Front Porch FredericksburgMagazineMarch2026

3Bobby Orrock, Sr honoring 36 years of service

5Mayo Carter courage

11Jessica McCaughey fullbright Scholar award

Porch talk

4 on the porch...life in fredericksburg messages

6Diana Parsell Author

7everything green: seeing the forest for the trees

8In the Garden: everything, everywhere, all at once

9 growing & crawling: neither a tulip nor poplar be

10fredericksburg perspectives

12tidbits...small bites of local news

13 season’s bounty: in like a lion

14applesauce....nectar of the gods

15Vino: look whose talkn’

16-17Calendar of Events

18history’s stories: Burgess barbershop

19 our heritage: school for enslaved children

20mental health: free & low budget resources

21 emancipated patient: second opinion

22 partnerships enrich & support lifesaving work

24art in the burg ....galleries in March

26auto known better: whimsical flights of fancy

28companions

29astrology & you poetryman: hidden but there

30fredericksburg sketches

31 humane education programs

10 chrissy hamiliton....heart of lifesaving award 23artslive young artist competition winners

25 fiber artists find a home

“Brew

o n o r i n g 3 6 Y e a r s

Former delegate robert d. “bobby” orrock, sr

By mary beth geil

Who is Robert D Orrock? Bobby, as he prefers to be called, served as a Virginia State Delegate for the 54th District (1990-2021) and due to renumbering the 66th District (20222026). The district boundary was modified throughout the years and now includes parts of Spotsylvania and Caroline Counties. His service ran from January 1990 - January 2026 being elected and reelected a total of eighteen times. Per Bobby: "When I entered politics I took things on a 2 yr. basis, it was up to God's calling and my family's support."

How do you honor his thirty six years dedicated to his constituents and the great Commonwealth of Virginia? For me, saying "Thank You" is always appropriate. The seed was planted in December last year to write this article and Bobby

agreed. I caught up with him recently for an interview. When I asked "What would you most like to be remembered for?" He said let me get back to you on that one. Hahaha, typical politician answer. But he is not your typical politician. He did point out that he became known as the "great amender" because he pushed for the wording of legislation that was understandable in its interpretation. As Bobby stated "Words matter".

Why did he run for office? He shared that Virginia state tax hikes in the mid 1980s sparked his desire to run in

combination with encouragement from local supporters. He was not expected to be successful in his first run. The votes turned out in his favor that year and the following seventeen election cycles. The 2025 bid for reelection turned out differently and he was not reelected. According to the Virginia Public Access Project website, he lost by a mere 1,603 votes and was outspent by nearly $2 million dollars in campaign expenses.

During the chat, the salary for a delegate was mentioned. It's somewhat comical, his highest salary was during his first two years. In 1992, the House voted to lower its salary by 2% to the current sum and it has remained the same since then. He pointed out legislation one placing restrictions on puppy mills and one setting the nursing home staffing ratios that he was glad to be a part of their enacting. His knowledge and application of parliamentary procedures was valued during the house of delegate sessions and dictated his seating in close proximity to the speaker. This knowledge was as a result of his personal experience as an officer in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at the local and state levels as student at Ladysmith High School and being an FFA advisor during his career as an agricultural teacher. As a delegate, he served on several key committees, including Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources, Finance, and Health and Human Serviceswhere he was able to be a voice for rural communities, education, health care and commonsense fiscal policy.

Bobby is not going out to pasture yet (agricultural pun intended). He continues his longstanding acts of service through his church membership serving as a trustee and deacon and through volunteering with the Ladysmith Rescue Squad His distinct voice can still be heard as he continues to host the Sunday Morning Country Gospel

show from 6am - 10am on WFLS 93 3 FM Upsides to not being reelected is he has moved back to the family farm in Caroline and he will be able to spend more time with his wife and family to include facing the winter weather events like the recent one.

After meeting him and our conversation, I could write a series of articles, probably a book. I have met my word limit, who knows there could be another article in the future as I only scratched the surface.

Mary Beth lives in Spotsylvania. She grew up in Caroline County. She plans to continue writing so lookout for more articles in the future.

Annie Harpe Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Rita Allan Sally Cooney Anderson

Tracy BlevinsSonja Cantu

Gary CloseMary Ray Cox

Archer Di PeppeRobin Di Peppe

Tracy DonovanJanet Douberly

Jeannie EllisFrank Fratoe

Mary Beth GeilKathleen Harrigan

Malanna Carey Henderson

Annie HarpeKaren Kallay

Michael Thomas Harvey

Ralph “Tuffy” HicksNancy Kelly

David C. KennedyJill Laiaconia

Ember MercuryRay Mikula

Vanessa Moncure Pete Morelewicz

Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy

Kathryn MurrayPatrick Neustatter

Amy PeregoyPenny A Parrish

Amber RogersPaula Raudenbush

Rob RudickMargaret Sandford

Jim SchepmoesMandy Smith

Lauren SouzaMeredith Stoddard

Rim Vining Tina Will

Ellyn WenzlerNorma 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

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Web Site: www.frontporchfredericksburg.com

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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.

ON THE PORCH peace at every step

By annie harpe

I'd been following the Walk for Peace online and was thrilled to learn that the monks would be coming through downtown Fredericksburg. As a former yoga teacher, and great admirer of the work of the late Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn , I have experienced the transformative power of personal practices like mindful walking and paying attention to your breath. But as I stood waiting with the crowds on the corner of Sophia and Williams streets, and after the monks passed, my overwhelming personal experience was of the power of community

We stood for nearly 3 hours in 18 degree weather, watching the crowds grow, chatting with other bystanders, hugging neighbors, smiling at kids and dogs and t-shirt hawkers, and I have never been part of such a large group of people who were so celebratory, reverent, and hushed From the chains of preschool children holding hands, to seniors in chairs with lap blankets, and throngs of people lining the curbs offering flowers and baskets of fruit, there was an overwhelming atmosphere of quiet solidarity. Stafford Sheriff David "DP" Decatur wrote to the monks the day after they walked through Fredericksburg, "What made this moment especially meaningful was the reminder that, regardless of our spiritual backgrounds, beliefs, or traditions, there is one common thread that runs through us all. That common thread is a shared desire for peace … peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, peace in our families, peace in our communities, and peace in our world. May this experience inspire us to continue choosing kindness, understanding, and compassion in our daily lives. Even small acts of kindness can ripple outward in powerful ways and make a difference in the lives of others."

Reactions from Fredericksburg onlookers, and online comments from other locations, focus on how profoundly moved people felt being in the presence of the monks and their afterglow. People spoke of feeling touched, calm, centered, connected. In today's world where the news often inspires fear and anger, and public gatherings can be dangerous, many people wonder how they might create more positive experiences like those inspired by the peace walk. How can we incorporate more peace, calm, kindness and connection into our everyday lives?

If you're interested in simple, nondenominational ways to promote positivity and wellbeing, the following books are a great place to start:

Just One Thing, by Rick Hanson, offers 52 easy exercises, such as Slow Down, Take in the Good, and Be Grateful. Hanson writes, "… you may be tempted to underestimate the power of these seemingly simple practices. But they will gradually change your brain through what's called 'experience-dependent neuroplasticity.'" The practices are also available as a deck of cards.

All in This Together, by Jack Kornfield Kornfield has been a powerful voice in meditation and mindfulness teaching for decades. This most recent book, like his others, is an easy-toread, inspiring collection of stories and teachings intended to help us bring more compassion and love into our lives.

Peace is Every Step, by Thich Nhat Hahn, is a short, foundational introduction to the concept of mindfulness and how to make it part of your life. As Nhat Hahn says, "Every act is a rite."

But incorporating peace and mindfulness into our personal lives is only part of the picture. Our western culture has been heavily influenced by the concept of independence, but mindfulness teachers like Nhat Hahn and Kornfield (and many others) emphasize the importance of interdependence, how we are all connected - to each other, and to everything in the world around us Recognizing our interdependence, and using that awareness to modify our behavior, is vital to creating a world of peace. In yoga, we say that the most important part of practice is how you take what you've learned off the mat and into the world. The venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara said, "Peace doesn't pause when the walking stops. It lives on in the quiet space of your mindfulness, in the gentle words you choose, and in the loving-kindness you offer to the world."

So in addition to trying some personal practices to promote peace, try some community practices too From animal rescue endeavors, to charitable activities, nature walks, music, the arts, book clubs, meetups, health and wellness programs, or just sharing a cup of coffee with a friend, Fredericksburg offers many ways to get involved, get together, and nurture a peaceful community by making loving-kindness part of our everyday lives.

Check out more ways you can be part of the Fredericksburg community by reading Front Porch cover-to-cover.

Annie is a multi-disciplinary artist who works with fiber, clay and words. She is currently working on a book anthology titled, "Be Amazed" about the transformative power of wonder. Find her on Instagram @4annieharpe

We were relieved to find out that when George Bernard Shaw said, "He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches" that he wasn't even referring to teachers. He was making a cynical remark about general action versus theory. What a shame that his remark has always been misused. Case in point: if you can read this article, you can thank a teacher.

Mayo Carter, a retired Social Studies and American History teacher who taught sixth graders for thirty-eight years in Spotsylvania County, has always loved history. She grew up in Albemarle County where one of her neighbors was Victoria Mays, a woman who had been many years younger than her husband, and was the last surviving Civil War widow in the County. At nine years old, Mayo's mother took her to see the movie Shenandoah so she would understand what Mrs. Mays had lived through. Mayo's love of history blossomed even more, and she took extra history classes in college and then later became interested in how children learn when she took a psychology class.

Mayo wondered why she would ever want to read fiction when history opens up a whole world to us of fascinating real-life stories. She would create a lesson from the ground up based around four premises: how geography influences history, how money plays a role in what happens, why we study history and is there a pattern, and seeing history not as the event but the recording of the event. This created the historical context for what she taught her students.

Mayo extracted history out of the old dusty books that people have lining

Unsung Heroes courage

their shelves and brought them to life. When she realized that her students were having a difficult time with latitude and longitude, Mayo created a character named Map Marvel and dressed herself up in a colorful costume that she created, carried an umbrella depicting maps, and wore half of a world globe on her head. She also dressed up as famous people when teaching different eras of time. In her class, you would have met Cleopatra, Elizabeth I, Marie Antoinette, Mark Twain, and others, bringing their biographies alive. Mayo also had a USO Dance where the parents also got involved with a blood drive, and she actually taught "swing dancing" after school. It is not a surprise that Mayo was voted Virginia State Social Studies Teacher of the Year (2003-04).

By Archer & Robin Di Peppe

One of the most indepth experiences was teaching the children what it may have been like to be in a trench during World War I Mayo wore an authentic uniform, covered the walls in black, stacked chairs, used a parachute to make a trench, and created barbed wire with grapevines while the children read actual WWI soldiers' accounts in the darkened room that was suddenly interrupted by a virtual attack. All Quiet on the Western Front played on the wall, and at the end when the students stood in a straight line, the final image of the line of soldiers in the film spilled onto the students.

When she was active in the fight to save Ferry Farm, her photo was published in the New York Times She also appeared in Historic Preservation Magazine. By the way, Mayo showed up at the Stafford Board of Supervisors meeting to save Ferry Farm in colonial dress with a handmade sign that read, "No Walmart By

George." George Washington would have been proud.

Speaking of activism, Mayo credits her activism to growing up around strong elderly women. She had a neighbor who actually showed up with a shotgun in her effort to stop Interstate 64 from cutting through her land! She didn't succeed but what a fearless role model.

Mayo is one of those rare individuals with the COURAGE to put herself "out there" to teach lasting lessons to others. In the words of George Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." In the words of Mayo Carter, "Everyone is a historian. You don't have to have a formal education." How true. We live history every day.

Arch & Robin have been contributors to Front Porch since the first issue

Diana Parsell

Author: Eliza Scidmore, The Trailblazing Journalist

By Tracy Donovan

In honor of 2026 Women's History Month, the America Association of University Women has invited author and speaker, Diana

to discuss her riveting book, "Eliza Scidmore, The Trailblazing Journalist Behind Washington's Cherry Trees."

Eliza's remarkable career spanned the Globe and her travel dispatches from the Wild West to the frontier of Alaska and back to her editor in Washington D.C. captivated readers. Then from Paris and Japan and elsewhere, the globetrotting writer inspired many women to dream big and embrace exploration of the globe.

Ms. Parsell, from Fairfax Virginia, has written the first biography of Eliza Scidmore after extensive research, and we applaud her extraordinary work. While reading her book, I felt encased in a time machine witnessing major moments in the history of our country!

I would like to highlight that this year is actually the 150th Anniversary of the "Centennial" held in Philadelphia on May 9,1876. Eliiza Scidmore, age 19, attended this event which is now seen as the first major World's Fair held in the United States. It's description is exciting and memorable.

AAUW invites readers to purchase her book and join us for Diana Parsell's lecture on Saturday, March 21 at 2pm-3 pm at UMW, Combs Bldg., Rm 139, Fredericksburg. It is free and open to the Public. Handicapped parking is in front of the building. Looking forward to seeing you and teenagers too!

Tracy Donovan is the Membership Co-Chair of the Virginia Chapter of American Association of University Women

Diana Parsell's Lecture "Eliza Scidmore, The Trailblazing Journalist Behind Washington's Cherry Trees " Saturday, March 21, 2pm-3 3 pm UMW, Combs Bldg , Rm 139

How many trees can you count on Belman Road in the Battlefield Industrial Park in the city? Not that many, unless you have an eye in the sky!

Last November we signed a letter of acceptance with Virginia Tech's Community Design Assistance Center to help us in planning a site plan for our 56 acres of protected land in the Battlefield Industrial Park on Belman Road.

Since collaborating with Virginia Tech, we have formed a site plan review committee made up of various stakeholders including the public, other environmental organization representatives, donors, Board and staff. We have held several walk-arounds with the Virginia Tech team, including one with our 12 member site planning committee in December.

In January, as part of the continuing planning effort, Josh Sexton from Stantec visited the site and took drone footage with the assistance of our Em Ford, Land Manager for Downtown Greens.

Anyone who has had the opportunity to tour the property knows there are stands of trees on the property. But it is not until you see it from a birds eye view (picture above) that you see just how many trees there are and how important they are to the city's environment. They provide cover, food and home to a diverse wildlife on the property while helping to cool what normally would be a heat zone.

Students in Virginia Tech's Community Design Assistance Center are now working on a draft site plan that will

Everything Greens seeing the forest for the trees

be reviewed by our Site Plan Committee sometime in early spring.

After the review and additional input, students will then produce a final plan.

One of the first features we are looking to incorporate into our Belman Road Campus is a nature trail that will be open to the public. A nature trail will not only offer a recreation resource for the region but will also highlight the diversity of the 56 acres that includes wetlands.

Another possibility for the site currently being studied are community garden plots. Downtown Greens was one of four nonprofit organizations whose project was accepted for the Rappahannock Regional Chamber of Commerce 2026 Fredericksburg Leadership Class.

Members of the team assigned to our project are currently studying the overall feasibility of us offering this indemand resource to the public. The 2026 Fredericksburg Leadership Class will present their final projects this May.

While our planning process is ongoing, we continue to offer guided public Saturday morning walk-aarounds as well as Friday evening twilight evening walk-aarounds . These are led by staff members, Janet Douberly and Em Ford who are Master Naturalists and are very familiar with the property. We also continue to offer many educational classes throughout the year on the site.

Jim Schepmoes is Executive Director at Downtown Greens.

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

For information about upcoming activities including classes, guided walkarounds and volunteer activities at our Belman Road Campus, UpperGarden or Lower Garden, please visit our website at downtowngreens org, where you can view and sign up for our educational programs, our monthly newsletter, and support our conservation efforts by a financial donation

In the Garden

everything, everywhere, all at once

by ray mikula

Since moving to Virginia I have seen more than 20 beautiful spring seasons. The onset of spring is not a set date as Punxsutawney Phil can attest to. By February, sunlight has increased by about an hour more per day which is enough to start temperatures rising a bit higher than in January. The ground begins to warm and many plants begin their awakening process. In January we had an odd storm that deposited about eight inches of grainy sugar like snow and then covered it with a layer of ice. Then it got cold. It left nothing uncovered and lasted for weeks. Animals couldn't get to the ground to find bugs, seeds, and forage like they normally would. The plant's didn't get their wake up call. With the ground totally covered there was no indication of longer daylight hours or warming temperatures. The good news was the snowpack helped insulate the plant roots from the biting cold that followed with single digit temperatures and winds beyond 40 mph. Good news for us, plants have the ability to sense temperatures, light, and time and know exactly when it is best to emerge By the

time the plants got back to their norm around here many had missed their awakening season and have to join others that awaken in March. Thus creating a huge blooming season where crocus, hellebores, witch hazel, snowdrops, winter aconite, heather, and other early bloomers will share the spotlight with the March bloomers like creeping phlox, daffodils, camellia, and blooming shrubs and trees The bees will be waking up as the tempera-tures reach 60 degrees and the plants will all be hoping they get pollinated as the flowers

Joining the bloom parade will be the DC Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20th to April 12th. At this writing, peek bloom is expected between March 28th and 31st 2026.

It's also time to register for the Master Gardener Spring Symposium which will be held on April 11th, 2026.

bloom all at once. Spring will seem to go by fast and the garden work will be jammed up since there wasn't much chance to do any work in February. But the flower show should be spectacular as the compressed springtime explodes.

It will be held at Belmont in Falmouth, Gari Melchers home and studio, 224 Washington St., Falmouth, VA. From 8:30 to 3:30 you will be treated to talks on Ground Covers, Healthy Soil, Creating a Backyard Habitat and Fostering a Balanced Ecosystem, and Pest Management. Park-ing is free and a light breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be included. The cost to the general public is just $65 and $60 for Master Gardeners. You can find the registration form at MGACRA.org. Registration ends March 27th so don't delay.

And finally, I am pleased to report that the Master Gardeners will be back at the Farmers Market at Plank Road

and Gordon Road this May to September. Hope to see you there to help with all of your gardening questions. Till the next time.

RayMikula is a Master Gardener. He has several acres of garden space & has been gardening for more years than he can count

MGACRA Symposium Saturday, April 11, 2026 will again be at Gari Melchers Home and Studio Theme: 'Creating an Ecofriendly Garden' Speakers: Kathy Jentz (Gardening DC podcast), Carol Allen, and Heather Zindash Come and enjoy the day with fellow gardeners from all over Virginia Registration forms and option to pay through PayPal or by check through mail: www mgacra org/spring-ssymposium html

Growing & Crawling

neither a tulip or poplar be

The sap is starting to rise in our native trees and many are putting out their first leaves of the year!

Tulip Poplars are among those trees waking up and getting dressed in their spring greenery to the delight of many! None are as excited as the Virginia state insect, the tiger swallow-ttail who depends on this tree as the host plant for their young.

Before you start thinking that swallowtails love poplar trees, understand that true poplar trees are in the willow family whereas the tulip poplar, or 'Liriodendron tulipifera' are actually in the magnolia family. While they do not resemble magnolia trees visually, they do have one special thing in common. They are edible! Every part of the tulip poplar tree is edible to humans but the flowers and nectar are the sweetest parts to enjoy.

Of course, as with most other edible (and toxic) plants, the tulip poplar

By janet douberly

has been used medicinally for centuries The inner bark and roots have been said to act as a stimulant, diaphoretic, and tonic to treat malaria, digestive issues, and pain.

Even beyond being a butterfly nursery, a tasty treat, and a questionable medicine, tulip poplars have also been used historically to make canoes, houses, and barns! In Tennessee, where the tulip poplar is the state tree, it can also be referred to as a canoe tree.

All this is why North America's tallest hardwood tree is poplar for a reason!

Janet Douberly has been used medicinally for centuries at Downtown Greens.

Chrissy Hamilton Heart of Lifesaving Award

By Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy

Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) presented Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) Founder Chrissy Hamilton with its "Heart of Lifesaving Award" during a ceremony at the Richmond Police Academy The prestigious award recognizes Hamilton for her "time, compassion and commitment in helping RACC animals on their journey to safety and second chances."

Fredericksburg Perspectives

by Michael Thomas Harvey

"ODHS is proud to work with RACC to rescue, care for and find homes for dogs that deserve loving families," said Hamilton. "Our organizations focus on helping to rescue dogs in many situations, including cruelty, hoarding and neglect cases. Through our shared goals of providing a second chance at a good life for these animals, our organizations have been able to save hundreds of dogs each year."

Hamilton said it's because of the volunteers and fosters at ODHS that the rescue facility is able to help the dogs. They dedicate hours to transporting dogs to ODHS, helping with the many tasks at the facility and providing temporary, loving homes to the canines.

RACC was established as the first city pound in 1902. It has served as the only open-admission public animal shelter in the City of Richmond, providing humane care for more than 3,000 stray, sick, injured and relinquished pets each year

Lenora is an ODHS Volunteer

A nonprofit, volunteer-led organization, ODHS transported nearly 200 dogs from RACC to Fredericksburg in 2025, which marks the most canines pulled from RACC out of all rescue organizations. In 2024, ODHS brought 208 dogs from RACC to ODHS.

Top present day view of two of the Fredericksburg hotels whose heyday was realized when the road south went through downtown Fredericksburg. Here facing Caroline Street are the old Hotel Mauryon left (now occupied on Caroline front by Sugar & Spice & on Hanover side J.Brian’s Tap Room; private residents on top levels) and The Athens Hotel on right (now occupied by Latitiudes; private residents top levels)

FREDERICKSBURG PERSPECTIVES is created to provide our community (greater Fredericksburg, Va.) with an avenue for public engagement in an exploration of our common social history.

The focus is placed on the businesses and institutions that accented and contributed to this social structure over the last 100 years.

Engagement, comment and sharing of the content is strongly encouraged Fredericksburg Perspectives@facebook

Michael Thomas Harvey is the Admin of Fredericksburg Perspectives Additional Information provided by FXBG Perspective members

Jessica McCaughey

umw alumna receives fullbright award

As an associate writing professor, Jessica McCaughey '01 helps undergraduate students process through prose their study abroad experiences to Portugal, Australia, Taiwan and other countries across the globe.

"I didn't have a chance to study abroad in college, so I live vicariously through their adventures," said McCaughey, who was a first-generation student while earning a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Mary Washington

Now, she's experiencing an overseas opportunity of her own. After receiving a prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award, McCaughey moved her family to Northern Ireland in January, where she'll spend six months teaching creative nonfiction at Queen's University in Belfast while developing a professional writing archive.

She's among the dozens of Mary Washington alumni who've earned the U.S. government-sponsored grant through the Fulbright Program, one of the world's most competitive international exchange initiative s. Roughly 30 recipientsincluding Sofia Taylor '24, currently conducting psychology research in Germany - and nearly 40 semifinalists have come from UMW, reflecting the University's growing reputation for Fulbright achievement.

"Jessica is an outstanding example of lifelong learning, and where a

Mary Washington degree can lead," said Professor of Middle Eastern History Nabil Al-TTikriti, who serves as UMW's Fulbright program co-advisor with Professor and Chair of Biological Sciences Dianne Baker . The University offers information sessions for applicants as well as courses that prepare students for applying for international grants and living and working abroad.

At Mary Washington, English department faculty helped McCaughey perfect her own craft and inspired her to pursue writing as a career. She served as a junior copywriter and worked in corporate communications after college but found her way back to academia, earning an MFA in creative writing and a Ph.D. in rhetoric and communication from George Mason University

She's taught at George Washington University (GWU) for over a decade, designing a professional writing program and helping revamp a global bachelor's degree curriculum. She also cofounded the Archive of Workplace Writing Experiences, an audio collection of interviews with writers from different professions that formed the basis of her project proposal to the Fulbright committee.

"I'm speaking with Belfast writers about what their work looks like post-conflict," said McCaughey, citing the decades-long struggle in Northern Ireland commonly known as The Troubles, which culminated in the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

In her free time, she plans to explore all that Northern Ireland has to offer with her husband, a staff member in the English department at George Mason, and their daughter. "I've found everyone here to be warm and welcoming, and it's such a walkable city," she said.

And a literary one. Belfast was once home to Nobel laureate Samuel Beckett, The Chronicles of Narnia novelist C S Lewis and a late Irish poet and playwright for whom the Seamus Heaney

By jill Laiacona

Centre - where she's developing the writing archive - was named.

After her stint abroad, McCaughey will return to GWU's University Writing Program, where she teaches in the multidisciplinary first-year program and an upper-level class.

But her favorite is a communityengaged course that partners with a nonprofit founded by one of her former students. The young scholars she teaches now are asked to write, research and create multimedia projects for Clinic+O, which brings tech-enabled healthcare to rural communities in West Africa.

She credits Mary Washington courses like Literature of Resistance, taught by late Professor Emeritus Taddesse Adera, for helping her better understand global struggles in different parts of the world, including the African diaspora and Northern Ireland.

"Dr. Adera was brilliant, kind and probably one of the most influential professors I've ever had," said McCaughey, recalling how he often came into the bar she worked in during college, where they'd discuss life and literature.

She also appreciates the guidance she received from late Professor Emerita Claudia Emerson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. McCaughey herself has had essays published in prominent publications and is working on a book about writing during career changes.

"All of my professors were so incredibly supportive," she said. "Mary Washington was really the perfect place for me."

Jill Laiacona is the Assistant Director of Advancement Communications

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

Marceline Catlett Named Virginia Region III Superintendent of the Year

The Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS) has named Dr. Marceline "Marci" Catlett, Superintendent of Fredericksburg City Public Schools, the 2027 Region III Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Catlett has led Fredericksburg City Public Schools since 2019 and has devoted more than four decades to the division. Her leadership has focused on academic excellence, student well-being, and strong community partnerships all essential components of a thriving city.

Mary Washington Healthcare Hospitals

Recognized Among America's Best for Outpatient Experience

TidBits small bites of local News

What AI really is (and isn't) for Small and Mid-ssized Businesses

FXBG Local Loop Business Strategy & Skills Series

Artificial intelligence isn't a future concept. It's already changing how businesses operate. From marketing and customer communication to scheduling and daily workflows, AI tools are becoming part of everyday business life.

By Amy Peregoy

Applications for UMW Nursing MSN Program Now Being Accepted

Nurses across Northern Virginia who are ready to take their expertise to the next level will soon have access to a new graduate pathway designed with workforce needs in mind.

200 Hanover St. ~ 373-0738

Become a Member Fredericksburg’s Hometown Irish Pub & Restaurant Since 1961

Mary Washington Hospital and Stafford Hospital have been recognized as one of America's Best Hospitals for Outpatient Experience by the Women's Choice Award, placing them among the top-performing hospitals nationwide for delivering exceptional care in outpatient settings.

The Women's Choice Award® for Outpatient Experience is the only national designation that combines patient satisfaction data, clinical excellence standards, and women's healthcare preferences. To qualify, hospitals must hold national accreditation and score at or above the national average in key outpatient survey categories, including:

*Care provided by hospital staff

*Pre- and post-surgical coordination and communication.

*Facility ratings

*Patient recommendation scores

Mary Washington and Stafford Hospitals are two of just 450 hospitals nationwide to earn this recognition for 2026

This FXBG Local Loop session, hosted by the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority, is designed for City of Fredericksburg local business owners who want to understand what AI actually means for their business without the tech jargon or hype.

When: Monday, March 16, 2026

Time: 8:00-10:00 a.m. (Check-in and networking 8-8:20 a.m.)

Where: Fredericksburg Visitor Center | 601 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA

Hosted by: Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority & Supported by: Fredericksburg Economic Development & Tourism

Great Lives Continues in March

University of Mary Washington continues the 23rd season Lectures begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Dodd Auditorium of Washington Hall, with doors with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Rescheduled lectures

March 25: Barbara Jordon, 1st Black Congresswoman; March 31: John Williams, Movie Music Master

The University of Mary Washington (UMW) is now accepting applications for its new Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, with the first cohort beginning in Fall 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through June 1, 2026, creating expanded opportunities for working professionals to advance their careers without leaving the region.

Virginia Tourism Corporation Launches New Virginia Civil Rights Podcast

The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) has launched a new Virginia Civil Rights podcast series that explores the Commonwealth's central role in the Civil Rights Movement while elevating the voices of individuals and communities who helped shape the fight for equality. The Virginia-focused episodes are part of the nationally recognized U S Civil Rights Trail Podcast, known for its narrative storytelling and historical depth. The series highlights pivotal moments and movements across Virginia, sharing powerful stories of everyday citizens whose courage and resilience drove lasting change. Through a combination of firsthand accounts, expert commentary, and historical context, the podcast examines key events in Farmville, Fredericksburg, Danville, and Richmond. Listeners will hear directly from those who lived this history, alongside insights from historians and scholars who continue to study its enduring impact.

The City of Fredericksburg's episode: Virginia: The Movement Arrives in Fredericksburg Listen to the inspiring stories of individuals who sparked real change in Fredericksburg, Virginia, through school protests and department store sit-ins.

Amy Peregoy is FXBG Economic Development Manager

Perusing the newspaper weather page…..Wait, Fairbanks or Fredericksburg? Is it Toronto or Thornburg? Not Vancouver but Virginia? I think the arctic air needs a nudge back north - though when Punxsutawney Phil was ceremoniously hoisted out of his burrow on Groundhog Day and top-hatted officials proclaimed another six weeks of winter, meteorologists must have already guessed the jet stream would be dancing the lambada with our more southern climes. Isn't that why we always hear March roars in like a lion? At least the snow from Octavia protected my over-wintering garden of greens from sub-zero wind chills - still wondering about the piscine residents of my large backyard koi pond. Though a puny heating device may have kept the depths from freezing, I found several 16" fish-sickles caught near the pump intake - they were almost impossible to bend and were covered with a thin sheen of ice - but when I picked them up, their eyes swiveled in my direction, fins flapped and I tossed them back into the depths. Carp are a national fish of Russia, after all - and isn't that the home of

Siberia?? Don't worry, no recipes about backyard fish today. Hopefully they may be thawed out by now.

Heartier fare is usually what we crave when the weather assures us winter is still here - I may crave a salad, but one of crunchy cabbage, brussels sprouts or grilled romaine kind. Leave the tender green- and red-leaf salads for spring. Gazpacho soup is a summer staple in my house, but in winter give me leeks, potatoes, butter and a bit of cream in my bowl. And who doesn't love a rack of BBQ ribs and corn on the cob, in the summer? But winter? Mmmm for a slow-roasted pork loin, maybe a tart-cherry pie in the warming oven. Next month we'll be buttering asparagus, watching for the early strawberries - March will be out like a lamb - let's make the most of our coldweather menu.

PORK LOIN WITH CHORIZO AND VEGETABLES

Really? I think you'll love it - a pork loin braising away while you prepare (homemade?) flour tortillas, guacamole, crumbled queso blanco and fresh pico de gallo as sides.

In large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown a 3-4 lb. whole

pork loin on all sides, adding 2T olive oil only if necessary. Remove pan from heat. In medium saucepan, place 8 oz. crumbled chorizo, 2 minced cloves garlic, 1 cup each chopped onion, celery and carrots and saute in 1 T. olive oil over medium-low heat, uncovered, until chorizo is done. Then stir in 1 T. cumin, ¼ tsp. hot pepper flakes, 1 tsp. dry oregano, 1 T. smoked paprika, S&P to taste. Stir in 2 15-oz. cans drained and rinsed black beans, 1 qt. drained whole roma tomatoes (reserve the liquid) and cook until heated through. Add back enough liquid to make moist before pouring over browned pork loin. Place in preheated 325F oven and braise slowly, uncovered, about 3 hours or until roast is 145F, adding more tomato liquid as needed to keep a moist stew around the meat. Remove the meat and slice as thinly as possible - heat the flour tortillas before filling with pork, bean and chorizo mixture and other added toppings.

HEARTY LEEK AND POTATO SOUP

Leeks are notoriously hard to clean - grown in sandy soil, it's easy for the layers to trap particles which will ruin any recipe. Cleaning is of the utmost! Cut the root end off 4 leeks, then cut most of the green top away, leaving about ½" above the white bottom. Unlike spring onions, the green tops of leeks are very tough and best left to the compost. Cut leeks lengthwise and separate, washing and soaking carefully each layer. Grit is bad. Then chop the cleaned leeks and place in a heavy saucepan along with 1 c. chopped onion. Saute over medium-low heat with 4 T. onions until softened - stir in 4 T. flour, cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Add 6 c. chicken broth and three large potatoes, chopped fine. Cover and simmer

30 minutes, until potatoes are done. S&P to taste, then puree half, using a handheld blender. Stir in ¼ c. finely chopped parsley and 1 c. heavy cream. Heat through and serve immediately with buttered croutons atop.

AND THAT CHERRY PIE

Save this recipe for next President's Day! Drain 2 16-oz. cans red tart pitted cherries, reserving the juice. If you can find (or if you have prepared) frozen cherries, defrost, use 2lb cherries and reserve 1 c. juice. Set cherries aside. Place 1 c. juice in medium saucepan, stir in ¾ c. sugar and 6 T. cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat - stir in cherries, 1 T. lemon juice, ½ c. sugar, 2 T. butter, 1 tsp. almond extract, dash of salt and 4 drops red food coloring if desired (I don't desire, but….) Line a greased 9" deep pie pan with bottom pastry crust - Pour mixture into shell. Roll dough for top crust into 10" circle, then cut into strips and place, lattice-like, atop the pie. Roll edges of pastry together, then crimp decoratively. Brush with mixture of one beaten egg white with 1 tsp. water, then sprinkle with turbinado or white sanding sugar. Bake in preheated 425F oven 50-60 minutes, or until crust is golden. Let cool before cutting.

Applesauce nectar of the gods

by Mary ray cox

Dateline: The Kitchen (scary, huh, at least for those who know my relationship to my kitchen.

I went to Lexington, VA, back in the fall for a visit with my sister and to give my pets a break from me. Sister and I went to this very cool orchard in north Rockbridge County, which by the way, is in a different climate zone from the rest of the Planet. The retired from his day job gentleman orchard meister had an up, close and personal relationship with every single tree in his cherished orchard. ...the entire property was immaculate and a joy to behold. After proving our worth by providing family history and DNA (well, maybe not DNA, but close to that), the orchard meister agreed to sell sister and me a bushel of "seconds" or apples which may not have reflected his pristine operation as well as he would have preferred. We purchased Rambos, a green apple which definitely was of the hefty resemblance to Mr. Stallone's character …

somewhat chunky, tart, with a bite that got one's attention. This a.m. I cooked the last of those down into applesauce and the kitchen smells like heaven as I overdosed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. I used my mother's Foley Food Mill to separate the wheat from the chaff, or the applesaucy part of the apple from the not so applesaucy parts--the peeling and the core.

A young friend recently asked for the recipe for homemade applesauce. I was speechless and thoughtless (applesauce has a recipe ???????). I was absolutely clueless what that recipe might be....apples, water, a little elbow grease and spices. Amounts of those ingredients are directly proportional to the amount each one has, throw in a pot and cook until done....that's the recipe. The real secret is my mother's Foley Food Mill. .If it could talk, it would tell of hot liquids boiling over, disasters made and cleaned up, scorching burns, and countless servings of applesauce, each different from the others, but all good.

After grinding, I immediately hand washed and dried the three pieces of the food mill carefully before returning to the cupboard. The end product (if too thin, cook longer; if too thick, add water. . . if too spicy, add more spices and brown sugar, simmer longer and call it apple butter) is incredibly forgiving and absolutely wonderful and cures what ails you, even cancer or Covid.

John Legend, Meghan Trainor and my favorite leprechaun, Ed Sheeran provided the tunes as I completely destroyed the kitchen to make the applesauce. BUT I have homemade applesauce and a kitchen which, at least smells good, if not exactly a thing of

beauty, a fair exchange in my book. I'll fret over that mess tomorrow. Or if I am really lucky, the day after that. Homemade applesauce is well worth the battle.

About the photo: Fait Accompli!! The dried parts of the food mill are ready for the return to the cupboard and yes, I do keep dog bones on the counter next to the oatmeal; the good days are the ones when I don't confuse the two

Mary Raye Cox is native Staffordian, and absolute devotee of all things cinnamon related!

Vino look whose talkn’

information with quips and no-nonsense, easy-to-follow jargon. His style is not overwhelming, but enlightening at the same time. There are features on wines, producers, and regions (usually those off the beaten path),

by Rita Allen

There are many ways in which to broaden your knowledge of wine, and several avenues to take you there. While it is our sincerest hope that you are enjoying and getting enriched by our columns, there are many other blogs, and podcasts, that you may want to consider. There are probably hundreds, if not more, articles, collections, and editorials on wines, wineries, and locations to choose from. However, weeding through all of them may be a bit daunting. Blogs and/or podcasts can often be more streamlined, and more of an effortless way to gain knowledge about a certain subject, and you may find one you wish to follow on a regular basis to stay in touch with the current state of the wine world.

There are awards given to bloggers, and/or their websites, which may initiate some competition to be the best; however, there does not seem to be any dissension or negative rivalry between creators, i.e., no backstabbing or finger pointing. There is a blog and podcast for everyone. Below are some worth mentioning and checking out. Listed alphabetically, not in order of importance or preference.

"Wine Dude," written by Joe Roberts . He holds the Level 2 (Intermediate, with Distinction) and Level 3 (Advanced, with Merit) Certificates in Wine & Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in England. He's a member of the U.S.-based Society of Wine Educators, holding their Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) qualification. He also holds the Wine Location Specialist (WLS) qualification from the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC) and the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP) and is a member of the Wine Century Club. His primary mission is to provide useful information in an entertaining way, by offering useful

independent commentary on wine business happenings and trends, with insights and reviews.

Exploring the Wine Glass, written by Lori Budd who began her career as a microbiologist, but her love of excitement and teaching led her to teaching students how to rock climb, zip line and tie those all-important survival knots. Along the way, she fell in love with wine which drove her desire to learn more about it. She is a UC Davis enology program graduate, a Spanish Wine Scholar with Honors, WSET L2 with Distinction, Champagne specialist, and holds certificates in Côtes du Rhône and Somm Day Service. And oh, by the way, she also owns a winery in Paso Robles with her husband Mike. Her blog is straight forward, easy-tto-ffollow and fun to read. She also does a podcast which focuses on wines by varietals and style, and is a fun way to learn about them. Her podcast is called "Winephabet Street, " with each podcast following the alphabet for the "wine of the day," and uses the theme of Elmo and Sesame street to lighten it up.

"Wine for Normal People," mostly a podcast, founded by Elizabeth Schneider, is a concise, streamlined arena of wine education, commentary, and resources for everything wine. Elizabeth Schneider, after majoring in international politics, taking a semester in Italy (where she learned to love wine and food), started her career in high-tech in Boston. There she realized she, like a lot of people, had been unknowingly buying a lot of bad wine. She took a wine tasting and appreciation course at the Boston Center for Adult Education, and had the epiphany that she wanted to pass that knowledge and appreciation on so thatmore people are armed with knowledge , removing the confusing fundamentals of wine She is very humble and does not wave her credentials like a flag; however, she is a Certified Specialist of Wine and has run an online wine school since 2014. Although not a "blog," per se, she does also offer commentary and a running stream of "posts" to follow, if you subscribe, which is free. She also offers a wine club of wines she helps procure.

Those were just a few of the many blogs and podcasts out there. Whether you want to further your knowledge on wines, and where they originate, keep up with the latest trends, want in-depth commentary or prefer more of a brief narrative, there are a lot of sources in the form of blogs and podcasts. They can be a great way to pursue education and follow commentary in a brief and simplified manner. If you prefer reading a narrative or following along by ear, there are options for you, whether you are a novice or an experienced wine enthusiast.

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

Sunday, March 1

Sunday Hikes check out beautiful local trails and do wonders for the rescue dogs at ODHS meet at 7:45a be matched w/rescue dog a different trail each week 3602 Lafayette BLVD **EVERY SUN

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

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

VA Master Naturalists Nature Walk Ni River Trail River Stone Dr 2 pm.

Bridal Show Under the Stars, Silk Mill & Woolen Mill, 1707 Princess Anne St gather fresh ideas to help bring your dream wedding to life. 5-7:30p

Taste Through Time: Grounds for Revolution! Historic Kenmore, Ever wonder why coffee is so ingrained into American culture? roasting and brewing demonstration in Kenmore's Kitchen. 12-5p

Monday March 2

Tree FXBG Free Native Tree Giveaway, online reservation begins Don't wait. Trees go fast!. Details on our website TreeFredericskburg.org.

Rappahannock Choral Society 7 -9pm at Zoan Baptist Church, Plank Rd Seeking new members Alto,tenors,basses,& soprano. ***EVERY MONDAY

Meri Art Show @Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood, 1-3p

Tuesday March 3

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

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

Open Mic @ Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood ***EVERY TUESDAY

Wednesday March 4

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

Trivia Night with Trapper Young, 6B&G, 7p, 1140International Pky ***EVERY WED

Open Mic @Original Grinds, 615 Caroline St, 7:30-10p ***EVERY WED

Live Music: Scott Stallard @Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St , 6-9p

Thursday, March 5

Washington Heritage Museums Speaker Series Forged in Time: Speakers Scott Walker & Kathi Austin, Crrl Library, Fxbg Branch. FREE, 10- 11 a.m. Walk with a Doc, FXBG Food CoOp, 4-5p 320 Emancipations Hwy Open Mic w. Larry Hinkle, 7-10p Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy ***EVERY THURS

Trivia Night hosted by BUBBA, Strangeways Brewing 350 Landsdowne, 6:45p ***EVERY THURS

First Friday March 6

Fxbg-Princes Town Sister City "Fxbg-Ghana Friendship Day" celebrate Ghana's 69th Independence Day. 12p-2pm. Fxbg Visitor Center . FREE

Canal Quarter Arts March guest artist, wood carver Levon Sherfield, will have a live walking stick carving demonstration 5-8:30.

"Spring Fling"Brush Strokes Gallery, reception, 5-9p, 824 Caroline St

FCCA Members Gallery Marcia Chaves; Fredericks Gallery "Spaces & Forms", 813 Sophia St

"March Winds"All Members Opening Reception March 6, 6-9p Art First Gallery, 824 Caroline Street

"Earth, Wind, & Fire" New works by Sally Cooney Anderson Opening Reception: Fri March 6, 6-9pm Artful Dimensions Gallery 1025 Caroline Fredericksburg Area Running Club (FARC) Pop-up Social run and pizza party at Canal Quarter Arts, First Friday, March 6, 5-8:30.

Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic a comedic play by Matt Cox, all-teen production live at 810 Caroline St, AllstateCommunityTheater 2:30pm& 7:30pm Show also on Sat

Live Music: Island Gerry @6B&G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9:30p

Live Music: Sabin Mills @ Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood 7-9p

Live Music Wave on Wave @Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St 6p

Saturday March 7

Winter Market Dorothy Hart Community Center, 9a-1p, 408 Canal at Books & Barks with Old Domininion Humane Society, meet adoptable pups 11a-1p, 3602 Lafayette BLVD

Women's History Ferry Farm & Historic Kenmore Delve into the worlds of Mary Washington, her daughter Betty Lewis, & enslaved women who lived & worked at both sites. 11:45 AM & 1:30 PM *** EVERY FRI

All American Reptile & Plant Expo, FXBG Convention Center, 10a-5p, Show thru Sunday

Author Sharon Krasny, "Iceman Awakens", Book signing Tales & Tails, 1010 Charles St, 11a-1p

GRIMOIRE'S Gothic Market, inspired br Harry Potter, a folk-lore themew market & exhibit, FXBG convention Center, 12-5p. Show thru Sunday

Comedy: Zane Lamphrey @Strangeways Brewing 350 Landsdowne, 7:30p

Live Music: Smiling Politeley @ Log Home 5727 Courthouse Rd, 6-9p

Sunday March 8

Paws for Purple Hearts welcome pups & teams,vetrerans & highly trained service dogs 12-2p, Tales & Tails, 1010 Charles St

Tuesday March 10

Great Lives: UMW Great Lives, "Desi Arnaz: He Loved Lucy: The Man Who Invented Television"7:30 p.m. Dodd Auditorium

Wednesday March 11

Live Music Brian Hill @Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St 6-9p

Thursday March 12

Gallery Talk: Samantha Van Heest, Origins, du pont Gallery, UMW, 5-6p

Picturing New Connections, Gari Melcher Home & Studio, for people with memory loss and their families or care partners multi-sensory tours include guided discussion & exploration in the art galleries, followed by a hands-on art activity 224 Washington St, 10:30-12n

Great Lives: UMW Great Lives, "Gertrude Bell: The Female Lawrence of Arabia" . 7:30 p.m. George Washington Hall's Dodd Auditorium

Live Music FXBG Jazz Collective 7-10 pm Curitiba Art Cafe, 919 Caroline

Friday March 13

Fxbg RV Show, Fxbg Convention Ce

The Artists' Alliance Feature Painte 101, Colonial Beach. Opening Frid

Fiber Friday at Canal Quarter Arts, out with other fiber artists. Fun co

Line Dancing : Strangeways Brewin

Live Music: Rocky Guttman @6B&

Live Music: Sammie Lee @ Adventu

Live Music Anthony G Solo @Court

Saturday March 14

Kids Story Time, How to Catch a Le

Fred Flea, vintage, jewelry, art, craf

Virginia German Shepherd Rescue Silver Pkwy. VAGSR.org; facebook:V

Historic Fredericksburg Foundatio CRRL Fxbg Branch Library, 1pm

St Patrick's Best Beard Contest, Bil benefit Patawomek Indian Tribe

Strangeways Brewing 350 Landsd 12p-5p, Friends of the Rappahannock 14th series of short films that inspire Ballroom UMW. Doors: 5:30 pm fi

Stand-Up Comedy Night. regional Caroline St, Downtown. Curtain 7:3

Live Music Marc Allred @6B&G, 1

Live Music: Whiskey Tango 6 @6B&

Live Music: The Cold North @ Adve

Sunday March 15

Live Music into Spring with UMW Washington Hall, Campus Walk, 4-5

Sip & Soothe, join us at City Vin charcuterie 3-5p, 100 Hanover St.

Monday, March 16

Heritage Museums Series Mary W Mother - Speaker Laura Galke, CRR

Tuesday March 17

Happy St Pat's Day...May the luck o

Community Connections Day, F individuals & families to free co services in the Fredericksburg area

DAR of events

enter, 10a-7p show thru Sunday

er Mary Davenport , 100 Taylor St., # ay, 6-9p

5-7:30. Bring your project and hang ommunity Artist group.

ng 350 Landsdowne, 7-10p G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9:30p\ ure Brewing, 33 Perchwood 7-9p tyard Marriott 620 Caroline St 6-9p

eprechaun, Tales & Tails, 10-11a fts, food, music Riverfront Pk, 11a-5p Event 11AM - 2PM, PetSmart, Carl D. VAGSR on 71st Annual Meeting & Awards, llikens , 623 Caroline St. 5p proceeds

downe Strange Oddities Flea Market,

h Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival. e connection with nature Chandler lms 6:30 pm FREE

and national comedic talent at 810 30pm

1140 International Pky, 12:30p-3p &G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9:30p enture Brewing, 33 Perchwood 7-9pm

W Ensembles Dodd Auditorium, Geo 5:30p no for live music, collaging wine &

Washington, George's Much-Maligned RL FXBG Branch. FREE, 6- 7:30 p.m. of the Irish be with you!

Fxbg Convention Center connects ommunity resources & vital health 9a-5p

Great Lives: UMW Great Lives, "John Hancock: Revolutionary Ringmaster", T . 7:30 p.m. George Washington Hall's Dodd Auditorium

Wednesday March 18,

Watercolor Wednesdays at Canal Quarter Arts - Learn how to paint watercolor. stop by the gallery. 5:30-7:30

Cultural Quilt Lecture Series, An Exploration of German Influence in the Greater FXBG Region. Dr. Marcel Rotter, CRRL Fxbg Branch, 6:30p

Live Music Dave Nichols Live Music Anthony G Solo @Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St 6-9p

Thursday March 19

Great Lives: UMW Great Lives, "Wyatt Earp & Doc Holliday, Pistol Packing Pair" . 7:30 p.m. George Washington Hall's Dodd Auditorium

Visiting Artist Henry Skerritt, Exploring Indigenous Australian Art, UMW Seacobeck Hall, Rm 145, 5-6p

Women's History Month Lecture: The Tory's Wife, compelling story of Jane Welborn Spurgin, a Patriot who aided Continental forces espite her husband being a Loyalist officer , Gari Melchers Hnome & Studio, 6p

Live Music Bruce Middle Group Colonial Tavern 7:30-10:30p

Friday March 20

DC Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20th to April 12th. At this writing, peek bloom is expected between March 28th and 31st

18th Century Game Night! Discover how people passed time with i games during the 1700s. fun, family-friendly evening. Ferry Farm, 5-7p

75th Annual Fxbg Fine Arts Show & Sale at the Dorothy Hart Community Center 408 Canal Street March 20 thru Sunday, March 22.

Murder on the Nile a sleuth mystery play Allstate Community Theater 810 Caroline St, Performances 2pm and 8pm thru March 22

Live Music: Jim O'Ferrell @ Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood 7-9pm

Live Music Scott Stallard Live Music Anthony G Solo @Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St 6-9p

Saturday March 21

Assoc of University Women Lecture at UMW: "Eliza Scidmore ". Her Extraordinary Life discussed VA Author, Diana Parsell, 2-3 pm UMW, Combs Bldg., Rm 139. FREE

Live Music: Collective @Hard Times Cafe 4mile Fork, 10760 Patriot Hwy

Live Music: Movin' On Band @6B&G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9:30p

Live Music: Metal Night is Back @ Adventure Brewing, 7-9pm

Sunday. March 22, Spring Bird Migration Walk, Belman Campus Downtown Greens, 9a

Mixed Media Workshop @ Canal Quarter Arts - Come play with Inks. Preregister with cheryl@miniaturedetails.com or stop by the gallery 1-3p

Live Music: UMW Jazz Festival, fly the night away with a fest full of Saxaphone notes & drum beats, Dodd Aud, 4-5p, FREE

Tuesday March 24

Unfolding History, the Story of Old Glory, John Ryan, Mary Washington House, 2-4p,

Wednesday March 25

Reservoir Clean Up Day, Motts Run Reservoir, 9a-1p

Get your Civil War History Fix! Join us on 25 March, 5:30, UMW Jepson Center, for our monthly presentation. Sign up & info at cwrtf.org

Live Music Cylas Ibabez Live Music Anthony G Solo @Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St 6-9p

Thursday March 26

"Are We Going Nuclear?" Rappahannock Group Sierra Club. CRRL Fxbg Branch. Light refreshments. Free 6-7:30p

Great Lives: UMW Great Lives, "Barbara Jordon The South First Black Congresswoman". 7:30 p.m. Geo Washington Hall's Dodd Auditorium

Live Music FBS Electric Blues Jam Colonial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd, 710p open to all players

Friday March 27

Annual Dog Easter Egg Hunt, enter our doggie costume contest to compete for prizes 6p Dog Park, 1448 Kenmore Ave

Movie on the Lawn Grab your chairs & blankets special outdoor screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark starring Harrison Ford. Historic Kenmore, 7p

Live Music Todd Hill Live Music Anthony G Solo @Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St 6-9p

Saturday March 28

Mac & Cheese Festival,10+ Mac & Cheese flavors, Craft Beer vendors Wineries, Cideries & distilleries Fxbg Fairgrounds, 11a-4p

Adult Easter Egg Hunt Strangeways Brewing 350 Landsdowne, 6p Will you find the Golden egg

Live Music: Lowriders @6B&G, 1140 International Pky, 7-9:30p

Sunday March 29

Beeping Egg Hunt for children who are blind or have low vision Chirping eggs allow children to locate them using sound and touch, while sighted siblings are invited to wear blindfolds for a shared sensory experience. Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 2-4p

Monday March 30

Spring Break Youth Theatrical Workshop & Camp - A week of both onstage and behind-the-scenes theatrical education youth between the ages of 6 and 14 can develop all the skills necessary to create a performance at the end of the week, Register AllstateCommunityTheater.org. Classes run Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm at 810 Caroline St, Downtown thru April 3

Tuesday March 31

Great Lives: UMW Great Lives, "John Williams Movie Music Master" . 7:30 p.m. George Washington Hall's Dodd Auditorium

If you are reading this 344th issue of FPF, thank an advertiser, now in our 29th year of continuous publication!

List your events email frntprch@aol com: subject Calendar/Events Deadline for April 2026 issue is March 19th

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

history’s stories Burgess Barber Shop

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

It was in 1925 when Burgess Barber Shop started operation at 207 William Street. This year (2026) is the 100 years of continuous operation of the business at the same location The business was partially burned in 1929 and was rebuilt and reopened in 1930. Elmer "Junior" Sharp started working in Burgess Barber Shop in 1966 is in his 60th year working at the business, today he is the owner and sole employee.

Barbers have been indispensable in American society since colonial America. In colonial Virginia, beyond haircuts you could have dental extractions and bloodlettings, which was a common medical procedure in barber shops at the time. In the 19th century the roles of barbers began to focus exclusively on grooming for men. Barbershops became a gathering place where men to this day discuss local news along with sports and politics. I recall when I was a small boy my barber (Warner Sprow) would say that barbers would cut your hair from the cradle to the grave. Junior said that he has several customers that he gave them their first haircut and still cut their hair decades later.

The formation of the National Association of Barber Boards of America in 1926 (NABBA), made training standards and made barbering a profession. In the 1920's the introduction of electric clippers revolutionized the profession. Prior to this time the barber used his scissors, comb and straight razor for the haircuts. Today there is a renewed interest in the scissor cut and straight razor shave. In the early days, some customers had their own shaving cup of many designs, today they are collectible of which the writer has several.

The sign used by barbers as a place of their craft is the barber pole dating back to the Middle Ages. A pole with a helix of stripes usually red, white, and blue. All barber shops offered shoeshines, and Burgess was no exception with Lewis Ball who was always busy with customers waiting on a shoeshine. There is a special plaque attached to the shop that honors Lewis and his 60 years at Burgess.

Mr. Burgess started barbering in 1909 at the early age of eighteen. I was able to obtain information from an FLS story dated August 15, 1969. "Billy"

Burgess as he was called stated in the article that when he started barbering a shave was ten cents and a haircut was twenty cents. That was in April 1909, in a Caroline Street shop owned by Witmore Cox Just prior to WWI Burgess worked in a shop in the Opera House located at the corner of Caroline and William Streets. In those days hand clippers were used as there was no electric power in the business. The barber pole was spring loaded and had to be wound daily for it to rotate. After twenty-two months in France during the war Burgess returned home and returned to the barber shop in 1919.

In 1925, Burgess opened his own shop at 207 William Street. Prior to his employment at Burgess in 1966, Junior went to barber school and had experience at other northern Virginia shops. He was employed at the Pentagon barber shop with twenty-four other barbers. Burgess hired Junior as one of six barbers. Junior said that when he was hired the cost of a haircut was $1.25.

When asked about his seeing change, Junior replied that men use to come in every two weeks and now it is about once a month. I can recall the days of a crowded barber shop with the

shoeshine polish rags popping and lots of chatter.

I enjoy stepping into Burgess Barbar Shop, like going back in time with the original barber chairs, ceiling fans and green porcelain sinks, and Mr. Ball's shoeshine stand. I almost forgot the smell of the hair tonic in the 1960's. My last question to Junior was when he plans to retire? His answer was short, "NEVER," that answer was a relief for me as I will not have to worry about future haircuts.

Happy 60 years Elmer "Junior" Sharp and one hundred years Burgess Barber Shop continuous operation, a historic business in a very historic city. Junior and his wife Carol just celebrated their 56th marriage anniversary in February. Step back in time visit Junior at Burgess Barber Shop.

Prayers for Anne Dedicated To: Cynthia Kelly, Frank Brooks, Anthony Bennett, Charles Barber, and Reina Kelly

Tuffy is Front Porch’s Resident Historian

OUR HERITAGE School for Enslaved children

By Malanna Carey Henderson

In 1656, a Virginia Court granted Elizabeth Key, born of an enslaved mother and free white father, liberty due to her baptism in the Church of England. Converts of the faith were required to read the catechism; thus, wedding literacy with Christianity. Educating slaves was a bone of contention between white supremacists who outlawed it and those who adhered to English law.

Whenever English common law threatened the institution of slavery, the laws were changed in colonial America.

For example, in England, a child’s status followed that of his or her father, even for children born out of wedlock. However, in 1662, the Virginia General Assembly assigned slavery to persons based on the status of their mother, facilitating enslavement of mixedrace children of free white fathers and enslaved African mothers. Likewise, in 1667, a law was passed to keep baptized slaves in bondage. Therefore, slavers who felt compelled by their faith to teach slaves to read would no longer have to fear baptismal emancipation.

In 1723, an anonymous letter reached the bishop of

In 1765, Colonel Fielding Lewis, the brother-in-law of George Washington and the Reverend James Marye, Jr , established the Fredericksburg school Lewis became its administrator. The Association rented classroom space and provided books and a teacher’s salary. In a letter to the Bray Associates, Lewis boasted that the children had exceeded his expectations.

At the height of its influence, only sixteen children were in attendance. Their ages ranged from five to eight years old. Opposition to the school’s existence was strong from the outset. Children attended at the convenience of their masters. Once a child attained rudimentary reading skills, he or she never returned. Moreover, during planting and harvesting time, children’s field labor took precedence. Meeting the school’s aspirations to master a five-year curriculum was impossible.

However, the slaveholding community still saw education as a threat to its self-interest. What if a slave read Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, wrote his own pass to gain freedom, or taught others to read?

from Virginia, representing many. He begged the bishop to help them gain their freedom and educate their children. In 1724, Thomas Bray, an English clergyman founded two missions: the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (1699) and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (1701). From these organizations, The Associates of Dr. Thomas Bray was founded to educate slaves and native Americans in the North American colonies.

Benjamin Franklin established a Bray school in Philadelphia, and his advocacy helped build schools in Rhode Island, New York, and Williamsburg and Fredericksburg, Virginia.

In 1770, Lewis wrote the Reverend John Waring, secretary of the Bray Associates, that he had closed the school. The Reverend rebuked the slave masters:

“Sir, we were grieved and astonished. Grieved to find our good endeavors so unavailing and fruitless and astonished at the amazing inattention of persons who call themselves Christian to the spiritual welfare of those of their own household. It may just be asked where their wisdom, Christianity or even humanity was?”

Malanna Carey Henderson ,an author lives in FXBG. “On the Wings of Freedom” is available on Amazon

Mental Health

Free & Low Budget Resources

By karen kallay

I suppose that ideally a person grows up in a stable, loving family with great genetics for physical and mental health and no traumatic experiences. At home they are surrounded by examples of resilience, constructive ways to deal with differences, encouragement for selfawareness and a vocabulary for it.

Well, then there are the rest of us. We sometimes find it difficult to deal with and enjoy life, not just the distracting ups and downs, but instead the prolonged stretches of weeks and months and more of feeling very bad. What to do?

A balanced lifestyle It's all connected and cannot be overemphasized. Maybe some rebalancing is called for if.

Research Social media, books, and YouTube are full of self-help advice. The

Conversation with a trusted knowledgeable person This needs to be a person who knows you well, is better at listening than advising, and will keep the conversation in confidence (not share elsewhere unless they fear for your safety). Preferably, the conversation can be without interruption or distractions. Developing such a friendship is a valuable investment!

The troubled person has probably already tried an "internal conversation." Sometimes a helpful twist is a special kind of "journaling" where the only guideline is to keep writing about what you care about without stopping for any thinking or "corrections." Let it all out. This might be cathartic or provide fresh insights or ideas.

two questions I've learned to always ask are: (1) How good is underlying research, if any? and (2) Is it relevant for me? If they are selling a product, move on.

Warm lines. These are available for free for conversation with a person who is a peer with personal experience and who has been trained to be a good listener with occasional feedback. It can be amazing how good that can feel. Or how

much steam that can release. The single most valuable number is 988 which is government supported, available for any length of time any time of day or week or holiday, accessible by phone, text, chat, or Deaf/HoH. They can even inform you about related resources in your area!

Support groups are a special version of conversation that are available online throughout the day and week for free, led by trained facilitators who often have personal experience of the health issue. Some are for a specific situation; some are general. Sometimes an in-person group may be available. Regular participants come to know and trust one another and share valuable tips and experiences. Just search online for free mental health support groups and look for offerings from either a governmental site, a mental health nonprofit, a hospital, or your faith denomination. Your employer, if large, may offer something.

Professional therapist or psychiatrist. This usually starts to get expensive fast but can make all the difference. I'll offer some tips and insights next month.

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

I wanted to write about friend Steve - but am a little daunted by his being retired Professor Emeritus of English and Creative Writing, and author of a zillion books - so he is usually the one doing the writing.

I want to write about him as he is a great example of what this column is about. Of being an Emancipated Patientwhich I use as meaning someone who has the hutzpah to oversee their medical care and advocate for themself.

Steve's Story

When having a colonoscopy, he went into atrial fibrillatio n and was treated by a local cardiologist. Things seem to get worse however, and he was referred to VCU.

He was worried as he had a grandmother and a cousin who had died of some heart arrythmia, and his brother had recently been found to have a genetic abnormality - LMNA variant - that causes a progressive heart problem with malignant arrhythmias and heart failure, as well as other associated problems like muscular dystrophy.

He obviously wanted to know if he had the same as his brother but "I had

to get the genetic testing myself, " as "none of them suggested having it done." Then, despite being referred on to UVA and seeing an expert in genetic cardiac conditions, he still had misgivings. He felt he needed someone with more knowledge of the progressive nature of this disease and treatment options.

He had a breakthrough later when he learned about, and connected with, the organization LMNAcardiac.orgwhose mission is to unite LMNA variant experts, and patients. And to encourage research.

He went to a conference held by Duke University attended by patients and specialists, where everyone emphasized the importance of finding a sub-specialist who was expert in this particular mutation.

He finally got to such a specialist and, though the condition is not curable, feels he's in the best hands to keep his heart in as good a shape as possible.

Getting a Second Opinion

Steve's condition was in the category of something a bit outside the norm, which is one reason to get a second opinion. Otherwise, the usual advice if you are being recommended some major

By Patrick Neustatter, MD

surgery, have been diagnosed with cancer or other life altering illness, or something with a commitment to lifelong treatment.

Some say if you have a gut feeling you are not getting the right care. What the doctor's telling you "Doesn't make sense" - though this can be a bit subjective.

Next problem is how to find the appropriate specialist.

Sub-specialties are getting more and more refined, so there may be someone super-qualified in your particular problem.

Many medical centers specialize, like Memorial Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson are famous for cancer treatment. The Mayo and Cleveland Clinics specialize in cardiac surgery.

It can be a problem if you don't live close to such a center, but these days, virtual consultations on-lline may be a possibility

One trick for finding a subspecialist in your field is to look at the literature and see who is publishing papers on what is wrong with you.

The other really good way to find your way to the best help is to do what Steve did Find the support organization for people with your condition - which you can probably find by searching the Internet.

One last point is that people are sometimes uncomfortable asking their doctor for a second opinion as they fear it

is seen as a vote of no confidence. Hopefully your doctor/provider will be happy to "share the wealth" - or the responsibility - especially if you've got something a bit tricky.

If not, I guess this is where being an Emancipated Patient comes in. Like Steve, you have to the initiative to keep looking - and maybe the testicular fortitude to risk offending your doctor.

Patrick Neustatter, MD is the Former Medical Director Lloyd Moss Free clinic, & Author of Managing Your DoctorThe Smart Patient's Guide to Getting Effective Affordable Healthcare. Website managingyourdoctor.com

Partnerships enrich & support lifesaving work

By

Life can sometimes feel heavy and challenging. However, when others step in to lend a hand, provide caring support and much-needed resources, they lift us up and re-energize us.

Together, we all have the power to make things better.

At Empowerhouse, we provide survivors of domestic violence and their children with comprehensive healing services to help them believe in themselves and build new lives filled with dignity, respect, safety, and hope. Empowerhouse helps break the cycle of violence through shelter, housing, advocacy, education, awareness, prevention, and intervention.

We are dedicated to creating a diverse network of community members working together to promote safe relationships, homes, and communities.

During a time when calls to our confidential 24-hour Hotline from people

urgently needing assistance are still elevated at 58% vs. pre-pandemic times and there are ongoing increased incidents of domestic violence statewide, the continued, heightened demand for our services and resources can be overwhelming. Thankfully, our wonderful community partners step up and ensure that we are supported so we can continue to meet the growing needs of vulnerable women, men and children who need us the most.

Our community partners include other non-profits, individuals, hospitals, government agencies, churches, sheriffs' offices, Commonwealth's Attorneys, courts, civic groups, schools, businesses, foundations and other funders. From our active, dedicated Board members and event volunteers to the groups who collect new, in-kind donation items for us, from the forensic nurses who help care for domestic violence survivors to the schools who invite us to present our Healthy Relationships Classroom presentations to

thousands of students each year, from the sheriffs' offices who enable us to have a presence so our advocates can meet with survivors when they report a crime to the businesses and foundations who support us financially, each partnership plays a vital role in saving lives and changing lives for the better.

There are many ways you can partner with us. You can attend our events, donate financially, volunteer and collect new items for our families in Shelter and housing. Please visit our website www empowerhouseva org for some of these opportunities.

On Mondays in March, you can support Empowerhouse at Sedona Taphouse by dining out for charity. Thank you to Sedona Taphouse for choosing us as their March charity. On April 4th, join us for a fundraiser at J Brian's where Sean Michael Dargan is playing.

These different partnerships all enhance and enrich Empowerhouse's work and mission. We are grateful for the thousands of people who come together in our community to make a difference for survivors of domestic violence and their children. We couldn't serve the growing number of people who need us without you. Thank you!

If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call Empowerhouse's free, confidential 24hour Hotline at (540) 373-9373.

Nancy Kelly is the Development Director of Empowerhouse.

Nancy Kelly is the Development Director of Empowerhouse.

ArtsLive!

Young Artist Competition Rises to a High Note

With hearts pounding and a total of eighteen hundred dollars of cash prizes to be won, nine youth performers competed February 8, 2026 at The Fredericksburg Baptist Church . The students competed on violin, piano, cello, clarinet and voice performing works by classic, romantic and contemporary composers. Winners were Jeanette Larson, violin, first prize; Benjamin Wade, bass vocalist, second prize; and Valerie Chen, clarinet, third prize.

The ArtsLIVE! Young Artist Competition offered its first competition nearly 25 years ago. This year, the annual competition received its first funding from the Cornelia Bryant Endowment Fund, in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

ArtsLIVE! continues to bring high quality performances to the Fredericksburg region into their 37th season this Spring. In partnership with The Stafford Opera Troupe

(www.staffordoperatroupe.weebly.com), ArtsLIVE! will underwrite performances to four Title 1 Elementary Schools, presenting "The Best of the Pirates of Penzance."

Additionally, the ArtsLIVE! 37th Chamber Music Festival will be offered May 13 - 24, including performances by world renowned artists and professional, local artists. Tickets will go on sale in March and may be purchased at the website: www.artsLIVEva.org.

Amber Rogers is the Program Administrator for ArtsLive

ArtsLive Mission is to inspire and educate audiences while celebratingeryone in the community,promoting local and national artists and fostering partnerships the performing arts They are dedicated to providing high-qquality theatre, dance and music performances, promoting local and national artists and fostering partnerships

bY aMBER rOGERS

ArtsLive theArts@artsLiveva org 540-3310-00917

904 Princess Anne St, Suite C8

Chamber Music Festival May 13-114

Tickets go on sale in March www artsLive org

Art in the Burg

Art Galleries in March

“March Winds” All Members

Opening Reception March 6, 6-99p

Art First Gallery, 824 Caroline Street

.What better way to welcome spring than an exhibit celebrating colors, flowers and yes, wind? Artists have free reign to paint or create whatever inspires them -- and gallery visitors will see the results.

The collection will be on display during normal gallery hours, March 6 -March 29, Thursdays through Sundays, 11am-5pm.

Gary Close

75th Annual Fredericksburg Fine Arts

Show & Sale With the annual Kids' Art Show also on display

Dorothy Hart Community Center 408 Canal St

Friday, March 20 -SSunday, March 22

Friday, 10am-88pm, Saturday, 10am-66pm, Sunday, 10am-44pm

Juried art show features more than 270 original pieces by 112 artists across more than 8 disciplines. During the show, attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a special raffle featuring two Johnny Johnson paintings.

Margaret Sanford

“Spring Fling”

Brush Strokes Gallery

Opening Reception , First Friday March 6, 1, 5-99p 824 Caroline St

.After the frosty winter, we are anticipating the arrival of Spring. The members of BSG have spent the frosty winter creating beautiful art in celebration of the upcoming season. Stop in and check out the varied art to help you feel the arrival of warmer weather by viewing the harbingers of Spring.

Carol Waite's "Spring Magnolias" depicts the sweet-smelling blooms of the Magnolia tree. Kimberly Zook's mixed media "March of the Butterflies" reminds us of the native insects which are born in the warmth of the season. Tracey Brinckman's "What Lies Beneath" reveals

the mystery of things which might be otherwise unnoticed. Stacy Gerise's painting "Emerald Sky" is the color we will soon see as the trees open their new leaves. Valerie McCarney's "The Old Sod" reminds us of the loveliness of the countryside. Do not miss the hand-crafted jewelry by Liana Pivirotto, watercolors from Beverley Coates, charcoal drawings by Carol Haynes, glasswork by Lisa Gillen and paintings by Collette Caprara Gallery is open Thurs- Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

~-Norma Woodward

"Earth, Wind, & Fire"

New works by Sally Cooney Anderson

Opening Reception: Fri March 6, 6-99pm

Artful Dimensions Gallery 1025 Caroline

Mostly known for wearables, in this show, fiber artist Sally Cooney Anderson presents hangable works depicting elements of nature. Visit this show throughout the month of March.

~Sally Cooney Anderson

Artists' Alliance

Feature Painter Mary Davenport

100 Taylor St , # 101, Colonial Beach

Opening Friday, March 13, from 6-9 9

. Painting with acrylics and sometimes collaging, this naive artist has found her way through deep personal loss to express herself in ways that are exciting, dynamic and tell a story. She began painting through a friendship with Connie Canby who is one of the directors at the Alliance. Connie suggested she try her hand at painting and from there creativity has evolved. Starting from that initial encouragement Mary continues to bring her authentic and expressive approach to many local subjects

Opening Reception March 6, 5-88:30

Canal Quarters Arts 1517 Princess Anne Levon began carving walking sticks in 2018 from diamond willow wood. He describes the wood as having "its own magic", as he allows the walking stick design to emerge organically while he carves. He invests a great deal of time and care into each unique walking stick, determining how much bark to remove or leave and revealing the burled wood grain. See a collection of his walking sticks and a live carving demo

~ Ellyn Wenzler

~Kathryn Murray

Fiber Artists

find a home at canal quarters Arts

While national stores and brands lean away from fiber arts or offer limited selections of supplies, people are turning

to local shops and producers. Joann's Fabrics closed last May. Michaels and other national chain stores offer limited supplies for fiber artists which leaves many folks who knit, crochet, embroider, and sew with limited options for finding supplies and connecting with others who also enjoy their craft.

This presents an opportunity for local fiber artists and makers. There are many local spinners, dyers, and designers who can fill that gap, and several can be found at Canal Quarter Arts

Meredith R Stoddard is a spinner, knitter, crocheter, and pattern designer who in addition to producing yarn, patterns and finished goods, also offers project-based classes on crochet and knitting. Yarntuary is a local dyer who creates color blends and tonal solids in several weights of yarns, and offers patterns and needles. Another local dyer, Wilderness Serenity Fiber Arts, creates vibrant color blends in several styles of yarn, as well as handdyed scarves and finished goods.

In addition to dyers and spinners, fiber artists such as: quilters, Susan Marchette and Carolyn Van Der Jagt; embroiderers, April Koenig and Anne McCahill; sewist, Pam Moniz ; crocheters, Miriam Collins and Lauren Hutchison; and knitter, Moria Smith create stunning works in their own mediums.

By meredith stoddard

One of the key benefits of fiber arts is the community that artists build together. Canal Quarter Arts embraces that sense of community with Fiber Fridays, a monthly stitch and chat event on the second Friday of each month from 5-7:30 PM. It is open to the public and all fiber artists are welcome to attend and wind down from their week while working on their projects.

Meredith R. Stoddard , in addition to her other pursuits, is the Author of Once & Future Series and other folklore-inspired fiction www.meredithstoddard.com

Auto Known Better whimsical flights of fancy

By Rim Vining

Well now…

My email in-box has had some increased traffic since I obviously went a little off the rails due to "circumstances beyond my control." And since this column started with me wondering "if there are junkyards in heaven" I can understand why some might actually read it to escape the "circumstances beyond my control."

One reader asked what happened to the whimsical automotive musings… so here we go!

Gently ladle the coffee beans into the grinder… do some breathing exercises… your coffee will be so much better. The beans will not be traumatized having been dropped through some harsh release mechanism into the whirling blades of their death spiral. Enjoy the olfactory bliss as the freshly perked brew escapes the aromatic coils of the cup and tantalizes your senses as if you were a pubescent child.

Much like feeding the clutch on a close ratio four-speed transmission with just the correct tension to make the moment of acceleration synch with the pent-up urging of the tires … as if you were a pubescent child…

Applying that power to the differential and that traction to the wheels brings the hope and sheer wonder of the uncharted acceleration of your soul taking you to the next level of pubescent joy…

You mean whimsical like that?

I get it... current events have caused me to stray from my intended purpose. The musings of an aging car dabbler might have become somewhat caustic. That safe-haven of humor and whimsy has been strained.

It's like looking for an easy read by Dr Suess and getting Stephen King. Or finding a vintage Playboy with Debra Jo Fondren on the cover and opening it up to find Highlights for Children!

Or… after years of searching, you finally locate your holy grail of a red '69 Camaro Z28 with the 396 four-speed and a 390 posi-trac rear and all is right with the world… until you open the hood and see the GM replacement manufactured Mr Goodwrench 350 engine with a stupid Edelbrock…

I don't apologize but I readily admit that I am old enough to still have Kent State emblazoned in my memory and now with two fresh victims vividly filmed…. sometimes "the current state of affairs" makes it difficult to sleep and invades my creative writing. I have calmed down some, or maybe I am just numb, but I will try harder to separate church and state, DOJ from the Whitehouse and midnight tremors from whimsical writing. That being said… a shout out to my esteemed editor for allowing the aged car dabbler to share so many things over the years and for recognizing the need to express what really does plague the soul. And for allowing me to share my various cancer journeys over the years so the community of the Front Porch knows what is going on within the writing family.

If you want to know what Fredericksburg is really up to the Front Porch is the place to go as you read it cover to cover.

Happy St. Patrick's Day and I hope all your sports cars start this spring. Mine is still locked in 6 inches of ice. ~autoknownbetter@gmail.com

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

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

by lenoraKruk-Mullanaphy

After being on a stray hold at the Spotsylvania County Animal Shelter (SCAS), Starla, a red, mixed breed dog, was left unclaimed in October. She was taken to Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) and didn't arrive alone-she was pregnant. Starla's wouldn't be an ordinary delivery, and the volunteers would soon learn how resilient she was.

She went into labor at her foster family's home, not able to lay down, panting and in distress. Her foster monitored her through the night until she gave birth the next morning. It was evident she wasn't ready to deliver, standing all the while. Through the next 24 hours, she delivered pup after pup until there were 11

taken to the veterinarian to be examined and x-rayed to check if there were any other pups. While it turned out the delivery was complete, Starla's uphill battle was just beginning. A picture of her lungs showed that both were collapsed The veterinarian determined a possible explanation was she may have had too many babies for her size, which caused the lungs to collapse.

The next step was for Starla to have her lungs tapped of the free air in order for the them to reinflate. (The procedure, known as Thoracentesis, drains air from

The foster also noticed Starla wasn't tending to the pups and had to cut most of the umbilical cords and remove the amniotic sacs. An exhausted Starla was

the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall.) The dog, who had been struggling, began to get relief on the second draw of air the veterinarian

removed. Starla fell asleep on the table for the rest of the procedure.

Within 36 hours, Starla's lungs were back to normal, and she was on the road to recovery. She was able to nurse two pups, while two others were bottlefed. (Unfortunately, Starla lost six of her precious pups due to being born prematurely and not fully developed, and one was stillborn.)

In spite of her traumatic diagnosis and battle to survive two collapsed lungs, Starla is described as sweet and friendly She's now thriving with another foster family

"Starla's doing well," said Janice Cook, her foster. "I don't hear a peep out of her when she's in the kennel at night."

Starla walks great on a leash, loves going on walks to explore and rides wonderfully and calmly in the car.

Starla first won Cook's heart when she took her on walks, brought her to Starbuck's for "pup cups" and spent time with her at ODHS. Available for adoption, Starla's detailed information and photos are on the ODHS website

Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy is a Public Relations Professional & a ODHS volunteer

Old Dominion Humane Society is here to provide well-mmatched, permanent homes for animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education ODHS is located at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg www olddominionhumanesociety org

Adoption events are Wednesdays from 5-7 7 p m , Fridays from 6-8 8 p m , Saturdays from 11 a m to 3 p m and Sundays from 11 a m to 1 p m

THE THE POETRY MAN POETRY MAN

By Frank Fratoe

Hidden But There Hidden But There

Often cities overwhelm us when our streetlight haze blocks out stars at night, and not even wind pulsing can clear the human-smog of traffic so persistent.

Yet constellations keep encircling high above us to show figures of magic, and running through them is a long celestial-river people call the Milky Way.

Somehow not very far off there are forests hidden no one sees beyond dusk, and a silver-cove is near where you can still press the sand under your feet..

Frank Fratoe writes poetry from the heart

Astrology & You where water & fire meet

For almost 200 years, alchemy was rendered obsolete, an old-world pseudoscience in which madmen would mix substances in an attempt to create gold. Alchemy is based off of the four elements we have to work with as humans: Earth, Water, Fire, Air. In Jungian alchemy, air represents intellect or the mind, water represents the emotions, earth represents the body, and fire represents the soul or intuition. Nobody seemed to notice the blatantly obvious parallel between alchemy and our psyche until 1929, when Swiss psychologist Carl Jung reexamined the long forgotten texts written by the old alchemists.

Jung identified a 4 stage psychological process within alchemy. The first stage is Nigredo, or the Blackening, where one confronts their shadow, the second stage is Albedo or the Whitening, where we purify the soul after finding our way through the forest of the shadows, next comes the Citrinitas or the Yellowing/Dawn in which we transform our experience into wisdom carried deep within the soul, the final stage is Rubedo or the Redness/Self is where the divine opposites come together, dancing around one another, with order and grace.

Astrology is intertwined with alchemy, each zodiac sign being assigned an element, each element assigned a modality. Either cardinal, fixed or mutable. Cardinal signs are the initiators, the signs at the beginning of each season. The fixed signs sit in the middle of the season, sustaining and carrying us to the mutable signs that finish out each season. Fire signs are known to be intense personalities filled with passionate energy, exuberant and courageous. Earth signs are financially resourceful, deeply connected to the natural world, and grounded in a realistic mindset. Air signs are curious about other people and the pursuit of intellect, they are sharp witted, and

By ember mercury

adaptable in matters of the mind. Water signs are deeply connected to their inner world, emotionally sensitive, and spiritually intuitive.

March is a loaded month astrologically, with Piscean water & Arian fire pulling us in opposite directions. We have a New Moon in Pisces on the 19th and on the 20th the Sun enters Aries. Our watery emotions become idealized in the sign of Pisces, meaning our perception may be skewed toward seeing situations through a dreamy lens rather than taking reality at face value. With the Sun in Aries, this idyllic energy combines with an illuminated sense of determination toward that dream. Scientifically, fire & water don't mix, but in astrology & alchemy, if we understand this energy, we can make them do a tango. I'm a Scorpio rising with my Sun & Moon in Leo, so I can empathize with this dynamic. I like to think of myself as a walking inferno dripping in water. The push & pull of fire & water can be dizzying, but also immensely powerful if wielded intentionally.

Mars, the planet of action, enters Pisces on March 2nd Pisces sets the dream, Mars acts as the vehicle carrying us towards it. Venus enters Aries on the 6th. On the surface, Venus relates to sensuality, but on a deeper level, it is the planet of the sacred feminine. With Venus in Aries, this energy becomes emboldened and strong, this looks like action that embodies the world we'd like to be a part

of. Intentional ritual balances the scales. The total lunar eclipse & full Blood Moon in Virgo on the 3rd marks a turning point for how we tend to ourselves. Virgo is a practical sign, ruler of our everyday routines. The lunar eclipse + full moon combo brings this energy into our emotional world through our habits, health, and stress levels.

As the shadows of this world rear their heads, our collective psyche is hitting its breaking point. The specific process in Jungian alchemy that humanity is being ushered into during this stage in our collective awakening is called Calcinato, or Calcination, where illusion falls away to reveal the shadow. In this stage, we are meant to healthily express our anger, devastation, and rage, so that we can release that energy back into the universe and out of our bodies. We must be gentle with ourselves, as we are all just reflections of each other, standing together, glaring back at the shadow of humanity. As humans existing in the 21st century, we must balance the inferno with the water. Our emotions are vital for our existence, for no life can survive in a dry, barren desert.

Using this base knowledge of the symbolism behind the signs and alchemy, we can manipulate the elements of our inner psyche, which will ripple out into the macrocosm of the collective unconscious, through which we are all connected.

Ember Mercury is a singer/songwriter, mystic, photographer, & writer based in Virginia. Find her on Instagram @embermercury | embermercury.com

Painting: "Woodland" by Milan Nápravník

Fredericksburg Sketches

A visual Celebration of our community

By Paula Raudenbush

Backyard in Snow

It may be March when you read this, but there was still lots of ice and snow on the ground when I made this sketch.

I happened to look out my bedroom window one night just after it snowed, and the glow from the whiteness and the lights in my neighbors' windows made me sit down with my sketchbook. I hope it shows up well in print. Sometimes, a view will catch me off guard, like this one did. It's not always a beautiful vista or even interesting architecture - more of a feeling.

Hope you are ready for spring like I am, and we'll get outside to record our world.

P.S. I have recently written a book (see the ad elsewhere in this issue), and the cover started as a simple sketch. You never know where this endeavor will take you. Cheers!

Paula Raudenbush is the founder of the local chapter of the Urban Sketchers International. She shows her work at Libertytown Arts Workshop

School Break Opportunities

As spring break approaches, families across the Fredericksburg area begin looking for activities that keep children engaged while school is out. At the Fredericksburg SPCA, upcoming school breaks bring a full slate of Humane Education programs designed to combine learning with hands-on experiences. From day camps and youth academies to teen leadership opportunities and birthday celebrations, these programs offer children meaningful ways to learn about animal care, compassion, and the work happening inside their local animal shelter

Humane Education programs at the SPCA are structured to be ageappropriate and engaging, each with a curated curriculum that balances education, hands-on activities, and supervised time spent with shelter animals. Each program is designed to meet children where they are developmentally, while encouraging empathy, responsibility, and kindness toward animals.

Compassionate Care Camp

With separate sessions for children ages 6 to 9 and 10 to 12, Compassionate Care Camp offers a handson opportunity for young participants to learn about animals and become advocates for their well-being in the community. Spring/Summer 2026 sessions are now

Humane Education Programs

open for registration! Please note that with our new curriculum and expanded programming, Compassionate Care Camp SOLD OUT early last season We encourage you to register kids soon to secure your spot. Campers explore age-appropriate lessons focused on compassion, humane treatment, and the responsibilities involved in caring for animals. Instruction is delivered through engaging crafts, hands-on shelter activities, and supervised time spent with current shelter animals. The program helps foster empathy, confidence, and a lifelong understanding of animal welfare.

Animal Allies Academy

Animal Allies Academy offers four-hour-long themed weekend sessions for children ages 6 to 9 and 10 to 12 who are interested in learning how animal shelters operate and how individuals can make a difference. Through interactive activities, hands-on experiences, and oneon-one time with shelter animals, participants learn the importance of animal care, shelter etiquette, and responsible pet ownership. This educational foundation supports future involvement in animal care, advocacy, and informed pet ownership while nurturing a strong interest in animal welfare.

Pawsitive Pathways

Pawsitive Pathways is a program designed for teenagers ages 13 to 15 who are interested in developing leadership skills while making a positive impact. Each

By lauren souza

four-hour session blends hands-on service, humane education, and youth mentorship within the shelter environment. Participants build confidence, communication, and teamwork skills while completing safe, supervised tasks such as preparing enrichment items and assisting with the creation of adoption materials. Teens also serve as Education Ambassadors, supporting younger participants in the Animal Allies Academy and gaining experience as mentors and advocates. Hours spent in Pawsitive Pathways count toward volunteer service, helping teens build a foundation in community involvement while giving back in a service-oriented way.

Barkday Bash

The Fredericksburg SPCA offers families the opportunity to host birthday parties at the shelter for children ages 5 to 12. Animal-themed decorations, games, crafts, and activities are paired with supervised time spent with shelter animals to create a memorable celebration that also supports pets in need. Shelter staff manage setup and cleanup, keeping the experience simple and stress-free for

parents. Optional add-ons allow families to customize each celebration. Parties are held on Sundays and accommodate up to 10 children and their accompanying adults. While a shelter dog or two may stop by for a visit, the birthday child remains the guest of honor.

For more information on Humane Education programs, session schedules, and registration, visit fredspca.org/humaneed. Details about available discounts and program offerings can also be found on the website.

Lauren Souza is the Communications & Projects Specialist for Fredericksburg SPCA

Fredericksburg SPCA is a non-pprofit

Animal Resource Center serving the Rappahannock Region focusing on adoption, affordable veterinary care & community resources

Located at 10819 Courthouse Road info@fredspca 540-8898-11500