May 2015 - Front Porch Fredericksburg by Virginia Grogan

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LOCAL GOOD LIFE

front porch T H E R E G I O N ' S free C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E

L o c a l G o o d N e w s S i n c e 1 9 97 YEAR 18 • ISSUE 214 • MAY 2015

Frontporchfredericksburg.com

contents

closeups susi Darr capturing moments

Video-game creator grant Ervin

merian c. stevens ....art as smooth as silk

porch talk 3

Emmett Snead: Conservation Farmer

on the porch...life in fredericksburg Messages

documenting our past: Stafford Co.Slave Site Project

italy, france, germany..Fred’s sister cities

downtown buzz

earth mother mushrooms

vino: terroir

season’s bounty: seasonal recipes

Cooking with Kyle va wineries: getaway passes

mercantile: joy & beth’s new spot

16-17

Calendar of events

Spring on Down

Our Joe is Blooming!

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

Emmett Snead

Our Heritage: fielding lewis history’s stories.: historic elmhurst

companions: dachshunds

emancipated patients: politically & medically local remedies for local allergies

Senior Care: get into the act

wellness: one for health & health for all renew: high cost of low living

scene & heard...in the ‘burg!

POPS...universal language

solarize! tankless water heaters: ....economical & environmental

ramp up your river routine

fredericksburg sketches My Favorite Places: may pick pots & palettes

from my porch: my young men of value poetryman autoknown: may I ?

a Conservation farmer By regularly rotating crops among the fields at Snead’s Farm, the long-term health of the soil is enhanced and less fertilizer is needed. Take a look behind the horse barn here at Snead’s Farm, and you’ll see us making one of our most valuable resources—compost, used to feed our soil and crops in a way that is healthy for people, workers and the environment. “I see myself as being here on this farm a short while,” Emmett Snead said. “I want to leave it better than I found it.” Emmett and his wife Ellen have three daughters: Jessica, who is completing a doctorate in pharmacy, and collegestudent twins, Savannah & Emmalyn. All three daughters still come home summers to help with the business.

...And more! 27

eden try estate & winery: upscale venue

fxbg music: sophie horn, a young, new talent

“more than sad”. ..educating teens on suicide prevention

Cover Photo By Susi Darr

Emmett Snead III knew from the time he was 11 years old that he wanted to be a farmer. He grew up helping his father, Emmett Snead Jr., on Braehead Farm, which is still run by Emmett’s brother, George, as a working farm that you can visit in Fredericksburg. Emmett Snead spent his younger years going doorto-door on a bicycle selling produce in Fredericksburg. He graduated from James Monroe High School; got a two-year degree from Louisburg College in North Carolina; and earned a bachelor’s degree with a double major in business and economics from Emory & Henry College in 1973. He moved back home to his parents’ farm, where he helped his dad with twice-daily milkings, raised vegetables for sale, grew grain, and started a business spreading lime and fertilizer. Emmett earned a 2nd bachelors degree from Mary Washington in geography in 1976. In 1980, Snead bought the land now known as Snead’s Asparagus Farm. In the early years of the farm, Snead regularly drove to 60 supermarkets and about a dozen different farmers markets to sell his produce, in addition to selling at the roadside stand here at the farm. But as business picked up, and as the Snead’s Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program caught on, Snead found he could sell 100 percent of his produce without having to truck it anywhere. Emmett and Ellen Snead (pictured above) see themselves as a small part of the long-term story of the land that is Snead’s Farm. The Sneads have placed 290 acres of the farm under conservation easement with Ft. A.P. Hill, with the help of the Conservation Fund and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. That means that the land will be

permanently protected from development, and should be able to continue on as a working farm long after the Sneads have left. That long-range view has led the Sneads to tailor their farming practices to benefit the long-term health of the environment, the Rappahannock River and the Chesapeake Bay. Snead’s Farm is not a certified organic farm, and it’s nothing like the giant factory farms that grow many of the fruits and vegetables sold in supermarkets today. Snead describes his approach as a careful mix of farming practices that minimize use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and maximize the long-term health of the soil and the people who work on and consume the products of Snead’s Farm. Some of the practices Snead uses in his “conservation farming” are: Sod buffers between fields. These buffers, as opposed to bare earth, absorb runoff and act as soft pathways for farm equipment. No-till planting that inserts seeds directly into the soil. Not tilling preserves topsoil and reduces the amount of sediment going into creeks and the river. No nitrogen fertilizer goes on corn until it is knee-high. This cuts the amount needed through harvest by a quarter. Nitrogen is a nutrient that contributes to “dead zones” in the Chesapeake Bay during the summer months. Cover crops are planted on fields soon after harvest, protecting and enriching the soil, and providing food and habitat for local wildlife. Tall tunnels not only lengthen the growing season for tomatoes; they also prevent runoff into area streams and rivers.

For more information on CSA applications and pickup sites, as well as information on the farm,’s crops visit www. sneadsfarm.com. And don’t forget, “The Asparagus is in!”

Introducing Benchmark ...The Distinctive Wedding Rings. 200 William Street Downtown Fredericksburg 540.373.4421 Mon-Fri: 9:30-6 Sat: 9:30-5 CrownJewelersFredericksburg.com

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015 2015

contents

closeups susi Darr capturing moments

Video-game creator grant Ervin

merian c. stevens ....art as smooth as silk

porch talk 3

Emmett Snead: Conservation Farmer

on the porch...life in fredericksburg Messages

documenting our past: Stafford Co.Slave Site Project

italy, france, germany..Fred’s sister cities

downtown buzz

earth mother mushrooms

vino: terroir

season’s bounty: seasonal recipes

Cooking with Kyle va wineries: getaway passes

mercantile: joy & beth’s new spot

16-17

Calendar of events

Spring on Down

Our Joe is Blooming!

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

Emmett Snead

Our Heritage: fielding lewis history’s stories.: historic elmhurst

companions: dachshunds

emancipated patients: politically & medically local remedies for local allergies

Senior Care: get into the act

wellness: one for health & health for all renew: high cost of low living

scene & heard...in the ‘burg!

POPS...universal language

solarize! tankless water heaters: ....economical & environmental

ramp up your river routine

fredericksburg sketches My Favorite Places: may pick pots & palettes

from my porch: my young men of value poetryman autoknown: may I ?

...And more! 27

eden try estate & winery: upscale venue

fxbg music: sophie horn, a young, new talent

“more than sad”. ..educating teens on suicide prevention

Cover Photo By Susi Darr

For more information on CSA applications and pickup sites, as well as information on the farm,’s crops visit www. sneadsfarm.com. And don’t forget, “The Asparagus is in!”

Introducing Benchmark ...The Distinctive Wedding Rings. 200 William Street Downtown Fredericksburg 540.373.4421 Mon-Fri: 9:30-6 Sat: 9:30-5 CrownJewelersFredericksburg.com

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015 2015

Georgia Lee Strentz Guest Porch Editorial Contributing Writers & Artists Emily Anderson Mike Appleton Nancy Bauer A.E.Bayne Megan Byrnes Collette Caprara C.Ruth Cassell Ashleigh Chevalier Dan Czajka Susi Darr Callista Dunn Christina Ferber Frank Fratoe Joan M. Geisler Ann Glave Alexis Grogan Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks Karl Karch Emily Hollinsworth Ann Kuo Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy Susan Ujka Larson Jo Loving Vanessa Moncure Patrick Neustatter M.L.Powers Scott Richards Casey Alan Shaw Meg Sneed James Kyle Synder Christine Thompson Rim Vining Kathryn Willis Suzy Woollam

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. 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 Ad Sales: 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 2015 Olde Towne Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

May 2015

ON THE PORCH homeplace

stafford county’s slavery site project By Emily Anderson

BY georgia lee strentz “Fredericksburg, Virginia, where is that?” I said. “ Oh,” my husband said, “it is a small, lovely, quiet, very historic town, about an hour south of D.C.” “Remember, that is the town we passed, when we moved to D.C., from California. Our cat got out of the car at a gas station and you ask a man to help us search.” “He almost set the station on fire, searching in all the tunnels under the station with his cigarette lighter.” “Ah yes,” I said, “that Fredericksburg.” Coming from the West Coast or anywhere in the country to D.C., for a job with the Federal Government, typically means, bringing dogs ,cats, and kids. That is a common situation in the Washington Metropolitan area. The multitude of government jobs, create a stream of never ending migration into Virginia. Leaving your extended family behind, due to employment opportunities is a massive adjustment for the whole family. The town you choose has a large impact on the quality of life for the whole family. After only two years in D.C. we were transferred to a new law enforcement facility near Fredericksburg. We were some of the first wave of, “commuters” or “newbies,” to start running up and down the highways to D.C., filling the available homes and schools, causing demand for ,homes, schools, transportation and services Coming from all parts of the country, looking for our new Homeplace. A place where our family would have the opportunity to watch our children grow, have excellent schools, friends, a safe neighborhood, churches, and to be involved in our new community. Simple needs, to get settled, put up new curtains and settle down. Those who choose Fredericksburg, have the opportunity to become a Fredericksburger, and for this small Southern city, to become, sometimes surprisingly, your family’s lifelong, beloved, homeplace, as it has been for our family.. What makes Fredericksburg such a fantastic town? Why is Fredericksburg so “relevant” to today’s world, vibrant, so alive, economically and educationally thriving, yet grabs your heart and soul with its history. It's history is somehow integrated into our everyday lives, actually walking in

Front porch fredericksburg

Documenting Our Past

the footsteps of our ancestors, revering the past, yet operating as a modern,thriving city. Fredericksburg is so livable, so humanistic, charitable, filled with young people, yet with a growing senior population. Fredericksburg’s particular brand of southernness, grabs you, soothes ya’all, while walking the streets, meeting the people, shopping, dining, living here, Why did Fredericksburg grab those first commuters so long ago, just like it grabbed all those who stayed after the Civil War. Here are some reasons; Fredericksburg and its inhabitants, have a warmth, a depth of caring, which wraps around you, even if you are a tourist visiting for a day. Fredericksburg, our Homeplace, rare for its peacefulness, in this fast-paced world. When you live in Fredericksburg, you see familiar faces, daily, and we wave. People in Fredericksburg still talk about meeting “downtown,” where we have shopping for everything, outdoor dining, art, walking by the river, browsing quaint book and gift shops, antiques, clothing, services, businesses, who bring jobs, and some with a keen interest in the well being of our town’s environmental needs. All these good things, in a Colonial setting, with buildings dated before the Revolutionary War. We Fredericksburgers live downtown in beautiful, old historic homes, in quaint apartments over the stores, modest neighborhoods, lots of trees, and dogs are welcome.. How you can tell if you have become unexpectedly, a Fredericksburger, even if you came from California.? Even though Fredericksburg is one hour away from our Capitol, it is very Southern. Fredericksburgers love children, so every child they meet, must be hugged, kissed, fed, and cherished. This can happen in any public or private location and you

are helpless to stop a Fredericksburger’s behavior in this regard. To a Fredericksburger, everyone looks hungry and skinny, they will feed you, even if you protest. Fredericksburgers like to visit (known as talk in other areas of the country) If you get involved in a conversation with a Fredericksburger, and you had an appointment somewhere, call and cancel whatever it was, as you won’t be there on time. To be polite and mannerly, is very important to Fredericksburgers. They never go to visit a friend without a token of affection. Be kind when your neighbors descends on you, especially if you have been sick. Even if your Northern background tells you to hide, they will not go away until their gift has been given to you. They will not leave it on the porch, and they will return time and time again. So open the door and smile. Fredericksburgers actually treasure old people, and treat them with respect and kindness. I am inspired by the people of Fredericksburg. Let’s celebrate our Homeplace, it’s vibrant culture and caring, welcoming community and be thankful the Front Porch continues to celebrate our community and we can read it cover- to cover!.

Prior to the Civil War, slaves and slavery stood at the heart of daily life in Stafford. Indeed, the enslaved people who worked the land were worth twice the land they worked upon. Before the war, about 40 percent of households in Stafford owned slaves. Census records noted their presence by recording their Dunbar Kitchen located off of Route 1 gender and age. in Falmouth, Virginia. Other inventories Enslaved individuals worked and inhabited such places sometimes give nicknames and the throughout Stafford County value accorded each Stafford County has a rich and slave. Births, marriages (not legally vibrant cultural history. Beginning with binding in the eyes of the law), and deaths the initial settlement of the region in the went unrecorded. Daily events, joys, 17th century and through the formation sorrows left untold. But, the material of the county in 1664, to the rapid growth culture left behind on the landscape helps of the area connected with the to fill these voids. The houses, kitchens, establishment of Interstate 95 and later barns, factories, and fields traversed by the Virginia Railway Express in the 20th the slaves offer a valuable glimpse into century, the architectural and their lives. It is these structures and archaeological fabric of Stafford reflect landscapes that Stafford County is the area’s multifaceted past. Remembering documenting before the ravages of time this history and preserving this historic and the never-ending expansion of fabric is critical to a locality’s wellbeing. modern-day life destroy the evidence. Yet, despite the decades of cultural With a grant from the Virginia resource studies completed on the Department of Historic Resources (DHR), county’s tangible heritage, documented and working with the University of Mary sites associated with the African American Washington’s Center for Historic experience are few in number and even Preservation (UMW CHP), Dovetail more scarce in written literature. Cultural Resource Group (Dovetail), and Fortunately, County officials have Dennis Pogue, LLC, the County embarked embarked on an ambitious project to fill on this study in the fall of 2014. The key this void: the study of slavery-related goal is to identify, locate and document places in Stafford. these above-ground resources. In addition

to these architectural sites, slave cemeteries will also be recorded. Dovetail, along with volunteers and other stakeholders, have identified a sample of 30 properties (20 structures and 10 cemeteries) to include in this phase of the project. Recommendations for future studies will also be identified. These include, but are not limited to, Civil War sites, Historic District surveys, and historical and archival research of antebellum churches. What sites should be documented? Is one property more important than another to the history of Stafford County? These questions were pondered and discussed with all involved parties. The project steering committee decided that the buildings and sites selected for this phase of documentation would be based on those at greatest risk for either demolition or deterioration. In addition to 25 new properties, five previously recorded slave-related buildings will receive a revisit. These include a brick kitchen and a dilapidated frame duplex at

Cottage” at Belmont, a brick dwelling at the Sanford Farm, and a brick duplex at the Philips House. The final phase of work includes the production of a report which will aid the County in filling the gaps in an often overlooked history and help guide future studies in this area. As the County continues to grow and change, this document will aid in a better understanding of our past. For questions about the project, please contact Dovetail at (540) 899-9170 or www.dovetailcrg.com

Emily Anderson is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington’s Historic Preservation program. She is employed at Dovetail Cultural Resource Group in Fredericksburg.

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

Forest,

the

“Caretakers

540-898-0737

Georgia Lee, pictured with her grandson, James McLaughlin, is happy to call Fredericksburg her “Homeplace”.

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015 2015

Front Porch Fredericksburg is a free circulation magazine published monthly by Olde Towne Publishing Co. Virginia Bigenwald Grogan, Publisher.

May 2015

ON THE PORCH homeplace

stafford county’s slavery site project By Emily Anderson

Front porch fredericksburg

Documenting Our Past

Emily Anderson is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington’s Historic Preservation program. She is employed at Dovetail Cultural Resource Group in Fredericksburg.

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

Forest,

the

“Caretakers

540-898-0737

Georgia Lee, pictured with her grandson, James McLaughlin, is happy to call Fredericksburg her “Homeplace”.

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015 2015

Downtown Buzz

Italy, France & Germany fredericksburg’s sister cities

Fresh Eyes on Downtown

By Kathryn Willis Este, Italy (pictured), is an ancient town about 60 miles west of Venice, and is also Fredericksburg’s newest sister city. Tucked into a lush countryside at the foot of a hilly, volcanic-formed national park, Este once stood at the heart of a pre-Roman Etruscan civilization. Vineyards lace the surrounding hillsides and fields, and medieval walls, now mostly crumbled, form a rustic frame for a welltended public garden and park. A Renaissance central square is edged by long, arched porticos, under which restaurants, florists, shops and wedding boutiques welcome customers, alongside a twice-weekly open market. Fredericksburg fans of Italy, 55 strong, gathered to establish the new Fredericksburg-Este Association and met Massimo Giordano, the Italian Army attaché at the Italian Embassy in DC, who researched cities in America similar to Este, and asked us to establish a relationship, based on the many similarities between the two towns. It’s a good match. Mayors have exchanged letters of intent, a Fredericksburg delegation visited Este last

November, and plans are afoot to host an Este delegation next November. Informal visits of folks from both sides of the Pond are also underway, as well: in spring and in summer for Este folks in the US, and for Fred folks in Italy. Lots of possibilities of how to culturally shake hands are also in the works: from culinary partnerships to art exhibits, and possibly even to importation of Italian wines and prosciuttos! Want to know more? Come to the Este Association next Fredericksburg-E meeting, on Wednesday, May 20, 7 PM, at Este.org and join. the Library. Visit Fred-E And Facebook, too! Fredericksburg-Este Twinning will get you to pictures and news pretty quick. And, just northwest of Italy, in southern France, Fréjus, our sister city since 1980, offers both its ancient and modern self along the shores of the Mediterranean, halfway between Nice and St. Tropez. About 20 of the Fréjus sister city group are planning a September trip to celebrate the 35th anniversary of that partnership, with music, festivities, and the Giant Omelette celebration, where

35,000 eggs are ceremoniously coddled in huge iron pans, and served to thousands. Great fun! But here in Fredericksburg, the Fréjus group has been commemorating another anniversary: that of the 70th anniversary of WWII. To honor V-E Day, Fredeicksburg Sister City Association is offering TELL NO ONE: Women, Espionage, and Deception in WWII. The lecture, free and open to the public, will take place at 7 PM, on Thursday, May 14, again at the Caroline Street Library. Registration is required at fredericksburgfrejus.com. There’s also the German group, allied with Schwetzingen, Germany, that convenes frequently for food, fun, and— just maybe—some beer! The month of June finds these German friends in Fredericksburg for a week-long visit.

Watch for the flags downtown! And find out more at www.schwetzburg.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook at: Schwetzburg. While going there is always grand, these associations offer European experiences right here in the ‘Burg. Kathryn Willis cheers for arts and culture.

Snead’s Asparagus Farm

Fredericksburg VA Main Street sat down with Todd Barman, of Barman Development Strategies LLC, for a 2 ½ day discussion. Todd’s visit resulted from the resources that VA Main Street provides to newly formed Main Street organizations. Todd has more than 21 years of experience in the development field and more than 16 years of firsthand experience with the Main Street Four Point Approach. With a background in landscape design and urban planning, Todd has a unique perspective in the areas of

Dreaming of Owning Downtown? Let’s Make it Happen!

Support Local Green Space & Local Farmers

NOW IN! Fresh Cut Aspara gus T H I N K G LO BA L LY E AT LO C A L LY 10 mi. S.E. of downtown on right side of Rt. 17 Open 9-5 Daily 540/371-9328

SPACES STILL AVAILABLE FOR CSA 2015 SEASON PICKUPS AT FARM, BRAEHEAD & NORTH STAFFORD Fill out application at www. sneadsfarm.com

Enjoy Snead Farm Produce at Sunken Well Tavern, LaPetite Auberge, Bistro Bethem, J Brian’s, Vivify, Kybecca, Castigllias & Olde Town Butcher 6

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

SUZY STONE 540.847.0630 suzystone22@gmail.com C21redwood.com

Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated

downtown development, strategies in asset-based economic development, entrepreneurship, target market research, and commercial district market positions for Downtowns. Below are observations and thoughts from his visit that we will be studying as Main Street moves forward. The Main Street Four-Point Approach® (Design, Promotion, Economic Restructuring, and Organization) is an asset-based economic development strategy. The two main assets to historic commercial downtowns are heritage and human. Heritage assets encompass both built and cultural history. Human assets encompass both entrepreneurs (local/independent owner operators) and an engaged public (locals with emotional and financial buy-in). While Todd noted that Fredericksburg is rich in both, we need to develop these strengths to their fullest potential. It’s strengthening and leveraging Design with built history, Promotion with cultural history, Economic Restructuring with entrepreneurs and finally Organization with the engaged public. Tying them all together with the branding of Downtown begins to tell our rich story and creates a revitalized community. To be successful in an everchanging market, Downtown needs more entrepreneurs. The focus on entrepreneurs rather than business owners is intentional. Entrepreneurs work on their business. Business owners may be satisfied simply working in their business. An entrepreneur is not defined as only a “new” business, it’s the owner that wants to expand, develop a spinoff related business or one that is proactive and adaptable with the fluctuating business climate. We must work together using our many resources in place to grow that independently owned, local business. Downtown has a long history of entrepreneurs – just look at John Lewis of Fielding Lewis Store- for starters. Downtown is the original incubator without walls!

Main Street’s primary target markets are the local residents that walk, ride and live downtown and secondly the remaining regional community. The third target markets are the visitors. It’s working together with our larger partners that will accomplish the goal of increasing sales for the businesses and creating a healthy local economy. Other questions and thoughts we will be discussing include, “What are our primary services and products? What’s the common thread that makes, for example, the 800 block successful? How do we best tap and utilize the River and VRE? How do we script the visitor’s experience? What’s the master plan for Downtown? How do we keep our history? How do we maintain our built history? (if not cared for, it will disappear).” These questions will be answered in the next few months and years as we move forward. Through market and relationship driven strategies and with an action

By Ann Glave

inspired process and coordination, Downtown will be successful by building on its assets of rich architecture and our

Main Street’s primary target markets are the local residents that walk, ride and live downtown and econdly the remaining regional community. The third target markets are the visitors. stories. This only touches on part of Todd’s comments. A detailed report is due in late April and it will be exciting to see how our stories of heritage and human assets unfold!

Ann Glave is the Executie Dirctor of The Fredericksburg Main Street. To stay up-to-date on downtown visit them on Facebook and fredericksburgmainstreet.org.

Law Offices of

ROBERT H. DEADERICK, PC

DUI

Personal Injury Criminal Law Personal Injury Wrongful Death Suspended Reckless CDL

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Former Captain U..S.. Army "Serving the Service" Military Welcome Millrace North, 725 Jackson Street, Suite 218, Fredericksburg 540.371.5100 Deadericklaw.com deadlaw@verizon.net

Wills and Trusts Provide for Incapacity Trusts for Minor Children Wealth Preservation Trusts Avoid Probate AhearnEstateLaw.com

540/371-9890

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Downtown Buzz

Italy, France & Germany fredericksburg’s sister cities

Fresh Eyes on Downtown

Snead’s Asparagus Farm

Dreaming of Owning Downtown? Let’s Make it Happen!

Support Local Green Space & Local Farmers

NOW IN! Fresh Cut Aspara gus T H I N K G LO BA L LY E AT LO C A L LY 10 mi. S.E. of downtown on right side of Rt. 17 Open 9-5 Daily 540/371-9328

SPACES STILL AVAILABLE FOR CSA 2015 SEASON PICKUPS AT FARM, BRAEHEAD & NORTH STAFFORD Fill out application at www. sneadsfarm.com

Enjoy Snead Farm Produce at Sunken Well Tavern, LaPetite Auberge, Bistro Bethem, J Brian’s, Vivify, Kybecca, Castigllias & Olde Town Butcher 6

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

SUZY STONE 540.847.0630 suzystone22@gmail.com C21redwood.com

Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated

By Ann Glave

inspired process and coordination, Downtown will be successful by building on its assets of rich architecture and our

Ann Glave is the Executie Dirctor of The Fredericksburg Main Street. To stay up-to-date on downtown visit them on Facebook and fredericksburgmainstreet.org.

Law Offices of

ROBERT H. DEADERICK, PC

DUI

Personal Injury Criminal Law Personal Injury Wrongful Death Suspended Reckless CDL

Traffic

Former Captain U..S.. Army "Serving the Service" Military Welcome Millrace North, 725 Jackson Street, Suite 218, Fredericksburg 540.371.5100 Deadericklaw.com deadlaw@verizon.net

Wills and Trusts Provide for Incapacity Trusts for Minor Children Wealth Preservation Trusts Avoid Probate AhearnEstateLaw.com

540/371-9890

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Earth Mother Mushrooms bettering our planet

May 2015

Life & creativity through her lens By Emily Hollingsworth

by Christina Ferber

Fungus gets a bad rap. It eats dead stuff and doesn’t really smell all that good, but maybe there is more to these decomposers than we realize. In fact, mushrooms (yes, they are a fungus) are emerging as the new superhero of the environment, and Ryan Mooney, owner of Earth Mother Mushrooms is hoping to educate us all on the superpowers that they possess. “I saw a talk by Paul Stamets, who is THE mushroom guy, and was hooked. After that, I wanted to find out all that I could about mushrooms,” says Mooney. Earth Mother Mushrooms was created soon after, with a mission that includes education, soil remediation, and providing great quality mushrooms to consumers. “Mushrooms are like the fruit of an apple tree. They are the reproductive part of the mycelium, which is like the tree,” Mooney explains. “Everything is connected under the ground by mycelium. It also acts as a sort of underground filtration device.” It’s for this purpose that Mooney, along with other environmental partners, is starting a soil remediation program at Eagle Hill Equine, a rescue horse farm. In the past he has worked with Friends of the Rappahannock to prevent runoff by using mushrooms along the river, but for this project the focus will be cleaning the runoff from farms. “Mycelium acts as a biological filtration membrane; it consumes E. coli as a food source. Mushrooms will actually break things down to use as food until there is no trace of it left,” says Mooney. Mushroom mycelium has also been used to clean up oil spills and as an ecological restorer after natural disasters.

SUSI DARR

Along with keeping the environment healthy, mushrooms also keep us healthy by providing nutrients and boosting our immune system. Research is being done on their antibiotic potential, and they are used in developing countries as a food source that also breaks down agricultural waste products and regenerates the soil in the process. “Mushrooms are 30% protein, contain all nine essential amino acids, and are the only food in the produce section that contains Vitamin D, but they have to be cooked in order to receive any nutritional benefit,” says Mooney, who also serves as the coffee roaster for Blackstone Coffee in Eagle Village. Though he grows many varieties of mushrooms for local restaurants and stores (you can find them at Kickshaws Downtown Market, Old Town Butcher, and on the menu at Bistro Bethem), Mooney’s true passion is in teaching others about the many benefits of mushrooms through classes and workshops. “For me this is more than an entrepreneurial thing. I love doing it and learning about it,” Mooney says. “I can culture a mushroom from the woods, and from that little piece, can grow thousands of pounds of mushrooms. That transformation process is pretty incredible, and I want to teach others all that mushrooms can do.” Look for classes and workshop schedules on Earth Mother Mushroom’s Facebook page, or swing by the Fredericksburg Farmer’s Market to check out his partnership with Good Turn Earth Company. Mushroom growing kits will be available soon at Roxbury Mills, and if you are as passionate as he is about bettering the world one mushroom at a time, email him at earthmothermushrooms@gmail.com to find out more.

Christina Ferber is a teacher, writer and a mom who shares stories of our community and the people who make it great, every month in Front Porch photo of Ryan by Steve Collins

Front porch fredericksburg

Susi Darr knows exactly how to capture the moment. One of her photos features a young boy, (below) wearing a blue and gray sweater, giving a shy but winning smile as he holds up an ornament that says “love.” The photo was featured on iheartfaces.com in January. Like the photograph of the boy, Darr consistently finds unique angles and ways of capturing a person’s experience and emotion. While Darr has photographers that she admires, she marches to the beat of her own drum. “I don’t like to copy someone else’s style,” Darr said. “I like to look at their pictures to inspire me. [But] those just inspire me.” Darr specializes in portraits, including wedding photos, infants, toddlers, and high school and college senior photos. Darr’s website, youseephotography.com, highlights her work. Through working with different age groups with specialized needs, Darr has found tips along the way that have made her stand out. For toddler portraits, Darr uses a toy rattle to get the toddler to look toward the camera. Darr described buying a stuffed rattle at a Target, and having to explain the situation to the cashier when the cashier asked what kind of dog she had.

Darr said she tested her photography methods on her two sons, and it was taking pictures of them when they were toddlers that sparked her interest in photography. For Darr, balancing her two passions, raising her family and owning her small business in photography has not been easy. She often looks up tutorials on youtube on how to hone her craft when her children have fallen asleep. “I don’t mind staying up late to learn something new,” Darr said.

Darr began taking photography classes in 2012. In her third year as a photographer, Darr has used everything she has learned, but she wants to continue to learn and improve. “Everyone is still in the learning process,” Darr said. “Even people who have worked for years and years and years still want to work.” “You don’t stop learning. I don’t believe that. You are always learning. It’s creativity. Creativity never dies.” Darr, when she takes senior photos, arrives at the area 30 minutes early and looks for the perfect background. Sometimes she suggests places. “Photographers have vision. When you go the location, you are already positive: ‘this background is good,’” Darr said. Darr grew up in Indonesia, in the bustling capital Jakarta. After graduating from the University of Indonesia and working as an accountant, she married her husband, moved to the United States, and eventually moved to Fredericksburg. Darr prefers Fredericskburg’s fields and woods to city life. In any environment, however, Darr puts the person front and center. Whether it’s someone getting teary eyed as the bride walks down the aisle, or the moment when an expectant mother feels her baby kick, or capturing a boy’s shy smile, Darr will continue to use her unique style to encapsulate human experience. “It’s my style,” Darr said. “I don’t just look at the camera, but I capture the moment when they feel it, [when] they feel that emotion.” Emily Hollingsworth is a UMW student who is studying English Literature and Journalism. NOTE: Susi Darr is this month’s cover photographer

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May 2015

Earth Mother Mushrooms bettering our planet

May 2015

Life & creativity through her lens By Emily Hollingsworth

by Christina Ferber

SUSI DARR

Christina Ferber is a teacher, writer and a mom who shares stories of our community and the people who make it great, every month in Front Porch photo of Ryan by Steve Collins

Front porch fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Eden Try Estate and Winery Upscale wedding & event venue By Scott Richards

Gary Gratopp once stated, "If I can dream it, I can make it happen." What can be better than a dream brought to reality? Perhaps, a number of dreams making up a compilation of reality that surpasses the original visions themselves. Such is the case of Gary Gratopp and Linda Morrison, owners of Eden Try Estates on River Road in Spotsylvania, Virginia. The dreams are real, a Virginia Farm Winery and an upscale Wedding Venue. Eden Try has long been known for its weddings on the twelve acre estate

May 2015

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that offers a variety of horticulture, including a vineyard. With a n a t u r a l amphitheater in the back of the estate, o u t d o o r weddings there have become the n o r m . Walking a short ways from the amphitheater, the terraced rose garden provides an elegant backdrop for a cocktail hour prior to the reception, which is held in the front of the estate in a 5,700 square foot barn structure with elevated ceilings, warming kitchen for caterers, and an open concept that allows it to be decorated for any type of event. Morrison has become one of the growing number of women in the state who own wineries. Although she is and has been a highly successful government contractor for years, she stated that

owning Eden Try Estate and Winery, a Virginia farm winery, has been the crowning accomplishment in her life. The wines produced are used in the weddings held at Eden Try, and fall under two categories, four in their Romance series and three in their Estate series. Two of the wines recently tried included Eve's Delight from the Romance series, which is a 2012 Rose blend made from Chardonnay, Riesling, Vidal Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chambourcin. The fruitiness is brought out by the stainless steel aging with a strong sweet flavor. This wine is a patio wine, served chilled on the back deck, or, as in the case of Eden Try, an excellent wine for a wedding with a light, refreshing body. From the Estate series, Forbidden, is a dry wine with rich fruits of Malbec and Merlot showing up as plum and blackberry and adding a bit of black cherry note. A bold wine, the robust body is made for large meals, in particular, at a sit down dinner for a wedding reception, where those drinking will have the opportunity to enjoy the finish brought to bear by the neutral French Oak aging.

An upscale wedding venue and a woman owned Virginia Farm Winery, as if that is not enough, Gratopp and Morrison have also been instrumental establishing a venue that will put the Fredericksburg region up front in the tourism business, a winery tour utilizing the Fredericksburg Trolley. Scheduled to run the third Sunday of each month, the tour will include transportation on the Trolley to each of four wineries for tastings: Eden Try Estate and Winery, Lake Anna Winery, Mattaponi Winery, and Wilderness Run Winery. The tour will be on the Trolley to each winery, so riders can relax and not have to worry about the drive. All tasting fees and a box lunch of winery appropriate fare is included in the fee of $65.00. Beginning and ending at the Spotsylvania Towne Centre, participants can take their tour receipts and get discounts at the many restaurants nearby. So here is to dreamers and realists alike, but especially to those who can combine their dreams into reality and use them for the betterment of their community. Cheers! Scott Richards is the owner of Loch Haven Vineyards.

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May 2015

Eden Try Estate and Winery Upscale wedding & event venue By Scott Richards

May 2015

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May 2015

Vino terroir At the Old Jake and Mike’s Location

Serving New & Traditional American Cuisine with a Twist

Open Lunch and Dinner Tuesday - Saturday 11 am to 9 pm Sunday Brunch 10 am to 3 pm Closed on Mondays

806 William Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Tel: 540 899-0941 From the Owners of The Soup and Taco, Etc.

May 2015

The Renowned Northern Italian Restaurant once in Stafford on Garrisonville Rd moves to downtown Fredericksburg’s “Historic Chimney’s Building” on Caroline Street adding Internationality to their Cuisine

Open 7 days a week Monday to Saturday 11 am to 10pm International Sunday Brunch 9am to 3pm Dinner from 3pm to 9pm Private Dining Rooms for Your Holiday parties or any occasion!!! 623 Caroline Street Fredericksburg VA 22401 Tel (540) 368-1 1107 Fax (540) 368-1 1108

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By scott richards My father worked with wood as a hobby, repairing and refinishing American antiques. He would speak of the patina of the wood as he gazed upon furniture he was working on, studying its lines and how the grain fit with the cut of the wood. He saw something more than the just the appearance as he looked. He had a passion for wood, seeing things I never understood until I realized my own passion for wine. Because of what he understood about wood, he would have had no problem understanding the principle of terroir and how it affects the taste of wine. The truth is, few fully understand, even some of the most ardent wine drinkers. The Oxford Dictionaries on line define terroir as the complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate or the characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced. But defining terroir goes further. It could be defined as the quality and the personality of the wine produced that comes from elements beyond its environment, but that is just another definition. I remember as a child, wine was made by neighbors pouring grape juice into a large jug and mixing in yeast and sugar. A balloon was then attached to the opening, which blew up as the yeast began working. When the balloon went down, the wine was ready. One could say those syrupy sweet wines did have a form of terroir, to stretch a point. The principle of terroir has become a science all its own locally as the wines in Virginia have developed. With the further development of viticulture, the understanding of how grapes are grown is becoming more common knowledge than it used to be. In eastern Virginia, where less clay and more sand make up the loam in which vines grow, the taste of the wine is different than that which might be found in the Shenandoah Valley. However, that is environment, which is true throughout the world, not just in Virginia. There exists a number of factors that take the definition of terroir even further. Terroir extends into what is done with the grapes after they are grown and harvested. While environment can determine character, it takes a lot more to develop the personality of a wine, which can change as the wine ages or as the wine is decanted and left open. Wines sometimes can taste ever-changing or they can have a boldness that overpowers. Interestingly enough, many of the personalities of wine are very similar to those of people. The quality of the wine, on the other hand is affected by the

winemaker in how he handles the fruit as he makes the wine. With the glut of wine that is on the market today, there are numerous varieties displaying different qualities, depending on the price of the bottle. White, red, light bodied, full bodied, dry or sweet, there are many descriptors to wine. But the real story of the terroir is told in the taste of each wine drinker. There is a certain indescribable element that can excite or disappoint the senses. My father would have understood it more than me. I need to drink some more wine as research into this whole question of terroir.

Scott Richards is a member of the VA Vineyards Association, owner of Loch Haven Vineyards, and a writer for FP, Caroline Progress, The Caroline Magazine, Northern Neck News & River View Magazine. Read his blog at fromthevine.wordpress.com or Contact him at lochhavenvineyards@gmail.com

Season’s Bounty

Olde Towne BUTCHER Corner of William & Charles Streets Downtown Fredericksburg

seasonal recipes

540.370.4105

By vanessa moncure Photos of my trilby-hatted father in the mad, mad executive working world of 1960’s New York City truly resemble outtakes of the now-canceled TV show, Mad Men. Working from a 32ndfloor Park Avenue corner office in the (then named) Chemical Bank building, a shadow away from the Pan Am building and the first mid-town helicopter pad, he was a serious executive with a penchant for the ‘60s three-martini lunch, ashtrays at every seat in the boardroom, charge privileges at the see- and be- seen chi chi lunch and dinner fine mid-town restaurants. My collection of 41 Broadway Playbills walk through the 60’s and 70’s, Man of La Mancha, Grease, Hello Dolly, Hair, A Chorus Line, Company, even Fiddler on the Roof when Bette Midler was one of the daughters - usually matinees with friends - then Dad would treat for lunch. Sometimes we’d wear our fringed leather jackets and head for a sketchy Times Square Chinese buffet, or a Sabrett’s sidewalk dog with everything but usually Dad would send us to the member-only Marco Polo Club at the Waldorf Astoria - I’m not sure maxidresses and electric blue eye shadow were de rigueur luncheon dress, but the maitre d’ always recognized me as “Miss Vanessa” and would show us to a plush banquette. The 1960s are remembered as an era of cultural upheaval, but a culinary derecho was just underway - bringing in modern American, French revolution from Escoffier to nouvelle cuisine, and showcasing cultural and international foods to the fore, as gastronomic equals. Growing up in New York City, privy to every new food trend, exposed to the arts as well as participating in urban after-school tutoring, seeing my first microwave at Space Age Futurama 196465 Flushing Meadows NY World’s Fair, having to memorize subway stops before being allowed to ride, attending a flute lesson with Neil Diamond in the next studio! Behind Michael Landon in line at FAO Schwartz! Jackie O crossing a midtown street! My favorite restaurant (bar the Russian Tea Room) was the iconic Four Seasons - a sensation for cooking with the seasons, absolutely fresh and probably my palate’s first “ah-ha” fine-dining moment. With appreciation to Charlotte Adams, several seasonal recipes adapted from the first Four Seasons Cookbook.Surprisingly simple, fantastic.

unsalted butter. Cut remaining ½ lb. thinly sliced salmon into approximately 40 1 ½-inch squares - form into cornucopias and pipe filling into center

CORNETS OF SMOKED SALMON A cornet is food rolled into the shape of a horn. Garnish these with the freshest of spring watercress. Grind ½ lb. smoked salmon with dash of white pepper, 1 T. cognac and ½ c.

NOW JUST THREE MORE SEASONS TO SEE US THROUGH THE YEAR!

www.oldetownebutcher.com Hours Monday - Saturday, 9am to 9pm; Sunday, 11am to 6pm Lee Lebor Proprietor

MOREL SOUP How extraordinarily lucky we are to be so near fresh morels! Cold winter, long wet spring - conditions should be exact for a fantastic harvest this spring! ¾ lb. chopped fresh morels, after cleaning. ? lb. dried chopped morels, rehydrated for 30 minutes in 1 c. fresh chicken consomme (canned if you don’t have fresh on hand). In medium saucepan, add 4 c. chicken consomme, fresh morels and dried morels with consomme. Bring to a simmer and cook five minutes, stirring constantly but do not boil. Serve in consomme cups, garnished with ¼ tsp. finely minced chives.

S ammy T’ s DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG’S

Serving Great Food Since 1981

Home of the “Camper Special” & the Best Burger in Town 801 Caroline Street

SHAD ROE WITH LEMON BUTTER Absolutely one of the most memorable riparian gifts of spring! Sprinkle 4 pair shad roe (after cleaning) with salt and pepper. Dip in flour. Heat together ¼ c. oil (canola oil, or a light unflavored vegetable oil only) with ¼ c. unsalted butter in a large skillet saute roes gently over medium-low heat approximately five minutes per side. Toast four large slices of brioche bread, place on serving platter, then place pair of roe on each slice of toast. Remove oil/butter from skillet and melt ½ c. sweet butter to brown - Pour ¼ c. fresh lemon juice over the roes, then the browned butter. Garnish with watercress and serve with lightly steamed asparagus tips. FRESH STRAWBERRY MELBA MERINGUES Meringues are so wonderfully easy to make - Beat 2 egg whites until frothy, sprinkle with a dash of salt. Gradually beat in ½ c. sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form - fold in ¼ tsp. vanilla extract. With pastry bag or spoon, shape into mounds on parchment paper. Bake 275F 1 hour or until dry. Remove from paper while still warm. Makes 12 meringues. For MELBA SAUCE whirl 1 pint fresh raspberries in blender - add to 1 c. water and ½ c. sugar in small saucepan and cook over low heat until reduced by half. Strain if desired. At room temperature, or a bit cooler, pour over 2 c. fresh strawberries. Place berries in berry bowl, top with meringue.

Try Our Self-Serve Yogurt open 11:30 am Daily Still Owned by the Emory Family

How About a Summer Cooking Class? at The General Store

Restaurant

Call to Reserve Your Space

Since 1978

Italian/American Food Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm

371-4075 Vanessa Moncure entertains and educates us on food every month in this column.

(540) 371-2008

2018 College Ave. Fredericksburg

374-0443 www.shopwhittingham.com 1021 Caroline Street

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Vino terroir At the Old Jake and Mike’s Location

Serving New & Traditional American Cuisine with a Twist

Open Lunch and Dinner Tuesday - Saturday 11 am to 9 pm Sunday Brunch 10 am to 3 pm Closed on Mondays

806 William Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Tel: 540 899-0941 From the Owners of The Soup and Taco, Etc.

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

Season’s Bounty

Olde Towne BUTCHER Corner of William & Charles Streets Downtown Fredericksburg

seasonal recipes

540.370.4105

unsalted butter. Cut remaining ½ lb. thinly sliced salmon into approximately 40 1 ½-inch squares - form into cornucopias and pipe filling into center

NOW JUST THREE MORE SEASONS TO SEE US THROUGH THE YEAR!

www.oldetownebutcher.com Hours Monday - Saturday, 9am to 9pm; Sunday, 11am to 6pm Lee Lebor Proprietor

S ammy T’ s DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG’S

Serving Great Food Since 1981

Home of the “Camper Special” & the Best Burger in Town 801 Caroline Street

Try Our Self-Serve Yogurt open 11:30 am Daily Still Owned by the Emory Family

How About a Summer Cooking Class? at The General Store

Restaurant

Call to Reserve Your Space

Since 1978

Italian/American Food Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm

371-4075 Vanessa Moncure entertains and educates us on food every month in this column.

(540) 371-2008

2018 College Ave. Fredericksburg

374-0443 www.shopwhittingham.com 1021 Caroline Street

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Cooking With Kyle

VA. WINERIES stories for the road

Simple, easy, delicious by james kyle snyder

This month, I am joined by Karim Belyamani, his wife Venise, and his sister Siham to cook some traditional Moroccan food. We are going to make lamb in a tagine (or Tajine depending where you are from). Tagines are one of the oldest cooking utensils in the world. Like most things that are old, the actual origin is hard to nail down. North Africa? Cyprus? Turkey? I was not able to find a definite answer. What I do know about tagines is that they are lots of fun to cook in and a pretty way to present food. This clever earthenware could be considered the world’s first slow cooker. Originally, the base would be placed on the coals to begin the heating process; moving the vessel in and out of the coals would control cooking heat. The high steep sides of the lid ensure most of the moisture circulates back into the dish. As the vegetables give up their water, they create the broth that will moisten the couscous. Traditional Moroccan dishes evoke thoughts of the Mediterranean bazars, exotic lands, and foreign trade. As the other side of the entrance from Spain, protecting the Straight of Gibraltar, Morocco had, and has, access to everything traded by sea in the Mediterranean. This includes spices! Start by placing the tagine on the stovetop on medium low heat (unless you happen to have a bed of coals handy). Add a little oil and one large, chopped onion then cover. The lid continually gets placed on and taken off to add ingredients. Add the root vegetables first. Chop 2 cups each of parsnips, carrots, and potatoes into ¾” x ¾” and add them to the mix. I like to season and spice at this stage. Dust the mixture with a Tbs of coriander, ½ Tbs cumin, and ½ Tbs of S&P (salt & pepper). Shave 1” of ginger into the mix and blend well. Add 2 Cups of

May 2015

diced tomatoes while you get the lamb ready. Wash the lamb and cut into 1” x 1” cubes. The tagine makes a great oven, rotating what normally are escaping flavors back into the dish. Although the heat is medium-low to low most of the time, this machine cooks things quickly. From start to finish I spent a total of 45 minutes. It is fun too! It demands involvement without being high maintenance. Once everything is bubbling, add the lamb, ensuring it is evenly mixed throughout the mixture. All of the nonescaping steam will condense and stir all the flavors together. Put the lid on and set the timer for 15 minutes. As the juices begin to fill the rim of the lid, you will know it is getting close to the finish. Check the meat and when done, remove everything but the juice from the tagine, continuing to heat so that the couscous will cook. Measure the amount of liquid remaining, and stir-in the proper amount of couscous quickly. Cover. Turn the heat off and wait five more minutes. Assembly time is finally here! Lift the lid and fluffy the couscous. Add a layer of chickpeas (no need to heat them if they are already cooked) and top with the rest of the dish. Here you can sprinkle cilantro or green onions on top. Serve the bottom to ensure you get everything. There is a lot to learn from our ancestors and cooking is one of them. If we just pay attention we can relearn how simple, easy, and delicious cooking, and hanging out with new people can be. Thanks Karim, Venice, and Siham for the time together. Be Well! Kyle invites FP readers to join him cooking on his TV show (Cox 25, Comcast ch 2). If you are interested contact frntprch@aol.com, atten KYLE or on facebook-front porch.

Front porch fredericksburg

by nancy bauer The story about how our Virginia travel passion was kindled starts in Scottsville, one of hundreds of tiny rural Virginia towns, this one about 30 minutes south of Charlottesville. A lodging offer we found on Groupon brought us to High Meadows Vineyard Inn for a couple of nights one late October. After nearly four months of running up lodging bills at chain hotels as we researched wineries for our Virginia Wine Country travel app, we were attracted by the Groupon discount. But we were ultimately seduced by the Inn. Dozens of jack-o-lanterns burned along the walk and on the front porch when we arrived, long after dark. A big, wooden box with a hand-scrawled “Vote Here!” sign tipped us off that we were in the thick of a local pumpkin carving competition. The mother/daughter innkeeper team showed us around the renovated farmhouse and its warren of cozy rooms and creaky wood floors topped with oriental rugs. We relaxed into the shabby chic parlor, with Sinatra singing softly in the background. With no expectations, other than a reasonable room rate, we were constantly delighted. We tried out the Adirondack chairs overlooking the inn’s small pinot noir vineyard (tended at the time – inconceivably - by Gabriele Rausse, the “father” of modern Virginia wine). We took 100 pictures of the peacock in the yard, coexisting with a prowling calico cat. We repeatedly snuck into the house for more of the homemade sweet treats and iced tea left on a sideboard. Nothing was expected, so everything was a gift. It’s that experience, and dozens more like it, that encouraged us to create the new Go Virginia Getaways program, which we launched last month. We pulled together our best Virginia travel experiences from the last five years, surveyed friends, scoured reviews, and ultimately invited a “best of” group of inns and B&Bs, cafes and pubs, breweries and distilleries, country markets and shops and spas and even zip line tours to be part of our Getaway passes. We focused on Virginia’s growing wine and craft beer travel market – our own demographic – and knew that to make it work we’d need more than wine and beer tastings. More than 200 have accepted our invitation so far, each offering up a freebie or discount or other treat that would show off their own “best of” for those buying the Passes. Nearly all of our new partners are locally owned/locally grown businesses, mostly small and very hands on. And each one has a story. There’s Karen at Cocoa Manna, a tiny roastery in Culpeper. Karen is infatuated with cocoa beans. She spent a year getting just the right beans into just the right process to make the best brewing cocoa she’d ever tasted, continuing the tradition of a healthy, natural drink that’s

been passed down through the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec cultures. In Smithfield, Dee Dee and Tommy Darden’s family has been smoking hams since the 1950’s. They do about 1,000 hams a year. They start the curing process in late January and the hams are ready around July. If you want a ham for Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’d better call in October. In Chincoteague, MamerSass owner Jamey created "Project Clothing Revival," an eco-friendly event where textiles are collected to help people de-clutter their closets, minimize landfill waste, and help generate funds that are distributed to local organizations and charities. MamerSass specializes in “Upcycling,” which she describes as one of the newest, environmentally conscious genres in fashion design. Dan Gregg started Grelen Nursery on a corner of a cattle farm owned by his family for three generations. Growth moved the nursery to Somerset (in Orange County) several years later, where Dan and his wife, Leslie, have bit by bit grown their small business into The Market at Grelen, a regional destination, with a garden café and patio, berry vines (for pick-your-own and the Market’s homemade ice cream), and a towering new wedding and events tent, all overlooking 600 acres of Christmas trees, bushy shrubs and flowering plants. We could go on. And on. Virginia is full of stories like those. And we hope the Go Virginia Getaway Passes will help more people hear, see, taste and live them. Ready to get out and explore the best of Virginia? Use promo code FRED atwww.GoVirginiaGetaways.com and we’ll knock $20 off any Getaway Pass until May 31. Three Passes are available: Virginia Wine Country Getaway Pass Inns of Virginia Wine Country Virginia Craft Beer Getaway Pass Nancy Bauer is co-owner of Go Virginia Getaways and the Virginia Wine in My Pocket.com site and travel app with her husband, Rick Collier.

WELCOME TO OUR GREAT OUTDOORS It’s Beautiful ~ Night and Day!

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 E-mail: soupntaco@yahoo.com

The Sunken Well Tavern

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

Mercantile Joy & Beth’s new Spot By M.L. Powers A brief mention that Beth Black and Joy Crump of Foode are in the process of bringing another dining spot to downtown Fredericksburg was cause for excitement in my book. Foode has found a loyal following in downtown Fredericksburg over the last couple of years. Beth told me in no uncertain terms that 22401 is their bread and butter. Tourists are an added bonus, especially after Joy did a short stint on “Top Chef”. She did not come home a winner, but for all of us who watched the show and rooted for her, we know what a team player she is. Joy explained that the reason for doing the show was to celebrate Foode, It is an experience that we could have spoken about for hours, but the main topic of conversation was the new endeavor. Talking to her and Beth, I could tell this was more than a business, it was a team effort for them. The new spot is named Mercantile after some of its first owners. Originally, there was a general store there, and most recently, a yarn shop. The location is on William Street close to the corner of Princess Anne St. and right around the corner from Foode. The exact opening date is not a certainty, as they are presently wading through the permit process, and adding a request for a full ABC license where Foode serves only beer and wine. Joy said they will know when the time is right. The main difference in the two restaurants is that Mercantile will be a traditional sit down, where Foode has the casual order at the register system, and the food is then brought to the table. At first, they are planning to open for breakfast and lunch only. That will leave the dinner service open for possibilities like tastings and special events. They are looking at ideas such as local chef competitions and pop-up kick offs. Both Beth and Joy are interested in community involvement and stressed that their success is built on strong community.

I asked Joy about the menu at Mercantile. She said she will stick with some of her tried and true recipes, but will be “playing with some new ideas as well.” We can still expect to see items like skirt steak tacos, brisket porridge, local omelets and tuna conserva which is method of poaching the fish. The plan is to continue sourcing local foods as much as possible, and they have partnered with Hyperion to come up with a special Italian espresso roast exclusive to them. As Joy says, nothing ends the day like a good cup of strong coffee, and who makes it better than our own Hyperion. Both of these young entrepreneurs are humble about the success they have attained in Fredericksburg, attributing it largely to a dedicated staff. They spoke highly of their crew, down to the work ethic of their dishwasher and their first employee who is still with them. It goes without saying the restaurants are a grueling business, and not for the faint of heart. Every day is a new challenge, and the Foode team continues to come out to the field ready to win. We wish them continued success, and wait with bated breath for the new opening.

Mary Lynn Powers reports the latest on interesting people, places and businesses in the FXBG area for Front Porch.

Open Daily 11am - 4pm 540.371.2233 www.thevirginiadeli.com 826 Caroline at the corner of Caroline & George Streets Master Card ~ Visa ~ Discover front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Cooking With Kyle

VA. WINERIES stories for the road

Simple, easy, delicious by james kyle snyder

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

WELCOME TO OUR GREAT OUTDOORS It’s Beautiful ~ Night and Day!

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 E-mail: soupntaco@yahoo.com

The Sunken Well Tavern

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

Mary Lynn Powers reports the latest on interesting people, places and businesses in the FXBG area for Front Porch.

Open Daily 11am - 4pm 540.371.2233 www.thevirginiadeli.com 826 Caroline at the corner of Caroline & George Streets Master Card ~ Visa ~ Discover front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

may 2015…in full bloom! First Friday, May 1

Art as Smooth as Silk - A Tribute to Rob Grogan Merian C Stevens Exhibit at Studio A & Gallery in the Month of May. At Art First Gallery: "KINETIC," New Photographic Work by Adam DeSio. A series of abstract landscape photography depicting a departure from the hyper-realistic, fast moving reality of life. Art First Gallery, 824 Caroline St., 540-3717107, artfirstgallery.com Show through May 31 Spring Planting Downtown, 8am. Time to plant our Downtown planters. Join us at the corner of George and Caroline Street Bring your gloves, trowel and a LOVE for downtown. Eleventh Annual “The Art of Recovery” Exhibit @ Ponshop Studio and Gallery, 5-9pm. 712 Caroline St. The exhibit features original artwork of adults with mental illness. organized by members of Kenmore Club, a psychosocial rehabilitation program operated by RACSB. The exhibit coincides with National Mental Health Month and will be on display locally through May 24 Brush Strokes Gallery presents "Picturesque" by Penny Parrish, “Picturesque,” A Fine Art Photography Exhibit by Penny Parrish featured in May at Brush Strokes Gallery It’s All about You! First Friday Water Street Studio @ Water Street Studio, 915 Sophia St. have an opportunity to show your work in our gallery. for the month of May. First Friday History Trivia Night @ James Monroe Museum. 908 Charles St. @ 6-8pm. Monthly history quiz nights hosted by celebrity guests! Exhibition, Lily Cox-Richard: The Stand; Ridderhof Martin Gallery, College Avenue at Seacobeck Street; free; (540) 654-1013.

CALENDAR of events

Downtown Sidewalk sale starting at 10am Come out and see what savings you may find.

Bluegrass Night @Colonial Tavern, 8pm Lafayette Blvd.

Join Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) on a nature walk with Joella and Michael Killian of the University of Mary Washington’s Department of Biological Sciences 9:30 a.m. until noon. Meet at FOP office. $

Bellydance Fitness Class @Bodyworks Downtown Atthletic Club, 7-8pm. Join us every Tuesday for a low-impact fitness class using all bellydance moves

Fredericksburg City Farmers Market, is open 7-2 on Saturday. The market takes place at Hurkamp Park at the corner of William... “Walk About” Photo Session @ Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, 813 Sophia St. 9:30. Local photographer, Norma Woodward will be leading an illustrated instruction at 9:30am followed by photo taking downtown. 373-5646 Into the Woods (Special Children’s Performance), the musical @ Stafford High School, 1pm, In a fantastical storybook world, all of your favorite characters Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk), and the Witch—meet and interact in this whimsical original story. 2nd Annual Resale Day @ Resurrection Lutheran Church 6170 Plank Road – 1 mile west of Chancellor Elementary School on Rt 3 east side..82pm. Large indoor/outdoor resale event. Concert of Hope to benefit Loisann’s Hope House, James Monroe High School Auditorium, 8pm

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Thursday, May 14

Wednesday, May 6

Trivia Night w/quizmaster Josh Cameli @Sunken Well Tavern. 7:30pm. Get there early to get a seat! 720 Littlepage At. Light Jazz @LaPetite Auberge, 311 William St, 8midnight. Light jazz and Latin piano guitar at La Petite Auberge Restaurant & Lounge. Featuring Chris Phil Andy & Harry. No cover. lapetiteaubergefred.com

Thursday, May 7

Karen Jonas & Tim Bray @ Kenmore Inn 7:3010pm

Saturday, May 9

Fredericksburg City Farmers Market, is open 7-2 on Saturday. The market takes place at Hurkamp Park at the corner of William... Basic Photoshop Classes @ FCCA, 813 Sophia St. $. a block of Basic Photoshop classes. Contact for more information and to register (540) 373-5646.

Sunday, May 10

Mother’s Day

Monday, May 11

Sunday, May 3

Open Acoustic Jam Unplugged acoustic jam open to all ages and abilities. 2:00 pm to 11:59 pm The Recreation Center

Monday, May 4

Open Mic w/Thom Schiff, Bring your instruments and play or just come to listen and enjoy some of Fredericksburg's best musicians. 21+. 9pmmidnight. Colonial Tavern. 406 Lafayette Blvd .

Tuesday, May 5

Saturday, May 2

Downtown Wellness Week thru May 9

Drawing with Maria @ Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, 813 Sophia St. 3-6pm. $. www.fccava.org.

Art in the Park Local artists and crafters fill Hurkamp Park in conjunction with the Fredericksburg City Farmers Market. 9-1pm

Smith, Party of 3 @ Bistro Bethem, Join us for drink specials, half priced pizzas, and live music. 811pm. No Cover

Open Mic w/Thom Schiff, 9pm-midnight. Colonial Tavern. 406 Lafayette Blvd .

Tuesday, May 12

Swamp Trash @ Bistro Bethem. Join us for drink specials, half priced pizzas, and live music. 8-11pm. No Cover Bluegrass Night @Colonial Tavern, 8pm Lafayette Blvd.

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Bellydance Fitness Class @Bodyworks Downtown Atthletic Club, 7-8pm. Join us every Tuesday for a low-impact fitness class using all bellydance moves

Wednesday, May 13

Light Jazz @LaPetite Auberge, 311 William St, 8midnight. Light jazz and Latin piano guitar at La Petite Auberge Restaurant & Lounge. Featuring Chris Phil Andy & Harry. No cover. lapetiteaubergefred.com

Trivia Night w/quizmaster Josh Cameli @Sunken Well Tavern. 7:30pm. Get there early to get a seat! 720 Littlepage At.

Live Music at 5-8pm Kenmore Inn. Featuring Kylie Westerbeck and drink specials at the copper top bar

Monday, May 18

Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. Featuring Bud’s Collective bluegrass and drink specials at the copper top bar

Open Mic w/Thom Schiff, . 9pm-midnight. Colonial Tavern. 406 Lafayette Blvd .

“Tell No One”: Women, Espionage and Dececption in WWII. CRRL, 7pm. WOMEN played a decisive role in acquiring intelligence for the Allied Victory in Europe. Riveting stories of courage. FREE. Registration required at fredericksburgfrejus.com

Annual Chamber Music Festival held at Trinity Episcopal Church. 825 College Avenue 7pm. To purchase/and reserve student tickets visit: fredfest.org or call 540-374-5040. Tickets will also be available at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center.

Friday, May 15

Drawing with Maria @ Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, 3-6pm. Supply list available at FCCA or on website (www.fccava.org). For more information contact FCCA at 540.373.5646

Downtown merchants will be open for the Historic Half Marathon Weekend. Look for the big yellow flags outside participating businesses! Come out and support Downtown.

Saturday, May 16

Downtown merchants will be open late for the Historic Half Marathon Weekend. Look for the big yellow flags outside participating businesses! Come out and support Downtown. Fredericksburg City Farmers Market, is open 7-2 on Saturday. The market takes place at Hurkamp Park at the corner of William... “James Monroe’s Fredericksburg” Walking Tour, 4pm. Explore Fredericksburg as Monroe knew it with G. Scott Walker, Tour starts at 301 Caroline Street, Advance registration is required at 540/654-1043 or auphaus@umw.edu. Downtown Greens Fork it Over Festival, 1-5pm. free garden fair for all ages! t the corner of Dixon and Charles Street

Sunday, May 17

Trolley Winery Tour @ Fredericksburg Trolley, 11am 5-hour tour of Spotsy’s 4 wineries. Ticket includes trolley pass, snack lunch, and wine tasting fees.FredericksburgTrolley.com for more information and to order tickets. Eden Try Estate & Winery Pre-Opening 12-5pm. Private gardens and boutique winery open for wine tasting . 6818 River Road

Tuesday, May 19

Laurie Rose Griffith & Peter Mealy @ Bistro Bethem Join us for drink specials, half priced pizzas, and live music. 8-11pm. No Cover Bluegrass Night @Colonial Tavern, 8pm Lafayette Blvd.

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Bellydance Fitness Class @Bodyworks Downtown Atthletic Club, 7-8pm. Looking for a fun way to work out? Join us every Tuesday for a low-impact fitness class using all bellydance moves

Wednesday, May 20

Fredericksburg-Este Association meeting, 7 PM Central Rappahannock Regional Library 1201 Caroline Street, fred-este.org Trivia Night w/quizmaster Josh Cameli @Sunken Well Tavern. 7:30pm. Get there early to get a seat! 720 Littlepage At. Light Jazz @LaPetite Auberge, 311 William St, 8midnight. Light jazz and Latin piano guitar at La Petite Auberge Restaurant & Lounge. Featuring Chris Phil Andy & Harry. No cover. lapetiteaubergefred.com

Thursday, May 21

Annual Chamber Music Festival held at Trinity Episcopal Church. 825 College Avenue 7pm. To

purchase/and reserve student tickets visit: fredfest.org or call 540-374-5040. Tickets will also be available at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center.

Friday, May 22

Ribbon Cutting @ Vicarious Clothing, Welcome our newest addition to Downtown, a clothing store for children. 1011 Caroline St. 4pm Annual Chamber Music Festival held at Trinity Episcopal Church. 825 College Avenue 7pm. To purchase/and reserve student tickets visit: fredfest.org or call 540-374-5040. Tickets will also be available at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center. Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. Featuring Alan Parker and drink specials at the copper top bar

Saturday, May 23

Fredericksburg City Farmers Market, is open 7-2 on Saturday. The market takes place at Hurkamp Park at the corner of William... Neighborhood Tours – the History of Our Homes @ Kenmore. explore the homes and history of one of the City’s oldest neighborhoods, Lower Caroline Street. The tour departs at 11:30 am from the commuter parking lot on the corner of Caroline and Frederick Streets and lasts approximately 75 minutes. contact Hallowed Ground Tours at 540809-3918, the Museum at 540-371-3037 or visit us at www.famcc.org

Monday, May 25

Memorial Day

Open Mic w/Thom Schiff, Bring your instruments and play or just come to listen and enjoy some of Fredericksburg's best musicians. 21+. 9pmmidnight. Colonial Tavern. 406 Lafayette Blvd .

Tuesday, May 26

Brokedown Boys @ Bistro Bethem, Join us for drink specials, half priced pizzas, and live music. 8-11pm. No Cover Bluegrass Night @Colonial Tavern, 8pm Lafayette Blvd.

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fitness class using all bellydance moves

Wednesday May 27

Thursday, May 28

Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. Featuring The Transmitters and drink specials at the copper top bar This Way to the Egress @ Eyeclopes/Everybody Drum @ 8:00 pm. 620 Charlotte Street

Saturday, May 30

Fredericksburg City Farmers Market, is open 7-2 on Saturday. The market takes place at Hurkamp Park at the corner of William... A Night on Broadway Dinner/Show @ Stafford High School Auditorium 33 Stafford Indians Lane, Falmouth. 7pm (540) 371-7200

Sunday, May 31

Eden Try Estate & Winery Official Opening 6818 River Road, join us as we celebrate the creation of Spotsylvania’s newest Virginia Farm Winery and enter the next phase of our impassioned journey into viticulture. 4-9pm Free.

If you are reading this 214th issue of FP, thank an advertiser as we celebrate our 18th year of continuous publication! If you are an advertiser, list your events. Deadline for June issue is May 20th. To submit events, follow this link: frontporchfredericksburg.com/how-tto-ssubmitonline

Bellydance Fitness Class @Bodyworks Downtown Atthletic Club, 7-8pm. Looking for a fun way to work out? Join us every Tuesday for a low-impact

Lexi Grogan’s Pet Sitting Service Companionship Meal Preparation Medication Reminders Laundry

Light Housekeeping Shopping/Errands Personal Care Flexible Hours

Call for a free, no-obligation appointment

540-8 899-6 6787 16

May 2015

fortemusicstudios.com Front porch fredericksburg

540.899.1422 Each HomeInstead Franchise Office is Independently Owned & Operated

2428 Fans (& Growing) Want You to Join

“Your pet becomes my pet while in my care, and I care a lot!” (540-903-0437; lexig0892@gmail.com) On facebook as “lexi grogan’s pet sitting service”

Front Porch on

homeinstead.com front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

may 2015…in full bloom! First Friday, May 1

CALENDAR of events

Downtown Sidewalk sale starting at 10am Come out and see what savings you may find.

Bluegrass Night @Colonial Tavern, 8pm Lafayette Blvd.

Bellydance Fitness Class @Bodyworks Downtown Atthletic Club, 7-8pm. Join us every Tuesday for a low-impact fitness class using all bellydance moves

406

Thursday, May 14

Wednesday, May 6

Thursday, May 7

Karen Jonas & Tim Bray @ Kenmore Inn 7:3010pm

Saturday, May 9

Sunday, May 10

Mother’s Day

Monday, May 11

Sunday, May 3

Open Acoustic Jam Unplugged acoustic jam open to all ages and abilities. 2:00 pm to 11:59 pm The Recreation Center

Monday, May 4

Open Mic w/Thom Schiff, Bring your instruments and play or just come to listen and enjoy some of Fredericksburg's best musicians. 21+. 9pmmidnight. Colonial Tavern. 406 Lafayette Blvd .

Tuesday, May 5

Saturday, May 2

Downtown Wellness Week thru May 9

Drawing with Maria @ Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, 813 Sophia St. 3-6pm. $. www.fccava.org.

Art in the Park Local artists and crafters fill Hurkamp Park in conjunction with the Fredericksburg City Farmers Market. 9-1pm

Smith, Party of 3 @ Bistro Bethem, Join us for drink specials, half priced pizzas, and live music. 811pm. No Cover

Open Mic w/Thom Schiff, 9pm-midnight. Colonial Tavern. 406 Lafayette Blvd .

Tuesday, May 12

Swamp Trash @ Bistro Bethem. Join us for drink specials, half priced pizzas, and live music. 8-11pm. No Cover Bluegrass Night @Colonial Tavern, 8pm Lafayette Blvd.

406

Bellydance Fitness Class @Bodyworks Downtown Atthletic Club, 7-8pm. Join us every Tuesday for a low-impact fitness class using all bellydance moves

Wednesday, May 13

Trivia Night w/quizmaster Josh Cameli @Sunken Well Tavern. 7:30pm. Get there early to get a seat! 720 Littlepage At.

Live Music at 5-8pm Kenmore Inn. Featuring Kylie Westerbeck and drink specials at the copper top bar

Monday, May 18

Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. Featuring Bud’s Collective bluegrass and drink specials at the copper top bar

Open Mic w/Thom Schiff, . 9pm-midnight. Colonial Tavern. 406 Lafayette Blvd .

Friday, May 15

Drawing with Maria @ Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, 3-6pm. Supply list available at FCCA or on website (www.fccava.org). For more information contact FCCA at 540.373.5646

Downtown merchants will be open for the Historic Half Marathon Weekend. Look for the big yellow flags outside participating businesses! Come out and support Downtown.

Saturday, May 16

Sunday, May 17

Tuesday, May 19

Laurie Rose Griffith & Peter Mealy @ Bistro Bethem Join us for drink specials, half priced pizzas, and live music. 8-11pm. No Cover Bluegrass Night @Colonial Tavern, 8pm Lafayette Blvd.

406

Bellydance Fitness Class @Bodyworks Downtown Atthletic Club, 7-8pm. Looking for a fun way to work out? Join us every Tuesday for a low-impact fitness class using all bellydance moves

Wednesday, May 20

Thursday, May 21

Annual Chamber Music Festival held at Trinity Episcopal Church. 825 College Avenue 7pm. To

purchase/and reserve student tickets visit: fredfest.org or call 540-374-5040. Tickets will also be available at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center.

Friday, May 22

Saturday, May 23

Monday, May 25

Memorial Day

Open Mic w/Thom Schiff, Bring your instruments and play or just come to listen and enjoy some of Fredericksburg's best musicians. 21+. 9pmmidnight. Colonial Tavern. 406 Lafayette Blvd .

Tuesday, May 26

Brokedown Boys @ Bistro Bethem, Join us for drink specials, half priced pizzas, and live music. 8-11pm. No Cover Bluegrass Night @Colonial Tavern, 8pm Lafayette Blvd.

406

fitness class using all bellydance moves

Wednesday May 27

Thursday, May 28

Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. Featuring The Transmitters and drink specials at the copper top bar This Way to the Egress @ Eyeclopes/Everybody Drum @ 8:00 pm. 620 Charlotte Street

Saturday, May 30

Sunday, May 31

Bellydance Fitness Class @Bodyworks Downtown Atthletic Club, 7-8pm. Looking for a fun way to work out? Join us every Tuesday for a low-impact

Lexi Grogan’s Pet Sitting Service Companionship Meal Preparation Medication Reminders Laundry

Light Housekeeping Shopping/Errands Personal Care Flexible Hours

Call for a free, no-obligation appointment

540-8 899-6 6787 16

May 2015

fortemusicstudios.com Front porch fredericksburg

540.899.1422 Each HomeInstead Franchise Office is Independently Owned & Operated

2428 Fans (& Growing) Want You to Join

“Your pet becomes my pet while in my care, and I care a lot!” (540-903-0437; lexig0892@gmail.com) On facebook as “lexi grogan’s pet sitting service”

Front Porch on

homeinstead.com front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

history’s stories

FIELDING LEWIS By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

In 1750 gossip traveled rapidly from one plantation to another and especially in the little town of Fredericksburg, for the topic of death and marriage then formed as important a subject as it still does over two hundred and fifty years The Rising Sun later. Tavern where most of the gentleman gathered, the gossip was much the same. Fielding Lewis it was said was asking the sixteen year old sister of George Washington to marry him. We might ask so what is so odd about that since many young women in the colonies married in their teens. Fielding Lewis's first wife Catherine Washington Lewis had died a year earlier. Fielding Lewis was Catherine's second cousin. That would make him also the second cousin of Betty also. The cousin relationship might seem strange to anyone except early colonial Virginians. It is simple to explain as travel was very difficult and dangerous and long journeys almost impossible from one village too the next, This resulted in frequent intermarriage of close neighbors making up most of the families in Virginia. It was believed that half of the colonies were cousins to the other half. We can still see many of the close relationships in the Fredericksburg area today going back over the past few hundred years. Fielding Lewis was the second surviving son of Colonel John and Frances Fielding Lewis. The first surviving son was given the father's name and the second son was given the mother's maiden name as was the tradition in the south. This custom has not been totally lost as many still do this as a method of keeping track of their heritage. Fielding was said to be handsome, however he had a slight cross in one eye and no effort was made to hide it in the portraits that came down to his descendants with the defective eye as it was in his life. (see portrait) Betty Washington was not quite two years younger than her brother George and had many of his features and disposition. She was well versed in all etiquette as she had been educated at the "Dame School". She had a strong face of the Washington family as seen in her portraits. George Washington and Fielding Lewis had a very friendly relationship that would endure into the Revolution with Fielding giving up much of his wealth to the war efforts especially the Fredericksburg Armory that manufactured weapons. The wedding took place at the Ferry Farm the home of Mary Ball Washington a widow of six years. The celebration lasted as was the custom for several days. The wedding was the gossip of Fredericksburg as well as the neighboring estates in King George and Gloucester and many friends came from as far away as Williamsburg. After the completion of the festivities at Ferry Farm the bride and groom journeyed by coach to a close by plantation that had been Fielding Lewis's home for three years in Stafford. Fielding Lewis purchased a large tract of land across the Rappahannock very near the Town of Fredericksburg to build a large plantation home, Construction started around 1767 and was not completed until just before the start of the Revolution. The Plantation home was sold around 1797 by the Lewis family and it was not until 1819 when the Gordon family purchased it and named it Kenmore after their previous home in Scotland. Dedicated in memory of Butch Stone, Eleanor Reynolds, Norman Dickinson and Gerald Sullivan

Central Rappahannock

HERITAGE CENTER Volunteers needed to process historical documents and aid researchers. Training provided. Phone 540-373-3704 or email crhc@verizon.net Open to the public for scholarly research

The Heritage Center 18

May 2015

Maury Commons

900 Barton St

Front porch fredericksburg

Fredericksburg

OUR HERITAGE historic elmhurst The Historic Fredericksburg Foundation (HFFI) will hold its Spring House Tour at Elmhurst, located at 2010 Fall Hill Avenue, on Saturday, May 16. Elmhurst, built in 1871 as the manor house for a 25acre dairy farm, was recently restored by its current owners, Jim and Susan Pates. They received HFFI’s E. Boyd Graves Award for Preservation Excellence in 2007 for their efforts. “We’re honored to host this year’s tour,” said Susan Pates to Front Porch, “HFFI is a great organization and has been really supportive of us on this project. I’m glad we can help. ” Pates, a broker at Long and Foster, also serves on the city’s Architectural Review Board. The house is on the list of Virginia Landmarks and the National Register of Historic Places because of the importance of its architectural style— High-Style Italianate. Mr. Washington Elms of Sarasota, New York, brought this architecture to Fredericksburg— exemplified by the signature belvedere, paired glass entry doors, elaborate cornices with large eave brackets, and 2over-2 windows with arched crowns. It was a prevalent design in upstate New York but rare in central Virginia. Some say this romantic style resembles a wedding cake. Its elements—belvedere, eaves, and overhangs—do bring to mind graduated layers. Altogether, it makes for a beautiful and memorable design. At the turn of the 20th century, a new owner, Columbus Washington Jones, a prominent local merchant and community leader, bought the property and enlarged the house with one threelevel addition and one two-story rear addition. This “celebration of light,” with 49 windows throughout the residence, and the addition of the biggest front porch in town, made this a showplace for the Jones family. Upon Mr. Jones’ death is 1933, the property was divided into housing lots for the growing city of

MAMMOTH JOCKEYS a creative collaboration By a.e.bayne

Fredericksburg. The urban half-acre garden on which the house stands today was established at that time. During the 20th century, the residence had many uses—boarding house for nurses, private home, and four-unit apartment building. Over time, the property suffered considerable deterioration. Jim and Susan Pates have completely rehabilitated this residence according to preservation standards of Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources, returning it to the elegant family home it once was. HFFI is hosting a free, membersonly tour of Elmhurst on Saturday, May 16, from 1:00 to 4:00. HFFI wants to thank current members and welcome new ones by offering a comprehensive tour of every floor and every room of the house. The tour will be followed by tea and refreshments in the garden. If you are not a member, HFFI is offering a special membership price for the occasion. Family memberships (up to four family members) are $30. Individual memberships cost $20; senior (62+) memberships are $15. All memberships come with the Elmhurst tour and a Journal of Fredericksburg History, as well as other benefits. Although the event is free to members, reservations are required so HFFI can set up a timed entry system. Tours will start every 15 minutes between 1:00 and 4:00. Children are not permitted, but photography is! Please phone HFFI at 540.371.4504 for reservations

A traditional view of the studentteacher relationship is one in which teacher leads and student learns; however, modern theory promotes a more complementary role between the two, where teacher becomes a facilitator, and student takes ownership of knowledge. In the best of these relationships, the two also become collaborators. Such is the case with author and high school English teacher James Noll (right) and his former student Grant Ervin (above). Their collaborative efforts will culminate over the next year with the release of Ervin’s video game, Mammoth Jockeys. Noll first met Ervin when he enrolled in Noll’s AP English class at Courtland High School. He remembers Ervin as a talented artist and curious student, one who seemed to enjoy Noll’s wit. Ervin thought it was cool that his teacher was writing and publishing outside the classroom. The two went their separate ways at the end of the year, but Noll was reminded of Ervin’s talent and

tenacity when he found himself in need of an artist for a set of stories he was writing for an educational grant. Thick into coursework for animation and video games at Delaware College of Art and Design, Ervin was thrilled to help out. He says, “James was able to hook me up with some money to illustrate those stories. We worked together super well, and that was the first time I had creatively interacted with an adult.” After finishing his degree in Delaware, Ervin enrolled at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where an idea took hold for a video game involving alternative Darwinism and icons of literature from Victorian England. With the help of a small team, Ervin began developing the concept for Mammoth Jockeys, but he still needed a writer to flesh out the character bios and taglines. It was Noll’s turn to follow his former

student’s lead, and he gladly accepted the opportunity. Noll says, “Grant’s really easy to work with. He shares my sense of humor and we have similar literary tastes.” Ervin says that Mammoth Jockeys has received great buzz and praise from the groups with whom he’s shared it. He believes its appeal stems from the variety of available avatars and the whimsical world in which the gamer plays. Ervin elaborates, “Mainstream video games are not the most diverse in terms of characters. Usually, it’s just a middle-

age white dude as the main character, but in indie games you see women characters being presented much better. You see people of different ethnicities fairly wellrepresented, which was not the case at all ten years ago. In Mammoth Jockeys, we also have a range of LGBT characters. We present progressive ideas without being heavy handed, and the game is attractive as a celebration of the fantastical elements of Victorian England and the culture of that time.” As for his part, Noll says he was swept into the narratives from the very first character Ervin sent to him. He recalls, “He gave me a brief summary of Alice in Wonderland as a character in the world he had created, and I rolled with it, making her as bizarre and funny as he wanted. As Grant sent me more characters, I found them interacting between the biographies. By the time I got to the fourth biography, the world was becoming more intricate. There was a lot of room for character development and it was becoming a lot of fun.” Ervin says Mammoth Jockeys is set to debut on Nintendo’s Wii U and Windows and Apple PCs sometime next year, and he hopes to retain Noll as a collaborative partner in future ventures. Noll adds, “As long as he keeps allowing me to write, I’m in.” Follow all the latest updates for Mammoth Jockeys at http://honeycombinteractive.tumblr.com/ , and check out James Noll’s trilogy and short stories on www.jamesnoll.net . A.E. Bayne is a writer, artist, and teacher who has been a part of the Fredericksburg community for the past 17 years.

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

history’s stories

FIELDING LEWIS By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

Central Rappahannock

HERITAGE CENTER Volunteers needed to process historical documents and aid researchers. Training provided. Phone 540-373-3704 or email crhc@verizon.net Open to the public for scholarly research

The Heritage Center 18

May 2015

Maury Commons

900 Barton St

Front porch fredericksburg

Fredericksburg

MAMMOTH JOCKEYS a creative collaboration By a.e.bayne

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Companions

Local Remedies... for local allergies

Dachshunds

by Meg Sneed

By Alexis Grogan For the past month we have been trying to find a name for a dog for one of our fellow writers, this dog is a dachshund. Now this dog is beautiful it's a female she is brown and she seems to have a lot of spunk. If you would like to get a look at her there is a photo on our Facebook page. Here is a little background on dachshunds to give any I dead for names. The name dachshund is of German origin meaning badger dog. Which is a fitting name due to its very small stature, they are also called wiener dogs or sausage dogs due to their size. The dachshund is a hound although it is argued that their personality is more like a terrier, I promise they are a hound. Now what does a dachshund look like you ask? They are long bodied with short stubby legs and front feet that are paddle shaped for extreme digging. The long hair dachshund has a silky coat that requires regular brushing and grooming. Dachshunds can come a variety

of different colors, they can be spotted, solid or solid color with tan points, if a dachshund has multiple colors it is called by its dominant color first, such as "black and tan" or "chocolate and cream" the most common dachshund in the U.S. Is the Black and Tan short haired. There are three different sizes for dachshunds, standard, miniature and kaninchan, which is German meaning rabbit. The most recognizable size is the standard; a full-grown standard dachshund is between 16lbs and 32lbs, the miniature is less than 12lbs. The dachshund is a playful breed but stubborn as well, training takes time and patience, they are also aggressive towards strangers and other dogs as well. They are not advisable for a family with small children, due to the tail pulling, they are not too fond of that. This breed is a small breed with a few health problems. They have spinal problems because of their long bodies and short legs. One of the most

common spinal problems is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) the risk of injury may be worsened by, obesity, rough handling and extreme exercise. These are delicate little dogs but also spunky. If this article has given you name ideas please post them to our Facebook page or send them to Frntprch@aol.com. A few suggested so far: Frankie, Coco, Latte, Coco Bella, Gadget, Chunky Monkey, Taffy, Strudel, & Cognac.

Alexis Grogan is the owner of several pets and “Lexi Grogan’s Pet Sitting Service”. She can be reached at 540903-0437, lexig0892@gmail.com,or on facebook.

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Hayfever Got You Going Haywire? Try these three natural, local remedies to help get you through allergy season! Your head feels like it’s been stuffed with cotton; your nose is doing its best impression of Niagara Falls, and you’ve bought so much Allegra that you’re on a first name basis with the cashier at CVS. The trees are in full bloom, and so are your allergies. Living in Fredericksburg exposes us to a myriad of potential seasonal allergy triggers every year – but it also allows us some amazing access to local, natural treatments for those allergies. And if your allergies are local, shouldn’t your relief be as well? Fermented foods are an important part of a healthy diet for a variety of reasons, helping your body deal with seasonal allergies being just one of them. In a nutshell, fermented foods are loaded with natural pro-biotics, which elevate the levels of good, gut-healthy bacteria in your stomach and improves your body’s overall immune system from the inside-out. Regardless if you drink Kefir or Kombucha, or chow down on some fermented sauerkraut, your gut and your sinuses will thank you! Kickshaw’s Downtown Market is a great resource to buy some local ferments (they usually have Kombucha, Sauerkraut in a variety of flavors, and Kefirs and yogurts as well),

but Kathy also does regular workshops on how to make your own, so you can use local produce from the farmer’s market or your own backyard garden to make it an easy, economical addition to your daily diet. Osteopathic Manipulation, while not a dietary resource like fermented foods, is also a natural, holistic resource we have available to us in Fredericksburg to help combat seasonal allergies. Osteopathic Manipulation is an extremely gentle form of manipulation which can be used to help the body more easily move out the accumulated mucus in the sinuses and lungs so it can rid itself of the offending allergens quickly and efficiently. This can shorten the time you suffer from the symptoms of seasonal allergies, including the headaches, congestion, coughing, and asthma so many of us live with this time of year. Raw, local honey is an excellent long-term treatment for seasonal allergies, and the more local to you the better it is for you! While a spoonful a day can, over time, help build up a resistance to the local pollen, it can also act as a wonderful soother and natural cough suppressant for a throat that’s raw and irritated from constant drainage and coughing. There are quite a number of local beekeepers, and you can find raw, local honey at a number of places around town: Olde Towne Butcher, Harvest Market (in Spotsylvania), Cowan Pharmacy, as well as some of the farmer’s markets around town. So instead of reaching for the Claritin, consider some of these local remedies for your local allergies – they, in addition to other natural remedies your doctor can help you with, can help you enjoy the May flowers to come! Meg is the practice manager at Old Dominion Osteopathic Medicine, a mom of 2.5kids, and an ardent lover of all foods local, natural, and un-messed-with.

Emancipated Patients political & medical by patrick neustatter, MD To further to this idea of taking care of your own health, I would like to point out that the policies of the legislators we elect radically affect our personal healthcare. So being medically emancipated means being politically active. Susan is a slightly downtrodden appearing 21 year old I saw at the Moss Clinic Free Clinic recently. She used to have Medicaid as the child of a poor family, but when she reached 18 was no longer eligible – despite still not being able to afford private health insurance. She is one of a subgroup of poor people who find themselves in limbo thanks to our Virginia law makers. Not many people understand that if your income is below 133% of federal poverty level (FPL) you are not eligible for help with your premiums to buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges. And you sure as hell can’t afford to pay out –of-pocket. The idea was that you would be covered by the expansion of Medicaid. But of course Virginia was one of the states that voted not to expand Medicaid – the Republican supermajority in the House having, in their wisdom, turned down the federal funds that would have paid for it (it’s hard to see that this was anything but pure cussedness to derail anything to do with the ACA). We “led the fight against Obamamacare’s Medicaid expansion” trumpets Bill Howell, in a statement reported in the Free Lance-Star. So the policies of the legislators, and who is in power has a profound effect on Susan’s healthcare. It’s the same with so many other rules determined by those stiffs in Congress. That we don’t have universal (or, God forbid, nationalized) healthcare. That the whole set up is remunerated by how much you do (fee-for-service – “medicine by the yard” as the wags call it ) not how effective you are. The fact that medicines cost about twice as much as comparable

countries because Medicare can’t negotiate prices; there’s no restrictions on what drug companies can charge; it’s illegal to import medicines. Not to mention the constantly ignored need for tort reform of the crippling medical malpractice industry. And so on. I am prompted to write about this now because billboards are starting to pop up like mushrooms along our highways demanding your vote for this or that candidate in the upcoming elections. Not to mention fawning letters in the local newspaper backing this or that horse. Maybe I’m more aware of some of these issues from becoming medical director of the Moss Clinic – which happened when I tried to retire in 2010, but put my foot in my mouth by expressing an interest in the running of the place to previous medical director, Becky Bigony. I am of course being facetious. I feel good about working for Moss, which is a great organization, that treats a lot of people, despite some major challenges (one of which is chronic lack of funds – which you can do something about if you go to the website at http://lloydfmossfreeclinic.org). This parade of desperate characters at Moss makes me realize how broken the healthcare system is. And how badly it needs our politicians to care about the dispossessed and not just reflexively cow-tow to the people who spend massive amounts on lobbying and political donations (healthcare spends more than twice as much on lobbying as the aerospace, defense, oil and gas industries combined – industries that maneuver for what’s good for them, not what’s good for the health of the nation as a whole). You may not agree with my politics, but you cannot deny that being politically active and who you vote for is an integral part of medical emancipation. Patrick Neustatter is the Medical Diector of the Moss Free Clinic. ontact him at pneustatter@aol.com

When it’s time to say “Good-bye”

Private, Individual Cremation Personal Pick Up & Delivery

Stacy L. Horner-Dunn, DVM Gary B. Dunn, DVM Melanie M. Bell, DVM Sandi L. Pepper, DVM

Melissa A. DeLauter, DVM Arlene M. Evans, DVM Jennifer V. Skarbek, DVM Sheree M. Corbin, DVM

540/374-0462 www.woahvets.com 20

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

10 Walsh Lane

Respect for all “Best Friends” Serving the Area for 11 Years (540-903-0437; lexig0892@gmail.com) On facebook as “lexi grogan’s pet sitting service”

Visit Us at Our Website: www.animalritesusa.com Call Us At: 540-361-7487 front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Companions

Local Remedies... for local allergies

Dachshunds

by Meg Sneed

Alexis Grogan is the owner of several pets and “Lexi Grogan’s Pet Sitting Service”. She can be reached at 540903-0437, lexig0892@gmail.com,or on facebook.

ANIMAL RITES, USA

Full Service Hospital featuring:

Pet Cremation Service

Lexi Grogan’s Pet Sitting Service

When it’s time to say “Good-bye”

Private, Individual Cremation Personal Pick Up & Delivery

Stacy L. Horner-Dunn, DVM Gary B. Dunn, DVM Melanie M. Bell, DVM Sandi L. Pepper, DVM

Melissa A. DeLauter, DVM Arlene M. Evans, DVM Jennifer V. Skarbek, DVM Sheree M. Corbin, DVM

540/374-0462 www.woahvets.com 20

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

10 Walsh Lane

Respect for all “Best Friends” Serving the Area for 11 Years (540-903-0437; lexig0892@gmail.com) On facebook as “lexi grogan’s pet sitting service”

Visit Us at Our Website: www.animalritesusa.com Call Us At: 540-361-7487 front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Senior Care get into the act By Karl Karch

Older adults are a vital part of our society. Since May 1963, our nation has honored its senior citizens annually for their contribution to our nation. The tradition began when President John F. Kennedy designated May 1963 as “Senior Citizens Month” and later renamed Older Americans Month. Every President since JFK has issued a formal proclamation during or before May to pay tribute to older adults. This year’s theme is “Get into the Act”, a message designed to focus on how older adults are taking charge of their health, getting engaged in their communities, and making a positive impact in the lives of others. This year is particularly noteworthy since it marks the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA), which was signed into law in July 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The OAA and its numerous amendments have provided an excellent safety net for older, especially vulnerable, adults to help them live with dignity in our communities. Our local Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging (RAAA) provides congregate meals at five meal centers, home delivered meals, homemaker services, transportation (a much needed service in our rural areas), weatherization program (i.e., insulation, roof repair, and other needed repairs), fan program in summer, ombudsman program, and insurance counseling and assistance program to guide people through the Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security mazes. Our population is aging with roughly 10,000 people turning 65 every day. For the first time in our nation’s history, there are now more people 65 and older than 5 years old and younger and by 2035 over 20 percent of the population will be 65 or older. Activity has long been associated with improved well-being later in life. However, all activity is not created equal. Productive activities, whether paid

May 2015

Lexi Grogan’s Pet Sitting Service “Your pet becomes my pet while in my care, and I care a lot!” - Lexi (540-903-0437; lexig0892@gmail.com) On facebook as “lexi grogan’s pet sitting service” Prices: Dogs - $15 per canine per visit Cats - $12 per feline per visit

for or not, clearly have benefits. Some older adults continue to work full-time or part-time, others retire and isolate themselves, while others seek ways to become more productively engaged by volunteering in organizations or other community activities. Social relationships are critical to human well-being. People who are socially isolated are more than twice as likely to die prematurely when compared to those that have good social support networks. There is enough evidence from research studies of physical health, mental health, and life satisfaction to conclude that engagement in productive roles are more beneficial to volunteers than non-volunteers. I foresee intergenerational programs gaining in popularity in the future. Two great examples are Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Ken Dychtwald, a noted gerontologist, psychologist, author, lecturer, and visionary developed the concept and is the founder of Age Wave, a company that focuses on aging-related issues. In one of his many articles he stated that one challenge we face as a nation is to “create a new purpose for maturity”. One solution he offered is to “Mobilize a revolutionary global Elder Corps in which tens of millions of boomers are recruited to share their values, knowledge, skills and wisdom with youth in need.” www.huffingtonpost.com/kendychtwald/aging-tips-do-boomers-havethe-guts-course_b_2852559.html. It is our responsibility as a nation not to squander the valuable talent of an ever growing aging population. So, let’s embrace the theme and “Get into the Act”. Karl Karch is a local franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care, a licensed home care organization providing personal care, companionship and home helper services in the Fredericksburg and Culpeper region. .

Front porch fredericksburg

Renew

Wellness

the high cost of low living by Joan M. Geisler Better value, more love for your pet than if you kennel board him!

Sometimes it is fun to lay back, take it easy, let the day take you where it may. Visualize a hammock swaying rhythmically to the sound of crashing waves. It makes you want to relax and do nothing. But life cannot be lived with ease. Well… not with ease and leisure and expect to be strong and healthy. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Eating from the low hanging fruit”? That means only doing things that are easy, activities that take little effort. But what happens when the bill of that lifestyle comes due? With what will you pay? You have no energy, no strength, and no health reserve in the ‘bank’ because you have been living the low life and have made no ‘health’ deposits. What is the high cost of low living? It is the high cost of living in a limited capacity because you cannot walk far without being sore or out of breath. It is the high cost of buying aids to help you live, walk, reach, breath, bend. We can do better than this. We live in the greatest country in the world with access to nutrition and every activity you could want. This was exactly the story of Jackie, who had just turned 40, when she came to see me. She was ready to give

herself some attention and regain her former self. Her husband was pre diabetic and she wanted to learn to cook healthy for him too. She took small strides and began developing better habits. She replaced cereal and toast for breakfast with eggs and a piece of fruit. By 10 am she was hungry again, which means her metabolism was kicking in and she would eat a nutritious snack. Lunch was 3-4 hours later of chicken and veggies and an early afternoon snack. Dinner was homemade vegetable beef soup and a salad. No bread or crackers. She allowed herself one cheat meal a week to keep herself sane. Now it took Jackie a while to eat like this. When she fell off the wagon, she jumped back on with more determination. She gradually increased to 4-5 days of weight training, cardio and yoga and in 6 months she was at her goal of 35 pounds lighter. She said she slept better, had more energy and Randy lost 50 pounds and was off his meds. This was just the boost they needed to rekindle their romance too. She told me that was a bonus! They both maintain their new healthy habits. This can be your story too. It is simple but not easy. You don’t need a wishbone, you need a backbone. Think in terms of developing good habits that will crowd out the bad. Feed the good and starve the bad. Let’s live with no regrets. If disease comes our way, we know we have done everything in our power by reaching for the high fruits of life and making regular daily deposits in our ‘health’ bank from which we can make withdraws. Surely we can do that? After all, we are Americans. The last 4 letters are I CAN. Joan gives workshops and seminars on Clean Eating and other Simple Health Tips for public and private corporations to enhance their wellness programs. Contact her at joangeisler@gmail.com.

one for health & health for all By dan Czajka Health is inextricably linked to the WHO, the quality and availability of the experience and behaviors of the education, employment, and housing individual. Although this statement seems decreases the further down the gradient one to echo support for sentiments of sits, leading to an experience of social personal responsibility, one should exclusion. recognize that this idea is incomplete. As one might assume, social Personal experience and health choices are exclusion is a restriction of certain largely reflective of the environment in individuals from partaking in the benefits which one resides and are heavily of society. Such restrictions are not always influenced by policy decisions. These overtly expressed, but permeate through environments differ for every individual society in the form of discrimination and and offer disparate opportunities for hostility. Most often, those on the fringe beneficial health outcomes, particularly of our community are excluded, including for those of lower socioeconomic status in the impoverished, the homeless, and our communities. Using minority populations. ...we each have a this perspective, one must Social exclusion for these role to play in our explore the larger societal groups occurs most factors that impact individual health, but our frequently through individual health, known personal responsibility is to limited access to social as the social determinants work together to improve services, which provide of health. basic needs and more. health outcomes for In 2003, the Precluding these individuals World Health everyone in the community from necessary services Organization enumerated exacerbates the low quality ten social determinants of of life for those further down health; the social gradient, stress, early the social gradient. Without proper life, social exclusion, work, unemployment, interventions, this cycle persists; highlighting social support, addiction, food, and the importance of social support. transport. Each determinant alone has a Much like one’s health, social major impact on not only health, but the support is experienced on the individual other determinants as well. Understanding and societal level; consisting of family, this interaction is integral to address the friends, and community service needs of a community and maximizing its organizations. A study by Kawachi et al. citizens’ health. With that being said, I found that strong social networks would like to focus on three determinants improved both health outcomes and social which are particularly pertinent to our cohesion. Robust social support programs community; the social gradient, social help to address the issues of social exclusion, and social support. exclusion, particularly for those further The social gradient refers to down the social gradient. An investment in what is commonly known as our “station” these programs is an investment in human in life. The WHO reports that those of a capital, bringing us back to personal lower station experience a responsibility. Certainly, we each have a disproportionate risk of serious illness and role to play in our individual health, but premature death. One’s place on the our personal responsibility is to work gradient and quality of life are associated together to improve health outcomes for with a number factors including everyone in the community. education, employment, and stable Dan Czajka is the Community housing. Perhaps more importantly, is the Engagement Coordinator for the Fredericksburg Area HIV & AIDS Support quality and availability of these structures Services and can be contacted at (540) for those of a lower station. According to 371-7532 or www.fahass.org.

The Natural Path Holistic Health Center

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Barbara Bergquist, CTN Board Certified Traditional Naturopath

891-6200

www.thenaturalpath.us

4413 Lafayette Blvd. Fredericksburg

in person: Dept. of Motor Vehicles front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Senior Care get into the act By Karl Karch

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

Renew

Wellness

the high cost of low living by Joan M. Geisler Better value, more love for your pet than if you kennel board him!

The Natural Path Holistic Health Center

~Nature’s Sunshine Products ~Quantitative Fluid Analysis ~VoiceBio Analysis ~ionSpa Foot Detox ~Zyto Bioscan Compass Natural Products for Health & Wellness

online: www.save7lives.org

Barbara Bergquist, CTN Board Certified Traditional Naturopath

891-6200

www.thenaturalpath.us

4413 Lafayette Blvd. Fredericksburg

in person: Dept. of Motor Vehicles front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Merian C. Stevens art as smooth as silk

by megan byrnes

by collette caprara As the title for her May featured exhibit at Studio A, artist Merian C. Stevens chose “Art as Smooth as Silk”— not only because it aptly describes many of her creations that are hand-painted one-of-a-kind scarves, but for a reason that is very close to her heart. Five years ago, that is the title Rob Grogan gave to an article he wrote for the Front Porch featuring an exhibit by Merian—then a fledgling artist who had never before introduced her art to the public. When she saw the article in print, Merian was overwhelmed with gratitude and filled with a new confidence that launched her celebrated career as an artist who now consistently shows her work in spectrum of innovative venues as well as at the local Brush Strokes gallery where she is a member. “Rob’s kindness to me as a novice in the art arena boosted my creativity and self-confidence to venture into the world of fine art,” Merian said, “Rob was visionary, humble, and lived knowing his mission. He was a promotor of talents of any kind. Anywhere he went, he could see the potential in people. He published that article for no other reason than to give me an opportunity.”

“Outward Peace” Stevens recalls the day she met Rob. She had been somewhat daunted by the prospect of exhibiting her work and took advantage of an opportunity to participate in a workshop on “The Art of Publicity” that was offered through the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts. Rob served as one of the presenters at the forum, and in a subsequent conversation he asked Merian about her work and inspiration for painting. He was impressed with her creativity, courage, and determination. He took note of her life story: growing up in the shanty-town of Rio de Janeiro, leaving home at 17 to pursue her education and employment opportunities, embracing a dual-track career in academia and the corporate

May 2015

Seen:

Wednesday, June 10th 10am - 2pm

arena, and then—with a commitment to do what was best for her family—leaving everything behind and moving from New York to Fredericksburg. Rob recognized that the same passion and energy that was evident in her life was infused in her artistic creations, which he described as “expressive, bold, and colorful.” In addition to Merian’s handpainted silk scarves, her exhibit at Studio A will feature giclées—high-quality, limited-edition reproductions of her original acrylic and mixed-media paintings. “I believe fine art should not be the privilege of an exclusive few but should be accessible to everyone. With giclées, anyone has an opportunity to acquire some of my creations.” She explains that art is a vehicle for her to share the wonder she experiences in the world: “In my art, I strive to reveal the beauty and energy in our environment. I believe even a microscopic grain of sand or snowflake is full of the divine. Stevens is pleased to offer her May exhibit as a tribute to Rob. “I will forever be grateful for his support,” she said, “His article propelled me to get out of my ‘cocoon’ and probe the world outside!” “Art as Smooth as Silk:” Paintings by Merian C. Stevens, Throughout May at the Studio A Gallery, 1011 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg. Call 540 368-2120 or visit studio1011@yahoo.com and www.meriancstevens.com

Paul

Quinn

and

daughter Haven downtown for an ice cream cone on a particularly springy Courtney spring evening; andMatt Phillips on a date downtown; Cedric Rucker leaving duPont Hall post-opening night performance; a Dan Telvock (below) look-alike at Bistro Bethem.

Heard:

Georgia

Rathje

(below) has officially started her Tart Cart! She got all the required approvals to get her vegan, dairy, wheat and corn free (oh yeah, that’s right!) sweet and savory tart making business up and running. Be sure to check her out at the Hurkamp Park Farmers Market this spring and summer!

Heard:

Trucker Troy and the

Convoy played at The Camel in Richmond; Hannah Bloodgood was an awesomely supportive friend and drove on down to watch the boys perform. Get ready! Richmond’s beloved Sugar Shack is making its way up 95 to set up an outpost on Princess Anne Street. What sweet, sweet news. In further business news, congratulations are in order for Lee Russell, founder of the Olde Towne Butcher, as he sold the shop last month and is headed to retirement in sunny Florida!

Happy

May

B’day

art from his time in York, Pennsylvania and, of course, Fredericksburg. He’s named the project “A True Tale of Two Cities,” taking inspiration from one of his favorite Charles Dickens books. You can snag a copy from the artist himself by calling 540-898-5545. The old school charm of it all is just too much, isn’t it?!?

Virginia Mary Grogan, her 1st, Katie, Nathaniel & Jay Dunn, Eric Herring, Tim Bray, Ryan Kennedy, Matt Kelly, Kandra Orr, Ashleigh Chevalier, Mike Craig, Larry Tomako, Susy Stone, Kate LeBeef, Tom Tomzak, Jim Eagan, Amy Millis, Chris Rok, Ally Shull, & Elizabeth Woodford.

Heard: Lady Windermere’s Fan Congratulations

to Laura

Craig on her most recent art show, “Free Time,” opening at Bistro Bethem last Mike, Danielleand Scarlett month. Payne, Tommy Manuel and Laura Eubanks, Christy Escher, Tom Byrnes, and Sue Ann Acors stopped by to check out the new paintings. Laura & husband Mike (right) also celebrated the impending arrival of their second daughter Dorothy Jane (born April 23) at my house on an absolutely gorgeous Easter Saturday afternoon. The kiddos hunted for eggs and the grown ups drank up the sunlight in bright colors and festive frocks. Ryan and Ashley Poe, Jym Horak, Anna Lowry, Katie Houk, Kenny and Claire Ellinger, Kate Crowder, Benand Betsy Park, and Alicia and Jake Morgan rounded out the guest list.

was a rousing success as the final production of the UMW Theatre’s 20142015 season. It was a hilarious, magical, smart and inspired show with lots of laughs, an intricate set and crazy beautiful costuming.

Seen:

Cliff Satterwaite, (right)

beloved local artist, has self-published a duo of glossy books full of photos of his

Collette Caprara is a local writer & artist.

Front porch fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Merian C. Stevens art as smooth as silk

by megan byrnes

May 2015

Seen:

Wednesday, June 10th 10am - 2pm

Paul

Quinn

and

Heard:

Georgia

Rathje

Heard:

Trucker Troy and the

Happy

May

B’day

Heard: Lady Windermere’s Fan Congratulations

to Laura

Seen:

Cliff Satterwaite, (right)

beloved local artist, has self-published a duo of glossy books full of photos of his

Collette Caprara is a local writer & artist.

Front porch fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

POPS

FXBG Music Scene

A Universal Language for our Community

Sophie Horn

by christina ferber

by Ashleigh Chevalier

It has been said that music is a universal language. If so, then we are lucky that our region is host to a talented musical group who speaks that universal language well. The Rappahannock POPS orchestra has been entertaining the people of the Fredericksburg region and giving our local talent a place to shine for the last fifteen years. They recently welcomed a new conductor, Jim Ford, and he is hoping to carry on the POPS’ mission of providing professional quality musical performances, while promoting music education and appreciation. “I’m excited to be a part of this well respected organization. I’ve been a professional performer my whole life and enjoy sharing my love of music with others,” says Ford. With a background in music through the Marine Corps music program and performances with a wide variety of bands, Ford made his debut in March and hopes to carry on the creativity and fabulous music that the concerts showcase. “From the POPS’ beginnings in 2000, the goal has always been to perform accessible music, whether Broadway tunes, light classical pieces, or even The Beatles and Barry Manilow,” says Kevin Crowder, the POPS Board President. “We are more than just an orchestra; we are an entertainment experience and our themes and concerts reflect that.” The POPS also tries to offer some surprises for the audience. A recent ‘Selfie with the Pops’ contest showcased the fun that audience members can have at their events. “We like to get the audience and orchestra involved in the total experience,” says Ford. “Our goal is to entertain people, and offer something unexpected in addition to the music.” The roughly 70 members of the orchestra are made up of professionals

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

and educators who love music and enjoy sharing their talent with others. Vocal and musical soloists are regularly featured at the concerts, which are held four times a year at Grace Center for the Performing Arts and elsewhere around our region. Exceptionally talented local high school musicians may audition for the opportunity to sharpen their skills through the POPS outreach program. Students can participate in concerts and get exposure to more challenging material, and through a partnership with The Fredericksburg Festival of the Performing Arts, the winner of the young artist competition gets a solo performance. “Our outreach program and partnership gives teenagers an experience they may not have had. The chance to perform with professional musicians in an orchestra as a soloist is a rare opportunity for these high school students,” says Crowder. Their upcoming annual Memorial Day concert will continue the tradition of offering great patriotic music along with a few surprises. This free concert is their gift to our region and is held at the Mary Washington Hospital Ambulatory Care Entrance on May 25 at 6pm. Along with patriotic standards, expect to hear Big Band music and a tribute to Bob Hope. Ford had the pleasure of playing for and with him, and this will be a unique experience for the audience and musicians. For more information on the Pops, along with ways to support music in our community, visit www.rappahannockpops.org.

Christina Ferber is a teacher, writer and a mom who shares stories of our community and the people who make it great, every month in Front Porch

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Sophie Horn was in middle school when she discovered she could sing. Now, at 15 and as a high school sophomore, she is competing and performing with zeal and finesse as a successful young soprano. Miss Horn won first place in the vocal category at the Fredericksburg Festival of the Performing Arts Young Artist Competition in January, singing Voi Che Sapete from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. Since then, she auditioned and is currently cast as Cossette, the leading soprano, in Chancellor High School’s musical production of Les Miserables. This will be performed three times over the weekend of April 30-May 2. Miss Horn is discovering a love for the musical performing arts, listening to a variety of Broadway and classical pieces and performances. She has been to see Renee Fleming in Concert at The Kennedy Center and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night and Les Miserables live on Broadway in the Big Apple. It is a treat to hear the Toll Brothers Live at The Metropolitan Opera every Saturday afternoon on NPR; that is if she isn’t dancing, practicing voice, or studying. In middle school, Sophie began playing flute in band, but shifted her focus to voice and piano once she discovered her voice. She first studied classical voice with Elizabeth Eschen, and now studies classical voice with Ashleigh Chevalier. Ballet, jazz, modern, and tap dance classes are a part of her weekly schedule as well. Academically, she tackles as many honors and AP classes as possible, currently in honors Pre-Calculus, with AP Calculus and AP Statistics on the horizon. Yes, she is a straight A student. Last summer, her parents, Kevin and Meredith Horn, hosted an exchange student from France, as a part of the Sister Cities program. This summer, Miss Horn will spend a little over two weeks in Fréjus, France, and then a few days in Paris to end the trip. Hopefully this ambitious musician can take a voice lesson and French diction lesson. She is currently in her fourth year of French language study. This vibrant, dedicated, and hard working young lady plans to study music in college with the goal of being a professional performer. “I know I would be happy in doing this for a living. I love it. I could see myself doing other things, I guess, but I want to do this.” Miss Sophie Horn will sing the National Anthem at Celebrate Virginia Live’s first show of the season, presenting Dwight Yoakam with opener Luke Bell, Friday, May 15. Project 324, a non-profit

music outreach and youth development program, brings young talent in to perform when possible. Miss Horn will perform at the Annual Chamber Music Festival held May 19, 21, 22 at Trinity Episcopal Church. She will also perform two pieces for the Ballet & Beyond II performing arts fundraiser hosted Avery Ballet and The University of Mary Washington, at Dodd Auditorium, Saturday, June 6 at 7:30p.m. With so much on the books, it is safe to say Miss Horn is well on her way to realizing her dreams. Ashleigh Chevalier is a Blues/Jazz/Rock Musican-Vocalist, Songwriter, Music & Media Journalist and, a mother living in Fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

POPS

FXBG Music Scene

A Universal Language for our Community

Sophie Horn

by christina ferber

by Ashleigh Chevalier

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

Christina Ferber is a teacher, writer and a mom who shares stories of our community and the people who make it great, every month in Front Porch

Advanced Dental Care of Fredericksburg Call Us at 540-891-9911

$599 Crown

With this Coupon only for non-insured patients. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer Expires 6/1/15 A $239 .00 Value

$699

Per Arch Full Denture/Partial With this Coupon only for non-insured patients. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer Expires 6/1/15 A $1100.00 Value

Because we care for you! www.virginiadental4u.com 10524 Spotsylvania Ave. Ste #104 Fredericksburg, VA

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Tankless Water Heaters

SOLARIZE

economical & environmental Shining Light on Solar for Local Homeowners and Businesses

By mike appleton Tankless water heaters have evolved significantly in recent years. The technology has simplified installations and eliminated past tankless obstacles. These units now deliver an economically and environmentally attractive solution for hot water heating. Homeowners enjoy numerous benefits with tankless water heaters: Endless hot water is a plus. You don’t need to prioritize or schedule multiple uses of hot water. You can shower, do laundry, and run the dishwasher simultaneously without being concerned about running out of hot water. They have double the warranty of a standard tank water heater. They are activated only when you open a hot water tap. Because you use energy to heat water only when you need hot water—you reduce your energy use. This conserves natural resources and leaves a smaller environmental footprint. Wall-mounted tankless water heaters are approximately the size of suitcase and can be mounted in compact spaces. Saving energy saves money. Tankless water heaters achieve maximum energy efficiency and are less expensive to operate. Tankless water heaters contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment as a result of their lower CO2 emissions. In addition, they are made for a long product lifespan. A compact heat exchanger design and recyclable parts means reduced waste in landfills. Navien’s next-generation units are a technical forerunner in the industry. They provide simple retrofit, exclusive ComfortFlow™ technology, ultra-high condensing efficiency, and field gas convertibility. The Navien tankless water heater can use a home’s existing ½” gas line for lengths up to 24 feet. The low exhaust gas temperature allows PVC, CPVC, and Polypropylene vent systems to be used which reduces installation costs significantly. This system often enables the installer to run a flue through the existing chase eliminating the need for additional holes.

By ann kuo

Navien’s negative pressure gas valve and Dual Venturi system facilitate easy field convertibility from natural gas to propane operation. Two stainless steel heat exchangers provide a longer life expectancy as they are more resistant to corrosion than traditional copper heat exchangers. The interface on the front of the unit makes it user friendly and easy to view system information and run diagnostics. Multiple units can be installed to meet the needs of oversized bathtubs, numerous showerheads, or multiple washing machines. Today a green home is important to many home buyers. A tankless water heater is a value-added component of your green home profile which can increase the real estate value, desirability, and marketability of your home. If the benefits of a tankless water heater appeal to you, it may be a good choice for your home. Please contact Appleton Campbell at 540.347.0765— we’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Mike Appleton is President of Appleton Campbell, a local, family owned heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical services business. Appleton Campbell has been providing customers throughout the Greater Piedmont Region and Northern Virginia with honesty, integrity, and experience since 1976. Contact Appleton Campbell at 540.347.0765 or at appletoncampbell.com.

Own The Movie A 40-minute film with aerial and underwater photography that tells the story of the Rappahannock River from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay.

MAIN: (540) 373-9124 NURSERY: (540) 371-8802

RAPPAHANNOCK

DVD $14.95; Members $11.96 www.riverfriends.org 540-373-3448 3219 Fall Hill Ave. May 2015

ROXBURY F

ARM

MAJESTIC & HISTORIC

The benefits of installing solar panels can appeal to homeowners and businesses alike, but challenges abound, such as: how to install solar, find qualified contractors, identify the cost, and other questions that arise throughout the process. These questions can pose daunting hurdles to businesspeople and homeowners exploring solar as an option. The Climate, Environment, and Readiness (CLEAR) plan recognized this challenge and the CLEAR group has searched for potential ways to reduce some of these barriers and bring more affordable solar to the region. One solution: partnering with the nonprofit Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) to launch Solarize, a renewable energy initiative that reduces the complexity of going solar. Members of the CLEAR Day, LLC, the stakeholder group, Marstel-D University of Mary Washington (UMW) and FredTech have reached out to LEAP to bring a Solarize option to Planning District 16, which includes Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, and Caroline counties. LEAP, which is based in Charlottesville, VA, works with local communities to make it easier and more affordable to install solar power in homes and businesses. As part of its approach, LEAP offers free energy efficiency assessments as well as reduced pricing on panel purchase and installation. In addition, LEAP identifies and works with qualified local installers where possible. LEAP has previously partnered with other communities to launch successful initiatives in Charlottesville and Leesburg, and it has an ongoing campaign in Northern Virginia. To learn more about these initiatives, visit http://solarizecville.org/ or http://solarizenova.org/. For those interested in learning more, an initial Solarize informational

Front porch fredericksburg

session will be open to the public and will be held on Tuesday, May 19th at 6:30 p.m. at UMW’s Jepson Alumni Executive Center, 1119 Hanover Street, Fredericksburg, VA. A LEAP representative will give a brief presentation about Solarize and its benefits and offer some practical “how tos” that will help the audience understand how to get started. The event will also provide an opportunity to ask questions and encourage discussion. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/solarizepre-launch-tickets-16226120764. Subsequently, a Solarize event that will offer a more in-depth workshop to those interested in proceeding with solar will be offered in June. UMW and Marstel-Day spearhead the CLEAR plan, and since inception have held environmental and awareness initiatives designed to increase the area’s resilience and support environmental initiatives and disaster preparedness. CLEAR’s goals include identifying sustainable activities that can help save homeowners and businesses money, sustain natural resources and open spaces, build resilience through prevention and planning, and diversify the regional economy with green jobs. To learn more about CLEAR, visit www.fredclearplan.com, and like the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frederi c k s b u r g - R e g i o n a l CLEAR/1492751584280155) for news and upcoming initiatives and events. Ann Kuo is the research analyst to Marstel-Day, LLC’s CEO and President Rebecca R. Rubin.

“More Than Sad”

Ramp Up Your Routine on the Rappahannock River

educating teens on suicide prevention

By Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy, Mental Health America of Fredericksburg (MHAF) rolled out the “More Than Sad” program, which is geared to educating teens about suicide prevention, in 2014. The resource by MHAF has already reached 3,000 teens in community high schools, who received training about what to look for and the services available in situations where suicide is a threat. The statistics show that MHAF’s resources to help youths in crisis come at a crucial time. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 800,000 people die due to suicide each year, and many more individuals attempt it. Statistics reflect that suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-to-19year-olds and affects families, communities and entire countries, leaving long-lasting effects on those left behind. “Teen suicide is on the rise, and MHAF is proactively addressing it with a training program to educate, provide resources and identify the signs of individuals who may be contemplating suicide,” said Lynn Delamer, executive director of MHAF. “The ‘More Than Sad’ program is integral to our community’s teens, and thousands of teens have already been trained last year.” The new, related MHAF campaign, “You Have My Attention,” went live through email and social media in April. “You Have My Attention,” which brings a greater awareness of issues related to teen suicide in the Fredericksburg community, is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MHAFred. MHAF’s goal is for members of the community to share the posts on the site with friends, family, groups and organizations that are interested in learning more about teen suicide prevention. MHAF began a Teen Council comprised of high school students who work toward spreading awareness and

tolerance of mental health issues in the community. These teens work in their schools and communities to educate and help others by raising awareness and speaking out about mental health issues, including teen suicide and its prevention. Still in the early stages of its creation, the “More Than Sad” program has already earned praise and a $4,000 Duff McDuff Green grant through the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region. The grant is intended to support the causes Green cared deeply about, such as opportunities for children. According to Delamer, nationally we lose one life to suicide every 15.8 minutes, of which 90 percent had undiagnosed mental health problems. Untreated depression is responsible for more deaths by suicide than any other risk factor. MHAF is in its 60th year of providing resources and charges no fees to anyone. No services are billed for reimbursement. More than 400 people a month are connected with resources and treatment services through MHAF’s HelpLine, which is the only free mental health information and referral service in the region. MHAF organizes support groups and provides education and advocacy for individuals with mental health issues. MHAF was founded in 1955, and 93.8 cents of each dollar it receives is funneled directly to the people in the community who face mental health challenges. For more information about the “More Than Sad” program and other MHAF services, visit mhafred.org online, email mhafred@mhafred.org or call (540) 371-2704.

Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy, a public relations specialist and a writer, lives in Fredericksburg.

By A.E. Bayne Stretch, sweat, run, sweat, lift, sweat, crunch, sweat, curl, sweat. Repeat. Sound familiar? Many people find themselves looking for ways to infuse variety into their fitness routines after a long winter of indoor gym workouts, and luckily for those of us living in and near Fredericksburg that variety is right outside our doors. With their “Gear Up * Get Active” motto, Keith and April Peterson of River Rock Outfitters fully promote the ease and accessibility of outdoor fitness options in Fredericksburg while highlighting appreciation and conservation of the area’s natural resources. With the Rappahannock River, Mott’s Run Reservoir and quarry trail system, Rappahannock Rocks, area battlefield trails, and Caledon State Park all in close proximity to downtown, Keith Peterson says, “Fredericksburg is the only place that we have ever been where you can mountain bike, hike, climb, and paddle all within the same day, and all of it is a lot of fun. We’re hoping to help grow that outdoor industry’s visibility that’s been hidden, but really shouldn't be.” Keith says paddle boarding has become the fastest growing paddling sport in recent years, and with yoga’s popularity it was only a matter of time before the two complementary activities would be paired by versatile instructors. Joining folks like Pitaiyo in Fredericksburg and Black Dog Paddle in Richmond, River Rock Outfitters will begin offering paddle boarding classes in May. Keith says, “We’re bringing in an instructor this summer that will be able to provide basics for paddle boarding that will combine boarding with standard fitness and yoga.” “Paddle boarding and kayaking are great core workouts, working your arms, back and abs. Plus, being out on the river after a day of working inside is a fantastic de-stressor”, Keith says.

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Since 1929

In addition to fitness opportunities along the river’s banks, April Peterson says locals have always known that Fredericksburg is an awesome fishing spot. I don’t know if everyone appreciates what our river offers, but it’s perfect to get out on to promote a healthy lifestyle and to promote tourism in Fredericksburg.” April adds that with the formation of the Fredericksburg Main Street Initiative that many local shops have joined and now promote, she hopes people from outside the area will begin to view Fredericksburg as a complete package, one where fitness and recreation, a love of history, arts and entertainment, and modern shopping will draw people to the city to enjoy its charms. She says, “Since becoming a Main Street community, the key has been promoting Fredericksburg as a destination city. The location is right, being between Richmond and D.C., and we’d like people to choose to spend their weekends here - staying in our bed and breakfasts, renting kayaks and taking them out on the river, eating dinner at our farm-to-table restaurants, and enjoying everything the city has to offer. When you add all the opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation on top of these other positives, we know people will get out there and start having some fun.” A.E. Bayne, a local writer & artist has enjoyed living near the Rappahannock River for the past 17 years.

Give a Child

601 LAFAYETTE BLVD

roxburyfarmgarden.com

Something to

We have all your gardening needs! Come Shop With Us

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

810 Caroline Street (540) 371-5684

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Tankless Water Heaters

SOLARIZE

economical & environmental Shining Light on Solar for Local Homeowners and Businesses

By ann kuo

Own The Movie A 40-minute film with aerial and underwater photography that tells the story of the Rappahannock River from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay.

MAIN: (540) 373-9124 NURSERY: (540) 371-8802

RAPPAHANNOCK

DVD $14.95; Members $11.96 www.riverfriends.org 540-373-3448 3219 Fall Hill Ave. May 2015

ROXBURY F

ARM

MAJESTIC & HISTORIC

Front porch fredericksburg

“More Than Sad”

Ramp Up Your Routine on the Rappahannock River

educating teens on suicide prevention

Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy, a public relations specialist and a writer, lives in Fredericksburg.

& GARDEN CENTER

Since 1929

Give a Child

601 LAFAYETTE BLVD

roxburyfarmgarden.com

Something to

We have all your gardening needs! Come Shop With Us

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

810 Caroline Street (540) 371-5684

front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

My Favorite Places May Pick: pots & palettes By Callista Kathryn Dunn I went to Pots and Palettes with my Nana, Mom and brothers. We interviewed the manager, Katie Hinton. She teaches many classes including throwing, dipping, glazing and firing.

Fredericksburg Sketches A visual Celebration of our community

By Casey Alan Shaw

Q: How many molds do you have? A: We own over 3000 molds of all sizes.

Fredericksburg Time Co.

Q: How long has your store been open? A: We have been open for 17 years. Catherine Lawton has owned the store for 11 years (We met her too!).

Callie enjoyed learning about pottery and would love to take a class. She made a yellow and brown kitty cat cookie jar to hold yummy treats that she makes with mom.

Fredericksburg. Timeless. That's the slogan, at least. And it's one of the reasons I love this town. There is great effort taken to preserve the past for future generations. But the truth is, of course, that things do change. Last month two big announcements on the same day shook downtown's foundation: The Fredericksburg Area Museum is closing their location in the bank building they restored and will consolidate in the old Marketplace building across the street . . . and the owners of Sammy T's restaurant announced their building and business is for sale . . . two colossal local institutions suddenly in transition. I'm sharing my sketch of the FAMCC museum buildings both as a tribute and a celebration. The fact that things DO change is evidence that Fredericksburg is not just a museum of old buildings, but is a vibrant living city with new residents and new ideas constantly joining the narrative. We should really be grateful that we have the best of both worlds, where the past is not forgotten AND where the future is full of new possibilities. Casey Alan Shaw is a local artist. He exhibits his original artwork at Art First Gallery and at www.caseyshaw.com.

Exclusively at Gemstone Creations

606 Caroline Street Old Town Fredericksburg 373-7847 www.gemstonecreations.org Tuesday - Saturday 10-5 Wednesdays until 6:30 and by appointment

jewelboxfredericksburgva.webs.com jewelbox14k@yahoo.com

212 William Street,Fredericksburg 540-373-5513 Mon-Fri 9:30-6; Sat 9:30-5

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

Prices starting at less than $100.

Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged

THE POETRY MAN - BY FRANK FRATOE

Early Spring Near Riverside Drive - By Frank Fratoe

Above the falls you can linger and touch softly with an open hand outcrop of rock to rub sandstone chilled at first then warming as the sun’s rays heat it quickly. The zone of air seems barren here yet below ground there’s movement when root-arms delve for water trembling under prolific depth where turbulence upholds tenacity. Frank Fratoe lives & writes in the city.

From My Porch my young men of value

By Rim Vining

SKETCH #7: Corner of William and Princess Anne, looking southeast.

Exclusively at

Your Hometown Jeweler Since 1940

May I ? May I? Can I? Tricky little words that we butcher daily. “Dad, can I borrow the car keys?” “Probably but you may not take the car.” That’s how I grew up and actually I am quite pleased to have grown up with adults who understood that words aren’t the same as language. They also had a knack for weaving a phrase and getting all they could out of a few short words. Autoknown Better got its literary life pondering the observation that the next generation did not know that “six degrees before top dead center” was not a rock band. Words are one thing and language is another. “Four on the floor” and “Not a cough in a car load!” The first was once a Detroit mainstay and the latter was a slogan for Camel cigarettes 60 years ago and they were talking about a train car load of fine tobacco. Without the history you can’t get the meaning and now everything has a five speed and Vaping is the new verb. Honestly, I miss the wordsmiths.

Q: How do you make all of these figurines? A: To make the figurines, we take liquid clay and pour it into the hole of the mold. We pour out the extra and then let it dry. When we remove the figure out of the mold it is called greenware. Then we fire it for first time. The figurines which have been fired once are called bisque. After you paint your bisque, we fire it again so the color becomes bright.

Q: Do you have classes for kids? A: Yes. We have many classes for children. We are holding week long summer camps with different themes, like Beach week and Mother Earth (nature) week. We will also have Mini Camps which are one day. These classes are for 7 year olds and above. Classes to learn throwing on the wheel are for 9 year olds and older.

AutoKnown Better “He was a modest little man with much to be modest about.” Winston Churchill “Thank you for sending me a copy of your book. I’ll waste no time reading it.” Moses Hadas “He has no enemies but is intensely disliked by his friends.” Oscar Wilde “In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily.” Charles, Count Talleyrand “He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.” Samuel Johnson In our modern world we get hash-tag responses with then, than, they’re, there and their in random order. I have a friend whose response to his poor spelling was, “I was absent that day.” Imagine all of the Webster’s Unabridged being taught in a single afternoon. I have been to a lot of car shows this spring and I am seeing the hobby change before my eyes and the language of cars changing along with it. Rat rods mix with the pre-war Packards and Fast & Furious has a growing cult. The terms are new and the cars are small, fast and bolted to the ground with bone jarring suspensions that only the young can endure. I did 200 miles to a show in the “Hot Rod” MG that sports a Buick engine and a big four barrel carb (… you mean fuel injected, right Pops?) and a suspension that is somewhat tight and it damn near beat me to death. At the shows I’ve talk to numerous aging auto addicts who wonder what is available in the way of automatic transmissions for their sports cars because they can’t push a clutch anymore. And A/C would be nice. And can you change the car to 12 volt negative ground so I can plug in my I-pod and charge my phone? This year’s round of shows is having an effect on my outlook. Today it was amazing homemade - welded together - rolling art statements where Mad Max meets Alexander Calder and Rodin parked next to a ’54 Jaguar 120 and it was the Jag that looked awkwardly out of place. I can’t help but think of Andy Dufresne’s line from Shawshank Redemption… “You got to get busy living or get busy dying.” So I’m gonna’ fire up the torch and plug in the welder. Might even get a smart phone with text to talk and put some buds in my ears instead of wearing a tin foil hat. #MGBGT Rim Vining still does not text, but you can contact him at autoknown@aol.com.

By Jo Loving in my heart. He is in graduate school, and also teaches classes. Last summer, Evan took care of Finnegan during summer “Try not to become a man of success break while Amber worked. Now, he works but rather try to become so Amber can stay home with Finn. They a man of value.” each take care of him, and there is no such ~Albert Einstein thing as “her job” and “his job” with respect to Finn. He is “their” baby. Let me tell you about four young My other son-in-law, Jimmy, has, men. One of them is my son. Two are from the first day he met my daughter, married to my daughters. One is my April, treated her with respect, love, and nephew. They are all different in care. When their first child, Ava Grace, temperament, interests, and backgrounds, was born, Jimmy stepped up and worked and yet, they have welcomed fatherhood, side-by-side with April to care for they respect their mates, and they care her. When their son, Jackson, was born, he deeply about mankind. They are raising again showed his love for April and his some very fine (and beautiful) children. children, taking care of them, and working Two of these four men were raised to put them, and our nation, in in the Fredericksburg, Virginia, ...successful good stead for the future. He area – which seems a fine area in their own right, currently is away in the for producing remarkable but most of all, military, but keeps up each day young men. they are successful with them. He will be home My son, Kenny, is a fathers. soon. We can’t wait! wonderful father, a caring Last, but not least, is my That, my friends, person, a hard worker, and a nephew, Bobby. He and his is the most marvelous son. He loves his wife, Sarah, split their valuable role daughter, my Isabella Jo, and schedules so that both of their shares every task involved in of all.. daughters, Cora and Laurel, raising her with Sandy. He works are cared for by each of very hard in his job as a mechanic in them. They are dedicated, caring, and Northern Virginia, and rearranged his loving parents, and my Bobby is a doting, work schedule so he can be home and take loving, and caring father. care of Isabella during the week. He shows Gender roles have no place in the his love for his family in a million little lives of these men -- they share in every ways, and is not afraid to let his love shine aspect of family life. They care, they get through tears and laughter. it. These are my young men of My son-in-law, Evan, is also a value. They are each successful in their wonderful father. I always liked him, but own right, but most of all, they are I fell in love with him and his role in my successful fathers. That, my friends, is the daughter’s life when I was with them for most valuable role of all. the birth of my grandson, Finnegan. Evan’s tender care of Amber Jo Loving unabashedly loves her young during the labor, along with his heartfelt men, and knows the future is bright in their caring hands. tears and concern, gave him a special place

Every Child Deserves A Family

Learn about our adoption opportunities Domestic & International

301-587-4400 Cradle of Hope Adoption Center front porch fredericksburg

May 2015

Fredericksburg Sketches A visual Celebration of our community

By Casey Alan Shaw

Q: How many molds do you have? A: We own over 3000 molds of all sizes.

Fredericksburg Time Co.

Q: How long has your store been open? A: We have been open for 17 years. Catherine Lawton has owned the store for 11 years (We met her too!).

Callie enjoyed learning about pottery and would love to take a class. She made a yellow and brown kitty cat cookie jar to hold yummy treats that she makes with mom.

Exclusively at Gemstone Creations

606 Caroline Street Old Town Fredericksburg 373-7847 www.gemstonecreations.org Tuesday - Saturday 10-5 Wednesdays until 6:30 and by appointment

jewelboxfredericksburgva.webs.com jewelbox14k@yahoo.com

212 William Street,Fredericksburg 540-373-5513 Mon-Fri 9:30-6; Sat 9:30-5

May 2015

Front porch fredericksburg

Prices starting at less than $100.

Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged

THE POETRY MAN - BY FRANK FRATOE

Early Spring Near Riverside Drive - By Frank Fratoe

From My Porch my young men of value

By Rim Vining

SKETCH #7: Corner of William and Princess Anne, looking southeast.

Exclusively at

Your Hometown Jeweler Since 1940

Every Child Deserves A Family

Learn about our adoption opportunities Domestic & International

301-587-4400 Cradle of Hope Adoption Center front porch fredericksburg

May 2015