FEB 2026 CH by FXBG Neighbors

NEIGHBORS OF NEIGHBORS OF Courthouse Courthouse

Cover Photo by Karen Presecan Photography

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PUBLICATION TEAM

Love is in the air, and we’re excited to feature a family that loves literature, art, and traveling. Read all about the D’Amicos’ adventures, a special student at Colonial Forge, a local charity offering community support, and much more.

If you know of any incredible individuals or groups who deserve to have their stories shared, please let us know. As always, thank you to our amazing business sponsors who make this magazine possible each and every month.

Happy reading, Publisher:

Content Coordinator: Mallory Hardgrove

Contributing

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Contact: Dori Stewart

Email: doristewart@bestversionmedia.com

Phone: (540)288-7928

FEEDBACK/IDEAS/SUBMISSIONS

Have feedback, ideas, or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month. Go to www.bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas, and photos to: doristewart@bestversionmedia.com.

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EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS

CATERING

Will and Maria Negron | Hit the Spot Kitchen 540-479-1687 Hitthespotkitchen.com

ESTATE PLANNING, REAL ESTATE, & BUSINESS LAW

Melissa Huntley-Bosco | HB Law, PLC 703-398-2143 hblawplc.com

FUNERAL SERVICES

Todd Gerace | Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service 540-373-5842 (Fredericksburg), 540-659-7690 (Stafford) dignitymemorial.com

HARDSCAPING

Travis Keyes | Keyes Exteriors 540-424-7330 keyeslandscapingva.com

HARDWOOD FLOORING

Enos and Amy Pacheco | Pacheco’s Hardwood Floor 571-383-5946 | 571-575-1570 Spanish pachecoshardwoodfloor.com

LANDSCAPING

Mason Lewis | Lewis Enterprises 540-903-8978 lewisenterprisesva.com

MASSAGE

Linda Osorio, LMT | Bear River Massage 540-356-5535 bearriverspayoga.com

ORTHODONTICS

Matthew H. Caspersen, D.D.S., M.S. Rappahannock Orthodontics 540-371-2611 drcaspersen.com

PILATES

Suzy Thompson | Club Pilates 540-783-1940 clubpilates.com/stafford

PLUMBING

Gregory White | White Plumbing Company 703-672-8667 whiteplumbingco.com

REAL ESTATE

Ginger Walker | Give Back Team of Coldwell Banker Elite 540-306-5585 GiveBackTeam.com

SKINCARE

Aubry Blais | Thistle Medical Aesthetics 540-783-8209 thistlemedicalaesthetics.com

TREE SERVICE

Billy Kelley | Tree Times 540-720-8733 treetimesinc.com

To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact BVM at doristewart@bestversionmedia.com or 540-288-7928.

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NAVIGATING A FLOORING RENOVATION ON A BUDGET

One of the most impactful updates for a homeowner is new floors! They can transform the atmosphere while adding value and charm. However, the cost of materials and labor can add up quickly. How can you finally afford your flooring upgrade without breaking the bank? Fortunately, beautiful flooring renovations can be executed with careful planning, informed material selection, and knowledgeable installation. Clarify your flooring vision and budget. First, define your goal. Before you step foot into a flooring selection center or search online, at least have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your flooring upgrade. Which rooms realistically need new flooring? Are you renovating for personal preference, to increase your home’s resale value, or to enhance its functionality? Once your goals are established, you can set a budget. The final cost will include flooring materials, installation, furniture removal, subfloor preparation, transitions, trim, and removal of the old floor.

Select well-performing products within your price range that suit your lifestyle.

Material selection is key to staying within budget. The current flooring industry offers a wide selection of stylish, durable products at competitive prices. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are top choices for budget-conscious homeowners. They withstand heavy foot traffic, resemble hardwood or stone, and resist water. Engineered hardwood can provide the warmth and stability of real wood at a lower cost. Homeowners should also consider pets, children, and heavy foot traffic when selecting a product.

Consider refinishing or buying products in stock.

Existing hardwood floors can be refinished rather than replaced. Refinishing costs significantly less and lets you change the stain color or sheen. Surplus inventory and overstock materials can often be purchased at discounted prices. Timing your purchase during flooring promotions can also save big! Choose a flooring

company that offers monthly or military/service member discounts.

Work with a trusted flooring professional. Partnering with a knowledgeable flooring professional can significantly impact pricing, quality, and craftsmanship. An experienced flooring team can guide you through material selection and provide cost estimates. Request a free, inhome estimate, identify potential challenges early, and track progress. With expert guidance, homeowners can make informed decisions and maximize their investment.

A flooring renovation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Strategic planning, with a focus on wise material and installation choices, enables homeowners to create beautiful, functional spaces without exceeding their budget.

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THE D’AMICO FAMILY: WRITING THEIR OWN ADVENTURE STORY

BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTOS BY KAREN PRESECAN PHOTOGRAPHY & JACQUELYN KIPPENBROCK & COURTESY OF JACQUELENE D’AMICO

Some families collect postcards or tiny souvenirs from their travels. Not the D’Amico family, though; Michael, Jacquelene, and their three daughters collect adventure stories. And, now, thanks to Jacquelene’s newly published children’s book, they’re sharing those adventures with young readers across the Fredericksburg area.

Jacquelene and Michael D’Amico’s love story began in a class at the University of Mary Washington, where both business majors quickly discovered they had more to discuss than balance sheets and bottom lines.

“Before long, we were talking too much during Business Law, getting reprimanded, and decided it was best to talk outside of the classroom,” Jacquelene recalls. Their classroom connection blossomed into a relationship built on shared wanderlust, with Michael proposing in Lake Como, Italy, a destination that wasn’t even on their itinerary and provided the perfect plot twist for Michael to pop the question.

Over their 14 years of marriage, the couple has turned the page on adventures across multiple continents, exploring Canada, England, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Aruba, and various destinations from Florida to Massachusetts. Yet their journey to Rio de Janeiro remains a favorite chapter. These travels have become more than just passport stamps; they’ve shaped the family’s perspective and, ultimately, inspired Jacquelene’s creative work.

While Michael applied his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Business Administration to his finance career, Jacquelene took a different route to her current calling. After earning undergraduate degrees in Business and Studio Art, plus a master’s in Management, she worked as a proposal writer before founding Smart Cookies Education Services LLC in 2021. The reading tutoring business emerged from challenges she observed in children during COVID, proving that sometimes the best ideas come from navigating uncharted territory.

But Jacquelene’s most recent venture has truly allowed her imagination to take flight. The Adventures of Trollee and Alice, her debut children’s book, weaves together the family’s local explorations throughout the Fredericksburg area into a literacy-building tool for first through fifth graders. The book follows young Alice, a marshmallow-loving troll named Trollee, and Periwinkle, a slightly naughty dragon, through extraordinary adventures involving playground bullies, volcanic library eruptions, farm lessons, and museum creativity.

“All of our experiences inspire my writing and ultimately led me to create The Adventures of Trollee and Alice,” Jacquelene explains. “I began jotting down memories of these outings, like blackberry picking at Braehead Farm, and before my mom passed away last year, I became determined to share those stories and publish the book.”

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As our daughters get older, we plan on traveling more internationally to help them appreciate other cultures and see the world firsthand.

The book’s educational approach sets it apart from typical children’s literature. Bolded vocabulary words appear throughout each story, and the book concludes with “Trollee’s Guide to Tricky Words,” a special glossary designed to build reading confidence. It’s evident that Jacquelene’s tutoring expertise informed every page, creating a resource that’s both entertaining and enriching.

The D’Amicos’ three daughters stay busy with gymnastics and jiu jitsu, while the entire family remains active at The Mount church. They continue exploring Virginia’s parks and trails, including Widewater State Park, Chatham Manor, and Government Island, always on the lookout for the next adventure—and perhaps the next story.

“Downtown Fredericksburg is a book lover’s dream, and places like Tales and Tails Book Cafe and The Book Market FXBG have given me special opportunities to connect with fellow readers,” Jacquelene shares. The local book community has welcomed her with open arms, introducing her to a world she hadn’t fully discovered before writing seriously.

The family’s love of culture extends beyond books. As art enthusiasts, they frequent Gari Melchers Belmont Home and Studio, charming

downtown shops like Du Jardin Home & Garden and Jabberwocky Children’s Toys and Gifts. They are thrilled about the recent opening of Silly Goose Imagination Village in North Stafford as well. Washington, D.C.’s art museums and Smithsonian museums are also featured on their cultural itinerary. When it comes to dining, “Orofino, The Grounds Bistro & Grill, and Carl’s Frozen Custard will always hold a special place in our hearts,” Jacquelene notes.

Even the family’s pet has an international backstory. After visiting Blenheim Palace in England, where the original Blenheim-colored King Charles Cavaliers were bred, the family knew they needed one of these charming dogs. They adopted Huffkins, named after their favorite English tea shop, who serves as a daily reminder of that special trip.

Looking ahead, the D’Amicos plan to expand their daughters’ horizons through international travel. “As our daughters get older, we plan on traveling more internationally to help them appreciate other cultures and see the world firsthand,” Jacquelene says. “Any place with a beach, an inspiring art museum, or amazing food is a win for our family, and every trip is a chance to make lasting memories together.”

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For this family, every adventure—whether across the ocean or across town—becomes part of their ongoing narrative, artfully balancing championing their own community and appreciating the diversity of others. And, thanks to Jacquelene’s dedication to literacy and storytelling, those adventures are now helping young readers write their own success stories, one bolded vocabulary word at a time.

Books at Belmont Event: Jacquelene D’Amico has been selected as the 2026 speaker for Gari Melchers’ Books at Belmont program on March 22. Join her at 2 pm for a free public talk exploring the creative journey behind The Adventures of Trollee and Alice, how grief became a source of inspiration, and how magical time spent with your children can truly be. The event takes place at Gari Melchers’ Home and Studio in the Pavilion event space and concludes with a book signing in the Museum Store. This heartfelt presentation is especially valuable for aspiring writers, mothers, and caregivers in the community.

Summer Tutoring 2026: Smart Cookies Education Services is now accepting summer registration and offering personalized tutoring in phonics, grammar, reading fluency, comprehension, handwriting, essay writing, and more. Build confidence and instill a lasting love of learning. Forms are available on the website listed below.

Connect with Jacquelene: Website: jacquelenedamico.com Instagram: @author_jacquelene_damico Facebook: facebook.com/trolleeandalice | Amazon: amzn.to/4kC0DNk

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In a world where families often feel stretched thin and isolated, The Meadow Church offers something increasingly rare: a place where they can be fully supported, both spiritually and practically. Founded by Ebonee Davis, this nonprofit church has grown from a calling that began years before it had a name, evolving from Vaughn’s Meadow LLC into an organization that now serves as the spiritual heart of comprehensive family support.

“The Meadow Church is a nonprofit church created to support children, youth, and families spiritually, emotionally, and practically,” explains Davis, who serves as Founder and Executive Director. What makes The Meadow Church unique is its family-centered approach—not just in whom it serves, but in how it operates. Davis’s twin sister, Mercedees Delcid, serves as Chief Operating Officer, while their mother, Jacqueline Ussery, is Chief Strategic Officer. Together with their spouses and children who comprise the board, they steward a mission rooted in faith, service, and community.

The organization’s journey began with Vaughn’s Meadow, which has been serving families since 2021. The Meadow Church officially gained its nonprofit church status in 2025, a natural evolution driven by the scope of its work and the spiritual foundation underlying everything it does. “My background in education, psychology, behavioral health, and ministry made it clear that families need more than one type of support,” Davis shares. “They need education, faith, community, and guidance working together.”

At the heart of The Meadow Church’s philosophy is a powerful belief: “Every child belongs to God and every family deserves support.” This isn’t just about Sunday services but discipleship through relationship, consistency, and presence. The church offers free activities, faith-based gatherings, and support spaces, including moms’ support groups, moms’ Bible studies, and children’s Bible studies. They also partner with other churches in children’s and youth ministries as they continue building their own programs.

Currently pursuing her doctorate in Christian counseling and theology, Davis brings an impressive educational foundation to her work, including bachelor’s degrees in education and psychology, a master’s in advanced education, and preparation for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. This expertise directly informs one of The Meadow Church’s most impactful offerings: educational and behavioral support programs provided at no cost to families who lack medical insurance or whose coverage doesn’t include services like ABA or therapeutic consultation.

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I am inspired when a child discovers their gifts, when a parent feels supported instead of overwhelmed, and when families realize they are not alone.

What drives this work? For Davis, the answer is simple and profound. “My greatest inspiration is watching children and families step into who God created them to be,” she says. “I am inspired when a child discovers their gifts, when a parent feels supported instead of overwhelmed, and when families realize they are not alone.”

But don’t let the serious mission fool you; it is joy that is central to everything The Meadow Church does. “At heart, I am really just a big kid,” Davis admits with a laugh. “I always say that if I am not having fun, then the kids definitely are not having fun.” You’ll often find her running relay races, jump roping, hula-hooping, or playing tug-of-war right alongside the children. “Faith does not have to feel heavy,” she emphasizes. “Sometimes it looks like laughter, movement, and getting a little out of breath while loving kids well.”

Looking ahead, The Meadow Church is actively seeking grants to offer full scholarships to families to attend Vaughn’s Meadow Academy at highly reduced rates or at no cost. “Our heart is to remove barriers so children and families can receive what they need,” Davis explains. The organization will host events frequently in the new year, with details available on Facebook.com/Vaughnsmeadow.

Davis’s message to the community is welcoming and clear: “You belong here. You do not need to have everything figured out to be part of The Meadow Church. Whether you are strong in your faith, searching, or simply looking for community, there is room for you.”

The Meadow Church isn’t focused on impressive numbers but on meaningful, long-term impact: spiritual growth and generational change rooted in faith, education, and service. As Davis puts it, “This is not about building something for recognition. It is about building something that lasts and blesses the community for generations.”

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Building Safety through Dialogue: A Student’s Stand Against School Gun Violence

Abigail Nyinaku is a senior at Colonial Forge High School. Outside of writing, she enjoys making art, playing the violin, and has a strong passion for legal studies. Abigail is also the current Vice President of her school’s National Honor Society and runs a handmade personalized greeting-card business, called Heartfelt, in her free time.

In an era where gun violence has risen at an alarming rate in American schools, one student decided to take a stand. Motivated by the frightening rise in school shootings and a personal desire to ensure that schools remain safe havens, Colonial Forge High School senior Naa Ankrah devoted her research project to a simple but powerful idea: improving communication through a student-crafted school safety protocol pamphlet.

resources for those seeking clarity and reassurance about their safety in educational settings.

Gathering this information wasn’t easy. Ankrah described her research and product process as one that required her to jump “through rings of fire” to verify accuracy and credibility and to gain approval to make headway with her project. Naa contacted the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services regarding state safety codes and consulted the school’s crisis management team to understand existing protocols better. Her interviews extended beyond those who could be found on Forge’s campus- including a personal conversation with an officer involved in the Virginia Tech shooting response, a detective, and a police officer familiar with public safety procedures.

“I think what really motivated me to pursue this was seeing the rapid increase in gun violence, especially in schools,” says Ankrah. Gun violence has become the leading cause of death among adolescents, rising over 100% since 2013. Yet, despite this devastating trend, Ankrah noticed that meaningful conversations about preparedness were often avoided due to the topic’s sensitivity.

Naa’s research revealed a significant gap in how safety drills are communicated. Students, parents, and even staff members often feel unprepared or uninformed about what to do in the event of an emergency. “Kids shouldn’t go into school and expect active shooter drills,” Naa acknowledges, “but they should be aware of the possibility and prepared, as well as parents.”

The product born from this realization was a student-safety guide, a pamphlet tailored separately for elementary, middle, and high school students. Each version provides clear, age-appropriate information about how to respond during various emergencies, from lockdowns and fires to intruder alerts. The ultimate goal of this project is to bridge the communication gap between students, families, and school officials, providing trusted

Naa also met with Stafford County’s superintendent and the county’s Chief of Staff and plans to speak with the Department of Safety and Security to ensure complete alignment with county policies. Each meeting adds another layer of depth, ensuring that her pamphlet will be both informative and compliant.

While her pamphlet is currently under review, the safety guides have been praised for their initiative and potential impact. Ankrah hopes to see them distributed in the upcoming school year, sparking open dialogue about preparedness in educational settings.

Looking ahead, Ankrah envisions expanding her project into teacher-preparedness courses on school campuses or exploring ways to enhance emergency technology, such as quick-access alert buttons integrated into staff ID badges. “A quick drill that’s not taken seriously isn’t cutting it anymore,” Naa urges, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing effective means of spreading awareness and safety protocols.

Through research, determination, and empathy, Ankrah’s project transforms concern into actionproviding the start of lasting changes which begin with a single person’s courage to speak up about what matters most: keeping students safe.

PARENTS EDUCATION CORNER

BY CHERICE TAYLOR

A PARENT’S LOVE

Cherice Taylor, M.A. Education Administration, is a PartTime Career Advisor for Germanna Community College. She is the 2022-2023 Past President of the Rotary Club of Stafford and a Charter Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Psi Psi Omega Chapter. She is a relationship builder, poet and a former educator with over 10 years experience at the preschool through high school levels. Cherice earned her Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and her Masters in Education Administration from California State University- Dominguez Hills. She is married to LCDR Eric Taylor (retired) and a mother of four sons. A positive attitude and the belief that sharing pearls of wisdom along with the Golden Rule allows for everyone to improve and reach their personal goals. This is demonstrated in the podcast show that she hosts, Time Matters Podcast! Cherice believes that if we all do better, then we all do better, and that is why Cherice is involved in the community.

We love our children and want the best for them, but sometimes we struggle to find the right balance—doing too much or not enough. Consider the first-grade homework signed in perfect, blue-ink penmanship, or the high school athlete who wouldn’t do extra credit to pass a class. These real-life examples show how well-meaning actions can inadvertently impede a child’s growth.

Love is more than just wanting success; it’s providing the guidance, encouragement, and tools they need to make their own decisions—to succeed or to “fail forward” and learn from the lesson.

It takes a village—from parents and guardians to teachers and mentors—to serve as the “training wheels” as our children navigate toward adulthood. When those wheels come off, they will be wobbly, and they will fall. The most important moment is not when you rush to pick them up, but when you wait a moment, let them regroup, and tell them, ‘You got this.’

By allowing them to try again until they succeed, you teach them grit, perseverance, practice, and effort—the essential “soft skills” employers value. Our role is to be present, engaged, respectful, and supportive so that when we are no longer here, they are truly independent, successful citizens who can share what they learned with their children, ensuring your legacy continues in a positive way.

“No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life goes on, and it will be better tomorrow.”

- Maya Angelou

Water Heaters Toilets

Faucets Garbage Disposals along with minor drain cleaning

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BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM, CHPV, CCRV, CVA, CVPP,

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY:

CARE

Your dog yelps while playing in the yard and comes up lame, or your cat suddenly stops jumping on the bed. You head to your family veterinarian, who performs the vital “detective work.” They conduct an exam, take X-rays, and run bloodwork to ensure your pet is healthy. You leave with a diagnosis—like a “torn ligament” (CCL) or a “slipped disk” (IVDD)—and a bottle of pain medication. Perhaps you are even referred to a specialist for surgery.

You follow the instructions, give the pills, and ensure your pet rests. But once the medicine is gone or the surgical staples are out, many pets still aren’t back to 100%. This leaves many owners asking: “Now what?”

Over the years, I have seen many pet owners face this same frustrating “gap” in care simply because they didn’t know other options existed.

The Human Connection

Imagine a person recovering from a significant back injury or knee surgery. Once they leave the hospital, the healing is only half-finished. To return to their everyday life, they work with a Physical Therapist (PT) who designs a medical plan to alleviate pain, regain strength, and restore balance.

It is important to remember that in human medicine, Physical Therapists are doctors with years of specialized medical training. Our pets deserve that same level of expertise. When a pet receives this type of specialized “PT,” we call it Veterinary Rehabilitation.

More Than Just a Treadmill: A Medical Toolkit

imaging (X-rays and CT scans), to get to the root of the problem.

• Prescribing the Plan: Just as a Doctor of Physical Therapy would, a veterinarian prescribes a specific rehabilitation plan tailored to that pet’s health history.

• Medical Treatments: Providing advanced care such as acupuncture, laser therapy (Photobiomodulation), manual therapy, and medical injections to reduce inflammation and “reset” the nervous system.

Many people think “rehab” for pets is just exercise on a fancy underwater treadmill. While treadmills can be great tools for some patients, they are only one piece of a much bigger medical puzzle.

• Managing Medications: Adjusting prescriptions and supplements as your pet heals to ensure they stay comfortable without being over-sedated.

• Prescription Exercise: Designing specific movements you can do at home to maintain strength and improve balance.

n Acupuncture

Acupuncture

n Rehab & Laser Therapy

n Food Therapy

• Weight & Nutrition: Assessing body mass to prescribe a weight management plan, including specific foods and supplements that aid healing.

Pain Management & Quality of Life Assessments

Acupuncture Hospice & Palliative Care

Hospice & Palliative Care

True rehabilitation is a complete medical plan to identify and alleviate pain while restoring balance and mobility. It is not just for pets recovering from surgery; it is also for pets with arthritis, injuries, or progressive diseases where surgery isn’t an option. Because rehabilitation is a medical process, it should be led by a veterinarian trained in pain management and rehabilitation who can look at the “whole picture.”

A doctor-led recovery plan includes:

• Spotting New Problems: Reassessing and identifying subtle new signs of pain that might require a change in the overall medical strategy.

Looking Toward Spring

n Herbal Medicine

n Hospice & Palliative Care

Rehab & Laser Therapy Herbal Medicine

n Pain Management & Quality of Life Assessments

Rehab & Laser Therapy Herbal Medicine

Hospice & Palliative Care Now partnering with Cladda Veterinary Emergency to provide integrative medicine services like acupuncture, pain management, and rehabilitation/physical therapy services at their location in Fredericksburg.

540-300-1213

Food Therapy

Dr. Katrina Spies, DVM, CHPV, CCRV, CVA, CVPP

• Medical Record Review: Analyzing your pet’s history to ensure a definitive diagnosis and to understand how other health issues (such as heart disease or diabetes) may affect recovery.

The damp, cold February weather in Virginia can make injuries and arthritic joints feel much stiffer. Without a medical plan to keep them moving, pets often start putting too much weight on their “good” legs. This “compensation” can lead to new injuries in other parts of the body.

• Advanced Pain Assessment: Performing specialized neurological and orthopedic exams to find “hidden” pain that a standard exam might miss.

www.comfortpaws.com

info@comfortpaws.com

comfortpaws.com info@comfortpaws.com ComfortPawsLLC

info@comfortpaws.com

• Comprehensive Diagnostics: Recommending and performing advanced diagnostics, such as joint fluid sampling, lab work, or

If your pet is finishing a recovery or seems “creaky” this winter, remember that a diagnosis is just the beginning of the story. By bridging the gap from injury to recovery with rehabilitation and pain management, we can ensure our best friends aren’t just surviving, but truly enjoying their best lives.