FrontPorchFredericksburgaugust2026

closeups

3Louise Jolley scottish fancy pieces

25pam gwin perfectly imperfect

31dr. Kathleen huntsman end of an era

Porch talk

4 on the porch...life in fredericksburg

5 life long learning

7everything green: pop-up plants

8In the Garden: fight or flight

9 growing & crawling: defending the jerks

10fredericksburg perspectives

12tidbits...small bites of local news

13 season’s bounty: rice is nice

14 women’s equity day

15Vino: founding fathers loved madeira

16-17Calendar of Events

18history’s stories: colonial beach

19 our heritage: horrors of the shelling

20mental health: strategies to help meet goals

21 emancipated patients: profiteering

22marilynn mendee: our local maverick

24art in the burg ....galleries in august

26auto known better: pez dispenser

27building healthy relationships

28companions:chaplin group home

29astrology & you poetryman: a heritage

30fredericksburg sketches

6the art of margaret armstrong

11 “rumble” link wray remembered 23 sonja petersen, color & movement

FLYKUP -SCOTTISH FANCY PIECES

Scots from Aberdeen call fxbg home...240 years apart

It was 1995 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and just one-half mile from King's College, a beautiful granite bed and breakfast, built in 1843, stands on King's Street. Louise Jolley, sits in her childhood family home enjoying a 'fly cup' and a 'fancy piece'. A longstanding Aberdeen tradition, 'fly cup' is a cup of coffee or tea enjoyed with a 'fancy piece' (sweet pastry such as shortbread or scone) daily at 3pm. Louise was about to move to America where she eventually settled in Fredericksburg with her husband, Will in 2000.

In October 2025, she opened her store at 810 Caroline Street and named it Flykup-SScottish Fancy Pieces The name is wordplay on her cherished homeland tradition. When you visit the store, the first thing that stands out is Louise's passion for Scottish heritage and history. All visitors are welcomed as they walk through the door and immediately realize there's something different. FlykupScottish Fancy Pieces is not another boutique in Fredericksburg's revolving door of businesses. It stands apart due to the authenticity of the products that are beautifully displayed and offered. Every

product is designed or handmade in Scotland Louise is intentional in her selection of products to ensure each step in the manufacturing process is completed in the United Kingdom. Beautifully crafted wood Whisky Barrel Frames containing each barrel's story, dishware designed by Scottish artists, and plant-based candles produced from Scottish botanicals are a few items found in the store. In the back, there is a charming seating area with a complimentary 'Fly Cup Bar' where visitors can enjoy a 'fly cup and a fancy piece' which welcomes visitors

L o u i s e ' s childhood home will eventually stand, a young man of 15 is attending King's College and s t u d y i n g medicine This young man is Hugh Mercer who moved to

g in 1763 and opened the Hugh Mercer

Now rewind time 240 years In Aberdeen one-hhalf mile from where

By sarah dye

standing, four blocks from FlyKup. He married Isabella Gordon and purchased his friend, George Washington's Ferry Farm to raise his family. Mercer was born in 1726 in Aberdeen and attended college to become a physician. He practiced medicine and served the residents in town. At that time, medical practice was homeopathic and consisted of natural remedies with the uses of herbs, minerals, and the practice of bleeding where it was believed that removing "bad" blood through the use of leeches was beneficial. He eventually joined the fight for independence and was promoted to BrigadierGeneral in the Revolutionary War. Mercer was highly respected, but sadly, died during the Revolutionary War in 1777.

Two Aberdeen neighbors, lived two centuries apart, moved to the same town, and opened businesses within four blocks of each other. Flykup not only brings a piece of Scotland to Fredericksburg, but it highlights the Scottish fiber that's woven into Fredericksburg's history.

Sarah Dye is the Owner Dogwood & Iron Research Genealogy | Historic Research | Author www.dogwoodandironresearch.com

810 Caroline St 540-5538-99517

FB:Flykup-SScottish Fancy Pieces Flykup com

Anne Hicks Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Rita Allan Sally Cooney Anderson

Sonja CantuGary Close

Archer Di PeppeRobin Di Peppe

Sarah DyeJanet Douberly

Jeannie EllisEm Ford

Frank Fratoe Mary Beth Geil

Janet HedrickKaren Kallay

Michael Thomas Harvey

Ralph “Tuffy” HicksNancy Kelly

David C. Kennedy Donna Lewis

Robert A. Martin Ember Mercury

Ray MikulaVanessa Moncure

Pete Morelewicz

Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy

Patrick NeustatterAmy Peregoy

Penny A ParrishDanelle Rose

Paula RaudenbushRob Rudick

Mandy Smith

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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E-Mail: frntprch@aol.com

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

retired in FXBG

By anne hicks

I've been happily retired in Fredericksburg for almost a year and love living in this community. The people are friendly, generous and kind. There is so much to do and see and plenty of opportunities to gain experience and give back. There is no feeling of disease except when the traffic is too heavy.

My husband Tuffy has been "retired" here for many years and both of us were spooked and challenged with the unpleasant twist that came with my retirement. Ella Harris wrote "A retired husband is often a wife's full-time job", in our case a retired wife has been one of my husband's part time jobs to which I am forever grateful. Naturally, enthusiastic about his town having grown up here he has many stories to tell, and yes, I'm encouraging him to put his book together. Hobbies like Civil War research, writing monthly for the Front Porch, taking care of our home and mountainous yard, keeping up with family, friends and relatives, politics, and caregiving to his friends especially those who are ill, name a few. When I retired last year after 38 of federal service and a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, he was always by my side. Now he enjoys driving me to VCU for checkups while on oral chemo for two years. I always let him know I can drive myself, but his perseverance is endless. He's an example of how people care here. Having his support and prayers from him and all our wonderful local and distant friends is such a big part of connection in retirement and of healing.

One of our close friends and very well-known artist JW Edwards has a health issue. The community put together a concert at the fairgrounds and Steve Jarrell came to town. The band put on a great show just for John. Many attended and the medical community ensured John was transported to say hi to friends and listen to the music of the band in which he was a part of for many years.

One of Tuffy's close friends, Keith, is retired and has spent time in the local library doing research to for book about Fredericksburg from about 1900 to present. I think he found some clips about Tuffy! He brought humor to our life as we had to stay home a lot this year and delighted us with scenarios, pulling our leg

a few times. He and his wife brought us so much deeply needed laughter and joy. The last one was so good it could become a screenplay. Laughter is the best medicine.

I stopped by Canal Quarters Arts and coincidently found Susan Sablon' s Faith Based artwork on display and was so inspired by her work I bought prints to give as gifts, and she generously gave me a couple. I found lots of lovely art to give to friends. I was on another canal stroll when my hair was growing back in, and someone commented on how one of the grey parts of my hair was shining beautifully in the sunshine.

We received a healing cross from our retired friends, Dr Sach's family. The cross cited Psalm 103:3 and was designed as a tangible reminder of God's healing grace. We attended church again at Trinity Episcopal and enjoyed the service from the new rector and I found a new early morning prayer group online.

another by sharing with grace and gentleness in good times and not so good times is real.

Also, special thanks to Tuffy's and his family, our friends Laura and Richard and their hospitality, Peggy and Powell for the best chicken soup, and the best bean parties, Robbie and Bill Rome, our favorite guests, friends from the Battlefield Restaurant and Jimmy the Greek Restaurant all and more who helped last year.

Fredericksburg is a strong, stable community. It's effortless to find something and someone who cares. A useful motto I've used for grounding in my retirement is "Strength with Stability and Effort with Ease."

It occurred to me that retiring in a small town, not so small now, also applies to FXBG grounded community life. Not always easy yet the vibe of intentionally caring and about being strong in your disposition and for one

Here's to our friends, the spiritual and pray filled ones, the artists, comedians, the musicians, the givers and everyone. You can feel the spirit of our town when you read the Front Porch cover to cover monthly. It's the heartbeat of the burg.

Anne Hicks enjoys free time relaxing, friends and family, reading, writing, researching, swimming, and more.

Lifelong Learning Keeps Minds Active and Connections Strong

by donna lewis

For more than three decades, adults in the Fredericksburg area have been discovering that learning doesn't end with retirement- It simply takes on new meaning. Now entering its 34th year, Mary Washngton ElderStudy, affiliated with the University of Mary Washington, continues to enrich lives through engaging educational programs, meaningful friendships, and active community involvement.

While the organization's official name is Mary Washington ElderStudy, its mission is best captured by Lifelong Learning in Fredericksburg The program welcomes adults who are curious, engaged and eager to continue exploring new ideas in a friendly, supportive environ ment.

contributes to healthy aging. ElderStudy offers both. Members enjoy a wide variety of informative and educational sessions designed to spark curiosity, encourage discussion and inspire lifelong discovery.

Research consistently show that staying socially connected and keeping the brain actively engaged in learning

Sessions are offered in convenient two-hour programs in a variety of formats, from in-person, Zoom or hybrid formats, making learning more accessible. Classes are taught by UMW

professors as well as other knowledgeable experts from the community and beyond, bringing a wealth of experience and perspectives to every session.

Learning extends both in and beyond the classroom Members can participate in a vibrant Book Group, explore the region through tours of notable local sites, and gather for celebrations and special events. These shared experiences create opportunities to engage more deeply and while fostering friendships.

Whether someone wants to learn about history, science, literature, current events, the arts or countless other subjects, ElderStudy provides an inviting place to continue growing while building lasting connections.

Registrations for the upcoming year opens August 1. Those interested in becoming a part of this welcoming community can learn more and enroll by

visiting elderstudy.com. Membership fee for one year is just $72.

Mary Washington ElderStudy continues to demonstrate that learning is not defined by age - it is a lifelong adventure!

Donna Lewis, Elderstudy

Membership Committee Chair

Photos © Robert A Martin

Mary Washington ElderStudy 125 University Blvd, Gates Hudson Building Stafford Campus elderstudy com

Judging a Book By Its Cover the art of margaret armstrong

by janet hedrick

The familiar saying tells us, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Yet sometimes the cover is exactly what matters most. For collectors of decorated cloth bindings from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a cover can be the very reason a book is treasured.

I began collecting antiquarian children's books in the late 1980s after finding an old copy of Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm in a used bookstore while traveling to a wedding. I did not buy it at first, but once I returned home, I called the store and had it mailed to me. That purchase began decades of collecting.

When I moved from Alexandria to Fredericksburg in 2023, I donated most of my books -enough to fill four floor-toceiling bookcases- to a Northern Virginia branch of the American Association of University Women for its scholarship book

sale. I still regret parting with many of them, but I kept several meaningful volumes, including books with covers designed by Margaret Armstrong

My interest in Armstrong began in an antiquarian book collecting class, when I brought in a copy of Hans Brinker I had found for $4.98. The instructor pointed out Armstrong's tiny "MA" monogram hidden in the cover design. From then on, whenever I spotted those initials on an attractive book, I paid attention-and often bought it.

After relocating to Fredericksburg, I met Jack Bales , a longtime University of Mary Washington librarian and member of the Horatio Alger Society Despite his many years as both

librarian and collector, he was unfamiliar with Margaret Armstrong's covers. He became interested in the books I had saved and encouraged me to continue collecting them.

Over the past few years, Jack has given me several Armstrong-designed books, along with Lowell Thing's Cover Treasure: The Life and Art of Margaret Armstrong, a 456-page reference filled with color images of her known cover designs.

Armstrong's work belongs to what collectors call "The Golden Age of American Publishers' Decorated Cloth Book Covers," a period when publishers understood that beautiful covers helped sell books. Her richly colored, elegantly lettered designs were distinctive even without her monogram.

Armstrong designed more than 300 book covers and illustrated books. Her Art Nouveau-influenced cloth covers represented a popular art form that flourished from about 1895 to 1915, yet her name remains unfamiliar to many readers today.

Born in New York in 1867, Armstrong grew up in an artistic family. Her father, Maitland Armstrong, was a stained-glass designer, and Margaret and her sister Helen worked in a studio in the family's West 10th Street home. As decorated cloth covers gave way to illustrated dust jackets, Armstrong became a botanical artist and writer. Her 1915 Field Book of Western Wildflowers featured hundreds of botanical illustrations. She died in 1944.

My appreciation deepened when I visited the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D C , after learning it had exhibited Armstrong covers. A security guard kindly unlocked the closed room for me, and I was able to view the pristine volumes.

When I shared my interest at a 2025 Horatio Alger Society regional meeting in Fredericksburg, other collectors were intrigued. One discovered that a book he owned had an Armstrong cover; another considered making her work a new collecting focus.

I still regret letting most of my antiquarian children's books go, but I enjoy the continuing search for Margaret Armstrong covers in good condition. When the right cover appears, it proves the old saying has at least one beautiful exception.

PS Can you find Margaet’s hidden initials in the Hans Brinker book above?

Janet Hedrick, the president of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Fredericksburg Area Branch. She graduated from the University of Mary Washington

Everything Greens

We are growing plants, but this time they're not in the ground, they are in pots! In 2025, we began potting up "volunteer" plants - the extras that show up as if by magic - transplanted from our own beds, pilfered from friends' yards', or gifted by our generous neighborsdestined to be relocated in the garden continuing our effort of native landscape projects on our Downtown Campus. We now have more than enough for us that we can offer something we never have before! You can now support our mission with the purchase of a plant (or 3) and bring a little bit of DTG home while simultaneously spreading the wealth to pollinators in your yard. Every plant has a story and a connection to the Downtown Greens community, making each one a small piece of our gardens that can continue growing in yours. Browse our homegrown collection and see these plant/pollinator relationships in action during a walk though our gardens

Downtown Greens began

replacing our non-native landscaping plants with their native counterpart(s) 4 years ago. If you haven't heard the gardener's adage about native plants, here'goes: "The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, the third year they leap." Now with over three years of planting pollinator and bird-friendly plants, they have now "lept" and spread from their intended location. This is a benefit of native plants. They'll just pop up in your yard! These volunteers are a sign that the plants are happy, healthy, and doing exactly what nature intended. Native plants have evolved alongside our local wildlife, providing food and shelter for countless species while generally requiring less maintenance once established. In addition to transplants from our "yard" we have been lucky to expand our species availability with the help of our friends and neighbors that have shared some of what's growing in their yards. Finally, this summer we have also started some seeds and plugs in our office.

Our volunteers and interns have worked with great effort to hand-select native plants from our garden beds and transplant them for distribution to a yard (your yard) near you!

We have already had our first sale and it was a huge hit. If you missed it, we invite you to our Fall Native Plant SaleSeptember 25 - please follow our social media for future official announcementand come see 'Gayla's' Virginia Strawberries, 'Steve's' Redbuds, 'Bill & Diana's' violets, 'Pete's' coneflowers, the Upper Gardens' cutleafs, and our Education Gardens' bee-balm and yarrowall ready to be planted in your yard this fall to bring bountiful blooms for all the bees, beetles, bats, birds, and butterflies for years to come! Every purchase directly supports our mission, and bonus, the environment!

A native plant is a part of the balance of nature that has developed over thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem.

Em Ford is Land Manager at Downtown Greens and a non-native introduced, naturalized species from South Florida, transplanted to Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Join Em for our Morning Nature Walk, Saturday, August 22nd at 10am on the Belman Road Campus!

Fall Native Plant Sale - September 25

The walks are completely free, but registration is required To sign up, visit www downtowngreens org

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 fight or flight

by Ray Mikula

We've all heard of the fight/flight response to danger but are there other options? Chameleons can change color to blend in and wait for predators to pass. Armies can agree to a truce and mutual destruction can be averted.

So what to do if you are a plant. Plants can't flee They can, however, defend themselves. The sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica, closes and droops its leaves when touched to simulate a wilted plant that's not attractive to herbivores. Many plants and trees that are attacked by leaf eating bugs like Japanese beetles will change the flavor of their leaves so they won't be eaten as much or at all. Some trees, like oak and beech, leave some of their old leaves on the tree through winter to discourage browsing deer from eating there leaf buds. As the trees get taller they drop their leaves in autumn as the rest of the trees do. Some plants being eaten by horn worms will release pheromones to attract wasps that lay

their eggs on the horn worms and then the wasp larvae eat the worm from the inside out. A tropical vine in South America can change its leaves to look like the plant it is next to. Some plants being eaten by caterpillars release pheromones to warn neighboring plants of the danger so they can change their flavor before they get attacked. Trees will use the fungus in the soil to store energy created by photosynthesis during a moist productive year and retrieve it in later times during drought. Then there are pointy leaf structures like yucca and agave, or thorns like roses and blackberries that pro-tect them. Many plants are poisonous and produce bad effects like vomiting and diarrhea. Most animals don't return to it a second time. Mushrooms often give the unwary a wild and disturbing experience as many baby squirrels can attest to.

Many evergreens have waxy leaves or needles to allow snow to easily slip off instead of breaking limbs. Many plants have back up systems to late freezes by saving

some leaf buds to open later if the first batch is killed in spring.

Plants give us food, materials for fabrics and cloth, wood and bamboo for building and shelter, flowers for all occasions, oxygen to breathe and much more. For not being able to flee, plants have developed amazing ways to succeed

in our world. Thank goodness, for without plants animals could not survive.

The plants in your world may be producing flowers for you to enjoy. You can share that joy with others this month.

On August 18th and 19th the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock presents its annual Save

the Pollinator Flower Show at the library in downtown Fredericksburg. Entries will be accepted on the 18th between 10 and 5:. Judging will be in the morning of the 19th. Everyone is welcome to attend. So bring your beautiful blooms to share with others and enjoy your summer garden.

For more information on the Flower Show, go to MGACRA .org, scroll down to Current Projects and click on Save the Pollinator Flower Show

RayMikula is a Master Gardener.He has several acres of garden space Ray was a Earth Science & Astronomy Teacher

3/Gordon

mgacra org

Yellow jackets have the worst public relations team in the insect world.

Honey bees make honey. Bumble bees are fuzzy. Butterflies flutter around looking like flower petals that learned to fly. Yellow jackets? They show up at your picnic, steal your hot dog, and suddenly everyone is talking about flamethrowers.

Now, I'm not saying they've never deserved a bad review. They can absolutely be rude. But they aren't mean for the sake of being mean. They're just trying to feed their family.

Unlike many wasps, adult yellow jackets can't actually eat meat. When they catch insects, they chew them into a protein smoothie and feed that to their developing larvae. The larvae then repay the favor by producing a sweet, sugary liquid that the adults drink.

This means yellow jackets spend their days removing countless garden pests that would happily munch through your tomatoes, broccoli, and flowers. They're hardworking little pest-control specialists who never send you a bill.

Growing & Crawling defending the jerks

By janet douberly

Things change as we approach late summer. The colony is winding down, there are fewer hungry larvae producing sugary snacks, and suddenly the adults have to go searching for sweets elsewhere. That's when they discover your barbecue. They aren't crashing your picnic because they're evil-they're just desperately looking for carbs.

So maybe we can cut them a tiny bit of slack? Give them some space, stay calm if one lands on you, and remember that for most of the year they're busy protecting your garden.

Janet Douberly is also desperately looking for carbs at Downtown Greens.

Fredericksburg Perspectives

by Michael Thomas Harvey

City Hall in Fredericksburg was originally built as Post Office. Above top is a old photo of the lobby at the time.

Postcard showing the U.S. Post Office on 715 Princess Anne Street. circa 1930’s.

The Post Office was buildt in 1910 and served as Post ffice until 1980's when it was moved to current location at 600 Princess Anne ST The building was renovated and became City Hall in 1982.

The City just recognized 250 years in cointinuous postal service in FXBG, one of only 62 in the United States.

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

Link Wray, a godfather of rock 'n' roll, departed this earth 20 years ago.

But this month in our town, where Wray pioneered rock's power chord during a 1957 dance, musicians and family will jam and share tales about the charismatic guitarist.

"He would love that," Link's eldest daughter, Beth Wray Webb, said of those plans, recalling her dad's jam sessions at home. "He just enjoyed playing music with people, and we'd all sit there and listen We'd be up all night and half the day "

Rumble Party

Friends, family remember Link Wray

Virginia recently approved a state historical marker about Wray to be dedicated here this fall

The musician improvised his world-renowned instrumental on stage as he and his band, The Ray Men , played a July 1957 sock hop at the Fredericksburg Arena on the U.S. 1 Bypass. The crowd went wild, begging for encore after encore.

"God zipped it down into my hands," Webb recalled her father saying of that moment. His creation, recorded as "Rumble" in 1958, inspired a generation of rockers.

"If it hadn't been for Link Wray and 'Rumble,' I would have never picked up a guitar," Pete Townshend said.

Bob Dylan called it the "greatest instrumental ever." E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt said "It's the sexiest, toughest chord change in all of rock 'n' roll."

"The animated sounds he got out of his guitar [and] his go-for-broke style would foster a whole new attitude in rock," wrote Cary O'Dell, a music historian at the Library of Congress, whose National Recording Registry includes "Rumble."

"He lived his way, and he played that way," performing until weeks before his death at 76, Webb told the Front Porch.

Wray's hit record sold more than a million copies. In 2023, he was inducted into the Rock Roll Hall of Fame

bY

clint schemmer

Nowadays, "Rumble" resurfaces in Hollywood's "Independence Day" and "Pulp Fiction," TV's "The Sopranos," commercials for Jack Daniels and Gucci, and on YouTube.

Distinctive for the distortion and tremolo Wray captured in a D.C. studio (the record shot to No. 16 on Billboard charts), "Rumble" sounds edgy and dangerous. Its title nod to gang fights in "West Side Story," bestowed by the record producer's teenage stepdaughter, got the tune banned from radio in New York, Boston, and Detroit. Wray's style-leather jacket, dark shades, and a pompadour-may have contributed, too.

Born Fred Lincoln Wray, Jr., to a Shawnee mother in Dunn, N.C., he was inducted into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2006. The 2017 documentary "RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World" highlights those roots.

At 8, Wray learned guitar from Hambone, a Black circus performer in Dunn. Serving in Korea and Germany during the Korean War, he lost a lung to tuberculosis and spent a year in the hospital. A doctor told him he'd never perform again. Undaunted, Wray kept at it for another six decades.

Wray and his musical family later lived in Portsmouth, Vienna, Front Royal, Washington, D.C., and Accokeek, Maryland. He passed in 2005 in Copenhagen, his home for nearly three decades.

The birthplace of "Rumble" meant everything to Link and his family, Webb said. When he died, the family held his memorial service at a Fredericksburg

church. They donated one of Link's guitars and his leather jacket to the Fredericksburg Area Museum

At 3 p.m. Saturday, August 15, the public is invited to a free "Rumble Party" at Colonial Tavern, kicked off by family memories and a Link jam session. Aaron and the Beaux Ties, a rockabilly band, will perform at 7 p.m. Food, drink for purchase on-site. At 2, 3, and 4 p.m.,

Historic Fredericksburg Foundation. Inc., will offer trolley tours of "Rock, Roll, Rumble and Rebellion" sites, including the Fredericksburg Arena; $10 same-day tickets available at the Tavern, or in advance at https://hffi.org/events.

Clint Schemmer is a retired Free Lance-Star editor and writer

Mon-Thurs

11am-9pm Fri & Sat

11am-10pm Sun

11am - 9pm

Bar open until 2am everyday

Locally Owned Irish Pub and Restaurant

200 Hanover St. ~ 373-0738

Congressman Eugene Vindman Recognizes Anita Crossfield

Congratulations to Anita Crossfield, owner of Anita's Café & Dessert

Bar and Vice Chair of the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority, on being recognized by Congressman Eugene Vindman for her outstanding service and

contributions to the Fredericksburg community.

Downtown FXBG Free Parking

Public parking is available in the following locations. All posted signage must be obeyed. Unless otherwise noted these parking lots are free:

Community Center Lot, Free. At 408 Canal St. Part-Time availability

1016 Charles St Lot, Free. 29 spaces available 24 hours weekdays and weekends. Additional 17 spaces available Mon-Fri, 6PM-2AM and 24 hours on weekends.

410 William St Lot, Free. At Linkbank. 18 spaces behind bank, Mon.-Fri., 6PM-8AM, after 12PM on Saturday (after banking hours) and all day Sunday.

Princess Anne St Lot, Free. Behind 904

Become a Member

Princess Anne St., accessible from Princess Anne and Charles St. Mon- Fri, 6PM-6AM & 24 hours on weekends.

Library Parking Lot, Free. 1201 Caroline St. Part-Time availability, see signage for restrictions. Electric vehicle charging.

Sophia St Lot, Free. 1000 Block Sophia St. George St Lot, Free. 800-900 block of Sophia St. at end of George St.

600 block of Sophia St Lot, Free. At Riverfront Park. 2 hour limit Mon-Friday 8AM-7PM.

400 block of Sophia St Lot, Free. Restricted to City residents Mon-Fri, 5AM6PM.

City Dock Parking Lot, Free. 207 Sophia St

TidBits small bites of local News

By danelle rose & Amy Peregoy

From Downtown Entrepreneur to Economic Leader: David Fraser Joins the EDA Board

Downtown business owner David Fraser has been appointed to the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority Board. As the founder of Fraser Wood Elements, he brings more than a decade of entrepreneurial experience, a commitment to sustainability, and a deep investment in Fredericksburg's small business community.

Fredericksburg Hauntings Tours

Fredericksburg has more history, more battles, and more ghosts than any other city in America!

Combining history with mysterious tales of the still lurking dead, period attired guides conduct an approximate 90 minute, comfortablypaced, candlelight walking tour, filling your evening with folklore and stories spawned when 100,000 fell in the Civil War battles that took place in and around the town.

Fridays & Saturday Evenings through August

Tour times: 8:45pm reservations, contact 540-760-5450

New Businesses Join the Fredericksburg Community Trelawny Infusion - 1110

Caroline St. - A vibrant blend of authentic Jamaican flavors and American favorites, creating a welcoming dining experience centered on great food, great people, and great vibes

Mrs Bee's Learning Academy II105 Classic Ct. - High-quality childcare and preschool programs for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years, combining more than 25 years of early childhood education experience with a nurturing, schoolreadiness curriculum designed to help every child learn, grow, and thrive Just Gloiw , 415 William St, combining advanced results-driven technology with personalized treatments designed to restore confidence and enhance your natural beauty. Every service is custom-tailored to help you look refreshed, feel empowered, with confidence

Around the Town Free Trolley Service

"Around the Town" free trolley service for locals and tourists every Friday and Saturday thru Sept 5 .5-8:30p Provided by Trolley Tour of FXBG Trolley makes 20-minute loop of downtown and stops at six locations. Pick up a map at the Visitor Center. We are open until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer.

Danelle Rose is FXBG Tourism Marketing & Communications Manager Amy Peregoy is FXBGEconomic Development Manager

So many varieties of rice to choose from in the grocery aisle of "Rice, Pasta and Beans"! White rice, brown rice, Texmati, basmati, jasmine, Arborio, sushi, red rice, wild rice, and the rare black "forbidden" rice. And the type of rice you purchase is dependent on the recipe you ' re planning Rice is a cereal grain, the seed of a grass species and a staple food source for over half of the world's 8.3 billion (2026 estimate) population . There are over 40,000 cultivated varieties in the world, generally divided into Asian rice species (Oryza sativa) and African rice (Oryza glaberrima). First domesticated in China approximately 9,000 years ago and in West Africa 3,000 years ago, rice was introduced in the Americas during the 17th century and became a profitable cash crop first in marshy areas of South Carolina and Georgia, later in the Mississippi Delta area, Texas and California.

Today rice is the US's fourth largest cereal crop, with yearly production of over 20 billion pounds and contributing over $34 billion to the US economy annually. Rice contains no gluten, and its starch component gives it different texture properties - long grain cooks up dry, medium grain tends to stick together and short grain is oval in shape and has a sticky texture. Each variety has its particular characteristics and uses in recipes - long grain tends to be fluffy and will separate into individual grains and is the best table rice for dishes such as pilaf, fried rice, arroz con pollo and jambalaya for example. Medium grain rice offers a slightly chewy, starchy texture for dishes such as risotto, paella (famed for socarrat, the crisp layer of cooked rice formed at the bottom of the pan) and arroz con leche. Short grain rice, containing a higher starch content, is a cornerstone of Eastern cuisine. Sushi, bibimbap, rice pudding, and onigiri (rice balls) showcase short grain rice's perfect texture and stickiness in recipes. And wild rice? Not wild and not technically rice. It's a grass (genus Zizania) that grows in wet habitats and can be cooked and used in recipes calling for long grain rice. All riced out with rice info? The following are a few recipes to try.

CHIMICHURRI CHICKEN BOWLS

In a medium saucepan combine 3/4C jasmine rice, 1 1/2C chicken broth and 1/4tsp turmeric. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff rice with 1-2T butter and keep covered until ready to use. Meanwhile, halve, core and cut 2 poblanos into half-inch strips - cut a large onion into half-inch wedges and toss vegetables together with 2T olive oil, S&P.

Spread onto parchment covered sheet pan and roast 425F until lightly charred, 1820 minutes. Season 12oz chicken strips with cumin, S&P - heat 1T olive oil in saucepan over medium heat and cook strips until they are cooked through. Add 2-3T chicken broth and reduce by half. Divide rice into bowls, then top with veggies, chimichurri sauce, chicken, salsa, cheese and fresh avocado chunks.

CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

Combine one small bunch finely chopped cilantro with 1T olive oil, 2 grated cloves garlic, juice and zest from one-half lemon (or a whole lime), S&P and chili flakes to taste. Brightens up most any grilled protein.

INSTANT POT SHRIMP RISOTTO

Stir together 4T butter, 2C sliced mushrooms, 1C chopped onion, 1tsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 1/2C Arborio rice, 1 grated garlic clove, 1/4C white wine, 2C chicken broth plus S&P in Instant Pot. Pressure cook 8 minutes, then do a quick release. Add 1LB peeled and deveined 21-25 shrimp, 1/3C frozen peas and 2T fresh chopped parsley. Stir together with the rice, then turn on sauté function 3-4 minutes until the shrimp is cooked through, stirring frequently. Spoon into pasta bowls and top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

"FORBIDDEN RICE" SALAD

In ancient China, the exclusivity of black rice made it "forbidden" for people other than the Emperor to consume it - its yield being about 90% less than that of white rice, making it rare and exotic as well as prohibitively expensive. Interestingly, traditional Chinese medicine believed it increased qi, or ones life force.

Today that health benefit is recognized as the antioxidant-rich anthocyanin, the deep blue-black plant pigment which also makes blueberries an important diet choice. Cooked black rice transforms into a deep indigo color - cooking a bit with white rice will give the cooked rice a pink-or lavender tinge. This salad is Asian-inspired. To 1 1/2C cooked and cooled black rice, add 2C shelled edamame beans, 1/3C each matchstick carrots, chopped red pepper and chopped cilantro. Set aside while preparing the dressing: mix together the juice and zest of one lime, one clove grated garlic, 1T finely minced ginger, 1T each soy sauce and honey - and (opt) minced jalapeño or chili flakes. Pour dressing over the salad, lightly toss and garnish with 1T sesame seeds.

Vanessa serves up yummy recipes, interesting tidbits for all seasons

Women’s Equity Day turning point suffragist memorial

by janet hedrick

Since 1971, Women's Equality Day has been celebrated annually on August 26, the anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. in 1920:. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. 8/26/1920

Notably, white women were the main beneficiaries of this amendment. It took nearly half a century after the United States Constitution was amended before women of color could cast their ballots

Information tables will be staffed by organizations supportive of women's rights. Included in the organizations are the American Association of University Women (AAUW)- Virginia, the League of Women Voters, and NOW.

Attendees can explore the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Docents will be on hand to answer questions about the displays in the memorial.

Turning Point Suffragist Memorial was dedicated on May 6, 2021 "It honors the millions of suffragists who fought more than seven decades to win the vote for women. Their story is another hidden piece of women's history even though it was a national campaign that included incidents of arrests, jail, torture and even death Donations, both in-kind and monetary, came from 45 states and the District of Columbia making it truly a national memorial."

The Memorial honors the women who fought for the 19th Amendment and the right to vote, featuring statues, historical exhibits, and educational stations. The memorial stands near Occoquan Workhouse, a prison where 168 suffragists were once held during the 1910s Silent Sentinels demonstrations. At the workhouse, suffragists were treated inhumanely, and after a violent "Night of Terror," the suffrage movement gained extra momentum. The location was chosen because of its historical significance.

The memorial has 19 parts, covering the history of the suffrage movement from 1848 to 1920.

The memorial features three life-size bronze statues of prominent suffragists Alice Paul, Mary Church Terrell, and Carrie Chapman Catt Replica White House gates to commemorate the Silent Sentinels demonstrations and a 24-foot section of real White House fencing are included in the memorial. A commemorative wall at the memorial honors the names of all the suffragists jailed in 1917.

of Virginia, the League of Women Voters of Virginia, and others.

Janet Hedrick, the president of the AAUW Fredericksburg Area Branch.

Women's Equality Day Celebration August 26, at 10 AM

The celebration of Women's Equity Day is sponsored by NOVA Parks with the assistance of the American Association of University Women (AAUW)

The River View and the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Occoquan Regional Park, 751 Ox Road Lorton, VA

Founding Fathers Loved madeira

The founding fathers, to include George Washington, Tomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, were known to have enjoyed Madeira wine, as it was a popular choice of alcohol among the upper class, Colonial Americans in the 18th Century. It was a sophisticated and luxurious drink for the elites of the time. Historical records and letters by these individuals would mention their appreciation for Madeira. Most ironically Madeira was the celebratory drink at the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, about 375 miles off the coast of Morocco. And the fortified wine made there is of the same name. The island was discovered in 1419 and was fist colonized by Portuguese merchants. Initially, the island's main production was that of sugar, with smaller amounts of wheat and wine for export. During the 17th and 18th centuries, sugar production fell as the Caribbean Islands became more competitive.

Out of the decline in sugar sales came the growth of the wine industry. British merchants would arrive in Madeira and take wine to the North American and West Indies colonies. The wine was put into oak barrels that were then loaded on the wooden ships in the hull and used as a ballast for these long journeys. Oak barrels allow for a minor amount of oxygen to seep into the wine causing a slow oxidation of the wine to occur. As ships pitch and roll out to sea, so did the barrels in the hold. As trade would take the British ships to the tropics, the hold would get rather warm, and be held at a warm temperature for significant lengths of time. What was discovered was that when the wine endured this, it actually improved its quality.

The aging process is a big departure from when it was first made in the 17th and 18th century. Apparently, wine is not carried around in wooden ships anymore. So, in order to replicate the hot,

by Rita Allen

oxidative condition, there are two methods available: Estufagem and Canteiro. Estufagem involves heating the wine in stainless steel tanks or heated rooms for a shorter period, typically a few months. This process accelerates the aging and oxidation of the wine. Canteiro, on the other hand, involves aging the wine slowly and naturally, in barrels placed in warm attics for several years or even decades.

Madeira offers multiple ways to enjoy it. Sip it straight, relishing its complex flavors and aromas in small tulipshaped glasses. It also serves as a delightful dessert wine, pairing well with cakes, pastries, and chocolates to enhance their flavors. As an aperitif, drier Madeira varieties like Sercial or Verdelho can be chilled and savored before a meal, stimulating the appetite with their crisp acidity and subtle sweetness.

Additionally, Madeira can be a valuable ingredient in cocktails, providing depth and complexity akin to fortified wines like sherry or port. Explore mixing Madeira into cocktails or trying recipes specifically featuring this wine.

Lastly, Madeira's rich flavors make it versatile in cooking, elevating savory dishes, such as meat or game sauces, and it is frequently utilized in traditional recipes, like Madeira cake or Madeira sauce.

Saturday, August 1

CALEND

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

Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm 12150 Gordon Rd, selection of food products grown by local farmers ***EVERY SATURDAY

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

Colonial Tavern Brunch, 11a-3p 406 Lafayette Blvd ***EVERY SATURDAY

LIVE MUSIC Colonial Tavern Sat Blues Jam, 2-4p

Walking Group, FXBG Food CoOp, 9-10 Walk Along ***EVERY SATURDAY 320 Emancipations Hwy

Join ODHS dogs on easy, Saturday Strolls 7:45 strolls are on flat, simple paths at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard,***EVERY SATURDAY

Rappahannock Model Railroaders at the FXBG Agricultural Fair

4t Annual Summer Fest A. Smith Bowman Distillery mix and mingle with local vendors while enjoying live music, food, and drinks! 11a-4p

LIVE MUSIC Burn Band 6B&G, 7-9p 1140 International Pky

LIVE MUSIC Metal Night Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood, 6-9p

LIVE MUSIC Audubon Drive Curitiba Art Cafe 919 Caroline St 8p

Sunday August 2

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

Sunday Brunch Colonial Tavern 406 LafayetteBlvd 11a-3p ***EVERY SUN

Sunday Hikes local trails with rescue dogs at ODHS meet at 7:45a be matched w/rescue dog a different trail each week 3602 Lafayette BLVD

***EVERY SUNDAY

Last Day Summer Restaurant Week

Last day of FXBG Agricultural Fair

Monday August 3

FXBG Food CoOP, Chair Yoga 320 Emancipations Hwy, 10-10:45a; 11011: 45a *** EVERY Monday

Open Mic @Colonial Tavern 7p, 406 Lafayette Blvd ***EVERY MONDAY

Burger Night Capital Ale, 3p-Midnight, 917 Caroline St ***EVERY MON

Happy Hour Mon-Fri Capital Ale, 917 Caroline St, 3p-6:40p;

LIVE MUSIC Music on the Steps CRRL Fxbg Branch 6:30-7:30

Tuesday August 4

Open Mic w/Green Bean Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood 7-9p ***EVERY TUESDAY

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

Ukulele Jamming, Fred Food CoOP Beginners, 6:30p Jam 7p 320 Emancipations Hwy

Sunken Well Tavern Burger Night, 5p, 720 Littlepage ***EVERY TUES

Wednesday August 5

Trivia for a Cause Brock's Riverside Grill, 503 Sophia St. 6-8p ***EVERY WEDNESDAY

Mid-Week Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 3-7p ***EVERY WEDNESDAY

LIVE MUSIC River's End Speakeasy, 216/218 William Street, 6-8p

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

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

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

LIVE MUSIC Scott Stallard Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St 6p

LIVE MUSIC Emily Woodhull @ Foode o 6pm o 900 Princess Anne St,

LIVE MUSIC Bruce Middle @ Ironclad Inn 6pm o 1200 Princess Anne St

Thursday August 6

Walk with a Doc, FXBG Food CoOp, 4-5p 320 Emancipations Hwy 6-7p

Speaker series followed by screening of The American Revolution, film by Ken Burns. Each screening will focus on a different theme of the Revolutionary War. FXBG Library, 6-8p

LIVE MUSIC Twist of Fate Rebellion Bourbon Bar 6pm 309 William St

First Friday August 7

Val McCarney's "Faces & Places", Brush Strokes Gallery, opening reception 5-9p, 824 Caroline St

FCCA Members Gallery, Zee Berrios, Frederick Gallery Jason Knott & Ali Maleki 813 Sophia St OpeningAugust 7, 6-8:30p 813 Sophia St

"Fredericksburg in Bloom"Leah Fromer First Friday Opening Reception 69p Art First Gallery, 824 Caroline Street

"The Sophistication of Less"New Works by Laura Barry Opening Reception: 6-9pm Artful Dimensions Gallery 1025 Caroline St

Canal Quarter Arts 3 Events "Artist's Choice"(see pg24)1517 Princess Anne Reception 5-8:30

Evening of Absinthe at the Apothecary, Tasting, charcurterie Hugh Mercer Apothecary, 1020 Caroline St, 5p & 7p

First Friday Karaoke, City Vino, 100 Hnaover St 7p

LIVE MUSIC Wave on Wave Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St 6p

LIVE MUSIC Downtown Sounds: Brisk: 90s and alternative rock outdoor concert on August 7 at historic Market Square 6p

LIVE MUSIC Messy Jessie & Doc 6B&G, 7-9:30p 1140 International Pky

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

LIVE MUSIC Mark Dunn Acoustic Strangeways Brewing Landsdowne 7-9p

LIVE MUSIC Dakota Kensy Band 8p Stockyards 407 William St

LIVE MUSIC Retro Karaoke @ Reclaim Arcade 8pm o 2324 Plank Rd,

Saturday August 8

VA German Shepherd Rescue 11a VAGSR.org; facebook:VAGSR

VA Bourbon & Beer Festival, FXBG Stand-Up Comedy Night 810 Caroli

LIVE MUSIC Goodtime Aliibi Coloni

LIVE MUSIC Paper Hearts Acoustic

LIVE MUSIC Elliot Currie @ Highma

Sunday August 9

Mahjongg w/Dragon 152 Club Join social Mahjongg play , City Vino 10

Friday August 10

Live Music on the Steps: Featurin Rappahannock Regional Library Fre

LIVE MUSIC Steven Gellmen Music

Wednesday August 12

LIVE MUSIC benefit for Alberto Lim Harry Wilson & Friends. Colonial T

LIVE MUSIC Brian Hill Courtyard M

Thursday August 13

FXBG Revolutionary War Hereos Le FXBG Masonic Lodge No$, 7p

Improv Comedy Night 81 AllstateCommunityTheater.org. Cu

LIVE MUSIC FXBG Jazz Collective Cu

LIVE MUSIC Swing'n'Strings Rebelli

Friday August 14

Featured Artist oil painter Nancy B St., # 101, Colonial Beach. Opening Fiber Friday at Canal Quarter Arts, out with other fiber artists. Fun co Improvisational Comedy Night 810

LIVE MUSIC Downtown Sounds: performance at historic Market Sq

LIVE MUSIC Ramona and the Holy S

LIVE MUSIC Anthony G Courtyard

LIVE MUSIC Matt Tyrrell, 7-9:30

LIVE MUSIC Mackenzie Roark Bark

Saturday August 15

Denny Wong Trunk "Hawaii Sunrise

Perfume Making Workshop, hands signature scent, presented by POUR

Open every Sat 7am-2pm

Rain/Shine @Hurkamp Park Thru October

DAR of events

a- 2p PetSmart, Carl D. Silver Pkwy. Fairgrounds, 4-9p

ine St, Downtown. 7:30pm

ial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd 7:30p

Duo Curitiba Cafe 919 Caroline 8p ark Brewery o 7pm o 390 Kings Hwy

n us for an afternoon of guided and 00 Hanover St , 2-4p

ng the Steven Gellman Trio Central edericksburg Branch 6:30p on the Steps CRRL Fxbg 6:30-7:30

monta Perez featuring live music by Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd 7-9p Marriott 620 Caroline St 6p

ecture Series. Lt. Col. James Monroe,

10 Caroline St, reservations rtain 7:30pm

uritiba Art Cafe 919 Caroline St 7p

ion Bourbon Bar 6:pm 309 William St

rittle The Artists' Alliance 100 Taylor g from 6-9 Show thru Sept 6

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

0 Caroline St. curtain 7:30p

Hot Buttered Elvis: Rock music quare. 6P

Smokes 8p Stockyards 407 William St

Marriott 620 Caroline St 6p 6B&G 1140 International Pky king Barley 7pm 1515 Olde William

Shell", Crown Jeweler, 200 William St on perfume experievnce, create own R James Monroe Museum, 10a

Catfish Cookout & Watershed Festival, catfish, live music, Patawomeck Museum & Cultural Center, 638 Kings Hwy, 12-4p

LIVE MUSIC "Rumble Party" honoring Link Wray Colonial Tavern, Beaux Ties, a rockabilly band, 7 p.m. Food, drink (see pg 11)

LIVE MUSIC The Protest & Relent Concert, Christian Rock, Common Ground Church, 1501 Washington Ave, doors open 6p,concert 7p

LIVE MUSIC Acoustic Creed String Band, 7-9:30 6B&G 1140 International Pk

LIVE MUSIC Rare Form 8p Stockyards Restaurant & Bar, 407 William St

Sunday, August 16

Journal Lab at Canal Quarter Arts, 1:-3 p. Bring your journal, start a new one, Pre-reg cheryl@miniaturedetails.com or stop by the gallery.

LIVE MUSIC Audubon Drive Strangeways Brewing 350 Landsdowne, 7-9p

Monday August 17

"Soil Your Undies", Kids of all ages hands on soil health demo, FREE program sign p required at downtown greens

LIVE MUSIC Sheryl Warner & the Southside Homewreckers Music on the Steps CRRL Fxbg Branch 6:30-7:30

Tuesday August 18

Master Gardener Assoc presents its annual Save the Pollinator Flower Show CRRL FXBG bring blooms to share enjoy your summer garden.

Wednesday, August 19

Sunflower Watercolor Class at Canal Quarter Arts, 1-3 p or 5:30- 7:30 p.

Pre-register cheryl@miniaturedetails.com or stop by the gallery.

LIVE MUSIC Kristian Lietzan @ Foode o 6pm o 900 Princess Anne St

Thursday August 20

LIVE MUSIC Bruce Middle Group , Colonial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd, 7:30-10:30p

Friday August 21

Pride and Prejudice bold, boisterous, absurd and thrilling tale by Jane Austin Stage Door Productions 810 Caroline St, 2:30pm and 7:30pm show thru Sunday

LIVE MUSIC Downtown Sounds: Swamp Trash Band USA: Neo-retro rock performance historic Market Square. 6p

LIVE MUSIC Mark Dunn, 7-9:30 6B&G 1140 International Pk

LIVE MUSIC Rich Casella Band Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood, 7-9p

LIVE MUSIC Danny Kensy Strangeways Brewing 350 Landsdowne, 7-9p

LIVE MUSIC Fascination Street: Covers Night Reclaim Arcade 8pm 2324 Plank Rd

Saturday August 22

LIVE MUSIC , Brisk Duo 7-9:30 6B&G 1140 International Pk

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

Sunday August 23

FXBG Greater VA Bridal Show visit with area's premier wedding vendors FXBG Fairgrounds 1-4p

Monday August 24

LIVE MUSIC Limon & Latin Feeling Band Music on the Steps CRRL Fxbg Branch 6:30-7:30

LIVE MUSIC FBS Electric Blues Jam Colonial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd, 7-10p open to all players

Wednesday August 26

Women's Equality Day River Point Suffragist Memorial Turning Point Occoquan Regional Pk, 9751 Ox Road, Lorton VA 10a

LIVE MUSIC Cylas Ibanez Courtyard Marriott 620 Caroline St 6p

Thursday August 27

Virginia By The Glass Chris Custalow, Indigenous cultural preservationist and educator. story of Tsenacommacah 1781 Brewing Company, 11109 Plank Rd, Spotsy, 6:30-8:30p

FXBG Revolutionary Hereos Lecture Series, Gen George Washington, FXBG Masonic Lodge No4, 7p

18th Century Game Night, Discover how people passed the time with games during the 1700s. Walk through the replica Washington House and its grounds, where we'll teach you how to play classic games, and outdoor lawn games. Geo Washington Ferry Farm, 5p & 7p

LIVE MUSIC Brooikhouse Curitiba Art Cafe 919 Caroline St 8p

LIVE MUSIC Ramona Martinez Rebellion Bourbon Bar 6pm 309 William

Friday August 28

Pride and Prejudice bold, boisterous, absurd and thrilling tale by Jane Austin Stage Door Productions 810 Caroline St, 2:30pm and 7:30pm show thru Sunday

LIVE MUSIC Downtown Sounds: Virginia Green Band: Bluegrass performance at historic Market Square. 6P

LIVE MUSIC Mackenzie Roark 7-9:30 6B&G 1140 International Pk

LIVE MUSIC Prabir @ The Barking Barley o 7pm o 1515 Olde William St

LIVE MUSIC Shelley Star & The Galaxy w/ Bryce BowynReclaim Arcade 8pm 2324 Plank Rd,

LIVE MUSIC Bourbon Notes: Karen Jonas w/ Jon Tyler Wiley and Seth Morrissey Ironclad Inn 8:pm 1200 Princess Anne St

Saturday August 29

LIVE MUSIC Pop Punk at the Pub LIVE MUSIC Colonial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd 7-9p

Monday August 31

LIVE MUSIC Toolbooth Busker, Laurie Griffith & Peter Mealy Music on the Steps CRRL Fxbg Branch 6:30-7:30

If you are reading this 349th issue of FPF, thank an advertiser, now in our 30th year of continuous publication!

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

history’s stories

Colonial Beach

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

Colonial Beach officially became a Town in February 1892, however, there is evidence that Native Americans were there as early as 500BC according to archaeologists from William and Mary university. This was long before James Monroe and notables lived in the area. As early as 1878, the Kintz family purchased over six-hundred acres on White Point (The Point). The first recorded survey in 1882 was for the purpose of it becoming a summer town for the citizens of Washington.

In the early 1900's travel by steamboat was extremely popular as transportation by land was still primitive with roads unpaved. Colonial Beach was a short journey down the Potomac for the thousands of visitors from Washington on the steamer Saint Johns. As the roads improved and automobiles became more dependable the "Playground of the Potomac" as it was called, became a destination. visitors came to see Alexander Bell as his father owned a home on Irving Avenue.

The visitors increase beginning in the late 1940's, as gambling became legal in Maryland. This was allowed in Colonial Beach as casinos could be built offshore into Maryland waters. This was allowed until 1958, when Maryland passed laws making it illegal if you could not reach the casino from Maryland land. I remember in the 1950's and sixties the family would go to Colonial Beach and have a fun day with a day of picnic and water fun. My parents always liked playing the slot machines. It was a short trip, and we would go there several times during the summer months.

Colonial Beach was the beginning of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. The Oyster Wars which lasted for a century, as oysters were the cash crop for fishermen. Berkley Muse a well-known resident of the area was accused of illegally oyster dredging, was killed by the Maryland Marine Police. The

death of Muse ended the conflict, and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission was formed as a result.

Colonial Beach is known as a "Golf Cart Town". When I was Town Manager, Mayor Pete Bone along with the Council members accompanied me to testify before the Transportation Committee of the General Assembly on legislation to allow Golf Carts on Town streets. State Senator John Chichester who supported the legislation, was instrumental in the passing of the legislation. Today the Golf Carts are very popular and an attraction for Colonial Beach.

The beach is over two miles in length. When I was Town Manager, I lived on Chamberlayne Avenue near Monroe Bay. I had a Sailboat that I would sail often in Monroe Bay. In 2010, I sold my cottage when I moved back to Fredericksburg and have always regretted that sale. The best thing that happened while at Colonial Beach was when I met my future wife, Anne. Anne was very fond of the beach and loved being near the water. She still swims a mile twice a week, after a severe bout with Cancer. Anne and I still have many friends at Colonial Beach and we communicate often.

Colonial Beach was nominated as the Nicest Place in America (in a previous edition of Reader's Digest. If you like to place a bet the Riverboat is a place to go on the waterfront where off track betting is popular. Colonial Beach has always been a Town for fishermen, gamblers, writers and inventors.

Colonial Beach is a wonderful place to visit for a great meal or just to relax. It is less than 40 miles from Fredericksburg. There or about nine wineries in the area to visit. You can rent golf carts as they are legal throughout the Town, and do not forget to visit the Beach Shop on the waterfront or the museum, also the restaurants have excellent food, especially seafood. Remember the Town is less than three square miles you cannot get lost as you have the Potomac River and Monroe Bay surrounding you.

Prayers for Anne

Dedicated to:Jimmy Dodd, Bob Blackburn, Doris Pullen, and Benjamin Skinner

Tuffy is Front Porch’s Resident Historian

OUR HERITAGE

the horrors of the shelling

The most unrecognized casualties of the Civil War are women and children When the smoke cleared, starvation, destitution awaited them. The visions, smells, and sounds of death they witnessed cannot be depicted to a degree that 21st century Virginia could fathom.

Frances Bernard White was 12 years old in 1862 and one of three children living with her widowed mother in Fredericksburg. The Federal Army led by General Burnside camped across the Rappahannock River. Most of the residents had fled further south, but some

remained. On December 11th, 1862, at 4:00 in the morning the Battle of Fredericksburg began. Frances and her family hurried to the cellar. As she ran toward the cellar she noticed the bright lights. Her small family huddled in the cellar along with their servants, two soldiers from Stafford who were stuck in town, and a black family named Charles and Judy with their three children.

For hours the only sounds they heard were of shells hitting their home above and the bricks that fell with each hit. The fear was overwhelming and noise of cannonading was so great that one had to scream to be heard. The cellar had no heat and being in the dead of winter it was frightfully cold. Their home was hit three times with cannonballs, and it was recalled that "the shrieking balls and bursting bombs were enough to appall the stoutest heart" They were so terrified they begged Charles to keep praying. After the third cannonball hit, Charles dropped to his knees with a small lit candle prayed. Frances' mother was worried about her deceased husband's portrait upstairs in the house and she went up to fetch it before anyone could object. She stood on the couch and reached over the mantel to grab the portrait. The moment she

reached the door to leave; a shell flew through the wall destroying the sofa! The cannonading stopped around 1pm and they were able to assess the damage for one hour. It's hard to truly imagine the horror that awaited them.

Their home had several holes from where the cannonballs flew through the front and back. Their garden was littered with cannonballs, tree limbs, and debris. One of the soldiers hunkering down announced General Lee ordered women and children to leave town as the shelling would start back up. Frances' mother resisted at first, but finally complied. She had to leave in haste so was unable to take a single possession from the house with her. Frances had only an old blanket used for ironing with a large hole in the middle to wrap herself in. They walked towards Salem Church which had a large encampment on Old Pank Road and encountered bullets flying all around them. Frances kept losing her shoe so they sat down near Poplar Spring to rest. After a moment a bullet came flying by their heads so they kept walking. They stayed in a house near the church the name refuge house. The day after the battle they were able to return to their home. The poor children had to walk over piles of dead bodies and their town destroyed in every direction. On assessment of their home, every mirror had been pierced through with a bayonet, piles of feathers from every mattress filled a room, a panel of each door removed, furniture and dishes all broken. Her mother was able to get enough remaining furniture together for one room. She washed and ironed their clothes once a week since there was no money or any place to buy more. Every night, a local man, Beverly Brooks would bring them a pitcher of milk from his cow.

By sarah dye

The family would sit around the wood stove and toast their bread on the end of bayonet Frances' brother found on the battlefield.

That Spring they moved to Danville until the end of the war in 1865. Frances would eventually marry Judge John T Goolrick and become a prominent figure in Fredericksburg. Even in 1917 she recalled that she never forgot the "horrors of the shelling".

Sarah Dye is the Owner Dogwood & Iron Research Genealogy | Historic Research | Author www.dogwoodandironresearch.com

Mental Health strategies to Help You Meet Your Goals

By karen kallay

A few days ago I found myself visiting with an upbeat energetic elderly man. I told him how impressed I was with him. He said, "Nothing to it." (A portion of his early life was in the military). "I get up at 4 a.m. and the first thing I do is a half hour of strenuous cycling on my machine. I have multiple small healthy meals throughout the day and I go for a walk after every one! I stay busy with challenging hobbies and make sure I see my friends."

I recognize a potential "poster child" for healthy old-age living when I see one! You, too, have probably encountered versions of his strategies recommended on YouTube, AARP, etc. And how much do you do?

The following strategies have been studied and found to be statistically helpful, whether for learning a language, getting more exercise, managing constructive responses to family stresses, etc.

Advice columns, books, and videos generally talk about the concepts summarized here. The best concepts take advantage of knowledge of how the brain and its reward systems work, even when motivation fades. Here we go.

1 Be vividly clear about why the goal is important to you personally. What will you gain or enjoy with success…or miss if you quit?

2.Be very specific about what reaching the goal will include. Not just "sleep better." Instead, features like "Follow 3 specified major sleep hygiene practices six evenings out of seven."

Especially if the goal is very challenging, break it into specific milestones and reward yourself as you achieve each one. Celebrate with a friend.

3 Visualize the desired results. This includes details like what you feel, see, and hear. This helps to motivate. If the goal involves a performance, in addition to actual practice or training, take a few minutes each day to imagine specifics of a successful performance.

4.Make the activities as pleasant as possible to carry you through dips of

motivation. If it involves exercise, you might prefer with compatible company, or with earbuds with favorite energetic music…or in the privacy of your home with a YouTube show. If you are competitive, find a challenger. If it's a mental project, what is the best possible environment?

5.Find supporters. Besides making your goals somewhat public, it can provide a lot of motivation to not let down either them or yourself. They can help you get past setbacks and might even have helpful ideas. You can look forward to celebrations of success with them.

6 Identify a specific time, place and description for the steps towards your goal. The momentum of routine helps to reduce the fatigue of constant decision making.

Plans for daily or weekly activity or monitoring are generally good. Writing? Three pages or three hours daily, before midday. Painting the porch? First weekend, getting supplies and prep work, second weekend, painting and cleanup. Cardio workouts: Monday, Wednesday, Friday workouts before midday, following plan from your doctor, physical therapist, etc.

7.Record your progress, whether on a spreadsheet, in an app, or in a journal. This helps you see steps to success. It helps your efforts feel more real and less abstract.

8.Have a plan for setbacks. Not only does this help you to build resilience, but it helps prevent that setback from becoming a complete derailment. This is not to become an excuse for backing off or quitting! Rather, the plan might involve a reassessment or adjustment to the plan…or simply resuming the plan.

These ingredients can create unstoppable momentum toward your

goal. Usually when someone thinks they are succeeding by pure willpower, the features listed above are actually in play. Good luck and have some fun!

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

You may not have noted the story reported on NPR about the maneuvering of hospitals and a bunch of drug companies to take further advantage of the 340B drug program

Very likely you are not even aware of the 340B program and what it's all about. But what is happening is a fine example of "kleptocapitalist" behaviors that "raise prices, salaries, market power, and government payment to extreme levels" and hurts patients, families and vulnerable institutions.

These accusations are made by Donald Berwick, MD, MPP, Lecturer of Health Care Policy, Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, made in a rather radical piece published in JAMA titled The Existential Threat of Greed in US Health Care.

An article I was surprised to see in such a staid and conservative publication.

340B Programs

The 340B program is a feature of the Public Health Service Act of 1992 that requires pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in Medicaid to sell drugs at a discount to "disproportionate share hospitals" - hospitals with a lot of low income and Medicaid patients.

Started as a much-needed leg up for "safety-net" clinics and hospitals that are providing free or discounted care to indigent patients - which was of course what the Moss Clinic was until it closed for lack of support just over a year ago - it has

been abused by drug companies and hospitals finding loopholes to use to their advantage.

The 340B program has been described as "a bonanza" as hospitals found they could include multiple off-site outpatient clinics - so enrollment grew from about 6,100 to nearly 28,000 clinics and spending from $6.6 billion in 2010 to nearly $70 billion in 2023.

Great if it meant lots of discount drugs going to the medically indigent. But that isn't the case. John Newby, chief executive officer of the Virginia Biotechnology Association says 340B providers are not passing on the discount. They are "pocketing discounts and raking in massive profits."

Now, in addition, drug companies are trying to reduce how much charity care they give They have imposed restrictions and reporting requirements on 340B clinics that are so onerous that they are effectively stopping them from being able to get the discounted medicines.

The Morality of it All

Trying to explain the 340B program and the profiteering of hospitals and drug companies is all a bit technical. But - at the risk of sounding pious - I try because this is a good example of the lack of morality of the players in the healthcare industry. No compunction. They don't seem to be constrained by the fact that their profits are at the expense of the neediest in our society.

By Patrick Neustatter, MD

Berwick's JAMA article accuses drug companies of using monopoly ownership to raise prices to "stratospheric levels." Hospitals are overcharging, noting for example prices for the top 37 infused cancer drugs averaged 86 2% higher per unit than in physician offices Insurance companies are vigorously promoting Medicare Advantage - a variation intended to give Medicare beneficiaries the choice of access to well-managed care at lower cost, but which now cover more than 50% of all Medicare beneficiaries costing far more per beneficiary than traditional Medicare and advantaging the insurance companies.

This is the downside of having a private, for-pprofit healthcare system - and one that has enough influence through lobbying to resist any of the kinds of cost controls imposed in other countries.

Yes, it is the business of a business to make money and keep its

shareholders happy. And private enterprise and competition are meant to drive innovation. But the unbridled profiteering and greed makes me question if healthcare isn't different.

To suggest it shouldn't be just another for-profit industry.

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

Marilynn Mendell Our Local maverick

By mary beth geil

With pleasure Marilynn Mendell, Our Local Maverick, announces the opening of her local solo show entitled "The Multifaceted Art of Marilynn Deane Mendell." Opening September 1, 2026 and running through October 2026, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (UU)

of Fredericksburg's gallery Marilynn feels that her show might just describe who she is in general. Marilynn is particular about the venues where she shows her work. They need to reflect who she is as a human. UU meets her criteria where the atmosphere drives a welcoming attitude alongside kindness and openness that reflects Marilynn's beliefs about what we can be as a society. This show will feature an eclectic array of abstracts, animals from her second book The Tails of Furry Logic which she authored and illustrated, botanical colored pencil drawings of her garden's parrot tulips, and her monster series. She states that, "by displaying my art, my objective is to bring joy to others-a sense of wonder. Even a few moments contemplating art can be a core ingredient in an attempt to bring order and peace to one's life. Engaging in art has been proven to enhance wellbeing." There will be a public reception at UU on October 21, 2026 from 6PM-9PM with an artist talk at 7PM and her art, books, and cards will all be for sale.

Marilynn has shown her art for fifty years. The picture of Marilynn gives a glimpse of her first solo show Cellular Drift at ArtHub609 Gallery in Washington, DC that remains up through the end of September where her original large 20"x30" abstract pen and ink drawings sit beside her Adrift series of poems, adding another level of meaning to her artwork. The venue where Marilynn displays her work matters. ArtHub609 melds architecture overlooking the Capitol with incredible terraces and native plantings.

Marilynn turned 79 in July and she doesn't believe in retirement. She hopes this energy inspires others. She has an impressive resume which includes being an author, an award-winning state poet, a consultant with forty-five years of entrepreneurial experience under her belt, a former adjunct professor at Georgetown University, and an artist continuing to produce work worthy of solo shows. She supports many community organizations and fundraises in an effort to see the arts flourish. Her consulting business specializes in strategic growth, change management, marketing, and branding; where she works with architects, botanical gardens, and a few actors sprinkled in here and there. She has at least three Woman of the Year awards and seems awfully proud of her membership into Phi Beta Kappa. She's a well-known expert gardener and often opens her private garden to the public where she shows how gardens can bloom every month of the year. As a selftaught naturalist, Marilynn can be found most mornings walking her dog Rosie in the National Park Service battlefield up on Lee drive where she often conducts fungi tours. No moss or lichen grow under her feet.

Last year Marilynn's poems were published nationally and statewide nineteen times and won two first place awards regionally for her poem and fictional story. Then she went on to walk away at the state level with a second place Golden Nib Award for her humorous fictional story I Did Everything from the Virginia Writer's Club. She's a national speaker and this fall Marilynn's featured at three writers conferences on the topic of Marketing and Public Relations. On August 1st she was a featured speaker at the Virginia Writers Club Symposium at Randolph-MMacon College, on October 10th she's at Salem Church Library for the Riverside Writers Club, and on November 14th the Rappahannock Regional Library's Writers' Conference.

What's next? "I'll always draw. And, I'd like to do an outside mural. I'm going to learn to produce jewelry in steel, copper, silver, gold and pearls. The trick at my age is to continue to challenge myself. Like this fall I'm driving all the way to Utah to see Monument Valley. " To learn more about Marilynn and her work, visit www.winspincic.com.

Mary Beth is a local Spotsylvania resident. She enjoys writing and plans to write more articles.

Sonja Petersen color & movement

"I've learned that growing as an artist means giving yourself permission to change.

I have always wanted my art to be about more than just one thing. I like to paint all sorts of subjects - like a clever dog wearing sunglasses, a house that's very special, or a big, close-up picture of nature. No matter what I'm painting or drawing, my goal has always remained the same - for my artwork to make people feel something real. I feel my art is successful when someone looks at my paintings and feels happy, nostalgic, or maybe even a little bit excited. That's what it's all about for me - creating art that touches people's hearts.

As I look back on my career, I can see how my work has changed over time. At first, I was really into painting commissions and telling other people's stories through my art. I loved capturing the happy moments in life. But now, my paintings of nature and architecture are all about color and movement. I'm fascinated by how I can combine realistic details with abstract techniques to create something unique. To me, these different styles aren't separate thingsthey are just different parts of the same journey I'm on as an artist.

My work has always been driven

by curiosity. And I'm really excited to see how color can energize memory and emotion.

As a teenager I was trained as an oil painter, but once I became a mom it was too difficult to have oils around my children. I had to teach myself a whole new way to manipulate acrylic paints and over the years I finally found ways to achieve the layers I had originally loved about oil paints. Today I use acrylic paint on canvas to create these layers of color and energy. Whether you're standing right next to the painting or across the room, you'll see something different and interesting. The colors and shapes are intended to shift and change as you move around the artwork.

I find that living in Virginia is my constant source of inspiration. The beautiful gardens, changing seasons and historic places that surround us - all of these things give me endless ideas! But

what really inspires me is paying attention to the little things most people seem to rush past. I hope that my work will encourage others to slow down and take a closer look, and to discover the beauty that's always right there in the smallest little moments.

As I keep creating, my style will probably keep changing, and that's okay! It's a little bittersweet to know that I'm not the artist I was 20 years ago, because I really made some beautiful pieces over the years. But it's also such a gift to realize that my art journey is ever changing and I have some amazing new pieces on my easel even as I write thisthese new pieces offer me grounding, meditation, and appreciation of the process while I'm working on them. And then I release them into the universe for someone else to enjoy. Nothing ever really stays the same does it? Growing and trying new things is just part of being an artist. I hope collectors can see the thread that runs through my worknot one subject, but a lifelong curiosity about beauty, color, and connection. Some paintings make people smile. Others invite them to slow down. Both are equally valuable to me.”

Art in the Burg

Art Galleries in august

“Faces & Places”

Featured Artist Valerie McCarney

Brush Strokes Gallery

Opening Reception , August 7, 5-99p

824 Caroline St

Valerie McCarney's statement about her exhibit "Faces & Places" is a great description of this beautiful show. She writes "The travel business was my career for many years. I always brought my sketchbook and my camera. My show is about many of the people I met and the stories I heard as I spent time in different places."

Her paintings are portraits portraying a diverse group of humans. "Irish Storyteller" depicts a gentle elderly woman. "Bedouin" shows a lovely woman in the clothing of the nomadic Arabic tribe. "Dragon Lady" is a beautiful Asian female. "Beckett", "Last Smoke" and "The Thinker" are varied pictures of males.

Valerie's artwork is a celebration of the diversity and beauty of humanity. Each portrait deftly brings out the personality of the subject through choice of additional details such as clothing, pose and color. Don't miss this show!

In addition, we also have glasswork, animal portraits, paintings in various media, jewelry, photography and more. Brush Strokes Gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm

~-Norma Woodward

“Frdericksburg in Bloom”

Leah Fromer

First Friday Opening Reception

August 7, 6-99p

Art First Gallery, 824 Caroline Street

Gallery Artist Leah Fromer is known for her solid renderings of the Fredericksburg city scene. This has expanded in her August show to include the colors and textures of Fredericksburg in the spring. Her style is clearly grounded in realism, but she adds a sense of gravitas to the images she creates through the use of color contrasts and shadow. The blend of the two lends to a sense of timeless beauty. .

~Gary Close

"The Sophistication of Less" New Works by Laura Barry Opening Reception: Aug 7, 6-99pm

Artful Dimensions Gallery 1025 Caroline St

"The Sophistication of Less is a body of work built with a deliberate choice to use only black and white,”, says Laura “even though color remains a central part of my larger practice. In this series, I explore how much depth, movement, and elegance can be created through limitation.."

~Sally Cooney Anderson

FCCA Members Gallery, Zee Berrios, Frederick Gallery Jason Knott & Ali Maleki 813 Sophia St Opening Aug 7, 6-88:30p 813 Sophia St

Three Events!

Canal Quarter Arts feature resident pottery artist Pat Gwin

2)Artist's Choice" Art Show Art this show will feature varying mediums, subjects, and styles

3) Canal Quarter Arts book signing author Karen Stone latest book, Shipwreck on the Potomac: Disaster in Pursuit of Lincoln's Killer Aug7, 5-88:30 Canal Quarters Arts, 1517 Princess Anne

~ Ellyn Wenzler

“Umbrellas”, Nancy Brittle @Artists' Alliance

Opening Friday August 14 , from 6-9

The theme of her show is Summertime! All the work is new this year and is drawn mostly from her 80 years of memories. In this body of work, she explores not only color and composition but also narrative. She played with different sorts of brushes to achieve different effects, so the "style" is varied Rob Rudick

Remixed

PONSHOP Studio & Gallery

712 Caroline St

Popular Remixed Event returns in September and we're seeking artists to join the show! We've rescued stacks of old 12" vinyl records, wiped the dust off and,

with the your help, will turn them into something that people will continue to enjoy-a fun and original work of art. All ages and skill levels are invited to participate in this community exhibit. Visit PONSHOP in store or online to register as a participating artist. Deadline for all Entries: August 30.

~Gabe Pons

Pottery Artist Pat Gwin

Appreciating the beauty of the perfectly imperfect

Stepping inside of Canal Quarter Arts reveals displays filled with unique art from over 90 local artists. Upon opening the front door, visitors are greeted by Pat Gwin's eye-catching display of organic hand-built pottery. One day a week they may also be greeted by Pat herself, as she is a docent at the gallery on Wednesdays, where she can be found happily working on her pottery, and greeting and assisting customers.

Pat moved from Rhode Island to King George in 1978 after graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in music education. She proceeded to earn a second endorsement in elementary education and taught third grade until retiring in 2018. Her retirement has allowed her to devote more time to creating hand-built pottery.

Pat has admired and been a collector of handmade pottery for many years. In 2012 she began studying handbuilding under Fredericksburg ceramicist Scarlett Pons She explored creating on the wheel but found that her passion lies in the organic nature of a hand-built piece. "I love the freedom hand-building allows," Pat says. "I can make sculptures, plaques, platters, as well as mugs and bowls. I no

longer worry about whether something is perfectly round or symmetrical."

Unlike wheel-thrown pottery, hand-building allows her to work at her own pace, carefully adding texture and detail without rushing before the clay dries. She embraces the subtle irregularities that naturally occur, believing they give each piece personality. "I think hand-built pottery offers a warmth and human element that massproduced items simply can't replicate," she says.

"I just love the organic nature of the pieces I create. The imperfections and variations are what I consider the true beauty of something created as one-of-akind." Pat explains "what I like to think of as 'perfectly imperfect' work, is what I hope people will appreciate when owning a unique piece of hand-built pottery."

Growing up near the beaches of Rhode Island, much of her work is inspired by natural elements found near the

By ellyn wenzler

Her purchase of a kiln two years ago has allowed Pat to experiment with glaze combinations and firing temperatures whenever she's inspired. Glazing, she explains, is both the most exciting and most frustrating part of the process. Rather than dipping her work, she carefully brushes on each glaze, allowing for greater control but requiring considerably more time. The results, however, are never completely predictable.

"Opening the kiln is like Christmas morning," she says. "Most times I'm thrilled! Sometimes not." Years of working with clay have also taught her to accept failure as part of the creative process. "I used to be brokenhearted when a piece cracked or warped," she says. "Now I just carry it to the trash, knowing it wasn't meant to be, and move on."

Pat creates both functional and purely decorative pottery, believing the combination keeps her creativity fresh while offering collectors pieces they can

shoreline. She works almost exclusively with brown speckled clay rather than white or porcelain, because it reminds her of the warm color of a sandy beach. Muted, matte glazes complement her organic style, while leaves, herbs, sticks, rocks, and other natural materials are pressed into the clay to create rich surface textures.

Pat credits Canal Quarter Arts gallery owner, Jeannie Ellis, with positively changing her life the day she walked in 4 years ago and was invited to join the

gallery. "Canal Quarter Arts has not only given me a place to display my work, but I'm proud to be part of a gallery filled with talented artists who have become some of my most treasured friends. I am

fortunate to have such a busy and fulfilling art life. Exploring my love for pottery is a great gift."

Ellyn Wenzler, a former writer and computer scientist, is a resident artist at Canal Quarter Arts.

Auto Known Better

Pez Dispenser

By Rim Vining

I'll admit I've got stuff… lots of stuff. Anyone who has been in my house or helped me move knows I have stuff. However, my stuff is not the stuff of a collector's obsession or a sports fanatic's team-colored environment. Mine is the accumulated stuff that is generations deep. This is the stuff left over after the Victorian money ran out before the war. No one has enjoyed the "grand tour" since Paris fell.

I am not a collector. I am not always keeping my eyes peeled for the holy grail that would make my life complete. I do not follow sports at all, never did. If I went to a sporting event in high school, it was because there were girls there and even that didn't get me to go more than half a dozen times. I played guitar and sang folk songs. Much more effective dating technique than freezing your tail off in the bleachers.

So, I have no idols. I don't follow anything. I don't even stream shows on

Netflix. I just live life as it plays out. This of course leaves me in amazement when I am confronted with those who do have idols and obsessions. I am grappling with how to process the blind faith and passion others seem to have about a band, or a team, a religion, or even Taylor Swift? How much time, effort and money goes into this pursuit?

And then there's NASCAR!

If there ever was a more perfect merchandizing model for memorabilia, I don't know what it might be. Star Wars sold millions of toys, Barbie has been selling her attributes since the 50's but NASCAR…. Into the stratosphere!

I know this because I am helping a neighbor's family divest themselves of his stuff as he has entered assistive living and has a house full of stuff. The rooms full of stuff led to the attic full of stuff and once we got a tractor in and pulled the wisteria away from the hidden shed in the

back yard it too was full of stuff… NASCAR stuff.

Did you know or were you even aware that you could own a NASCAR pull back action car that also doubles as a 'PEZ' candy dispenser? And not just any NASCAR but a true #43 Richard Petty PEZ dispenser!

Yeah folks, NASCAR is tops in selling stuff. Star Wars made three movies in six years, and they all had the same action figures. NASCAR has thirty-six races this year alone and has been giving awards to a different Hans Solo or Princess Leia (much like Barbie) since Red Byron was named the first Cup-Champion in 1949!

My neighbor went to all the races, he bought all the souvenir programs and all the NASCAR driver cards for over 35 years. They were in sleeves and catalogued and kept with all the NASCAR die-cast cars both big and small. There are promotional cereal boxes and soft drink

sleeves and posters and wrecked fenders and signed pictures; ticket stubs you name it he kept it.

Me? I have Time Magazines chronicling the rise and fall of Wallce Simpson when King Edward VIII abdicated the throne for the love of a divorcee. Scandalous and he lost it all. Not like Andrew and Epstein but scandalous, nonetheless.

I must admit I have not tried the #43 pull- back PEZ dispenser as it is in its original unopened box. Granted I have a few more. It seems as time passes even NASCAR collectibles end up in BIG LOTS for pennies on the dollar and the candy is 23 years old. Not as old as Candy Corn but old.

~autoknownbetter@gmail.com

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

Healthy Friendships learn to build Healthy Relationships for a lifetime

.As children, parents and teachers get ready for a wonderful new school year, Empowerhouse is preparing to deliver our engaging, interactive Healthy Relationships Classroom Presentation s to local schools.

A non-profit that helps survivors of domestic violence and their children, Empowerhouse has partnered with area schools for over 30 years to offer our ageappropriate, facilitated program to provide students ages 9-18 with the important tools to realize healthier relationships. Our presentations address boundaries, equality and respect, trust and accountability and healthy communications

Last year, we delivered our free presentations to over 3,900 elementary, middle, and high school students in Fredericksburg City and King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties.

Why is this program so essential?

10,000 children in our

community witness family violence each year. 1 in 3 adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence. Violent relationships in adolescence can put the victims at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, and further domestic violence

One of the best ways to end the cycle of domestic violence and keep children and teens safe is to nurture healthy relationships through prevention education programs.

For elementary school students, Empowerhouse's Youth Team uses a fun activity booklet designed for children 10 and under to teach them about healthy friendships. This dual-purpose booklet is both an educational tool for children and a guide for parents, teachers, and their adult advocates.

By laying the foundation for healthy relationships early, Empowerhouse is giving children the vital tools they need as they mature and develop friendships and relationships.

For middle school and high school students, our program highlights healthy and unhealthy dating relationships as our Youth Team facilitates conversations and shares helpful resources like our BE REAL Discussion Guides and video. Topics like acting responsibly on social media and

By nancy kelly

recognizing the impact of actions on social media are important. Recognizing red flags in relationships is essential to young people's overall health and safety. Empowerhouse gives students the tools and guidance to realize healthy relationships and the critical resources for crisis intervention if needed.

Our presentations include "hands on " activities, Q&A with our trained facilitators and post-ppresentation questionnaires These interactive presentations cover topics like bullying, boundaries, equality and respect, and better communication. Our presentations vary in length and topic depending on the age group (elementary schools - 3-5 visits/45 minutes each, middle schools and high schools - a one-day, 60-90 minute visit.)

We know the program is making a positive impact because of the feedback we receive from the students and teachers. As one teen girl noted, "I learned how to

recognize harmful behavior in relationships and started to recognize them in myself, too."

Thanks to the Hotline calls we receive after a presentation, we also know that the resources Empowerhouse leaves behind after our classroom presentations can be a lifesaving link for family members and others who are experiencing domestic violence and urgently need crisis intervention and assistance.

Nancy Kelly is the Development Director at Empowerhouse.

If your school is interested in scheduling a Healthy Relationships Classroom Presentation, please e-mmail mendyp@empowerhouseva org for more information If you, or someone you know, is experiencing teen dating violence or domestic violence, please call our free, confidential 24-hhour Hotline at (540) 373-99373

Chaplin Group Home teens help out with Rescue Dogs

by lenoraKruk-Mullanaphy

Residents from Chaplin Group Home in Fredericksburg chose Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) for their service project to help animals in the community this June. On an early Sunday morning when they might have chosen to do any number of activities, including sleeping late, the teens were wide awake and full of energy. They had a mission to clean kennels and dog beds, wash dishes, spend time with dogs and the many other tasks waiting to be done when dozens of furry friends need care. Ranging in age from 12 to 17 years old, they got to work and didn't stop until the facility was sparkling and dogs were happily chewing on peanut butter bones after some brisk exercise.

A nonprofit, no-kill organization, ODHS saves dogs from a variety of

situations. Since it's led entirely by volunteers, the extra help from the teens was a welcome sight. Volunteers who worked side-byside them noticed that no job was too big, and they performed each task happily and thoroughly. They washed endless stacks of dog bowls, mopped kennel floors until they shined and washed mounds of laundry without a complaint.

Our residents have found that interacting with animals is very therapeutic and helps them regulate and feel positive emotions," said Kaitlynn Youse, Chaplin Group Home assistant residential service director. "They want to help in their community and felt that assisting with the animals is fulfilling for them. All of the teens are very excited to continue serving not only their community, but also the animals within it."

Youse said the teens enjoyed being at ODHS and are already looking forward to their next visits, which they've scheduled for once a month. She said they were all excited to play with the dogs and help the animals who didn't have a home to go to. Youse expected all of the residents to be happy about walking and playing with the dogs, and she was pleasantly surprised to see how they willingly pitched in to clean the facility and make the dogs' homes (kennels) and spaces clean and comfortable.

In taking on the mission to help at ODHS, the teens learned about responsibility and some of the work that's required to own a pet. The goal at Chaplin Youth Center is to prepare them to be productive members of their community and make healthy, responsible decisions.

"Many of our residents have expressed a desire to have pets of their own, and they now have a better understanding of what it takes to provide a home for them," said Youse. "They're so eager to return to ODHS to interact with their favorite pups, and they'd be over the moon if they could come every week.

The teens expressed that they'd like to work with the community to recognize the benefit animals have on the mental health of others.

"We're so fortunate to have these remarkable teenagers join us at ODHS and share our goal to save dogs," said Chrissy Hamilton, ODHS founder. "They were dedicated to making sure every dog was given attention and helped with so many tasks. They all showed compassion for the dogs and genuinely wanted to help make their lives better."

The Chaplin Group Home is operated by the Office on Youth

Residential Services Division. A 12-bed, community-based residential facility, it serves male and female youth ages 12 to 17. Licensed by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, the Chaplin Group Home provides 24-hour supervision in a safe and structured environment, where residents are supported and encouraged to develop healthy, responsible behaviors in order to return home and be successful in the community. It is located in Fredericksburg and serves various counties throughout Virginia

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

THE THE POETRY MAN POETRY MAN

By Frank Fratoe

A A Heritage Heritage

Let us be satisfied to value what we are, humans on a planet circling a magic-star, with heat and light giving what we need, radiance discharged to warm land and ocean, grouping many species vigorous everywhere.

Suppose nobody dwelt within unmade cities, no houses built there or skyline downtown, no planes or copters soaring through air, just flora and fauna without our presence, still a grand miracle if no people came.

But humans are here to share this bounty, and it will continue if peace conquers war

Frank Fratoe found meaning in words and used them to reflect on life, faith, resilience, and -most notably- love

Astrology & You moon garden

By ember mercury

Just as the tides are linked to her phases, the water inside a seed or stem is thought to be equally affected. This is a controversial subject in gardening and farming communities, many argue that the science does not back up the Moon gardeners claims. In my opinion, planting a seed is a spiritual experience between you and the plant. Aside from science, the feeling is important. Listen to your intuition in regard to what the plant needs, however unconventional.

Moon as their guide for catching fish and American eels.

For thousands of years, indigenous communities around the world have had cultural and agricultural associations with the phases of the Moon. Ancient Greek cultures took this a step further, planting by the signs. Before the use of modern calendars, the Moon was our guide

Ancient Sumerian, Babylonian, Mesopotamian, and Mayan cultures practiced Moon planting. The earliest historical record of Moon planting was from approximately 4000 BCE in the ancient Sumerian Lunar calendar.

The ancient Greeks used the stars as their guides. In particular, the "Seven Sisters" or the Pleiades. According to the Old Farmers Almanac, the appearance of the Pleiades before dawn signaled harvest time. Their disappearance later in the year indicated it was time to plow and prepare fields for the next growing season."

Indigenous cultures in North America were also guided by the Seven Sisters. In our local community of Fredericksburg, Virginia, the Patawomeck tribe who has resided in the area for at least 15,000 years and potentially up to hundreds of thousands of years, have planted on this land following the guidance of the Moon and stars for centuries.

A particular Patawomeck specialty is the "Three Sisters", a cultural companion planting consisting of corn, beans, and squash Historically, they used a 13-moon lunar cycle, naming each moon. Planting began once the Moon aligned with budding oak trees and the return of migrating fish. The waxing Moon is associated with the rising of water, making it the optimal time to sow seeds, particularly above-ground crops such as the Three Sisters. During the waning Moon, water moves downward to the roots. The New Moon is a time of rest in which planting is generally avoided. The Patawomeck traditionally used handwoven white oak eel pots for their fishing practices, in which they also used the

The only surviving Algonquian creation story is from the Patawomeck. In 1610, the Patawomeck chief named Japazaw told Captain Samuel Argall that the world was created by a spirit named Ahone, who appeared as a giant hare. As the creator of all humans, Ahone was the protector of humanity, eventually creating peoples in all parts of the world. According to Encyclopedia Virginia, "The story goes on to say that when Patawomeck people die they go to live with Ahone where they dance, sing, and feast until they grow old. When they have lived a lifetime in the abode of the great hare, their last breath in the afterlife is transformed into a new Patawomeck who is born again into the world."

The land we find ourselves upon is sacred, and alive. The ground beneath our feet in Virginia carries memory of history that has long passed. Even when covered in concrete and data centers, the spirits of this land prevail. We can honor it through acknowledgement of its history and through the preservation of its roots. By tending to the land, we birth new life into a world that seems to be dedicated to destruction. Nature is a complex system of cosmic significance, all of these small parts working together in harmony, tending to the place we call home. Our one haven planet, placed perfectly within a mysterious universe of unknown capacity, all green and blue and beautiful.

You can find more information about the Patawomeck Tribe at patawomeckindiantribeofvirginia org

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

Painting: "Night Walk" by Charlotte Sorapure

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Fredericksburg Sketches

A visual Celebration of our community

By Paula Raudenbush

Canal Quarters Arts

This month's sketch was done during the July heat wave but nine of us caught a break in the temps and enjoyed about forty-five minutes sketching across from Canal Quarters Arts on Princess Anne Street. Unfortunately, a storm blew up and forced us inside. Fortunately, the good folks at CQA welcomed us and we set up in their big classroom to finish our sketches.

Several of us were intrigued by the left-hand edge of the building with its unusual profile. And that turquoise umbrella! Turquoise is a watercolor that is hard to mix, so unless you have a tube of the stuff it probably won't be a pure hue. I waited until I got home to my stash of W/C and found the perfect color. After that, I didn't want to paint anything more.

The Fredericksburg Urban Sketchers wishes to thank the folks at Canal Quarter Arts for their generous hospitality. We always find wonderful people when we're out sketching. Join us!

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

For years, our local cats have been "purrfectly" taken care of by Dr Kathleen Huntsman at JUST CATS. After serving the furry felines for more than three decades, she is about to lock the door to the clinic one last time. It's a bittersweet moment for this veterinarian who has dedicated her professional life to kitties.

Kathy was born in DC and moved to Fredericksburg when she was nine. A graduate of James Monroe H S. she received her veterinary training at Virginia-MMaryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (now Virginia Tech) Graduating in 1988, she took a job with a practice in Wake Forest, NC. On her first day, the man who was supposed to be her mentor threw the keys for the horse truck to her and took off for a week at the beach. Diving in, she found herself treating more cows than cats, and more horses than dogs. Days were long, driving from farm to farm. She decided it wasn't a good fit and returned to the Burg.

At that time, it was difficult to work fulltime and have a family. So she took parttime jobs at a couple of local clinics and eventually ended up doing house calls. That often meant long days again, driving from here to there, while raising two young children. In 1996, she decided to be her own boss and opened JUST CATS on Kenmore Avenue (many readers will remember the wonderful mural on the outside wall there). The small narrow building had been a dry cleaners. There was even a laundry chute in front of the building, and on occasion she'd open up in the morning and find bags of laundry on the floor. Eventually people got the word: cats, not clothing.

In 2006 she bought her current building on Bridgewater Street. It includes examination rooms, work areas and a surgery center with diagnostic equipment like ultrasounds and dental xrays. She has a dedicated team of professionals who assist her. Renee Lynn has worked for Dr. H. on and off for years, starting when she was only 19. She is now putting her youngest through college. "Dr. Huntsman saw me married, saw my first kid. She is always welcoming and her work impacts lives - of both the cats and their owners."

I asked Dr. Huntsman about her most memorable four-legged client. It was a white Rex named Ozzie. "He would reach out with his paws on every visit, wanting to be held and petted. He would literally leap into the air, he was such a happy cat." On the other hand, some diagnoses like cancer bring difficult decisions. As to the clinic itself, she still hopes some independent veterinarian will take it over as a turnkey cat clinic

Her learning and growing will continue on a new path soon. She is one of about 40 people accepted into Stanford University's Distinguished Careers Institute. Designed for mid-to-late career leaders, it begins in September in California and runs the entire school year.

JUST CATS

The End of An Era

By penny a parrish

The cohort will focus on the next chapter of life: spiritual, physical, and emotional health. The group will learn and share with each other as well as mentor young students. Dr. Huntsman gets to choose courses from the seven schools at the University and has already chosen one on the history of Rock & Roll, and another that looks at the philosophical, psychological and medical aspects of death and dying. It's exciting - and a little bit scary - to travel this new road. But she has always faced the future with determination and curiosity. It's time to put one foot, or paw, in front of the other and begin again.

As a client and friend who has entrusted her with multiple cats, most recently Swirl and Bingo, I can honestly say, "Dr. Huntsman, you will be greatly missed."

Penny A Parrish is a local fine art photographer and writer