Spotsylvania resident who enjoys researching and writing. Stay tuned for future articles.

The event is free and open to the public, offering residents an opportunity to gather, learn, and reflect on one of the most significant civil rights struggles in American history: the campaign for women's suffrage. The film tells the story of Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, whose bold leadership helped bring national attention to the demand for women's voting rights. About the Film Set in the 1910s, Iron Jawed Angels dramatizes the work of suffragists who pressed President Woodrow Wilson and Congress to support a constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. Paul, Burns, and their allies organized marches, public demonstrations, and White House pickets. Their activism was courageous and often met with hostility. The film's title refers to the strength and endurance of suffragists who were jailed for their peaceful protests and, during hunger strikes, subjected to forcefeeding. Their suffering drew public attention to the injustice they faced and helped build momentum for the movement. The ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 marked a turning point, extending voting rights to millions of American women. Why It Matters Today Although Iron Jawed Angels is rooted in events from more than a century ago, its themes remain timely. The movie reminds viewers that civic participation was not freely granted to everyone and that progress often required persistence, sacrifice, and organized action. A Community Invitation AAUW Fredericksburg Area Branch is presenting the screening as part of its mission to advance equity for women and girls through education, advocacy, and community engagement. The collaboration with the Central Rappahannock Regional Library reflects a shared commitment to public learning, civic awareness, and accessible community programs. Admission is free, and all members of the public are welcome.

Community members, students, educators, civic groups, and anyone interested in history, voting rights, or women's leadership are encouraged to attend. The film features Hilary Swank as Alice Paul, Frances O'Connor as Lucy Burns, Julia Ormond as Inez Milholland, and Anjelica Huston as Carrie Chapman Catt. The story of women's suffrage is both inspiring and sobering. It shows how ordinary citizens, through courage and persistence, can reshape the nation's future. By attending this free screening, viewers can honor the women who fought for the vote and consider the responsibilities that come with that hardwon right. AAUW Fredericksburg Area Branch and the Central Rappahannock Regional Library welcome the community to join this meaningful afternoon of film, history, and reflection. Bring a friend, invite a neighbor, and take part in a conversation that connects the past to the civic life we share today.

Janet Hedrick, President, AAUW Fredericksburg Area Branch

Iron Jawed Angels Free Screening Saturday, October 17, 2 p.m. CRRL Fredericksburg Library theater.

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October 2026