Front Porch Fredericksburg April 2024

contents

closeups

14alan “mo” marsh mo city soup

25mike rodriguez old man vinyl records

31jordan carpenter 1000 point club

Porch talk

4 on the porch...life in fredericksburg messages

5FOR summer camp @crow’s nest

6 come grow with us...iris society 40th anniversary

7everything green: by the numbers

8In the Garden: lovely but early

9growing & crawling: harmlessly horrifying

10 fxbg brunch spots

12tidbits...small bites of local news

13 season’s bounty: french quarter

15vino: spring has sprung

16-17Calendar of Events

18history’s stories: 1823 fxbg commerce

19 sustainable living through preservation

20mental health: breaking g cycle of depression

21 Emancipated patients: pain control without meds

22

24art in the burg ...galleries in April

26auto known better: L7

27 Earth Day 2024 Finding Hope

28companions: amanda plaughter

29astrology & you poetryman: before dawn

30fredericksburg sketches

...And More!

3 bruce davis: a legacy of leadership

11 Gourmet Soda Fountain: sippn’ pop sisters

22 cuba: cars, colors, challenges

Cover: “Jack” by Lois Rose

Bruce Davis

A Legacy of Leadership and Community Service

Meet Bruce Davis, a business leader and role model within the Fredericksburg community. Bruce has lifelong experience spanning from his time working with the Michigan State Senate as an undergraduate to retiring in February 2024 as the Germanna Educational Foundation Leader Bruce's dedication to service and his innate sense of business is what has allowed the organizations he associates himself with to thrive.

As an undergraduate at Michigan State University, Bruce earned an internship with State Senator John Hertel Through working with the State Senator, Bruce became connected with E & J Gallo Winery, where he worked for them as a distributor for 10 years. He recalls taking the job with them as, "One of the best things I ever did," and describes the marketing and sales training they provided him as, "world class." Bruce also had the opportunity to travel in his time with E. & J. Gallo Winery and spent two years living in Japan.

After relocating back to the States, Bruce took the opportunity to move to Northern Virginia, a place he had always admired since visiting our nation's capital when he was in high school.

Bruce left E. & J. Gallo Winery after 10 years and became involved with a beverage distributor called Freeman Beverage He owned a share of the Fredericksburg based business and worked there for 22 years as a partner before selling the multimillion-dollar company in 2010 and retiring for the first time in his life.

Bruce started working with Germanna Community College in the early 2000s as an Educational Foundation Board member.

"Almost every employee I had [at Freeman Beverage] had something to do with Germanna," he said. "Either they went there, had a kid there or a spouse that went there… it was some kind of connection."

Bruce had consistently been a member of the Board since then, before being promoted as the Special Assistant to the President for I n s t i t u t i o n a l Advancement in 2018, which gave him the rank to sit on the president's cabinet. He would work with the cabinet and then relay that information to the Board so they could work to help make improvements for Germanna. Under Bruce's leadership, The Foundation's total assets grew by 500 percent to just under 30 million.

By Dayton Keffer

February 2024, he is still heavily involved with the college and with other organizations in the Fredericksburg area.

Of his time at Germanna, Bruce claims, "[The institution] is extremely well run, [the] cabinet, faculty and staff are very dedicated to making sure students are successful." He recalls his proudest achievement as, " The Foundation's purchase of two office buildings in North Stafford to be remodeled into labs and classrooms, enabling Germanna to double the number of nursing, allied health degrees, and certificates and to more than double the number of IT and cybersecurity graduates."

Although Bruce recently retired from his cabinet position at Germanna in

Currently, Bruce is an active board member for Gwyneth's Gift Foundation Gwyneth's Gift Foundation is a local non-profit with a mission to raise awareness of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in case of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

"[I like] getting involved with small worthwhile organizations when they are still young… and helping them grow and get their 'sea legs," Bruce said. "If Gwyneth's Gift can save a life, before they get to the emergency room, because their program trained someone with all the proper procedures [of Hands-Only CPR and AED administration] then that is worth it."

As Bruce looks to the future, he is most excited to travel and play golf, in the time he is not also serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for M ary Washington Healthcare or as a member of the Board of Trustees for Historic Germanna It seems that although Bruce has finally retired, his dedication to helping the community has not.

For more information about Gwyneth's Gift Foundation and their services, please visit their website at www.gwynethsgift.org.

Dayton Keffer is the Communications Intern for Gwyneth's Gift Foundation

Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Rita Allan

Sally Cooney Anderson

Dianne BachmanJack Bulmer

Sam CahillSonja Cantu

Collette CapraraGary Close

Damon DevineJanet Douberly

Archer Di PeppeJeannie Ellis

Frank FratoeBill Freehling

Kathleen HarriganStephen Hu Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

Dayton KefferNancy Kelly

David C. KennedyRay Mikula Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy

Vanessa Moncure Pete Morelewicz

Adriana T. MossPatrick Neustatter

Penny A ParrishM.L. Powers

Paula RaudenbushPat Ritchie

Lois RoseRob Rudick

Margaret Sanford

Mandy SmithRim 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 2024

Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine All rights reserved.

ON THE PORCH a meaningful community

By lenora kruk-mullanaphy

When my family moved to Fredericksburg 16 years ago, we didn't know anybody. Our two children were in elementary school, my husband traveled for work and I wrote from home. How would we become part of the community and feel like this was home?

It didn't take long to realize this was a community more inviting than many others where we ' ve lived There were many volunteer opportunities with organizations in the area. Finding something you believe in, having the desire to help and filling a necessary role was a great way to immerse ourselves in our new community.

I picked up a copy of the Front Porch, which was a welcome guide to what was happening in the area. In it, there was a piece about Mental Health America of Fredericksburg . Its Senior Visitors Program promotes independence and social connections for isolated seniors by matching them with volunteers who visit weekly. I was fortunate to have been paired with a woman who had a love of life and many stories to share. When she moved to an assisted living setting, we'd continue our visits and talk about everything. A young woman, who was mostly housebound because of her many medical problems, including Spina bifida, requested volunteer visitors. My children and I met her, and from that first visit we began a friendship that lasted until she passed away. She inspired us more than she'll ever know. Her best friend was her dog, and the love and companionship between the two was something everybody should experience. In spite of her medical issues, she had a witty sense of humor and kept us laughing. Some of my best times were on road trips with her, where we-and her dog-would travel to doctor appointments. We called ourselves "Thelma and Louise" and talked about our lives, let down our guard and shared problems and insecurities.

When a friend told me about Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS ), a rescue for dogs that have been neglected, mistreated and hoarded, I wanted to help. ODHS is a no-kill, nonprofit organization that nurtures rescues until they find homes. ODHS Founder Chrissy Blake encourages volunteers to jump right in and do as little or as much as they liked.

I found my niche cleaning the

facility, and soon my family joined me. It became our Sunday morning ritual, and now there's a Sunday Cleaning Crew consisting of nearly a dozen compassionate volunteers who show up and work hard to do their part in making the dogs' lives just a little bit better.

Every week, rain or shine, the ODHS Sunday Hiking Crew the public is invited-gather at 8:30 a.m. to take the dogs on nearby trails and get them out of kennels for exercise. The hikers, many of them who'd never met before, become friends and return weekly for more friendly conversation, a brisk hike and the most important gift they can give-the attention of caring humans and the chance for a lonely, scared dog to be outside among other four-legged friends.

There's no age limit on volunteering. ODHS volunteer Amanda Plaugher, 15, is responsible for planning all the "Puppy Pawties," where birthday parties and other events feature the pups. Volunteer Jenny Lester's grandmother, 95, knits blankets for the puppies.

I work at Stafford High School, where students visit my office and check out the pictures of rescue dogs that decorate the walls and door. The Key Club made dozens of toys for the dogs, and the Military Connect Club and wrestling team showed up ready to walk dogs, clean and play with the puppies on several Sundays. Individual students started volunteering, and they don't even mind getting up early on the weekend.

Stafford High School has its own Rescue Dog Mascot---Desiree. She's an available, eight-year-old dog that thinks she's a puppy and has more love in her than any dog I've known. The Stafford art classes are painting pictures of Desiree and other adoptable dogs. The newspaper, "The Smoke Signal," is featuring stories about ODHS and posting "A Dog a Day" on Instagram for the month of March.

Martin Luther King, Jr said, "Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

Find your place by volunteering, because you are needed. Read the Front Porch, where community news has been covered since 1997.

Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy is a public relations professional . Lenora and Neil Mullanaphy spend time with one of the many rescue dogs at Old Dominion Humane Society. They are part of the Sunday Cleaning Crew and the Sunday Hikers that meet at the facility at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg every week at 8:30 a.m.

Friends of the RappahannockSummer Camp 2024

debuts new location at Crow's Nest

By Collette Caprara

The folks at the Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) are pleased to announce the debut of their widely popular summer camps at a new and exciting location, the Crow's Nest Research Center (CNRC) on the banks of the picturesque Accokeek Creek at the site of the 3,000-acre Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve. "We are excited to expand our offerings to this new location," said FOR spokesperson Carleigh Starkston "In addition to providing this opportunity for new campers to experience this exciting and fun-filled opportunity to explore nature, it also allows campers who may have been to our Fredericksburg Camp location previously an opportunity to explore nature from a new perspective."

Starkston says that the partnership between FOR and CNRC is a great fit. "Our missions align perfectly. We both seek to conserve natural spaces and inspire our youth to become stewards of our land and waterways by introducing them to the pleasure and excitement of outside adventures."

Campers will be introduced to kayaking and will build their skills throughout the course of the week. In addition, they will learn important safety guidelines, including going on the river only when it at a safe level, going with buddies or leaders who are experienced and competent kayakers, using equipment properly, avoiding potential hazards, and always wearing a life jacket. Campers will also learn bits of history each day and will be introduced to the people who used the land over time and the ways the land was used and how that affected the waterway. This exploration will begin with the native peoples, the Patawomeck tribe, and will include a bit about the Civil War as well as conservation and present-day development.

Campers' exploration of fascinating features of nature will be augmented by the challenge of a scavenger hunt, in which they will follow clues to different locations, including the site's kayak launch, the cottage, the firepit, and the bird-viewing platform. In addition,

campers can take on kid-friendly challenges of E-SSTEM (environmental Science, technology, engineering, and math) activities in which they create effective methods dealing with pollution, including filters to remove soil from water samples, and they will perform some simple water-quality testing. Campers will also plant some native plants and grasses and will be able to see how they grow in subsequent years. A discussion of the ways in which people use water, for energy, travel, and recreation, will be followed by a hands-on project in which they will design a working water wheel. In addition, applying what they learn about different types of boats and buoyant materials, they will create their own paddle boats , powered by a battery pack. "Campers have to create paddles that work with their particular boat's construction," said Starkson. "This is not as easy as it sounds, but it sure is fun!"

New FOR Crow's Nest Camps

For rising 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders

July 8-112, 15-119, and 22-226 9 am to 3 pm

$280 for FOR Members

$330 for non FOR Members

Mon- Thurs: 400 Marlborough Point Road, Stafford 22554

Friday: Friends of the Rappahannock

Office: 3219 Fall Hill Avenue, Fredericksburg 22401 540 373 3448

On the last day of Camp, the Crow's Nest campers will join with their peers in the Summer Camp at FOR Headquarters for fun-filled time of games and S'mores.

As the campers' appreciation for the gifts of nature, our waterways, and wetlands increases, they will learn about how the Crow's Nest site was preserved from development seven years ago. "We hope that our campers will gain an understanding of our watershed and the essential roles that our rivers, creeks, and tributaries play in animal habitats and our water supply," said Starkston.

Collette Caprara has her finger on all the doings in the ‘Burg and writes about it every month in Front Porch

riverfriends org/2024-ssummer-ccamp/ www.riverfriends.org

Office:

Come Grow With Us

Iris Society Celebrates 40 years!

by lois rose

For 40 years The Fredericksburg Area Iris Society, a dedicated group of iris enthusiasts, has been sharing their enthusiasm, as well as their blooms,

rhizomes, gardens, and knowledge of iris culture, with anyone willing to be beneficiary of that sharing. As we look forward in 2024 to our next 40 years, we are also looking for more iris lovers in the Fredericksburg area to infect with our enthusiasm. Warning: There is no vaccine available against this infection and it can easily get out of control.

The Society was founded in April 1984 as the Fredericksburg-Richmond Iris Society, an affiliate member of The American Iris Society In 1992 we changed our name to the Fredericksburg Area Iris Society. We held our first sale in August 1984 and our first judged show in May 1985 and have held a show and sale almost every year since. In 2005 we started holding our popular annual "Open Garden Day", inviting the public to visit our gardens when they were at peak bloom in May.

In 2024 our judged show will be held Saturday, May 11, at the Chancellor Ruritan Building. Anyone who grows named irises is invited to exhibit. Entries will be accepted beginning at 7:30 a.m. that morning. There is no charge to exhibit or view the show. The Design Division of the show this year will feature our 40-year history. We will also have a selection of potted irises for purchase. Some of the irises being exhibited can also be ordered for delivery later in the summer.

Open Garden Day will be held the next day, Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12

This year four area gardens will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. These uniquely different gardens range from suburban to rural, small to large, and are located around the Fredericksburg area: the Shackelford Garden in the Hartwood area of Stafford County, the Mullen Garden in the White Oak area of Stafford County, the Glasgow Garden in Lee's Hill North, and the Rose Garden southern Spotsylvania County. In some of the open gardens, irises can be ordered for delivery at digging time in July and August. For a list of addresses and directions to the gardens, see contact information at end of this article.

Our annual sale has become a hugely popular event. This year will be held at Meadows Farm Nursery on Rt. 3 west in August. Watch our Facebook page for an announcement of the exact date: facebook.com/fburg.area.iris.society.

Since FAIS charges no local dues for membership the sale is our only source of operating funds. Our sales have been so successful that in the fall of 1996 we

began offering an annual $1200 scholarship to a horticulture student at Virginia Tech, a horticulture student at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Come grow with us as we move forward into our next 40 years! For more information on any of our programs, activities, or membership contact us at 540-847-1236, or write fburg.area.iris.society@gmail.com.

Lois Rose, a charter member & past President of FAIS, grows about 700 varieties of irises & a certified Master Iris Judge with the American Iris Society. photos by Lois Rose

If you have been following Downtown Greens you know all about the amazing land we have been raising money to purchase, protect, and pay off!

We are pleased to announce to all of our generous supporters that we have officially paid off the loan on the 56 acres of land on Belman Road!!

With the property paid off and under a new conservation easement by the Land Trust of Virginia, we want to be thoughtful about our next steps on the land. We want to inventory all of its many assets and go through the necessary seasonal changes to bring the land back to health while we work on a comprehensive plan for its future. One of our first priorities will be to identify the placement of a nature trail for public use

In the meantime, we are offering monthly nature walks to the general public for individuals and groups

Everything Greens it’s Offical

By janet douberly

interested in seeing the property. Join us for the Nature Walk on April 27 at 11am! Sign up by going to www.downtowngreens.org/shop.

We wouldn't have been able to reach this moment without donors like you and we are so grateful for all of the support. Our community never ceases to amaze us with how much good we can do when we band together!

And while we know the hard work has just begun, having the land completely paid off gives us a chance to breathe and reflect on what has been accomplished.

2023 was a dizzying year with many achievements, growth, and changes! Let's take a look at what our community helped us accomplish!

2023 By The Numbers

56 Additional Acres Conserved in the City (a.k.a. The Belman Road Campus!)

276 Garden Sprouts & Youth Farm Program Kids Taught - follow along with their education and gardening joy by following us on facebook and instagram!

62 Adult Classes & Workshops Taught - kids aren't the only ones learning! We look forward to continuing to bring free educational opportunities to all ages!

200 Volunteers for a Total of 573 Hours - We couldn't have done it without you! If you're looking for some quality outdoor time while helping a local nonprofit AND learning new things about nature and gardening, come to our Downtown Campus for

our Volunteer Garden Hours every Saturday, 9am-12pm, and Thursday, 3-6pm, no sign up required!

208 Pounds of Food Grown in the Education Gardens - it may not look like much but our Education Gardens prioritize learning over production and those young minds were busy learning and growing the whole season!

With all the growth and change happening at Downtown Greens we want to take a moment to express how excited we are to have this opportunity to provide our community with even more accessible greenspace, more educational opportunities, and more of a connection to nature in the years to come! As we start to grow and bench out, we know that our strength comes from our roots, the community. We are so grateful for all the people that have worked tirelessly to bring us here.

Janet Douberly is Media Manager at Downtown Greens

***Come to our Reishi Mushroom Workshop on May 4th. One $30 tickets covers the kit and entry for two people into the workshop! Go to www.downtowngreens.org/shop to buy your ticket today!***

Downtown Greens, a nonprofit, mission is to enhance the well-bbeing of our community by connecting people with nature through education and the preservation of greenspaces Office , Lower & Upper Gardens are located at Downtown Campus 206 Charles Street Belman Rd Campus , 56 acre property is 1360

In the Garden

tina will

Too early, it seems to me, that trees and Spring flowering shrubs were leafing and flowering in mid-March, and makes me wonder if we'll see the back side of Winter sometime in April. I am often doubtful of the usual frost date guidance for the same reason. But it's Spring, and the beauty is welcome and almost overwhelming. Cossey Botanical Park has many flowering shrubs and trees: Redbuds, Pearl Bush, and Spirea were already getting ready to flower in late March, but are still lovely. Many more can be enjoyed soon. Go take a walk in the Park!

Soil temps need to rise into the 50's before we plant too many edibles, and they won't really do that until the Sun is

higher in the sky Cool weather vegetable crops will have been started by many of us, and they will do fine, but others should wait as protected seedlings for a bit longer. Row covers or cloches will also protect tender vegetables. Berry crops can be planted. Cage peonies before they get too tall.

What can be done now is to incorporate a layer of compost around shrubs and trees. Soil tests may indicate adequate fertility, but shrubs or trees may still show nutrient deficiencies. Adding organic matter increases the population of microorganisms in the soil, promotes the growth of healthy mycorrhizae (fungus), and helps make nutrients available to the plant roots.

Lawns should have been fertilized in the Autumn season to nourish and strengthen roots. Spring applications of Nitrogen (for growth) are hard for many of us to resist, so if you are in the camp of 'It's Spring! I have to do something,' please reevaluate the condition of your lawn and put down just one-half of what the product label might recommend. Fertilizing lawns only in the Autumn season is now what is recommended: support root growth for stronger Spring growth and reduce by half the amount of potential Nitrogen runoff that ends up in our waterways.

"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever."

Make her day shine with our help this Mother's Day!!

Plant Clinics

The Route 3/Gordon Rd Plant Clinic will be restarting the last Saturday in April. Start dates for all of our Plant Clinic locations will be posted on https://www.mgacra.org/plantclinics--gardens.html, and MGACRA Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MGACRA.

Missed It?

Our Spring Symposium (April 13 at Belmont) has a deadline to register by April 4. Bryce Lane, Jennifer Rose Carey, and Leonard Githinji will speak on growing food and flowers, and doing it sustainably. It's always a wonderful day of learning in

Tues-Fri: 10a-5p Sat: 10a-4p

gemstonecreations.org

a beautiful setting. If there's room, even a late registration is worth submitting. Find registration and payment information at: https://www.mgacra.org/2024-springsymposium.html.

Horticultural Classes

Dorothy Hart Community Center April 16: Composting 101 , 10a

MGACRA Symposium April 13

Gari Melcher's Home and Studio Sustainable Gardening: Growing a Greener Future

Speakers: Bryce Lane Jenny Rose Carey, and Leonard Githinji

Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation Bulletin for Master Gardeners Classes: www FXBGparks com/nature/mgacra

May 11: Tree and Shrub Tour through Cossey Park at 1601 Kenmore Avenue

June 15 at DHCC: Insects: Pests, Friends, July 13 at DHCC Fairy Gardens (fee $10) August 10 at DHCC: Fall/Winter Garden Prep

It's a subject that makes even this author shudder but is too fascinating not to share. Our friend, the leech, is rearing its slimy head!

While summer is peek leech season (shudder) they started becoming active in our area last month.

With over 700 species found in every continent except Antarctica, leeches can come in all shapes, sizes, and dietary habits. With our neighbor, North Carolina, having the most leeches of any state (they must be so proud), it is no wonder that we have plenty of our own.

Obviously, dark, slimy, blood sucking water dwellers freak us out but they have so many benefits for our ecosystem and in our modern healthcare Leeches are a major source of food for many aquatic animals. They can also be used as simple indicators for water quality.

While in the past, leeches were used for almost all ailments because of

Growing & Crawling

harmlessly horrifying

By janet douberly

their assistance in "blood-letting" they are actually still being studied and used today for modern medicine Not only are they used to promote circulation in body parts that have been reattached and in reconstructive and plastic surgery, but their saliva has some pretty amazing effects on our blood! Some of the chemicals in their saliva act as an

anticoagulant, a local vasodilator, and a local anesthetic!

If you find yourself playing an unwilling host to one of these creatures do not try to remove it by force! A little salt will do!

Janet Douberly delights in being grossed-out at Downtown Greens.

FXBGBrunch Spots

mimosas, chicken waffles, Pecan Crepes & more!

By bill freehling

Brunch has always been the perfect excuse to drink bloody marys and mimosas at 9 in the morning, and these Fredericksburg brunch spots are the best locations to do so. Here are a few weekend brunch options for you to choose from in Fredericksburg.

Agave - One of the newest and most beloved Mexican restaurants in Fredericksburg has one of the most unique brunches, with favorites Huevos Rancheros and Burrito Desayuno.

Alpine Chef - German brunch fare with American influence as well as mimosa, bloody Mary flights.

Billiken's SmokehouseYou may only know this restaurant for their bar-b-que and nightlife, but Billiken's has wonderful brunch options, including their cornbread and pork benedict.

Brock's Riverside GrillExperience Brock's outdoor bar seating by the Rappahannock as you enjoy their Quiche du Jour.

Capital Ale HouseCapital Ale House's all-inclusive brunch provides you with three select drinks and one entree, all for $29.95.

Casey's Restaurant - A few blocks from downtown, Casey's is the only location in

Foode & Mercantile - A staple of downtown Fredericksburg cuisine, Foode & Mercantile has delicious brunch options, as well as a full menu of lattes and cappuccinos.

H a l e y ' s Honey Meadery - This lovely meadery in the Canal Quarter District has begun to serve brunch from 10am5pm every Sunday, including bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary's.

Harry's Downtown - A classic American alehouse on William Street has become revered for its delicious brunch.

Mason-DDixon Cafe - Brunch items do not get much better than the Peanut Butter and Jelly Stuffed French Toast from Mason-Dixon Cafe.

Fredericksburg to sample the Open Face Crab Omelette.

Metro DinerThis delectable diner with a modern flare is the perfect spot to gorge in Biscuits & Gravy.

Rebellion FXBGBourbon Bar - Sip on a Walk of Shame bourbon brunch cocktail, and enjoy the Daisy Duke chicken and waffles sandwich at one of Fredericksburg's primary bourbon bars.

Open every Sat 7am-2pm

Rain/Shine @Hurkamp Park

April 14October 26

Rehana's - Across from the parking garage on Wolfe Street, you can enjoy Rehana's delicious brunch options such as Salted Brioche Cinnamon Roll, Dutch Baby with Fruit, and Steak & Eggs.

Renee's Crepes and Cakes - Add a sweet, French flare to your brunch with one (or 17) of Renee's Apple Pecan Pie crepes.

Sedona Taphouse - This chain restaurant has delighted guests across the country, and their brunch, including such items as the Margherita Omelette, only adds to their deserved acclaim.

Sunken Well Tavern - Swing by this classy tavern for delicious Steak & Eggs or a Chorizo Omelet.

Bon Appetit!!!

One of my go-to stops for gift shopping in Fredericksburg is the Made in Virginia Shop Located at 920 Caroline Street, this is one of the longest standing stores in town. The shop recently changed hands, and with that the new owners have brought in the addition of Sippin' Pop, a gourmet soda fountain where one can purchase an assortment of flavored sodas and coffee drinks while shopping for that interesting souvenir or gift. There is always a fun idea for any occasion.

Nicole Shaw and Natalie Booren are co-owners and sisters who were both teachers in the local counties. They came up with the Sipping' Pop idea a few years

Gourmet Soda Fountain

Sippin ’ Pop while you shop @made in Virginia

By Mary Lynn Powers

ago when visiting one of their children's colleges, and the drink idea was a growing trend there. When the prior owners of Made in Virginia decided it was time to retire after many years, the sisters decided to bite the bullet and change careers. They have lived in the Fredericksburg area most of their lives. They come from a military family, and moved around a bit, but came back to this area as many do.

One can see the assortment of interesting blends of drinks on their Facebook page. They have names taken from movie lines like "Frankly My Dear" which is Coke with raspberry and cranberry purée, and "Had Me at Hello" an orange soda combined with strawberry purée and cherry. The list is lengthy and creative and it's fun to experiment with the different flavors.

For the colder weather, they have added hot drinks like cappuccino and hot chocolate which can also be flavored. They offer small sizes and special kids' flavors, as well as popcorn, brownies, and

cookies made especially for the shop by a local baker.

The gift shop remains the same basically with some subtle additions. They now have pre-made gift boxes for different occasions. Combinations of gourmet foods and sundries are creatively packaged in ornate boxes. Many of the Virginia products like cured hams, wines, jellies and jams are still available with some new and interesting additions. The historic aspects of Fredericksburg are not ignored, with books, puzzles, prints, and Virginia memorabilia galore.

This is a fun little shop that has a lot to offer, and definitely one to check out when walking around downtown. It is also interesting to watch the changing stores and owners which there are a lot of in the 'burg right now. These young entrepreneurs have some great ideas and will be a wonderful addition to the community.

Made in Virginia

Sippin’ Pop, Gourmet Soda Fountain

920 Caroline St

Open Daily 10-55; Sunday 12-5 5 Facebook, Instagram & TikTok

Mary Lynn enjoys meeting and writing about interesting people & businesses in the 'Burg

Fredericksburg Memorials Advisory Commission is Seeking Nominations to the City Wall of Honor for 2024

The Wall of Honor recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the welfare of the city and the betterment of society. (Rob Grogan, from Front Porch is a 2022 Wall of Honor designee) Deadline for submission is May 14.

Wall of Honor Application on the city website: fredericksburgva.gov. Questions, Tonya Lacey, Clerk of the City Council, at tlacey@fredericksburgva.gov.

By Bill Freehling

Southern Accents Opening Central Park Store

A local company that sells upscale used furniture and handles estate sales is opening a 5,000-square-foot location in Fredericksburg's Central Park shopping center.

Southern Accents will open at 1485 Carl D Silver Parkway; the company is shooting to open in about a month. The

Popular shoe brand Skechers is opening a store in Fredericksburg's Central Park shopping center.

The store will be in about 8,700 square feet at 1370 Carl D. Silver Parkway near Hobby Lobby.

Tasting Room Opens at Former Kenmore Inn

The new owners of the business formerly known as the Kenmore Inn have opened a bourbon tasting room in the basement of the historic property.

The King family, which owns and operates Newport News-based Ironclad Distillery Co , purchased the property at 1200 Princess Anne Street in late 2023. They have renamed it the Ironclad Inn & Bourbon Tasting Room

The bourbon tasting room is in its soft-opening phase. It's open noon-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and noon8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The inn remains open for overnight stays and events.

Sign Goes up at Publisher Hotel at FXBG's Newest Hotel

The Publisher Hotel's sign went up last week near the corner of Washington Avenue and William Street.

The region's only full-service hotel will be part of Marriott's premium Tribute Portfolio and is expected to open in June. It will feature 98 rooms, including three penthouse suites and a presidential suite. It will also include a nearly 8,000square-foot high-eend restaurant along William Street, meeting space and more. It will be adjacent to a 6,500-square-foot Anytime Fitness location, which hotel guests will be able to use.

The Publisher is on the property that for decades was home to The Free Lance-Star newspaper, whose office has since relocated within the City of Fredericksburg.

Caroline

A company that offers natural spray-tanning services has opened on Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg.

Nude FX is at 614 Caroline St

Big Screen Store, which had been in that space, moved directly next door (next to Fujiya House).

Southern Accents also has a store in downtown FXBG at 911 Caroline St. Its sister store, ETC, is at 109 Amelia St. Both of those stores will remain open

Mama's Fried Chicken, Capriotti's Now Open

Mama's Fried Chicken Co. and Capriotti's Sandwich Shop have opened along State Route 3 in Fredericksburg.

Both restaurants, which are nearby each other, are now in a softopening phase.

Mama's is in a 3,100-square-foot building at 2211 Plank Road that formerly housed a KFC. Capriotti's is at 2203 Plank Road in a new building that also houses a Dunkin' Donuts.

One other nearby restaurant, El Rey Mexican Bar & Restaurant at 2229 Plank Road, is expected to open soon.

Skechers Opening Central Park Store

Spray-TTan Business Opens on

Street

The Sunken Well Tavern

S e a s o n ’ s B o u n t y

I'm sitting here in New Orleans' famed Cafe du Monde, eating beignets and drinking a large cafe au lait while listening to music from the French Quarter Festival 2024 - the largest free music festival in the South. Think food, fun and music within sight of the mighty Mississippi! New Orleans is familiar territory to me. My grandfather owned a glass distribution corporation based in Mississippi and I sometimes traveled with him to NOLA as he called on a few of his accounts - a Pepsi bottling plant, the McIlhenny company, the JAX brewery - then it was time for lunch! After parking the car, we headed for either the The Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone or to Commander's Palace for him to quaff two or three of their $.25 midday martinis. For me, I was served an icy Hurricane, sans alcohol. I fondly remember those lunches at Commander's Palace, Pascals Manale and Galatoire'slunches where the waiters called him by name and we were seated at his "usual seat". If one or another of his business associates weren't with us, there were usually a few cronies popping by during the meal. Then we either took the trolley from the Garden District back to the French Quarter or strolled down the street to the Cafe du Monde for an afterlunch top up of beignets and a cafe au lait. Years ago, there was a market next to the cafe with canvas sides that could be raised or lowered according to the weather. I remember my grandfather buying me a length of sugarcane to chew on - he told me that was a childhood sweet treat growing up on his family farm in rural Mississippi. (I still prefer chocolate bars). Well, got to go now - I've got to make arrangements to ship home some fresh pecan pralines and get ready for dinner at Brennan's I'll be heading to Central Grocery the morning of our flight home for several muffuletta sandwiches and a few jars of their famed Italian Olive Salad With that, the pralines and a can of chicory coffee I will be able to have just a taste of NOLA in my Fredericksburg kitchen. Delicieux!

GALATOIRES - now in its fifth generation of the Galatoire family, the recipes are traditional French and the restaurant itself is internationally renowned. My favorite dish is anything with SAUCE MEUNIÈRE on it. Especially trout. (picture above)

Their delicious recipe: Melt one pound of butter in a heavy pot over

medium-low heat, constantly stirring with a wire whisk until the butter achieves a dark brown tint, without burning. Mix one tablespoon red wine vinegar with one tablespoon lemon juice and add to the butter drip by drip, whisking vigorously. Note: the vinegar mixture will cause the butter to rise and foam quickly so it is important to mind your whisk. Remove from heat and strain through a fine sieve. Warm and mix well before use. Makes 2 cups.

COMMANDER'S PALACE - This is their recipe for fantastic "dirty rice", a traditional Louisiana Creole dish made from white rice which gets its "dirty" hue from being cooked with meats and the Creole trinity of onions, celery and green peppers.

For 8 servings, heat 2T vegetable oil in a large heavy skillet or deep pan. Over medium heat, cook 3oz finely chopped chicken liver and 3oz ground beef, stirring occasionally until brown, 5-8 minutes. Add one finely chopped large onion, the white part of 4 scallions, thinly sliced, one green pepper, ribs and seeds removed, finely chopped, 2 finely chopped celery stalks and 2 garlic cloves, minced. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 6-8 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Add to the mixture 2 bay leaves, 4tsp Creole seasoning, ½ tsp cayenne pepper and cook about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in a splash of brandy, scraping up and browned bits on the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Stir in 3C long-grain white rice and cook about 3 minutes until

the grains become translucent. Add one 15.5-oz can blackeyed peas, 4 ½ c chicken broth, S&P to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover the saucepan. Simmer until the rice is tender and all liquid absorbed, 15-18 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir in 6oz frozen green peas and 6T butter - fluff with a fork then cover and let pan sit for 10 minutes. Taste rice for seasonings. Transfer to a platter and top with the scallion greens.

BRENNANS - Their Bananas

Foster is a New Orleans original and so popular at their restaurant that they flame over 17 tons of bananas per year! This is a dish you can easily recreate at home - if you're not scared of a pan of flaming liqueurs! Take a look at neworleansrestaurants com for some more tasty recipes and enjoy!

Translation:

Laissez les bons temps rouler

a Louisana French phrase Let the good times roll

Vanessa serves up yummy recipes from all kinds of places & for all seasons

Mo’s City Soup HOMEMADE DELICIOUSNESS

BY MARY LYNN

POWERS

Having returned home from a stint in the hospital, I found 2 quarts of amazing soups that had been ordered by good friends via the local home based company sitting on my front porch. To say they lifted my spirits and healing process is an understatement. Alan Marsh, (alias Mo) took over City Soup to become Mo's City Soup in 2020. He decided to go into his own business after years of honing his cooking chops in various local restaurants.

limited 22405 areas, but can also be purchased at the local Food Co-oop To order through their facebook page, you just select a soup, leave a cooler out, and it can be delivered to your front porch. Deliveries are made on Tuesdays and Thursdays during specific hours. There is also a drop off point at Keystone Coffee on Fridays. Soon Mo will be at the

Spotsylvania Farmers's Market when it opens this month.

Gallina translates to hen in Spanish. Though this soup is a mix of spices and beans, it does not contain chicken! The soup that I tried first was a puréed Ginger and Sweet Potato , quite delecta-ble. Cooking without meat is not as easy as it sounds. To make the flavors pop, a delicate amount of spice is necessary. Mo's soups are right on point in this area.

Presently, Mo does all the cooking and delivery himself, but if the business keeps expanding he will eventually need a sous chef. He does hire some trusted friends to help with catering events. Food delivery is fast becoming a way of life. We will be seeing more and more of these businesses, and it seems Mo's City Soup City Soup is a front runner in this category.

Mary Lynn loves food, especially soup

MO’S City Soup facebook@Mocitysoup mocitysoup com

New Menu for Tuesday & Thursday are available on facebook

Extensive menu: MoCitySoup Com (Store)

To order: email mocitysoup@gmail com or leave message on MoCity facebook or order at MoCitySoup Store

Downtown Deliveries & limited 22405 area

Outside City, Pickup Orders

Fridays 3-66pm at Keystone Auto Spa, 2206 Princess Anne St

Fredericksburg Food CoOp Spotsy Farmers Market

Mo grew up in Fredericksburg, with family in the Fredericksburg/Stafford area. I had worked with Mo back in the early 2000s and know what a great work ethic he has. When he's in the kitchen, he never stops. He told me his grandmother was his biggest influence. She taught him so much, but what he learned most was the simple joy that food can give people when you cook for them.

The vegetarian/vegan & GF company offers delivery in the 22401 and

Mo uses the freshest organic vegetables and ingredients to produce delicious meat free options. They offer four different choices per week. You can view the various options with photos on their web-site. Cooking vegetables allows for a variety of ethnic choices. The week I wrote this article they were offering an African Groundnut Stew which does contains nuts, and a Ratatouille Soup. All the ingredi-eents are listed on the Facebook page where you order the soups The following week sounded extraordi-nary with a Roasted Garlic Soup and Gallina Pinta which the latter I had to research. As I expected it was Pinto Beans and the

It is finally spring and, although here in Virginia our winter was a mild one, as far as the wintry stuff goes, this wine lover is ready for some warmer temps and brighter days! It is time to shed all the layers, clean off the patio furniture, and stock up on fresh and zippy wines to wake us up from our winter hibernation!

Are you a seasonal wine drinker? Do your wine choices change depending on the time of year, or weather outside? Or are you on the #RoséAllDay any day train? Will you drink a Sauvignon Blanc when you can keep it chilling on your porch or in a snow drift, or do you save that for sitting around the pool? The change in your wine itinerary may happen without notice of the season, but if you stop and think about it (over a glass of wine of course), your choices may change with the temps or the times. Not only do the temps change with the season, but our temperament and mindset might dictate what our desires are, as well. In the winter, with the chill in the air and less sunlight, serotonin decreases, and our mood may be more subdued, drawing you to "comfort" wines-fuller, deeper, and warming. In the spring, it's all about springing forward, a new start and brighter, literally, days, drawing you to bright, crisp, fruity wines that are cheery.

Seasonal wine drinking is not only driven by pairing wines with the temps, it can also be dictated by the activities and foods that are prevalent at the time. Spring calls us outdoors, with the green trees and bright colors that now drape our landscape, where grey and dullness once were. It draws us toward picnics, patios, and poolside. The menu changes from comfort foods like stews and pot roast, to salads, burgers, or anything on the grill. It is also a time when people start thinking about new starts, healthier eating, and drinking. Instead of the big bold wines, you may wish lighter, less sugary, and cleaner wines.

Pairing wines with spring activities and food offers a lot of bright choices, and some you may not have considered. Some unique wines to try:

Pair a 2019 Vento di Mare from Sicily, Italy, made with Nerello Mascalese, with what you are putting on the grill It will pair great with everything from burgers or steaks to vegetables. Nerello Mascalese has some earthiness to it, but not the weight, and still has some "freshness" to it.

Bubbles are always the answer, especially to cheer in spring! Sparkling wine from the Burgundy region, like NV Maison Albert Bichot Crémant de

Bourgogne Brut Réserve, would be great with salads or a good book on the porch swing.

Viognier, with its floral aromas, would be great with some mild cheeses while sitting around the patio. It makes a great companion while enjoying the flowers blooming all around.

A white Bordeaux like 2021 Chateau La Mothe du Barry Cuvée French Kiss, containing primarily Sauvignon Blanc, offers gooseberry, peach, herbal aromatics, and is a great pairing for quiche or a picnic, with all the new aromas of spring-like fresh grasses.

Pinot Gris may not be new to you; however, try 2019 Michel Fonne Pinot Gris from the Alsace region. It offers pear, citrus, white flowers and smokey notes. It is a very versatile sipper, and goes very well with an herbed, citrus-mmarinated chicken, or just being enjoyed on the terrace.

A great pairing with a spring sunset would be an "amber" or "orange wine." No, not a wine made of oranges, rather a wine that, due to the process, takes on an amber or orange hue just like that of a glorious sunset. It is a white wine, processed like a red, so there are tannins, and it usually has the weight of a red wine, so makes for a great transition from weighty winter wines.

Of course, the first on everyone's mind for spring is rosé. Rosés are usually released in the spring, when they are at their best. The southeast France region of Provence is the standard, with its many smaller subregions, like Bandol, are the standard in light bodied rosé. 2021

Bernard Magrez Bleu de Mer from Pay d'Oc, France, which is made in the Provence style. This fuller-bodied French style rosé hails from Tavel, where the 2021 Domaine Corn-LLoup will catch your attention. Rosé is so versatile, from appetizers, to fried foods, to fish; however, a great pairing for spring is beet and arugula salad with goat cheese!

Whether you consider yourself a "seasonal drinker" or not makes no difference. Your choices may be driven simply by mood or the time of day. Either way, drink what you like when you like it! We hope the list above sparks your interest to seek out something maybe new to you, to celebrate the coming of spring. Try some of the suggested choices and/or pairings and let us know what you discover! Cheers!

City Vino at 810 Caroline St is were you will find owner Rita Allan to provide you answers to all your wine questions

April ... Springs Eternal

Monday April Fool’s Day

Tuesday April 2

Chair Yoga @ Food CoOP 320 Emancipation Hwy, 6-7p

Shut Up & Write an hour of writing! Books-A-Million, Spotsy MAll 6:30

Wednesday April 3

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

Open Mic@Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 7-10p, Trapper's Trivia @6B&G 7 pm.

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

Thursday April 4

WHM Speakers Series, "Lafayette Return to Fredericksburg", Craig Vasey, CRRL Aud, 1201 Caroline St, 10a

Walk with a Doc on the Heritage & Canal Path 4-5p FXBG food CoOP, 320 Emancipation Hwy PA.

DTG Volunteer Garden Hours 3p-Sunset

Live Music, Larry Hinkle, Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy, 7-10p

James Monroe Museum presents Founding Father & Marquis de Lafayette,7pm CRRL Digital Aud, 1201 Caroline St

Gilmore Girls Trivia at Strangeways Brewing 6:45 PM! 350 Lansdowne

Live Music @Colonial Tavern, Acoustic Onion, 7-10p, 406 Lafayette Blvd

First Friday April 5

First Friday Artisan Market, Hurkamp Park, 5-9p)

"Cuba", featured artist Penny A Parrish, Brush Strokes Gallery, opening reception, 5-9p, 824 Caroline St

FCCA Members Gallery: David Boyd, Judy LaFratta, Dorothy Stout, Frederick Gallery, Artist Choice, 813 Sophia St

"April Showers make Beautiful Painted Flowers", by Janey Harrington, Artful Dimensions, 922 Caroline St Opening Reception, 6-9pm

Ted Nelson Photography, Darbytown Art Studio 241 Charles St, Meet & Greet Opening Reception 5-8:30p

Dorian and Cade Lemasters Canal Quarters, 1517 Princess Anne Opening Reception April 5, 5-8:30

"Skies the Limit", Joel Simpson Opening reception 1st Friday, 6pm to 9pm. Art First, 824 Caroline St

"Blossom" All medium show all about flowers, buds, bulbs, and verdant growth. Opening reception,916 Liberty St

Stand Up Comedy Night @Strangeways Brewing, Comedians Sam Cobb, Steve Tracy, and Ray Jubela RETURN to FXBG, 7:30-9:30p

Live Music @Adventure Brewing N, Jason Frye 7-9p, 33 Perchwood Dt

Live Music @Colonial Tavern Bo White Acoustic 6-9p, 406 Lafayette Blvd

Live Music @Log Home Brewing Co, Harlem Simple, 5727 Courthouse, 6p

Saturday April 6

The Scottish Society of FXBG celebrate National Tartan Day 11 am in front of the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, 1020 Caroline Street. Learn about Scottish culture, history, tradition

Art in the Park, local artists & crafters FXBG Farmers Market, 9a-

Fxbg BeerFest , Beer lovers Unite @Fxbg Fairgrounds, 11a-4p

Spring Arts & Crafts Show, Fxbg Convention Center, doors open at 9a

Colonial Fair @Historic Kenmore, Magic, Miracles, Puppetry, Games & More, 1201 Washington Ave, Chonda Pierce, Ladies, get ready to laugh until your mascara runs! “Life is Funny" LIVE in Concert , Grace Church of FXBG, 7-8p

Live Music @ 6B&G, Lowriders Blues Band, 7-9p, International Pkwy

Live Music @Strangways Brewing, The Strange Journey, 3-6pm

Live Music @Adventure Brewing N, the Phenomenal Conundrum, 7-9p

Live Music @Log Home Brewing, Cactus Jack, 6p, 5727 Courthouse Rd

Live Music @Colonial Tavern Goodtime Alibi, 8-11p, 406 Lafayette Blvd

Sunday April 7

Join Old Dominion Humane Society in Hikes w/rescue dogs. on the trails. ODHS center at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard 8:30 a.m..

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

Sip & Sing, Karaoke Hard Times Cafe, 7-11p, 10760 Patriot Hwy

Spring Arts & Crafts Show, Fxbg Convention Center, doors open at 9a

Monday April 8

Solar Eclipse begins at 2:04 pm, reach approximately 82% magnitude at 3:20 pm, then end at 4:32 pm. Next total solar eclipse that is visible from the U.S. won't be until August 23, 2044

Tuesday April 9

Live Music @Sammy T's Karen Jonas, 6:30p 801 Caroline St

Chair Yoga @ Food CoOP Chair 320 Emancipation Hwy, 6-7p

Shut Up & Write Books-A-Million, Spotsy MAll 6:30

Wednesday April 10

Live Music @Courtyard Marriott Downtown, Brian Lyra Brown, 6-9p

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

Open Mic@Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 7-10p, Trapper's Trivia @6B&G 7 pm.

Karen's Line Dancing @Strangeways Brewing, 6:30-8:30p

Thursday April 11

"Levitt By the Sea", UMW Annual reception & awards, 5-7p, duPont G

DTG Volunteer Garden Hours 3p-Su

Live Music, Larry Hinkle, Highmark B

Friday April 12

"Everything Spring" Art Alliance at Ja Suite 101, Colonial Beach Opening R

Live Music @Adventure Brewing, Duc Open Mic @Strangeways Brewing, 35

Live Music Tropical Johnson @Stran

Saturday April 13

Opening Day Fxbg Farmers Market, Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm

Sparkling Freedom Trolley Tour, inco Service sites, & other local historic l Suessical Jr, by STEP VA, spring mu Smith Station Rd, 6p

Chamber Chorale Spring Concert, Fx of the season, "Everything, Everywhe

YET I STAND Stage Play true story victory, Zion Church of Fxbg, 2222

Possum-bilities Fabulous Fools Come 8pm. 20% of ticket sales go to Awes

Live Music @Adventure Brewing Conundrum, 7-9p

Live Music 6B&G, Something Shiny, Live Music @Log Home Brewing, Hom

Sunday April 14

Old Dominion Humane Society Hik 3602 Lafayette Boulevard 8:30 a.m.

Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern,

Sunday Brunch at the Colonial Tave Suessical Jr, by STEP VA, spring musi

Chamber Chorale Spring Concert, Fx of the season, "Everything, Everywhe

Tuesday April 16

Chair Yoga @ Food CoOP Chair Yoga

Wednesday April 17

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm

DAR of events

Student Exhibition 2024, opening allery Exhibit thru April 28

nset

Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy, 7-10p

arrett Thor Fine Arts 100 Taylor St., Reception, 6-9, ck Chuck Goose, 7-9p, Perchwood Dr 50 Landsdowne Rd, 7p

geways Brewing,7p

Hurkamp Park, 7a-2p

12150 Gordon Rd :

orporate stops at multiple Nat’l Park locations and the FAMFREE, 1-3p

usical, Courtland High School, 6701

bg Baptist Church,final performance

ere, All at Once" 2p & 7p

y of trauma to triumph, victim to Emancipation Hwy, 7-8p

edy Drag Show! pm Show starts at some Possums. This is an +18 Show.

Eagle Village, The Phenomenal

7-9p, 1140 International Pkwy

memade Sin 6p, 5727 Courthouse rd

kes with rescue dogs. ODHS center , 720 Littlepage, til 1p

ern 11:30-3p

ical, Courtland HS Smith Station, 6p

bg Baptist Church,final performance

ere, All at Once" 2p & 7p

a 320 Emancipation Hwy, 6-7p

m 720 Littlepage

Open Mic@Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 7-10p, Trapper's Trivia @6B&G 7 pm.

Thursday April 18

Lord of the Rings Trivia @Strangways Brewing, Landsdowne Rd, 6:45p

Walk with a Doc on the Heritage & Canal Path 4-5p FXBG food CoOP, 320 Emancipation Hwy PA.

DTG Volunteer Garden Hours 3p-Sunset

Live Music, Larry Hinkle, Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy, 7-10p

Friday April 19

Live Music @Colonial Tavern 4046 Lafayette Blvd, Andy Sowell

Live Music @Curitiba, Latin Night w/ Spanglish Latin American Band Concert FREE , 6-9p, 919 Caroline St

Live Music @Adventure Brewing N, The Cold North, 7p 33 Perchwood Dr

Open Mic @Strangeways Brewing, 350 Lansdowne Rd, 7p

Saturday April 20

Earth Day on the Rappahannock, Old Mill Park, 11a-4p FREE festival Fxbg Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 7a-2p

Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm 12150 Gordon Rd

Art in the Park, Browse & shop local artists and crafters FXBG Farmers Market, 9a-1p

Artisan & Maker Market @Strangeways Brewing, 12-4p, G

Live Music UMW Jazz Festival, 7:30-8:30p

Live Music 6B&G, Chippburg, 7-9:30p, 1140 International Pky

Live Music @Strangeways Brewing, 350 Lansdowne Rd, 7-10p

Sunday April 21

Old Dominion Humane Society in Hikes with rescue dogs. ODHS center at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard 8:30 a.m..

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

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

Gari Melchers Home and Studio Plein Air Days. artists create in our gardens, display their work in progress, and meet with other artists and visitors. FREE, 10a-7p

Chamber Concert Series, St George Church, Portland Guitar Duo, 905 Princess Anne St, 3p

UMW Spring Choral Concert, 7:30-9p, Dodd Aud.

Monday April 22

Earth Day

St James House Spring Opening the beautiful home and garden The house is particularly noted for its fine collection of antique furniture and decorative arts 1300 Charles St, 1-4p thru April 27

Tuesday April 23

Historic Garden Week

Chair Yoga @ Food CoOP Chair Yoga. 320 Emancipation Hwy, 6-7p

Wednesday April 24

Civil War Roundtable of FXBG monthly history presentation UMW Jepson Alumni Center, 5:30, "The Seven Day's Battle." cwrtf.org

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

Open Mic@Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 7-10p,.

Trapper's Trivia @6B&G 7 pm.

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

Trivia Night , Highmark Brewery, 6:30-8p, 390 Kings Hwy,

Thursday April 25

Gari Melchers Home and Studio Plein Air Days. . FREE, 10a-7p

Live Music @Castiglia's Emily Woodhull, 7-10p, 324 William st

DTG Volunteer Garden Hours 3p-Sunset

Live Music, Larry Hinkle, Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy, 7-10p

Friday April 26

Live Music @Strangeways Brewing, Native Dread, Lansdowne Rd, 7-10p

Saturday April 27

Fxbg Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 7a-2p

Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm 12150 Gordon Rd

Nature Walk 11am! Downtown Greens Belman Campus, Sign up by going to www.downtowngreens.org/shop

Sparkling Freedom Trolley Tour, FREE, 1-3p, FAM

Fashion Show to benefit the Donnell E. Callis Scholarship Fund

Macedonia Baptist Church, 7187 Macedonia Rd, Woodford, VA. 2 - 5PM

Live Music @Strangeways Brewing, 350 Lansdowne Rd, Retoactive, 7-10p

Live Music @Adventure Brewing N, 3 Exits to Memphis, 7p,

Live Music @6B&G, Unchained, 7-9:30p, 1140 International Pky

Sunday April 28

Old Dominion Humane Society Hikes with rescue dogs. ODHS center at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg at 8:30 a.m..

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

If you are reading this 321th issue of FPF, thank an advertiser now in our 27th year of continuous publication!

List your events email frntprch@aol.com: subject Calendar/Events

Deadline for May 2024 issue is April 19th

1823 Commercial Fredericksburg

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

Many years ago (1970) I was doing research in the Fredericksburg court house with the assistance of Charles Berry who was Clerk of the Court in search of any records on early commercial activity in the city. We were unable to find any records of merchants or commercial activity within the Town.

I was recently contacted by my longtime friend and historian Keith Littlefield, who is in process of writing a book on the history of Fredericksburg. He informed me that he had found some information related to the early commercial activity of Fredericksburg and

the surrounding area Keith discovered the 1823 Commercial Directory in the collection of Richard Jones of Roanoke. Richard has and extensive collection of over fifty years. We are thankful for Richard sharing this rare information on Fredericksburg. It is the only original complete document known at this time.

In 1823 a company in Philadelphia (J.C. Kayser) published a Commercial Directory of areas in the United States that they considered important commercial houses of imports and exports. Within the publication on page 218, the publication described the area. "Fredericksburg, port, Spottsylvania county, Virginia, on the S. W. bank of Rappahanoc river, is situated for trade, and one of the most flourishing

commercial towns in the state." (spelling as in description)

The description when on to list principal exports as wheat, tobacco and flour. Tobacco was the largest with 63,747 barrels in 1818 and 81,478 barrels in 1819. The 1823 publication is the only know year that the company published any information. The information would be for the years 18181819.

The Town was described as having 3 bridges of wood, above the wharf, at the center of Town and another leading to Falmouth Falmouth is described as a little town of about 150 inhabitants on the north side of the Rappahannock at the foot of the falls. A place of considerable trade and exports, 50,000 barrels of flour and 150,000 bushels of wheat exported yearly.

Fredericksburg is described as having a Town Hall, Court House Jail, Custom House, Market House, two Banks (Virginia Bank and Farmers Bank of Virginia, Tobacco warehouse, Poor house, 2 Baptist Churches, Episcopal Church ,

Methodists Church and Presbyterian Church There are several charitable institutions appropriated to the education of poor children of both sexes. The population is listed at 3,500.

There were twelve Dry Goods Merchants listed including Reuben Thom and Richard Johnston Two druggists were listed along with twelve commercial houses.

Here we are two hundred years later. Rare document preserved for future research.

Dedicated To: Maxine Calamos, Don Sparks, Janice Dickinson, Merval Roders, and Stuart Doggett

Tuffy is Front Porch’s Resident Historian

OUR HERITAGE

Sustainable Living Through Preservation

By adriana t. moss

Often, the primary focus of "sustainable" and "green" buildings is new construction. Historic preservation and the reuse and rehabilitation of older buildings are overlooked because their environmental impacts are not easily calculated. However, preservationists continue to reiterate the facts: "The greenest buildings are buildings that already exist."

As Earth Day approaches, let's explore the important environmental, cultural, and economic advantages of preserving and reusing what we already have in our community

carbon emissions that an identical new building would generate. That's because renovations typically reuse most of the carbon-intensive parts of the building-the foundation, structure, and building envelope."

It is also no secret that we have a housing crisis that calls for a multifaceted approach from all sectors and levels of government. Some see historic preservation policies and procedures as barriers to development projects, yet there is no industry marketing the master carpenters and masons capable of skillfully

This iconic 1980 graphic from the National Trust for Preservation Week remains as relevant as ever.

absorbed by the environment. Repairing and replacing historic features in-kind typically uses materials like wood, brick, lime, and stone-some completely renewable. If properly maintained, they can last centuries, while plastic and synthetic materials are products with planned obsolescence. The bonus of preservation, states Danae Peckler of Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc , is how it "fosters community pride and establishes a sense of place and identity among residents," while "enhancing property values, maintaining affordable housing stock, and supporting more small-business development."

All told, the environmental, cultural, and economic benefits of sensitively preserving historic buildings are undeniable and clearly a key element of sustainable development.

Adriana T. Moss is an architectural historian with Dovetail Cultural Resources Group, Chair of the City's Architectural Review Board, and board member of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc.

In general, the construction and operation of buildings account for 43 percent of carbon emissions, according to the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation This figure does not consider the manufacturing of new building materials and products.

A 2016 study from the National Trust for Historic Preservation stated that it can take 10 to 80 years for a new "energy-efficient" building to overcome the climate change impacts created by its construction. Another study from the Trust, in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), noted, "Research shows that building reuse avoids 50 to 75 percent of the embodied

repairing our greatest asset-existing buildings. The wealth of under-uutilized historic buildings could support housing creation to adaptively reuse vacant office or light industry spaces for multiresidential and mixed use

Many are unaware of the local, state, and federal incentives available for improving the energy performance of existing buildings and historic rehabilitation. The National Trust and AIA note that "historic rehabilitation has a 38-year track record of creating 3 million jobs and generating $90 billion in private investment," as well as roughly 50 percent more jobs than new construction.

The carbon footprint of our historic building stock has already been

Maury Commons is a Historic Rehabilitation and Adaptive Re-UUse Project that created new housing in Fredericksburg

Mental Health

breaking cycle of intergenerational depression

By damon devine

My great-grandmother lost her husband, both sons and both grandsons to depression and suicide. And she almost lost me.

Grandma Fishel was my constant supporter during my tumultuous youth and adolescence. Her home became my refuge, my safe space away from the house I lived in and the school I attended - places where I struggled to fit in and knew I was different.

She surrounded herself with cozy kitsch to bring light and cheer into her life. I'm convinced this environment was influential in shaping my lifelong love of "Old Hollywood" memorabilia and personal idols like Mae West and Yma Sumac. Asking For Help

Depression had been my unwelcome, relentless companion since age 11. Not situational depression that people experience as a normal part of life, but immobilizing, chronic depression with no obvious "reason." Along with depression, even at that tender age, came thoughts of suicide. By the time I was a teenager, those thoughts were normal for me. I was resentful of how casual everybody seemed about daily life, while I was looking out a window at everyone else having fun.

At age 23, I started taking antidepressant medication. I had just moved away and was on my own for the first time; I knew I needed help to survive. It was hard admitting this to myself, much less anyone else - especially growing up in a family that didn't talk about mental health, despite "the family curse" of suicide among our men. But I wanted to feel better and function in my new social and work environment. I was so relieved

when the doctor took me seriously. The first medication helped for about six months. I felt much lighter, was much nicer to people, interacted more and could give more in my relationships.

Then the depression symptoms and suicidal thoughts came back - followed by the struggle of dealing with side effects and experimenting with doses and medication combinations. For many years, this was my routine to manage my depression. Looking back now, I never felt normal (whatever that is), even with medication; my existence just wasn't as horrific. Sometimes I felt close to ok, but now I see that I never truly was.

TMS: The Treatment

That Broke The Cycle

2018 was a really bad time for me, and the medications weren't getting me through it. In my desperation to try something different, I remembered that some time back, my doctor had mentioned a non-drug treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. At the time, I hadn't paid too much attention, but when I recalled the suggestion, I thought to myself that I must do this because I owe myself one last thing to try. If it didn't work, I could at least say I gave it a chance.

TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain, so it's not another medication, and that appealed to me a great deal. The thought of facing another medication filled me with despair. If that had been my only option, I believe I would have given up.

I found a practice that specializes in TMS Therapy near where I live, and thankfully, the doctor there diagnosed me

as a good candidate. At first, I was intimidated when they told me I would have to come in every weekday for seven weeks. It was a struggle to get out of bed, much less leave the house and go out into the world. But I forced myself to go. After the first few days, I felt like I was doing something positive for myself, and I went every day for seven weeks.

The actual process and sensation of the daily TMS treatments were quite manageable. The office worked with me to schedule times that were convenient, and the practitioner I saw every day was wonderful. She got me settled into the comfortable treatment chair and made sure I received my exact, prescribed dose of magnetic pulses. For about 20 minutes, I sat in the chair and felt a tap-tap-tap sensation on my head where the magnetic coil touched my scalp and delivered the pulses.

Getting Better Surprised Me

I wasn't sure how soon I would start to notice a difference. The doctor explained it's different for everyone. My first sign was that the suicidal thoughts, which I had been having every day, stopped. After about 10 treatments, I had what I call my "Pop Day." Colors seemed brighter, and I caught myself noticing how pretty traffic lights glow at sunset, photographing flowers on my way home from TMS and seeing beauty everywhere around me. I felt physically lighter, too. With depression, you feel heavy, like you're carrying around a big bag of sand all the time, and that was gone.

When it worked, I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it sometimes. Ever since Pop Day five years ago, things have never been as they were before. Even now, I'll sit and think of how I feel today and marvel at the difference. I find myself adapting to situations that would have seemed insurmountable back then.

Treatment Is Lifesaving

Coming out of depression felt like coming out of prison, even though I'd done nothing wrong. The person I always knew was deeply trapped in all that sadness, angst and exhaustion came out. I

always knew there was a pretty cool person in there.

TMS was the treatment that worked for me, and it might work for you. The important thing is to ask for help and muster up the strength to follow through. Whether it's TMS or something else, you don't have to wait until you're in as dangerous a place as I was. I hate to say the overused phrase, "If I can do it, you can." But it's the truth. I'm no one special, but I am somebody to relate to, and I understand.

Damon Devine is a mental health advocate who wants people to know that mental illness is not their destiny or their identity. He encourages everyone to be aware of their treatment options before they're in crisis.

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

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health, suicide or substance use crisis or emotional distress, reach out 24/7 to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) by dialing or texting 988 or using chat services at suicidepreventionlifeline org to connect to a trained crisis counselor You can also get crisis text support via the Crisis Text Line by texting NAMI to 741741

By Patrick Neustatter, MD

Managing patients with chronic pain, many of whom have to take opioids, is challenging for doctors. It is the genesis one of my smartass maxims, that "pain patients are a pain" - which may not sound very charitable.

So when I saw that there was going to be a talk on pain management without drugs at the Fredericksburg Food Coop, by Occupational Therapist Kerri Newman-DDarrow, proprietor of Kind Oasis Integrative Health, I thought it would be worth going.

The Pain of Pain

Why I say "pain patients are a pain" is because patients needing opioids, like hydrocodone, oxycodone (the principal ingredient in the infamous OxyContin), morphine and other opium derivatives, and the doctors who prescribe

them, are subject to a whole lot of scrutiny and regulation.

This because the authorities have got fired up by the number of people abusing opioids - many of whom got started when their doctor prescribed medicines to treat their pain. Now things are bad - in the last 10 years, overdoses have risen 519 percent Kerri told us.

The scrutiny means doctors prescribing narcotics live in fear of being nailed by the FDA. And patients taking them are made to feel like criminals - or are refused the only medicines that seem to keep them functional. And there are 50 million sufferers of chronic pain in all she noted.

To learn more about Kerri's practice, I arranged a get-together over coffee. She started off thinking to be a doctor she told me, but changed to Occupational Therapy (OT), getting a Master's Degree and setting up kind-oasis. "Often my clients are in pain, and over the years I've learned nonpharmacological modalities to treat them."

A Revised view

The stereotypical image of OT when I was a student was some fusty lady teaching basket weaving, but Kerri, with her reddish hair, her Keltic ancestry and her obvious passion is different. She incorporates a whole slew of treatments to fix not just your body, but your mind and spirit as well.

Treatment is based on the OT "mantra" of PEO - person occupation and environment Taking account of who the client is. What they are trying to do. And the environment in which they are doing it.

She gave the example of a woman patient who had needed pain medicines and assistive devices because her chronic pain was so disabling. After a few visits, as "I peeled back the layers, peeled back the onion" as Kerri put it, it came out that this woman had lost her spouse of fifty years and "grief had kind of taken over."

"Stepping in and helping on the emotional side and giving her a safe space to grieve really helped her pain."

Her holistic approach involves what you might think of as regular OT with adaptive devices, but with the addition of techniques like adaptive yoga, therapeutic hiking, meditation, psychotherapy (including mindfulness, mental re-sstructuring and communication skills.). As well as good advice on diet, exercise, and sleep

She also advocates journalingseeming to also believe, as I do, in the concept of "write out" - sorting out your

thoughts and emotions by writing them down. Though she adds an interesting twist, showing me her notebook with notes written in a spiral.

"It takes you out of the analytic side of your brain and makes you use the creative side" she told me. But maybe there's even more as some claim a spiral "represents connectivity with the divine."

Obviously, her practice is far more than the pain control without medicines she was talking about. Her website (www.kindoasisintergrativehealth.com) offers help with trauma recovery, stress reduction, coping strategies, workplace ergonomics - it seems virtually anything troubling your mind, body or spirit. You can try it out at $125 for a session that lasts anything from 45 to 90 minutes.

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

Kerri Newman-DDarrow,OTR/L, CHT, RYTR Kind Oasis Integrative Health Concierge Care kindoasisintergrativehealth com

540-2227-44448

Cuba: Cars, Colors & Challenges

A Photographers View

By Penny A Parrish

In 2016, I was itching to travel again. My broken femur from the year before had healed, so when a National Geographic catalog highlighting a trip to

Cuba arrived in my mailbox, I thought - why not? I fell in love with the isolated island and its friendly people, the old American cars of my high school days, and the architectural diversity of Havana. I bought original art (more on that later) and took a lot of photos!

When the University of Mary Washington announced an alumni trip to Cuba this past January, I signed up. Our faculty leader was Dr Krystyn Moon , whose grandmother grew up in Cuba. She shared with us her research on agriculture and Cuban food (we had delicious meals there). The trip also centered on the arts: music, dancing, galleries and museums. One day we drove three hours to rural Vinales, with stunning cliffs and tobacco farms. We watched carefully as a man created a cigar, using his hands to continue an art form in his family for more than a century.

In the midst of great food and culture, I also took notice of changes between my first and second visits. The famous squares in Havana Vieja (old town) were virtually deserted. Tourists disappeared after COVID and have not returned This time, children aggressively approached me for moneyhaving an American dollar or a Euro is their goal.

Medical care and education are free in Cuba, but many people benefit from that and then leave the island. In 2022, more than 313,000 Cubans emigrated to the US. That was almost 3% of the Island's population. A Cuban doctor makes $60 a month Some of them work their shifts and then drive tourists around in the evening in those fancy Chevys and Fords because they make more money in tips one night than they do toiling for an entire month.

Speaking of cars, while I was there - on February 1, 2024 - the price of gas went up 400 %. That was a Friday. Two days earlier, all gas stations were out of fuel as people had filled their car tanks, containers and anything else they could use to carry gasoline.

An architectural historian we met says one to three buildings collapse every day in Havana While some buildings have been restored or updated, many remain dangerously unsafe. I took many pictures of once-beautiful architecture that now lacks, doors, windows, walls, roofs - and yet I saw laundry hanging from windows where squatters live.

One of the reasons I wanted to return was to meet an artist, Jose Omar Torres Lopez I bought two of his works at a gallery in 2016, but did not meet him. When I got home, I sent him an email and photos of his work on my wall. He responded with thanks, and said if I ever got back to Cuba he and his family would like to host me for dinner in their home. I kept that email eight years, finally tracked him down, and had a wonderful evening with Jose and his family. I also bought more of his art and brought it back. Some of it is on handmade paper - he could not get art supplies during COVID so he made his own.

I would love to go back again to Cuba. I don't know what the fascination is. I don't speak Spanish, and tropical heat is not my thing. But the history, the resolve of the people, the decaying beauty of the buildings, all call to me. The embargo has been in effect for 65 years now It may benefit those in power, but it is devastating to the people. I wish it would end.

Penny A Parrish is a photographer and writer. Her exhibit CUBA: Cars, Colors and Challenges will be at Brush Strokes Gallery April 4-28.

One of Many Decrepit Buildings in Cuba

Penny Tours Old Building

Che Art Revolution Building

The Fredericksburg Arts Commission (FAC) has approved funding for the first round of grant requests for 2024. These requests are gathered quarterly from applications available on the newly updated commission website: https://fredarts.com/. The first recipients of grants are Fredericksburg Center For the Creative Arts; Dance Matrix and StepVA

Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts (FCCA) will be organizing Nature Journaling days starting on May 30th. The first Nature Journaling workshops will be led by Cathy Smith, the

Art Grants Awarded FAC approves first round of funding

FCCA Outreach educator and held at Hazel Hill and Heritage Park for both seniors and children.

"We're gathering the materials for the workshops now, including journals, colored pencils, magnifiers, rulers and other materials, so that each participant will have a Nature Journaling kit," said George Meadows of FCCA. "The workshops will start with a quick session on how to nature journal (tips for drawing, what's important to write about) and then we'll go outside for some journaling practice. For some of the seniors who might not be able to go out, we'll bring some materials for journaling inside - plant leaves, flowers, insect/bird models and so on."

Dance Matrix & Company is a local troup that gives Fredericksburg dancers an opportunity to perform and support various charity organizations. Their grant was used for a new original work titled "Quest of the Dream Warrior, Kyla's Journey", a 30 minute dance-theater work blending ages and genres that told

the story of a young girl tasked with a harrowing mission to free her town from evil. The work is part of their Story Time Theater series and was performed on March 15th at the downtown Fredericksburg Library Theater as part of the Artists For Brigher Days show which included other non-profit groups and artists. The event was well attended and all proceeds were donated to The Fairy Godmother Project which provides support for families of terminally ill children.

StepVA gives people with disabilities an opportunity for creative expression. Their grant will be used to purchase a digital keyboard, stand and bench to use with their all-aabilities chorus program. Choral singing can be an outlet for self-expression for a youth who may be nonverbal or a young adult who may not be able to read by giving them each the space to find their voice even if it is not expressed in the "typical" way. By using music therapy techniques during rehearsals, the program strives to meet

By Stephen Hu

singers where they are to nurture their individual musical gifts.

If you have a project that would qualify for a grant from the Arts Support Program it's not too late to apply. Through the FAC, arts events and projects can apply and compete to receive financial, networking, and marketing support. For the purposes of competing for this support, FAC defines "arts" broadly and artists - visual, functional, performing, literary, digital, culinary - are encouraged to seek out FAC support for events and projects in our city. The deadlines for 2024 are June 1st, September 1st, and December 6th. A link to the application can be found here: fredarts com/artssupport-pprogram/

Stephen Hu is a musician, writer, and member of the Fredericksburg Arts Commission.

photo by Pat Ritchie

Patrick Mayer as the Shadow, Debbie Testa, Jackie Jerndl, & Laura Trevino on the floor

Art in the Burg

Art Galleries in april

“Cuba” Penny A Parrish

Opening Reception First Fri, April, 5-99p

Brush Strokes Gallery, 824 Caroline St

Throughout April, visitors of the Brush Strokes Gallery, will have the opportunity to experience the "Cuba" exhibition by featured artist Penny A Parrish, a thought-provoking display of photographs taken throughout her two trips to the Caribbean Island. With former careers in television journalism and law enforcement, Penny has a keen eye for detail as well as the ability to convey a range of information about the culture and history of her subject in a single scene. Penny's "Cuba" exhibition includes a dozen large pieces and more than sixty 8" x 10" pictures grouped around themes. "Something about Cuba stirs my soul," she said. She describes her April display as "a combination an art exhibit and a photo-journalism essay." Throughout its history, the island has experienced a series of dramatic rises and falls and the dominion of a number of foreign powers. Penny focuses specifically on capturing the juxtaposition of grandeur and dissolution that occurred in the span between her two visits in 2016, with a National Geographic tour, and 2024, with a University of Mary Washington Alumni group. The ventures included explorations in Havana, Vinales, Cienfuegos and Trinidad and highlighted both rural and city life.

~-Collette Caprara

“April Showers Make Beautiful Silk Flowers”, Janey Harrington

Artful Dimensions, 922 Caroline St

Opening Reception, First Friday April 5, , 6-99pm

Janey has mastered the art of painting on silk. Her one-of-a-kind creations are the perfect choice to welcome the season. Visit Artful Dimensions Gallery in April to delight in her rich colors, bold designs, and luxurious fabrics.

~ Sally Cooney Anderson

Darbytown Art Studio 241 Charles St

Opening Reception April 5, 5-88:30p

Ted Nelson's photography journey began in 2001 when he transitioned from film to digital cameras. In 2019 he founded the Fredericksburg Street Photography Collective in collaboration with prestigious photographers in the FXBG region

Jeannie Ellis

.~

Dorian and Cade Lemasters

Canal Quarters, 1517 Princess Anne

Opening Reception April 5, 5-88:30

Dorian has been active in the Fredericksburg arts community for several years. Her husband, Cade Lemasters opened a small shop three years ago called Everclear Acres where he specializes in custom woodworking. His featured items include custom made art frames ranging from natural wood float frames to original designs that complement Dorian's artwork and other artists in our community.

.~Jeannie Ellis

“Skies the Limit”, Joel Simpson

Opening reception 1st Friday, April 5, 6pm to 9pm

Art First, 824 Caroline St

Veteran Aeronautical Artist Joel Simpson returns as the Gallery's featured presentation in April. His work is technically correct but infused with the daring and acrobatic skills exhibited by all aviators as they rip through the skies. And thus, the title of the exhibit: "Skies the Limit". Indeed, the sky is the limit in Simpson's work. "Aviation has always been a field where your skills and ambitions determine how high you could go. In essence the skies were the limit," Simpson explained recently of his driving philosophy in this exhibit. Gallery visitors will be treated to the technical mastery of dog fights tearing across gun sights to more thought-provoking vignettes centered on the upper firmament

Gary Close

~

“Everything Spring”

Art Alliance at Jarrett Thor Fine Arts

100 Taylor St , Suite 101, Colonial Beach Opening Reception,Friday, April 12, 6-99, Featuring a group display celebrating the season. Members will also showcase Spring in their individual spaces. AA artists display an array of painting, sculpture, photography, encaustics, ceramics, jewelry, and wood furniture.

~ Rob Rudick

Levitt By the Sea", UMW Annual Student Exhibition 2024, opening reception & awards,April 11, 5-77p, duPont Gallery

"Blossom" All medium show all about flowers, buds, bulbs, and verdant growth

Libertytown Arts Workshop Opening reception,916 Liberty St

Guest Artist Ted Nelson , Photographer

“Cuba”, Penny Parrish @ BSG

“ In Your Dreams”,Robyn Ryan “ Winter Greetings”,Beverley Coates “Sunrise Princess Anne”,Lynn Abbott

Janey Harrington @Artful Dimensions

“Daffodils” by Connie Canaby @Art Alliance

“A Rio Moon”Joel Simpson @Art First

Lemaster’s @Canal Quarters Arts

Ted Nelson@Darbytown Art Studio

Folks in Fredericksburg now have a convenient, accessible venue where they can experience and purchase vinyl records from the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond, personally perusing and sampling the offerings of the impressive inventory of Old Man Vinyl Records, which has recently taken residence in a studio of the Artful Dimensions Gallery Yes, the gallery, once hailed as "the only exclusively 3-D gallery in Virginia," has now added a fourth dimensionSound!

The "Old Man" referenced in the new shop's name is long-time vinyl aficionado Mike Rodriguez, who has been buying and collecting records since the 1970s and whose authentic enthusiasm permeates this business venture. He says that both of his sons and some of his friends dubbed him with the Old Man moniker and he just ran with it. "I have great memories of sitting on my front stoop as a kid listening to 77-WABC-NY AM on my transistor radio," he mused. "The very first record I personally owned was a 45rpm of Esther Phillips What a ‘Difference a Day Makes’, which was given to me by a friend in 1975 and the first album I remember buying was ‘Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band’ in 1976. That is still one of my alltime favorite records and bands."

Old Man Vinyl Records

new asset for the ‘burgs listening pleasure

Although options for listening to music have graduated from cassette tapes to CDs to streaming, vinyl records retained their audience and became even more popular with an upsurge in an interest in "vintage" items, in spite of unique drawbacks, such as having to change the disk after just a few songs and the looming threat of a scratch. Mike cites two reasons for the continued commitment of many fans of vinyl records. "First, there is a nostalgia for many people my age to hold and feel a vinyl record in their hands. It brings back memories of our youth and the fun we had listening to great music way back when," he said. "But I am also seeing that a new generation of vinyl-lovers has also been

responsible for its resurgence. These younger collectors are experiencing for themselves the warm and much cleaner

by collette caprara

quality of sound that comes from a good vinyl recording, whereas music recorded digitally seems cold and emotionless."

Another unique feature of tangible records is the artwork featured on their covers. Mike says that his wife, Christine Lush-RRodriguez, who is an artist, introduced him to album art featured on records by Yes, Styx, Genisis and numerous other classic rock bands. He adds that records and music played a key role in their coming together in 1985. At that time, he was working in the wholesale division of a large record store in New York City. Christine had just returned from a teaching position in St. Croix. As it happened, her best friend from the island, Karen, who owned a record store, came to New York to purchase records and the two came to the store where he was working. "My boss asked me to take care of them and the two of them sat in my office all day picking out records to buy. I spent the next few weeks bugging Karen for Chrissy's number," he said. After success in his quest, he called Christine repeatedly for months. "After about three or fourmonths of me asking her out, she finally agreed. And the rest is history!" he said.

and see the cover art first-hand, and you just can't do that online."

Mike doesn't view other shops that display bins of records as competition but as colleagues. "I truly believe it is great to have multiple outlets selling used records in downtown Fredericksburg, as I want the Burg to become a destination for great vinyl. I

The opening of Old Man Vinyl Records was preceded by a period in which Mike sold his wares online through an Amazon store and his own website/store in 2020 during Covid. "But my dream has always been to open a brick-and-mortar record store for as long as I can remember," he said. "Record buyers like to touch and feel the album

sell both new and used vinyl, and my customers tell me that my well-organized collection was missing from the music scene in town. I have already developed a great loyal following of wonderful vinylovers and collectors from Fredericksburg to Mechanicsville to Fairfax and beyond. People who love vinyl have an uncanny ability to find great local sources for buying their records, regardless of how far they have to drive!"

His investment in this enterprise is truly a labor of love. "It is fun and rewarding to watch both seasoned and new vinyl-lovers dig through my bins for as long as they want and then see the looks on their faces when they find an album they've always loved or pick up a record that is new to them. Their eyes light up and that is what vinyl collecting is all about. That sense of wow!" Old

Mike & Christine Rodriguez

"Tony B" Bennett from 95 9 Superhits;

Happy Customers at Grand Opening

Auto Known Better

By Rim Vining

Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs nailed it: "let's not be L-seven come and learn to dance… Wooly Bully, Wooly Bully, Wooly Bully…" So we're off to Pocket Squares and looking dapper as you motor about doing your best Great Gatsby.

I do occasionally drive a car with a radio you can actually hear and one morning a typically riveting piece came on that I didn't know needed to be aired, yet here it is spinning around in my head. What could that be you ask? The trauma of being square.

In Sam the Sham's day they were all the rage and they matched your socks. Yes we're talking about the men's fashion statement pairing the 'dickey' with an open collared shirt, pegged pants and penny loafers. The dickey had to match the socks or you would be L7. They still exist and I always thought the name was a bit off?

But au contraire! Etymologically,

the word "dickey" is from a Cockney rhyme where a "dickey dirt denotes a shirt." However, the dickey we're talking about from Sam the Sham is basically just a bit of neck with a roll of turtle and just enough of a flap to tuck under your regular shirt and voila! The Dickey. A fashion accessory.

Originally they were called the detachable bosom and became fashionable in the late 19th century. Often seen in silent movies and slap stick comedies where you'd see a character whose shirt front kept rolling up like a window shade. That's a detachable bosom and they were made of celluloid which is as flammable as a road flare. Men could get away with wearing a tee shirt under a sport coat, adding a fake celluloid collar, detachable bosom and a tie and arrive in style for cocktails in the Hamptons.

It's not so easy now that we have to contend with pocket squares. Evidently they are what we mere mortals call a handkerchief. Yes, that thing you're

always supposed to have clean in your pocket to offer a beautiful damsel in obvious distress that you just met in a dark alley after shots were fired and your Guy Friday machismo took over.

But this is not about the pocket handkerchief that might have actual value in some situations but about the pocket square in your jacket pocket. A useless splash of color meant to adorn the peacock. A flash to attract that certain someone. The final feather or bright berry that adorns the tower for a courting bird of paradise in the Amazon…

What struck my brain was the divide between the fact that someone is paid to explain to the public the subtleties of proper pocket square etiquette while the world around us heats up, the seas rise and wars are erupting displacing entire populations and somehow someone believes pocket square research will save human kind from itself. Just add a splash of color and all will be well.

If you dare, do a Google search for men's pocket squares and your screen will be filled with fashion topics you never knew existed and learn all about the issues that plague the industry. Imagine not knowing that a pocket square is a must with a 3-piece suit and that one never wears a square with a vest. The shame.

The real takeaway from the interview was the remark that the pocket square and the tie should never match because… heaven forbid… you don't want it to look like the matching boxed set you got with the prom rental.

Sam the Sham would say …. He's L7

autoknownbetter@gmail.com

Rim Vining, humorist, friend and a devoted community volunteer.

Publishers Note: Lets not be L-7 “Let’s Not Be Square” Since I had to look it up, I must be square

Earth Day 2024 free family fun

Margaret Sanford

The City of Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events Department invites you to join us for the 20th Anniversary Earth Day Festival This year's Earth Day Festival on the Rappahannock will be held on Saturday, April 20th from 11am to 4pm at Old Mill Park, 2201 Caroline Street. As the region's largest Earth Day celebration, this year's event will be jampacked with FREE family fun and great ideas for going green.

Join us and learn different ways to help save our environment. We will have over a hundred local vendors, live music, food trucks, and more! A variety of interactive and educational EcoTalks will be held throughout the day, along with a scavenger hunt, and the opportunity to snap a few shots with our Earth Day Mascot! Need a quiet place to sit and enjoy your surroundings? A new sensory tent is available this year!

Still need a reason to celebrate Mother Earth? Test out kayaking in our paddling pool, scale up our rock climbing wall, or take a chance and possibly win prizes with our raffle. With activities for

all ages, we truly will have something for everyone in your family.

Find out how to participate in our Virtual BioBlitz leading up to the festival, along with event day information, such as stage schedule, shuttle route, and parking map on our website at earthdayfred.com.

Admission to the event is free for everyone. Food vendors will be available on-site. Remember to bring your reusable water bottles - we'll have water-filling stations available throughout the festival.

For more information on the 20th Anniversary Earth Day Festival please contact the Parks, Recreation & Events Department at 540-372-1086 and by visiting earthdayfred.com.

Margaret Sanford is Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation Community Outreach Coordinator

Earth Day 2024 April 20, 11a-44p Old Mill Park

Finding Hope

During a Time of Despair

By Nancy Kelly

"Hope" is the Thing with Feathers

By Emily Dickinson

"Hope" is the thing with feathersThat perches in the soulAnd sings the tune without the wordsAnd never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heardAnd sore must be the stormThat could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm -

Our free, age-appropriate Healthy Relationships Classroom Presentations in schools

Our Spanish language and culturally relevant services

I've heard it in the chillest landAnd on the strangest SeaYet - never - in Extremity, It asked a crumb - of me.

In the first few lines of Emily Dickinson's poem "Hope is the Thing with Feathers," she reminds us that hope lives within each of us. During times of despair or suffering, hope is still there "singing" to remind us of its presence.

It is difficult to embrace hope if the partner you love harms you physically, emotionally, sexually, and/or financially, isolates you from friends and family or threatens others you love. When someone is the victim of domestic violence, she or he can feel that hope is out of reach

When you are feeling alone, uncertain, confused, and hopeless, how do you find connectedness, self-confidence, strength, clarity, and hope? Who can you trust when you feel like you are in the middle of a nightmare? Who will care about you, be kind, help and encourage you?

For over 45 years, Empowerhouse has helped survivors of domestic violence and their children with our caring and supportive services and resources. We empower survivors and their children to believe in themselves and build new lives filled with dignity, respect, safety, and hope.

Empowerhouse connects with community members who need us through:

Our free 24-hour confidential hotline

Our Shelter and housing program

Our court advocacy, healthcare, and hospital accompaniment

Our crisis intervention services

Our location-based services in satellite offices in the King George Sheriff's Office, Stafford Sheriff's Office, and Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office

Our support groups for women, teens, and children.

Empowerhouse gives victims the time, space, and tools to heal their hearts, restore their connections, rebuild their lives, and renew their spirits. In fiscal year 2023, we helped over 3,800 people in Fredericksburg City and Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties make a new start.

As Empowerhouse advocates work with survivors of domestic violence and their children, we see such courage and resilience as these community members recover from abuse. Survivors who were at first feeling hopeless, alone and defeated find support, connectedness, and life-changing services. They inspire us as they encourage and champion each other. Their healing journeys are full of promise as they find their confidence again, seek new opportunities and move forward with optimism.

As we welcome spring, a time of renewal and rebirth, when the robin sings its song, we know that even during a time of despair, there is help and there is hope. To learn more about Empowerhouse, please visit our website. If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call our 24-hhour confidential hotline at (540) 373-99373

Nancy B. Kelly is the Development Director for Empowerhouse.

Photo by Jack Bulmer.

C o m p a n i o n s

Amanda Plaughter odhs youngest volunteer

by lenoraKruk-Mullanaphy

pictures of the party space and collects the information for their particular events.

Once that part of the job is completed, Plaugher coordinates with other volunteers to decide which puppies will be at each party and assigns volunteers to help run them. The parties are hosted nearly every weekend of the year, and Plaugher and her team of volunteers are always on hand to ensure the puppies are being gentle with their guests and the area is kept clean throughout the parties. When guests choose party packages with gift boxes included, it's Plaugher who makes sure they're assembled and ready for the party. Lastly, she's responsible for collecting payments and getting feedback from the guests to make sure everything went smoothly.

To put the "icing on the cake," Plaugher is working on a second birthday party for a nine-year-old girl who was the first person to hold a party at ODHS. After experiencing a unique and fun-filled event, she's marking her birthday with a celebration surrounded by puppies once again.

Pawty Packages include:

Fur-bulous Paw-ty for $250 with a $100 non-refundable deposit. This party allows for party space for up to 40 guests total, tables and chairs, puppies for one hour and three volunteers to assist.

Ulti-Mutt Paw-ty for $300 with a $150 non-refundable deposit. The event provides party space for up to 40 guests total, tables and chairs, puppies for one hour, three volunteers to assist, an "adopt me" stuffed animal party favor craft for the expected number of guests (geared to children's parties) and a Pup-arazzi Photo Station.

Visit olddominionhumanesociety.org to find out more about Puppy Pawties. To book a party, email puppyparty@olddominionhumanesociety. org.

Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy is a Public Relations Professional

ODHS is located at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg. www.olddominionhumanesociety.org.

biggest responsibilities. The yearround parties are an integral part of raising money for the rescue dogs, and the time and organization she dedicates to the task has made them a success. The Spotsylvania teen began volunteering when she was just 12. Not one to shy away from a big task when it comes to her love of dogs, Plaugher started running the parties when she was 14.

"I thought helping out with the 'Puppy Pawties' was a wonderful opportunity, and it gave me something to do when I was unable to get to the facility since I'm not able to drive yet," she said. "I never imagined the parties would grow into such huge popularity and that I'd be practically running it all. It's just a really incredible experience."

The party planner extraordinaire, who has planned 76 parties since the "Puppy Pawties" started in 2022, is booking them well into June already. She puts her heart into every facet of planning the events, including responding to emails from families who are interested in holding parties at the rescue facility and answering their many questions. She provides them with information about the puppies, sends

"I haven't narrowed down what I want to do in the future, but it'll definitely have something to do with helping animals," said Plaugher, whose family adopted Maxx, a rescue from ODHS, in 2021. "My parents are very supportive of all the work I do with ODHS, and my mom even works alongside me in helping with the 'Puppy Pawties'. Plaugher, who is homeschooled, is in the 10th grade.

ODHS Puppy Parties are held in the community room, where the tiniest residents of the rescue are housed. The parties include an hour of puppy playtime for guests during a two-hour event. The one-of-a-kind events' proceeds go to ODHS's dogs and their care, such as food, supplies, spay/neuter and everything they need to ensure they're healthy and happy until they find their permanent homes.

Party hosts are welcome to supply their own cake, drinks and refreshments, and they're invited to have pizza and other food delivered to the party space. While refreshments aren't allowed during the one-hour puppy time, hosts can choose if the furry friends will make their appearance during the first or last hour of the event.

Fifteen-year-old Amanda Plaugher (above with Tybolt) is one of Old Dominion Humane Society' s (ODHS) youngest volunteers, and the role she fills as "Puppy Pawty" coordinator is one of the rescue's

THE THE POETRY MAN POETRY MAN

By Frank Fratoe

Before Dawn Before Dawn

My Shadow moves on the floor as rays.gleam through a window from a full-moon that has risen an hour before our sun returns to flood the horizon with dawn.

Sleep was lost by nightmares until I got up in the darkness cognizant of early morning light and I saw that a moon was there telling me everything is alright.

Astrology & You april fool

By Dianne Bachman

packed April. Hold onto your socks!

Now, let's look at the rest of the month:

When I was thinking about drafting this article, I thought I might play an April Fool's joke on everyone. No need! The zodiac already took care of it with Mercury stationing retrograde, 27 degrees Aries at 6:14 pm on April 1 Let's see how many of us wind up with a story about misdelivered mail, crossed flights, dropped phone calls, or impulsive slips of the tongue during important conversations. So slow down, pay attention to details, eat your veggies, and take long walks. But wait… this retrograde is just the beginning of a very action-

On April 8th we will experience a solar eclipse in Aries. In Virginia it will begin at 2:04 pm, reach approximately 82% magnitude at 3:20 pm, then end at 4:32 pm. This eclipse brings with it dynamic energy for fresh starts, autonomy, and courage to break free from things that may be holding you back from experiencing your truest self Chiron will form an exact conjunction with the Sun and Moon the day of the eclipse but will be active from April 6 to the 10th. This aspect can lead us to process past hardships and wounds and embrace them as helpers and gifts of wisdom. This is definitely a good time to release any old grudges or pain that lingers in exchange for a lighter load. Meditating and experiencing this energy can be amazing, so enjoy it. The next total solar eclipse that is visible from the U S won't be until August 23, 2044. Please be safe in viewing the eclipse and be sure to wear appropriate eye wear for viewing the eclipse. If it is a sunny day, enjoy the mesmerizing patterns the moon makes as the Sun shimmers through the trees.

The next big event will be the Jupiter Uranus exact conjunction on April 20 at 9:20 pm So, from about April 17 to the 27 the energies will be strong. These two planets meet up about every 14 years and the last time they came together in Taurus was 1941. Jupiter is said to embody the spirit of generosity, enthusiasm, good fortune, and exploration. Uranus is the planet associated with innovation, technology, swift change, and creative genius. Put the two together in the sign of Taurus and who knows what could happen? The earthy Taurus may well be a grounding rod for planetary energies, bringing the pitch down a notch and turning the cosmic spotlight onto material matters, like finance, the creative arts, and managing shared natural resources. Mercury will still be in retrograde during much of this time, so this could add a bit to the chaos of the unexpected nature of Uranus, so slow down, relax, review, and practice good old comfy Tauruean selfcare!

April 1: Mercury stations retrograde at 6:14 pm in Aries.

April 5: Venus enters Aries at 12:00 a.m. Focus on relationship with your Self. Practice radical self-acceptance through embracing ALL your parts. You are lovable! Also, prime time to be bold with creativity and independence with finances.

April 8: Total Solar eclipse in Aries, 2:04 pm to 4:32 pm. Grab the eclipse glasses and prepare to be infused with the energy (let's hope for clear skies!).

April 19: The Sun enters Taurus. Even if you suffer seasonal allergies, most of us can appreciate the rich spring greens and lovely warm temps. Taurus season is a time for gentle grounding and sensual pleasures

April 20: Jupiter makes an exact conjunction with Uranus (see above)

April 23: Full Moon in Scorpio. A deeply intuitive time. Some may feel the need to cocoon, to seek solitude, so respect the calling of your inner voice. This is a suitable time to begin a research project or any project requiring deep digging

April 25: Mercury stations direct at 8:54 am. Though Mercury will be direct, the effects of the shadow of the retrograde will be influential until May 14 when it reaches the point where retrograde began at 27 degrees Aries.

April 29: Venus enters Taurus. Venus is at home in the sign she rules, so beauty, love, abundant resources, and creature comforts are the themes This is a time to look at how you might express yourself through color in your home or your wardrobe. Also, an enjoyable time to get creative with hairstyles or experimenting with new additions to your garden.

April 30: Mars enters Aries. Wait! I can hear Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries cueing up in the April playlist. Full speed ahead but take safe care not to be too impulsive. This energy is quite powerful, and it is easy to get carried away. Be extra mindful when driving or walking downtown.

Dianne Bachman is a psychotherapist & astrologer practicing in FXBG. She can be reached at dbachmanlcsw@gmail.com

Art by J.J. Grandville, circa 1847. "The Zodiac in a Round Dance Around the World".

April 2024 29

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

M-Sat.

810 Caroline

(540) 371-5684

Fredericksburg Sketches

A visual Celebration of our community

By Paula Raudenbush

Women in Hyperion

.As I write this, spring is showing her pretty face all over Fredericksburg. Things are blooming, people are walking around in shorts and T-shirts. It's a great time to be outdoors sketching. This past week was an event in the international sketching world called "One Week 100 People." For five days in March, sketchers all over the world are challenged to draw 100 people in five days. I've participated several times but made it to 100 only once. This year, I joined in but, once again, I didn't make it. No matter. It was fun trying. Here is one of my favorites from the few I did. I was sitting in Hyperion one morning this week and noticed these two women sitting at the window having a wonderful conversation and enjoying each other's company. I may still put some color on it but I'm enjoying black ink a lot these days.

You don't have to draw 100 people, or any people for that matter, but I challenge you to get out there and draw something. It's a good excuse to be outside enjoying the weather. Cheers and happy Spring!

Paula Raudenbush is an admin for the Fredericksburg Chapter of the Urban Sketchers and maintains a studio in Libertytown Arts Workshop.

Dianne Bachman,LCSW Psychotherapist/Astrologer

Now offering psychological astrology & astrological consultations

In addition to Individual, family & marital therapy Hypnosis Expressive Arts

540.845.7622 diannebachman.com dbachmanlcsw@gmail.com

Jordan Carpenter

UMW Women's Basketball Star Bounces Into 1,000-Point Club

When Jordan Carpenter started her collegiate basketball career at the University of Mary Washington in 2020, she focused on the next point, the next game, the next step. And her parents were there each step of the way, coming from their home in Richmond, Virginia, to

attend each game and cheer her on.

Now a senior approaching graduation in May, she heard their familiar voices in the stands of the Anderson Center arena counting down the points needed to 1,000 in a memorable game on January 27, 2024.

"You need eight points!" her dad yelled, throwing his fingers in the air. The countdown intensified, and Carpenter's dad signaled the remaining points with a three-finger gesture. With only seconds left on the clock and the opposing team in possession, Carpenter's coach rallied the team to secure the ball. The tension reached its peak as Carpenter drove down the court, making an unforgettable buzzer-bbeating shot that not only won the game but also catapulted her into the 1,000-ppoint club

Reflecting on the game, Carpenter shared, "There was like five seconds left, four, three, two, one, and I lay it up. The buzzer goes off right at the right time." The moment was nothing short of miraculous, leaving her team in awe as they swarmed her in celebration.

By sam cahill

Carpenter's memories and achievements are centered on the basketball court, with her favorite memory being the NCAA Conference against Christopher Newport University Her success, she says, wouldn't be possible without her biggest supporters - her

Carpenter, a cybersecurity major, found UMW like many other students, by a personal connection and someone who noticed her talent. While playing in a tournament in her hometown of Richmond, an opposing team's coach saw her in action. That coach was a UMW alumna, who then referred her to the current UMW women's basketball coach for the Division III team. A visit to campus was all she needed to know UMW could be her next home court.

Carpenter shared, "I came and took a visit, and it was my last visit. I had been to maybe 20 other schools beforehand, but as soon as I came on campus, I knew this is where I wanted to go." She settled on cybersecurity as a major after a high school IT program, expressing her love for the field and her readiness to pursue it in either the government or private sector postgraduation.

Despite facing challenges as a student-athlete during the pandemic, Carpenter's resilience and commitment propelled her forward. She spoke about the unexciting start to college life, with virtual classes and limited sports activities. However, Carpenter's determination and drive kept her focused on the future. She also continued to add up the points and the victories.

parents. Having attended all but one of her games, they've traveled far and wide to cheer on their daughter, leaving an indelible mark on Carpenter's inspiring story.

She was named the conference Player of the Year as well as the Defensive Player of the Year for the 2023-24 Coastto-Coast Athletic Conference Women's Basketball all-conference teams. She ranks nationally in doubles with 15 double doubles in 23 games, and leads the Eagles with 15.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. A 2023 All-AAmerican, Carpenter became the 21st player in school history to surpass 1,000 career points this year. Her career high of 31 points was achieved this season against Gallaudet, when she notched her 1,000th point at the buzzer. She was named the league's player of the week three times this season. At the same time, she achieved the President's List for a 4 0 GPA in the fall 2023 semester. Recently honored as a WBCA All-SStar, Carpenter was chosen to join the elite cadre of the nation's top 20 women's basketball athletes in a pre-National Championship game on March 16, 2024. Additionally, Carpenter has secured the prestigious title of First Team All-RRegion for the year and garnered an honorable mention as a WBCA All-AAmerican

Assistant

Jordan Carpenter (holding basketball) with her Eagles Women's Basketball Teammates

Jordan Carpenter Spins Her Magic on the Court