Music By Moonlight
Stories
Celebrating 30 years of music
Edwin
of fredericksburg
By Debbie H. Bliss
In September 1986 Anne Crowe Essig and four other women, Valerie Rivera, Mary Wilson, Barbara Muir and Cessie Howell, met on Salvation Army premises to plan and organize a Women's Auxiliary. They received their official charter in November 1986. This Women's Auxiliary was organized to promote the purposes of The Salvation Army. Its activities include many fund-raising projects and one of these projects, Music By Moonlight, will be celebrating it 30th Annual Concert at Hurkamp Park on Saturday, September 8, 2018, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This event originally began as a daylong event called "Day in the Park" at Hurkamp Park, but the group soon realized a day long event was a little overwhelming. In 1988 Music By Moonlight was born when Ann, approached one of her husband's friends, Dr. Lloyd "Jeppie" Moss, about Fredericksburg Big Band doing a fundraiser and Music By Moonlight was born. 100% proceeds raised at the concert and through direct mailings go towards sending economically disadvantaged children to The Salvation
Army's Camp Happyland in Richardsville, VA. The children, ages 6 -12, experience biking, rock climbing, obstacle courses, ball parks, swimming pool, lake, cabins, Bible study, an amphitheater and music conservatory all on 647 beautiful acres. Many of these kids would never have exposure to these activities without the scholarships provided by Salvation Army's Women's Auxiliary Music By Moonlight. This summer over 100 area children were able to attend camp because of the generosity of the Fredericksburg community. This year's Music By Moonlight is growing and is proud to have Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events as a co-sponsor. And, the Fredericksburg Big Band, who has been performing at the annual concert since its inception, will again be donating their time to keep Ann Essig's dream alive. Their music will have you smiling and wishing for a larger dance floor. Whether it is music from the 40' and 50's made famous by such artists as Glen Miller, Benny Goodman or Count Basie, or more recent songs like Barry Manilow's Copacabana, they have something for all ages to enjoy. And, if you are wanting to brush up on some Swing moves Strictly Ballroom of Fredericksburg will also be performing and enticing you to get those dancing shoes on. The concert is free to the public and you can bring your lawn chair, a blanket to sit on, grab one of the beautiful benches in the park or come and dance to the music. Or maybe you would like to reserve a table, for a fee, that places you
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under twinkling lights at a linen cover table with cookies and sparkling cider. There is something for everyone and all ages, including a craft table for the little ones, a silent auction, cookies and baked goods for sale and food vendors if you haven't had dinner or just want a snack. Come and help Ann Essig's dream stay alive and give the children of our community new dreams to dream! Contact Debbie Bliss at 540-2730971 or 1973.bliss.debbie@gmail.com or Lee Moyer 703-314-7744 or lee@electonicdesigns.com for more information.
Debbie H. Bliss is co-chair Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, Music By Moonlight
Music By Moonlight, 30th Annual Concert Hurkamp Park, FREE Saturday, September 8, 7 to 9 pm.
Edwin, 57, has been homeless in Fredericksburg twice since 2009. He is currently stably housed and manages Micah's Furniture Warehouse, which helps people who are starting over gather essential items to make their houses home. Edwin grew up in Alexandria, as an only child. He graduated from Fort Hunt High School and immediately went to work as a cashier at a local gas station. In eight months, he worked himself up to manager and later moved on to other jobs in construction, retail and warehouse industry. One of those jobs eventually led him to Fredericksburg. He was married at one time. Although the five-year relationship ended in divorce, he most recently learned that he has a daughter, 34, and two grandchildren that he never knew about. He will meet them for the very first time this fall. He also has a 37-year old son from another relationship. Due to a series of "bad choices," Edwin lost his income, material belongings and place to live. He stayed in a motel initially, but when that went away as well he followed a tip to the doors of Micah Ministries. "I felt scared and useless," he said. "I thought that no one would want anything to do with me because I didn't fit anywhere."
Having previously led a successful life and admittedly looking down on those who struggled, Edwin was surprised to find an immediate support system in others who lived on the street. "I got the acceptance from other homeless people that you'd never get from people who live in grand homes. It really opened my eyes," he said. He describes homelessness as a challenge, wrapped in a rhythmic groove of monotony-get up, come to Micah, have breakfast, get a shower, go to the park, visit the library and try to stay out of sight, out of mind. "Its hard to get out of that groove," he said. "You can end up feeling even more useless and wanting to be around people even less." Being asked to help with various tasks in the community, in the churches and at Micah, he said, helped break his cycle, build his worth and set him on a more positive path. "I was at one time very prideful, arrogant person," Edwin said. "I used to look down on people that I love to serve today. Now I embrace those cats." Edwin says his work at Micah's warehouse has not only been a source of income and a means to pay the bills, it is a ministry that blesses both him and others. "It's the best and most blessed job I have ever had in my life," he said. "I get to listen to my clients stories and cry with them and then help them shop and start the road to recovery." With Edwin's leadership, items are picked up and delivered from the furniture warehouse every week to people who are starting over. If you would like to volunteer yourself or church group on a weekly, monthly or as needed basis, email volunteer@dolovewalk.net. Donations or needs for furniture/household items can be submitted through Micah's website www.micahfredericksburg.org. Submitted by Micah Ecumenical Ministries, a Christ-Centered Community supporting people experiencing chronic homelessness & identifying pathways to sustainable housing. Contact 540-4794116; www.dolovewalk.net; facebook
win downtown gift certificate
Identify this mystery house and you could win a gift certificate from a downtown merchant. Here’s how: Email frntprch@aol.com, Subject: mystery house, Identify house address, Your name, address, email. The poem below is a hint of the location of the mystery house. Good Luck!
Last Month’s House: Formerly “Caretakers Lodge” Now “Park Residence” on the National Battlefield Park The Winner of a gift certificate from Roxbury Farm & Garden Center is Soan V. Nguyen Old, Proud, Beautiful, I Wonder Who You Are You take my breath away sitting as you do, on the corner for nearly 300 years and more. Who envisioned your windows doors and porches. that welcome the tired and hungry? Did you greet the small woman each day, who lived next door to you, whose son was the father of our country? I see your bones exposed for all to see, I scream out, leave her be. Stay strong my dear, we need your strength,your old eyes, to guide us to the past. In this way through you,my beloved, we learn to hold on, to what makes our country great!
“Polishing the Edges” Oil Painting by Lynn Abbott 810 Artists: Beverley Coates, Watercolorist Penny A. Parrish, Photographer Lynn Abbott, Oil Painter Daily 10 to 6.
Artist on site Saturdays
540.371.4099
810 Caroline Street, Downtown Fredericksburg 24
August 2018
Front porch fredericksburg
front porch fredericksburg
August 2018
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