3steve kuzma paints what words can’t
27joe langiu celebration of life well lived
28rhys johnson a kindhearted 3rd grader
Porch talk
4 on the porch...life in fredericksburg messages
7everything green: the beauty of winter woods
8In the Garden: evergreens in winter
9 growing & crawling: virginia holly
10 Fredericksburg perspectives
11 embracing our common ground
12tidbits...small bites of local news
13 season’s bounty: plenty of pound
14spirits: winter cocktails
15vino: a winter white wine
16-17Calendar of Events
18history’s stories: chancellorville house
19 holiday tour tells america’s founding
20mental health: holiday evolution
21 emancipated patient...ablation
22 “twas the night...
23 porchlight: a walk in the past
24art in the burg ....galleries in December
25xmas around the world: the spotsylvanians chorus
29astrology & you
poetryman: born in starlight
30fredericksburg sketches
“Olde Time Tannenbaum”, by David C. Kennedy
Steve Kuzma
Steve Kuzma is a full-time artist, illustrator, and teacher with more than 30 years of professional experience. He has sold his paintings all over the United States and internationally, as his style of impressions blended with the avant-garde layering techniques is unique and done in a very recognizable way. Steve has a strong attachment to nature and spirituality with his luminous, soulful painting, as can be seen in the watercolor, pastel, and water-mixable oils he paints relationships with the landscape.
“I have dedicated my life to achieving excellence as an artist” .says
Paints what words Can’t
By robert Meunier
essence of movement and composition are distilled in bright color fields in a contemporary, impressionistic American style”
“All of my paintings convey a positive message. There is joy in floral images.There is a sense of openness and expansion of consciousness in landscapes and seascapes. Dignity of the human spirit is conveyed in sports related and mystical paintings.They are sublime in nature and reflect unlimited potential”
Kuzma Born in Philadelphia, Steve attended Central High School's Alternative Arts Program in 1974. “I took my career path as an artist seriously by furthering my education and completing a BFA in Illustration at the Parsons School of Design, New York and The New School of Social Research in 1982. My postgraduate education continued after receiving Brunschwig & Fils Scholarship in 1982. This allowed me to study abroad at Parsons and at The aAmerican College, both in Paris, France and Sienna, Italy”
His works vary vastly in terms of the genre he uses, as they could be landscapes, seascapes, portraits, and sporting illustrations; regardless, the message of his work is humanistic and jovial.
Steve enhances his prints on fine art canvas and paper by hand embellishment, glazing, and pastelinfusion.
“I developed a lifelike painting technique which conveys dynamic motion, working with a spirit of courage, perseverance and determination.”
Steve explains “The
Creative challenges, client limitations, and deadlines place demands on the artist"s vibrant self-realized painterly style. Each assignment becomes a testament to the hard work and personal sacrifice required to achieve extraordinary results and creativesolutions. Breakthrough then comes after exhaustive work is then visibly recorded in the painting process, resulting in paintings full of beauty and grace.This intensity and growth expanded to an evolved sensitivity to nature and led to spiritually inspired work.
Steve's Ukrainian family heritage has developed an awareness towards humanity and peace.
Studio B will be holding
An Evening with the Art of Kuzma First Friday, December 5, 5-9 9 pm 509 Jackson Street
Mary Geil
Guest Porch Editorial
Contributing Writers & Artists
Rita Allan Sally Cooney Anderson
Gary CaparelliSonja Cantu
Gary CloseJanet Douberly
Jeannie EllisFrank Fratoe
Susan FrostMary Beth Geil
Alexis GroganKathleen Harrigan
Michael Thomas Harvey
Ralph “Tuffy” HicksKaren Kallay
Marlene Reynolds Laugesen
Nancy KellyDavid C. Kennedy
Ember MercuryRobert Meunier
Ray MikulaVanessa Moncure
Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy
Pete MorelewiczPatrick Neustatter
Amy Peregoy
Paula RaudenbushRob Rudick
Mandy SmithClint Schemmer Rim Vining
Tina WillNorma Woodward
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 article submissions must be received by e-mail by the 16th & calendar items the 19th of the month preceding publication.
Writers / Artists / Photographers are welcome to request Guidelines and query the Publisher by e-mail. Front Porch Fredericksburg
PO Box 9203 Fredericksburg, VA 22403
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Web Site: www.frontporchfredericksburg.com
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The opinions expressed in Front Porch Fredericksburg are those of the contributing writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Front Porch Fredericksburg or its advertisers.
Copyright 2025
Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine All rights reserved.
ON THE PORCH fredericksburg still festive
By mary geil
Two years ago, I explored the topic of Fredericksburg being a festive town in a feature article and I am pleased to have been asked to write another feature article. I chose to revisit Fredericksburg's festiveness. Accompanying this article to honor the spirit of Christmas Past is a picture of me from 60ish years ago.
The meaning of festive according to Collins Dictionary website: Something that is festive is special, colorful, or exciting, especially because of a holiday or celebration. This sentence example was given "The town has a festive holiday atmosphere" Here we are in 2025, Fredericksburg still meets the definition of festive.
The Fredericksburg community is still setting the festive stage with placement of trees, wreaths, decorations and lights inside and out. One of the most famous holiday displays is at a local business -WWhittingham/The Kitchen at Whittingham located at 1019 and 1021 Caroline Street. The window display tradition continues this year. According to the owner, Bob Wittingham, the window theme for 2025 is a "Candy Flavored Winter Fantasy".
Music adds to the festive environment for the enjoyment of the festive holiday season. I am surprised I missed this one in 2023. I wasn't using all my senses. Radio stations will start playing holiday music Many places of business will play holiday music throughout the season. Various pageants will take place featuring holiday music during this season. The parade will certainly feature holiday music.
To enjoy this festive holiday decor and atmosphere, family and friends
can take a stroll or take a drive through the town especially at night when the lights are best viewed. The options to sit back and enjoy by trolley or horse drawn carriage are still available for enjoying this festive town. These modes require advanced planning, for the trolley ride checkout Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg and for the carriage ride checkout Olde Towne Carriages
Bobby Hebert alias "Quill", the epic poet/riddle creator of Fredericksburg, confirms that this year the Window Wonderland Holiday Riddle contest is still a go. Per Bobby, "Quill has cooked up a fresh batch of holiday riddles for you to solve. You'll find them on the windows of the downtown merchants. Fabulous fun and prizes are part of this event that runs through the end of December. Assemble your riddle team and pick up a game packet at the Fredericksburg Visitors' Center "
at 9 dollars for those 5 years and older. Four years and younger eat free. Checkout the Rotary webpage for additional details. I have it on good authority that Santa will be at this event.
The RappahannockFredericksburg Rotary Club (Rotary) adds to the holiday spirit. The Official North Pole Mailbox will be placed again this year at the corner of George and Caroline Streets. This is such a big help for Santa. Children can drop their letter in the red mailbox through December 20. Make sure there is a return address so Santa's response is deliverable. Each letter gets an answer from Santa, Mrs. Claus or the elves.
The Rotary sponsors the Pancake Feast, a parade day tradition. This year marks the 40th year. The pancake feast is a family friendly event that takes place at Fredericksburg Baptist Church, 1019 Princess Anne Street on December 6 from 8 am to 5 PM. The cost is quite reasonable
Another tradition is The Fredericksburg Christmas Parade scheduled for December 6 starting at 5:30 PM. The theme is "Christmas Around the World." If you can't make it to line the streets that evening, the parade can be watched live from the comfort of your home. Visit the parade's webpage: www.fredericksburgchristmasparade.com/ virtual-viewing/. In 2023, I raised the question "How long has the town been having a Christmas parade?" In revisiting, I can say for sure it is 50 years or more. Based on the 40th parade day pancake feast and my personal experience as a girl scout, our troop from Ladysmith marched in the early 1970's adding 10 years.
Once again I have just scratched the surface of Fredericksburg's festiveness. If you can, I hope you can check out the town during this holiday season. The town is an excellent place to shop and support a small business. Please pick a printed copy or check out the digital version on line to read this edition of the Front Porch cover-to-cover and check out the calendar for this month's happenings.
Mary Beth lives in Spotsylvania County and loves the “Spirit of Christmas”
Everything Greens the beauty of winter woods
By janet douberly
Despite the city being covered in lights and glitter for the many holidays that happen this month, sometimes it can be hard to maintain a positive attitude when sunlight is so scarce and the wind is so cold.
Ask any health professional or random TikTok influencer and they will tell you one of the best ways to beat these December doldrums is to get outside and get some exercise! Of course, that is easier said than done, especially when indoors is so toasty and often has cookies, but once in the habit, outdoor winter excursions can easily become a favorite activity.
Winter walks are surprisingly beautiful. The bright blue skies make the perfect backdrop to view the amazing shapes and colors of dried plants, seed pods, nuts, and stems. While most of the smaller plants are dried husks and the
trees are naked enough to make you shiver, there is so much wildlife and nature to observe during the winter.
The bare branches make bird watching so much easier than the rest of the year! Now is the perfect time to see those wee chickadees, blue birds, and kinglets as well as some of the larger birds like woodpeckers, cardinals, and even hawks and eagles without all those pesky leaves hiding them from view.
The fact that the trees themselves are displaying their bareness make it a great time to brush up on tree ID skills! Sure, anyone can learn to ID the leaves, but what about shape, growth pattern, and bark? Even the nuts on the ground can give clues to the type of tree.
Even the trees that have given up the ghost are an excellent source of
delight during the winter months. The fungus covered, large logs rotting peacefully on the forest floor house a variety of insects, small rodents, and amphibians.
For my fellow introverts, another wonderful reason to enjoy winter walks is the lack of people on the trails! The arctic air scares off many leaving all but the most popular trails fairly empty and peaceful so you can meander at your own pace, stopping at any point to admire the beautiful scenery without the "excuse-meon-the-right-fancy-meeting-you-here" comments that are common during the warmer seasons.
Aside from the easy-to-see nature, winter walks can bring a peace and clear mindedness that can elude us during the busy warm weather months. The crisp air on our face and filling our lungs can clear out mental cobwebs and invigorate us for the rest of the day. Forest bathing is just as beneficial in the winter as in the
summer and has the same effect on our mental well-being.
With our modern technology it is easier than ever to stay warm outside. From fleece lined pants to rechargeable handwarmers, technology has come a long way in making it easier to enjoy the outdoors all year long. So before the dark season drags you down, get a leg up by bundling up and taking a stroll outside! You won't regret it!
Join us for one of our December nature walks on the Belman Road Campus. Bird Walk: Sunday, December 14th, 9am. Twilight Nature Walk: Friday, December 26th, 4:30-6pm. Morning Nature Walk: Saturday, December 27th, 11am-12:30pm Sign up at www.downtowngreens.org/classes-andevents
Janet Douberly loves winter walks the best at Downtown Greens.
In the Garden evergreens in winter
by tina will
The reds, oranges, and golden yellows of Autumn have about disappeared for this year. Autumn always seems too short to me! Winter without the evergreens would be drab indeed. The bright colors of green and red in a front yard, along a walkway or nearby garden will lift one's mood. There are several native ferns and groundcovers that offer welcome color between now and next Spring.
Wintergreen (above) (Gaultheria procumbens) is well named and its bright red berries seal the deal for seasonal beauty. Even better, the berries are said to be edible, and the source of the flavoring many of us enjoy. Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens) is a lovely red-berried groundcover that establishes slowly. Its berries are also said to be edible, but not very tasty. Christmas Fern and Leatherleaf Wood Fern (upper right) look great all Winter, and are on the list of plants native
to our region. Green and Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) should definitely be somewhere on your property in sun or shade. It continues to broaden its patch in the woods behind our house, and offers yellow flowers in Spring and Summer. Out our kitchen window there's American Holly (Ilex opaca), with ripening berries.
We visited Rady Arboretum in Warrenton recently, and found Ilex opaca Maryland Spreader This
is an American Holly that grows to 3 feet high and 10 feet wide! Other native evergreens for you to consider are Dixie Wood Fern, Bird's Nest Spruce (below), Sedums (some), Rhododendrons, Magnolia trees There is a good list of choices at: plantnovanatives.org/evergreens.
Better Growth Next Spring
In this Piedmont (soil) region, the clay soil, tree root competition, and varying amounts of rain can be a challenging place to establish plants of any size. For several years we have planted and carefully tended many small native perennials. My dear husband shreds the abundant leaf fall that descends on us, and we use it around the plants once it has decomposed for a year. The reward is healthy greenery and growth of all of our plants. Ferns, Mountain Laurel, American Holly, Green-and-Gold, and other plants provide colorful relief all Winter.
Do you know the pH of your soil?
The pH is what you should know first since it is the main determinant of the availability of nutrients to plants, and for most plants it should be between 5.5 and 6.5. Adding natural compost in the Fall increases the supply of beneficial microbes that decompose organic matter which helps to convert nutrients into forms available to the plant adding strength, vigor, and better resistance to pests and diseases. VCE publication 452-701 has a helpful explanation of soil test results. Soil test kits are available at VCE offices and at our Libraries.
Have a merry Christmas, and a colorful Winter season!
Tina Will is a Master Gardener and lives in Stafford County. She can be reached at brianandtina.will@gmail.com
Photos by Tina
Though December is the month when holly gets the most attention, this native evergreen tree has so much use and fascination beyond its decorative holiday uses.
The Virginia Holly, 'Ilex opaca' is an evergreen tree that grows well in shade or sun though the trees grown in the sun will grow taller, up to 40') and produce more berries. Holly trees are dioecious which means there are male and female trees The female trees will be the ones to produce the berries but only if near enough to a male tree to be pollinated.
While toxic to humans and pets, our native holly berries are an important source of winter food for many of our native birds including Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and Eastern Bluebirds. Even the wildlife that doesn't eat the berries can find sanctuary in the waxy leaves at a time when most vegetative cover has disappeared for the year.
Growing & Crawling virginia holly
By janet douberly
If you have both a native holly and a non-native (usually chinese) you may have noticed that the berries of the non-nnative are rarely consumed by our native bird species and even then, only out of necessity after the native trees have been stripped bare. This is because the berries from non-nnative species do not provide the nutrition our native birds depend on. Because holly berries are much hardier than the berries of other native plants, they are the last to be consumed by the birds each year.
Janet Douberly loves the bird racket in the hollies at Downtown Greens.
Fredericksburg Perspectives
by Michael Thomas Harvey
Corner of George & Caroline Street Then & Now Top, circa 1920’s, Jones Building, looks like stoves in window (?) thoughts Center,.circa 1955, Kays Food Market Bottom, today, The Fort And, the constant St George Church towering over the site.
FREDERICKSBURG PERSPECTIVES is created to provide our community (greater Fredericksburg, Va.) with an avenue for public engagement in an exploration of our common social history. The focus is placed on the businesses and institutions that accented and contributed to this social structure over the last 100 years. Engagement, comment and sharing of the content is strongly encouraged Fredericksburg Perspectives@facebook
Michael Thomas Harvey is the Admin of Fredericksburg Perspectives Additional Information provided by FXBG Perspective members
Empowerment
I'm sure you all know the old meme: there are two types of people in this world-those who LOVE pumpkin spice and those who LOATHE it. Add in early birds and night owls, neat freaks and chaotic spirits, and the comparisons just keep coming. It often feels like these divides seep into every aspect of our lives, from our beliefs to our public policies.
Recently, I've made a conscious effort to STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN to the world and the people around me. In doing so, I've noticed two vital truths. First, when my goals are clear and I act with intention, it's easier to connect with others. I can see shared hopes, fears, and
Embracing our common ground
aspirations. Secondly, in those moments, we often find we are more alike than we initially realize-perhaps, even more than we're willing to admit.
Let's examine the pumpkin spice debate. At its core, aren't we all seeking something warm and comforting-something that evokes memories of safety and love? If that's the case, does the flavor really matter? I think not.
I often recall Rumi's quote: "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." This encapsulates the beauty of our community. Whether we're meeting for a coffee or crossing paths in the grocery aisle, attending a community gathering, or participating in a public meeting, we can uncover common goals and start to forge a path together.
By kathleen harrigan
As we hustle toward the end of the calendar year juggling overflowing todo lists and crowded social calendars-I invite you to join me in STOPPING, LOOKING, and LISTENING to the world around us. Identify your goals and approach them with intention and focus. Look for opportunities to connect, and together, we can find a way forward.
This season also brings significant need, which is another aspect of our community that I deeply appreciate. Neighbors consistently step up throughout the year helping each other, volunteering time and skills, solving problems, and offering financial support. This circle of giving fuels our community, keeping us all connected.
So, as we move into the new year, I encourage you to step into this circle of generosity. As you listen to the world around you, may you discover ways to engage in this spirit of giving and fostering community. Let's strive to lift
each other up and celebrate the strength of our connections.
For me, I know my goals for the season are family, holiday baking, and volunteering for Empowerhouse If you want to know more, check out our website (empowerhouseva.org) to learn more about how you can help Empower a New Generation and break the cycle of domestic violence in our community AND you can register to join us on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at the 27th Annual Empty Bowl Fundraiser supporting survivors of domestic violence across our community.
Kathleen Harrigan, a volunteer Board Member of Empowerhouse and comes from a family of good bakers
If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call Empowerhouse's free, confidential 24hour Hotline at (540) 373-99373
Dr Tashika Griffith to Become Germanna's Next President
Mon-Thurs,11am-9pm Fri & Sat,11am-10pm Sun,11am - 9pm
Bar open until 2am everyday
200 Hanover St. ~ 373-0738
Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, has announced the appointment of Dr. Tashika Griffith as the seventh president of Germanna Community College, effective January 1.
Dr. Griffith joins Germanna from St. Petersburg State College in Florida, where she serves as Provost and Chief Campus Officer of the Clearwater Campus. She brings more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education, including roles at the University of Tennessee, University of Miami, and Virginia Tech. Dr. Griffith looks forward to building on Germanna's "strong sense of community and commitment to student success."
Eagle Village Rebuild: Coming Back Strong in 2026
Following the December 2024 fire, Eagle Village is rebuilding and preparing to welcome back a mix of new and returning tenants. Set to open for business in 2026, the lineup includes Clean Town, the U.S. Post Office, Any Lab Test Now, and Lee's Cleaners.
This next chapter marks an exciting renewal for one of Fredericksburg's key retail centersrestoring convenience and community connections for residents, students, and visitors alike. Stay tuned for more updates as construction progresses and opening dates are announced.
4-HHour Holiday Parking in Downtown
To support holiday shopping and dining, 4-hour parking will be offered in designated on-street spaces in the downtown business district from through January 11, 2026. During this period, visitors may enjoy extended parking limits in posted 4-hour zones, making it easier to shop, skate, dine, and enjoy multiple activities in a single trip.
TidBits small bites of local News
Ribbon Cutting Recap
Fredericksburg continues to grow with exciting new businesses! Recently, we celebrated ribbon cuttings for Crunch Fitness, Fearless Gluten Free Cafe, and Boot Barn Crunch Fitness brings highenergy workouts and a welcoming community to help you meet your fitness goals. Fearless offers a delicious lineup of gluten-free baked goods that everyone can
enjoy. And Boot Barn adds a touch of western style with quality boots, apparel, and accessories for work or play. We're thrilled to welcome these new businesses to Fredericksburg!
The City of FXBG has recently joined the list of localities throughout the FOX5 DC viewing market to install a SKYCAM. Working through a partnership with the Dept of Economic Development & Tourism, the SKYCAM provides for the capture real-time footage of the City skyline, local events, major public events, and weather conditions for broadcast and community engagement. Stay tuned for the launch of the SKTCAM's 24/7 live footage of downtown Fredericksburg.
By Amy Peregoy
Riverfront Park Ice Rink: Open
New this year, downtown will host the Riverfront Park Ice Rink, a festive pop-up skating experience at Riverfront Park, 701 Sophia Street. The rink will be open on Thurs & Fri, 5-9p; Sat & Sun, 10a9p thru December 28, 2025.
The family-friendly rink offers a classic holiday outing along the Rappahannock River. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under, with skate rental included.
Window Wonderland
The popular Window Wonderland 2025 scavenger hunt runs through December 31, 2025. Participants can pick up an entry form at the FXBG Visitor Center, 601 Caroline Street, then explore downtown to find holiday-themed riddles displayed in participating busines
Welcome to Fredericksburg!
Bamboo Melody Massage Spa 2105 Plank Rd., Unit 102Westwood Office Park
Burg Charcuterie - 703 Caroline St. Chunky Cup - 1211 Emancipation Hwy.-
Eagle Village Flavor Food - 1219 Emancipation Hwy.
Eagle Village
Juice Box & Confetti - 915 Sophia St.
Amy Peregoy is FXBG Economic Development Manager
FXBG Joins the Fox5 DC SKYCAM Community
Do you need a delicious and easy centerpiece for your holiday dessert table? Well, a poundcake might just fit the bill. Originally named because the first oral recipe called for a pound each of sugar, flour, butter and eggs - easy recipe to remember without being written outmaking a large cake which, if unfrosted and stored airtight, becomes moister and tastier as it ages. Poundcakes have long been popular Southern desserts - I have SO many variations by SO many friends and family members that a lightbulb went on - I should compile them into a poundcake cookbook! Well, the lightbulb dimmed and then went out when I typed in "Poundcake Cookbook" on my computer - hmmm….only 14,000,000 results on my search engine. Looks like a few others had the same idea. Just shows how popular this type of cake really is!
Flavorings, from original rosewater to vanilla and various liqueurs - fruits and citrus zest, nuts and even cornmeal are just some of the numerous additions made to the basic cake in different regions of the country and of the world. The original 1:1:1:1 recipe was baked without leavening - baking soda or baking powder - although as the cake evolved, these additions began to be added to make the cake lighter. Bake in a loaf pan, Bundt pan or tube panand remember the first order of baking - measure exactly - cakes can fall if overbeaten or underbeaten, baked in either a too cool or too hot oven, jostled when baking or cooling or using cake flour in a dense poundcake - it can't support the other ingredients and won't rise well. Although most recipes don't mention this tip - it's usually best to have all ingredients at room temperatureespecially eggs, as the volume produced by the egg white may be halved when using chilled eggs. If you want to try the original recipe, you will need a kitchen scale. Amelia Simmons wrote the first known American cookbook in 1796 and supplied ingredients as follows: "One pound sugar, one pound butter, one pound flour, ten eggs, one gill of rosewater, spices to our taste. Watch it well in a slow oven." Very succinct.
TRADITIONAL POUNDCAKE
Keeps well if stored airtight, also mails and travels well.
Cream together two cups of butter with three cups of sugar. Add slowly nine beaten eggs with one tablespoon each vanilla and lemon extract and a dash of ground nutmeg. Beat in four cups of flour and beat on medium speed of mixer for three minutes until batter is well combined. Spoon into a greased and floured ten-inch tube pan. Bake in preheated 300F oven for 90 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Cool in pan, away from drafts. (This is from an old recipe and makes a large, very dense cake which doesn't seem to rise as much as the following - great to use as cake in a trifle recipe).
CHOCOLATE POUNDCAKE
Dense, moist, chocolate-y better-as-it-ages cake. Makes a great birthday cake when iced with Seven Minute Frosting. Beat together one cup butter with two cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Melt together eight ounces of semisweet chocolate chips with one sixteen-ounce can of chocolate syrup (dark if available) and add to the butter-sugar-egg mixture when chocolate mixture is at room temperature. Stir one tablespoonful vanilla extract into one cup of whole-milk buttermilk and add alternately with three cups all-purpose flour to the batter. Beat until smooth. Spoon into a well-greased and floured twelve-cup Bundt pan or ten-inch tube pan. Bake in preheated 350F oven 80-90 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack, then remove from pan and invert onto serving plate. Dust with confectioner's sugar if desired.
BROWN SUGAR POUNDCAKE
Glaze with a mixture of chopped toasted pecans, confectioner's sugar and milk if desired. Beat together one cup butter with one-half cup Crisco until light,
gradually adding one pound plus one cup light brown sugar. Beat until smooth. Beat in five eggs, one at a time. Sift together three and one-half cups flour with one-half teaspoon baking powder and add alternately with one cup whole milk. Bake in greased and floured Bundt pan or teninch tube pan in preheated 325F oven for 80-90 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Let cool in pan at least thirty minutes before trying to remove.
SOUR CREAM POUNDCAKE
This rich version seems to be Southern in origin. For a variation, replace vanilla extract with pure lemon extract and one-eighth cup or more poppy seeds for a LEMON POPPYSEED POUNDCAKE or add one cup flaked coconut along with the vanilla extract and two teaspoons coconut extract for a delicious COCONUT POUNDCAKE or for a nutty ALMOND POUNDCAKE replace one-half cup flour with almond flour, then add one and onehalf cup chopped almonds and one and one-half teaspoons almond extract along with the vanilla extract.
BASIC RECIPEBeat together one cup butter with three cups sugar until very light and fluffy. Beat in six eggs, each one minute apart, until batter is light. Gently stir in one cup sour cream (not light or nonfat), then three cups sifted flour (measure full cups, then sift) along with one-quarter teaspoon baking soda. Stir in two tablespoons of vanilla extract. Spoon into ten-inch tube pan and bake in preheated 325F oven for 75 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
SpiritS Holiday Bests Winter Cocktails
Warm up this winter with these so tasty cocktails They will help you get through the cold....or the holiday madness!
CHRISTMAS EGGNOG
A creamy eggnog recipe that contains a dozen eggs is enough to knock the entire family out for the count. At least, until dinnertime.
12 eggs
3/4 c. superfine sugar
1 p. cognac
1/2 p. dark rum
1 p. milk
1/2 p. heavy cream nutmeg
1 Separate the eggs, putting aside the whites. Beat the yolks while slowly adding the sugar. Beat until sugar is entirely dissolved.
2 Slowly add the cognac while stirring, then the rum.
3 Stir in milk and heavy cream.
4 Beat the whites until they stand on their own. Fold them into the mixture.
5. Stir in grated nutmeg and serve.
Southern Hospitality
·3 oz. Mary Hite Bowman Caramel
Bourbon Cream Liquer (Chilled)
·3 0z. Root Beer
·Whipped Cream (Optional)
·Chocolate Syrup (Optional)
·Pour cream liquer into a glass of your choice.
·Top with root beer.
·Garnish with whipped cream and a light drizzle of chocolate syrup if desired. Enjoy!
Winter Bourbon Smash
·1.5 oz. Bowman Brothers Bourbon
·2 tbsp. Jam/Preserves of choice
·.5 oz. Triple Sec
·1 oz. Orange Juice
·Orange Segments
·Add all ingredients to a shaker half full with ice.
·Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
·Strain into a chilled glass with ice.
·Top with a splash of club soda.
·Garnish with orange segment. Enjoy!
COQUITO (PICTURED)
This Puerto Rican rum classic, much like eggnog, is sinfully rich and heavy. Coconut provides the backbone, and you won't find an egg yolk anywhere.
2 c. white rum
3 cans evaporated milk
1 15-oz. can cream of coconut
1 can condensed milk cinnamon
1 Blend ingredients (except cinnamon) at high speed for 2 minutes.
2 Pour into an empty bottle. Cover and refrigerate the bottle for at least 4 hours, but preferably 2 to 3 days.
3 When properly chilled, serve in a small glass. Garnish with ground cinnamon.
IRISH (OR MEXICAN) COFFEE
A serious contender for Official
Cocktail of Christmas Morning Madness. Irish coffee is hot, sweet, and caffeinated. Swap the whiskey for tequila, if that's more your style, you get a Mexican Coffee.
2 oz. Irish whiskey
5 oz. coffee
2 tsp. sugar heavy cream
1 Pour the whiskey, coffee, and sugar into a stemmed, heated glass mug.
2 Stir, then top off with a thick layer of lightly whipped heavy cream. Don't stir it in.
Maple Cinnamon Bourbon
·1.5 oz. Bowman Brothers Bourbon
·1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
·.5 oz. Maple Syrup
·Pinch Ground Cinnamon (optional)
·Fill a cocktail shake twothirds full with ice.
·Pour in bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup and pinch of ground cinnamon.
·Shake well and strain into old-fashioned glass with ice. Enjoy!
HOLIDAY PUNCH BOWL
Another punch to sustain a crowd, this is a tea, rum, and cognac version that's spiced and strong.
4 lemons
1 c. Demerara sugar or Sugar in the Raw
4 tea bags
or Batavia
8 Stir well and let cool in the refrigerator for an hour or so.
1 c. fresh-squeezed lemon juice, strained
2 1/2 c. cognac
1 1/2 c. dark rum fresh nutmeg
1 The day before, place a 2-quart bowl of water in the freezer.
2 Using a vegetable peeler, skin lemons, avoiding the white pith, and put the peels in a large heatproof bowl.
3 Add sugar, and mash the sugar and the peels together with a muddler.
4 Bring a quart of water to a boil, remove it from the heat, and add tea bags. (English breakfast works well.)
5 After 5 minutes, remove the tea bags and pour the tea onto the sugar and peels. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
6 Add lemon juice.
7. Add cognac, such as Pierre Ferrand Ambre or Martell Noblige, and rum, such
9 To serve, pour the punch into a punch bowl, slip in your block of ice, and grate fresh nutmeg over the top.
Christmas cocktails are 99 9 percent about garnishes Swear to god. You could put out a punch bowl of lukewarm Ocean Spray, and with some pine tree fronds, dried cranberries, and star anise pods scattered about, people would rave. But, that other tenth of a percent is alcohol, and alcohol is, needless to say, still important. So alcohol is what we'll give you, with a collection of cocktail recipes that are more than appropriate for Christmastime and all its merriment.
Enjoy! And Happy Holidays!
as Coruba
Arrack van Oosten.
a winter white sauvignon blanc
As you become more familiar with wines from around the world, certain regions evoke specific adjectives that describe their wines. Would it turn your world upside down to encounter a white wine from Bordeaux, or a red wine from the Loire Valley? Perhaps. Perhaps not. These are not the grand, well-known productions their opposites might be, but they certainly have the potential to surprise and delight.
We once received a request from a wine club member for an oaked Sauvignon Blanc to pair with a dinner they were attending that evening. At the time, we had none on our shelves, but the idea stuck with us: Yes, indeed, that would be a special wine. After all, most Sauvignon Blancs are fermented in stainless steel and see little intervention beyond that. Providentially, one of our vendors later introduced us to a wine that fit the bill perfectly, and it led us to fall in love with the wines of Lismore Estate in South Africa
Samantha O'Keefe, a political science graduate with a background in television, left Los Angeles in 2000 to embark on a bold new journey in South Africa. She discovered, and fell in love with, a 300-hectare ranch named Riviersonderend, nestled in the shadow of the mountain range that shares its name. There, she built her house, planted vines, and established a winery. By 2003, Lismore Estate Vineyards was born, with the inaugural vintage released in 2008. Samantha's wines quickly captured the attention of top journalists, and in 2018, she became only the sixth woman inducted
The Overberg region, where Lismore is located, is gaining acclaim for its premium cool-climate grapes. Within this district, the Greyton ward has been officially designated, highlighting the unique terroir of the area. Remarkably, Lismore is the only registered wine estate in the Greyton ward, making its wines even more exceptional.
This "upside-down, backward" wine is the 2021 Lismore Estate Vineyards Greyton Sauvignon Blanc, from South Africa's Western Cape. Unlike the standard method of fermenting Sauvignon Blanc in stainless steel, Samantha chosen a more unconventional approach. Part of the wine was fermented in barrels, where it remained in contact with the lees (the residual yeast and particles from fermentation) to develop complexity. The
by Rita Allen
remainder was fermented and matured in a concrete egg, adding further depth and nuance.
We had some fun with this wine at City Vino, inviting customers to taste it blind and guess what they were drinking. The results were fascinating-many found it perplexing, as the wine displayed characteristics reminiscent of an oaked Chardonnay, yet retained the signature freshness of Sauvignon Blanc.
The tasting notes tell the story: aromas of citrus, gardenia, vanilla, char, and toast, with lemon-lime and a subtle hint of gooseberry. The palate reveals layers of Asian pear, guava, fresh sea spray, grassy notes, white asparagus, and a touch of ginger The wine's mouthfeel is slightly oxidative from barrel aging, lending it a creamy texture and full body. This is a dry wine, with medium-plus acidity and a long, smoky, fruit-cup finisha truly unique expression of Sauvignon Blanc and an ideal white wine for winter.
It was amusing to watch customers' reactions as they learned this was a Sauvignon Blanc. At first, there was shock and disbelief. But once the surprise faded, the wine's charm took over. Its creamy texture, smoky undertones, and bold fruit were complemented by the varietal's signature grassy brightness, creating a wine that defied expectations and delighted the senses. This oaked Sauvignon Blanc proved to be a revelationa distinctive and memorable choice, perfect for savoring during the colder months.
into the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild
CALEND
Monday December 1
Window Wonderland scavenger hunt thru Dec 31 explore downtown to find holiday-themed riddles displayed in participating business windows.
Elf On The Shelf Adventure in downtown thru follow elf-themed clues through participating shops and restaurants, turning a day of holiday shopping into a playful scavenger hunt. thru Dec
39th Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit at George Washington's Ferry Farm thru December 30, during museum hours .
11th Annual Wee Christmas Dollhouses & Miniatures Show at Historic Kenmore thru December 30, during museum hours
Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation, Mary Washington House, Temporary Exhibit Included with Regular Admission, Mary Washington House thru Dec 15
Free Admission for Teachers in VA Mary Washington House, Rising Sun Tavern, Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop. Must present valid educators ID. Thru Dec 31
FXBG Food CoOP, Chair Yoga 320 Emancipations Hwy, 10-10:45a; 11011:45a ***EVERY MONDAY
Live Music Open Mic @Colonial Tavern 7p, 406 Lafayette Blvd
Live Music Colonial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd, Open Mic 7-11p
Tuesday December 2
Seed Starting, Downtown Greens free class, FXBG Branch Library. 10am.
Ukulele Jamming, Fred Food CoOP Beginners, 6:30p Jam 7p 320 Emancipations Hwy
Live Music Open Mic @Colonial Tavern 7p, 406 Lafayette Blvd
Live Music Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood Open Mic, 7-9:30p
Wednesday December 3
Twilight in Downtown 3 to 7 PM, bringing extended shopping hours, live music on the streets, and extended happy hour specials ***Every Wed
Trivia Night Sunken Well Tavern, 6:30p, 720 Littlepage Trivia Night with Trapper Young, 6B&G, 7p, 1140International Pky Open Mic @Original Grinds, 615 Caroline St, 7:30-10p
Thursday December 4
Speaker Series - Revitalizing History: A Comprehensive Plan for the Mary Washington Monument Landscape. CRRL Theater, 10 a.m. FREE Walk with a Doc, FXBG Food CoOp, 4-5p 320 Emancipations Hwy Tinsel Town Market, local artists, crafters, & handmade goods, Sunken Well, 720 Littlepage St, 5-9p Strangeways Brewing 350 Landsdowne, Disneu Villian Triva, 6:45p Wild Hare Cider & Pub, 205 William St, Trivia Night, 7p Open Mic w. Larry Hinkle, 7-10p Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy
Trivia Night hosted by BUBBA, Strangeways Brewing 6:45p
First Friday December 5
Sophia Street Studios Holiday Open House, open at 10a, refreshments 68:30p, 1104 Sophia ST
Holiday Open House at the Rising Sun Tavern, 5 to 8 p.m. | FREE
Holiday Riverfront Park Ice Rink
FCCA Members Gallery, Holiday Show "Give the Gift of Art", Frederick Gallery "Winter Blues", Karen Julihn & Roxana Genovese
Give the Gift of Art Holiday Table, Brushstrokes Gallery opening reception 5-9p
An Evening With the Art of Steve Kuzma, Studio B, 509 Jackson St, 5-9p
"Tis the Season", All Member Show Art First Gallery, 824 Caroline St, opening reception 6-9p
Make fused glass ornaments @Canal Quarters Arts Gallery, 1517 Princes Anne St
Artful Dimensions Holiday Show, opening reception 6-9p, 1025 Caroline
Live Music Holiday Concert Local performers songs of the season
Allstate Community Theater 810, Caroline Street, Downtown, 7:30p
Live Music 6B&G, 1140 International Pky, The Cold North 7-9:30p
Saturday December 6
Annual Pancake Feast, FXBG Baptist Church, 8a-6p, 1019 Princess Anne
Santa at Braehead Farm, bring your camera 9:30a-12:30p; 1:30-4:30p
***Every Weekend thru Dec
Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 7a-1p … Walking Group, FXBG Food CoOp, 9-10 Walk Along ***Every Saturday 320 Emancipations Hwy
Stroll with Rescue Dogs at ODHS 7:45AM, Stroll lasts until about 11 a.m.3602 Lafayette Blvd ***Every Saturday
Sunken Well Saturday: Brunch from 9-2, 720 Littlepage Colonial Tavern Brunch, 11a-3p 406 Lafayette Blvd; Blues Jam, 2-4p
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue Event 11AM to 2PM, PetSmart, Carl D. Silver Pkwy. shepherdrescue.org; facebook:VAGSR
Lineage & Liberty honoring American Indians who served in the American Revolution, genealogy workshop CRRL FXBG, 9:30-12n Holiday Market, Strangeways Brewing 350 Landsdowne, 12-5p
FXBG Christmas Parade "Christmas Around the World.", 5:30p
Main Street After Dark festive late-night shopping followin parade 7-10p
Live Music Rappahannock Choral Society Tis the Season for Joy Concert, Chancellor High School, 7p
Live Music: Tribute/Benefit Show for Joe Langiu Family "Unsung" w/guest Zack Guy, Strangeways Brewing, 350 Landsdowne Rd, 6-10pm
Live Music 6B&G, 1140 Internatio Live Music Adventure Brewing, 33 9:30p
Sunday December 7
Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern
Sunday Brunch at the Colonial Tav
Holiday Open House Mary Washingt
Holiday Open House at St. James' H
Live Music Holiday Concert, Sin presents a night of Christmas Caro
King George Christmas Tree Lightin
Live Music Rappahannock Choral So Chancellor High School, 3p
Live Music Strangeways Brewing 35
Monday December 8
Live Music Open Mic @Colonial Tav
Tuesday December 9
Live Music Adventure Brewing, 33 P
Wednesday December 10 Trivia Night Sunken Well Tavern, 6 Trivia Night with Trapper Young, 6 Open Mic @Original Grinds, 615 Ca
Thursday December 11
Christmas Trivia Strangeways Brew Wild Hare Cider & Pub, 205 William Open Mic w. Larry Hinkle, 7-10p Hi Trivia Night by BUBBA, Strangeway
Friday December 12 Small Works, all member show Art 100 Taylor St, Colonial Beach Happy "Paw"lidays, Dorothy Hart Co for residents, $6 per pup for non-r Ebeneser Scrooge Big Christmas S ladders, and lots of music and lau transformation, making it a family design. 7:30p ***Show thru Sunda
Live Music 6B&G, 1140 Internatio Red Dragon Brewery, 1419 Princess Saturday, December 13 Candlelight Tour, Historic Frederic HFFI.Org/CANDLELIGHT-TOUR. ***T
Open every Sat 7am-2pm
Rain/Shine @Hurkamp Park Now Thru-December
DAR of events
nal Pky, Crowded Minds, 7-9p
Perchwood Open Mic, Cold North, 7-
n, 9a-2 , 720 Littlepage, ern 11a-3p
ton House, 12 noon - 5 p.m. | FREE ouse, 12 noon - 4 p.m. | FREE
ng-a-long, Stage Door Productions
ls 810 Caroline Street, 2p
ng, Histtoric Courthouse, 4-6p
ociety Tis the Season for Joy Concert,
50 Landsdowne, Dave Hunter 2-5p
vern 7p, 406 Lafayette Blvd
Perchwood Open Mic, 7-9:30p
:30p, 720 Littlepage
6B&G, 7p, 1140International Pky aroline St, 7:30-10p
wing 350 Landsdowne, 6:15p
m St, Trivia Night, 7p
ghmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy
ys Brewing 350 Landsdowne, 6:45p
tist Alliance opening reception 6-9p,
ommunity Center, 5-7pm, $5 per pup residents
Show, a small cast of actors, three ughter to tell the story of Scrooge's y-friendly Christmas show, of unique y @2:30p & Dec 19-220
nal Pky, Spike, 7-930p
s Anne St, Music Trivia 7:30p
cksburg 55th Annual event, tkts at Tour thru Sunday
Sunken Well Saturday: Brunch from 9-2, 720 Littlepage
Colonial Tavern Brunch, 11a-3p 406 Lafayette Blvd
Kids Winter Market , art, food, fashion, crafts, 9a-1p Dorothy Hart Community Center
Model Railroaders Annual Christmas Train Show Operating Layouts, train kids activities 9am-5pm Eagles Lodge, 21 Cool Springs Road,
Live Music Spotsylvanians Chorus "Christmas Around the World", 3 pm & 7 pm, Riverbend High School, 12301 Spotswood Furnace Road, concerts are free with donations gratefully accepted
The Nutcracker Ballet FXBG Ballet Centre, JMHS Auditorium, 2 & 7p
Christmas by Campfire, Highmark Brewing, 390 Kings Hwy, cozy fire pits, s'mores, hot cocoa, raffles, and festive Christmas music to keep everyone warm and in the holiday spirit! , 5-8p
Live Music Sounds of the Season Chamber Chorale of 1019 Princess Anne St, 3-7p
The Christmas Story Free Walk-thru Live Nativity, 6-8p, 6052 Plank Rd
Holiday Market Open House free make-&.-take ornaments Canal Quarter Arts 11a-5p. Enjoy hot apple cider and cookies!
Live Music 6B&G, 1140 International Pky, Tennyson Dragon, 7-9:30p
Sunday December 14
Hanukkah Eve
Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern, 9a-2 , 720 Littlepage,
Bird Walk w/Lisa Benoit, Belman Campus Downtown Greens, 1360 Belman Rd,9am
Grassroots Holiday Market handmade gifts by local artisians, Hurkamp Park,12n-5p
Monday December 15
Live Music Open Mic @Colonial Tavern 7p, 406 Lafayette Blvd
Tuesday December 16
Ukulele Jamming, Fred Food CoOP Beginners, 6:30p Jam 7p 320 Emancipations Hwy
Live Music Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood Open Mic, 7-9:30p
Wednesday December 17
Santa & Mrs Claus visit FXBG, 4:30-9p today & tomorrow. Want to know when Santa will be on your street? Check out the 2025 route here: https://bit.ly/49ieRhy
Trivia Night Sunken Well Tavern, 6:30p, 720 Littlepage
Trivia Night with Trapper Young, 6B&G, 7p, 1140International Pky
Open Mic @Original Grinds, 615 Caroline St, 7:30-10p
Thursday December 18
Live Music Tinsel & Tunes, Fxbg Concert Band, JMHS , 7p
Wild Hare Cider & Pub, 205 William St, Trivia Night, 7p
Open Mic w. Larry Hinkle, 7-10p Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy
Trivia Night, Strangeways Brewing 350 Landsdowne, 6:45p
Bruce Middle Group ,m Colonial Tavern 406 Lafayette Blvd, 7:30-10:30p
Friday December 19
Live Music 6B&G, 1140 International Pky, Rocky Guttman, 7-9:30p
Red Dragon Brewery, 1419 Princess Anne St, Music Trivia 7:30p
Saturday December 20
Sunken Well Saturday: Brunch from 9-2, 720 Littlepage
Colonial Tavern Brunch, 11a=3p 406 Lafayette Blvd
Ugly Sweater Party 6B&G, 1140 International Pky, All Day
Live Music Strangeways Brewing Pop Rock Awkard Moment, 7p
Sunday December 21…Winter Begins
Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern, 9a-2 , 720 Littlepage, Sunday Brunch at the Colonial Tavern 11a-3p
Monday December 22
Live Music Open Mic @Colonial Tavern 7p, 406 Lafayette Blvd
Merry Christmas December 25
Friday December 26 Kwanza
Twilight Nature Walk, 4:30-6pm. Belman Campus Downtown Greens, 1360 Belman Rd, Sign up www.downtowngreens.org/classes-and-events
Live Music 6B&G, 1140 International Pky, Jon G 7-9:30p
Saturday December 27
Morning Nature Walk: 11a-12:30p Belman Campus Downtown Greens, 1360 Belman Rd, Sign up www.downtowngreens.org/classes-and-events
Sunken Well Saturday: Brunch from 9-2, 720 Littlepage
Live Music 6B&G, 1140 International Pky,, Brian Franke, 7-9:30p
Live Music Strangeways Brewing 350 Landsdowne, Nuns w/Guns , 7-10p
Sunday December 28
Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern, 9a-2 , 720 Littlepage, Sunday Brunch at the Colonial Tavern 11a-3p
Monday December 29
Live Music Open Mic @Colonial Tavern 7p, 406 Lafayette Blvd
New Year's Eve December 31...Wecome 2026!
Cork & Table New Year's Eve Wine Dinner
New Year Eve Party All Day, 6B&G, 1140 International Pky
If you are reading this 341th issue of FPF, thank an advertiser, now in our 29th year of continuous publication!
List your events email frntprch@aol com: subject Calendar/Events
Deadline for January 2026 issue is December 19th
Helping homeless children and families in City of Fredericksburg, Counties of Caroline, Stafford & Spotsylvania 540 371 0831
history’s stories
Chancellorville House
By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks
It became famous during the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, as Union General's Joseph Hooker's headquarters. On August 1st, 2003, the Free Lance Star did a story on eightynine-year-old Hallie Rowley Sale who was born in the rebuilt home on May 27,1914. During Christmas 1862, it was decorated for the many visitors in celebration of the recent Southern victory at Fredericksburg. No one had any idea that it would be the center of a battle in five months.
Chancellorsville was not a town, just a meeting place where five roads came together. The main road was known as the Orange Turnpike as the next town was called Orange after passing through the Wilderness, another battle ground in 1864.
The Chancellor Home was almost destroyed by fire during the battle, however, with the walls still standing the remains were rebuilt on a smaller scale. The construction of the new home was completed nine years later in 1872, by John Walzl who had purchased it in 1869. There were several Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), Union reunions there. General Hooker was a visitor in October 1876, for a reunion. In the late 1900's the property was sold several times until May 4, 1910, when A. J. Rowley purchases the home and 844 acres for a price of $8,500.00. Rowley improved the property and farmed it seventeen years. During this time, he found many relics from the battle including shells and unexploded cannon balls that he stores in the homes cellar.
On November 14, 1927, fire destroys the home for the second time leaving several brick walls standing. There was speculation and newspaper stories that blamed the fire on the storage of unexploded cannon balls and shells. It is known and relatives have said that Mr. Rowley had closed all the fireplaces and was using wood stoves as a source of heat that uses a flue system that may have been a source of the fire. One story stated that the fire started on the second floor from an oil lamp. The exact cause of the fire was never determined.
Sue Chancellor who was fourteen during the battle recalled the description as: "There were piles of legs and arms outside of the sitting room window and rows and rows of dead bodies....If anybody thinks that a battle is an orderly attack of rows of men, I can tell
them differently, for I have been there. The woods around the house were a sheet of fire; the air was filled with shot and shell; horses were running, rearing and screaming; the men, a mass of confusion, moaning, cursing and praying."
One interesting fact that I have known is that the novel Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane published in 1895, is based on the battle of Chancellorsville. Audie Murphy WWII Medal of Honor winner was the main actor in the movie.
In 1922, W L Bond a local druggist, published a postcard of the Chancellor house with Hallie Rowley (1914-2006) on the front porch.
On November 19, 1927, the FreeLane Star had a story about a painting of the Chancellorsville House that was done by Theodore Miller of Matthews Courthouse who shipped the painting on November 13th, the day before the home was destroyed by fire. Mr. Miller was a past resident of Fredericksburg and had painted the home from memory and had approval of the late George Chancellor upon the painting's competition.
In 1947, the remains of the walls that burned in 1927, fall during high winds.
In 1966, the Rowley heirs sell the property to Ralph England who clears the ruins of all the debris from the fire.
In 1973, the National Park Service acquired Chancellorsville property with the assistance of the Civil War Trust. The Chancellorsville Visitor Center operated by the National Park Service has an excellent display and rendition of the battlefield and is well worth the visit.
Merry Christmas & Happy 2026
Prayers for Anne
Dedicated To: Nancy Withers, Hank Lynd, H B Anderson, Sanford Johnson, & Carl Springer
OUR HERITAGE holiday tour tells america’s founding
Burns says.
On December 13-14, that era will come alive at the Lewis Store and other historic sites during Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Inc ' s annual Candlelight Tour
Buying cannon and ammunition via his trans-Atlantic network, Lewis converted his ships for military use and bought others. He sent the Dragon, Defiance, Hornet, Adventure, Rappahannock, and Patsey to harass the British and defend Virginians on Tidewater rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
Lewis also networked with other rebels across the 13 colonies, adjudicated legal cases as the
A block from the Rappahannock River, an old brick shop on Caroline Street testifies to the turbulence of the American Revolution.
From here and his nearby home Kenmore, Fredericksburg trader Fielding Lewis sent his shipping fleet into war, armed Washington's Continental Army and helped raise Virginia regiments. He and his friend and neighbor Charles Dick built the Fredericksburg Gun Manufactory , America's first such government- backed factory, to supply Virginia troops with muskets.
Those were among the momentous days that "transformed subjects into citizens," filmmaker Ken
town's justice of the peace, and aided the poor as a vestryman at St George's Church "He sacrificed nearly everything he possessed to see his dream of American independence from Britain rule become a reality," local historian Malanna Henderson writes.
The revolution financially ruined Lewis and Dick, who died in 1781 and 1783, respectively. Virginia didn't repay them for operating one of the Revolutionary War's premier gun works.
Other locals did their part, too. Mary Washington's son George led the Continental Army against the greatest army on earth. General George Weedon
By clint schemmer
received the British surrender at Yorktown.
Dr Hugh Mercer, another Lewis neighbor, gave his life in 1777 at the Battle of Princeton, where Washington snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
At Christmas, days before that fight, 18-year-old Lt James Monroe was wounded as he charged Hessian mercenaries in the Battle of Trenton; he bore the bullet the rest of his life. Later, Monroe practiced law in Fredericksburg. He and Washington were the only two U.S. presidents to fight in the Revolution.
On this season's HFFI tour, step inside six 18th-ccentury sites, learn from interpreters and enjoy holiday decor as Fredericksburg commemorates America's 250th birthday Experts from the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society, the Continental Line's 1st Virginia Regiment, and area historical groups will
transport ticketholders back in time. Docents will describe other sites on Fredericksburg's Colonial landscape, including the Market House and Square, the courthouse, taverns, and graveyards where revolutionaries rest.
Tours take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. They cost $35 for HFFI members and $40 for non-members; children under 12 go free. Visit hffi.org/events or call 540-371-4504 to save your seat.
At 6 p.m. Saturday, special-ticket holders can enjoy a cocktail party with Colonial entertainment at the Fredericksburg Country Club; tour and party are $75.
To purchase tickets and learn more, visit www.hffi.org/candlelight-tour.
Clint Schemmer is a retired Free Lance-Star editor and writer.
Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc., rescued this 1785 silversmith's dwelling from demolition It now houses the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts
During the Revolutionary War, the Lewis Store was the hub of a rebel shipping empire that battled with the British navy
Mental Health
holiday evolution
By karen kallay
I actually look forward to the early winter holidays now that my family is grown, I'm retired, I know myself better, and I'm more realistic. I'm going to write about that in hopes that some of you will gain from it some confirmation of similar peace and happiness in your own lives.
What a contrast! As a college student home for two weeks and facing due dates and semester tests when I returned to school, I mostly studied and wrote and missed high school friends who were no longer around.
As a young mother I felt responsible for ensuring that everyone in my family would have a magic and memorable season That included keeping track of all the gifts that were for our children that I had been stashing like a squirrel in the last few months and keeping track of which were from which distant relative. It included lots of decorating our home, inside and out, and preparing special traditional foods. It included finding, hiring and preparing a "Santa" who would show up on the evening of December 6, St. Nicholas Day, with a bag of gifts…only delivered after each child had been knowingly questioned about their behavior… and hoping he wouldn't be too drunk to show up and do his bit!
Time changes things. Aspects of the "Women's Movement" gradually had their way with me. I wasn't responsible for everything! I could decline opportunities without needing to give a reason. I could enjoy an event knowing that I could find a quiet place or leave when I needed to. I didn't have to provide scintillating conversation; I could mostly listen and learn a lot.
I began to share responsibility with others for their possibly having a good time during the holidays. Worn out decorations might be replaced with something a family member made…or might not. Presents became more about fun discussions of what individuals' druthers and hobbies called for. We more fully realized how saturated our environment was with marketing of stuff that promised to make us and the holidays magic.
Also each of us became more aware of how quickly we can become tired in social settings. Some of us could rev up for a while and be truly glad for the sharing, but then a point would come when we badly wanted more quiet. We happened to be a family of what would be called introverts, some more so than others.
I also had to learn to make peace with a big shift from having a thoroughly Christian view of the holidays as a young child. It became what is now mostly a view of religion as an inevitable cultural product that has taken many forms across the centuries and continents, with wonderful and tragic benefits and everything in between. For a while, whenever I heard traditional Christian music, I would feel alienation. Years later that same music would again give me memories of serenity and magic. I think I will always feel slightly transported when I'm in a group of people in the dark carrying lit candles and perhaps singing the old songs.
I used to send out dozens of holiday cards every December. Now I regularly see local family and friends anyway and I write or phone the people who are distant and who have been
significant in my life in some way. I still occasionally need to remind myself that now the only considerations about long distance phone calls are time zones, not cost. And in late December many people have more free time.
During the holidays I have a stronger wish to include immigrant friends. I married one many years ago and I have heard the stories of the desperation, fear, loneliness, hope and courage that are often involved. Since I have a mental illness I also want to be sure during the holidays to connect with my peers who continue to courageously improve their lives and are in various stages of recovery.
Holidays coming? I've found my role. Bring it on!
Karen Kallay lives in Fredericksburg and volunteers as Community Liaison for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Rappahannock affiliate. She welcomes comments, questions, and column suggestions at kkallay@namirapp.org.
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental illness through education, support and advocacy
I was less in fear of my cardiologist with his scary catheter, than the nurse coming at my crotch with her razor - but both were necessities for the cardiac ablation I was getting to stop further episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF)
Even though I had only a relatively short-lived episode of AF in the past and it had corrected with cardioversion - where you zap the heart back into normal rhythm with an electric shock - cardiologist/electrophysiologist Hakeem Ayinde MD persuaded me ablation would be a smart move. He echoed Schwarzenegger. "It'll be back."
Disease Du Jour
Atrial fibrillation is where the normal, orderly contraction of the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) becomes chaotic. This causes the heartbeat to become irregular. The most serious complication is formation of blood clots that can float off to your cerebral arteries and cause a stroke.
AF seems to have become something of a disease du jour - or I seem to come across an ever-increasing number of people diagnosed with it.
On the internet the prevalence is reported as 4.6% at age 70, but I'm skeptical this is an undercount. Taking an informal survey of the old farts in our coffee "Klatsch" about half seem to have had it.
Prior to my diagnosis I would listen sympathetically to other Klatsch members
laments about their AF and other heart problems during what we call "the organ recital."
I always felt a little smug. "Nothing wrong with my heart" I would say to myself. But when got back from a long overseas trip last spring, I was fibrillating.
So it was that I was laying on a gurney in the prep' room of the Mary Washington Electrophysiology Lab, stark naked, stuck with IV's, and plastered with electrodes, and the nurse shaving my nether regions - feeling just a little bit vulnerable (and listening to the somewhat bazar intermittent playing of 'Baba Blacksheep' over the PA every time a baby was born in the nursery, the nurses explained)
Then it was down to the lab proper where the team, headed by Ayinde fed the long flexible catheter up my femoral vein puncturing my atrial septum, into the left atrium.
After some sophisticated mapping of the "wiring" around the root of my pulmonary vein (the most likely place for ectopic foci of electrical activity to develop), the ablation is done to form scar tissue to interrupt any aberrant circuits with radiofrequency to heat or cryoprobe to freeze.
A Stitch in Time
The increasing prevalence of AF seems to be partly from improved
By Patrick Neustatter, MD
recognition. But also, a true increase as part-and-parcel of living longer when we tend to develop those pathologies of old age like high blood pressure and coronary artery disease that lead to AF.
A crucial part of management is stroke prevention with blood thinners/anticoagulants. Drugs like Eliquis (apixaban), which everyone I know seems to be taking these days.
Of course, if you are like me and don't have prescription coverage there is the danger of a heart attack from sticker shock - I got the text from Wal-Mart notifying me "your prescription is ready." It also casually mentioned it would be $606 for a month's supply
Luckily, I was able to fandangle some samples and not contribute to Bristol-Myers and Squibb's total of $117 billion they have made from sales of Eliquis.
The cheaper, and preferable management is to dial down the risk of getting AF by doing all those things that hopefully your doctor is fussing at you about - treat your blood pressure, exercise, get enough sleep, avoid, or moderate, alcohol, caffeine, and stress
I guess I'm like my patients and have trouble leading a disciplined life. Tend to live by that cynical doctor's maxim "do as I say, not as I do" and should be grateful for the wonders of modern cardiology, and Hakeem Ayinde taking me in hand.
Patrick Neustatter, MD is the Former Medical Director Lloyd Moss Free clinic, & Author of Managing Your DoctorThe Smart Patient's Guide to Getting Effective Affordable Healthcare. Website managingyourdoctor.com
Twas the Night santa came to town
By Ralph “Tuffy” hicks
Santa Claus is the wellknown patron of Christmas throughout the United States and many other countries. He is well known for bringing gifts to children. The image of Santa is associated with the fourth century Saint Nicholas, who is in the red robes of early bishops. The Dutch are given credit for bringing the legend of Saint Nicholas to New York City along with gift giving. Santa Claus is known as Father Christmas in many European countries.
The current image of the Merry Old Santa Claus goes back to the time of the Civil War when in 1863 Thomas Nast drew the image for a poem entitled "Twas the Night Before Christmas". Santa, if you happen to see him, has a large white beard and is dressed in a red suit with a wide black belt, white fur trim and a red cap and black boots. Santa is ageless if children ask, "why does Santa not get old"?
Santa lives at the North Pole with his wife and elves who spend their time making toys. He receives thousands of letters from children asking for personal gifts. On the 24th of December he loads his sleigh and flies around the world, drawn by his reindeer. He stops at each home and leaves presents for each child.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL"
August 26, 1774
Had I awoken, or just drifted off? Or am I in some cognitive limbo? The last thing I remember is standing in front of the Rising Sun Tavern on my morning stroll down Caroline Street. But something is different. It is now evening and as I stare at the flickering candlelight through the tavern window, I am greeted from the porch. A stately gentleman introduces himself as Charles. He beckons me inside and offers a tankard of ale. "Join us," he says. As I sit at the rough-hewn table, Charles Washington continues his discussion with the others. I listen in disbelief. I suddenly realize I am involved in a debate denouncing King George with plans for a united revolt along with the other colonies.
I am immediately overcome with a premonition that I do not belong here, and I thank Charles for his hospitality. I ask him if he knows of a local physician, as I have been afflicted lately with rheumatism. Back on the cobbled street, he points down the road and says, "Go see
Dr. Mercer. Hugh is a good friend of mine and my brother George. I am certain he will be able to help with your ailment.
On the corner of Caroline and Amelia Street, beneath the shutters of Hugh Mercer's Apothecary, I detect a pleasant aroma emanating from his medicinal herb garden. As I approach the front door, a frantic woman carrying her comatose child rushes past. I hear a startled Dr. Mercer exclaim, "Abigail, why your panicked state?"
"His fever has risen, Doctor. Please help," cried Abigail. With calm and confidence, he crafted a tonic from select botanicals. He whispered an incantation
Porch Light a walk in the past
By gary caparelli
of healing and administered his concoction. Before my very eyes, the child responded.
August 26, 2025
Whether it was the shock of what I had just witnessed or the loud blast of a truck horn, I'm not certain, but here I find myself standing on a bustling street corner staring at the front door of a museum. Hours: 10 am to 4pm.
I smile as I realize what just happened. Of course- here I am in the center of historic Fredericksburg, A CITY WHERE THE PRESENT OFTEN WALKS IN THE SHADOW OF THE PAST.
Whenever I pass by a home with a dated brass plaque, imagination takes hold. I envision the presence of those who have walked these same roads long ago. Imnagination, for me, is my transport to another time.
I am now old enough to appreciate history. Those years have engendered in me an Inspiration, Imagination and Insatiable desire to immerse myself in the one city that has truly and uniquely experienced the ebb and flow of American history.
In retirement, perhaps I might apply for the position of "Docent of Caroline Street" I think I would like that!
Gary Caparelli currently lives in Long Island, NY, but has visited family in Fredericksburg for many years. Recently retired he is in the process of transitioning to the ‘Burg and hopes to join HFFI
Art in the Burg
Art Galleries in December
“Tis the Season”
All Member Show
Opening Reception December 5, 6-99p
Art First Gallery 824 Caroline St
The artists of the Gallery have collated an amazing exhibition for December -- all to celebrate the theme "Tis the Season." Indeed, it is! Christmas is here. Join the artists and make it just that more special. Merry Christmas to all from Art First Gallery!
Gary Close
Canal Quarter Arts
Art Fusion, December 5 & Dec 13
1517 Princess Anne St
First Friday we will offer walk-ins an opportunity to make a fused glass ornament starting at 4-8p. Dec 13 Holiday Open House free make-and-take ornaments ~Jeannie Ellis
An evening with the Art of Kuzma
First Friday, December 5 , 5-9 9 pm At Studio B, 509 Jackson Street
Showcasing Steve's work of a decade featuring landscape and other prolific paintings. See pg 3
"Holiday Treasures"
All-MMember Show
Opening Reception: Fri Dec 5, 6-99pm
Artful Dimensions Gallery
1025 Caroline
The season is here, Upon us so fast.
The leaves have just fallen, The colors won't last. They will be replaced With sparkle, green, and red. Beautifully wrapped presents, And cards to be read.
So, make someone happy, And celebrate joy. But your gifts local, Whether for girl or for boy!
~Sally Cooney Anderson
Small Works, All Member
Artist Alliance at Jarrett Thor Fine Arts
Opening Reception Dec 12, 6-99p
100 Taylor St , Suite 101, Colonial Beach
A myriad of subjects and approaches displayed each in a small package (maximum size is 12 x 12). Just at the right time for a Christmas giving these smaller works will provide options to own a one-of-a-kind pieces
~Rob Rudick
Gift of Art, All Members Brush Strokes Gallery
Opening Reception , First Friday December 5, 1, 5-99p 824 Caroline St
.Holiday season is fast approaching and Brush Strokes Gallery has varied art to consider for your gift giving. 8x8 art and other selections throughout the gallery.
Kimberly Zook's colorful "Worlds Within" mixed media art would look great on a wall. Lois Baird's "Early Autumn Morning" depicts a peaceful respite. Midge Dreelin's "Looking Up" abstract acrylic is in beautiful shades of blue. "Fig Harvest" Norma Woodward's framed photograph celebrates food. Penny A Parrish's photo on canvas "Red Car Malecon" reminds us of the thrill in a road trip.
Ron Perkins' "Blue Pair" is a duo of lovely birds. Stacy Gerise 's monochromatic photograph "FXBG Canal Path" is an image of a local treasured walking trail. Valerie McCarney's "Cold After the Snowstorm" painting reminds us of the beauty of winter. "Spider Umu" a Sumi-e by Carol Waite is an outstanding floral and "Shattukite in Copper" jewelry was created by Tracey Brinckman
Don't miss the hand-crafted jewelry by Liana Pivirotto, watercolors from Beverley Coates, charcoal drawings by Carol Haynes, glasswork by Lisa Gillen and paintings by Collette Caprara, Celena Polena and Jo Ann Meredith
Be sure to stop by and shop our Holiday Gift Table. There are many pieces of original art including Ornaments, Cards, Mini-paintings, and so much more! Stop in and pick up something "made with love" to give to someone special this holiday season
Norma McGehee Woodward
~-
Street Studios Holiday Open House, open at 10a, refreshments 6-88:30p, 1104 Sophia ST
A varierty of one-of-a-kind fine handvrafts, including distinctive pottery, paintings, stained glass, jewelry, metal arts and unique gifts from Annie Harpe, Kathleen Walsh, Janey Harrington, Kris Taylor, Catherine Hillis, Kathryn Murray, Ronan Peterson, Vicki Bruner, Noelle & Eric Van Hendrick, Ninika Gordon Lisa Zolandz, Denise Henning, Peggy Marshall, Trista Chapman & more
Sophia
Canal Path December Snow
Stacy Gerise@ BSG
Works By Beverley Coates
Artful Dimensions
“Cardnial Visitor” Judy Green@ Art First
“Overlook”, Kathryn Murray @Artist Alliance
Make Fused Glass Ornaments @Canal Quarter Arts
Spotlight
Spotsylvanians chorus
The Spotsylvanians Chorus invites community members to join them for a concert of Christmas music from around the world on Saturday, December 13, 2025. There are two concerts, at 3pm and 7pm at Riverbend High School, 12301 Spotswood Furnace Road, Fredericksburg. The concerts are free with donations gratefully accepted.
Christmas Around the World
Special guests the Step VA All Abilities Chorus will join the Spotsylvanians at the 3pm performance. In addition to the concert, bid on unique gifts at the Spotsylvanians silent auction and purchase a loaf of their tasty Christmas breadspumpkin, eggnog, and banana.
The Spotsylvanians Chorus is an awardwinning, energetic and dynamic community chorus. The chorus is a premier leader in the field of choral music entertainment.
If you are interested in choral music and love to sing you are invited to join the Spotsylvanians. Singers are acepted from Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg
and the surrounding counties, age 12 and up.Visit website: spotsylvania.va.us or on facebook
"Christmas Around the World" Spotsylvanians Chorus Saturday, December 13
Two concerts: at 3 pm and 7 pm Riverbend High School, 12301 Spotswood Furnace Road, FXBG
Celebration of Life Concert joe langiu 1980-2025
Joe Langiu, 44, guitarist for local rock band Unsung, passed away suddenly on October 23. He had been like a brother to the band members and was known for supporting other local talent, helping out with sound engineering, designing flyers or just cheering them on. When the band
members heard the news about Langiu, they knew they had to step in to help his wife and two daughters.
The bandmates of Unsung are hosting a benefit dedicated to the Langiu family, donating all the proceeds from the show to help them. The community is invited to join them at Strangeways Brewing in Fredericksburg from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.
Guests will also be able to purchase raffle tickets, buy band merchandise and contribute donations for the family at the show.
"We're all devastated by Joe's passing," said Ben Williamson, bass player for Unsung. "Joe was always a positive presence as a bandmate and friend, and
by lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy
his warmth and kindness to everybody he met will always be remembered. We want to honor him and his family with a great performance and donate all of the proceeds to help them at this difficult time."
Langiu served in the United States Marine Corps for 12 years. His duty assignments included Iraq and the Pentagon. He went on to a successful career in information technology in the Fredericksburg/Quantico area.
An active member of the Fredericksburg music scene, Langiu played with several bands over the years. He could always be counted on to lend a helping hand.
Unsung will perform with special guest guitarist Zack Guy from the band Unchained, as well as some of Langiu's former bandmates. Strangeways Brewing is located at 350 Lansdowne Road in Fredericksburg
Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy is a Administrative Assistant at Stafford High School
Unsung Benefit Concert
For Joe Langiu Strangeways Brewing in Fredericksburg
6 p m to 11 p m Saturday, December 6
lenoraKruk-Mullanaphy
Rhys Johnson, of Fredericksburg, could have asked for Lego sets, action figures or board games for his ninth birthday, but he wasn't interested in receiving gifts for the celebration. His mom, Shannon, planned his October birthday at Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) with a Puppy Pawty, and Rhys had other gifts in mind. He invited a host of friends and asked them to bring donations for the rescue dogs at ODHS instead. The guests' response was so generous that Rhys was surrounded by an assortment of donations that stood in piles.
Guests brought items, such as cans of pumpkin, jars of peanut butter, treats, cleaning supplies, leashes and towels for the dogs. These were gifts that the residents at ODHS were in need of, especially because the organization is a nonprofit led entirely by volunteers and depends on donations from the community. The rescues at ODHS arrive from a variety of situations, including
owner surrenders due to a move, loss of a job or the person passing away. They are also pulled from shelters where they would otherwise have been euthanized and saved from severe neglect cases.
"I love puppies, and my mom told me all about the parties at ODHS," said Johnson, a third grader. "I wanted the puppies to have 'stuff' instead of presents for me. They need more than I do, because I already have a home."
Johnson is no stranger to helping four-legged pups in need--one of his best friends is Kylo, a rescue.
Shannon Johnson, Rhys's mom, said she's proud of her young son for wanting to have his party at ODHS and requesting gifts for the pups instead
of him," she said.
A popular and unique way to celebrate birthdays, team building events and special occasions, a Puppy Pawty is the perfect way to mark the date and help dogs that need care and forever families. By booking a two-hour Puppy Pawty, which is supervised by volunteers, guests will enjoy an hour of playing and cuddling with the puppies.
The Fur-BBulous Pawty includes space for a maximum of 40 people, tables, chairs, puppy playtime and assistance from two volunteers. The Ulti-MMutt Pawty is comprised of everything in the FurBulous Pawty plus an Adopt Me stuffed animal party favor and a Pup-aarazzi Photo Station
With the holidays right around the corner, ODHS has a gift idea that's sure to be a hit. Puppy Pawty gift certificates are available at the facility during adoption events. Good for one "Fur-Bulous Pawty," the $250 gift certificate is a present that will be meaningful for children and adults.
Hosting a Puppy Pawty at ODHS helps the rescue care for its many dogs with medications, vaccinations, microchipping, food, bedding and more.
Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy is a Public Relations Professional & a ODHS volunteer Old Dominion Humane Society is here to provide well-mmatched, permanent homes for animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education ODHS is located at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg www olddominionhumanesociety org
of for himself. "He's a fortunate kid, and the fact that he's willing to share makes his family proud
Rhys Johnson Birthday Party at ODHS
THE THE POETRY MAN POETRY MAN
By Frank Fratoe
Born in Starlight Born in Starlight
It is never too late to know that our breath drawn everyday has risen from dust and fire exuding a long-lived presence found in the stars of winter.
And we should go on striving even if some doubt our faith uncertain to regard a legacy whose paragon taught us hope when his mercy conquered fear.
Now a divine-joy heartens us from the aura where galaxies give birth anew, as they glow and enrich our inmost spirit for we are Children of Light..
Astrology & You Astrology & alchemy
One night in 1861, German chemist Friedrich August Kekulé had a dream. He saw a snake eating its own tail, an Ouroboros. This led to his discovery of the closed-circle "Kekulé structure of Benzene," a chemical compound.
Symbolically, the left side of the body is the feminine. Like the ouroboros, the astrological wheel moves in a counterclockwise motion toward the left. Our cosmic cycles of time and seasons spiral inward. Time does not move toward any particular point, but rather it folds in on itself endlessly. The ouroboros is about 3,400 years old, finding its roots in 14th century ancient Egypt. Symbolizing the cyclical nature of life, death, and the seasons, it is a clear representation of the true nature of time- ever unfolding.
Let's go back to Kekulé for a moment. What is the force that sent him the dream? The rhythm of the mother, of the stars, ripples out into the pool of our collective unconscious. The universe nudges us along through dreams, experiences, and synchronicities.
This force, I believe, is the same energy that impacts us astrologically. The universe is alive, earth being just another atom floating within her body. Our intuition is her bodily cues, our consciousness is integral to the ecosystem of the cosmos
Astrology is intrinsically intertwined with alchemy. The changing of the seasons, the macrocosmic movement of the planets, the force that pumps blood through our veins, it's all elemental. Where the exploratory nature of Sagittarius is the flame of optimism facing toward far away lands, Capricorn is the cold ground of the physical within & on which that fire exists.
By ember mercury
The planetary rulers of Sagittarius and Capricorn are Jupiter and Saturn, respectively. Jupiter brings luck to the expansive endeavors of Sagittarius. Saturn grounds that expansion in concrete order.
The full moon in Taurus on December 4th will bring some much appreciated Venusian energy to our emotional world. This is a time to ground yourself Indulge your senses, don't be afraid to feel, for the water of the Moon will make the soil of Taurus fertile for new growth. This full moon invites us to sit with the swirl of emotions coming up during this transitional period from Autumn to Winter. It asks us to ground our inner world via comfort and the senses, to let go of any emotional resistance to change. The Taurus Full Moon prepares our emotional bandwidth for the New Moon in Capricorn on the 19th & Sun in Capricorn on the 21st (the Winter Solstice )
With the Mercury retrograde shadow period finally ending on December 16th, our communication and technology will run into fewer obstacles, just in time for Capricorn's refinement. Capricorn insulates and cultivates the flame lit during Sagittarius season. The sea goat gives the flame direction, bringing the centaur archer back down to earth by practically analyzing the lessons learned, & preparing for the future. The New Moon in Capricorn aligns our emotions with our earthly pursuits, while the Sun's movement into Capricorn sheds light on
what those goals actually entail, and how we may achieve them. With the New Year and Aquarius Season peeking around the corner, we ground ourselves in structure using Capricorn's top down approach to make sense of what we have learned from the curious, albeit scattered Sagittarius energy. This prepares us for the mysteries that lie just beyond the horizon of time.
The Holidays act as a liminal point in the year, up until the new year, we are scrambling for meaning in the cold dark abyss of 5pm sunsets and 50 degree temperature drops. Many find meaning in gift giving, some find it in a new year health kick, others find that glimmer of hope in something that cannot be measured: presence. It requires wisdom to be truly still during this time, amidst the bustle and resistance. To feel the cold wind on your face, and to smile because of it.
We are birthed from the dark into the light, and from the light we depart back into the dark, rising up toward the light. Like the ouroboros, we cycle through time and space, finding ourselves over and over again. The great dance of remembrance.
Ember Mercury is a singer/songwriter, mystic, photographer, & writer based in Virginia. Find her on Instagram @embermercury | embermercury.com
Painting: "Dream Library" by Malene Reynolds Laugesen
Frank Fratoe writes poetry from the heart
Fredericksburg Sketches
A visual Celebration of our community
By Paula Raudenbush
Washington Avenue & Fauquier Street
My sketch for this month is a house on Washington Avenue. This town is full of interesting architecture, but sometimes I'm drawn to a vernacular structure. With its picket fence and a smattering of gingerbread trim, this house looks more like a simple, country farmhouse than many of the larger homes on Washington Avenue.
The day I sketched it, I was mostly looking for shadows, which can be tricky because they are constantly changing. I will sometimes take a photo when I feel the shadows are right, then use that as a reference when painting them in.
Don't forget to ask Santa for a nice sketching kit so you can join us. Wishing you all a calm, enjoyable holiday however you celebrate.
Paula Raudenbush is the founder of the local chapter of the Urban Sketchers International. She shows her work at Libertytown Arts Workshop
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue good homes for good dogs
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue (VGSR) steps up to find good homes for good dogs. Since their inception in 2001, they have found good homes for over 5000 dogs. The German Shepherd breed is famous for being intelligent, loyal, and hardworking. While they can come across as aloof to strangers, they are known to be wonderful family dogs German Shepherds are in need of rescue due to numerous reasons like being left in shelters, their owner may need to surrender them due to moving, illness, divorce, or death, etc.; or the dogs are victims of abuse or neglect.
VGSR, a 501(c)(3) non-pprofit, all volunteer organization, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-hhoming of German Shepherds . They facilitate adoption of German Shepherds to loving,
responsible and secure homes, typically, in Virginia and the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., area. One of the ways they use to help find good homes is through sponsoring rescue events in various locations around Virginia. In the Fredericksburg area, the event is at the PetSmart location on Carl D. Silver Parkway. I stopped by their November event (shown in picture) to see the dogs. The VGSR event description says "our dogs always love ear scratches and belly rubs!". I was able to scratch a few ears. The VGSR website, www.vgsr.org, is where to find more information about this organization.
Thankfully there are people stepping up to volunteer. VGSR averages about 300 volunteers at any one given time. A chance encounter with an old friend in Costco resulted in the inspiration for this article. This friend is Herbert Tate of Caroline County. His VGSR volunteer service started in 2011. His sister, Nancy, who worked with the Humane Society at the time brought VGSR to his attention. His volunteer service now includes serving as the VGSR president. Through his volunteer service, he has helped facilitate over 700 adoptions. He is pictured with Cody, a German Shepherd who found a good home in 2013. This picture depicts a bond. The affinity for the German Shepherd breed started early in his life. On his family's farm, he remembers while growing up they had a German Shepherd named King. At the present time, Herbert fosters thirty or more dogs at one time until their adoption. This love for animals was shared by his family. His sister, Nancy, who was
By mary beth geil
the catalyst for Herbert's VGSR participation was also a VGSR volunteer. Nancy passed away in August this year. She set a good example for others through her love and care for animals. This article honors her memory by publication this month, as she had a December birthday. The first sentence of her obituary reads: "Nancy was an avid animal lover and worked tirelessly to rescue and find homes for an untold number of dogs and cats in her lifetime." I imagine she is now volunteering as a rainbow bridge greeter.
Per an article entitled 5 Health Benefits of Volunteering at an Animal Rescue on
be a rewarding experience."
When I chose this topic for an article, I thought I had shifted gears in my focus of wellness and healing. However, it is apparent to me now that animal rescue is an activity that is therapeutic and healing.
Mary Beth lives in Spotsylvania County She plans to continue writing articles. Stay tuned for what strikes her fancy next.
www.ahealthiermichigan.org/, "The joy and affection that animals bring can cheer you up, calm you down, and keep your attention focused on the moment. Not everyone can have a pet at home, and even if you do, you may find volunteering at a local animal rescue to
VGSR Rescue Event
Second Saturday of the month 11AM to 2PM, PetSmart, Carl D Silver Pkwy shepherdrescue org; facebook:VAGSR
Herbert Tate with Cody
