ON THE PORCH Rob Grogan
Editor
Associate Photography Editor Archer Di Peppe Contributing Writers & Artists Mike Appleton A.E.Bayne Emily Barker Diane Beyers Megan Byrnes Collette Caprara C.Ruth Cassell Lezlie Cheryl Ashleigh Chevalier Ryan Davis Arch Di Peppe Fran k Fratoe Betsy Glassie Cassandra Gleich Ruth Golden Glen Gray Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks Kathy Habel Katie Hornung Karl Karch David Kerr Christopher Lilis Will Loring Jo Loving Sara Mattingly Jo Middleton Gary Olsen Amy Pearce Sandi Pepper Vanessa Moncure M.L.Powers Scott Richards Kathy Rivers Wendy Schmitz James Kyle Snyder Dru-Anne Sgarlato Matt Thomas Christine Thompson Rim Vining Front Porch Fredericksburg is a free circulation magazine published monthly by Olde Towne Publishing Co., Inc. Virginia Bigenwald Grogan, Publisher. The mission of Front Porch Fredericksburg is to connect the diverse citizenry of Fredericksburg with lively features and informative columns of interest to our community’s greatest resource, its people. Messages from our readers are welcome. All submissions must be received by e-mail by the 19th of the month preceding publication. Writers are welcome to request Writer’s Guidelines and query the Editor by e-mail. Front Porch Fredericksburg PO Box 9203 Fredericksburg, VA 22403 Phone: 540-220-1922 E-Mail: frntprch@aol.com Web Site: www.frontporchfredericksburg.com 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 2014 Olde Towne Publishing Co., LLC All rights reserved.
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I Gotta Crow
Clang, Clang, Clang Went the Trolley
February 2014
About CYT Fredericksburg !
200 January 30, 2014: I’m sitting upright in a hospital bed at Mary Washington Hospital after Virginia called 9-1-1 the night before. My stomach pain and bloating had become unbearable, so here I am writing the very final piece of issue # 200 – February 2014. For 200 consecutive months, all of the pieces have come together each time to compose an issue of the magazine. Advertising support, writers, photographers, artists, techies, production personnel, carriers, and you – our readers – have herded together to bring you your community magazine. To me, “200” is more than a big, round number. It expresses continuity, challenges met, nearly 17 years under our belts, and a celebration of all that is good about Fredericksburg. Even from a hospital bed, I am encouraged to see this issue come to fruition for you; optimistic about the
messages Dear Editor and Sara Mattingly, In your January 2014 issue on page 14, you list David Achkio as the brewer of Blue and Gray Brewery, this is incorrect. The article is two years old. David has been brewing at Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery in Goochland since February 2013. Although the article is dated, the photo used of him is at his current place of employment, taken and posted by his employer at LCCB. I am sure the article created confusion to those who are avid beer drinkers in the area. I would also imagine the current brewer at B & G, Aaron Emory, is equally surprised to hear David is still the brewer. Kind regards, Camila Burda NOTE: Camila Thank you for your message. What happened was that Sara sent the wrong story, which was supposed to be an update on the brewery. She had kept the old one for background info. To my fault, I totally missed her error and sent the wrong story to the publisher. Thanks for reading Front Porch! Regards, Rob Grogan, Editor and Errorist Dear Rob: It is with much appreciation that I write to you today. First, having
Front porch fredericksburg
By Cassandra Gleich magazine’s future; and, committed to doing my part in the process each month. This month is a good one, with profiles of “porch people;” several winter recipes; history and health; and, compelling pieces by our stable of witty, informative, and insightful columnists and writers. It is the month we look at Black History, Presidents, a little romance, and some of the quality of life topics that invigorate our community; topics that you like and look for every month – food, wine, and beer; humorous observations and looks at local life; our “teacher of the month” by a. e. Bayne; our Calendar of Events; plus, unique to this issue, is a guide to tipping; a local youth theater; the community’s housing coalition; and, more good topics and information of value.
my photograph chosen for your January 2014 cover was just wonderful. But not many people know that this issue turned out to be a “family” issue for me. My daughter, Amy Raposo, was highlighted on page 31 as she starts work with Front Porch on the sales team. And then, on page 25, in Scene & Heard, there is mention of my son, Kelley Drake, and his participation, along with many other talented artists, in The Sunken Well Tavern Art show. How often does that happen? So again, thank you for that and all you do for our community. Ruth Golden Hi Rob, My intent this morning was to simply inquire about your health. Then as my computer was warming up I read your “Winter Morning Prayer” from the January Front Porch (On The Porch). What a beautifully written and moving piece. You are living at a deeper level than most of us and are blessed with the ability to articulate your feelings. I’m inspired to increase my efforts this year to help those in need in our community. Bruce Day Bruce Day is a downtown artist. ABOUT THE COVER: Once again, renowned painter Betsy Glassie offers us a cover we can not resist – a whimsical snowman to mark winter in Fredericksburg’s most likely snow month. Snow days and cancellations, frigid temperatures,
We invite you to light a fire, pour yourself a hot tea, cocoa, or toddy, and enjoy #200 cover-to-cover. Peace.
juxtapose the annual reopening of Carl’s in mid-month, ironically illustrating the contrast in weather in our fickle region. So Let It Snow! Take a day, build a snowman! WRITERS WANTED: Do you aspire to be published? Are you a local writer wanting to contribute to the community? Are you building your portfolio of published work? If you write and will follow our Writer’s Guidelines, then contact Editor Rob Grogan at frntprch@aol.com. Tell Rob your background, your topic interests, your passion. He will pair you with the right assignment! READERS’ NARRATIVES WANTED ! Special Theme August 2014 Issue (Deadline July 20th): “Pets & Their People” - narratives from writers, readers, and contributors about life with their Fido from the pet’s and person’s perspectives. Can you turn 300-400 words into a tell-all by your cat or dog? Or, write it from your own perspective if the muse points that way? Send a good photo of your pet along with your narrative (send your narrative as an email message — copy, cut, and paste your document’s text — and do not attach a file). Photo can include you interacting with pet(s)... High resolution jpg’s embedded in e-mail preferred! Email Rob at frntprch@aol.com when you commit to doing this. It will be fun!
Come to Never Never Land with us! CYT Fredericksburg is preparing to open Peter Pan in March and it is a MUST SEE for the whole family. CYT stands for Christian Youth Theater and ALL are welcome! CYT puts on three shows a year with a cast of anywhere from 90 to 96 kids between the ages of 8 and 18. CYT’s mission statement is “Developing character one stage at a time,” which it defiantly does! Children learn how to behave on and off stage by learning core values. Responsibility for lines, dances, and making sure they have everything for practice and the shows are taught and learned quickly. The cast practices for 10 weekends and although it is mostly fun and games when we are not working on our lines and blocking scenes; older kids will bring homework to do in free time or they will help fellow cast members catch up on dances. The 96 members of this cast become family over the 10 weeks of rehearsal. In some activities that cover such a wide range of age there is usually a gap between the younger kids and the
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older kids. That is not the case with CYT. Many of the older kids “adopt” a younger member of the cast and a show family begins. In 2006, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” was the first show produced under CYT Richmond. In 2008 CYT Fredericksburg branched off by themselves with “Snow White.” Since then they have put on favorites like, “Willy Wonka,” “Suessical,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Christmas Carol,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Annie,” and now “Peter Pan”. CYT is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that is able to provide tuition assistance and College scholarships to those who participate through our fund raising events, donations from local businesses and raffles during our shows. CYT Fredericksburg is thrilled to be using the same flying company, Flying by Foy, that the original Peter Pan cast used on Broadway in 1954. Peter, John, Wendy and more will captivate the audience from up above! The play will open March 7 at Spotsylvania High School and features the classic characters of Peter, Wendy, John, Michael, Tiger Lilly, the lost boys, Indians, Pirates and of course, Captain Hook! This show has the classic Broadway songs like “I won’t grow up,” “The Pirate’s Tango,” “Uga Wug,” and “I Gotta Crow”. Tickets and more information about our after school theater program can be found at www.cytfred.org LIKE our CYT facebook page and comment: “Front Porch sent me.” You could win a Family 4-P Pack of Theater Tickets ! Readers of this article who email frntprch@aol.com will also be eligible to win a theater ticket 4-p pack ! This article was written by 16-year-old homeschooler, Cassandra Gleich. This will be her 8th production with CYT Fredericksburg.
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Arts Commission Launches First Friday Trolley By Collette Caprara
Clang, clang, clang” went the trolley Ding, ding, ding” went the bell Zing, zing, zing” went my heartstrings For the moment I saw him I fell. – lyrics by Hugh Martin With a special emphasis on “first,” the First Friday exhibit openings in February will feature the debut of the First Friday Trolley service, offered courtesy of the Fredericksburg Arts Commission (FAC). On February 7, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, two trolleys operated by Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg will run a “circulator” route, with designated stops
that are each located no further than two blocks away from the surrounding galleries. The Commission took care to ensure that galleries that are more difficult for foot traffic to reach would be included in the route. The route will include (among other venues) Sophia Street, Lafayette Boulevard, and upper William Street, with stops in surrounding residential areas, including one on College Avenue to facilitate students’ participation in the event. The service will initially be offered on First Fridays for a three-month trial period and will be extended to subsequent months on the basis of ridership. A map of the trolley’s route will be posted on fredarts.com,visitfred.com, and arts-along-the-river.org. The idea for the First Friday Trolley was inspired by input received through FAC’s 2013 online survey about art opportunities in the Burg, and the Commission welcomes suggestions from the public on an ongoing basis atfredarts.com. Hop on and join this wonderful journey through the Arts of the Burg!
Collette Caprara is a local writer and artist who serves on the Fredericksburg Arts Commission.
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