Front Porch Magazine

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contents

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ernisha & tracey Hall VA Black Business Directory Patty o’brien Plein Air Artist rodney rockwell chief engineer wbqb/wvfa

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Porch talk 4

on the porch...life in fredericksburg Messages

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Osprey Festival...celebration of outdoor activities

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everything greens: dream realized, free fridge & pantry

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In the Garden: spring gardening

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growing & crawling: nandina

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history’s stories: april fools day our heritage: history of coffee in fredericksburg

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what’s in A Memory? :downman ruins

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mental health: benefits of volunteering

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emancipated patients: death doula

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Life coaching: stepping away from fear

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auto known better: caddy colors

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art in the ’burg ...galleries in April

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for the love of plein air

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sophia street throwdown

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companions: new best friend

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astrology & you poetryman: arrivals

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fredericksburg sketches

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...And More!

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i have a friend: old & new

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tidbits...small bites of local news

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season’s bounty: it might choke artie

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national tartan day

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kitten season...what you need to know

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vino: easter wines

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wild & scenic film fest returns

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Calendar of Events

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mannahoac native american tribe story

Cover: “My Heart Sings” By Patty O’Brien

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April 2022

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Mannahoac Tribe Regional Alliance gives voice to Native american tribe

By David & Collette Caprara

On the River Heritage Trail on Riverside Road in Fredericksburg, overlooking the cascading "fall line" waters, a State of Virginia Historic Resources Marker notes that in 1608, Captain John Smith encountered the Mannahoac, a Siouan tribe from nearby villages upriver who hunted and fished at the fall line. Smithsonian Institute researchers and other scholars have noted that Smith's capture of a Mannahoac tribesman named Amoroleck provided information that made it possible to map the villages of the Mannahoacs along the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers. Yet, because the tribe was dispersed throughout centuries of confrontations with other tribes and European settlers, the story of these Virginia Indians who inhabited the area from the Fall Line to the Blue Ridge and played a significant role in our area's legacy was lost.

Last year, a coalition of representatives from a spectrum of local organizations and individuals with an interest in the Mannahoac's history came together to form the "Mannahoac Story Alliance," with a goal of further understanding and giving voice to the Mannahoac heritage of our watershed from the fall line up through the

Piedmont, and into the Shenandoah National Park.

Participants in the Alliance Germanna include Foundation Executive Director Tim Sutphin, M. C. Morris, Assistant Director of Fredericksburg's Tourism and Economic Development Authority, and James "Jay" Harrison III, Community Programs Assistant at Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian who is a seventh-generation resident of Fredericksburg, acclaimed for his portrayal of James Monroe at numerous local events.

Coalition members also include representatives of the Spotsylvania County Museum, Friends of the Rappahannock, the Piedmont

Environment Council, the James Farmer Multicultural Center of the University of Mary Washington and stewards such as Philip Gaudette, whose homestead in the Shenandoah's includes a vista of Old Rag Mountain, which was a sacred place for the Mannahoacs and a crucial source of flint.

Significant impetus for the Alliance initiative was received from a fascinating and detailed presentation of the Mannahoac heritage by Victoria Ferguson, (below) an enrolled member of the Monacan Nation, who was a featured speaker of the 2021 Germanna Foundation Conference, "The Peoples of Germanna."

Three tribes in the region have been federally or state recognized: the nearby Algonquin-speaking Patowomeck and Rappahannock tribes of the Powhatan

Confederacy, and the Siouan-speaking Monacan tribe, based in Amherst County at Bear Mountain. Yet, less is known about The Mannahoac story. The Alliance came together with the mission of revitalizing their story through historical research and archaeological discoveries, including the examination of Mannahoac artifacts at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian and in area museums in the Piedmont region and Shenandoah National Park.

In addition, oral history related by descendants of Virginia Tribes will add an invaluable personal component to the story of Native Americans. These include accounts related by Reva Tutt of Norman, Virginia, whose ancestry includes African Americans and members of two American Indian tribes, who provides a glimpse of the history throughout the area's more distant and recent past.

T h e Alliance is currently involved in outreach to confer with the three regional Virginia Indian tribes for their key participation and input. Prospective endeavors for the future include environmental conservation i n i t i a t i v e s , collaborative art exhibits, heritage trails, educational programs and service projects, and cultural exchanges with Native American entities such as the newly opened Patowomeck Tribal Center on the Rappahannock in Stafford, all of which will highlight the American Indian's values of peace, conservation, and respect for nature that is embodied by tribes throughout the watershed.

"The project of the Mannahoac Story Alliance is fascinating and intriguing because it tells the story that is little known in this or any part of the country," said Sutphin. "These are people who lived here and are still making history and helping to move this country forward." “The City has embraced a goal to tell the entire story of Fredericksburg, and it is important to tell that story from the beginning," said M.C. Morris. "The members of the Alliance are bringing a spectrum of knowledge and expertise to the initiative. Bringing those resources together gives homage to the Native Americans story as we strive to learn more deeply about our roots. Special thanks go to our intern, UMW student Vonne Daszkilewicz who has accomplished significant and comprehensive research."

All who are interested in this initiative are invited to contribute to the efforts of the Alliance.

For further information, contact Tim Sutphin at Germanna Foundation (tim.sutphin@germanna.org).

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ON THE PORCH Dianne Bachman

Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists Sally Adams Wayne Amann

Rita Allan Barbara Anderson Sally Cooney Anderson Amy Bayne Laurie Black Dianne Bachman Sonja Cantu Collette Caprara David Caprara Triata Chapman Janet Douberly Jenna Elizabeth Edwards Frank Fratoe Bill Freehling Jennifer Galvin Jon Gerlach Marcia Grimsley Liz Heras Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks David C. Kennedy Trish Lockhard Wendy Migdal Ray Mikula Vanessa Moncure Pete Morelewicz Patrick Neustatter Patty O’Brien Paula Raudenbush Cable Risdon Terry Rensell Rob Rudick Mandy Smith Christine Thompson Rim Vining Tina Will Norma Woodward Von Young

Front Porch Fredericksburg is a free circulation magazine published monthly by Olde Towne Publishing Co. 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.

a special place in my heart

by Dianne Bachman There have been a whole lot of helpers on the front lines since Covid invaded our lives and I have a great deal of respect for all of them. From the medical teams to the restaurant workers, thank you. You have kept us going through these trying times. There is one group, though, that has a special place in my heart and those are the teachers in our community.

If you are reading this, I know how hard you work. I know how much you care, and I know how much it means to you when you hear that a former student has succeeded in some way. I saw it firsthand when my husband, Jon, taught in Prince William County for many years. There were always piles of papers to grade, bulletin boards to decorate, grades to post, parents to call, and lesson plans to develop. Often, he spent his own money to provide props and extras for his classroom. While our children are in your classrooms you serve multiple roles; parent, mentor, comforter, cheerleader, gatekeeper, rule enforcer, confidant, and now with Covid, sometimes custodian.

I look educators like Mrs. Lane. I enthusiasm,

back fondly on dedicated my second-grade teacher, will never forget her her compassion, her

exceptionally kind to the kids in my class who came from poverty or who didn't have a whole lot and we all felt her warmth. Mrs. Lane was dedicated to making a difference in our lives and we all knew she was the real deal.

Yes, I owe so much to many of my teachers. I wasn't the easiest kid, especially in the upper grades. I tended toward rebellion and skipped out of school whenever I saw an opportunity.

Hey, it was the seventies, and I was riding that wave of invincibility and thirst for freedom. Yet there were those educators at Woodbridge High School who were like my guardian angels. They saw potential and made it almost impossible for me to sabotage my own high school graduation. The national dropout rate in 1977 was 14.1 percent and I would have been just another statistic if it hadn't been for them.

As I emerged from public school, I was motivated to find my niche in the realm of career. So, I signed up for some gen ed classes at Northern Virginia Community College. Throughout my childhood and teen years, I was an avid writer of both poetry and prose. But it

Messages from our readers are welcome. All article submissions must be received by e-mail by the 16th & calendar items the 19th of the month preceding publication.

Writers / Artists / Photographers are welcome to request Guidelines and query the Publisher by e-mail.

Front Porch Fredericksburg PO Box 9203 Fredericksburg, VA 22403 Ad Sales: E-Mail: frntprch@aol.com Web Site: www.frontporchfredericksburg.com Facebook: @Front Porch Fredericksburg 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 2022 Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine All rights reserved.

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Dianne and Mrs. Lane 2nd Grade Class

willingness to go beyond the job description. She was creative. Even on the dismal, rainy days when all of us were amped up on carbs from the school lunches, she would engineer some fun game to focus the frenetic energy. She was

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wasn't until I took my first creative writing class with Bob Bausch that I began to have confidence in my ability to express, to create, to listen to my muse. I will always remember his love of irony, his irreverence, and his knack for telling crazy

stories. If you haven't read any of his novels, I would highly recommend anything he has written (and no, it is not because I am biased). Though he is no longer living, he remains a vivid part of my own educational history and I am forever grateful for his encouragement and support. At NOVA I received a solid foundation that helped me proceed with my studies and I remain a huge fan of community college.

So, in my own life I am aware of the crucial role education has played and the teachers who made it all possible.

Education has afforded me opportunities to not only find my niche but to thrive in my niche. It has given me options and has allowed me to build a meaningful career in a field that I love and continue to grow into. Maybe you have a favorite teacher or are thankful for one who has helped your own child. Reach out and let them know how much they mean to you. They deserve our encouragement and our heartfelt thanks, especially if you can read this Front Porch Magazine cover to cover. They are responsible for your literacy.

Diane Bachman lives in FXBG and is a practicing psychotherapist & astrologer

Fredericksburg’s Finest Ernisha & TRACEY HALLs by jenna elizabeth Edwards Regional Black Chamber of Commerce as 2018 Business Start-Up of the Year and Mentor of the Year. These three thriving businesses are a boon to Fredericksburg in i n c r e a s i n g e m p l o y m e n t opportunities, as well as in attracting, showcasing, and connecting talented entrepreneurs throughout the region.

Did you know that Fredericksburg is home to Virginia's singular directory of Black-Owned businesses and a preeminent magazine featuring the success of Black entrepreneurship throughout the National Capital Region?

Meet Ernisha & Tracey Hall, incredibly talented Renaissance women and the founders and owners of the Virginia Black Business Directory (VABBD), the Black DMV Magazine, and NIRAY LLC, a website, graphic design, and branding company serving more than 200 clients throughout the United States and recognized by the Greater Fredericksburg

The beloved power couple's driving purpose is to "rise by lifting others," through celebrating Black excellence, through generating wealth in h i s t o r i c a l l y marginalized communities, and through empowering, amplifying, and advocating on behalf of underrepresented voices and populations women, people of color, youth, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when various inperson restrictions on physical retail locations exacerbated challenges of visibility for minority-owned businesses, the Halls employed their skills in creating high-q quality, professional branding to produce virtual platforms that fostered community, connection, and awareness.

The Virginia Black Business Directory,

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founded in 2020, now boasts over 1,200 listed businesses with a Facebook reach of nearly 300,000 and an Instagram presence of over 100,000 impressions.

The Black DMV Magazine features writers from throughout the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area covering diverse, timely topics, such as beauty, lifestyle & travel; business owner close-ups; professional development; community highlights; poetry; thought-provoking editorials; and inspirational essays. The magazine has also featured written contributions from prominent local community advocates, such as Pastor Gary Holland of The Heart 4 the Community Initiative and John Reid of PW Perspective.

The Halls, on behalf of the Virginia Black Business Directory, have also chosen Fredericksburg as home of the Virginia Black Business Expo. The inaugural expo built on the success of the region's first Black Restaurant Week and Food Truck Festival (FXBGbrw), another milestone brought to fruition through the enterprising spirit of the Halls and their collaboration with community partners such as Virginia Partners Bank, Nyesha & Marlon Wilson, Stafford Virginia EDA, and AKRE Consulting Group. The landmark event in September 2020 generated massive enthusiasm among Fredericksburg foodies - well over 1,000 people, including Democratic Congressional candidate Qashim Rashid, Delegate Joshua Cole, and Stafford Board of Supervisor Tinesha Allen - showed their love for local favorites such as Big Bad W Pit BBQ, Souls Grill, Community 1 Market, Ann's Lobster Rolls, Jerks of the Caribbean, All A's Cakes, Family Food Palace, Taste of Trelawny, Wild Flour Confections, PEERMADIZ Restaurant and Lounge, Refuel, Pimenta, Better 4 You Juices, Katie's Cakes, Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Jus Pop'n Gourmet Popcorn,

Fingers Are Hard To Shrink

Long Family Markets, and Piggy's Baby Cakes. The expo itself commenced a month later featuring 87 businesses (mostly local to Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and Stafford) at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds. In 2021, members of Fredericksburg's Economic Development Authority voted unanimously to provide $20,000 in funding for the second expo.

The VABBD Board of Directors stated that the needs of minority-owned businesses were not being met, and that highlighting Black-Owned businesses would begin to correct the issue. These conversations followed the launch of the EDA's Diverse City initiative to amplify the stories of Fredericksburg businesses in celebration of Black History Month, Women's History Month, Celebrate Diversity Month, National Small Business Month, and Pride Month.

VABBD will host the third Virginia Black Business Expo at the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center in August 2022. The event has grown to feature up to 150 Black-Owned businesses from throughout D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The celebration will kick off with "The Great Blacksby" Cocktail Party from 7-11 pm on Friday, August 5, 2022. "Everyone is welcome to attend for a weekend of shopping, networking, entertainment, relationship building, and delicious food," Ernisha says, "Together we are stronger. The success and achievements of the Black community are in service to people of all backgrounds throughout the greater Fredericksburg region and beyond.”

Jenna is a local realtor .

Her facebook, The Writing Realtor, highlights local business owners & community members showcasing why FXBG region is an amazing place to live

Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged

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Osprey Fest celebration of bird watching and outdoor activities

by Sally Adams

The Northern Neck of Virginia is the location for the Colonial Beach Osprey Festival of the Potomac/Chesapeake Bay Watershed, April 9, 2022. Colonial Beach (or 'CB' as the locals call it) is a designated bird sanctuary along the Potomac River.

The osprey is this delightful town's official bird. The annual festival celebrates birdwatching and the area's abundant natural resources. The weekend kicks off "Earth Day Month" on Friday, April 8, with a downtown art walk featuring wildlife subjects and live music in the historic section of Colonial Beach.

Saturday, April 9, is a full nest of

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live demonstrations, talks, hikes, golf cart tours, trolley rides, vendors and exhibitors on Town Hill (adjacent to the beach). A ticket to the event includes talks by wildlife professional Mike Callahan and osprey blogger Pam Narney, as well as a hummingbird presentation, an introduction to birding, a presentation on technology for birding, and a presentation on Monarch butterflies and native plants. The featured event is a live Zoom talk with osprey expert Dr. Alan Poole at 1pm Saturday, April 9. Saturday evening visitors can attend the "Grand Ole Os'prey" concert at Colonial Beach Brewing.

Visitors can rent individual golf carts all weekend. There

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are kayaks and canoes available to rent in town along the Potomac.

Guests can also hike, bike, or travel by car to take a closer look at the local osprey platforms during the annual mating/nesting season.

Visit some of the premiere bird watching sites in t h e area or the many astonishing historic sites.

Several U.S. presidents lived within only a few miles of Colonial Beach.

And Alexander Graham Bell's summer home sits proudly in town on the Potomac river.

The entire April 9 weekend is a celebration of bird watching and outdoor activities. Make arrangements to stay in

one of the charming hotels or cottages available in this hidden traveler's treasure.

Many marinas host visitors traveling by boat. Camping accommodations are also available.

The festival, hosted by Downtown Colonial Beach, Inc. supports revitalization of the historic downtown and commercial core of this Potomac River beachfront community.

Download the Festival Schedule, @colonialbeachospryfeatival.org

Sally Adams is a voice actor living in Colonial Beach

Everything Greens A dream realized: free fridge & pantry Dean’s Plastering Services Plaster, Stucco, Drywall, Art 540.656.2399 540.419.8878 luckyluckydean@aol.com

By Janey douberly You may have noticed a brightly colored structure going up on the corner of Princess Anne and Dixon Streets this past month. In colors of pink and yellow, it is hard to miss! What you are witnessing is a little piece of history happening in our front yards! Through the hard work of our board and staff and with so much support from our community, the Downtown Greens Free Fridge and Pantry, the first of its kind in the city, is now open and helping us take a bite out of food insecurity!

Like many great things, it started with a simple dream from one of our community leaders Ace Banks: get a fridge and fill it with food for the community.

The concept seemed so simple: Get fridge.

Fill fridge with food. We quickly learned that there was so much more to setting up a project like this. But through the dedication and tireless efforts of Board Member Javonne Kirby and so many others, we have turned the idea into reality. The community has come out in

Please join with me and continue to support our Local FXBG small businesses in 2022

force to help make it all happen. Dominion Power funded the project and ran the electricity, St. George's donated funds for food, Demitri Nelson provided the vibrant colors to the structure, Frame Design donated plexiglass for the doors, George Barnick of FXBG Technology brought us wifi, and amazing folks like Keith Sullivan, Maie Makin, Sara Hudson, Jon Eizyk, donated their time and efforts.

Where Customer Service and Title Insurance Become One

So much has happened in the last year. City permits were acquired. The health department was notified and consulted. The structure was designed and built.

Electricity was installed. The refrigerator was purchased.

Safety measures were implemented, such as wireless thermometers that will notify our cell phones if the temperatures in the fridge start to warm. Cleaning products were stocked and a troop of Free Fridge Heroes, the volunteers that will make this project run smoothly, cleanly, and safely, were mustered and trained.

12225 Amos Lane, Ste 204 Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-907-0574 www.elitetitleva.com

The Free Fridge and Pantry will make it possible for us to get both perishable and nonperishable food items to anyone experiencing food insecurity.

Uncooked meats will be in the freezer along with other frozen meals. Eggs, milk, cheese, produce and other perishable items will be kept in the fridge. Everything donated will be required to be sealed and labeled.

And while we cannot accept homemade foods or seafood, local businesses such as Mo's City Soup will be donating delicious, healthful meals to the fridge. We have a pantry section for nonperishable items with additional storage

SUZY STONE Mobile:540.847.0630 Office: 540-898-2900 suzystone22@gmail.com C21redwood.com

for any non-food necessities such as paper products, hygiene products, and other helpful items. Any community member is welcome to stop by the fridge and pantry and leave items they wish to donate!

All of this because of one little idea and a hundred hands joining together to make it happen. We would also like to give a very special thanks to the Free Fridge crew that has worked so hard to make all of this possible. Illustrious Board Members Javonne Kirby and Emerald Payton, special friend of the garden, Debra Samuels, beloved Outreach Intern Ray Gene Simmons, and ya girl, Janet Douberly.

If you would like to join us for our ribbon cutting ceremony please come to the Upper Garden, on the corner of Princess Anne and Dixon Streets on Saturday, April 9th, at 10am. For more information or to find out how you can get involved, email freefridge@downtowngreens.org Free Fridge & Panrty Ribbon Cutting April 9, 10 Am, Upper Garden Janet Douberly is a grateful team member at Downtown Greens Founded in 1995, Downtown Greens is a non-p profit with a mission to foster community involvement and growth by protecting and nurturing urban greenspace through collaborative environmental stewardship and experimental education.Located at 206 Charles Street downtowngreens.org. Be sure to visit FXBG's Community Greenspace open from sunrise to sunset 365 days per year.

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In the Garden spring gardening By tina will improved with organic matter. Also: don't compact your garden soil because air in the soil is very important; put down stepping stones or wood planks to create a path around your vegetables. For those who want to understand the 'why' of improving soils, this Oregon Extension article is enlightening: extension.oregonstate.edu/news/secretlife-soil.

Out into the garden we go, hopes high, resolve and backs strengthened, and probably some vegetables, flowers, trees, or shrubs waiting for placement. Since the soil is still cool, this is a good time to plant cool weather vegetables from seedlings: peas, spinach, lettuce, beets, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, shallots, radishes, and pansies (which are also edible if you don't have deer to eat them for you).

First things first: Nourish the garden soil with a well-aged manure or other organic compost. This will increase the microbial life in the soil, which also increases the availability of nutrients already in the soil. Clay soil may seem like a tough growing environment, and looser soil is better for vegetables, but there are lots of nutrients in clay soil, and their availability to flowers, shrubs, and trees is

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Composting 101 Master Gardener Kristy Stone is a pro at making good compost, and has been giving an informative talk for several years on how to make it. There are two more on'Backyard Composting' line talks scheduled: April 11, and May 10 at 7 pm for one hour. They are offered through a link with the CRRL: https://librarypoint.bibliocommons.com/e vents/. Search on one of those dates, and scroll down to find the event Backyard Composting. Click on that, and register your email to access the live program.

Here you will get the information you need to start your own composting effort, and have a chance to purchase a compost bin available from the R-Board.

Plant Clinics, Smart Green Lawn Program, Help Desk P l a n t Clinics will restart in May at the Rte 3/Gordon Rd Farmer's Market, and in King George at the KG Middle School/Farmer's

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Market. The dates for these and others will be listed on our calendar website and Facebook pages when the dates are known.

Go to https://www.mgacra.org/ and navigate to the current month under the Calendar tab. Our Facebook page is here: facebook.com/MGACRA/.

Guy Mussey, our VCE Agent, has begun taking applications for the 'Smart Green Lawn' assessment program for homeowners. There is a fee, and you must fill out the registration form which can be found on the Stafford VCE office website: htstafford.ext.vt.edu/.

Our April 2 Symposium 'Made for the Shade' has given us the information we need to advise homeowners on establishing a lawn under shady conditions, and we've been reminded how important an

needs 'part sun' preferably morning sun.

Vegetables generally need full sun, which means about six hours a day, and pansies look great wherever they are. We have a monitored help desk, so send us your questions if you were not able to attend the Symposium. Here's the helpdesk address: VCEStafford.helpdesk@gmail.com.

Enjoy your garden, and grow what will make you smile!

Tina Will is a Master Gardener and lives in Stafford County. She can be reached at brianandtina.will@gmail.com photos by Tina WIll

understanding is of what kind of light a plant needs. The Leopard's Bane (pictured)

Growing & Crawling nan-don’t-a Nandina By janet douberly

200 William St Downtown Fredericksburg 540-373-4421 crownjewelersfredericksburg.com

There is an invader in our midst.

One we have welcomed and planted with open arms.

That invader's name is Nandina Domestica.

birds, who did not evolve with this shrub, are killed by its delicious looking berries.

Loved for its beautiful foliage and showy red berries, Nandina has been a favorite of landscapers for years. Also called Heavenly Bamboo, it is native to Asia and is often chosen as a hearty shrub that grows and spreads quickly. You'll see it growing in yards and shopping centers all over Fredericksburg.

You can find older plants that have been installed many years ago next door to wee specimens that have just been planted on the properties of the many newly constructed homes and apartments in town.

I urge all of you to put a stop to the nandina take over. Do not install any new plants and, if at all possible, remove any that already exist on your property.

If you're looking for a replacement for this interloper try some native shrubs such as Winterberry or Inkberry Holly.

My friends, we must put a stop to the take over. Nandina is considered an invasive plant in many parts of the US. And while it has yet to be added to the invasive list in Virginia, it is only a matter of time.

Janet Douberly is an invasive plant shamer at Downtown Greens.

Aside from its invasive growing properties, every part of the Nandina is also poisonous to wildlife. Our native

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“I Have A Friend” friends new & old

By Laurie Black they always play checkers when Dan is here. Dad rarely gets visitors, so it means a lot to him and me that Dan visits."

Donate to a Cancer Organization Let’s Find a Cure!

There are so many more stories and amazing volunteers; special thanks to you all for giving your time and giving your heart!

Laurie Black is the Senior Visitors Program Coordinator at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.

Mental Health America of Fredericksburg is celebrating National Volunteer Month! We are grateful for all the wonderful individuals and organizations that volunteer in our community.

Mental Health America of Fredericksburg's Senior Visitors Program particularly wishes to honor and celebrate our volunteers who reach out weekly to older adults in the community who have been feeling isolated or lonely. Whether new to the program or a long-time volunteer, they are the heartbeat of our program.

Cherri Mills and her new senior friend, Beulah (above), graciously let me take their picture on their very first visit.

In addition to being new friends, Cherri and Beulah are both new to the Senior Visitors Program. However, it did not take either of them long to settle in to visiting.

They were soon laughing and talking about their common interests in crochet, hummingbirds, mountains, and sitting outdoors to enjoy the sunshine.

As I left, Beulah smiled and said, "Yes. I think this is going to work."

The Senior Visitors Program has been serving in the Fredericksburg area for almost 22 years. Some of our volunteers have been with the program since its early years. For example, volunteer Pat Quinn has been with the program since 2001. He has been visiting his current senior, Donnie, since 2006.

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Donnie's sister, Bobbie, says of Pat, "Pat has been great. He has been so patient. He takes Donnie on outings and never forgets his birthday or special holidays."

Volunteer, Barbara Stafford, has been with the Senior Visitors Program since 2002. She has been visiting her friend, Joyce, since 2009.

Joyce says of Barbara, "She cares about me and how I feel. She's the sister I don't have. She's a helper to my guardian angel. She's just such a good friend. I am not a people person. I don't need a room full of people, I just need one or two good friends. It's hard to find a good friend you can trust these days, but I know I can count on Barb. I think she feels the same way about me and that is why we've been friends so long."

Joyce went on to say, "We do not go out as much as much as we used to, but she calls me a lot and I'm so grateful.

She does her best to encourage me to get out, telling me, "It'll do you good to get out." She's right, it always makes me feel better. If it wasn't for her, I would just be sitting at home all the time."

Another volunteer, Dan Walker, has been with the program since 2014.

Dan has been visiting Leroy since 2018.

Leroy's daughter, Lisa, says of Dan, "My dad loves Mr. Dan. He brightens his day. They are checkerboard partners;

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If you know a senior who could benefit from having a weekly, friendly visit or if you would like to volunteer to visit a senior, call the Senior Visitors Program at (540) 371-2 2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org to download volunteer or senior applications. The Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.

donatelifevirginia.org

Kitten Season is Here! fxbg spca gives tips on keeping kittens safe By von young Kitten season is the prime breeding time for cats who haven't been spayed or neutered.

Good-hearted members of the community want to know how they can help, but sometimes end up doing harm while trying to do good.

"Kit-napping' happens every year in the spring and summer. When we find a litter of kittens, it is natural to be concerned. Our animal-loving instincts tell us they may be abandoned and in need of help. However, in most cases removing the kittens is not the best response, and doing so may end up putting them in even greater danger. Human intervention is typically not required. In fact, taking otherwise healthy kittens away from mother cats can increase their mortality rate up to 40%.

Keep an eye on outdoor kittens but don't move them unless they are sick, injured, or have been abandoned by their mothers-or if they're in a location presenting special hazards, like an unsafe area of a construction site, or too close to a busy road. Remember - mom is likely

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close watching you, watching the kittens.

Finding a single kitten is common, as mother cats often move kittens to different locations to keep them safe. Visit fredspca.org/kitten to learn about what to do with found neonatal kittens as they require specialized care in order to survive.

cats. If you cannot foster, you can still help set your local shelters up for a successful kitten season. We have a great need for kitten supplies. We encourage businesses and groups in our community to host kitten supply drives and can provide digital assets to help get them started.

Once kittens are about six weeks old, you can bring them into your home for fostering. When they are two pounds, they should be spayed or neutered, and adopted into a loving home of their own.

Provide food and water for the mother, and shelter for the family. Mom cat should be spayed, too, after her kittens are weaned. Otherwise, she'll likely have another litter of kittens in a few months.

We offer affordable spay/neuter for the public and rescue groups through our Fred SPCA Locke Community Medical Center.

The biggest impact you can have on kitten season is to make sure the cats in your neighborhood are spayed and neutered before they have kittens. While the Fredericksburg SPCA does not have a trap-neuter-release program, we do offer feral cat packages in our clinic to those who are able to TNR. We are always in need of new foster families and the Fredericksburg SPCA provides supplies, training, and support to people looking to save lives. We need fosters year-round, and that need grows during the spring and summer, the Fred SPCA's busiest time of year. Learn more about our foster program at fredspca.org/foster. We'll need kitten fosters, and fosters for puppies, dogs, and

The Fred SPCA expects over 400 kittens to come into our care this upcoming season and public education and support will be crucial in helping us save lives. As a Best Friends Animal Society Network Partner, the Fredericksburg SPCA is committed to making Virginia a no-kill state by 2025. This big goal comes with the knowledge that the most vulnerable animal in shelters is also the most unexpected - neonatal kittens.

Von Young is the Marketing & Communications Manager, FXBG SPCA

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April 2022

11

TidBits

Become a Member

small bites of local News

By Bill Freehling favorites and fearlessly pushing culinary boundaries whenever possible. Most recently, Horgan was interviewed on NBC's Today Show for the Saint Patrick Day Special.

www.fredericksburgcsa.com

Fredericksburg’s Hometown Irish Pub & Restaurant Since 1961

Kimman's Installs Engraving Machine The downtown Fredericksburg gift store recently installed an engraving machine that allows customers to personalize a wide array of products.

Kimman's Co., which is at 1004 Caroline Street, put in the engraving machine at the rear of the store.

Customers can now personalize products including coasters, wine glasses, coffee mugs, cutting boards and many more.

Customers can design the products themselves on a computer next to the engraver, and have their design come to life within a matter of minutes.

It's very cool, so go check it out!

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

200 Hanover St. ~ 373-0738

Serving Up Local “Good” News For a Quarter Century

Front Porch Fredericksburg 12

April 2022

Celebrity chef Joining Rebellion Team A celebrity chef who was a finalist on Hell's Kitchen (Season 19) and competed in Guy's Grocery Games will lead the culinary team of a downtown Fredericksburg restaurant.

Chef Declan Horgan has been named culinary director and executive chef of Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen, at 309 William Street. T Horgan, originally based in Ireland, is recognized for his range of culinary disciplines, blending flavors from classic French cuisine to hearty Irish

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Chatham Bridge Trail Connection to Open this Spring In a few weeks, visitors and residents should be able to safely and easily walk, bike and run between Downtown Fredericksburg and Stafford County attractions including Belmont, Chatham and Pratt Park.

The Chatham Bridge pedestrian connection is expected to fully open by

early April, weather-permitting.

Construction crews are now putting the final touches on the project.

It's already possible to walk across the Chatham Bridge from downtown Fredericksburg on a 10-foot path along the side, but the connection to the trail system in Stafford County isn't yet open. That should change by early April, offering up another great outdoor activity in Fredericksburg and Stafford.

Jay's Downtown Sports Lounge Re-O Opens Jay's is at 409 William Street in downtown Fredericksburg. It was closed for some time while the building was renovated.

Welcome back, Jay's! We're glad you're open again.

Peter Chang semi-ffinalist in 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards Perhaps the most-prestigious awards in the culinary industry are the James Beard Foundation Awards. Peter Chang, a Sichuan-style restaurant with a Fredericksburg location at 1771 Carl D. Silver Parkway in Central Park, has recently been named a semifinalist in the annual award competition for the category of outstanding chef.

Peter Chang, the owner for whom the restaurant is named, was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Awards in 2016, when he was named a finalist for best chef of the Mid-Atlantic. Chang has multiple restaurants in both Virginia and Maryland, and has established himself as a renowned and revered chef. .

Agora Downtown named one of the 30 Best Coffee Shops in the Southeast RAVE Reviews has named Fredericksburg coffee shop Agora Downtown one of the 30 Best Coffee Shops in the Southeast. Not only that but they were one of only three from Virginia to be on the list.

Agora Downtown is known for its liquored coffee as well as its wonderful atmosphere. Additionally the coffee shop

also functions as a used bookstore, gift shop, and also has a kitchen they use to make sandwiches and other baked goods.

They also host live performances, have dog-friendly outdoor seating, and work with over 90 local entrepreneurs to sell handmade wares.

Congratulations to the Agora Downtown team of this terrific accomplishment. Visit them at 520 Caroline Street to get a cup of some amazing coffee.

Bill Freehling, Fredericksburg's director of economic development and tourism

The Sunken Well Tavern

Season’s Bounty It Might choke artie, but.... vanessa moncure ...IT AIN'T GOING TO CHOKE ME!

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

The Soup & Taco, Etc. 813 Caroline St. Fredericksburg, VA

Serving Traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex Food and Something More!!

Tuesday to Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 11am-6pm

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

I'm old enough to remember television reruns of the 1930s "Our Gang", a series of comedy short films featuring the adventures of neighborhood children and I especially remember the character Stymie attempting to eat a fresh artichoke. "I don't know what this is, but I'm going to tackle it!" With Spanky and Petey the dog looking on, he examines it, then begins peeling off the sharp-tipped triangular scales only to find the inedible choke. Then, with a puzzled look and a shrug and, obviously at a loss, he tosses the whole peeled artichoke aside. It's a funny scene, especially because at first glance the prickly globe doesn't appear tasty or even edible. The artichoke is a variety of thistle, and the edible portion is the large bud before it begins to flower.

Most are perennial plants grown in California for national sale, but the artichoke can be grown as an annual in zones 3-11l, although they require lots of room and a long growing season. Their peak commercial season is from March to May when prices are lower and again from September to October.

When eating either steamed or baked fresh artichokes, the scales give up a bit of tender flesh as you run your teeth through the end of the leaf. When you have gone through all the leaves, scrape off and discard the "choke" or spiky inedible portion - which will then expose the tender flesh of the artichoke heart.

The heart is the most desirable, tender portion of the artichoke and they can be purchased whole or quartered, in either water or with spices in an oil and vinegar mixture. Sometimes they also can be found frozen. Famed chef Julia Child devoted 12 pages of her iconic book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" (1961) to the artichoke, first describing cooking suggestions, preparation for cooking, then how to eat a whole artichoke. First cut off about the top inch of the leaves, trim the sharp ends of the remaining leaves with scissors, then rub the cut portions with lemon juice before steaming them cut side down about 40-45 minutes in a covered saucepan. They are done when a fork inserted in the bottom flesh pierces easily. They can be eaten hot, room temperature or chilled, usually with a sauce.

ARTICHOKE DIPPING SAUCES Hot artichokes can be served with

warm melted butter, melted butter with either garlic or lemon or sauce Hollandaise. Cold artichokes are great with garlic aioli sauce, herbed French dressing, or a dijon sauce made with half dijon, half mayonnaise and a spoonful of whole grain mustard.

BRAISED ARTICHOKES This is based on one of Julia's recipes. Steam three artichokes for only 10 minutes, remove from heat and cut in half lengthwise. Remove the choke, then cut each half in half, making quarters. Set aside. In a Dutch oven, braise over medium heat one diced medium onion in 2tsp. Olive oil and 1cup diced pancetta or 1/2c. Diced prosciutto. Add 2tsp. Grated fresh garlic, 1/2c dry white wine, 1.5c.

Chicken broth and boil until partially reduced. Add one small bunch of parsley, a bay leaf and ½ tsp dried thyme, stir and arrange the quartered artichokes in the Dutch oven, cover and cook about one hour in 325F oven. Delicious served with baked tomatoes and sauteed potatoes as a vegetarian side dish or with baked chicken as main course.

MY MOM'S ARTICHOKE DIP I remember her serving this at bridge luncheons, sometimes over steamed buttered artichoke bottoms as a main course. Easy - I usually serve it as a dip with homemade baguette crisps. Drain and chop one can of whole or quartered artichoke quarters. Mix with one cup Hellman's mayonnaise, one cup grated Parmesan cheese, ½tsp garlic powder and one tsp lemon pepper seasoning. Spread in ovenproof casserole and bake at 375F until browned and bubbly. Today you can usually find this recipe or some variation in Southern Living or Junior League cookbooks.

STUFFED ARTICHOKES Most of my dad's family are in Mississippi (the Ole Miss crowd) although some are in Louisiana (the LSU crowd).

But both sides of the family come together

with the food deliciousness found in New Orleans. Central Grocery is celebrated for its muffaletta sandwiches and its stuffed artichokes. This is a version from a Baton Rouge cookbook and is so delicious. Easy side dish for a crowd. Mix together the artichoke stuffing mixture and set aside until ready to stuff the artichokes.

STUFFING Mix together 5 cups dry breadcrumbs (grated baguette crumbs are what I use). 1.5c grated parmesan cheese, 1/2c grated Romano cheese, 1/3c minced fresh parsley, 3 green onion tops, finely chopped, ½ tsp each dried basil, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper. Also add 2T.grated lemon zest,1tsp.each salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, 3 large grated garlic cloves, 1/4 c olive oil, 2 tsp. Lemon juice and enough water to make a slightly moist stuffing. Slice off the top third of four large fresh artichokes and cut the bottoms so they will stand upright. Cut off the sharp tips with scissors, then using a spoon, scoop out the hairy choke. Squeeze lemon juice over all the cut edges.Begin stuffing the artichokes from the outside leaves in, firmly filling the center cavity.

Heat about 1" water in the bottom of a Dutch oven and bring to a boil - stand the artichokes together, touching. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer and cook about 60-75 minutes or until the leaves can be pulled out easily. Remove the artichokes to a rack and cool a bit before serving. They can be garnished with a lemon wedge and drizzled with a bit of olive oil if desired. And very delicious with a cup of Cafe du Monde coffee!

Vanessa Moncure mixes up deliciousness for Front Porch readers every month

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April 2022

13

National Tartan Day Local Scottish Society celebrates

By Wayne Amann Wear a kilt and sporran Several shops sell traditional Scottish attire as the celebration approaches. Most people will have a kilt and sporran during this observance.

The sporran is a traditional purse that complements the kilt. Since the kilt does not have pockets, the sporran helps you safely carry your phone and wallet in the parade.

Scottish Society of The Fredericksburg will get an early start on celebrating National Tartan Day in front of the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, 1020 Caroline St., April 2, from 11 am to 3 pm.

"Our folks decided holding it before (on Saturday), vice the actual day of (Wednesday) April 6, made better sense so more people will have a chance to celebrate with us," said SSF Chief Bob Glasgow.

National Tartan Day is a celebration commemorated annually on April 6. The day is used to mark the Declaration of Arbroath, also known as the Scottish Declaration of Independence.

The day was signed in 1320, which gave them the right to form their military.

This national holiday stemmed from Canada in the mid-1930s. At the time, Canada only constituted 15% of Scottish people. On this day, people of Scottish heritage in different countries come together to celebrate their traditions and mark the day when Scotland gained independence. Besides the U.S., other countries that commemorate this holiday are Australia, Canada, Scotland, and Argentina.

This day is very important in the United States because the Declaration of Independence in America was modeled after the Declaration of Arbroath. Plus, around half of those who signed the Declaration of Independence, and nine governors elected to form the new United States, were of Scottish descent.

You don't have to be Scottish to observe this day in various ways...you can: Be part of a parade On this national day, many parades are organized in different cities. The parades usually highlight different Scottish traditions. People who attend are usually dressed in kilts and are accompanied by bands using drums and bagpipes to provide an experience similar to being in the Scottish Highlands.

14

April 2022

Cook a traditional Scottish meal There are many dishes, but the most common is black pudding and Haggis.

Haggis is made of various sheep organs such as the heart, liver and lungs. The dish is then boiled in oatmeal, suet, and seasoning. Black pudding is also different because it's made of dried pig's blood, oatmeal and suet.

Post on social media Perhaps the easiest way to celebrate this holiday is to post photos and videos of yourself with a kilt and sporran, or when eating a Scottish meal on social media.

When posting these images, use the hashtag #NationalTartanDay. Did you know...?

The tartan is a plaid fabric or woolen cloth, checkered or crossbarred with narrow bands of various colors, much worn in the Highlands of Scotland.

Olde Towne Butcher Traditional Butchery - Fresh Perspective

Clean, local, sustainable, humane foods prepared fresh.

Better for you and your family, better for our planet, better for local economy, better food!

401 William St - Fredericksburg 540-370-4105 - OldeTowneButcher.com

Our Store is Open

The Scottish created the popular New Year's Eve song, "Auld Lang Syne." It's a Scottish folklore tune written by Robert Burns, the renowned Scottish poet.

Most people believe bagpipes originated in Scotland, this is not true.

The bagpipes were musical instruments invented in ancient Egypt and the Middle East.

320 Emancipation Hwy fxbgfoodcoop@gmail.com fredericksburgfoodcoop.com

The Scottish people have still embraced their ancient language, Gaelic, which is still spoken in Scotland alongside English, and taught in several schools.

The national animal of Scotland is the Unicorn. Scotland selected the unicorn because it represents courage, purity, strength and unity. The Scottish are also known for their belief in myths.

Open every Sat 7am-2 2pm

To learn more about Scottish culture and history join the Scottish Society of Fredericksburg's observance of National Tartan Day!

Rain/Shine @Hurkamp Park

Wayne Amann is on Scottish Society of Fredericksburg Publicity Committee

masks & gloves recommended

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Vino

Join Us for Breakfast Now Serving Lunch $6 Weekday Lunch Specials 11am - 2pm Daily

Wines for Easter & Spring

by Rita Allan

540-373-8300 ~ 620 Caroline St. FXBG, VA

Join Us on the Rooftop for Chill VIbes, Tasty Eats, & Cold Drinks

314 William St..656-2500..fb@vivifyburger..vivifyburger.com

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

540-898-0737

Shop Local Welcome to Downtown Fredericksburg’s Main Street District fredericksburgdowntown.org

Happy Spring and Happy Easter to those who celebrate. This weekend, in honor of Easter, we will feature wines that would make a great addition to your holiday table, or your Springtime table!

The 2019 Domaine Fabre Cuvée Serpolet Rosé Côtes du Provence, from France, is making a second appearance, as it is a great springtime wine, but also pairs well with Easter meals. This rosé is produced from vineyards that are 400years old, in the heart of Provence, owned by the Fabre family who are the largest private landholders in the region. Serpolet is the French term for thyme, which can be found growing around the vineyards.

There maybe be hints of the herb in the aroma of this wine. This wine has lots of flavors of bright red fruits, and is refreshingly fruity and easy-drinking, and will pair well with ham and lots of side dishes, like spring peas.

Another great pairing with Easter dinner is Pinot Noir, because of its bright fruit and moderate tannins. For a Pinot for your dinner table, we chose the 2019 Boutinot Les Volets Pinot Noir Pays d'Oc, from Roussillon in southern France. The wine is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.

The grapes for this wine experience the warm Mediterranean sunshine during the day, along with cooler nights in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains. This temperature swing from day to night allows the grapes to ripen more slowly.

The grapes are hand-picked, then the wine is made in large old oak barrels, so oak flavors or aromas are not present in the wine. Red fruits like cherries, raspberries and strawberries are prominent in this wine. The producer recommends pairing

the wine with herby sausage casserole, grilled lamb, or pea and ham soup, and those suggestions have an Easter dinner written all over them.

For those who prefer a richer and bolder wine, we have the 2016 Pilizota Babic Costal, from Croatia. The wine is made from a grape called Babic that is indigenous to the country. Have you ever tasted a Babic? Wines made from this grape are inky dark in color, and full bodied with ample tannins. This specific wine shows some earthiness, meatiness, and restrained tannins that finish gently.

The aromas and flavors display dark ripe black fruit including blackberries, blueberries, and plums, along with notes of fig and licorice. This is a wine to pair with the Easter roast leg of lamb or cheese and charcuterie.

For our final wine, we present the non-vintage Palacio de Bornos Frizzante Verdejo, from Castilla y Le León in Spain.

This is a light, sparkling wine with low alcohol, which would make a lovely aperitif before your holiday meal, on its own, or with spicy pepperoni or salty nuts and cheeses. With the sweetness in this wine and flavors of orange, pear, apricots, and pineapple, it would be a great wine to pair with moderately sweet desserts like cheesecake, carrot cake, or that Easter lamb cake coated in coconut.

Wishing you a joyous Easter and Happy Spring.

City Vino is located at 810 Caroline St. You can find owner Rita Allan on-site to provide answers to all your wine questions

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April 2022

15

CALEND april 2022...National Volunteer Month: Helping- Others, Helps YOU! Bluegrass on the Patio, Sunken Well Tavern 6-8pm Sunday Brunch at the Colonial Tavern 11:30-3p

Friday April 1

Brush Strokes Gallery "All Member Show Celebrate Spring", 824 Caroline St, 5-9p FCCA "The Art of Untold Stories" by Brenda Siberman & Rebecca Carpenter, 813 Sophia St Live Music@The Recreation Center, 213 William St, Buddy Fest 2, 6:30p

Spring Fling Dance, FXBG Methodist Church 4-6p, 308 Hanover St

Tuesday April 5

Picnic in the Park Music & Children activities, Memorial Park, 1301 Kenmore Ave , 11:30-1:30p, Sponsored by FXBG Parks & Rec

Wednesday April 6

Live Music @the Rrcreation Center, The Knofe Kickers; Vampire in Saigon & More, 6:30p

Saturday April 2 Ramadan Begins

Tot Open Gym, Stafford Co Gymnastic, 11-12:45 p, 500 Nelms CIrcle Cedar Forest Spring Craft Fair, 10a-3p, 3412 Massaponax Church Rd Wild & Scenic Film Fest , UMW Outdoor Amphitheatre, 7-20pm Master Gardener Association of the Rappahannock Area Garden Symposium "Made for the Shade" at Gari Melchers Home and Studio. topics cover shade tolerant lawns, plants, and gardens.

Dance FXBG 7:30-11pm swing dances above Picker's Supply in downtown FXBG. Beginner lesson 7:30 & dance 8-11pm. 2:30-6p, 902 Caroline St The Scottish Society of FVBG celebrates National Tartan Day 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, 1020 Caroline St. learn about Scottish culture & history FXBG Brewfest, FXBG Fairgrounds, 2400 Airport Ave amazing showcase of craft beer, 11a-4p Car, Truck & Tractor show at Spotsylvania High School, 10a-3p 15th Annual Spring Arts & Craft Faire, FXBG Expo Center, wide variety, regional artisans & crafters, Show thru 3rd Animal Adoption Event @FXBG Food Co-Op, adorable animals from the SPCA needs loving homes, 11a-2p, 320 Emancipation HWY Antique Auto Club of America Antique Car Display, Covenant Funeral Home, Empancipation Hwy Live Music @ Adventure Brewing North, Bailey Hayes, 7p Open Mic @Adventure Brewing Eagle Village, 7:30

Sunday April 3

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm 720 Littlepage Jeopardy nights at Adventure Eagle Village 7:30 pm.,7:30-9p.

Thursday April 7

John Copley, Volunteer Historian presents lecyture on Samuel Wilson Founding Minister of the Presbyterian Church & Resident of the Mary Washington House, CRRL Theater 10 AM. Samuel Wilson first came to FXBG in the winter of 1806 for two months as a young Presbyterian missionary. He returned in the fall as an ordained minister; founded a church, created schools for boys and girls, established a female orphanage, earned a doctorate from Princeton, and raised a family. He lived at the Mary Washington House for 35 years.

Friday April 8

Front porch fredericksburg

Live Music @ Adventure Brewing No

Saturday April 10

Grace United Methodist Church Ann your Easter baskets or bags! .All are

Sunken Well Tavern Sunday Brunch,

Sunday Brunch @ Billiken's Smokeho

Bluegrass on the Patio, Sunken Well

Sunday Brunch at the Colonial Tave

Live Music@The Rec Center, 213 Wi

Tuesday April 12

FXBG National vs Carolina Mudcats,

Live Music @Adventure Brewing North, Karn Jonas, 7-9p

Saturday April 9

Dog Egg Hunt, 1pm, Maury Park Come dressed to enter our doggie costume contest to compete for prizes!! Bring your dogs and come join the fun . .Info: 540-372-1086 FXBGparks.com Downtown Greens "Free Fridge & Pantry" Ribbon cutting ceremony Upper Garden, on the corner of Princess Anne and Dixon St 10am Colonial Beach Osprey Festival, 9-5pm, concerts, presentations, trolley tours, vendors, demos. Join us for a day of fun!

Centennial Block Party, 10a-2p, Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave High Indoor Garagge Sale, FXBG Expo Center, thry April 10

Easter EGGsplosion, Choice Baptist Church, 1-4p

April 2022

Live Music@The Recreation Center, Last Breathe & more, 6:30p

Live Music@The Recreation Center, 213 William St, Micah Super; Frame; PG Breneade; Asylum, 7p

Sunday Brunch @ Billiken's Smokehouse @The Chimneys, 623 Caroline

16

Chamber Chorale Spring Concert “So Baptist Church, 1019 Priness Anne S

Picnic in the Park Music & Childre Kenmore Ave , 11:30-1:30p, Sponso

UMW Muticultural Affair, 10a-5p

540~479~4116 1013 Princess Anne St , FXBG

Bikes & Breakfest @Colonial Tavern,

1920's Swing Dance @FAM, 7;30-10p, Joel of Dance FXBG teaches lessons

Sunken Well Tavern Sunday Brunch, 720 Littlepage

Become a Friend Advocate ~ Donate ~ Volunteer

Dance FXBG 7:30-11pm swing dance FXBG. Beginner lesson 7:30-8pm, da

Wednesday April 13

FXBG Nationals vs Carolina Mudcats

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm

Live Music @ Katora Coffee, Ben somewhere between Machine Gun Caroline St

Thursday April 14

Live Music @the Rec Center, New Sa

Friday April 15

Live Music @ Adventure Brewing No

Live Music @Colonial Tavern, Kayleig

Saturday April 16

Dance FXBG 7:30-11pm swing dan lesson 7:30-8pm, dance 8-11pm. 90

DAR of events

s above Picker's Supply in downtown ance 8-11pm. 902 Caroline St

Live Music@The Recreation Center, 213 William St, Rock Your Face Off, Overdriven, 8p

Sunken Well Tavern Sunday Brunch, 720 Littlepage til 1p

, 11a-2p

Live Music @ Adventure Brewing North, 3 exits to Memphis, 7p

Sunday Brunch @ Billiken's Smokehouse @The Chimneys, 623 Caroline

ongs of Peace & Hope" 3 & 7p, FXBG ST

Sunday April 17

Bluegrass on the Patio, Sunken Well Tavern 6-8pm

213 William St, Half Past Dead; One

Sunken Well Tavern Sunday Brunch,. 720 Littlepage til 1p

Easter

Sunday Brunch @ Billiken's Smokehouse @The Chimneys, 623 Caroline

orth, The Cold North, 7p

nual Easter Egg Hunt 12 noon. Bring e welcome! 13056 Elk Ridge Road

, 720 Littlepage til 1p

ouse @The Chimneys, 623 Caroline Tavern 6-8pm

ern 11:30-3p lliam St, PsyOp; LMI, Kreased, 8p

en activities, Memorial Park, 1301 red by FXBG Parks & Rec Home Opener

s, 1pm, Nationals Stadium

m 720 Littlepage

n DeHan creates a unique sound Kelly and Angels & Airwaves 615

aviors; Set for Tomorrow 6:30p

orth, Darcy Dawn, 7p

gh Mayhews, 8p, 406 Lafayette Blvd

ces above Picker's Supply Beginner 2 Caroline St

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

Bluegrass on the Patio, Sunken Well Tavern 6-8pm

Sunday Brunch at the Colonial Tavern 11:30-3p Live Music@The Recreation Center, 213 William St, Heavy is the Head, Some Kind of Nightmare, High Priest, 7p

Monday April 25

Sunday Brunch at the Colonial Tavern 11:30-3p

Live Music @The Recreation Center, S'efforcer, 6-10p, 213 William St

Live Music@The Rec Center, 213 William St, Octopoule; Dicqbeats 6:30p

Tuesday April 26

Tuesday April 19

Picnic in the Park Music & Children activities, Memorial Park, 1301 Kenmore Ave , 11:30-1:30p, Sponsored by FXBG Parks & Rec

Wednesday April 20

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm 720 Littlepage

Historic Garden Day tour gardens, private landscapes and historic sites located in FxbgHistoric Garden Week in FXBG @FB page Picnic in the Park Music & Children activities, Memorial Park, 1301 Kenmore Ave , 11:30-1:30p, Sponsored by FXBG Parks & Rec

Wednesday April 27

Jeopardy nights at Adventure Eagle Village 7:30 pm.,7:30-9p.

Live Music@The Recreation Center, 213 William St, Fate Destroyed, Living Dead Girl & more, 6:30p

Thursday April 21

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm 720 Littlepage

Live Music@The Recreation Center, 213 William St, To US Below; WOR; Matriarchs & More, 6p

Jeopardy nights at Adventure Eagle Village 7:30 pm.,7:30-9p.

Friday April 22

Saturday April 30

Live Music @ Adventure Brewing North, Enya Agerholm, 7p

FXBG Fairgrounds Spring Craft Fair, 10a-3p, FREE Admisson

Live Music @Colonial Tavern, Ronnie Richards, 8p, 406 Lafayette Blvd

Live Music @ Adventure Brewing North, Hop'n Uke Fest, 12p

Saturday April 23

Dance FXBG 7:30-11pm swing dances above Picker\'s Supply in downtown FXBG. Beginner lesson 7:30-8pm and dance 8-11pm. No partner or experience needed 2:30-6p, 902 Caroline St

Earth Day

Earth Day Festival, Old Mill Park Free, All Ages interactive activities, live music, delicious food, & more. From citizen science projects to art contests, and live music to live animals, there is something for everyone! info earthdayfred.com or by calling 540-372-1086.

Dance FXBG 7:30-11pm swing dances above Picker's Supply 7:30 dance 8-11pm. No partner or experience needed 902 Caroline St Live Music@The Rec Center, 213 William St, Seans bday bash, 6p

Sunday April 24

Fred SPCA's 2nd Annual Kickball Tournament, University of Mary Washington - 1400 Hanover St 9 am - 4 pm St James' House Spring Opening 1300 Charles St thru April 30th 1-4PM first time since 2019, House open to the public for tours! beautiful collection of antiques and decorative arts. stroll the gardens Admission

FXBG Nationals vs Charleston Riverdogs, 6p, Natioal Stadium

If you are reading this 297th issue of FPF, thank an advertiser as we celebrate our 25th year of continuous publication!

List your events email frntprch@aol.com: subject Calendar Deadline for May 2022 issue is April 19th.

Dog Walking Pet Sitting Companion Play Time & Mini Furies, Too!

540-735-8228 On facebook as “City PetSitting” front porch fredericksburg

April 2022

17

history’s stories

April Fools Day

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

Like most holidays we normally know the origins of the holidays, April Fools' Day is an exception as no known reason has been found for the day that is celebrate worldwide.

One explanation is that during the reign of Constantine a court jester (clown) told the Roman emperor that he could do a better job ruling the country.

Constatine as a joke made the jester (Kugel) king for a day along with jokes and fun for the day. This was a story told by a professor of history at Boston University (Joe Boskin). This story was printed in many Newspapers in 1983 on April Fools' Day. The press would later learn that this

We all start to have "SPRING FEVER" near the first of April with the temperatures rising and the flowers beginning to grow. Earlier cultures had fairs and events of fun around the first of April when winter turned to spring. The Jewish calendar has Purim, and the Hindu has Holi. The Romas had an event called Hilaria which included a month of wine drinking and parties.

April Fools' Day is observed throughout the United States. Many practical jokes are played on someone we work with or close friends. I have a vivid memory of one of the first APRIL FOOL played on me as a member of my Boy Scout Troop 171, when one of the Scoutmasters sent me looking for a "left hand wrench". After about an hour when I became frustrated, I was told "APRIL FOOL" that the wrench could be used in the left and right hand. The entire troop was in laughter, and I was reminded of the joke for several weeks.

I remember the simple tricks like, "shoes untied"," unzipped zippers" and "button missing." I recall that when in the office my co-workers would often use yellow sticky notes on each other's backs with strange sayings, I think you would have to be careful in today's climate with any tricks you may think about playing.

I believe after the past year that we all are ready for some humor in our lives. Have a wonderful Easter and April as you read my final Front Porch story.

APRIL FOOL!!

Dedicated to : Betty Harrington, Paul Earls, Ruth Cooper, Mike Wood, Frank Delano, Bert O’Tool, & John Winn

Tuffy is Front Porch’s Resident Historian

April 2022

history of coffee in FXBG

story was also an "APRIL FOOL," as the entire story was made up by Boskin as an April Fool prank. There is no know origin of the holiday.

The recent tragedy in Ukraine along with the upcoming month of April reminded me of a "wish list" trip that Anne and I have of future trips. The ancient city of Odessa in Ukraine where April Fools' Day is special with large parades, street fairs and many concerts. They have had a special International Clown Festival along with the April Fools' celebration for over ten years. It is sad to think that it will be a long time before it will return to normal.

It was in 2019 that they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the famous Odessa Film Studio.

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OUR HERITAGE

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By wendy migdal

HFFI Leads Coffee Crawl Tours In February, HFFI held its first coffee crawl, a guided walking tour of several downtown coffee shops. Like at a pub crawl, participants tasted a sample of each shop's beverage and savored some sweet treats as well. But, because it's HFFI, a history walking tour was included. If you missed it, look for more tours in the future.

We may think of coffeeshops as a trendy, modern phenomenon-another manifestation of our culture's fascination with upscaling. Our grandparents were happy with Folger's, sometimes instant.

However, going back a bit further in history, we find that coffeeshops were not only trendy, they were also hotbeds of political activity.

There were hundreds of coffeeshops in England in the 1700s, and wealthy people all had their favorites. By custom, women did not patronize these establishments, and they became places for men to discuss politics and literature.

This tradition was, of course, imported to the colonies.

Here in Fredericksburg, a coffeehouse (also called an ordinary) was one of the city's earliest businesses. In 1732, when the town consisted of only a few people and a few businesses, visitor Col. William Byrd described such an establishment on Sophia Street in what might have been called the warehouse district. He mentioned the female proprietress: " . . . a lady, Mrs. Livingston, who acts here in the double capacity of a doctress and a coffee woman." He was referring to Susannah (Sukey) Livingston.

Another shop that came along a little later was simply called The Coffee House. It was located in the first Market House on Caroline Street near William. Another,

Julian's, was on the other side of Caroline, a couple blocks north. George Washington patronized both, according to records. He was at Julian's on Christmas Eve in 1771 to confer with the overseer of Ferry Farm, and he was honored at an event at the Market Square shop in 1784. On that occasion, attendees toasted the new nation with 13 toasts, and Washington toasted Fredericksburg and its future.

On the HFFI tour, participants also learned about the Janney Marshall Company, located just south of the railroad tracks, which manufactured and sold coffee all over Virginia for years. On the side of the building is a recently repainted advertisement for Gunston Hall, the company's top shelf brand. The beanery, where the coffee was roasted, was located on Frederick Street and has also recently been restored. Passersby can spot the original coffee roaster sitting outside and the faded remains of a "Kenmore Coffee" sign, their mid-level brand, painted on the side.

Although people today don't generally go to coffee shops with the intention of discussing politics, they often do care about social issues related to the growing and manufacture of coffee or the community in general. At all the businesses that were on the recent tour, owners spoke of their commitment to helping people in some way-whether by purchasing coffee beans from women growers in third world nations, fighting against human trafficking, or helping people in Fredericksburg. There is something about that brown liquid that seems to touch our souls.

Wendy Migdal is a free lance writer & HFFI Volunteer; Research and Tour by Barbra Anderson photo: Beanery/Coffee Warehouse, 306308 Frederick St from HFFI Archives

What’s in A Memory?

DownMAn RUINS By jon gerlach the mansion's towering brick walls. Today, the ruins cling to life by its steely tendrils.

Three outbuildings remain relatively intact behind the mansion: a square smokehouse, a possible dairy building, and a two-story structure with three bays that was renovated mid-century. One or more of these dependencies may have been living quarters for enslaved people who labored there (see photo).

Few places stir one's imagination as much as the ruins of an old building.

There, the mind is free to wander the corridors of space and time, where, around every corner, discovery awaits. As an archaeologist I have explored many ruins, from abandoned Native American pueblos to "Old West" ghost towns.

You might not know it, but Fredericksburg has its own ruins. Perched on a hilltop between the Idlewild Subdivision and I-95, sit the impressive ruins of a magnificent old home: the Downman House (aka Idlewild Mansion). I originally wrote about this site in the Sept.

2019 issue of FPF magazine.

The 2½ story, Gothic Revivalstyle, brick mansion was built by James Tongue in 1859. This was a magnificent, if not imposing structure, completely underlain by an English basement. The

first owners were William Yates Downman and his wife Mary. A few years after moving in, William was taken from Mary by typhoid fever. When fighting swept across the property during the Chancellorsville campaign in May, 1863, the mansion was struck by artillery fire.

For 90 years the mansion stayed in the hands of the original family, the Downmans. When the Reverend John Yates Downman passed away in the 1940s, his older sister, Ann, sold the property. Thirty years ago, the site was vacated and nature began its inexorable process of reclaiming the buildings.

Tragically, the beautiful mansion succumbed to arson in 2003, utterly gutted by a raging fire that destroyed the roof and nearly all the rooms. The City, which owns the site, undertook emergency stabilization using steel beams to brace

Thanks to the dedicated work of committed preservationists, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. In 2008, during the economic recession, City Council considered several proposals to fully restore the mansion, but for various reasons none were accepted, not least of which was the economic climate of those times.

The current idea being floated for the future of the ruins is to convert the site into a park, with improvements for easy public access. Stay tuned for more on this. In the meantime, I'm reminded of what Sir Walter Scott said: "A ruin should always be protected but never repaired thus may we witness full the lingering legacies of the past."

So … what's in a Memory? Here … ruins to be protected and enjoyed.

An attorney and retired archaeologist, Jon Gerlach serves on Fredericksburg's City Council, Ward Two. Photo by Jon Gerlach

The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center is a non-profit, all-volunteer archives whose mission is to preserve historically valuable material of the region and make it available to the public for research 900 Barton St #111, Fredericksburg, VA www.crhcarchives.org contact@crhcarchives.org 540-373-3704 Volunteers Wecome!

Contact us about donating collections of documents and photographs

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Mental Health benefits of volunteering By trish lockard

While sitting in a waiting room at a doctor's office, I struck up a conversation with the woman sitting next to me. As we got acquainted, she told me she was deeply involved with an organization called the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). I hadn't heard of it, but I was intrigued because I was not a stranger to mental illness.

My maternal grandmother experienced debilitating depression for years, culminating in her suicide in 1939.

My mother was diagnosed with depression and experienced what I believe was PTSD, following her own mother's suicide. I had grappled with mental health challenges myself, and I had been taking medication for depression and anxiety disorders for many years.

As I learned about NAMI that day, I knew instinctively this was an organization to which I could happily devote my time and energy. Now, eight years later, I am still a NAMI member and vocal activist for mental health.

With some personal reflection and review of scientific literature, I've come to understand that volunteering itself can be an act of self-care.

The Benefits Of Volunteerism Naturally, the dialogue surrounding activism and volunteerism centers on how others will benefit from volunteer work that you do. But years of research demonstrate that there are benefits for volunteers themselves.

Whether you are a family member or caregiver for someone with a mental health condition - or have the lived experience yourself - volunteering can be a positive step toward improving your health and yield many benefits: Reducing Stress My work with NAMI demonstrates the ways in which volunteering can counteract

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the effects of stress, anger and anxiety.

This kind of work was my first exploration into l o n g - t e r m volunteerism - and, as is my nature, I sometimes felt a little anxious as I prepared to lead an affiliate board meeting or teach or speak to a group on behalf of NAMI. But I always rose to the occasion because the cause mattered so greatly to me. And afterward, I would feel exhilarated and thrilled by my accomplishments.

Gradually, my focus on the work, and the gratitude I received from it, surpassed other issues in my life that caused negative emotions. There was too much to accomplish and too much to look forward to for me to feel down. Ultimately, I noticed that I slept better at night with the knowledge that I was part of a greater good.

Increasing Happiness Research has found a correlation between volunteering and happiness. A 2020 study conducted in the United Kingdom found those who volunteered reported being more satisfied with their lives and rated their overall health as better. Respondents who volunteered for at least one month also reported having better mental health than those who did not volunteer.

Developing Confidence Volunteering is an opportunity to develop confidence and self-esteem. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity, something that can be hard to come by for people with a mental health diagnosis. The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future. Moreover, I've found that the sense of accomplishment from serving others can raise self-esteem and selfconfidence.

Finding Purpose In times when you feel lost, volunteering can give you a sense of purpose.

Dedicating time to a cause can give you new direction and allow you to find meaning in something unexpected. It can also take your mind off your own troubles while keeping you mentally stimulated.

Getting Started Volunteering In 2018, my long-time friend, psychologist Terri L. Lyon, hoped to create an easy-tofollow roadmap for people to identify the cause they are most passionate about

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(because focusing on one issue is more effective) and determine how to use the gifts they already possess to make a difference for that cause. With me as her editor, she published the book "What's On Your Sign?" in which she introduced her Step Activism Path." The steps unique "5-S are: 1.Find your passion by creating a vision of how you want to change the world 2.Identify the unique gifts you can bring to this activism 3.Craft a unique activism opportunity ideally suited to you 4.Monitor your long-term effectiveness 5.Stay motivated and avoid burnout Perhaps these steps seem intimidating at first glance - but with reflection and time, they can lead to a meaningful new path. One example of following these steps is Knoxville jewelry artist, Christinea Beane. As someone with mental illness, Christinea makes jewelry for other people struggling with their mental health, to offer hope, raise awareness and remind them that they are not alone.

As I address in the book I cowrote with Dr. Lyon, "Make a Difference with Mental Health Activism," we can't underestimate the personal and widereaching impacts of volunteering and activism, particularly in the mental health field. Your work could not only boost your emotional well-being, it could also be a critical step toward ending stigma, achieving parity, and increasing mental health services and support. You can make a difference.

Trish Lockard has been a volunteer for NAMI since 2014. Mental health care became her personal passion following her family's experience with mental illness. .

To learn more about NAMI programs, visit Website namirapp.com.

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Astrology for You A language of planetary patterns that connect us with universal energies.

We are born with unique configurations that can advise us, guide us, help us grow to our highest potential Consultations by Four Winds Astrology. LLC 540.845.7622 FourwindsastrologyLLC@gmail.com

Have You Tried Acupuncture?

Emancipated Patients death doula

By Patrick Neustatter, MD

Call Now to Schedule 540.847.6985 AcupunctureFredericksburg.com

People go overboard preparing for a birth. But when it comes to dying, we are left to our own devices. Left to navigate this journey through the unknown, unguided.

There is a movement to change this however. To prompt people to think of death and dying differently. And to train to help with a process that is not infrequently seen as shameful in some way.

This has prompted Richmond resident Linda Winston to move on to a second career as an end of life, or death doula.

A Doula with a Difference You may be aware of birth doula's - if you are a dedicated (foolish?) enough reader of The Emancipated Patient, because I wrote about this back in 2017. But not so many people know about death doulas.

"Even my oncologist Linda told me, somewhat miffed.

provide.

Linda's experience is "everyone wants to die at home." And as she says, she feels she is doing the right thing by helping someone achieve this, though they can also attend people dying in hospitals or in-patient hospice units.

The feedback she gets is that, especially with someone dying at home, families feel very lost. Getting a death doula "was the best thing to happen" she is told frequently.

A Movement In the same way that the woman's movement has been trying to wrest childbirth away from the medics, insisting that birth is a human rather than a m e d i c a l event, death doula's and INELDA are part of a movement trying to do the same for end of life care.

didn't"

She was inspired to become one herself after helping first her father, then her husband through the dying process both of whom were able to die at home. "It felt like I was doing the very right thing.

It was an honor to help them, and see them take their last breath."

Her husband died in 2008 just about the time the death doula movement was getting started, and she sought out training through the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA), learning how to support the dying person and their family - all the way from how to set up an advance directive to helping families grieve after the death.

They can help the family recognize when someone is actively dying - and help them to know what to expect.

Can help set up a vigil. Can help someone and their family leave a legacy. Then following up after the death with emotional support.

They are part of the Death Positivity movement along with others who reject the idea that dying and end of life is a dark and shameful mystery.

Others like death café's, death labs, Columbia University Art of Dying Institute, and the Caitlin Doughty with her wacky "Ask the Mortician" videos.

Members of our local End of Life Conversations Group, which is where I first was introduced to Linda when she was our featured speaker, feel the same (any interested readers are welcome to join by contacting me through Front Porch).

We are all intent on taking the horror out of death, by discussion and preparation, just as you would for birth.

Linda Winston can be contacted at l.winston2955@gmail.com, or find a doula through INELDA at their website.

Patrick Neustatter, MD is the Medical Director of the Moss Free Clinic

Though they often work with hospice, their role is more emotional and spiritual. They can provide round the clock care if needed rather than the one to two hours a day that hospice can usually front porch fredericksburg

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Life Coaching

Cover Artist Patty o’brien

stepping away from fear Fredericksburg area for paint outs and shows for our dedicated group of plein air artists. Our group vision is to " capture the light" of a given moment in time.

“I believe every painting has a story dancing within the canvas.

Does the subject tell the story? Does the artist reveal her story? Or does the buyer see his/her story in the painting itself?

“The next time you are

“I have always loved to create.

Passion with working in fiber art and painting have lived in my soul since I was young. My father was a talented illustrator and my mother a wonderful seamstress. Both encouraged a lifetime of experiences using an array of mediums to create. My education consisted of classes in fiber art, drawing, clay, sculpture and painting. I continue to explore various techniques of expression.

“I am co-founder of the Fredericksburg Plein Air Artists. For the last seven years I have organized weekly locations in and around the

drawn in by a painting, ask yourself "why?" Is the painting evoking a memory and telling your story? If so, think about adding it to the pages of your life… “ “Taste of Summer Light” “2400 Diner”

By Marcia Grimsley "It is the best of times. It is the worst of times. It is the season of hope. It is the winter of despair." ~ Charles Dickens These are indeed very challenging times for all of us.

Our society is experiencing uncertainty, confusion, anger, division, and fear.

However, these are also times of opportunity for personal growth, for compassion, and for unity.

How are YOU choosing to interface with this moment? What thoughts and feelings are you holding in YOUR mind and heart?

Thoughts are the results of our beliefs and the interpretation of our experiences.

Psychologists tell us thoughts form our personal perception of the world around us and create our feelings. Fearful thinking often results in feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, powerlessness, and even depression.

Choosing loving and peaceful thoughts create loving and peaceful feelings. Our thoughts and feelings determine the actions we decide to take. Then, our actions are expressed through our words and deeds. What are YOU choosing to express in your life today?

Loving and peaceful thoughts are never a problem. Fear, however, is!

Remember, fear always begins in the mind first.

Lets turn to some specific ways to reduce fears, and begin healing your life.

1. NOTICE THE FEAR: Pay attention to your mind! Before you can dispel your frightening thoughts, it's important to become acutely aware of when and how they are showing up. What causes fear to raise its voice inside you?

How is your belief system contributing to the fear? Is your present fear related to a past event still holding you hostage?

2. RESIST AND ACCEPT: Try to recognize what cannot be changed right now in your life. Begin to refocus your attention on what changes you can influence. Put your energy (thoughts and actions) on this. Use creative thinking!

Accepting life with grace can help to bring us peace of mind. Learn how to face and accept uncomfortable feelings.

Remember, when we change out thinking,

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our feelings will change as well.

3. REDUCING NEGATIVITY: It can also be helpful to reduce your daily exposure to news and social media sources.

These can promote fearful thinking. Cultivate uplifting books, videos, movies and people. A meditation practice is another way we can connect inwardly.

Research has shown that activities encouraging faith, love, and charity can reduce stress and re-connect you with a peaceful life.

4. AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE: Psychologists are learning that embracing gratitude can minimize negative judgments. Painful and fearful ways of living may be altered using this healing tool. Adopting positive thoughts help reduce stress, aid physical well-being, and results in more peace and harmony within us.

As you commit to this work of self-reflection, you will begin to look at fears differently. If you find the process a bit overwhelming, don't hesitate to seek help from a professional. Working with a therapist, life coach, or spiritual counselor can be helpful and comforting.

Finally, notice that in this moment of fear, you are surviving!

Despite your fears, you have been surviving all along!

"In the world we live in, normal times are only a mental concept, never a reality." ~ Mark Twain

Marcia Grimsley, BA, MS, is a Professional Life Coach She offers Personal, Career & Business and Health & Welllbeing Coaching Contact her at 540-785-4104 or www.marciaslifecoaching.com

Auto Known Better caddy colors!

By Rim Vining 907 Princess Anne Street, Downtown Fredericksburg

www.donatelifevirginia.org

It doesn't take more than 48 hours of sunshine and temperatures above 50 degrees to bring the sights and sounds of spring to life and we're not talking robins, rabbits and hellebores.

We're talking sports cars and motorcycles, sleek sleds and cruisers.

Machines with style!

At first you just hear them in the distance and then it's a flash of colors: Bahama Blue, Goddess Gold and Camelot Gray. The next flash might be Seminole Red followed by the light lavender metallic of Laurel Mist or Persian Sand. Even the names of the colors have style. As I've said before when the weather turns warm and the cruise-ins begin. "Kookie get your comb." Black jeans, tee shirt and a ducktail, or pompadour with a tab color shirt, everything looks better in a classic car.

And now after two years of COVID Interruptus the car shows are back and they kick off on April 2nd with a Car, Truck & Tractor show at Spotsylvania High School hosted by their FFA program… hence the tractors. It runs 10am - 3pm and admission is free. Give them your support as a visitor, sponsor or show participant and support our future farmers. Without them we will starve.

For information contact kcerritelli@spotsylvania.k12.va.us Fredericksburg's own chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America has two events this year. The first one is also on April 2nd with an Antique Car Display at Covenant Funeral Home on Emancipation Highway.

A great opportunity to stroll through some classics and view the spring colors.

Saturday June 4th is when the Fredericksburg Chapter's annual AACA show returns to downtown with one of the biggest and best classic car shows in Virginia. The setting along Caroline Street is ideal for the event attracting well over 150 cars of all makes and models. With all the shops, restaurants and the new Riverfront Park it is a great way to celebrate old cars and enjoy downtown Fredericksburg.

For registration and event info contact J. Gordon Brown @ 703-725-7948 or find them on Facebook @ HFRAACA

Given my own weakness for British-tin springtime is not complete without a few British shows and events, besides it's always good for business since you know a few of them won't start.

The Williamsburg British Car Club (www.wmbgbrit.com) hosts two events in April in historic Williamsburg.

The first is Monday April 4th an actual weekday so you have an excuse to skip work and their big show the 23rd. Both shows are well attended and offer stunning examples of British motor icons.

The show on the 23rd pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II honoring her 75th year on the throne. They are featuring the marques she has used for royal business and leisure.

My personal spring fling car show is Britain on the Green April 24th at George Mason's home at Mason Neck on the Potomac.

Gunston Hall offers a wonderful show field and the property is open for historic tours.

The Capital Triumph Registry hosts the event and this year it is being held in conjunction with concourse judging of Jaguars by the JCNA. The cars should be stunning. Pack a picnic or hit the food trucks, either way a very nice outing not too far from home.

Information and registration is available at www.capitaltriumphregistry.org.

So now that you know where to view the wonderful sights, sounds and colors of spring, get out there and support all these events and put June 4th in Downtown Fredericksburg on your calendar! autoknownbetter@gmail.com

Rim Vining, humorist, friend and a devoted community volunteer autoknownbetter@gmail.com

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Art in Burg Art Galleries in April “Signing in the Rain” All Member Show Opening Reception First Friday, April 1, -6 6-9 9pm Artful Dimensions, 923 Caroline .The 1952 film, Singin' in the Rain, starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, is most famous for Kelly's dancing with his umbrella in the rain. And, as Al Jolson sung in April Showers, "Though April showers may come your way, they bring the flowers that bloom in May. So if it's raining, have no regrets, because it isn't raining rain, you know, it's raining vi-o-lets." Visit Artful Dimensions Gallery this month to see our artists' creative umbrellas. ~ Sally Cooney Anderson “Spring Break”, Lois Baird @ BSG “Celebrate the Season” Brush Strokes Gallery, 24 Caroline St. Opening , First Friday April 1, 5-9 9p, 8 April Exhibit features artwork that celebrates the season of hope and renewal.

The essence of Spring is conveyed through images including Carol Waite's "Azaleas," George Werbacher's "Rappahannock Spring," Lois Baird's "Spring Break," and Penny A Parrish's "Sunflowers," while the spirit of the season is reflected in Carol Haynes' "Jesus Donkey," Stacy Gerise's "Celtic Tree of Life," and the moment of grace connoted in Collette Caprara's "Giving Them a Pass."

Some artists look even beyond to the warmth and lightness of summer, including Seija Martin in her "Summer Arrival," Nancy Williams in her "Beach Sunrise," and Marianna Smith, who gives us a glimpse of the possibilities under the sea through her "Dolphins and Mermaid," while Norma Woodward's "On the Shelf" gives a hat-tip to the literature that may have helped some folks to weather the winter months indoors ~Collette Caprara “Art of Untold Stories” Siberman & Rebecca Carpenter FCCA, 813 Sophia ST ~Valerie Lecea

“Feast for the Eyes Exhibit” @Libertytown Arts Workshop “Fur, Fins, And Feathers”: A Collection of New Works by Award-W Winning Artist & Author, Curtiss Poormon Opening Reception, April 1, 6-8 8p Art First, 824 Caroline ST

Curt is an award-winning wildlife artist and a supporter of Ducks Unlimited. He is also a past semifinalist in the Federal Duck Stamp Contest.

As a self-taught artist Curt has spent numerous years and uncountable hours roaming the wetlands, mountains and forests “Shad Hunt”, Jim Hazzard @ Art Alliance across the country. His primary focus has been on ducks and geese, with all their glimpse into the wilderness world that surrounds us.

Curt will also be having a book signing to celebrate the release of his latest novel, "Matanuska - The New Generation". .. ~Jennifer Galvin

"”Signing in the Rain” @Artful Dimensions

Canal Quarter Arts 1517 Princess Anne ST First Friday, April 1, 9a-2 2p Unique art and gifts from local artists ~Jeannie Ellis PONSHOP, 712 Caroline Street Features fine art, ceramics, jewelry by local artist and regional artists

painting that offers the viewer a lifelike

“Redwing Blackbirds”, Curt Poorman @Art First brilliant colors and wild settings of the marshes and coastal wetlands. Detail is important, whether it be the lush fur of a red fox, the open wings of a bald eagle or the sun reflecting off the scales of a brook trout. His main goal is to display a finished

The Artists' Alliance “Wildlife Exhibit” Works by Photographer Jim Hazzard Opening April 9 100 Taylor St, Suite 101 Colonial Beach Gallery open Sat-S Sun, 11a -5 5p Jim has photgrapherd wildlife of all types around the world including Dian Fossey’s Gorillas. Though his passion are birds...mature’s living jewels. His work has been awarded an Editor’s pick from the National Geographicd ~ Rob Rudick

Libertytown Arts Workshop “Feast for the Eyes” Opening April 1 916 Liberty St Annual show all about food! ~DD Lecky

810 Caroline Street, Downtown 540.371.4099 “Radiant Roses” Beverley Coates 24

April 2022

“Winter Trees Gulf of Finland”, Penny A Parrish

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“Sunrise Princess Anne St”, Lynn Abbott

Artist on Site Saturdays

For the Love of Plein Air local artists continue the outdoor tradition

bY Patty O’Brien it hits the golden blades of grass across a field.

That is my love…plein air painting.

The French word plein aire means open air or outdoors.

The most important invention for the plein air artist during the 1800's was that of tube paints. Prior to American portrait artist John Rand's Plein Air Artist Dee Ann Layton, “Evolutionn & Echos” invention of a zinc flexible tube in 1841, the artist had On a cold, dreary wet day, I see to painstakingly mix each color then clouds infused with shades of lavender and transport the mixtures in pig bladders tied cool magenta. On other days, my thoughts with string (yes, you read that right!). The dance with color and light which can warm invention of tube paints opened a whole my soul. I find my speckled painted gloves new world for landscape artists. and mud caked boots and go out into the world to find the exact spot where light "Painters realized that they pushes hard against the darkness. My hope could more accurately represent colors is to capture this light on canvas. I want and the light by painting in nature."

YOU to feel the place where my toes sink claims the History of Plein Air. Artists into the warm sand. I want YOU to see the found that their paintings done on diamonds sparkling on the wild waves. I location came alive! want YOU to feel the warmth of the sun as

The biggest painting revolution of all time took place in the 1860's where four young men Claude Monet, PierreAuguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley and Frederic Bazille decided to venture to the countryside and seaside together and paint en plein air. They were not doing studies, they were actually completing their painting on the outdoor location. By painting in sunlight (a challenge as the light is always changing), these artists discovered that their paintings were lighter and brighter in style than all previous artists.

about the desire to paint outside. From that morning discussion, we founded The Fredericksburg Plein Air Artists group.

Carol Josefiak has since moved from Fredericksburg, but I have diligently continued to organize the plein air movement in Fredericksburg. If you have a desire to paint en plein or if you are a business and would like to showcase our

These french artists were not warmly welcomed into the Paris Salon as many critics found Plein Air Artist Catherine Hillis their paintings too bright and not detailed enough. Art critic, Louis Leroy in work, please contact me by PM on his review in a local satirical newspaper, instagram or check out the Fredericksburg described the paintings of Monet and his Plein Air artists Facebook page. friends as impressionism (this was intended to be derogatory). However, this A side note: 30 years ago while term stuck and this group became known driving along River Rd. (with two toddlers as the Impressionists. in tow) I noticed a man with his easel painting on a hill overlooking the Later, other artists joined this Rappahannock River. I exclaimed to my movement. During this period it was little girls , "Some day, I am going to do unusual for women to become artists. that!" Later, I found out that Cliff Satterthwaite had been my inspiration!

However, this movement paved the way for female impressionist artists like American Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), Berthe Morisot Eva (1841-1895), Gonzales Marie (1849-1883) and Patty O'Brien is a local artist, April FPF Bracquemond (1840-1916).4 Cover artist, she can be reached at www.pattyobrienart.com Instagram and I loved studying about the Facebook Impressionists and have always loved the light in their paintings. Almost a decade ago, another artist and I were talking

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Sophia Street Throwdown annual event returns june 11th....save the date!

The 5th annual Sophia Street Throwdown to celebrate ceramics will happen on Saturday, June 11th. Over 20 exhibitors will set up in the street to display and sell their pottery in front of 1104 Sophia Street Studios in downtown Fredericksburg.

Longtime local ceramic artist and F X B G resident T r i s t a Chapman of the Sophia S t r e e t S t u d i o s started the Throwdown after being inspired by her friend Robin Cage's 43rd Street Festival of the Arts in Richmond. "I thought Fredericksburg would be a wonderful place for a neighborhood show like that."

But she and Dan Finnegan decided the Sophia Street Throwdown would focus entirely on ceramics. "I wanted to celebrate local ceramic art, and promote the studio at the same time. After 25 years it still surprises me that people don't know we're here." The Sophia Street

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Studios is just one block down from the corner of Caroline and Amelia streets, across the street from Tapa Rio restaurant.

Front Porch magazine May and June issues will be featuring potters that will be exhibiting at the Throwdown with short bios and photos of their work.

Lauren Braney (at pottery wheel right) is from Fredericksburg and is currently teaching high school studio art at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at Colgan High School in Manassas. She fell in love with clay in high school when she threw for the first time and continued her love affair with clay through college. She now teaches high school students hot to throw in hopes that they will fall in love with the medium as well.

"My ideas and process are driven by memories and experience of everyday life. I try to capture personal moments through the imagery on my work. The subjects of my hand-drawn transfers develop from my

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love of the outdoors - whether it's discovering wildflowers on a hike, plants within my home or paddling down the river. I strive to make functional work that brings outdoor imagery into the home."

You can see more of Lauren's work at: laurenbraneypottery.com Debra Balestreri (Mug left) is adjunct professor of Sculpture and Mary Ceramics at Washington University and owner/manager of Corgi Clay. "The name Corgi Clay comes from the fact that I have been a lover of the Corgi dog-breeds for decades."

Debra's functional pottery is as smart and playful as the corgis she stamps on the bottom of them. Check out Debra's sculpture and functional work at: debrabalestrericorgiclay.com Phyllis Handal (Peaches & Cream Plate” above lives and works on La Plata,

Maryland. "I find myself in the happy situation of working in my second brand new studio and still active in pottery, after a lifetime of involvement in studying, teaching and making ceramic work.

“I visited and studied ceramic art in China, while working on an MFA in ceramics. I know that it was the exposure to a potter's life there that has brought me to this point; the vessels I craft on the potter's wheel, and their painted embellishments, are the end result. It was there that I came to appreciate the tradition of the painted pot."

To see more of Phyllis' work, visit: etsy.com/shop/ArtisansHandPottery See these artists and more June 11th at the Sophia Street Throwdown. In the meantime, come check out other local art at the Sophia Street Studios, open Thursday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, and by appointment

Wild & Scenic Film Fest Where Environmentalism and Adventure Get Inspired by liz heras

After a two year break, Friends of the Rappahannock is excited to bring back the action-inspiring 10th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival! No matter where you are in the watershed, this year's hybrid platform allows you to join in the festival from the comfort of your own home or in person at the University of Mary Washington's outdoor amphitheater.

This festival is sure to make you excited for the spring weather and getting back outdoors. These adventure films will encourage you to try something new, and get outside with your adventure buddy to explore your community's natural resources, such as the Rappahannock River. Topics such as climate change, plastic pollution, environmental justice, biodiversity, and inclusion will empower you to take action on the threats facing our community.

Through Wild and Scenic you will learn that the diverse community of environmental advocates and adventurers is brought together by our common passion for nature. From the church forests of Ethiopia, to fishing with veterans in the Shenandoah Valley, to a drag queen in Hawaii, Wild and Scenic will show you that no matter your experience or background we are all capable of making a difference.

Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) works to protect the health and scenic beauty of the Rappahannock River from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. It is a vital wildlife corridor that stretches 195 miles, is home to hundreds of species, is the source of

drinking water for over 250,000 people and is a place we go to relax and play. Your support of this festival will help FOR continue the important work of protecting this vital resource.

As part of this year's Wild & Scenic festivities, Friends of the Rappahannock will be offering Fresh Oyster Meal Kits sourced from our own Rappahannock River. Whether you enjoy your oysters while watching the films at home or as a pre-show meal, you can preorder your meal kit for pick up in Sperryville, Warrenton, or Fredericksburg from 1-3pm the day of the festival.

Order your tickets and grab some oysters so you can join us for the 10th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Saturday, April 2 from 7-10 p.m. at UMW's outdoor amphitheater or online. Can't make it that night? No problem! Both in person and virtual ticket holders will have access to the films for 5 days after the live show. Admission is $15 and Oyster Meal Kits are $35. Tickets can be bought at riverfriends.org/events or at the door. All student admission is free of charge. See you there!

If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to Lis Heras elisabeth.heras@riverfriends.org or call (540)373-3448 ext 152.

Liz Heras is the Development Coordinator for Friends of Rappahannock

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Companions Spring into a New Best Friend! by gerri reid, dvm

Many of us are happy to finally see that Spring is here. Flowers bloomed pretty early this year in lieu of the lack of winter. The time has come for us to venture outside and start to enjoy the outdoors activities. Time for vacations and family getaways. But what about getting a new pet? Maybe you or your family is thinking that a four-legged addition to the house is needed. When it comes to finding a Fur-ever pet, most people don't know where to start! Here is a guideline and recommendations to help you decide on a new pet.

The first decision to make when considering a new pet is to think about your living situation. This may include picking a breed that is suitable for your living conditions. No need to pick a Great Dane if you live in an apartment.

Choosing the right breed based on your home is important. Some dogs need more room or need a large area to run/exercise.

Being mindful of your living arrangements will help you pick the appropriate breed.

Next, I recommend to consider your lifestyle as well. For example, are you active? Do you like running? Do you enjoy hikes? This may determine whether you get a Labrador Retriever vs.

Chihuahua. It is essential for you to pick a breed that matches your activity level.

Some pets need more exercise than others.

Many people don't think about this as a factor. Being able to commit to the dog also means being able to meet all of its needs.

Remember to think about the maintenance/care of the breed you choose. Many breeds such as a Shih Tzu or a Cocker Spaniel need to be groomed on a monthly basis. Grooming may also include weekly brushing as some breeds have hair that can tangle easily. Owning a dog that is high maintenance may not be for everyone.

So, choose your breed

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wisely! To be groomed or not to be groomed! That is the Question!

Temperament is another important factor to choosing a dog. Some breeds are considered more outgoing and friendly while others are more prone to display protective behaviors. The breed a family chooses may depend on your needs.

If you are looking for a guard dog or protective animal, a breed such as a German Shepherd may be suitable. If, on the other hand, if you are interested in a family pet, more easygoing breeds are a better choice.

Temperament characteristics to consider include protectiveness, energy/activity level, intelligence, loyalty, sensitivity, and compatibility with other animals. If you have small children, choosing a small breed such as a Chihuahua may not be appropriate.

Some breeds are less tolerating of smaller children.

Large breeds such as a Golden Retriever may be the perfect fit for your family.

When it comes to finding a new companion for your family or yourself, it can be difficult. Taking the time to figure out your needs and lifestyle can guide you to choosing the right breed.

So, where can you find a new dog? Your local Animal Shelter or SPCA has an array of dogs available for adoption.

Visit these facilities and take your time until your find the right dog. It may seem a bit overwhelming choosing a dog but I do know what is easy is opening your heart and your home to a wet-nosed, tailwagging, four-legged, furry bundle of joy and giving them a Fur-ever home! Happy Hunting!

Dr. Gerri S. Reid is the Owner/Veterinarian of Reid Mobile Veterinary Services. She can be reached at 540-623-3029 or reidmobilevetservices.com or facebook @ReidMobileVetServices

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THE POETRY MAN

Astrology & You Promises of new life

By Frank Fratoe

Arrivals

By Dianne Bachman

(To Remember My Wife)

victory banner. Then, toward the middle of April, the energy softens, slows, and the rest of the earth catches up as the Sun now enters Taurus. Time to enjoy a cool lemonade and a nice, comfy hammock in the garden.

Sunlight has filled the room and on the rail of my balcony two mourning-doves set down ready to anticipate a handout or just curious about a man alone indoors reading quietly?

Always we have granted them eternal devotion in the Bible where they are “turtledoves” whose serenade is forthcoming throughout Earth each spring to herald the return of life.

My beloved was lost to cancer and cannot share passion now even in a poem’s celebration yet somehow a dove-pair near renders again all those times birdsong wakened us together. .

Frank Fratoe lives & writes in the city.he loves.

Astrologically, April is one of my favorite months. We have Aries energy in the beginning, boldly charging forth with the promise of new life. The seedlings harness enough courage to poke their heads through the dirt in search of the Sun. The azaleas, daffodils, forsythia, and tulips follow, raised about the earth like a

So, we start off the month with a New Moon in Aries on April 1 at 2:24 a.m. By evening the moon will be extra energized with an exact sextile (60-degree angle) to the Planet Mars. This combination can be dynamic and empowering. If you are considering starting something new this is the time to take those bold first steps. It is also a suitable time to begin to think about your needs and how you assert them (or do not assert them). The Moon in Aries can teach us where we need to put ourselves first in life. Aries is a Cardinal sign, and the element is fire, so there is lots of energy here for independence, and confidence.

Alongside of the new Moon are the planets Chiron and Mercury. Chiron is known as the wounded healer, and it represents that part of us that is vulnerable. Chiron in Aries might bring up the shadow side of this sign: impulsivity, false bravado, selfishness, destructive anger starting things but never finishing them. If your own Chiron forms any aspects to this powerful new Moon combination, take the opportunity to check in with yourself. Are any of the shadow qualities of Aries creating difficulties in your life or with your relationships? If so, what a wonderful time to begin to pull them out of the darkness and into the light! At the quarter Moon on April 9, Pluto will form a T-square with the Sun and the Moon, supporting any deep work by bringing hidden things into the light. Though Mercury can spin up a bit of anxiety, conditions are optimal for communication and taking a step back to process all that has been revealed to you.

On April 4 Mars is conjunct Saturn in the sign of Aquarius. Slow and steady wins the race! Mars wants to boldly forge ahead but old Saturn taps the brakes. Saturn wants a plan, so know that any delays are probably for the best.

April 5 Venus enters the sign of Pisces bringing creativity, dreams, imagination, and intuition into the flow.

Consider planning a personal retreat or to

tune into your creative muse. This energy is wide open, however, so remember to pace and ground yourself.

Mercury enters Taurus on April 10. Focus on finances or things of value is favored, perhaps meeting with your financial advisor, or thinking over budgets. On the 18th, Mercury will be conjunct Uranus in Taurus and for a brief period, will oppose the Moon in Scorpio. This conjunction could lead to innovation or a sudden change in finances or things of value.

Mercury moves quickly, so this will pass.

Anxieties over finances could crop up at this time.

April 15 Mars follows Venus into Pisces, energizing the imaginal realm that was stirred up earlier in the month. It can, however, leave us feeling a bit ungrounded, so try adding structure to your schedule for the next few days if it feels overwhelming.

There will be a full Moon in Libra on April 16th, bringing relationships, fairness, equality, and cooperation into the full light of our luminaries. If the weather is nice, consider sitting outside and enjoy bathing in this lovely lunar energy.

Taurus season starts on the 19th, so it is time to get the garden going.

Energies may feel a bit out of kilter for a few days due to the square Pluto makes with the Sun, so try getting out for a walk or doing something physical.

Venus begins to make a conjunction with Neptune on the 23rd and this has the potential to be healing, so be gentle with yourself. Regard yourself as you would your best friend!

On the 29th Mercury enters its ruling sign, Gemini, and Pluto stations retrograde. Mercury can amp up mental energies and clear thinking.

April 30 the new Moon will be in Taurus and there will also be a partial solar eclipse. New Moon Taurus energies can give us a steady, stable vibe, good for focus on sustaining any progress made on things begun during the Full Moon earlier this month.

Diane Bachman is a psychotherapist & astrologer practicing in FXBG. She can be reached at FourwindsastrologyLLC@gmail.com “Ant & Peonies” by Diane

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Fredericksburg Sketches A visual Celebration of our community

By Paula Raudenbush

2400 Diner This month's sketch of the 2400 Diner on Princess Anne Street was done with the Urban Sketchers Fredericksburg group.

It was a chilly, cloudy day but five of us braved the March winds and sketched this Fredericksburg icon. Sketching neon and lettering is always a challenge and this offered both. Plus my nemesis, cars!

The wind was making my paint dry out too fast and my shivering wasn't helping but it was good to be sketching with people again. I'm looking forward to good weather for a few months and getting out there! If you see a group of sketchers around town, stop and say hello. Or better yet, join us!

Cheers and happy Spring!

Paula Raudenbush is a local artist and organizer of the Fredericksburg Chapter of Urban Sketchers International (on Facebook at Urban Sketchers Fredericksburg.

Give a Child Something to Think About

Books, Games, Amusing Novelties M-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm

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810 Caroline Street (540) 371-5684

Rodney Rockwell Day in the life of a radio engineer

Greetings! My name is Rodney Rockwell and I have been employed in broadcasting for over 40 years. I have worked as chief engineer for WBQB/WFVA for almost six years.

The job of chief engineer is oftentimes very challenging as it encompasses a rather broad area. I am responsible for ensuring the radio stations remains on-tthe-a air continuously, without technical interruptions that could affect

program production or signal transmission. This includes keeping the radio stations operating within compliance of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations.

My activities involve working in studios, equipment rooms, and transmitter sites to perform maintenance, upgrades, and the occasional installation of new systems all while being available for all emergencies 24 hours a day.

The technology spans many decades from modern, state of the art computers, digital transmission systems to analog audio and even some high-powered tube type transmitters.

Broadcast engineers should have knowledge of radio transmitters, receivers, radio towers and components, computers and networking, microwave radio systems,

VHF and UHF radio systems, digital and analog audio circuits, satellite technology, emergency generators, and remote controls. Familiarity with FCC rules and regulations are also paramount.

reliable. Broadcast transmitters should last 30 or more years if maintained properly. Our backup transmitter for B101.5 at the studio dates to 1975 and is still reliable.

Knowledge of air conditioning, plumbing, and carpentry are also beneficial.

After the transmitter site visit, I delve into various projects, repairs, and ongoing maintenance issues.

I feel very fortunate to work with such a dedicated group of professionals as we have at B101.5/WFVA. They make my job a whole lot easier! As such, I work closely with everyone at the station to address any issues that may arise.

Our technology allows us to maintain a constant check on transmitter parameters, generator status, transmitter room temperature, and tower lighting.

This can be done through a dedicated unit at the studio, online through the Internet or even my cellphone. We are immediately notified of any out of tolerance condition via the remote-control system. Automated problem notifications are made through a dial up system, text messaging and e-mail.

I was once on a flight to the Philippines years ago when I received a notification of a failure at the WBQB transmitter site.

Using the plane's Wi-Fi, I was able to connect in and restore operations while at 40,000 feet over the Pacific. As part of the job, getting woken up when something goes bump in the night is quite common.

A Broadcast Engineer will often be on-call, expected to receive and follow-up system alarms and calls for help from on-air talent. This can happen at any time during the day or night, weekends or holidays.

A typical day begins at the studio where I complete a walk around inspection of critical equipment and systems. This includes the studio-based transmitters.

WFVA's operates with a licensed power of 1,000 watts with main and backup transmitters. We also have a standby 5,000-watt transmitter at the studio for B101.5 should the remote transmitter site fail. Because power interruptions can occur anytime, a test of our studio generator is performed weekly to make sure it is ready for emergencies.

After the studio equipment checks out, I review the station logs for compliance as required by FCC rules and regulations.

Once a week I trek to the B101.5 transmitter site near Stones Corner to make sure everything is okay there.

Weekly calibrations of our remote-control metering are made to ensure accuracy of transmitter readings.

Shop Local Welcome to Downtown Fredericksburg’s Main Street District fredericksburgdowntown.org

Our main transmitter is a state of the art 20,000-watt microprocessorcontrolled unit installed about 10 years ago. The backup transmitter is capable of 25,000 watts and utilizes vacuum tube technology. That unit is about 25 years old, however it performs well and is

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife, Hiromi, and my children (Andrew, Heather, Amber, and Aaron). I enjoy traveling, following sports, the beach, amateur radio, experimenting with electronics (and other nerd-like activities), fishing, and visiting museums or other interesting places.

Rodney Rockwell is the Chief Engineer for WBQB/WFVA

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