Front Porch Fredericksburg - January 2014

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LOCAL GOOD LIFE

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

L o c a l G o o d N e w s S i n c e 1 9 97 YEAR 17 • ISSUE 199 • JANUARY 2014

Frontporchfredericksburg.com

Her CRRL Family

Jenny McGee 3

Pain, No Gain

When Aging Hurts 6

Pre-K

Andi Gabor’s Way 8

Sib Silver

Silver Ridge Farm 9

Uova Pasta, Yolk, White Truffle 12

Integrative & Evidence-Based

20

Niece Anesthetist

Nice Nurse 29

Bob Sima

His Next Big Thing 30

contents

closeups 3

8

30

Jenny Mcgee ...lobby stops the art of playing ... andi gabor

30

BobSima’s Next big thing ... with divine purpose

porch talk 4 ..5 7

on the porch...life in fredericksburg Messages

Our Heritage history’s stories.: rappahannock canal cornerstone

20

canine companions: patience mandatory

21

autoknown better: resolutions

22

Senior Care: back from the holidays

23

double-blinded by science

24

Art in the ‘burg: new artists to fcca

25

scene & heard...in the ‘burg!

26

collect locally poetryman: inversion

27

community link: .........trista chapman & empty bowl

28

my own path

29

porchlight: the rest of the story

31

stacey & Amy market your business

25

the diplomacy of marketing Quiet Moments: dilaudid & crushed ice

10

retired on the back porch: names that tame stafford 350

11

rogers ford farm winery

12

Vino: the importer at work Cooking with kyle

13

season’s bounty

14

art of the brew: david achkio

15

libations: normandy coffee

16-17

18

Calendar of Events

27

...And more!

6

haaaaie’s phoebe...forever changed

9

oral history: sib silver remembers

19

farewell tracey clarke

30

new art: post holiday hangover relief

Lobby Stops Jenny McGee aand her crrl Family “The CRRL is like an extension of my family,” Jenny Mc Gee tells me as she loads 10 bundles of Front Porch Magazine onto her workplace truck.

“From the beginning, as a part-time page, I felt like I belonged. I took pride in my work even though I was only stocking the shelves, but organization is very important for a library and I was happily meticulous.”

That was 15 years ago, and Jenny is still with her happy family. Her beloved mother (beloved by both her family and the community) passed away in 2011 after a tough battle with ALS. Jenny’s dad, John, and her share the same house.

Together, they have three cats, a bird, “and a superstar of an amazing dog, Stella.”

From there, she is focused on her own growth and health while still reaching

Cover Photo byruth golden

Jack Frost Nipping At Your Nose?

Have A Hot Drink where warm hearts wish you Happy Holidays

2

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

out to others, including her father, and all those wonderful elders she meets on her lobby stops throughout the region.

Her work shows her sincerity toward people, especially those who could stand a volume of compassion. She does not just drop off books at the various nursing and senior care facilities in the area. She builds relationships with the residents of those facilities, and it comes naturally to her.

Few people I know can do that better than Jenny. She is a model for bright disposition, encouragement, and nurturing. Her compassion is unmatched; her wisdom beyond her 30-something years.

And she still loves her job: “It didn’t take long to start the ascent up the biblio-ladder, and I started checking out

Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged

606 Caroline Street 373-7847 www.gemstonecreations.org books at the circulation desk. I loved interacting with the patrons and getting to know their families and interests. I worked at many different branches’ circulation departments, assisted in the revision of two new branches in Colonial Beach and in Montross, and eventually subbed on the bookmobile.”

Jenny worked part time at the CRRL all through college until a full time position opened up on the bookmobile in the Outreach department. She started that job in ‘04 and stayed on the bookmobile until its retirement in 2010.

“Though we retired the RV, the Outreach department continued. On the bookmobile, I’d visit daycares, preschools, senior living facilities, and neighborhoods significantly far from a library branch.

With so many new branches, most of the

library provided a van equipped with a cargo lift for deliveries.

I started providing the daycares and preschools with a book deposit every two weeks as well as doing story times. The seniors began participating in my new service, called The Lobby Stops.”

The Lobby Stop closely resembles the bookmobile in that she visits bimonthly, provides at least three carts of circulating library materials available for checkout, and has a computer linked to the library database for accessing patron records and placing requests. She visits 45 different places, providing people ages 2 to 102 with library materials. “It’s a truly unique position and I love doing it.

neighborhoods could make do without the bookmobile visits, but we still wanted to provide the children and seniors with library materials. In lieu of the RV, the

Link to lobby stop schedule: www.librarypoint.org/lobby_stops

Call for Special Holiday Hours

RG front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

3

contents

closeups 3

8

30

Jenny Mcgee ...lobby stops the art of playing ... andi gabor

30

BobSima’s Next big thing ... with divine purpose

porch talk 4 ..5 7

on the porch...life in fredericksburg Messages

Our Heritage history’s stories.: rappahannock canal cornerstone

20

canine companions: patience mandatory

21

autoknown better: resolutions

22

Senior Care: back from the holidays

23

double-blinded by science

24

Art in the ‘burg: new artists to fcca

25

scene & heard...in the ‘burg!

26

collect locally poetryman: inversion

27

community link: .........trista chapman & empty bowl

28

my own path

29

porchlight: the rest of the story

31

stacey & Amy market your business

25

the diplomacy of marketing Quiet Moments: dilaudid & crushed ice

10

retired on the back porch: names that tame stafford 350

11

rogers ford farm winery

12

Vino: the importer at work Cooking with kyle

13

season’s bounty

14

art of the brew: david achkio

15

libations: normandy coffee

16-17

18

Calendar of Events

27

...And more!

6

haaaaie’s phoebe...forever changed

9

oral history: sib silver remembers

19

farewell tracey clarke

30

new art: post holiday hangover relief

Lobby Stops Jenny McGee aand her crrl Family “The CRRL is like an extension of my family,” Jenny Mc Gee tells me as she loads 10 bundles of Front Porch Magazine onto her workplace truck.

“From the beginning, as a part-time page, I felt like I belonged. I took pride in my work even though I was only stocking the shelves, but organization is very important for a library and I was happily meticulous.”

That was 15 years ago, and Jenny is still with her happy family. Her beloved mother (beloved by both her family and the community) passed away in 2011 after a tough battle with ALS. Jenny’s dad, John, and her share the same house.

Together, they have three cats, a bird, “and a superstar of an amazing dog, Stella.”

From there, she is focused on her own growth and health while still reaching

Cover Photo byruth golden

Jack Frost Nipping At Your Nose?

Have A Hot Drink where warm hearts wish you Happy Holidays

2

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

out to others, including her father, and all those wonderful elders she meets on her lobby stops throughout the region.

Her work shows her sincerity toward people, especially those who could stand a volume of compassion. She does not just drop off books at the various nursing and senior care facilities in the area. She builds relationships with the residents of those facilities, and it comes naturally to her.

Few people I know can do that better than Jenny. She is a model for bright disposition, encouragement, and nurturing. Her compassion is unmatched; her wisdom beyond her 30-something years.

And she still loves her job: “It didn’t take long to start the ascent up the biblio-ladder, and I started checking out

Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged

606 Caroline Street 373-7847 www.gemstonecreations.org books at the circulation desk. I loved interacting with the patrons and getting to know their families and interests. I worked at many different branches’ circulation departments, assisted in the revision of two new branches in Colonial Beach and in Montross, and eventually subbed on the bookmobile.”

Jenny worked part time at the CRRL all through college until a full time position opened up on the bookmobile in the Outreach department. She started that job in ‘04 and stayed on the bookmobile until its retirement in 2010.

“Though we retired the RV, the Outreach department continued. On the bookmobile, I’d visit daycares, preschools, senior living facilities, and neighborhoods significantly far from a library branch.

With so many new branches, most of the

library provided a van equipped with a cargo lift for deliveries.

I started providing the daycares and preschools with a book deposit every two weeks as well as doing story times. The seniors began participating in my new service, called The Lobby Stops.”

The Lobby Stop closely resembles the bookmobile in that she visits bimonthly, provides at least three carts of circulating library materials available for checkout, and has a computer linked to the library database for accessing patron records and placing requests. She visits 45 different places, providing people ages 2 to 102 with library materials. “It’s a truly unique position and I love doing it.

neighborhoods could make do without the bookmobile visits, but we still wanted to provide the children and seniors with library materials. In lieu of the RV, the

Link to lobby stop schedule: www.librarypoint.org/lobby_stops

Call for Special Holiday Hours

RG front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

3

Rob Grogan

ON THE PORCH

The Diplomacy Of Marketing

Winter morning prayer

A Hand Up For Artisans Worldwide

Editor

Associate Photography Editor Archer Di Peppe Contributing Writers & Artists A.E.Bayne l Megan Byrnes Collette Caprara C.Ruth Cassell Lezlie Cheryl Ashleigh Chevalier Steve DeCampo Lee M. DeLongis Arch Di Peppe Fran k Fratoe William Garnett Ruth Golden Sue Henderson Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks Katie Hornung Karl Karch David S. Kerr Kathleen M. Lewis Will Loring Sara Mattingly Jo Middleton Susan Carter Morgan Amy Pearce M.L.Powers Vanessa Moncure Scott Richards Kathy Rivers Wendy Schmitz James Kyle Snyder John Sovitsky Matt Thomas Christine Thompson Rim Vining Front Porch Fredericksburg is a free circulation magazine published monthly by Olde Towne Publishing Co., Inc. Virginia Bigenwald Grogan, Publisher.

The mission of Front Porch Fredericksburg is to connect the diverse citizenry of Fredericksburg with lively features and informative columns of interest to our community’s greatest resource, its people.

Messages from our readers are welcome. All submissions must be received by e-mail by the 19th of the month preceding publication.

Writers are welcome to request Writer’s Guidelines and query the Editor by e-mail.

Front Porch Fredericksburg PO Box 9203 Fredericksburg, VA 22403 Phone: 540-220-1922 E-Mail: frntprch@aol.com Web Site: www.frontporchfredericksburg.com The opinions expressed in Front Porch Fredericksburg are those of the contributing writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Front Porch Fredericksburg or its advertisers.

Copyright 2014 Olde Towne Publishing Co., LLC All rights reserved.

It is my kind of winter morning except the snow could be heavier. But, we are in Virginia where I’ve come to appreciate even the dustings that come few and far between. I have prayed for snow and nothing could fill my heart with more joy than a bona fide White Christmas, where the snow begins during the day of the 24th and continues throughout the night and well into the morning of the 25th.

Stepping up to a full-length window in the radiant-heat room, a cold draft makes me shiver. The breeze outside sways the bamboo and howls through the mail slot of the old English cottage door.

These symbols of good fortune - shelter and warmth - do not go unnoticed by me.

My feet and body warm to the radiant heat rising from the floor; the view of the raw outdoors instills in me a feeling of freedom, well-being, and a duty to make use of my comfort to contribute some good.

Pondering that, I begin a winter morning prayer for the homeless — those bodies, minds, and souls adrift in the great outdoors, unencumbered by societal expectations but void of the happiness that accompanies a balanced dose of society’s values; people just like you and me, but whose lives broke or changed by a

messages Dear Rob: I just wanted to say thank you for being willing to publish the (Stafford County) 350th anniversary articles.

That’s very kind. My hope is that maybe during the 350th we can use this as a vehicle to introduce your fantastic publication (really, its a gem) to the wilds of North Stafford. Part of our campaign, very much a part of the 350th’s mission, for a sense of place. Thanks again, David (David S. Kerr is a member of the 350 committee.)

Re: The holiday Windows @ Whittingham received a lot of attention again this year: Denise De Lozier Grote wote, “They are always the best!”

Alicia Hutchison Thomas said, “So pretty!”

Betsy Myers commented, “I look forward to seeing them every year!”

Margo Mowry sent in, “I love their windows at Xmas. This is always a family gathering.”

Robgwrites 4

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

twist of fate in a life’s passage, or by some mean traumatic event — real, or imagined by a sickly brain that altered their perception.

They talk and walk alone, in fear of loneliness or in wanting to be alone to figure it all out what went wrong?, they ask themselves - or, after a sufficient chunk of memory-fading time has elapsed, they don’t bother to ask because it no longer matters and they can’t even recall what went wrong, when, or what it was like before then.

They are now present-and-accounted-for homeless... on a winter morning, the kind that I like so well.

The clouds buffer the light of day as the snow falls, the wind screams, and the temperature dives. I pray for these people while I am warm and fed and they are cold and hungry - why? And, what can be done? I ask, and I pray for you, my homeless friends, that life takes another twist - this time on your behalf, not your detriment. I can’t complain of my illness because I have care and support and hope.

But you, you have ache and despair and a lost way, a shoddy path that you live on this winter morning - the kind of morning that I like so well and is not to your liking.

Dear Rob: Many thanks for your kind words about my book, Fredericksburg Then & Now. With a town as interesting as ours, doing the book was indeed a pleasure.

Thanks again and best wishes for the holidays.

Tony Kent (Tony Kent is former chairman at the Rappahannock Heritage Center on Liberty Street downtown.)

Fredericksburg ex-patriot Amber Nettles Hildebrand wrote to us: “Hi Rob! We were in town over the weekend and I immediately picked up a copy of Front Porch fredericksburg Magazine from Vivify Burger & Lounge.

You all put so much love and effort in to the publication and it truly shows. I really miss Fredericksburg, and being able to read through this month’s edition, page by page, column by column on actual paper during my flight South was a joy. Thank you!”

To whom it may concern: Would it be possible to receive from you and by post the November issue of Front Porch?

We would certainly appreciate and look

By kathy rivers network of more than 390 retail outlets throughout the U.S. as an exceptional source for unique craft art by artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. One of the world’s largest fair trade organizations and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization and the Fair Trade Federation, we improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of disadvantaged artisans. Product sales help buy food, education, healthcare and housing for artisans otherwise unemployed or underemployed.

Visit tenthousandvillages.com and see us in Central Park. We have much in common with downtown’s art scene.

I will pray for you and a change of weather as we begin a new year with this issue of hope and community.

Kathy Rivers is manager of Ten Thousand Villages in Central Park.

forward to reading it — and as we are in the process of getting ready to move to Fredericksburg by the end of the year 2013.

Thank you, François Régis Chanon Boca Raton, FL 33431

About the cover: Ruth Golden, a long-time patron and participant in the visual and performing arts in our community, is currently most active in amateur photography and as the Director of House About Tonight Productions, a house concert series. She is a former board member of the area’s free mental health clinic, Fredericksburg Counseling Services, Inc. Married to a grizzled old sailor, she is a mother to three, and is thrilled to be “Oma” to two sweet grandchildren. Her greatest joys include spending time with family, sharing live music with appreciative listeners, and rediscovering her life-long love of photography. The cover photo shows winter’s beauty in the green and red – and snowy white – of the Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo) plant.

Walk into Ten Thousand Villages in Central Park and discover a world of international gifts, jewelry, and home décor. Ten Thousand Villages is not just an ordinary retail gift store, however.

We’re a fair trade retailer; each handcrafted piece represents an artisan, a culture, and a dream.

Walk past the jewelry display and discover intricate handcrafts by artisans from around the world. Look a little closer and observe fashionable jewelry from Peru made by Beatriz Chavez Paucar (pictured), of Villa el Salvador, Peru.

Beatriz learned the art by watching her uncles create jewelry in her mother’s home.

The family workshop began in 1985, when, in the midst of the Shining Path’s reign of violence in Peru, a Catholic priest named Nefteali Licetta assisted villagers from the highlands in developing income sources as alternatives to traditional agricultural economy. Father Licetta came to the Paucar family with a semi-precious stone and a question: “What can we get from this stone?” Their answer was, “Many flowers for a woman.” From this answer a name was formed; in the indigenous Queche language, “Tika Rumi” means “flower stone.”

From this conversation, Paucar, her mother and her uncles created a jewelry workshop.

Paucar’s first completed jewelry was a set of earrings. She moved on to creating necklaces and bracelets and eventually mastered the art of jewelry making and

began designing pieces for the group to market.

Today, Paucar and her husband, Romulo Calderon Cosme, create jewelry in their home workshop. Their daughters, aged 16, 14 and 6 are in school. They help in the family workshop in their spare time, making it a family venture. Paucar dreams of her daughters becoming skilled professionals. Paucar spends her spare time building her home business and often sells jewelry at fairs and other venues. She dreams of building a successful, viable artisan jewelry workshop that sells to the local market and reaches tourists.

Ten Thousand Villages offers artisan works made with traditional methods and products from more than 130 artisan groups in 38 countries. For more than 65 years, we have established long-term buying relationships where skilled artisans lack opportunities for stable income.

The commitment to support artisans around the globe is strengthened by fair trade compensation practices, including cash advances and prompt payments.

As the company continues to grow, we marry the concept of fair trade with healthy and environmentally sustainable practices.

From store ops to product sourcing to marketing practices, we strive for the “triple bottom line” of economic, environmental and social sustainability.

Founded in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages has grown from the trunk of founder Edna Ruth Byler’s car to a

Resolution #7 Take a Cooking Class This Year at

374-0443 www.shopwhittingham.com 1021 Caroline Street

Days Gone By Courtesy of the William T. Garnett Collection

“Freemasonry (or Masonry) is dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God, a fraternity that encourages the faith of personal acceptance in that each person, through self-improvement and helping others, has an obligation to make a difference for good in the world.”

Reach William T. Garnett Antiques at 540-424-2448. front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

5

Rob Grogan

ON THE PORCH

The Diplomacy Of Marketing

Winter morning prayer

A Hand Up For Artisans Worldwide

Editor

Associate Photography Editor Archer Di Peppe Contributing Writers & Artists A.E.Bayne l Megan Byrnes Collette Caprara C.Ruth Cassell Lezlie Cheryl Ashleigh Chevalier Steve DeCampo Lee M. DeLongis Arch Di Peppe Fran k Fratoe William Garnett Ruth Golden Sue Henderson Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks Katie Hornung Karl Karch David S. Kerr Kathleen M. Lewis Will Loring Sara Mattingly Jo Middleton Susan Carter Morgan Amy Pearce M.L.Powers Vanessa Moncure Scott Richards Kathy Rivers Wendy Schmitz James Kyle Snyder John Sovitsky Matt Thomas Christine Thompson Rim Vining Front Porch Fredericksburg is a free circulation magazine published monthly by Olde Towne Publishing Co., Inc. Virginia Bigenwald Grogan, Publisher.

The mission of Front Porch Fredericksburg is to connect the diverse citizenry of Fredericksburg with lively features and informative columns of interest to our community’s greatest resource, its people.

Messages from our readers are welcome. All submissions must be received by e-mail by the 19th of the month preceding publication.

Writers are welcome to request Writer’s Guidelines and query the Editor by e-mail.

Front Porch Fredericksburg PO Box 9203 Fredericksburg, VA 22403 Phone: 540-220-1922 E-Mail: frntprch@aol.com Web Site: www.frontporchfredericksburg.com The opinions expressed in Front Porch Fredericksburg are those of the contributing writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Front Porch Fredericksburg or its advertisers.

Copyright 2014 Olde Towne Publishing Co., LLC All rights reserved.

It is my kind of winter morning except the snow could be heavier. But, we are in Virginia where I’ve come to appreciate even the dustings that come few and far between. I have prayed for snow and nothing could fill my heart with more joy than a bona fide White Christmas, where the snow begins during the day of the 24th and continues throughout the night and well into the morning of the 25th.

Stepping up to a full-length window in the radiant-heat room, a cold draft makes me shiver. The breeze outside sways the bamboo and howls through the mail slot of the old English cottage door.

These symbols of good fortune - shelter and warmth - do not go unnoticed by me.

My feet and body warm to the radiant heat rising from the floor; the view of the raw outdoors instills in me a feeling of freedom, well-being, and a duty to make use of my comfort to contribute some good.

Pondering that, I begin a winter morning prayer for the homeless — those bodies, minds, and souls adrift in the great outdoors, unencumbered by societal expectations but void of the happiness that accompanies a balanced dose of society’s values; people just like you and me, but whose lives broke or changed by a

messages Dear Rob: I just wanted to say thank you for being willing to publish the (Stafford County) 350th anniversary articles.

That’s very kind. My hope is that maybe during the 350th we can use this as a vehicle to introduce your fantastic publication (really, its a gem) to the wilds of North Stafford. Part of our campaign, very much a part of the 350th’s mission, for a sense of place. Thanks again, David (David S. Kerr is a member of the 350 committee.)

Re: The holiday Windows @ Whittingham received a lot of attention again this year: Denise De Lozier Grote wote, “They are always the best!”

Alicia Hutchison Thomas said, “So pretty!”

Betsy Myers commented, “I look forward to seeing them every year!”

Margo Mowry sent in, “I love their windows at Xmas. This is always a family gathering.”

Robgwrites 4

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

twist of fate in a life’s passage, or by some mean traumatic event — real, or imagined by a sickly brain that altered their perception.

They talk and walk alone, in fear of loneliness or in wanting to be alone to figure it all out what went wrong?, they ask themselves - or, after a sufficient chunk of memory-fading time has elapsed, they don’t bother to ask because it no longer matters and they can’t even recall what went wrong, when, or what it was like before then.

They are now present-and-accounted-for homeless... on a winter morning, the kind that I like so well.

The clouds buffer the light of day as the snow falls, the wind screams, and the temperature dives. I pray for these people while I am warm and fed and they are cold and hungry - why? And, what can be done? I ask, and I pray for you, my homeless friends, that life takes another twist - this time on your behalf, not your detriment. I can’t complain of my illness because I have care and support and hope.

But you, you have ache and despair and a lost way, a shoddy path that you live on this winter morning - the kind of morning that I like so well and is not to your liking.

Dear Rob: Many thanks for your kind words about my book, Fredericksburg Then & Now. With a town as interesting as ours, doing the book was indeed a pleasure.

Thanks again and best wishes for the holidays.

Tony Kent (Tony Kent is former chairman at the Rappahannock Heritage Center on Liberty Street downtown.)

Fredericksburg ex-patriot Amber Nettles Hildebrand wrote to us: “Hi Rob! We were in town over the weekend and I immediately picked up a copy of Front Porch fredericksburg Magazine from Vivify Burger & Lounge.

You all put so much love and effort in to the publication and it truly shows. I really miss Fredericksburg, and being able to read through this month’s edition, page by page, column by column on actual paper during my flight South was a joy. Thank you!”

To whom it may concern: Would it be possible to receive from you and by post the November issue of Front Porch?

We would certainly appreciate and look

By kathy rivers network of more than 390 retail outlets throughout the U.S. as an exceptional source for unique craft art by artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. One of the world’s largest fair trade organizations and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization and the Fair Trade Federation, we improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of disadvantaged artisans. Product sales help buy food, education, healthcare and housing for artisans otherwise unemployed or underemployed.

Visit tenthousandvillages.com and see us in Central Park. We have much in common with downtown’s art scene.

I will pray for you and a change of weather as we begin a new year with this issue of hope and community.

Kathy Rivers is manager of Ten Thousand Villages in Central Park.

forward to reading it — and as we are in the process of getting ready to move to Fredericksburg by the end of the year 2013.

Thank you, François Régis Chanon Boca Raton, FL 33431

About the cover: Ruth Golden, a long-time patron and participant in the visual and performing arts in our community, is currently most active in amateur photography and as the Director of House About Tonight Productions, a house concert series. She is a former board member of the area’s free mental health clinic, Fredericksburg Counseling Services, Inc. Married to a grizzled old sailor, she is a mother to three, and is thrilled to be “Oma” to two sweet grandchildren. Her greatest joys include spending time with family, sharing live music with appreciative listeners, and rediscovering her life-long love of photography. The cover photo shows winter’s beauty in the green and red – and snowy white – of the Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo) plant.

Walk into Ten Thousand Villages in Central Park and discover a world of international gifts, jewelry, and home décor. Ten Thousand Villages is not just an ordinary retail gift store, however.

We’re a fair trade retailer; each handcrafted piece represents an artisan, a culture, and a dream.

Walk past the jewelry display and discover intricate handcrafts by artisans from around the world. Look a little closer and observe fashionable jewelry from Peru made by Beatriz Chavez Paucar (pictured), of Villa el Salvador, Peru.

Beatriz learned the art by watching her uncles create jewelry in her mother’s home.

The family workshop began in 1985, when, in the midst of the Shining Path’s reign of violence in Peru, a Catholic priest named Nefteali Licetta assisted villagers from the highlands in developing income sources as alternatives to traditional agricultural economy. Father Licetta came to the Paucar family with a semi-precious stone and a question: “What can we get from this stone?” Their answer was, “Many flowers for a woman.” From this answer a name was formed; in the indigenous Queche language, “Tika Rumi” means “flower stone.”

From this conversation, Paucar, her mother and her uncles created a jewelry workshop.

Paucar’s first completed jewelry was a set of earrings. She moved on to creating necklaces and bracelets and eventually mastered the art of jewelry making and

began designing pieces for the group to market.

Today, Paucar and her husband, Romulo Calderon Cosme, create jewelry in their home workshop. Their daughters, aged 16, 14 and 6 are in school. They help in the family workshop in their spare time, making it a family venture. Paucar dreams of her daughters becoming skilled professionals. Paucar spends her spare time building her home business and often sells jewelry at fairs and other venues. She dreams of building a successful, viable artisan jewelry workshop that sells to the local market and reaches tourists.

Ten Thousand Villages offers artisan works made with traditional methods and products from more than 130 artisan groups in 38 countries. For more than 65 years, we have established long-term buying relationships where skilled artisans lack opportunities for stable income.

The commitment to support artisans around the globe is strengthened by fair trade compensation practices, including cash advances and prompt payments.

As the company continues to grow, we marry the concept of fair trade with healthy and environmentally sustainable practices.

From store ops to product sourcing to marketing practices, we strive for the “triple bottom line” of economic, environmental and social sustainability.

Founded in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages has grown from the trunk of founder Edna Ruth Byler’s car to a

Resolution #7 Take a Cooking Class This Year at

374-0443 www.shopwhittingham.com 1021 Caroline Street

Days Gone By Courtesy of the William T. Garnett Collection

“Freemasonry (or Masonry) is dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God, a fraternity that encourages the faith of personal acceptance in that each person, through self-improvement and helping others, has an obligation to make a difference for good in the world.”

Reach William T. Garnett Antiques at 540-424-2448. front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

5

Quiet Moments

Haaaair’s Phoebe!

dilaudid and crushed ice

Pronounced “for-ever-changed”

By archer Dipeppe

By rkatie hornung

One year ago Front Porch readers were introduced to the incomparable Phoebe Willis.

On a mission to raise $25,000 for Team Travis, a patient at St. Baldrick’s Foundation, she campaigned for donations and culminated the experience by shaving her head in solidarity with the brave young man combating cancer.

She expressed early on in the experience that she was not affected by the idea of losing her hair, nor did she flinch at the loss of it on the night it was shaved off; instead, she was exhilarated by pushing herself to the end of her comfort zone. It’s a mantra she has adopted to describe her desire to help others.

The role of benefactor is never one taken on lightly, and in her new position as a sixth-grade science teacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Phoebe is campaigning yet again for a group of young men she has come to adore.

Boys’ Latin Middle School is a

charter school in its first year of existence.

Comprised of 150 minority, urban male students, its goal is to prepare the young men for high school and college by emphasizing the intellectual, artistic, character, and physical development of the young sons of Philly. And through Teach for America, Phoebe has committed to two years of the organization’s mantra: “eliminating educational inequity.”

Phoebe said, “Before I came [to Boys’ Latin Middle School], I thought every school had textbooks and a computer lab, but a lot of inner-city schools struggle just to have the basic necessities, and, unfortunately for students, they not only go to schools lacking resources, but many also lack basic home necessities as well.”

The experience has already afforded her a great, new insight: “…always be yourself.

The best connections I’ve made with my kids were

Brandon Newton Art brandon@brandonnewtonart.com 6

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

when I was being real about who I am and what I’ve experienced,” she said.

During her first week of school, “Miss Willis” mispronounced some of her students’ names, and they took issue with her. “Being someone who stresses honesty and compassion with my students, I marched up to the board and wrote ‘PHOEBE’ in huge letters. I asked my boys to try and guess how to pronounce this name and they were stumped… It was a light bulb moment for a lot of my students.

Names can be difficult for everyone, regardless of race and gender. I was real with my guys and that was what made the difference… Not a single student has ever called me Phoebe, nor do they think it’s a big deal… When many of my students were leaving that day, they stopped and told me that they liked that we shared having names that are hard to pronounce.

I have always stressed communicating and being honest with my students.”

Staying true to herself and the program, she’s also engaged in a new role.

The former UVA and James Monroe High

School field hockey star is now taking on lacrosse coaching.

“We currently have a grass field, no goals, and some donated equipment.

My guys are excited to learn the sport- it is HUGE in Philadelphia, but not accessible to urban youth because of the high costs associated with equipment.”

Here’s where Phoebe could use your help: She is looking to garner lacrosse jerseys, pinnies, sticks, balls, funds, etc. that the Fredericksburg community have lying around and would like to donate to the boys of Latin Middle for the start of their spring season.

She says, “My life has been forever changed by this experience. I truly appreciate not only everything I was given by my family growing up, but by the Fredericksburg community and the public school system. The resiliency and creativity of my school has been eyeopening.”

Katie Hornung teaches journalism and English composition at JMHS.

In June I went to Norfolk to visit my eighty-nine-year-old mother.

For dinner we went to a Chinese buffet. After we got home, I started to feel terrible. At first I blamed the food, but after the elephants started dancing on my chest, I knew I was in serious trouble. It was after 11:30 p.m., so I decided I needed to go to the emergency room.

My mother no longer drives, so I drove myself. It is a guy thing. It’s called stupidity.

Luckily, I was only about half a mile from DePaul Hospital.

The emergency room physician immediately said pancreatitis. I objected because I have always associated that with heavy drinking. I rarely drink alcohol. In fact, I have been the designated driver since high school. It seemed that I threw a gall stone into my pancreatic duct. It was by far the most painful experience of my life. They started with morphine. Nada. Pancreatitis feels like you h ave a basketball in your chest and knives in your back. I used my cell phone to call my wife at 1:00 a.m.. No good phone calls happen after midnight.

The first thing I said to my wife was that it wasn’t a heart attack but that I was in

the hospital. She immediately drove down to Norfolk.

After screaming for what seemed like forever, the doctor tried dilaudid, which is a combination of morphine, oxymorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and methadone. If you get that intravenously, the elephants stop dancing. Actually, I could feel the warm rush of the drugs enter my body almost instantaneously. I nodded off.

They gave me three milligrams every four hours for fourteen days.

I started hallucinating. I would have one set of hallucinations when my

eyes were open and a different set when my eyes were closed. After a while, I didn’t know if my eyes were open or closed.

There was a flat screen television in the room, and I was convinced that it was the front windshield of a car I was trying to drive.

My wife was staying with my mother, and I called her two nights in a row at about 2:00 a.m. and said, “ I know you think I am crazy, but. . .”then I would tell her something that convinced her I was crazy. Before she got there, I refused to give my urinal to the nurse stating that it was proof that my kidneys were shutting down. “Mr. Di Peppe, if your kidneys were shutting down, the urinal would be empty.” At some point, I started hiding my urinal in the room. I think there is probably one still hidden there. After that, my wife spent all night every night in the chair next to me.

It took twelve days before my pancreas settled down enough so the surgeon could take out my gall bladder.

Most of that time I couldn’t have anything by mouth. I could only wet my lips with a small sponge on a stick. I would have killed someone for a cup of crushed ice. I will never take for granted the miracle of crushed ice again. After a week they tried to feed me through a tube, but in my hypnotic state, I pulled it

out twice. That was the end of the feeding tube. I was able to leave the hospital four days after the operation. I would like to thank the whole medical staff at DePaul for their compassionate care. But most of all, I want to thank my wife, Robin.

Archer Di Peppe is one of many Fredericksburgers who couldn’t be happier than to see 2013 in the rearview mirror.

online: www.save7lives.org in person: Dept. of Motor Vehicles

(540) 207-1725 front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

7

Quiet Moments

Haaaair’s Phoebe!

dilaudid and crushed ice

Pronounced “for-ever-changed”

By archer Dipeppe

By rkatie hornung

One year ago Front Porch readers were introduced to the incomparable Phoebe Willis.

On a mission to raise $25,000 for Team Travis, a patient at St. Baldrick’s Foundation, she campaigned for donations and culminated the experience by shaving her head in solidarity with the brave young man combating cancer.

She expressed early on in the experience that she was not affected by the idea of losing her hair, nor did she flinch at the loss of it on the night it was shaved off; instead, she was exhilarated by pushing herself to the end of her comfort zone. It’s a mantra she has adopted to describe her desire to help others.

The role of benefactor is never one taken on lightly, and in her new position as a sixth-grade science teacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Phoebe is campaigning yet again for a group of young men she has come to adore.

Boys’ Latin Middle School is a

charter school in its first year of existence.

Comprised of 150 minority, urban male students, its goal is to prepare the young men for high school and college by emphasizing the intellectual, artistic, character, and physical development of the young sons of Philly. And through Teach for America, Phoebe has committed to two years of the organization’s mantra: “eliminating educational inequity.”

Phoebe said, “Before I came [to Boys’ Latin Middle School], I thought every school had textbooks and a computer lab, but a lot of inner-city schools struggle just to have the basic necessities, and, unfortunately for students, they not only go to schools lacking resources, but many also lack basic home necessities as well.”

The experience has already afforded her a great, new insight: “…always be yourself.

The best connections I’ve made with my kids were

Brandon Newton Art brandon@brandonnewtonart.com 6

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

when I was being real about who I am and what I’ve experienced,” she said.

During her first week of school, “Miss Willis” mispronounced some of her students’ names, and they took issue with her. “Being someone who stresses honesty and compassion with my students, I marched up to the board and wrote ‘PHOEBE’ in huge letters. I asked my boys to try and guess how to pronounce this name and they were stumped… It was a light bulb moment for a lot of my students.

Names can be difficult for everyone, regardless of race and gender. I was real with my guys and that was what made the difference… Not a single student has ever called me Phoebe, nor do they think it’s a big deal… When many of my students were leaving that day, they stopped and told me that they liked that we shared having names that are hard to pronounce.

I have always stressed communicating and being honest with my students.”

Staying true to herself and the program, she’s also engaged in a new role.

The former UVA and James Monroe High

School field hockey star is now taking on lacrosse coaching.

“We currently have a grass field, no goals, and some donated equipment.

My guys are excited to learn the sport- it is HUGE in Philadelphia, but not accessible to urban youth because of the high costs associated with equipment.”

Here’s where Phoebe could use your help: She is looking to garner lacrosse jerseys, pinnies, sticks, balls, funds, etc. that the Fredericksburg community have lying around and would like to donate to the boys of Latin Middle for the start of their spring season.

She says, “My life has been forever changed by this experience. I truly appreciate not only everything I was given by my family growing up, but by the Fredericksburg community and the public school system. The resiliency and creativity of my school has been eyeopening.”

Katie Hornung teaches journalism and English composition at JMHS.

In June I went to Norfolk to visit my eighty-nine-year-old mother.

For dinner we went to a Chinese buffet. After we got home, I started to feel terrible. At first I blamed the food, but after the elephants started dancing on my chest, I knew I was in serious trouble. It was after 11:30 p.m., so I decided I needed to go to the emergency room.

My mother no longer drives, so I drove myself. It is a guy thing. It’s called stupidity.

Luckily, I was only about half a mile from DePaul Hospital.

The emergency room physician immediately said pancreatitis. I objected because I have always associated that with heavy drinking. I rarely drink alcohol. In fact, I have been the designated driver since high school. It seemed that I threw a gall stone into my pancreatic duct. It was by far the most painful experience of my life. They started with morphine. Nada. Pancreatitis feels like you h ave a basketball in your chest and knives in your back. I used my cell phone to call my wife at 1:00 a.m.. No good phone calls happen after midnight.

The first thing I said to my wife was that it wasn’t a heart attack but that I was in

the hospital. She immediately drove down to Norfolk.

After screaming for what seemed like forever, the doctor tried dilaudid, which is a combination of morphine, oxymorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and methadone. If you get that intravenously, the elephants stop dancing. Actually, I could feel the warm rush of the drugs enter my body almost instantaneously. I nodded off.

They gave me three milligrams every four hours for fourteen days.

I started hallucinating. I would have one set of hallucinations when my

eyes were open and a different set when my eyes were closed. After a while, I didn’t know if my eyes were open or closed.

There was a flat screen television in the room, and I was convinced that it was the front windshield of a car I was trying to drive.

My wife was staying with my mother, and I called her two nights in a row at about 2:00 a.m. and said, “ I know you think I am crazy, but. . .”then I would tell her something that convinced her I was crazy. Before she got there, I refused to give my urinal to the nurse stating that it was proof that my kidneys were shutting down. “Mr. Di Peppe, if your kidneys were shutting down, the urinal would be empty.” At some point, I started hiding my urinal in the room. I think there is probably one still hidden there. After that, my wife spent all night every night in the chair next to me.

It took twelve days before my pancreas settled down enough so the surgeon could take out my gall bladder.

Most of that time I couldn’t have anything by mouth. I could only wet my lips with a small sponge on a stick. I would have killed someone for a cup of crushed ice. I will never take for granted the miracle of crushed ice again. After a week they tried to feed me through a tube, but in my hypnotic state, I pulled it

out twice. That was the end of the feeding tube. I was able to leave the hospital four days after the operation. I would like to thank the whole medical staff at DePaul for their compassionate care. But most of all, I want to thank my wife, Robin.

Archer Di Peppe is one of many Fredericksburgers who couldn’t be happier than to see 2013 in the rearview mirror.

online: www.save7lives.org in person: Dept. of Motor Vehicles

(540) 207-1725 front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

7

The Art of Playing Skillfully

Our Oral History

andi gabor builds a pre-kindergarten that sticks

Sib Silver Remembers – For $5, he’d find your cow…

By a.e. bayne

By Susan Carter Morgan

The first thing Andi Gabor does when her students bolt toward her classroom door is ask for the password; then she turns them around and reminds them to make eye contact with their families as they say goodbye for the morning. The energy may be ramped in Gabor’s junior kindergarten class at the Ron Rosner YMCA in Spotsylvania, but respect remains front and center while she is working with Spotsy’s youngest pupils.

Drawing from experience gained after years of teaching elementary gifted education and third grade in Fairfax and Spotsylvania, Gabor has found a niche in her new position.

She developed the junior kindergarten class with young fiveyear olds in mind, explaining, “There aren’t many five-year old preschools available in the area, and ours is different because I teach the kindergarten curriculum from the state of Virginia and the kindergarten SOLs. It has become a mix between a typical preschool, which is very social and play oriented, and a traditional kindergarten with an academic

8

January 2014

curriculum.

I use lessons from Words Their Way and Math Their Way (Pearson), tools that elementary level teachers tend to use. I also teach handwriting from a curriculum instead of from a workbook.

The program builds that prior knowledge that is so crucial, and students are able to apply it better the next year, setting them up to be very successful in elementary kindergarten.”

Gabor says that being a parent and having a child the same age as her students makes her job much more personal. “I see my children in them, and I understand their parents better. I see the learning process a lot more closely, because I see it at home and as a teacher at school.”

Gabor explains that the challenge of teaching very young students doesn’t necessarily stem from their young age but with each individual group of students.

Over the past two years, her classroom has been heavily populated by boys, and she says, “You teach to your group. I think mothers of girls tend to send their young fives to elementary level kindergarten with more confidence than boys. Many young boys have a lot of energy and are very excited and learn in many different ways, but that can be a challenge in a strictly academicdriven classroom.” In addition to these considerations, Gabor notes, “When I was teaching third grade, I was very much in a third grade mentality. I knew all about what third graders liked. Now I am more in tune with what this younger group finds interesting.

Kids love to be entertained at all ages, and I try to stay positive and set high expectations, to be excited about learning and to be a bit of a clown with them. You have to know when to pull back from that, though.

It’s important to maintain consistent boundaries and predictable consequences.

Overall, children of this age like to laugh, be silly, and have fun.”

Since starting the program last year, Gabor has heard positive feedback from parents of her first group of junior

Front porch fredericksburg

kindergartners that are now in elementary kindergarten. She says, “They all just had their parent teacher conferences and their initial PALS reading assessments, and they are doing an awesome job. That says a lot about the kids in the way they’ve retained and applied what they learned last year, but it also speaks volumes about the program itself. It’s very exciting.”

In the coming months, I hope to share the names of many exceptional teachers in our area. If you would like to nominate an outstanding local teacher, please send information to baynefrontporch@gmail.com.

A.E. Bayne is a teacher, writer, and artist from Fredericksburg, VA.

“Sib” Sylvester Silver, 96, grew up on a farm in Stafford County, working the fields and tending the cows late into his life. It took a 1,000 lb bale of hay falling on him a few years ago to force him to slow down, but only a little. Today, a strong work ethic, passed down to his children and grandchildren, helps shape a family of farmers and allows Sib to enjoy life.

“My daddy always had something for us to do,” he says. “Build fence posts, clean wheat, corn to shuck… never a dull moment around here.”

He smiles, the corners of his eyes wrinkling up, trying to remember his life when horses pulled tractors and days began long before sunrise.

His family farm, Silver Ridge Farm, off Belle Plains Road in Stafford has been a working farm since his grandaddy settled there after the Civil War. He’d bought farmland in Spotsylvania County, but when folks learned he was a Northerner, they told him to “get back across the river.”

Sib was born in the house where his grandson, Mike, now lives. When he and his brothers and sisters were born,

they contributed to the running of the farm, even after they started attending school. On the way and back, “We’d chop weeds and thin out the corn as we walked through the corn rows,” he said, remembering the two-room schoolhouse just over the hill from his farm.

By seventh grade, he had started attending school in Fredericksburg, where he worked in the cafeteria to get free lunch.

“Papa had us milk the cows before school and then take the cream to the Farmers’ Creamery in the city every day.”

They rode in an old Buick 7passenger car where they bolted the cream cans so they wouldn’t spill. After working lunch, he’d race to the Creamery to grab the empty cans and return home to refill them the next morning.

“Dad expected us home before the last class even got out,” he said, laughing.

He met his wife, Marion Anderson, who was visiting a friend on Fauquier Street, and they were married for 64 years—without ever having an argument, he says.

“It’s easy. You keep you mouth shut and walk out of the room, come back when everything’s blown over!”

Though he’s sometimes frustrated by his memory lapses, he can rattle off pieces of his past without problem: serving as a refrigerator salesman for a store on William Street (he learned to make his own custard) and drinking the best Cokes in town (at Bond’s Drugstore, where the concoction was mixed from boxes).

After chatting for a couple of hours, he appears tired.

But he lights up remembering a farmer marching cows across the Chatham Bridge to the old freight depot by the train station. One cow had jumped off and wandered away, and the farmer paid Sib $5 to find him.

Five dollars was heck of a lot of money for Sib. But he splurged, going to five different drugstores in town to buy milkshakes at each. He shakes his head, remembering not feeling so well at the end of the day.

Whether he’s singing to folks strolling by Fredericksburg Baptist Church, where he is the longest-running

member, or visiting with his best friend on their Wednesday lunches at Captain Dee’s, Sib’s attitude and smile affect everyone.

Mike says he spends much of the day resting now, “but figure he’s earned it.”

But Sib loves when folks, especially women, stop by. He will be ready with a hug.

Susan Carter Morgan is a partner in Water Street Studios on Sophia Street.

Visit http://waterstreetstudio.org for news of upcoming workshops — Memoir Writing (begins Jan. 15), Art After Dark (Jan 17), and a Women’s Writing Circle (Wed’s 11 A.M.)

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

9

The Art of Playing Skillfully

Our Oral History

andi gabor builds a pre-kindergarten that sticks

Sib Silver Remembers – For $5, he’d find your cow…

By a.e. bayne

By Susan Carter Morgan

The first thing Andi Gabor does when her students bolt toward her classroom door is ask for the password; then she turns them around and reminds them to make eye contact with their families as they say goodbye for the morning. The energy may be ramped in Gabor’s junior kindergarten class at the Ron Rosner YMCA in Spotsylvania, but respect remains front and center while she is working with Spotsy’s youngest pupils.

Drawing from experience gained after years of teaching elementary gifted education and third grade in Fairfax and Spotsylvania, Gabor has found a niche in her new position.

She developed the junior kindergarten class with young fiveyear olds in mind, explaining, “There aren’t many five-year old preschools available in the area, and ours is different because I teach the kindergarten curriculum from the state of Virginia and the kindergarten SOLs. It has become a mix between a typical preschool, which is very social and play oriented, and a traditional kindergarten with an academic

8

January 2014

curriculum.

I use lessons from Words Their Way and Math Their Way (Pearson), tools that elementary level teachers tend to use. I also teach handwriting from a curriculum instead of from a workbook.

The program builds that prior knowledge that is so crucial, and students are able to apply it better the next year, setting them up to be very successful in elementary kindergarten.”

Gabor says that being a parent and having a child the same age as her students makes her job much more personal. “I see my children in them, and I understand their parents better. I see the learning process a lot more closely, because I see it at home and as a teacher at school.”

Gabor explains that the challenge of teaching very young students doesn’t necessarily stem from their young age but with each individual group of students.

Over the past two years, her classroom has been heavily populated by boys, and she says, “You teach to your group. I think mothers of girls tend to send their young fives to elementary level kindergarten with more confidence than boys. Many young boys have a lot of energy and are very excited and learn in many different ways, but that can be a challenge in a strictly academicdriven classroom.” In addition to these considerations, Gabor notes, “When I was teaching third grade, I was very much in a third grade mentality. I knew all about what third graders liked. Now I am more in tune with what this younger group finds interesting.

Kids love to be entertained at all ages, and I try to stay positive and set high expectations, to be excited about learning and to be a bit of a clown with them. You have to know when to pull back from that, though.

It’s important to maintain consistent boundaries and predictable consequences.

Overall, children of this age like to laugh, be silly, and have fun.”

Since starting the program last year, Gabor has heard positive feedback from parents of her first group of junior

Front porch fredericksburg

kindergartners that are now in elementary kindergarten. She says, “They all just had their parent teacher conferences and their initial PALS reading assessments, and they are doing an awesome job. That says a lot about the kids in the way they’ve retained and applied what they learned last year, but it also speaks volumes about the program itself. It’s very exciting.”

In the coming months, I hope to share the names of many exceptional teachers in our area. If you would like to nominate an outstanding local teacher, please send information to baynefrontporch@gmail.com.

A.E. Bayne is a teacher, writer, and artist from Fredericksburg, VA.

“Sib” Sylvester Silver, 96, grew up on a farm in Stafford County, working the fields and tending the cows late into his life. It took a 1,000 lb bale of hay falling on him a few years ago to force him to slow down, but only a little. Today, a strong work ethic, passed down to his children and grandchildren, helps shape a family of farmers and allows Sib to enjoy life.

“My daddy always had something for us to do,” he says. “Build fence posts, clean wheat, corn to shuck… never a dull moment around here.”

He smiles, the corners of his eyes wrinkling up, trying to remember his life when horses pulled tractors and days began long before sunrise.

His family farm, Silver Ridge Farm, off Belle Plains Road in Stafford has been a working farm since his grandaddy settled there after the Civil War. He’d bought farmland in Spotsylvania County, but when folks learned he was a Northerner, they told him to “get back across the river.”

Sib was born in the house where his grandson, Mike, now lives. When he and his brothers and sisters were born,

they contributed to the running of the farm, even after they started attending school. On the way and back, “We’d chop weeds and thin out the corn as we walked through the corn rows,” he said, remembering the two-room schoolhouse just over the hill from his farm.

By seventh grade, he had started attending school in Fredericksburg, where he worked in the cafeteria to get free lunch.

“Papa had us milk the cows before school and then take the cream to the Farmers’ Creamery in the city every day.”

They rode in an old Buick 7passenger car where they bolted the cream cans so they wouldn’t spill. After working lunch, he’d race to the Creamery to grab the empty cans and return home to refill them the next morning.

“Dad expected us home before the last class even got out,” he said, laughing.

He met his wife, Marion Anderson, who was visiting a friend on Fauquier Street, and they were married for 64 years—without ever having an argument, he says.

“It’s easy. You keep you mouth shut and walk out of the room, come back when everything’s blown over!”

Though he’s sometimes frustrated by his memory lapses, he can rattle off pieces of his past without problem: serving as a refrigerator salesman for a store on William Street (he learned to make his own custard) and drinking the best Cokes in town (at Bond’s Drugstore, where the concoction was mixed from boxes).

After chatting for a couple of hours, he appears tired.

But he lights up remembering a farmer marching cows across the Chatham Bridge to the old freight depot by the train station. One cow had jumped off and wandered away, and the farmer paid Sib $5 to find him.

Five dollars was heck of a lot of money for Sib. But he splurged, going to five different drugstores in town to buy milkshakes at each. He shakes his head, remembering not feeling so well at the end of the day.

Whether he’s singing to folks strolling by Fredericksburg Baptist Church, where he is the longest-running

member, or visiting with his best friend on their Wednesday lunches at Captain Dee’s, Sib’s attitude and smile affect everyone.

Mike says he spends much of the day resting now, “but figure he’s earned it.”

But Sib loves when folks, especially women, stop by. He will be ready with a hug.

Susan Carter Morgan is a partner in Water Street Studios on Sophia Street.

Visit http://waterstreetstudio.org for news of upcoming workshops — Memoir Writing (begins Jan. 15), Art After Dark (Jan 17), and a Women’s Writing Circle (Wed’s 11 A.M.)

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

9

Retired & Buck Naked

Stafford 350 Worlds Apart: A Tale of Two Decades, 1860 & 1870

On The Back Porch

By david s. kerr

The census is a snapshot. It’s a moment in time. And perhaps no other two census snapshots better reflect the “before and after” of the nation’s greatest conflict, the American Civil War, then the census reports for Stafford County in 1860 and ten years later in 1870. In 1860 the Civil War was a year away and Stafford was one of the largest and most prosperous communities in Virginia. The population was 8,555. The occupations in the census report reflected a dynamic community. There were several doctors, a bank president, wheelwrights (men who made and repaired wagon wheels), coopers (barrel makers) and several blacksmiths. However, by far, the most common vocation was farmer.

There were some unusual listings in the census reports. These were professions that reflected the more lively nature of this pre-Civil War world. Edward Piperbring was born in Prussia and his profession was listed as candy maker. There was also John Cox who was listed as a fifer. And, Stafford was also home to a future novelist Emma Garrison. She was 23 years old in 1860, was already writing for various periodicals and would later write a number of popular novels.

But, in 1860, Stafford, like the rest of the south had an infamous side to its character and that was slavery. Out of that relatively large population listed in the 1860, 3,314 of these souls were slaves. Under the Constitution they were

10

January 2014

counted as 3/5 of a person for representation purposes but otherwise weren’t recorded by name in the census reports. They were property.

That’s not to say African Americans didn’t leave a mark on the census report.

There were numerous freemen to include a selfemployed boatman named Robin Daggs, an independent wagon driver, Robert Jennings, as well as listings for free blacks who were farm hands, factory workers and housekeepers.

But, what a difference a decade can make. Stafford, five years after the end of the Civil War was devastated. By the time the 1870 census was computed it was a shell of its former self.

Its population, thanks both to the flight of African Americans from bondage, as well as many whites looking for a new start somewhere else, had fallen by 25%. The professional fifer was gone and so was the candy maker. Emma Garrison had moved to Washington D.C. Farming was still the principal occupation, but with so much damage to the soil caused by massive deforestation during the war, it was agriculture at the subsistence level. Still, there were bright spots. There were mill operators, a handful of medical professionals, plasterers, and grocers. Several African Americans were listed as owning their own farms. That was a major change in their status. They were also listed as working as blacksmiths, wheelwrights and coopers.

Stafford, however, was not what it once was. Its economy was broken and stagnant.

It wouldn’t recover economically, nor would it recover its prewar population, until well into the 20th century.

David S. Kerr is a member of the Stafford County 350th Anniversary Committee and frequent contributor to this magazine.

Front porch fredericksburg

names that tame by jo middleton January is the time for snuggling in your reading chair with afghan, hot tea, cuddly cat, and your re-read of Bill Bryson’s Notes from a Small Island. I will go to Hyperion for my cappuccino fix later. Did I not warn you about taking a Bryson Book into the Hyperion, placing a huge sip of cappuccino in your mouth, and reading a laughter line, which you will in all certainty spew across the table? Of course I did. There’s scarcely a page in a Bryson book that will not send you into coffee behaviors Emily Post would frown upon. Bryson declares he loves England for its colorful ways, places, and names.

Nowhere else, and he is so right, can you find anyone named Tuppy Glossop, Cyril “Barmy” Fotheringay-Phipps, or Agnes Flack.

Though they are characters created by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, a decidedly interesting name, you will, in fact, meet them on Oxford Street in old London should you stop someone and ask his name. More fun is their home place name. Funny names Bryson loves: Brown Willy in Cornwall, Booty Lane in North Yorkshire and a list of others equally hilarious. Virginia, with its early English heritage does a fine job with its own town names. Frog Level and Bumpass come to mind, and our own Fredericksburg goes one step further and oddly names its shops, such asFoode - whose dangling “e” reminds me of nothing germane to this topic. I think the shop When Pigs Fly would make him nostalgic for that little town of Elgham, where such store names probably adorn little shop signs. Given Bryson’s penchant for oddities, an invitation to Virginia, especially with scrumptious breakfast at Foode, of the dangling “e,” is definitely in order.

Looking out the window on a January scene is really wonderful for this old Virginian who migrated briefly to Mississippi where the living is not only easy but incredibly cheap, with very mild weather.

I do recall making the Jo Middleton pompous woman of Virginia declaration after a tornado roiled by down there, “we do not have tornadoes in Virginia.” Two weeks later, waiting to move into our place here in Virginia, we had a significant tornado, which surpassed the one that had visited Yalabousha County, MS shortly before we left. I had been chided by the Mississippians that

even though “’we did not have tornadoes in Virginia,’ we certainly had rumbling earthquakes which did mischief to the nation’s Washington Monument.”

I remained silent on that point, since its point of origin was Richmond, Virginia.

My father declared that taking up trees and putting down cement would be the ruin of us. I no longer think he was my nutty buddy. The nutty buddy in the room was not he. My youngest son called just now to have me look outside where it is “raining ice balls.” It is good to be retired and curled up in my chair with a steaming cup of Harney & Sons Holiday Tea.

Jo Middleton spells tornado ‘tornadoe.’

DayTripper Rogers Ford Farm Winery By scott richards Tucked away in a corner of Fauquier County, behind a small hamlet known as Summerduck, lies a true Virginia treasure. Because Summerduck is known more for its raceway, who would have thought a winery would fit in this locale?

Located at the historic Roger’s Ford, where it is said Confederate and Union troops repeatedly forded the Rappahannock River between Culpeper County and Fauquier County on a fifty five acre tract of land located next to the C.F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area, Rogers Ford Farm Winery offers visitors a breath of fresh air away from the hectic sprawl that is becoming Route 17 outside of Fredericksburg.

In its prime the estate that the Puckett family now owns once was 1,000 acres.

Seated on the estate is the farmhouse, circa 1825 that was the Puckett family home when they purchased the property in 1979. Johnny, son of winery founder John Puckett, lived there until recently when he moved to Fredericksburg to be closer to work. Now the house has been renovated to contain the tasting room.

Upon entering the house

originally made from trees felled on the property, one is greeted by a fireplace that exudes the warmth that is always found there. As striking as the fireplace is, the yellow pine flooring laid out with different widths.

An addition added in 1900 contrasts between the craftsmanship of the two eras of construction. The beams in the older part were notched by hand and numbered when the house was built.

Many of the windows still are of the wavy design seen in older homes.

The front room has been converted into the tasting room displaying a curved bar with the tops of wine bottles that have been cut off and attached.

Again the yellow pine flooring stands out and adds to the ambience of this elegant place. As lovely as this house is, it does not compare to the wines that are served.

John Puckett, an aeronautical engineer, decided he wanted to start a winery and put his family to work growing an experimental crop to see what would make it.

Although recently retired, allowing Johnny to take over the operation, John is still around giving sound viticultural and enological advice to any willing to receive from his rich years of experience.

On the farm, the Pucketts grow mainly Vidal Blanc and Petit Verdot, with the rest of the grapes used coming from a group of vineyard owners in central Virginia and Northern Neck. From these grapes are produced wines that reflect the current trend in Virginia wines, excellence, and maturity.

Among the whites is an unoaked Chardonnay, New Zealand style, which bears the name and picture of John’s oldest grandson, Jacob Christopher. This Chardonnay is aromatic with a sweetness that makes it an excellent pairing with veal or seafood.

Another of John’s grandchildren’s names, Lily Grace, adorns an extremely popular white blend of chardonnay, viognier, and Vidal blanc, a light, oaked wine perfect with shrimps on the barbie. Many drinkers prefer it as a chaser for luscious raw oysters. As a solo, Lily Grace cries out for warm summer afternoons and evenings.

Rogers Ford’s best wines are their reds. Their 2008 Bordeaux style, Virginia Red Select, is coming into its prime; an unfiltered blend of Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot perfect for Italian food lovers. Their 2011 Virginia

Red Select is an oaked blend of 75% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot that differs from normal VA Bordeaux style, delivering bold, intense structure.

Very drinkable at present, it will get better with age. Only 55 cases were produced, so buy it now and set aside for up to-10 years. Their Petit Verdot grapes never fully ripen, thus the name Petit Verdot, or “little green,” an unfiltered, robust-tasting wine that screams for a big roast, Yorkshire pudding, and all the trimmings.

The bottle has handles on each side of the neck. Brandy Station Dulce is Vidal Blanc grapes distilled into brandy, then blended with more wine and packs a punch at 18% alcohol, sherry-style, sipped as a thimble full aperitif.

Meeting people like the Pucketts makes a day trip well worth it.

Scott Richards owns Loch Haven Vineyards. His blog at fromthevine.wordpress.com,

Jewel Box Since 1940 Your Hometown Jeweler On-Premise Jewelry Repair Watch Batteries Gold Buying Engraving 212 William Street,Fredericksburg 540-373-5513 Mon-Fri 9-5:30; Sat 9-5 front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

11

Retired & Buck Naked

Stafford 350 Worlds Apart: A Tale of Two Decades, 1860 & 1870

On The Back Porch

By david s. kerr

The census is a snapshot. It’s a moment in time. And perhaps no other two census snapshots better reflect the “before and after” of the nation’s greatest conflict, the American Civil War, then the census reports for Stafford County in 1860 and ten years later in 1870. In 1860 the Civil War was a year away and Stafford was one of the largest and most prosperous communities in Virginia. The population was 8,555. The occupations in the census report reflected a dynamic community. There were several doctors, a bank president, wheelwrights (men who made and repaired wagon wheels), coopers (barrel makers) and several blacksmiths. However, by far, the most common vocation was farmer.

There were some unusual listings in the census reports. These were professions that reflected the more lively nature of this pre-Civil War world. Edward Piperbring was born in Prussia and his profession was listed as candy maker. There was also John Cox who was listed as a fifer. And, Stafford was also home to a future novelist Emma Garrison. She was 23 years old in 1860, was already writing for various periodicals and would later write a number of popular novels.

But, in 1860, Stafford, like the rest of the south had an infamous side to its character and that was slavery. Out of that relatively large population listed in the 1860, 3,314 of these souls were slaves. Under the Constitution they were

10

January 2014

counted as 3/5 of a person for representation purposes but otherwise weren’t recorded by name in the census reports. They were property.

That’s not to say African Americans didn’t leave a mark on the census report.

There were numerous freemen to include a selfemployed boatman named Robin Daggs, an independent wagon driver, Robert Jennings, as well as listings for free blacks who were farm hands, factory workers and housekeepers.

But, what a difference a decade can make. Stafford, five years after the end of the Civil War was devastated. By the time the 1870 census was computed it was a shell of its former self.

Its population, thanks both to the flight of African Americans from bondage, as well as many whites looking for a new start somewhere else, had fallen by 25%. The professional fifer was gone and so was the candy maker. Emma Garrison had moved to Washington D.C. Farming was still the principal occupation, but with so much damage to the soil caused by massive deforestation during the war, it was agriculture at the subsistence level. Still, there were bright spots. There were mill operators, a handful of medical professionals, plasterers, and grocers. Several African Americans were listed as owning their own farms. That was a major change in their status. They were also listed as working as blacksmiths, wheelwrights and coopers.

Stafford, however, was not what it once was. Its economy was broken and stagnant.

It wouldn’t recover economically, nor would it recover its prewar population, until well into the 20th century.

David S. Kerr is a member of the Stafford County 350th Anniversary Committee and frequent contributor to this magazine.

Front porch fredericksburg

names that tame by jo middleton January is the time for snuggling in your reading chair with afghan, hot tea, cuddly cat, and your re-read of Bill Bryson’s Notes from a Small Island. I will go to Hyperion for my cappuccino fix later. Did I not warn you about taking a Bryson Book into the Hyperion, placing a huge sip of cappuccino in your mouth, and reading a laughter line, which you will in all certainty spew across the table? Of course I did. There’s scarcely a page in a Bryson book that will not send you into coffee behaviors Emily Post would frown upon. Bryson declares he loves England for its colorful ways, places, and names.

Nowhere else, and he is so right, can you find anyone named Tuppy Glossop, Cyril “Barmy” Fotheringay-Phipps, or Agnes Flack.

Though they are characters created by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, a decidedly interesting name, you will, in fact, meet them on Oxford Street in old London should you stop someone and ask his name. More fun is their home place name. Funny names Bryson loves: Brown Willy in Cornwall, Booty Lane in North Yorkshire and a list of others equally hilarious. Virginia, with its early English heritage does a fine job with its own town names. Frog Level and Bumpass come to mind, and our own Fredericksburg goes one step further and oddly names its shops, such asFoode - whose dangling “e” reminds me of nothing germane to this topic. I think the shop When Pigs Fly would make him nostalgic for that little town of Elgham, where such store names probably adorn little shop signs. Given Bryson’s penchant for oddities, an invitation to Virginia, especially with scrumptious breakfast at Foode, of the dangling “e,” is definitely in order.

Looking out the window on a January scene is really wonderful for this old Virginian who migrated briefly to Mississippi where the living is not only easy but incredibly cheap, with very mild weather.

I do recall making the Jo Middleton pompous woman of Virginia declaration after a tornado roiled by down there, “we do not have tornadoes in Virginia.” Two weeks later, waiting to move into our place here in Virginia, we had a significant tornado, which surpassed the one that had visited Yalabousha County, MS shortly before we left. I had been chided by the Mississippians that

even though “’we did not have tornadoes in Virginia,’ we certainly had rumbling earthquakes which did mischief to the nation’s Washington Monument.”

I remained silent on that point, since its point of origin was Richmond, Virginia.

My father declared that taking up trees and putting down cement would be the ruin of us. I no longer think he was my nutty buddy. The nutty buddy in the room was not he. My youngest son called just now to have me look outside where it is “raining ice balls.” It is good to be retired and curled up in my chair with a steaming cup of Harney & Sons Holiday Tea.

Jo Middleton spells tornado ‘tornadoe.’

DayTripper Rogers Ford Farm Winery By scott richards Tucked away in a corner of Fauquier County, behind a small hamlet known as Summerduck, lies a true Virginia treasure. Because Summerduck is known more for its raceway, who would have thought a winery would fit in this locale?

Located at the historic Roger’s Ford, where it is said Confederate and Union troops repeatedly forded the Rappahannock River between Culpeper County and Fauquier County on a fifty five acre tract of land located next to the C.F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area, Rogers Ford Farm Winery offers visitors a breath of fresh air away from the hectic sprawl that is becoming Route 17 outside of Fredericksburg.

In its prime the estate that the Puckett family now owns once was 1,000 acres.

Seated on the estate is the farmhouse, circa 1825 that was the Puckett family home when they purchased the property in 1979. Johnny, son of winery founder John Puckett, lived there until recently when he moved to Fredericksburg to be closer to work. Now the house has been renovated to contain the tasting room.

Upon entering the house

originally made from trees felled on the property, one is greeted by a fireplace that exudes the warmth that is always found there. As striking as the fireplace is, the yellow pine flooring laid out with different widths.

An addition added in 1900 contrasts between the craftsmanship of the two eras of construction. The beams in the older part were notched by hand and numbered when the house was built.

Many of the windows still are of the wavy design seen in older homes.

The front room has been converted into the tasting room displaying a curved bar with the tops of wine bottles that have been cut off and attached.

Again the yellow pine flooring stands out and adds to the ambience of this elegant place. As lovely as this house is, it does not compare to the wines that are served.

John Puckett, an aeronautical engineer, decided he wanted to start a winery and put his family to work growing an experimental crop to see what would make it.

Although recently retired, allowing Johnny to take over the operation, John is still around giving sound viticultural and enological advice to any willing to receive from his rich years of experience.

On the farm, the Pucketts grow mainly Vidal Blanc and Petit Verdot, with the rest of the grapes used coming from a group of vineyard owners in central Virginia and Northern Neck. From these grapes are produced wines that reflect the current trend in Virginia wines, excellence, and maturity.

Among the whites is an unoaked Chardonnay, New Zealand style, which bears the name and picture of John’s oldest grandson, Jacob Christopher. This Chardonnay is aromatic with a sweetness that makes it an excellent pairing with veal or seafood.

Another of John’s grandchildren’s names, Lily Grace, adorns an extremely popular white blend of chardonnay, viognier, and Vidal blanc, a light, oaked wine perfect with shrimps on the barbie. Many drinkers prefer it as a chaser for luscious raw oysters. As a solo, Lily Grace cries out for warm summer afternoons and evenings.

Rogers Ford’s best wines are their reds. Their 2008 Bordeaux style, Virginia Red Select, is coming into its prime; an unfiltered blend of Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot perfect for Italian food lovers. Their 2011 Virginia

Red Select is an oaked blend of 75% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot that differs from normal VA Bordeaux style, delivering bold, intense structure.

Very drinkable at present, it will get better with age. Only 55 cases were produced, so buy it now and set aside for up to-10 years. Their Petit Verdot grapes never fully ripen, thus the name Petit Verdot, or “little green,” an unfiltered, robust-tasting wine that screams for a big roast, Yorkshire pudding, and all the trimmings.

The bottle has handles on each side of the neck. Brandy Station Dulce is Vidal Blanc grapes distilled into brandy, then blended with more wine and packs a punch at 18% alcohol, sherry-style, sipped as a thimble full aperitif.

Meeting people like the Pucketts makes a day trip well worth it.

Scott Richards owns Loch Haven Vineyards. His blog at fromthevine.wordpress.com,

Jewel Box Since 1940 Your Hometown Jeweler On-Premise Jewelry Repair Watch Batteries Gold Buying Engraving 212 William Street,Fredericksburg 540-373-5513 Mon-Fri 9-5:30; Sat 9-5 front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

11

Cooking With Kyle Simple, easy, delicious by james kyle snyder

Since traveling to Barolo (where white truffles come from) with Mitzi for Thanksgiving in 2010, we started a Christmas tradition: the Uova. That year Mitzi bought me two ounces of white truffles for a Christmas present and it has been part of every “Everything you have ever wanted to eat for brunch” brunch(ish) that we host on Christmas day since.

So what is an Uova? It is fresh pasta with an egg yolk inside. For this celebration, I use pistachio pesto, an egg yolk, and white truffles. The combination is unbelievable!

Set a deep pot of salted water to boil and set the eggs out to warm, one egg per Uova. You will be making more than enough pasta to make a dozen Uova so go crazy. Invite some friends over as this dish is both fun to make and eat. On to the pasta!

Once you master pasta you will never want to pay for it again. You can make a large batch and freeze the noodles for later. Then, it takes just a few minutes to go from frozen to cooked! For one pound of pasta, in a mixer with a dough hook, blend 1 cup semolina flour, 1 cup AP flour, 3 eggs, 1 TBS salt, and 1 TBS olive oil. Kneed until it forms a consistent ball and let rest at least 30 minutes refrigerated (overnight is better).

While the pasta rests, make the pesto. I prefer pistachios to pine nuts in pesto. In a food processor combine 1 ½ cups fresh basil, 1 ½ cups shelled dry roasted pistachio nuts, 2 cloves garlic, juice and zest of one lemon (add zest to personal taste while blending), a pinch of S&P, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese.

Turn on the processor and slowly add 1/42/3 cup olive oil until desired texture is reached. This will make more than you need and can be wrapped in cellophane and frozen for future use.

12

January 2014

Now to combine. Roll the pasta into 3 thin foot long pieces. I use an attachment on my KitchenAid. They also make hand roll devices or you can try a rolling pin, but I will warn you that the pin will not produce great pasta. Consistent thickness is key. Lay the pasta out on a semolina floured surface and cut into circles using a large 3 1/2 - 4 inch round cutter, two per Uova. Square raviolis are too much pasta and take away from the truffles.

Place a teaspoon of pesto into the center of one circular pasta. Flatten the pesto, leaving 1/4 inch of pasta around the edge, and make a small divot in the center to hold the yolk. Separate an egg (save the first egg white made for the egg wash), and place the yolk in the center of the pesto. Now for the best part! Using a truffle shaver (gotta have one for this or you waste the truffle) plane a few delicious shavings onto the yolk.

Brush the edge of the pasta with the saved egg white and top with another piece of pasta. Crimp the edges together all the way around with a fork. I usually do the assembly line method making all the bottoms at once, placing all the pesto at once, and so on.

Slide the Uova, one at a time, into the boiling water and Let cook for 1 minute. Remove from the water and serve with a smile! Sorry we missed some of you at brunch last Christmas. I hope to see you at the next one. Be well!

Vino the importer at work By matt thomas Vineyards traverse the world, and wine has been part of Virginia culture since Jeffersonian times. Matt looks at how we get wine to our table… - RG For any craft to be successful, middlemen are needed to bring together craft makers and consumers. For the centuries-old craft of Spanish winemaking, that middleman is the importer. Most of the foreign wine you see on store shelves is imported by medium to large sized companies that distribute on a national or large regional scale. But some of it usually the best of it - is imported by small companies that specialize in certain types of wine. One of those companies is the Stafford-based Spanish Wine Importers.

The Spanish Wine Importers was started by Travis Vernon, who I first met in 2009 when he asked if he could speak to me about my experience in the wine business as part of his research.

He seemed awfully young to be starting an importing business, but he also seemed smart and professional, so I was only mildly surprised when 18 months later he was pitching me wines he had brought over from Spain.

As it turns out Travis was first exposed to the beautiful art of Spanish wine during an exchange program at university. It also involved working parttime, and the job he got was with an exporter. Here he got some exposure not only to how the business worked but also the pleasures of wine. When he returned home and tried seeking out the sort of Spanish wine he had had abroad, he discovered that the wine here did not taste the same. Too much of it had been “Americanized”, i.e. made more fruity and rich. He saw a gap in the market – there wasn’t enough wine from Spain here that was Spanish in style.

What is the Spanish style? In Spain, wine is very often had with food, as in France and Italy, so the wines are made to pair well. This often means dry and somewhat earthy. Travis told me that in Spain people form regional preferences rather than varietal preferences, as we do here. So, for example, somebody may ask for a wine from Rioja rather than asking for a Tempranillo. Travis decided that he would import wines from various regions

of Spain to expose wine drinkers here to various regional styles and flavors.

Travis eschews trade shows and industry tastings as a way of finding great wine. Instead, he cold calls wineries and travels around Spain, finding small wineries with very small production. It’s these small wineries that produce some of the best wine with the richest tradition.

Fredericksburg was one of the first markets The Spanish Wine Importers hit. You can find their wines in several area restaurants and wine shops (including kybecca, of course). One of his wines, an excellent white Rioja, was even selected by The Washington Post as one of their Thanksgiving picks.

Travis sees wine tastes in Fredericksburg as ever evolving. Although he has an easier time selling some wines in DC, he’s been surprised by how well traditional Spanish wines, not always easy to like, have done here. He sees increasing demand for sweet wines, a sign of new wine drinkers, who tend to prefer sweet.

The Spanish Wine Importers is really just Travis and his wife, but month-by-month they’ve expanded their domain. Celebrity chef Jose Andres will start carrying their stuff this year.

Ask around about The Spanish Wine Importers. I can personally vouch for their quality; just last week I had an amazing Toro with a Spanish-style braised pork shank.

Matt Thomas frequently shares his cultural knowledge with us.

Season’s Bounty with love from mom By vanessa moncure

Olde Towne BUTCHER Meats for Stews for Hardy Winter Meals Beef Up For BCS & Super Bowl Title Games!

Corner of William & Charles Street 540.370.4105 By the time you read this, the televised crowds leading up to 2013’s countdown will be over and you may be suffering a bit from over-egg-nogging.

Brand-new resolutions for the New Year may well be dancing in your head as you pack away the annual decorations. So what will it be this year? Absolutely, definitely get the family snapshots organized.

Positively clean the attic/basement. Forget about last year’s abandoned gym membership and really follow through this time. Pick up on some interests - go camping, learn to draw or even to drive, knit, sign up your dog for obedience classes, determine to learn about wines, promise yourself to try 12 new restaurants this year. Well, those have been a few of my earlier procrastinations. But I did follow through on the restaurant resolution.

Fredericksburg-town is no longer a foodie’s backwater - we have a great farmer’s market and local CSA, everything downtown from our own butcher, baker, and possibly a candlestick-maker; chain restaurants for the I-95 crowd, to a new ethnic-food boom, and delicious independent food anchors.

With all of Fredericksburg’s history, I’m sure you have a food history in your own family - Aunt Gen’s poundcake, Nanci’s oyster stew, Mom’s strawberry bread - and I happily announce that I completed 2012’s main resolution and put together a family cookbook with over 300 recipes, and self-published it especially for my children - With Love

Chef Kyle Thomas Snyder hosts dinner parties, get-togethers, and spontaneous foodé jams for friends in his home, and often feeds his editor with love-laced, healthy, and delicious pureed meals. In other words, he’s a heck-of-a guy!

Front porch fredericksburg

From Mom. It’s a resolution miracle, with a few recipes for you...

SOUR CREAM SUGAR COOKIES Great for decorating, great keepers from my grandmother. Beat together ½ c. butter and 1 c. sugar until light. Beat

in one egg and 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir in ½ c. sour cream, then 3 c. flour sifted with ½ tsp. baking soda. Roll out dough, adding extra flour as needed, on lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Bake preheated 350F oven 8-10 minutes. Watch them as they do brown quickly. Can be decorated before cookie with cinnamon shots, sprinkles or sugar - or let cool and decorate with a plain confectioner’s sugar icing.

SUMMER TOMATO PIE Best to use peeled, sun-ripened tomatoes, but can substitute welldrained, chopped, canned tomatoes. For crust: Mix together 2 c. flour, 6 T. shortening, 1 tsp. each salt and baking soda, 2 tsp. baking powder until well blended.

Then stir in approx. ¾ c. buttermilk until forms a moist ball.

Grease a deep 9” pan and spread the biscuit dough on bottom and sides. Top with approx. 3-4 c. chopped peeled tomatoes.

Mix together 1 c. mayonnaise, 2 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese, S&P, 1 tsp. lemon juice and 4 T. chopped fresh basil. Spread over tomatoes, then sprinkle with ¼ c. sharp cheddar cheese and bake 350F 35-45 minutes or until browned and bubbly.

Great as a breakfast side dish, too.

OOEY GOOEY BARS Beat together 1 lb. dark brown sugar, ¾ c. butter until light. Beat in 3 eggs. Add 1 c. chopped pecans and 2 c. self-rising flour. Pat mixture into greased 9x13 pan. Bake 300F 25-30 minutes. Be careful as they overbake quickly. Cut while still warm.

Vanessa Moncure resolves to fill our bellies with more deliciousness in 2014.

www.oldetownebutcher.com

Open: 9am - 9pm Monday through Saturday 11am - 6pm Sunday Lee Russell Proprietor

~ Daily Specials ~ Mom’s Mondays: Free dessert for all moms Two For One Tuesdays: All beverages & appetizers are two-for-one.

Washington Wednesdays: All food 50% off with Mary Washington University id Throwback Thursdays: Burgers any way $5.00.

Dine in Only ~ Limited Time ~ Subject to Change

801 Caroline Street

(540) 371-2008

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

13

Cooking With Kyle Simple, easy, delicious by james kyle snyder

Since traveling to Barolo (where white truffles come from) with Mitzi for Thanksgiving in 2010, we started a Christmas tradition: the Uova. That year Mitzi bought me two ounces of white truffles for a Christmas present and it has been part of every “Everything you have ever wanted to eat for brunch” brunch(ish) that we host on Christmas day since.

So what is an Uova? It is fresh pasta with an egg yolk inside. For this celebration, I use pistachio pesto, an egg yolk, and white truffles. The combination is unbelievable!

Set a deep pot of salted water to boil and set the eggs out to warm, one egg per Uova. You will be making more than enough pasta to make a dozen Uova so go crazy. Invite some friends over as this dish is both fun to make and eat. On to the pasta!

Once you master pasta you will never want to pay for it again. You can make a large batch and freeze the noodles for later. Then, it takes just a few minutes to go from frozen to cooked! For one pound of pasta, in a mixer with a dough hook, blend 1 cup semolina flour, 1 cup AP flour, 3 eggs, 1 TBS salt, and 1 TBS olive oil. Kneed until it forms a consistent ball and let rest at least 30 minutes refrigerated (overnight is better).

While the pasta rests, make the pesto. I prefer pistachios to pine nuts in pesto. In a food processor combine 1 ½ cups fresh basil, 1 ½ cups shelled dry roasted pistachio nuts, 2 cloves garlic, juice and zest of one lemon (add zest to personal taste while blending), a pinch of S&P, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese.

Turn on the processor and slowly add 1/42/3 cup olive oil until desired texture is reached. This will make more than you need and can be wrapped in cellophane and frozen for future use.

12

January 2014

Now to combine. Roll the pasta into 3 thin foot long pieces. I use an attachment on my KitchenAid. They also make hand roll devices or you can try a rolling pin, but I will warn you that the pin will not produce great pasta. Consistent thickness is key. Lay the pasta out on a semolina floured surface and cut into circles using a large 3 1/2 - 4 inch round cutter, two per Uova. Square raviolis are too much pasta and take away from the truffles.

Place a teaspoon of pesto into the center of one circular pasta. Flatten the pesto, leaving 1/4 inch of pasta around the edge, and make a small divot in the center to hold the yolk. Separate an egg (save the first egg white made for the egg wash), and place the yolk in the center of the pesto. Now for the best part! Using a truffle shaver (gotta have one for this or you waste the truffle) plane a few delicious shavings onto the yolk.

Brush the edge of the pasta with the saved egg white and top with another piece of pasta. Crimp the edges together all the way around with a fork. I usually do the assembly line method making all the bottoms at once, placing all the pesto at once, and so on.

Slide the Uova, one at a time, into the boiling water and Let cook for 1 minute. Remove from the water and serve with a smile! Sorry we missed some of you at brunch last Christmas. I hope to see you at the next one. Be well!

Vino the importer at work By matt thomas Vineyards traverse the world, and wine has been part of Virginia culture since Jeffersonian times. Matt looks at how we get wine to our table… - RG For any craft to be successful, middlemen are needed to bring together craft makers and consumers. For the centuries-old craft of Spanish winemaking, that middleman is the importer. Most of the foreign wine you see on store shelves is imported by medium to large sized companies that distribute on a national or large regional scale. But some of it usually the best of it - is imported by small companies that specialize in certain types of wine. One of those companies is the Stafford-based Spanish Wine Importers.

The Spanish Wine Importers was started by Travis Vernon, who I first met in 2009 when he asked if he could speak to me about my experience in the wine business as part of his research.

He seemed awfully young to be starting an importing business, but he also seemed smart and professional, so I was only mildly surprised when 18 months later he was pitching me wines he had brought over from Spain.

As it turns out Travis was first exposed to the beautiful art of Spanish wine during an exchange program at university. It also involved working parttime, and the job he got was with an exporter. Here he got some exposure not only to how the business worked but also the pleasures of wine. When he returned home and tried seeking out the sort of Spanish wine he had had abroad, he discovered that the wine here did not taste the same. Too much of it had been “Americanized”, i.e. made more fruity and rich. He saw a gap in the market – there wasn’t enough wine from Spain here that was Spanish in style.

What is the Spanish style? In Spain, wine is very often had with food, as in France and Italy, so the wines are made to pair well. This often means dry and somewhat earthy. Travis told me that in Spain people form regional preferences rather than varietal preferences, as we do here. So, for example, somebody may ask for a wine from Rioja rather than asking for a Tempranillo. Travis decided that he would import wines from various regions

of Spain to expose wine drinkers here to various regional styles and flavors.

Travis eschews trade shows and industry tastings as a way of finding great wine. Instead, he cold calls wineries and travels around Spain, finding small wineries with very small production. It’s these small wineries that produce some of the best wine with the richest tradition.

Fredericksburg was one of the first markets The Spanish Wine Importers hit. You can find their wines in several area restaurants and wine shops (including kybecca, of course). One of his wines, an excellent white Rioja, was even selected by The Washington Post as one of their Thanksgiving picks.

Travis sees wine tastes in Fredericksburg as ever evolving. Although he has an easier time selling some wines in DC, he’s been surprised by how well traditional Spanish wines, not always easy to like, have done here. He sees increasing demand for sweet wines, a sign of new wine drinkers, who tend to prefer sweet.

The Spanish Wine Importers is really just Travis and his wife, but month-by-month they’ve expanded their domain. Celebrity chef Jose Andres will start carrying their stuff this year.

Ask around about The Spanish Wine Importers. I can personally vouch for their quality; just last week I had an amazing Toro with a Spanish-style braised pork shank.

Matt Thomas frequently shares his cultural knowledge with us.

Season’s Bounty with love from mom By vanessa moncure

Olde Towne BUTCHER Meats for Stews for Hardy Winter Meals Beef Up For BCS & Super Bowl Title Games!

Corner of William & Charles Street 540.370.4105 By the time you read this, the televised crowds leading up to 2013’s countdown will be over and you may be suffering a bit from over-egg-nogging.

Brand-new resolutions for the New Year may well be dancing in your head as you pack away the annual decorations. So what will it be this year? Absolutely, definitely get the family snapshots organized.

Positively clean the attic/basement. Forget about last year’s abandoned gym membership and really follow through this time. Pick up on some interests - go camping, learn to draw or even to drive, knit, sign up your dog for obedience classes, determine to learn about wines, promise yourself to try 12 new restaurants this year. Well, those have been a few of my earlier procrastinations. But I did follow through on the restaurant resolution.

Fredericksburg-town is no longer a foodie’s backwater - we have a great farmer’s market and local CSA, everything downtown from our own butcher, baker, and possibly a candlestick-maker; chain restaurants for the I-95 crowd, to a new ethnic-food boom, and delicious independent food anchors.

With all of Fredericksburg’s history, I’m sure you have a food history in your own family - Aunt Gen’s poundcake, Nanci’s oyster stew, Mom’s strawberry bread - and I happily announce that I completed 2012’s main resolution and put together a family cookbook with over 300 recipes, and self-published it especially for my children - With Love

Chef Kyle Thomas Snyder hosts dinner parties, get-togethers, and spontaneous foodé jams for friends in his home, and often feeds his editor with love-laced, healthy, and delicious pureed meals. In other words, he’s a heck-of-a guy!

Front porch fredericksburg

From Mom. It’s a resolution miracle, with a few recipes for you...

SOUR CREAM SUGAR COOKIES Great for decorating, great keepers from my grandmother. Beat together ½ c. butter and 1 c. sugar until light. Beat

in one egg and 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir in ½ c. sour cream, then 3 c. flour sifted with ½ tsp. baking soda. Roll out dough, adding extra flour as needed, on lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Bake preheated 350F oven 8-10 minutes. Watch them as they do brown quickly. Can be decorated before cookie with cinnamon shots, sprinkles or sugar - or let cool and decorate with a plain confectioner’s sugar icing.

SUMMER TOMATO PIE Best to use peeled, sun-ripened tomatoes, but can substitute welldrained, chopped, canned tomatoes. For crust: Mix together 2 c. flour, 6 T. shortening, 1 tsp. each salt and baking soda, 2 tsp. baking powder until well blended.

Then stir in approx. ¾ c. buttermilk until forms a moist ball.

Grease a deep 9” pan and spread the biscuit dough on bottom and sides. Top with approx. 3-4 c. chopped peeled tomatoes.

Mix together 1 c. mayonnaise, 2 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese, S&P, 1 tsp. lemon juice and 4 T. chopped fresh basil. Spread over tomatoes, then sprinkle with ¼ c. sharp cheddar cheese and bake 350F 35-45 minutes or until browned and bubbly.

Great as a breakfast side dish, too.

OOEY GOOEY BARS Beat together 1 lb. dark brown sugar, ¾ c. butter until light. Beat in 3 eggs. Add 1 c. chopped pecans and 2 c. self-rising flour. Pat mixture into greased 9x13 pan. Bake 300F 25-30 minutes. Be careful as they overbake quickly. Cut while still warm.

Vanessa Moncure resolves to fill our bellies with more deliciousness in 2014.

www.oldetownebutcher.com

Open: 9am - 9pm Monday through Saturday 11am - 6pm Sunday Lee Russell Proprietor

~ Daily Specials ~ Mom’s Mondays: Free dessert for all moms Two For One Tuesdays: All beverages & appetizers are two-for-one.

Washington Wednesdays: All food 50% off with Mary Washington University id Throwback Thursdays: Burgers any way $5.00.

Dine in Only ~ Limited Time ~ Subject to Change

801 Caroline Street

(540) 371-2008

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

13

The Art of the Brew

Bruce Day Fine Art

Blue & Gray’s David Achkio

By Sara Mattingly

“I started by reading everything about brewing I could get my hands on and applying this information with mixed success to batches of beer I made at home.” Using his skills in the culinary trade to craftily work his way into an apprenticeship at a brewery in Pittsburgh (was it Iron City?), David also invested in formal courses at the Siebel Institute in Chicago. David now has seven or eight years under his belt as a pro brew guy, but if you count those sneaky escapades in college, he’s been at it quite awhile. “It gets in your blood. There is a certain obsessive component to brewing that sticks with you.”

Serving a regional market, both in-house and to retail pubs, restaurants and stores, and nestled among the industrial spaces and warehouses of Bowman Center on Route 2 south of the city is the Blue & Gray Brewing Co, where master brewer David Achkio plies his trade.

So we asked David, who is just 40 and a bear of a handsome man, “What qualifies you as a professional?” To which he retorted, nicely, “I am a professional brewer. It involves a mix of theoretical

Soup & Taco, Etc. 813 Caroline St.

In his five months at B&G, David commutes from Richmond, where he moved in 2002 – making it his longestrunning residency ever. Once he arrives for the day, it’s all about the business of brewing the Blue & Gray brand. “I really like the Classic Lager. The brewing process is about creating the perfect environment for yeast to live a long and healthy like.”

(Sounds like a cat to me!) “I joke about being enslaved by those little creatures – I’m just a simple yeast herder.” (Love it!)

The quality of the ingredients is also important. Believe it or not, David puts the water of FXBG on a par with that of Pilsen (a very big-on-beer Czech town).

He combines it with (here’s where he loses me a bit) Canada 2-row malt and the German Hallertau Hersbrucker hops (who knew?) to create flavors neutral enough for your average American consumer (me) and subtle enough for the connoisseur (Matt Thomas).

The Normandy Coffee — Winter’s Wonderful Warmer by lee m. delongis

Now it gets really scientific, chemistry fans: “I particularly like the delicate interaction of the sweet, floral hop aroma and the pleasantly sulfuric yeast component. The malt provides the canvas that allows those two flavors to merge,” David lectures. (If you had told me that anything sulfuric would merge and become tasty, I’d have bet against you in Vegas… but the proof is in the growler.)

Blue & Gray brews year-round Classic Lager, Fred Red, Stonewall Stout and Falmouth American Pale Ale. Seasonally, David produces Borman’s Belgian Ale, Temporary Insanity Imperial Stout, Minor Dementia Bourbon Cask Stout, and Octoberfest; plus, there’s a great IPA, Hefeweizen and several holiday offerings. Check out the brewery and the Lee’s Retreat Brew Pub. I might be there or else at Bistro — I love how Rob pays me in beer for my writing.

Libations

The

Fredericksburg, VA and practical knowledge that ends with a product that people judge with their checkbooks.” Wow, a full-pint answer with a foamy head – he’s professional, learned, practical, and commercial.

With the emergence and boom of “craft” beers and home brewing worldwide, the brewing of beer is no longer perceived as a process; it is viewed as an art.

Sara elaborates… -RG

Fredericksburg’s Hometown Saloon Since 1961

Serving Traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex Food

Always From Life

and Something More!!

Original Oils

Tuesday to Saturday 11am-9pm

brucedaystudio.com

Sunday 11am-6pm

thefigureblog.blogspot.com

540 376-1676

Phone: 540-899-0969 E-mail: soupntaco@yahoo.com

Sara Mattingly is our bubbly, hoppy, at-large writer.

The Sunken Well Tavern

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

My wife bought me a Keurig coffee maker for Christmas and I love it!

With the Keurig, you make individual cups of your favorite hot beverages and the choices are unlimited. Exotic teas and flavored coffees, and basic coffees and teas are on the market everywhere for use in the Keurig. Each cup full comes in its own small creamer-like container that brews with the push of a button. It takes less than a minute for the perfect cup.

I was really excited when I saw that one of the offerings is Apple Cider. As a bartender with a penchant for cold weather, I immediately thought of The Normandy Coffee — Winter’s Wonderful Warmer, as we called it in Burlington, VT when I was there.

Here is that recipe. Enjoy it – but first run out to Best Buy or Walmart and purchase a Keurig. You can also Google Keurig and buy directly from their website like my wife did.

Enjoy it hot!

For non-alcohol drinkers and designated drivers, the Virgin Normandy is delicious. Just leave out the whiskey!

Lee M. Delongis’ most recent bar gig was in Puerto Rico, where winter cocktails fizzled.

The General Store

Restaurant

Brew an 8-1 10 oz. cup of Keurig’s Apple Cider into your favorite ceramic or heat-rresistant clearglass mug.

Add a shot of Bowman Brothers Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch

Italian/American Food

Top with a tablespoon or squirt of Kool-W Whip or Ready Whip – or whip up your own whipped cream and throw on a generous dollop.

Garnish the rim of your mug with a mini-ccandy cane.

14

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

Since 1978

Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm

371-4075 2018 College Ave. Fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

15

The Art of the Brew

Bruce Day Fine Art

Blue & Gray’s David Achkio

By Sara Mattingly

“I started by reading everything about brewing I could get my hands on and applying this information with mixed success to batches of beer I made at home.” Using his skills in the culinary trade to craftily work his way into an apprenticeship at a brewery in Pittsburgh (was it Iron City?), David also invested in formal courses at the Siebel Institute in Chicago. David now has seven or eight years under his belt as a pro brew guy, but if you count those sneaky escapades in college, he’s been at it quite awhile. “It gets in your blood. There is a certain obsessive component to brewing that sticks with you.”

Serving a regional market, both in-house and to retail pubs, restaurants and stores, and nestled among the industrial spaces and warehouses of Bowman Center on Route 2 south of the city is the Blue & Gray Brewing Co, where master brewer David Achkio plies his trade.

So we asked David, who is just 40 and a bear of a handsome man, “What qualifies you as a professional?” To which he retorted, nicely, “I am a professional brewer. It involves a mix of theoretical

Soup & Taco, Etc. 813 Caroline St.

In his five months at B&G, David commutes from Richmond, where he moved in 2002 – making it his longestrunning residency ever. Once he arrives for the day, it’s all about the business of brewing the Blue & Gray brand. “I really like the Classic Lager. The brewing process is about creating the perfect environment for yeast to live a long and healthy like.”

(Sounds like a cat to me!) “I joke about being enslaved by those little creatures – I’m just a simple yeast herder.” (Love it!)

The quality of the ingredients is also important. Believe it or not, David puts the water of FXBG on a par with that of Pilsen (a very big-on-beer Czech town).

He combines it with (here’s where he loses me a bit) Canada 2-row malt and the German Hallertau Hersbrucker hops (who knew?) to create flavors neutral enough for your average American consumer (me) and subtle enough for the connoisseur (Matt Thomas).

The Normandy Coffee — Winter’s Wonderful Warmer by lee m. delongis

Now it gets really scientific, chemistry fans: “I particularly like the delicate interaction of the sweet, floral hop aroma and the pleasantly sulfuric yeast component. The malt provides the canvas that allows those two flavors to merge,” David lectures. (If you had told me that anything sulfuric would merge and become tasty, I’d have bet against you in Vegas… but the proof is in the growler.)

Blue & Gray brews year-round Classic Lager, Fred Red, Stonewall Stout and Falmouth American Pale Ale. Seasonally, David produces Borman’s Belgian Ale, Temporary Insanity Imperial Stout, Minor Dementia Bourbon Cask Stout, and Octoberfest; plus, there’s a great IPA, Hefeweizen and several holiday offerings. Check out the brewery and the Lee’s Retreat Brew Pub. I might be there or else at Bistro — I love how Rob pays me in beer for my writing.

Libations

The

Fredericksburg, VA and practical knowledge that ends with a product that people judge with their checkbooks.” Wow, a full-pint answer with a foamy head – he’s professional, learned, practical, and commercial.

With the emergence and boom of “craft” beers and home brewing worldwide, the brewing of beer is no longer perceived as a process; it is viewed as an art.

Sara elaborates… -RG

Fredericksburg’s Hometown Saloon Since 1961

Serving Traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex Food

Always From Life

and Something More!!

Original Oils

Tuesday to Saturday 11am-9pm

brucedaystudio.com

Sunday 11am-6pm

thefigureblog.blogspot.com

540 376-1676

Phone: 540-899-0969 E-mail: soupntaco@yahoo.com

Sara Mattingly is our bubbly, hoppy, at-large writer.

The Sunken Well Tavern

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

My wife bought me a Keurig coffee maker for Christmas and I love it!

With the Keurig, you make individual cups of your favorite hot beverages and the choices are unlimited. Exotic teas and flavored coffees, and basic coffees and teas are on the market everywhere for use in the Keurig. Each cup full comes in its own small creamer-like container that brews with the push of a button. It takes less than a minute for the perfect cup.

I was really excited when I saw that one of the offerings is Apple Cider. As a bartender with a penchant for cold weather, I immediately thought of The Normandy Coffee — Winter’s Wonderful Warmer, as we called it in Burlington, VT when I was there.

Here is that recipe. Enjoy it – but first run out to Best Buy or Walmart and purchase a Keurig. You can also Google Keurig and buy directly from their website like my wife did.

Enjoy it hot!

For non-alcohol drinkers and designated drivers, the Virgin Normandy is delicious. Just leave out the whiskey!

Lee M. Delongis’ most recent bar gig was in Puerto Rico, where winter cocktails fizzled.

The General Store

Restaurant

Brew an 8-1 10 oz. cup of Keurig’s Apple Cider into your favorite ceramic or heat-rresistant clearglass mug.

Add a shot of Bowman Brothers Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch

Italian/American Food

Top with a tablespoon or squirt of Kool-W Whip or Ready Whip – or whip up your own whipped cream and throw on a generous dollop.

Garnish the rim of your mug with a mini-ccandy cane.

14

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

Since 1978

Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm

371-4075 2018 College Ave. Fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

15

january 2014… Happy, Healthy New Year ! *Some events run same day weekly or more than one day.

wednesday, january 1 Westmoreland County Museum & The Inn at Montross 10th “Art and Wine” runs through Jan. 11.

Featuring artwork of Katharina Bergdoll.

Exhibit will include both landscape and still life oil paintings *La Petite Auberge Live Music Wednesdays: Live Guitar Accordion Jazz Music in the Lounge at 8P. No cover charge *Miss Lady & Mr. Man’s Open Mic Jam 8-11P every Wed. The Rec Center, 213 William

CALENDAR of events

sunday, january 5

*AM1230 WFVA Community Link 8-830A. VA State Senator Bryce Reeves is guest with host Ted Schubel. Listen at newstalk1230.net

monday, january 6 Workshop, Preschool Palette: Getting Along, introduces children ages 2-5 to art and art museums through developmentally appropriate activities; Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth; 10 a.m.; $8 per child; classes limited to 12 children; Reservations required at (540) 654-1851 or mdolby@umw.edu

tuesday, january 7

thursday, january 2 *Music every Thurs Live at Kenmore Inn 730-11P. 1200 Princess Anne

first friday, january 3 LibertyTown Arts Workshop - Join us on First Friday Jan. 3 for our Annual Student Show! Come see what the students have been creating with teachers here at LibertyTown. Show runs through Feb. 2.

PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is excited to announce our January “First Friday” Holiday Hangover party. Why stop the festivities just because the New Year has arrived? We invite our fans to visit us and enjoy all of our offerings from local artists. The gallery will be featuring fine art

by Leslie Brier, Cameron Limbrick, Crystal Rodrigue, Nicholas Candela, and James Walker and new ceramics by co-owner Scarlett Pons. We continue to feature over thirty artists creating everything from fine art and ceramics to jewelry, clothing, and accessories for the home. Join us on Friday, January 3 from 6-10pm for a special evening celebrating the creativity of our local community

saturday, january 4 Holistic Movement at CRRL, 1201 Caroline.

Movement for well-being, expression, self-care, fun.

9-10A

*The Vreelands live @ Bistro Bethem. $3 beer, wine, cocktail specials. All ages. No cover. 7-10P PFLAG (Parents, Familes & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Fredericksburg Monthly Meeting. 1-hr Education, 1-hr Support Circle. Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church 630-830P. Entry door behind construction chain-linked fencing on side

wednesday, january 8 *La Petite Auberge Live Music Wednesdays: Live Guitar Accordion Jazz Music in the Lounge at 8P. No cover charge Whole Health Chiropractic, Inc. Detoxification & Weight Loss class. 630-830P. 434 Bridgewater Street. $15 Pre-register: 5409-899-9421 *Miss Lady & Mr. Man’s Open Mic Jam 8-11P every Wed. The Rec Center, 213 William

thursday, january 9 *North Stafford MOPS Moms CLub - 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month (Sept-May). Open to all moms of children birth - Kindergarten. Please join us for fellowship, food, friendship, and encouragement from other moms, mentors, and local speakers. We offer childcare during the meetings FJC Open Jazz Jam at The Colonial Tavern: Join us on the 2nd Thursday of every month for live bebop, swing, and Latin standards. Musicians, bring your axes! Event is free and open to the public

*Live Music every Thursday at the Kenmore Inn. 1200 Princess Anne. 730P

Workshop, Preschool Palette: Getting Along, introduces children ages 2-5 to art and art museums through developmentally appropriate activities; Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth; 10 a.m.; $8 per child; classes limited to 12 children; Reservations required at (540) 6541851 or mdolby@umw.edu

sunday, january 12

*AM1230 WFVA Community Link 8-830A. Germanna Community College Start-Up Weekend is the topic with host Ted Schubel.

Listen at newstalk1230.net

tuesday, january 14 *Laurie-Rose Griffith & Peter Mealy play Bistro Bethem 8-11P, 309 William. No cover. All ages.

*La Petite Auberge Live Music Wednesdays: Live Guitar Accordion Jazz Music in the Lounge at 8P. Featuring Chris, Phil, Andy & Harry. No cover charge *Miss Lady & Mr. Man’s Open Mic Jam 8-11P every Wed. The Rec Center, 213 William

thursday, january 16 *FXBG Jazz Collective’s open jazz jam twice monthly: 1st & 3rd Thurs. Live bebop, Latin jazz, fine cocktails. Musicians, bring instruments (no large amps). fredericksburgjazzcollective.org

friday, january 10 Workshop, Preschool Palette: Getting Along, introduces children ages 2-5 to art and art museums through developmentally appropriate activities; Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth; 10 a.m.; $8 per child; classes limited to 12 children; Reservations required at (540) 6541851 or mdolby@umw.edu

*Live Music every Thursday at the Kenmore Inn. 1200 Princess Anne. 730P Exhibition, Ghosts: Clint Bagwell; duPont Gallery, College Avenue and Thornton Street; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1013.

Through Feb 2

saturday, january 11 Second Saturdays at the Museum!

Have you ever wondered why our money looks the way it does? Well, this month at the Museum you and your children can learn about the symbolism behind money. We will discuss why we put different people on our money and why certain coins and bills have different value in connection with our Not So Current Currency exhibit. During “Money in the Making”, kids will think about what is important to them and create their own play coin or paper bill. This event is FREE. 1-3P Children’s Museum of Richmond Twilight Carniball at Jepson Center. 610P. Help support efforts to bring a satellite branch of the Children’s Museum of Richmond to Fredericksburg. Enjoy a spirited night with a German theme, live music, food and drink and live and silent auctions.

wednesday, january 15

The Chappell Great Lives Lecture Series, John Wilkes Booth, by David O. Stewart, author of “The Lincoln Deception” and attorney; George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium; 7:30 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1065

friday, january 17 3rd Fri, 830A business ladies’ free networking “TIPS.” Ellen Baptist, 548-0652

saturday, january 18 *Free Vegetarian Cooking class every 3rd Sat. 2-330P. Meditation 4-5P. Porter Library

sunday, january 19

January 26 For The Benefit Of EmpowerHouse

Hugh Mercer’s Apothecary Shop - Join us 12N-4P as we celebrate the 288th birthday of Hugh Mercer with cake and punch and musical entertainment.

Event, A Wedding Sampler, an intimate gathering of local vendors specializing in wedding fare; Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth; 1-4 p.m.; $10 admission registration at (540) 654-1848

tuesday, january 21

sunday, january 26

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday Lecture, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Keynote Speaker Ernest Green; one of the Little Rock Nine, who was the first African American to graduate from Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas; a Cultural Awareness Series event; George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium; 7 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1044 Spotsylvania County Neighborhood Watch Meeting, 7-8P. 3rd Tue monthly. All County Residents welcome. Stay informed of trends/law enforcement activity. Sheriff’s Sub-Station, Spotsy Towne Centre

thursday, january 23 *North Stafford MOPS Moms CLub - 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month (Sept-May). Open to all moms of children birth - Kindergarten. Please join us for fellowship, food, friendship, and encouragement from other moms, mentors, and local speakers. We offer childcare during the meetings Exhibition, Mid-Atlantic New Painting 2014; Ridderhof Martin Gallery, College Avenue at Seacobeck Street; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; free; (540) 6541013. Thru Feb 28 Exhibition Opening Reception, Mid-Atlantic New Painting 2014; Ridderhof Martin Gallery, College Avenue at Seacobeck Street; 5-7 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1013 Exhibition Opening Reception, Ghosts: Clint Bagwell; duPont Gallery, College Avenue and Thornton Street; 5-7 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1013

*AM1230 WFVA Community Link 8-830A. EmpowerHouse Empty bowl Fundraiser is the topic with host Ted Schubel. Listen at newstalk1230.net Tour, Woodland Hike, by members of Central Rappahannock Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalist program; Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth; 2 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1839

tuesday, january 28 *Clay Mottley plays Bistro Bethem 8-11P, 309 William. No cover. All ages.

The Chappell Great Lives Lecture Series, Jim Henson, by Brian Jay Jones, author of “Jim Henson: The Biography”; George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium; 7:30 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1065

thursday, january 30 Reading, Thursday Poem Series; Combs Hall, Room 139; 5 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1545 or (540) 6541393

If you are reading this 199th issue of FP, t hank an advertiser as we celebrate the Holidays.

If you are an advertiser, list your event.

Deadline for February 2014’s issue is January 20 .

To submit events, follow link: http://frontporchfredericksburg.com/how-ttosubmit-o online/

Reading, Thursday Poem Series; Combs Hall, Room 139; 5 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1545 or (540) 6541393

friday, january 24 PYF Karma Yoga Class @ PITAIYO. 630P-730P. A fusion exercise class of pilates, tai chi and yoga. No previous experience required

~ Peggy Wickham Art ~ Companionship Meal Preparation Medication Reminders Laundry

Light Housekeeping Shopping/Errands Personal Care Flexible Hours

540.899.1422 Each HomeInstead Franchise Office is Independently Owned & Operated

16

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

Peggy Wickham Art at Brush Strokes Contact Peggy at 2191 Sebastian Road Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-446-5639

Call for a free, no-obligation appointment

2015 Fans (& Growing) Want You to Join

Front Porch on

homeinstead.com front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

17

january 2014… Happy, Healthy New Year ! *Some events run same day weekly or more than one day.

wednesday, january 1 Westmoreland County Museum & The Inn at Montross 10th “Art and Wine” runs through Jan. 11.

Featuring artwork of Katharina Bergdoll.

Exhibit will include both landscape and still life oil paintings *La Petite Auberge Live Music Wednesdays: Live Guitar Accordion Jazz Music in the Lounge at 8P. No cover charge *Miss Lady & Mr. Man’s Open Mic Jam 8-11P every Wed. The Rec Center, 213 William

CALENDAR of events

sunday, january 5

*AM1230 WFVA Community Link 8-830A. VA State Senator Bryce Reeves is guest with host Ted Schubel. Listen at newstalk1230.net

monday, january 6 Workshop, Preschool Palette: Getting Along, introduces children ages 2-5 to art and art museums through developmentally appropriate activities; Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth; 10 a.m.; $8 per child; classes limited to 12 children; Reservations required at (540) 654-1851 or mdolby@umw.edu

tuesday, january 7

thursday, january 2 *Music every Thurs Live at Kenmore Inn 730-11P. 1200 Princess Anne

first friday, january 3 LibertyTown Arts Workshop - Join us on First Friday Jan. 3 for our Annual Student Show! Come see what the students have been creating with teachers here at LibertyTown. Show runs through Feb. 2.

PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is excited to announce our January “First Friday” Holiday Hangover party. Why stop the festivities just because the New Year has arrived? We invite our fans to visit us and enjoy all of our offerings from local artists. The gallery will be featuring fine art

by Leslie Brier, Cameron Limbrick, Crystal Rodrigue, Nicholas Candela, and James Walker and new ceramics by co-owner Scarlett Pons. We continue to feature over thirty artists creating everything from fine art and ceramics to jewelry, clothing, and accessories for the home. Join us on Friday, January 3 from 6-10pm for a special evening celebrating the creativity of our local community

saturday, january 4 Holistic Movement at CRRL, 1201 Caroline.

Movement for well-being, expression, self-care, fun.

9-10A

*The Vreelands live @ Bistro Bethem. $3 beer, wine, cocktail specials. All ages. No cover. 7-10P PFLAG (Parents, Familes & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Fredericksburg Monthly Meeting. 1-hr Education, 1-hr Support Circle. Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church 630-830P. Entry door behind construction chain-linked fencing on side

wednesday, january 8 *La Petite Auberge Live Music Wednesdays: Live Guitar Accordion Jazz Music in the Lounge at 8P. No cover charge Whole Health Chiropractic, Inc. Detoxification & Weight Loss class. 630-830P. 434 Bridgewater Street. $15 Pre-register: 5409-899-9421 *Miss Lady & Mr. Man’s Open Mic Jam 8-11P every Wed. The Rec Center, 213 William

thursday, january 9 *North Stafford MOPS Moms CLub - 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month (Sept-May). Open to all moms of children birth - Kindergarten. Please join us for fellowship, food, friendship, and encouragement from other moms, mentors, and local speakers. We offer childcare during the meetings FJC Open Jazz Jam at The Colonial Tavern: Join us on the 2nd Thursday of every month for live bebop, swing, and Latin standards. Musicians, bring your axes! Event is free and open to the public

*Live Music every Thursday at the Kenmore Inn. 1200 Princess Anne. 730P

Workshop, Preschool Palette: Getting Along, introduces children ages 2-5 to art and art museums through developmentally appropriate activities; Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth; 10 a.m.; $8 per child; classes limited to 12 children; Reservations required at (540) 6541851 or mdolby@umw.edu

sunday, january 12

*AM1230 WFVA Community Link 8-830A. Germanna Community College Start-Up Weekend is the topic with host Ted Schubel.

Listen at newstalk1230.net

tuesday, january 14 *Laurie-Rose Griffith & Peter Mealy play Bistro Bethem 8-11P, 309 William. No cover. All ages.

*La Petite Auberge Live Music Wednesdays: Live Guitar Accordion Jazz Music in the Lounge at 8P. Featuring Chris, Phil, Andy & Harry. No cover charge *Miss Lady & Mr. Man’s Open Mic Jam 8-11P every Wed. The Rec Center, 213 William

thursday, january 16 *FXBG Jazz Collective’s open jazz jam twice monthly: 1st & 3rd Thurs. Live bebop, Latin jazz, fine cocktails. Musicians, bring instruments (no large amps). fredericksburgjazzcollective.org

friday, january 10 Workshop, Preschool Palette: Getting Along, introduces children ages 2-5 to art and art museums through developmentally appropriate activities; Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth; 10 a.m.; $8 per child; classes limited to 12 children; Reservations required at (540) 6541851 or mdolby@umw.edu

*Live Music every Thursday at the Kenmore Inn. 1200 Princess Anne. 730P Exhibition, Ghosts: Clint Bagwell; duPont Gallery, College Avenue and Thornton Street; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1013.

Through Feb 2

saturday, january 11 Second Saturdays at the Museum!

Have you ever wondered why our money looks the way it does? Well, this month at the Museum you and your children can learn about the symbolism behind money. We will discuss why we put different people on our money and why certain coins and bills have different value in connection with our Not So Current Currency exhibit. During “Money in the Making”, kids will think about what is important to them and create their own play coin or paper bill. This event is FREE. 1-3P Children’s Museum of Richmond Twilight Carniball at Jepson Center. 610P. Help support efforts to bring a satellite branch of the Children’s Museum of Richmond to Fredericksburg. Enjoy a spirited night with a German theme, live music, food and drink and live and silent auctions.

wednesday, january 15

The Chappell Great Lives Lecture Series, John Wilkes Booth, by David O. Stewart, author of “The Lincoln Deception” and attorney; George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium; 7:30 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1065

friday, january 17 3rd Fri, 830A business ladies’ free networking “TIPS.” Ellen Baptist, 548-0652

saturday, january 18 *Free Vegetarian Cooking class every 3rd Sat. 2-330P. Meditation 4-5P. Porter Library

sunday, january 19

January 26 For The Benefit Of EmpowerHouse

Hugh Mercer’s Apothecary Shop - Join us 12N-4P as we celebrate the 288th birthday of Hugh Mercer with cake and punch and musical entertainment.

Event, A Wedding Sampler, an intimate gathering of local vendors specializing in wedding fare; Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth; 1-4 p.m.; $10 admission registration at (540) 654-1848

tuesday, january 21

sunday, january 26

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday Lecture, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Keynote Speaker Ernest Green; one of the Little Rock Nine, who was the first African American to graduate from Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas; a Cultural Awareness Series event; George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium; 7 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1044 Spotsylvania County Neighborhood Watch Meeting, 7-8P. 3rd Tue monthly. All County Residents welcome. Stay informed of trends/law enforcement activity. Sheriff’s Sub-Station, Spotsy Towne Centre

thursday, january 23 *North Stafford MOPS Moms CLub - 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month (Sept-May). Open to all moms of children birth - Kindergarten. Please join us for fellowship, food, friendship, and encouragement from other moms, mentors, and local speakers. We offer childcare during the meetings Exhibition, Mid-Atlantic New Painting 2014; Ridderhof Martin Gallery, College Avenue at Seacobeck Street; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; free; (540) 6541013. Thru Feb 28 Exhibition Opening Reception, Mid-Atlantic New Painting 2014; Ridderhof Martin Gallery, College Avenue at Seacobeck Street; 5-7 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1013 Exhibition Opening Reception, Ghosts: Clint Bagwell; duPont Gallery, College Avenue and Thornton Street; 5-7 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1013

*AM1230 WFVA Community Link 8-830A. EmpowerHouse Empty bowl Fundraiser is the topic with host Ted Schubel. Listen at newstalk1230.net Tour, Woodland Hike, by members of Central Rappahannock Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalist program; Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth; 2 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1839

tuesday, january 28 *Clay Mottley plays Bistro Bethem 8-11P, 309 William. No cover. All ages.

The Chappell Great Lives Lecture Series, Jim Henson, by Brian Jay Jones, author of “Jim Henson: The Biography”; George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium; 7:30 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1065

thursday, january 30 Reading, Thursday Poem Series; Combs Hall, Room 139; 5 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1545 or (540) 6541393

If you are reading this 199th issue of FP, t hank an advertiser as we celebrate the Holidays.

If you are an advertiser, list your event.

Deadline for February 2014’s issue is January 20 .

To submit events, follow link: http://frontporchfredericksburg.com/how-ttosubmit-o online/

Reading, Thursday Poem Series; Combs Hall, Room 139; 5 p.m.; free; (540) 654-1545 or (540) 6541393

friday, january 24 PYF Karma Yoga Class @ PITAIYO. 630P-730P. A fusion exercise class of pilates, tai chi and yoga. No previous experience required

~ Peggy Wickham Art ~ Companionship Meal Preparation Medication Reminders Laundry

Light Housekeeping Shopping/Errands Personal Care Flexible Hours

540.899.1422 Each HomeInstead Franchise Office is Independently Owned & Operated

16

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

Peggy Wickham Art at Brush Strokes Contact Peggy at 2191 Sebastian Road Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-446-5639

Call for a free, no-obligation appointment

2015 Fans (& Growing) Want You to Join

Front Porch on

homeinstead.com front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

17

history’s stories

Rappahannock Canal Cornerstone

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

OUR HERITAGE

A monthly look at the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center collection

welcome to fredericksburg, vA

You probably drive over the Canal several times a day without thinking about it. Fall Hill Avenue crosses it twice and Washington Avenue, Princess Anne Street, along with Jefferson Davis Highway, cross over it.

Old pictures conjure up memories for those who were there, and speculation for those of us who can only look and wonder what was what and why back in the day. That’s yet another treat in store at the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center on Barton Street in the Maury Commons building. There, you can approach the archives like a historian would, or like a mystery hunter or even a fiction dreamer viewing old pictures and applying your own captions and back stories.

One if by road, two if by rail: The city leaders had mass movement coming and going by car and train, as this photo (Courtesy of William T. Garnett) of a 20th C. steam engine pulling into

Farewell, Tracey Clarke Tracey’s Journey on Earth Now Over, Her Eternal Life Begins…

Adapted from an earlier story by Kathleen M. Lewis answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. My friend sought the glory of God and she found it, she was willing to do His will and be transformed into the likeness of Christ. There is no greater reward.’

Fredericksburg Station shows(bottom). It looks like a delightful period of time in our fair city; the romance of an old-time train, the big boxy luggage being carried by the man walking toward us, and the dashing apparel on all of the rail riders. Welcome to Fredericksburg! –- RG

It took over eighteen years of planning by the Town Council and other local governments before a decision was made to go forward with the project for which planning began in 1811 with 28 locks, 18 dams, and 4 canals, each with a fall of 323 feet from Carter’s Run to the Fredericksburg basin. The basin would be located at what is now the Dorothy Hart Community Center on Canal Street.

The Lord has called Tracey home.

Tracey I. Clarke Born on 07/25/1968 Departed on 12/29/2013

One hundred and eighty five years ago on January 21, 1829, a procession formed in front of (old) Town Hall. The group included the President of the Rappahannock Canal Company with the Mayor and Council followed by the clergy and Masonic Lodge #4 Masons. The merchants along with the schoolteachers and students joined in with a band.

When the parade reached the site of the corner stone, as was the custom, the Master of the Masonic Lodge placed on the stone a silver plate bearing an inscription, part of which read: “On the 21st day of January, AD 1829, AL 5889, and in the Year of Independence of the United States 53rd, in memorial of the first efforts to open, improve the Navigation of the Rappahannock was laid in due form by Fredericksburg Lodge #4.”

The celebrants of that day in January 1829 had no idea that the project would linger for a number of years and never be completed. The coming of the Iron Horse (train) would make the use of the canal boat obsolete very quickly along with toll roads.

Today, as we travel along the beautiful Rappahannock River, the remnants of those dreams can be seen in the form of locks and dams from the Rappahannock Navigation Company. From its first petitions in 1792 until its final collapse in the 1860’s, the one question that still remains today is: “Where is the Corner Stone with the silver plaque?”

Have a healthy and blessed 2014.

Tuffy Hicks is ready to write for another year, so get ready to learn new stories of our local history each month.

Central Rappahannock

HERITAGE CENTER Volunteers needed to process historical documents and aid researchers.

Training provided.

Phone 540-373-3704 or email crhc@verizon.net Open to the public for scholarly research

The Heritage Center 18

January 2014

Maury Commons

900 Barton St

Front porch fredericksburg

Fredericksburg

One photo (Courtesy of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation) that caught my eye in this way this month was the “This Is Fredericksburg, VA” shot.(above) It was taken at the thenremodeled little Chamber of Commerce building on Route 1, the gateway to downtown via Princess Anne Street before the bypass. The big arrow grabs me. The dreamer in me imagines a smoke-filled room of small town officials with big city ideas, chomping pride fully on stogies after deciding on the big billboard attraction “arrow” that would direct and seduce travelers into Fredericksburg. Was P.T. Barnum in the neighborhood?

Tracey Clarke was about to leap across a chasm into uncharted territory.

Once landed, the Stafford artist would be one of the few who had survived 18 months with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most common and most aggressive glial type of brain cancers.

Front Porch fredericksburg Magazine Editor Rob Grogan says to watch for good changes periodically in this space, beginning next month, as writer/CRHC volunteer Judy Chaimson takes over this column with her great experience and expertise.

On Aug. 1, 2013 Tracey celebrated the one-year anniversary of her craniotomy. Her husband, Craig, wrote in his Caring Bridge.org entry: “Some days, the path in front of us to the next milestone looks like a sheer cliff face…”

Tracey’s major health event occurred in July 2011. After suspecting that the hammering in her head and unusual physical sensations on her left side was a migraine or stroke, she went to Mary Washington Hospital. A CT scan revealed a cluster of three tumors on the right side of her brain.

“We never imagined in a million years that a booklet called ‘Brain Tumors, Understanding Your Care’ would be a part of our reading list,” Craig wrote in his second blog entry on July 26, 2011.

When the masses were removed, the news was good and bad. No visible tumor remained and Tracey experienced no loss of function, a risk with brain surgery. The bad news was the tumors were GBM, rapid growing and incurable.

But the work of killing off micro cancer cells had begun before the incision was stitched closed, because the surgeon had inserted dissolving chemotherapy wafers.

Thirty rounds of radiation and daily chemo followed. But two months after the treatment ended, an MRI showed probable

new growth. Tracey underwent gamma radiosurgery in the spring, a less invasive procedure that uses gamma waves. This was followed by medication changes.

Kathleen M. Lewis was a loving friend of Tracey Clarke’s.

January 26 For The Benefit Of EmpowerHouse

At the end of October, Tracey’s team of doctors added a more powerful regiment of chemotherapy drugs because the MRI showed new growth adjacent to the tumor cavity. The surgery options were tabled because of their risks, loss of function being one of them, and Tracey had already experienced loss of left peripheral vision.

With every advance of the cancer, the couple reeled, then hunkered down.

With every defeat of growth, they were hopeful; their hope intertwined with their faith. Tracey wrote in her blog marking her one-year anniversary: “I live because the Lord gives me life and when I am afraid I remember one sleepless night last summer: ‘Lord, this cancer could kill me. I could die from this and soon. Jesus said clearly, ‘No one, nothing takes your life.

You belong to me. Nothing touches a hair on your head unless I give permission.

And in it, you will find Me your ever present Help and I will teach you to surrender.’

This is why I am alive.

Because the Lord said ‘live.’ It’s the only reason you are, too.” - Aug. 1, 2012.

On Saturday, January 4, 2014, Tracey’s friend, Pam Allen, posted the following on facebook: “My dear friend — her service was today. But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?”

So Jesus front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

19

history’s stories

Rappahannock Canal Cornerstone

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

OUR HERITAGE

A monthly look at the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center collection

welcome to fredericksburg, vA

You probably drive over the Canal several times a day without thinking about it. Fall Hill Avenue crosses it twice and Washington Avenue, Princess Anne Street, along with Jefferson Davis Highway, cross over it.

Old pictures conjure up memories for those who were there, and speculation for those of us who can only look and wonder what was what and why back in the day. That’s yet another treat in store at the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center on Barton Street in the Maury Commons building. There, you can approach the archives like a historian would, or like a mystery hunter or even a fiction dreamer viewing old pictures and applying your own captions and back stories.

One if by road, two if by rail: The city leaders had mass movement coming and going by car and train, as this photo (Courtesy of William T. Garnett) of a 20th C. steam engine pulling into

Farewell, Tracey Clarke Tracey’s Journey on Earth Now Over, Her Eternal Life Begins…

Adapted from an earlier story by Kathleen M. Lewis answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. My friend sought the glory of God and she found it, she was willing to do His will and be transformed into the likeness of Christ. There is no greater reward.’

Fredericksburg Station shows(bottom). It looks like a delightful period of time in our fair city; the romance of an old-time train, the big boxy luggage being carried by the man walking toward us, and the dashing apparel on all of the rail riders. Welcome to Fredericksburg! –- RG

It took over eighteen years of planning by the Town Council and other local governments before a decision was made to go forward with the project for which planning began in 1811 with 28 locks, 18 dams, and 4 canals, each with a fall of 323 feet from Carter’s Run to the Fredericksburg basin. The basin would be located at what is now the Dorothy Hart Community Center on Canal Street.

The Lord has called Tracey home.

Tracey I. Clarke Born on 07/25/1968 Departed on 12/29/2013

One hundred and eighty five years ago on January 21, 1829, a procession formed in front of (old) Town Hall. The group included the President of the Rappahannock Canal Company with the Mayor and Council followed by the clergy and Masonic Lodge #4 Masons. The merchants along with the schoolteachers and students joined in with a band.

When the parade reached the site of the corner stone, as was the custom, the Master of the Masonic Lodge placed on the stone a silver plate bearing an inscription, part of which read: “On the 21st day of January, AD 1829, AL 5889, and in the Year of Independence of the United States 53rd, in memorial of the first efforts to open, improve the Navigation of the Rappahannock was laid in due form by Fredericksburg Lodge #4.”

The celebrants of that day in January 1829 had no idea that the project would linger for a number of years and never be completed. The coming of the Iron Horse (train) would make the use of the canal boat obsolete very quickly along with toll roads.

Today, as we travel along the beautiful Rappahannock River, the remnants of those dreams can be seen in the form of locks and dams from the Rappahannock Navigation Company. From its first petitions in 1792 until its final collapse in the 1860’s, the one question that still remains today is: “Where is the Corner Stone with the silver plaque?”

Have a healthy and blessed 2014.

Tuffy Hicks is ready to write for another year, so get ready to learn new stories of our local history each month.

Central Rappahannock

HERITAGE CENTER Volunteers needed to process historical documents and aid researchers.

Training provided.

Phone 540-373-3704 or email crhc@verizon.net Open to the public for scholarly research

The Heritage Center 18

January 2014

Maury Commons

900 Barton St

Front porch fredericksburg

Fredericksburg

One photo (Courtesy of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation) that caught my eye in this way this month was the “This Is Fredericksburg, VA” shot.(above) It was taken at the thenremodeled little Chamber of Commerce building on Route 1, the gateway to downtown via Princess Anne Street before the bypass. The big arrow grabs me. The dreamer in me imagines a smoke-filled room of small town officials with big city ideas, chomping pride fully on stogies after deciding on the big billboard attraction “arrow” that would direct and seduce travelers into Fredericksburg. Was P.T. Barnum in the neighborhood?

Tracey Clarke was about to leap across a chasm into uncharted territory.

Once landed, the Stafford artist would be one of the few who had survived 18 months with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most common and most aggressive glial type of brain cancers.

Front Porch fredericksburg Magazine Editor Rob Grogan says to watch for good changes periodically in this space, beginning next month, as writer/CRHC volunteer Judy Chaimson takes over this column with her great experience and expertise.

On Aug. 1, 2013 Tracey celebrated the one-year anniversary of her craniotomy. Her husband, Craig, wrote in his Caring Bridge.org entry: “Some days, the path in front of us to the next milestone looks like a sheer cliff face…”

Tracey’s major health event occurred in July 2011. After suspecting that the hammering in her head and unusual physical sensations on her left side was a migraine or stroke, she went to Mary Washington Hospital. A CT scan revealed a cluster of three tumors on the right side of her brain.

“We never imagined in a million years that a booklet called ‘Brain Tumors, Understanding Your Care’ would be a part of our reading list,” Craig wrote in his second blog entry on July 26, 2011.

When the masses were removed, the news was good and bad. No visible tumor remained and Tracey experienced no loss of function, a risk with brain surgery. The bad news was the tumors were GBM, rapid growing and incurable.

But the work of killing off micro cancer cells had begun before the incision was stitched closed, because the surgeon had inserted dissolving chemotherapy wafers.

Thirty rounds of radiation and daily chemo followed. But two months after the treatment ended, an MRI showed probable

new growth. Tracey underwent gamma radiosurgery in the spring, a less invasive procedure that uses gamma waves. This was followed by medication changes.

Kathleen M. Lewis was a loving friend of Tracey Clarke’s.

January 26 For The Benefit Of EmpowerHouse

At the end of October, Tracey’s team of doctors added a more powerful regiment of chemotherapy drugs because the MRI showed new growth adjacent to the tumor cavity. The surgery options were tabled because of their risks, loss of function being one of them, and Tracey had already experienced loss of left peripheral vision.

With every advance of the cancer, the couple reeled, then hunkered down.

With every defeat of growth, they were hopeful; their hope intertwined with their faith. Tracey wrote in her blog marking her one-year anniversary: “I live because the Lord gives me life and when I am afraid I remember one sleepless night last summer: ‘Lord, this cancer could kill me. I could die from this and soon. Jesus said clearly, ‘No one, nothing takes your life.

You belong to me. Nothing touches a hair on your head unless I give permission.

And in it, you will find Me your ever present Help and I will teach you to surrender.’

This is why I am alive.

Because the Lord said ‘live.’ It’s the only reason you are, too.” - Aug. 1, 2012.

On Saturday, January 4, 2014, Tracey’s friend, Pam Allen, posted the following on facebook: “My dear friend — her service was today. But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?”

So Jesus front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

19

AutoKnown Better

Canine Companion patience mandatory

I had this experience a few years ago when I had been home with my new baby for two weeks. This means two weeks of dog to baby interactions. My four dogs and the new baby at the time had been finding a balance for their new relationships.

Loosely translated this meant my baby had very wet hair from all the kisses and nose nudging.

Thankfully the transition was more or less painless, not perfect, because nothing with dogs ever is, but fairly carefree given all the things that could have gone wrong. The boys showed no animosity or aggression toward the baby but they certainly were not oblivious either.

A couple of the dogs weren’t that interested in the baby at all. The Rottie was hopeful that the baby would be his friend, now he just thinks the baby is boring. Harold interestingly enough had

the worst reaction... a week straight of crying. Crying when the baby cries, when the baby sleeps, when he sees the baby, when he can’t see the baby, non-stop, 24 hour a day crying. I didn’t expect this, a transition period of assimilation sure, but not continuous whining.

In week two the crying finally subsided but the experience reminded me that patience when living with dogs is mandatory. While it would have been easy to get upset with Harold and/or punish him for his anxiety, it wouldn’t have helped him. Alternatively, to punish him might even have created a negative association with the baby, which would have definitely been a bad thing. So in my sleep deprived, baby haze I did the only thing a new mother could do, I ignored it.

I just didn’t have the energy to do anything else.

I felt bad for leaving Harold in a lurch. I worried that his new life would be filled with chronic baby related anxiety but I really didn’t have much of a choice given the circumstances. Lucky for me my patience by default not only worked, but was just what the trainer had ordered.

When dogs show stress or concern it is often best to just use patience and wait out the moment. Dogs often look to their owners to determine how they should respond to new stimuli.

If you get upset when your dog gets upset it can make them feel validated in their concerns, while if you ignore their response or act as if everything is alright it can encourage them to reassess their reaction to determine if there is a more appropriate response.

After a week of worry Harold finally took a cue from his canine brothers that there was nothing to worry about.

He is now content and seems to have found peace. The ‘ignore approach’ can work for many things in dogs. Ignoring anxiety and fear-related behaviors can often convince dogs that all is well and there is nothing to worry about. The key

is patience on the part of the human.

If the dog can see that there is nothing to be anxious about they will usually work through their own feelings and become a more stable member of the family. Sometimes this can take awhile; a week is a long time. But in the end I did very little and got the exact result I was hoping for — harmony in my house.

So if your dog is faced with a new situation or is showing fear or anxiety that is not aggressive, try just taking the high road and ignoring their response as long as it is safe to do so. Draw upon all your reserves of patience, maybe have a nice glass of wine but whatever you do don’t punish or draw attention to the negative behavior and you might just luck out and win the battle without the war.

Think like a dog tip: It isn’t a cubicle you’re stuck working in; it is a den supplied by your loving master so you’ll have a safe place to retreat to when you feel defeated and need to relax.

Full Service Hospital featuring: Grooming Salon Canine Boarding in Our Indoor/Outdoor Runs Dog Training & Behavioral Consults with certified dog trainer Feline Boarding in Our Spacious Multi-room Condos

Serving you & your companion animals for 16 years Stacy L. Horner, DVM; Gary B. Dunn, DVM; Melanie Bell, DVM; Sandi L. Pepper, DVM; Melissa A. DeLauter, DVM ; Arlene Evans, DVM; Jennnifer Skarbek, DVM

540/374-0462 www.woahvets.com 20

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

10 Walsh Lane

Wasn’t it the Beatles who sang, “You say you want a resolution… we’ell you know…?” I could have that wrong.

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions but a freshening of one’s outlook might be a good way to start the year. Sort of like cleaning out the glove box or console in your car. How old is that half-roll of Lifesavers anyway and you need to keep all the old inspection receipts and expired insurance cards because? It is even worse if you are like me and keep cars for decades. Don’t even try using the eraser on a pencil from the glove box. They turned to some form of stone years ago and I am pretty sure you picked up the dry cleaning from ’06. It is okay to throw away the claim ticket.

And of course there is that one glove…

This year you need to clean the windshield, the rear glass and all the windows and yes you have to do the outside and the inside. Yes you have to get in the back seat and bend around all funny and try to get in the corners which you can only clean before the glass is installed. I would include getting the gum and gum wrappers out of the ashtrays but they don’t put ashtrays in cars anymore.

Smokers are now throwing their butts in the street to wash down the drains to choke the water processing

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

& GARDEN CENTER

Since 1929

601 LAFAYETTE BLVD

roxburyfarmgarden.com

Come Shop With Us in 2014

By Rim Vining

Wendy Schmitz is a Fredericksburg ex-patriot living in Colorado with her husband, their two sons, and four (we think) dogs.

ARM

Thank You, Fredericksburg, for Our 84th Year of Serving You!

resolutions

by wendy schmitz

ROXBURY F

plants and pollute the rivers and the bay and the ocean. Brilliant!

Now that you can see more clearly and you’ve cleaned out the clutter treat the car to a wax job or detailing. Air in the tires won’t hurt either and it improves mileage. This one should make you feel as good as a Saturday night with a bath and clean sheets used to feel.

Remember those rare times when your room was clean, you groomed your nails, and you had fresh sheets on the bed. You got all clean and got in bed and snuggled down and all was right with the world? Yeah, that feeling is what we are shooting for.

Since things are now pretty tidy and you now feel pretty damn good after a refreshing night’s sleep you need to ask yourself, “How is my drive-train holding up?”

The engine seems to be running okay and you seem to be hitting on all cylinders but have you had it checked out? Do you really feel okay?

Have you serviced the transmission and given your legs a rest? Is exercise now a regular part of your daily routine? Are the you-joints in your drive shaft at risk of failure?

I know how important good health for the ECU, PCV and EGR valves can be but let’s face it: we don’t always notice when the check engine light comes on. And when it does and we see it… we ignore it. Don’t. Find an Auto Spa. Have the vehicle serviced and repaired.

This year take the time to find out what is making that horrible noise under your own hood.

Find a remedy. Change the fluids (I recommend Scotch). Give away a day per week to those who need extra help. Hit the road with four good tires and a fresh outlook. Just watch out for those sharp turns.

Happy New Year from autoknown@aol.com. And Santa… thanks for the Tonka!

Merry Christmas to All, and To All a Good Night!

Front Porch Fredericksburg

online: www.save7lives.org in person: Dept. of Motor Vehicles

Supporting Local Artists Since 1997

Rim Vining has signed off on a continuing resolution to write his column for another year and will receive a signing bonus of a bottle of “Front Porch” Pinot Noir. Happy 2014!

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

21

AutoKnown Better

Canine Companion patience mandatory

I had this experience a few years ago when I had been home with my new baby for two weeks. This means two weeks of dog to baby interactions. My four dogs and the new baby at the time had been finding a balance for their new relationships.

Loosely translated this meant my baby had very wet hair from all the kisses and nose nudging.

Thankfully the transition was more or less painless, not perfect, because nothing with dogs ever is, but fairly carefree given all the things that could have gone wrong. The boys showed no animosity or aggression toward the baby but they certainly were not oblivious either.

A couple of the dogs weren’t that interested in the baby at all. The Rottie was hopeful that the baby would be his friend, now he just thinks the baby is boring. Harold interestingly enough had

the worst reaction... a week straight of crying. Crying when the baby cries, when the baby sleeps, when he sees the baby, when he can’t see the baby, non-stop, 24 hour a day crying. I didn’t expect this, a transition period of assimilation sure, but not continuous whining.

In week two the crying finally subsided but the experience reminded me that patience when living with dogs is mandatory. While it would have been easy to get upset with Harold and/or punish him for his anxiety, it wouldn’t have helped him. Alternatively, to punish him might even have created a negative association with the baby, which would have definitely been a bad thing. So in my sleep deprived, baby haze I did the only thing a new mother could do, I ignored it.

I just didn’t have the energy to do anything else.

I felt bad for leaving Harold in a lurch. I worried that his new life would be filled with chronic baby related anxiety but I really didn’t have much of a choice given the circumstances. Lucky for me my patience by default not only worked, but was just what the trainer had ordered.

When dogs show stress or concern it is often best to just use patience and wait out the moment. Dogs often look to their owners to determine how they should respond to new stimuli.

If you get upset when your dog gets upset it can make them feel validated in their concerns, while if you ignore their response or act as if everything is alright it can encourage them to reassess their reaction to determine if there is a more appropriate response.

After a week of worry Harold finally took a cue from his canine brothers that there was nothing to worry about.

He is now content and seems to have found peace. The ‘ignore approach’ can work for many things in dogs. Ignoring anxiety and fear-related behaviors can often convince dogs that all is well and there is nothing to worry about. The key

is patience on the part of the human.

If the dog can see that there is nothing to be anxious about they will usually work through their own feelings and become a more stable member of the family. Sometimes this can take awhile; a week is a long time. But in the end I did very little and got the exact result I was hoping for — harmony in my house.

So if your dog is faced with a new situation or is showing fear or anxiety that is not aggressive, try just taking the high road and ignoring their response as long as it is safe to do so. Draw upon all your reserves of patience, maybe have a nice glass of wine but whatever you do don’t punish or draw attention to the negative behavior and you might just luck out and win the battle without the war.

Think like a dog tip: It isn’t a cubicle you’re stuck working in; it is a den supplied by your loving master so you’ll have a safe place to retreat to when you feel defeated and need to relax.

Full Service Hospital featuring: Grooming Salon Canine Boarding in Our Indoor/Outdoor Runs Dog Training & Behavioral Consults with certified dog trainer Feline Boarding in Our Spacious Multi-room Condos

Serving you & your companion animals for 16 years Stacy L. Horner, DVM; Gary B. Dunn, DVM; Melanie Bell, DVM; Sandi L. Pepper, DVM; Melissa A. DeLauter, DVM ; Arlene Evans, DVM; Jennnifer Skarbek, DVM

540/374-0462 www.woahvets.com 20

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

10 Walsh Lane

Wasn’t it the Beatles who sang, “You say you want a resolution… we’ell you know…?” I could have that wrong.

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions but a freshening of one’s outlook might be a good way to start the year. Sort of like cleaning out the glove box or console in your car. How old is that half-roll of Lifesavers anyway and you need to keep all the old inspection receipts and expired insurance cards because? It is even worse if you are like me and keep cars for decades. Don’t even try using the eraser on a pencil from the glove box. They turned to some form of stone years ago and I am pretty sure you picked up the dry cleaning from ’06. It is okay to throw away the claim ticket.

And of course there is that one glove…

This year you need to clean the windshield, the rear glass and all the windows and yes you have to do the outside and the inside. Yes you have to get in the back seat and bend around all funny and try to get in the corners which you can only clean before the glass is installed. I would include getting the gum and gum wrappers out of the ashtrays but they don’t put ashtrays in cars anymore.

Smokers are now throwing their butts in the street to wash down the drains to choke the water processing

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

& GARDEN CENTER

Since 1929

601 LAFAYETTE BLVD

roxburyfarmgarden.com

Come Shop With Us in 2014

By Rim Vining

Wendy Schmitz is a Fredericksburg ex-patriot living in Colorado with her husband, their two sons, and four (we think) dogs.

ARM

Thank You, Fredericksburg, for Our 84th Year of Serving You!

resolutions

by wendy schmitz

ROXBURY F

plants and pollute the rivers and the bay and the ocean. Brilliant!

Now that you can see more clearly and you’ve cleaned out the clutter treat the car to a wax job or detailing. Air in the tires won’t hurt either and it improves mileage. This one should make you feel as good as a Saturday night with a bath and clean sheets used to feel.

Remember those rare times when your room was clean, you groomed your nails, and you had fresh sheets on the bed. You got all clean and got in bed and snuggled down and all was right with the world? Yeah, that feeling is what we are shooting for.

Since things are now pretty tidy and you now feel pretty damn good after a refreshing night’s sleep you need to ask yourself, “How is my drive-train holding up?”

The engine seems to be running okay and you seem to be hitting on all cylinders but have you had it checked out? Do you really feel okay?

Have you serviced the transmission and given your legs a rest? Is exercise now a regular part of your daily routine? Are the you-joints in your drive shaft at risk of failure?

I know how important good health for the ECU, PCV and EGR valves can be but let’s face it: we don’t always notice when the check engine light comes on. And when it does and we see it… we ignore it. Don’t. Find an Auto Spa. Have the vehicle serviced and repaired.

This year take the time to find out what is making that horrible noise under your own hood.

Find a remedy. Change the fluids (I recommend Scotch). Give away a day per week to those who need extra help. Hit the road with four good tires and a fresh outlook. Just watch out for those sharp turns.

Happy New Year from autoknown@aol.com. And Santa… thanks for the Tonka!

Merry Christmas to All, and To All a Good Night!

Front Porch Fredericksburg

online: www.save7lives.org in person: Dept. of Motor Vehicles

Supporting Local Artists Since 1997

Rim Vining has signed off on a continuing resolution to write his column for another year and will receive a signing bonus of a bottle of “Front Porch” Pinot Noir. Happy 2014!

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

21

Senior Care

Double-Blinded By Science

back from the holidays

evidence based integrtive healthcare

By Karl Karch

So, you visited your parents for the holidays and were surprised to see that things are not the same compared to your last visit. Phone calls just don’t tell all there is to know about their condition.

Sometimes the changes are small or even subtle, other times they are alarming. In our business, we’ve heard a variety of issues from surprised children who haven’t visited their parents in a while.

So, now what do you do? Well, that depends.

If your parents are like many we meet, they are fiercely independent and don’t acknowledge they are having problems.

After all, they are the patriarch/matriarch of the family and have raised and cared for you while you were growing up. So it’s difficult for them to accept that maybe they do need additional help, or overcome the fear of being a burden. If they are just beginning to show signs of decline, it’s time to help them develop a plan. Begin discussing and researching options. If they are like 89% of older adults, they want to remain at home for as long as possible. This may require some home modifications for their continued safety.

For example, can the bathroom have grab bars installed by the toilet and shower, or be updated to better accommodate a walker. Falls could be the single-biggest threat to seniors alone at home. What often results in senior falls is a hip fracture, which can lead to long-term hospitalization and other complications that can severely affect their quality of life.

Learn about the technological options available in the home like medical alert buttons and medication dispensers.

Learn about the variety of care options available in their community. There are now more in-home services available such as non-medical home care, home health, and hospice agencies.

Find out what assisted living, skilled nursing,

22

January 2014

By christine h. thompson, DC

rehabilitation, and memory care facilities are nearby. What specific services do they provide and what differentiates them?

You never know how soon you may need these services, so be prepared. Avoid the possibility of having to research in a crisis mode. While we still get a lot of crisis calls, we are having more calls from boomer children who are planning ahead.

Now that January is upon us, it’s time to begin making New Year’s Resolutions. Here’s my challenge to you Boomers, Generation X’ers and seniors out there.

Resolve to make a positive difference in family communications so that you are not surprised the next time you come home for the holidays. Get together as a family and discuss personal issues like health, finances, long-term care, and rest of life planning.

This goes beyond having a last will and testament.

That document, while important, is “after death” planning. If you haven’t already, write down your advanced directives.

Discuss quality of life issues and select who will be a power of attorney and under what conditions. To those families that have already done this, congratulations.

To those that haven’t, this could be the most significant and life affecting resolution you’ll ever make. To help you along the way, check out www.CaregiverStress.com, a wonderful resource for family caregivers, seniors, and professionals.

Happy New Year!!

Karl Karch is a local franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care, a licensed home care organization providing personal care, companionship and home helper services. go to www.homeinstead.com/614.

Front porch fredericksburg

Accusations have been made by allopathic (conventional) medicine that there is not enough research behind integrative, complementary, and holistic healthcare to substantiate its integration into the traditional healthcare model.

Although I agree there needs to be more research on integrative care, I believe there is enough research right now to validate many holistic modalities. There are also very good reasons that holistic methods lag behind in research compared to traditional allopathic medicine.

The best resource for integrative and holistic healthcare research is the NIH’s (National Institutes of Health) site for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine ( N C C A M ) : The http://nccam.nih.gov research on this site includes everything from yoga and acupuncture to vitamins and nutrition. In my world, Dr. Matthew McCoy has put together quite an arsenal of chiropractic research in his three journals, The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health, The Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research and the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research.

Another web site chock full of chiropractic research is The Chiropractic Resource Organization at http://www.chiro.org/research/ Anthony Rosner, PhD was the director of the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, which just recently, after 60 years as the leading chiropractic research organization, ceased operations due to inadequate funding. Dr. Rosner, in an address to the Institute of Medicine,

Healthcare For the Whole Person SPECIALIZING IN: ` Gentle, Individualized Chiropractic Care ` Cranio-Sacral Balancing (Sacro Occipital Technique - SOT) ` Addressing Your Total Health Needs with Natural, Holistic Treatment Methods ` Detoxification/Weight Loss Nutritional Programs

Dr. Christine Thompson

online: www.save7lives.org in person: Dept. of Motor Vehicles

acknowledged that most chiropractic research has occurred in the last 25 years.

“In just the last 20 years,” Dr. Rosner elaborates, “at least 73 randomized clinical trials involving spinal manipulation have made their appearance in the English language literature. Even more amazing is the fact that the majority of these have been published in general medical

a n d orthopedic journals. These trials address not only back pain, but also headache and neck pain, the extremities, and a surprising variety of nonmusculoskeletal conditions.

When spinal manipulation is employed, the majority of these trials have shown positive outcomes with the remainder yielding equivocal results.”

While case studies and population studies are easier to come by, the gold standard in healthcare research is the double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

This means that a group receiving a “sham” treatment is used as a control and both the experimenter and recipient are blind as to who is receiving the actual treatment.

While pharmaceuticals lend themselves well to this model, holistic healthcare and even some allopathic treatments, such as surgery, are difficult to test in this way. Can you imagine

unknowingly receiving a “sham” chiropractic, acupuncture or massage treatment?

Another roadblock to integrative research is funding. The 2013 budget for NCCAM was $127,930,000, which is 11.6% of the total 2013 budget for NIH of $1,102,650,000.

All of this pales in comparison to the pharmaceutical research budgets of course. According to Forbes.com, the R&D cost of developing just one new drug is estimated to be $1 to 5 billion. To put perspective on the funding available to allopathic medicine, according to the Huffington Post website, for every dollar pharmaceutical companies spend on “basic research,” $19 goes toward promotion and marketing.

Integrative healthcare may be lagging behind in research, but conventional medicine may not be as evidencebased as many believe.

According to an article posted on the website for the British Medical Journal

by John S Garrow, MD, PhD, vice chairman of the UK’s HealthWatch, of about 2500 well researched medical treatments, there is actually no evidence of efficacy in 50% of these procedures.

Along with all the other current healthcare issues, the research dilemma is not likely to change overnight, but we can do our part by supporting research organizations for our modalities of choice and add our voice for equal funding for integrative care.

Christine H. Thompson, DC, is owner of Whole Health Chiropractic on Bridgewater Street.

The Natural Path Holistic Health Center

~Nature’s Sunshine Products ~ Biological Terrain Assessment ~VoiceBio Analysis ~Aura Photography ~Body Cleanse Foot Detox We Carry Home Brewing Supplies !

Barbara Bergquist, CTN Board Certified Traditional Naturopath

891-6200

www.thenaturalpath.us

4413 Lafayette Blvd. Fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

23

Senior Care

Double-Blinded By Science

back from the holidays

evidence based integrtive healthcare

By Karl Karch

So, you visited your parents for the holidays and were surprised to see that things are not the same compared to your last visit. Phone calls just don’t tell all there is to know about their condition.

Sometimes the changes are small or even subtle, other times they are alarming. In our business, we’ve heard a variety of issues from surprised children who haven’t visited their parents in a while.

So, now what do you do? Well, that depends.

If your parents are like many we meet, they are fiercely independent and don’t acknowledge they are having problems.

After all, they are the patriarch/matriarch of the family and have raised and cared for you while you were growing up. So it’s difficult for them to accept that maybe they do need additional help, or overcome the fear of being a burden. If they are just beginning to show signs of decline, it’s time to help them develop a plan. Begin discussing and researching options. If they are like 89% of older adults, they want to remain at home for as long as possible. This may require some home modifications for their continued safety.

For example, can the bathroom have grab bars installed by the toilet and shower, or be updated to better accommodate a walker. Falls could be the single-biggest threat to seniors alone at home. What often results in senior falls is a hip fracture, which can lead to long-term hospitalization and other complications that can severely affect their quality of life.

Learn about the technological options available in the home like medical alert buttons and medication dispensers.

Learn about the variety of care options available in their community. There are now more in-home services available such as non-medical home care, home health, and hospice agencies.

Find out what assisted living, skilled nursing,

22

January 2014

By christine h. thompson, DC

rehabilitation, and memory care facilities are nearby. What specific services do they provide and what differentiates them?

You never know how soon you may need these services, so be prepared. Avoid the possibility of having to research in a crisis mode. While we still get a lot of crisis calls, we are having more calls from boomer children who are planning ahead.

Now that January is upon us, it’s time to begin making New Year’s Resolutions. Here’s my challenge to you Boomers, Generation X’ers and seniors out there.

Resolve to make a positive difference in family communications so that you are not surprised the next time you come home for the holidays. Get together as a family and discuss personal issues like health, finances, long-term care, and rest of life planning.

This goes beyond having a last will and testament.

That document, while important, is “after death” planning. If you haven’t already, write down your advanced directives.

Discuss quality of life issues and select who will be a power of attorney and under what conditions. To those families that have already done this, congratulations.

To those that haven’t, this could be the most significant and life affecting resolution you’ll ever make. To help you along the way, check out www.CaregiverStress.com, a wonderful resource for family caregivers, seniors, and professionals.

Happy New Year!!

Karl Karch is a local franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care, a licensed home care organization providing personal care, companionship and home helper services. go to www.homeinstead.com/614.

Front porch fredericksburg

Accusations have been made by allopathic (conventional) medicine that there is not enough research behind integrative, complementary, and holistic healthcare to substantiate its integration into the traditional healthcare model.

Although I agree there needs to be more research on integrative care, I believe there is enough research right now to validate many holistic modalities. There are also very good reasons that holistic methods lag behind in research compared to traditional allopathic medicine.

The best resource for integrative and holistic healthcare research is the NIH’s (National Institutes of Health) site for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine ( N C C A M ) : The http://nccam.nih.gov research on this site includes everything from yoga and acupuncture to vitamins and nutrition. In my world, Dr. Matthew McCoy has put together quite an arsenal of chiropractic research in his three journals, The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health, The Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research and the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research.

Another web site chock full of chiropractic research is The Chiropractic Resource Organization at http://www.chiro.org/research/ Anthony Rosner, PhD was the director of the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, which just recently, after 60 years as the leading chiropractic research organization, ceased operations due to inadequate funding. Dr. Rosner, in an address to the Institute of Medicine,

Healthcare For the Whole Person SPECIALIZING IN: ` Gentle, Individualized Chiropractic Care ` Cranio-Sacral Balancing (Sacro Occipital Technique - SOT) ` Addressing Your Total Health Needs with Natural, Holistic Treatment Methods ` Detoxification/Weight Loss Nutritional Programs

Dr. Christine Thompson

online: www.save7lives.org in person: Dept. of Motor Vehicles

acknowledged that most chiropractic research has occurred in the last 25 years.

“In just the last 20 years,” Dr. Rosner elaborates, “at least 73 randomized clinical trials involving spinal manipulation have made their appearance in the English language literature. Even more amazing is the fact that the majority of these have been published in general medical

a n d orthopedic journals. These trials address not only back pain, but also headache and neck pain, the extremities, and a surprising variety of nonmusculoskeletal conditions.

When spinal manipulation is employed, the majority of these trials have shown positive outcomes with the remainder yielding equivocal results.”

While case studies and population studies are easier to come by, the gold standard in healthcare research is the double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

This means that a group receiving a “sham” treatment is used as a control and both the experimenter and recipient are blind as to who is receiving the actual treatment.

While pharmaceuticals lend themselves well to this model, holistic healthcare and even some allopathic treatments, such as surgery, are difficult to test in this way. Can you imagine

unknowingly receiving a “sham” chiropractic, acupuncture or massage treatment?

Another roadblock to integrative research is funding. The 2013 budget for NCCAM was $127,930,000, which is 11.6% of the total 2013 budget for NIH of $1,102,650,000.

All of this pales in comparison to the pharmaceutical research budgets of course. According to Forbes.com, the R&D cost of developing just one new drug is estimated to be $1 to 5 billion. To put perspective on the funding available to allopathic medicine, according to the Huffington Post website, for every dollar pharmaceutical companies spend on “basic research,” $19 goes toward promotion and marketing.

Integrative healthcare may be lagging behind in research, but conventional medicine may not be as evidencebased as many believe.

According to an article posted on the website for the British Medical Journal

by John S Garrow, MD, PhD, vice chairman of the UK’s HealthWatch, of about 2500 well researched medical treatments, there is actually no evidence of efficacy in 50% of these procedures.

Along with all the other current healthcare issues, the research dilemma is not likely to change overnight, but we can do our part by supporting research organizations for our modalities of choice and add our voice for equal funding for integrative care.

Christine H. Thompson, DC, is owner of Whole Health Chiropractic on Bridgewater Street.

The Natural Path Holistic Health Center

~Nature’s Sunshine Products ~ Biological Terrain Assessment ~VoiceBio Analysis ~Aura Photography ~Body Cleanse Foot Detox We Carry Home Brewing Supplies !

Barbara Bergquist, CTN Board Certified Traditional Naturopath

891-6200

www.thenaturalpath.us

4413 Lafayette Blvd. Fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

23

Art in the ‘Burg

Bruce Day Fine Art by megan byrnes

New Year brings more artists to FCCA By lezlie cheryl

Scene:

Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts (FCCA) starts the New Year with a newly elected Board of Trustees excited to continue progressive efforts

toward the success of its galleries, growth of its membership, and preservation of its historic home. Featuring new monthly exhibits in its Frederick Gallery and Members’ Gallery, FCCA maintains a national presence and its juried exhibitions are well subscribed, typically including artwork from nationally recognized artists as well as local and regional artists.

New this year the Members’ Gallery will feature two artists each month rather than solo exhibits, doubling its offerings to the community. January presents the works of Michael Habina and Sandy Staley through 1/31/14.

H a b i n a describes his early development as an artist: “My uncles and father were raised during the (untitled piece) Mixed media by Michael Habina depression era, and some went off to fight in WWII. Years later when I was born, they began to teach me things about life, family and how art grows like a virus inside your soul. I then began to study the masters at their suggestions. I have never lost that childlike vision we sometimes cast away as we get older. It has stayed with me all my life, and I use it to view the world.”

Watercolor by Sandy Staley

24

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

Staley shares her artistic inspirations: “While visiting the Highland’s Festival in Abingdon, VA about 6 years ago, I met a gal who teaches plein air watercolor painting in Europe each summer. I loved her work and signed up for my first classes in Umbria, Italy. I have since traveled with the group to

Provence, France, and Andalusia, Spain, back again to Umbria and this year, Amalfi, Italy. Travel is only a part of my inspiration.

My extensive perennial garden and my love of color and flowers are a great influence on the themes of many of my paintings. I truly enjoy the process of creating from start to finish.”

2014 brings new creative themes to the juried exhibitions of the Frederick Gallery, and expanded promotion of callsfor-entries brings even more artists to FCCA. Current exhibit is “It’s Small,” all works being 14” or smaller. Awards were announced by juror Rob McAdams; 1st Place: After the Snow oil painting by Ana Rendich, Fxbg; 2nd Place: Still I Rise mixed dried leaves by Karen Fitzgerald, Ft. Washington, MD; 3rd Place: Circus Pony mixed media by Teresa Blatt, North Hills, CA. McAdams said, “I am always filled with humility, awe, pride, and gratitude, when asked to jury an exhibition. For this show I was mostly filled with wonder though, and that wonder grew and expanded as I looked at over 173 submitted entries. I marveled at each artist’s decision-making; the marks, brushstrokes, and artist’s hand are right there on the surface, not hidden by a large format.”

A non-profit, all-volunteer organization founded in 1963, FCCA is the area’s oldest art gallery and has evolved into a leading visual arts center committed to promoting the arts and enriching the community. Located at 813 Sophia in the historic Silversmith House (circa 1785), admission is free to all exhibits.

Hrs: Wed.-Mon. 12-4pm, Sat. 11am-4pm. fccava.org

Always From Life

Congrats

Amber Hildebrand and

Original Oils Chamber), which honors the coolest, most inspiring local leaders around. This year’s Ben winners were (drumroll please!): Keddie, Scarlett Pons, Jessica Beringer, Chris Hornung, Quincey Garcia, Barry Waldman, D.D. Lecky, Shanna Boutchyard, Matt Armstrong and Mark Eid.

brucedaystudio.com thefigureblog.blogspot.com

540 376-1676

to

Brandon Newton, one of our town’s most loved artists, on his latest local art show at Ross and Bistro Bethem!

Debby Girvan braved the first bit of bad winter weather we got to support their talented friend on his opening night.

co. getting their first taste of Vivify Burger and Lounge on a recent visit to the ‘burg from Alabama; personal chef Drema Apperson doing some early A.M. shopping at Wegman’s for a client; Kysela Pere et Fils wine rep Jeremy Sutton doin his thing – also early morning, also at Wegman’s; Special B filmed by a super cool skateboarding mag in Baltimore; Danny and Gia McBride (right) enjoying downtown on an unseasonably warm December afternoon.

Heard:

Steve

Jarrell,

Happy happy December birthdays to Maura Scheinder, Michael Cowger (DJ Moog), Rachael Taylor, Laura Eubanks, Joanna Krenich, Austen Dunn, Jay Starling, Mia Mullane, and Andre Eglevsky!

the

Scene:

“music man,”, back in Fredericksburg from Tennessee to play a gig during the First Night Festivities. Pictured below (L) with buddy Lee Quesenberry.

Scene: Marstel-Day (one of the

Lezlie Cheryl is a regular Front Porch contributor. lezliecheryl@gmail.com

Betsy Glassie STUDIO: LIBERTYTOWN 916 LIBERTY ST. FREDERICKSBURG, VA

Have you ever been to a hair show? I hadn’t….until I had. I was invited to attend the first annual Carter Hair Design hair show at Weadon Studios last month and I must say it was quite a visual treat. Laura Craig, Seth Casana and James Coleman were all there to marvel at the hot pink hair, the crazy braids and the insane up-dos. Kybecca’s own Rachel Owen (above) was one of the evening’s models and looked particularly cool rocking a spiky, short look.

The end of a year always brings with it lots of “best of” lists - best albums, funniest SNL skits, most Googled celebs, that sort of thing. One of the coolest “best” lists, though, is obviously the “Top Ten of the Next Gen” list, put together by The Next Generation of Business Leaders (an affiliate of the Spotsylvania County

Heard:

The USDA honored

Silver Ridge Farm in White Oak for its conservation efforts.

USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack said of the farm: “This is the farm of the future.” You hear that, y’all? One of our current local farms is the actual farm of the future! That’s huge!

Scene:

Fredericksburg’s own

Abraham Lincoln, Don Mullen, getting stopped on the street for photographs with Honest Abe fans (even sans top hat!); Missy Colombo grabbing a drink downtown with friends Erin Martinelli and Troy Coghill; the Head and the Heart’s Tyler Williams at Bistro Bethem, Jay Starling (above) celebrating his birthday at J.Brian’s with friends Eric Carbaugh and Jimbo Gip. Sunken Well art show

featuring Jake Morgan, Joelle Gilbert, Bill Harris, Jeff Gandee, Grant Taylor, Michael Dean, Kirkwood Hall, Larry Hinkle, Patrick Rizer, Lindy Lynn, Kelley Drake, Mike Tschirn, Wendy Atwell-V Vasey, and Emma Chayefsky (whew!

What a mouthful!)

(There are a lot of creative and talented people in our town!).

greenest, coolest local companies around) held its 2013 Green Gala at The Old Silk Mill and attracted such luminaries as Foode’ Chef Joy Crump and Beth Black, and Jeremy Harrison (above) of Capital Ale House.

Speaking of Foode, congratulations are in order for the beloved restaurant’s Joy Crump, (right) as she was just accepted into “10,000 Small Businesses,” a prestigious program funded

by Goldman Sachs to help entrepreneurs grow their small businesses. Joy will head to Boston this month to take classes and generally become an even more awesome downtown biz owner.

Congratulations

to Susan

Glasser on her new position as the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center President and CEO!

BETSYGLASSIE.COM BGLASSIE@AOL.COM

540-899-6556

Frontporchfredericksburg.com front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

25

Art in the ‘Burg

Bruce Day Fine Art by megan byrnes

New Year brings more artists to FCCA By lezlie cheryl

Scene:

Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts (FCCA) starts the New Year with a newly elected Board of Trustees excited to continue progressive efforts

toward the success of its galleries, growth of its membership, and preservation of its historic home. Featuring new monthly exhibits in its Frederick Gallery and Members’ Gallery, FCCA maintains a national presence and its juried exhibitions are well subscribed, typically including artwork from nationally recognized artists as well as local and regional artists.

New this year the Members’ Gallery will feature two artists each month rather than solo exhibits, doubling its offerings to the community. January presents the works of Michael Habina and Sandy Staley through 1/31/14.

H a b i n a describes his early development as an artist: “My uncles and father were raised during the (untitled piece) Mixed media by Michael Habina depression era, and some went off to fight in WWII. Years later when I was born, they began to teach me things about life, family and how art grows like a virus inside your soul. I then began to study the masters at their suggestions. I have never lost that childlike vision we sometimes cast away as we get older. It has stayed with me all my life, and I use it to view the world.”

Watercolor by Sandy Staley

24

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

Staley shares her artistic inspirations: “While visiting the Highland’s Festival in Abingdon, VA about 6 years ago, I met a gal who teaches plein air watercolor painting in Europe each summer. I loved her work and signed up for my first classes in Umbria, Italy. I have since traveled with the group to

Provence, France, and Andalusia, Spain, back again to Umbria and this year, Amalfi, Italy. Travel is only a part of my inspiration.

My extensive perennial garden and my love of color and flowers are a great influence on the themes of many of my paintings. I truly enjoy the process of creating from start to finish.”

2014 brings new creative themes to the juried exhibitions of the Frederick Gallery, and expanded promotion of callsfor-entries brings even more artists to FCCA. Current exhibit is “It’s Small,” all works being 14” or smaller. Awards were announced by juror Rob McAdams; 1st Place: After the Snow oil painting by Ana Rendich, Fxbg; 2nd Place: Still I Rise mixed dried leaves by Karen Fitzgerald, Ft. Washington, MD; 3rd Place: Circus Pony mixed media by Teresa Blatt, North Hills, CA. McAdams said, “I am always filled with humility, awe, pride, and gratitude, when asked to jury an exhibition. For this show I was mostly filled with wonder though, and that wonder grew and expanded as I looked at over 173 submitted entries. I marveled at each artist’s decision-making; the marks, brushstrokes, and artist’s hand are right there on the surface, not hidden by a large format.”

A non-profit, all-volunteer organization founded in 1963, FCCA is the area’s oldest art gallery and has evolved into a leading visual arts center committed to promoting the arts and enriching the community. Located at 813 Sophia in the historic Silversmith House (circa 1785), admission is free to all exhibits.

Hrs: Wed.-Mon. 12-4pm, Sat. 11am-4pm. fccava.org

Always From Life

Congrats

Amber Hildebrand and

Original Oils Chamber), which honors the coolest, most inspiring local leaders around. This year’s Ben winners were (drumroll please!): Keddie, Scarlett Pons, Jessica Beringer, Chris Hornung, Quincey Garcia, Barry Waldman, D.D. Lecky, Shanna Boutchyard, Matt Armstrong and Mark Eid.

brucedaystudio.com thefigureblog.blogspot.com

540 376-1676

to

Brandon Newton, one of our town’s most loved artists, on his latest local art show at Ross and Bistro Bethem!

Debby Girvan braved the first bit of bad winter weather we got to support their talented friend on his opening night.

co. getting their first taste of Vivify Burger and Lounge on a recent visit to the ‘burg from Alabama; personal chef Drema Apperson doing some early A.M. shopping at Wegman’s for a client; Kysela Pere et Fils wine rep Jeremy Sutton doin his thing – also early morning, also at Wegman’s; Special B filmed by a super cool skateboarding mag in Baltimore; Danny and Gia McBride (right) enjoying downtown on an unseasonably warm December afternoon.

Heard:

Steve

Jarrell,

Happy happy December birthdays to Maura Scheinder, Michael Cowger (DJ Moog), Rachael Taylor, Laura Eubanks, Joanna Krenich, Austen Dunn, Jay Starling, Mia Mullane, and Andre Eglevsky!

the

Scene:

“music man,”, back in Fredericksburg from Tennessee to play a gig during the First Night Festivities. Pictured below (L) with buddy Lee Quesenberry.

Scene: Marstel-Day (one of the

Lezlie Cheryl is a regular Front Porch contributor. lezliecheryl@gmail.com

Betsy Glassie STUDIO: LIBERTYTOWN 916 LIBERTY ST. FREDERICKSBURG, VA

Have you ever been to a hair show? I hadn’t….until I had. I was invited to attend the first annual Carter Hair Design hair show at Weadon Studios last month and I must say it was quite a visual treat. Laura Craig, Seth Casana and James Coleman were all there to marvel at the hot pink hair, the crazy braids and the insane up-dos. Kybecca’s own Rachel Owen (above) was one of the evening’s models and looked particularly cool rocking a spiky, short look.

The end of a year always brings with it lots of “best of” lists - best albums, funniest SNL skits, most Googled celebs, that sort of thing. One of the coolest “best” lists, though, is obviously the “Top Ten of the Next Gen” list, put together by The Next Generation of Business Leaders (an affiliate of the Spotsylvania County

Heard:

The USDA honored

Silver Ridge Farm in White Oak for its conservation efforts.

USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack said of the farm: “This is the farm of the future.” You hear that, y’all? One of our current local farms is the actual farm of the future! That’s huge!

Scene:

Fredericksburg’s own

Abraham Lincoln, Don Mullen, getting stopped on the street for photographs with Honest Abe fans (even sans top hat!); Missy Colombo grabbing a drink downtown with friends Erin Martinelli and Troy Coghill; the Head and the Heart’s Tyler Williams at Bistro Bethem, Jay Starling (above) celebrating his birthday at J.Brian’s with friends Eric Carbaugh and Jimbo Gip. Sunken Well art show

featuring Jake Morgan, Joelle Gilbert, Bill Harris, Jeff Gandee, Grant Taylor, Michael Dean, Kirkwood Hall, Larry Hinkle, Patrick Rizer, Lindy Lynn, Kelley Drake, Mike Tschirn, Wendy Atwell-V Vasey, and Emma Chayefsky (whew!

What a mouthful!)

(There are a lot of creative and talented people in our town!).

greenest, coolest local companies around) held its 2013 Green Gala at The Old Silk Mill and attracted such luminaries as Foode’ Chef Joy Crump and Beth Black, and Jeremy Harrison (above) of Capital Ale House.

Speaking of Foode, congratulations are in order for the beloved restaurant’s Joy Crump, (right) as she was just accepted into “10,000 Small Businesses,” a prestigious program funded

by Goldman Sachs to help entrepreneurs grow their small businesses. Joy will head to Boston this month to take classes and generally become an even more awesome downtown biz owner.

Congratulations

to Susan

Glasser on her new position as the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center President and CEO!

BETSYGLASSIE.COM BGLASSIE@AOL.COM

540-899-6556

Frontporchfredericksburg.com front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

25

COLLECT LOCALLY

COMMUNITY LINK Courtesy of WFVA and Front Porch Trista Depp Chapman - Survivor For The Cause

fight the lure of the far away

Byjohn sovitsky

by archer dipeppe To own art from people you know, as Arch does, is much more than an economic investment… -RG What do El Greco, Paul Gauguin, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Vincent van Gogh have in common? Today they are internationally recognized as some of the most important artists to ever grace the planet. During their lifetimes they were virtually unrecognized and unappreciated.

They would all be absolutely amazed at their popularity today, and since most of them came to embody the definition of starving artist, they would be dumbfounded by the tens of millions of dollars their works now command.

Vincent van Gogh had serious health issues that plagued him his entire life.

He suffered from epilepsy and depression. He was a prolific artist and left 2000 paintings and drawings. He sold only two pieces during his lifetime.

Home of great Food & great Art! 720 Littlepage Sunkenwelltavern.com

EAT WELL DRINK WELL LIVE WELL

HisPortrait of Dr. Gachet fetched an impressive 82.5 million in 1990 and is valued at 134 million today. He died by his own hand at 37 believing himself a failure.

The other above mentioned artists all had their own tragic stories of poverty and rejection.

At best, the life of an artist is a rough road. It isn’t made any easier when you go unappreciated in your own hometown. This is a phenomenon that often affects musicians, as well. The crazy thing is that so many of our artists are better recognized and appreciated out of town than here. It is almost as if we know you, you can’t be but so good. What is with that? This is not just true here; it is almost universal.

We are so lucky to have so many wonderful artists in our midst. Just take a leisurely walk through the local galleries.

We have it all - painters, sculptors, weavers, potters, and photographers in every direction. When you invest in local art, you help insure that artist will still be here to create again tomorrow.

While collecting local art (mostly paintings and pottery) for the last 20 years, I have been fortunate to know many of the artists, including two of my favorites, Cliff Satterthwaite and Bill Harris. I would always see Cliff all over town swinging his concentrated brush in a determined stoke while always chasing the light. Cliff will tell you, “It’s all about the light.” He can paint as objectively as a photograph, or as abstractly as van Gogh.

His eyes flash while he fences with his paintings. He is brilliant.

I first saw Bill Harris’s work on the side of an optometrist’s building in Falmouth. Who is that guy? I wondered.

Old Town’s Greatest Tour 35 Monuments, Markers, & Attractions AND the Fredericksburg Battlefields Weddings Reunions Shuttles Parties Group Outings Fredericksburgtrolley.com 26

January 2014

540-898-0737

Front porch fredericksburg

Then I read about this “self-taught muralist from Lahasta, PA” in Front Porch more than a decade ago. He is now much more of a complete painter. One attribute of a fine artist is that you have to look at their work. I not only had to look at it, I had to buy some of it. Bill is much more laid back than Cliff. I love to look in his studio at Liberty Town. His adept use of form and color is extraordinary.

The figures in his work seem to want to roll off the canvas and walk around the room at any moment.

I wish I had more time to talk about artists because there are so many great ones that make this area their home.

Please visit their studios and art shows.

They are part of what makes this region a great place to live. Show them you care by investing in their art. Give them the respect and recognition they deserve.

Our culture is a giving one, our artists’ hearts as big as planets, John explains…

-R RG

Arch Di Peppe taught drama in high schools for many years.

THE POETRY MAN - BY FRANK FRATOE

Inversion

Advanced Dental Care of Fredericksburg 540-891-9911

Inland for another winter herring-gulls appear to be floating atop a minilake, until I get much closer and spot that they perch on ice formed overnight, inverted bills and wings are underneath each body reflecting from glasswork, when suddenly every bird and the image it has made leaps up and flies away.

Frank Fratoe lives and writes in the city

$79

$650

New Patient Special Includes Exam, X-Rays and Cleaning

Per Arch Full AcrylicDenture or Partial

With this Coupon only for non-insured patients. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer Expires 2/1/14 A $239.00 Value

With this Coupon only for non-insured patients. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer Expires 2/1/14 A $1100.00 Value

Because we care for you!

10524 Spotsylvania Ave. Ste #104 Fredericksburg, VA

When talking about the upcoming Empty Bowl Fundraiser, Trista Depp Chapman says she’s “come a long way.”

I would say that amongst her talents she can list a gift for understatement. If you don’t know Trista, she is the owner (and potter) at Sophia Street Studios, which she and her late husband Phil Chapman opened here in the mid-90s.

Trista’s bright and boldly decorated bowls have been a part of Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence’s Empty Bowl since its inception a few years later.

Trista has another, pivotal link to this cause, for she is also a survivor of domestic violence.

Her first marriage ended after repeated episodes of physical abuse.

One attack ended with police dragging her spouse away. Soon after, she decided enough was enough and left her abuser and filed for divorce. After finally extricating herself, she went to work for two potters in Richmond, where she began to find herself in her own art. It was also here that she was introduced to the Empty Bowl event. Trista not only made bowls but also contributed by working in the kitchen doing whatever needed to be done at the Richmond event from 1987 through 1994. The next year, encouraged by her employers, she entered her first craft show where she met Phil Chapman, who would soon become her husband and partner. With Phil, she established the local pottery studio she still operates.

When the couple hired Neal Reed, they would meet his wife, Kathy Anderson, who was then working for RCDV. Trista soon joined the RCDV board and suggested holding an Empty Bowl fundraiser here in Fredericksburg. She and Phil, along with

other local potters including Dan Finnegan, Steven Summerville, and Neal, made and donated several hundred bowls that first year. Over the years, she and Phil would donate over a thousand bowls.

At craft shows, Trista regularly collected bowls from fellow potters and donated to their Empty Bowl events as well.

The first few years, the event was held at the Fredericksburg Community Center, before moving to the Baptist Church at the corner of Caroline and Amelia Streets. These days, the event has grown to fill the Elks Lodge on Route 2.

Here, the generous patrons enjoy an evening of fun and food.

(See Advertisement.)

Last year marked the first year Trista had attended the Empty Bowl since Phil’s last appearance there.

The outpouring of support Trista felt in the community during Phil’s battle with ALS is one reason she continues. As she puts it, she’s “giving back because so much has been given to me...”. I didn’t know Trista when she was a victim. She says it seems like it was “five lifetimes ago”. As long as I have known her, she has always been a caring artist, dedicated to her family, her friends, her art and to Phil, who taught her by his example to push herself and give her all to whatever she does. She has an understanding of domestic violence most of us will never have, and her work to support fellow victims continues year after year.

John Sovitsky, an Empty Bowl volunteer, can’t wait to see Trista’s bowls again this year!

Listen in to Host Ted Schubel, in partnership with Front Porch Magazine, on Jan. 26 at 8 a.m. at NewsTalk1230.net to a discussion of the annual EmpowerHouse Empty Bowl event.

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

27

COLLECT LOCALLY

COMMUNITY LINK Courtesy of WFVA and Front Porch Trista Depp Chapman - Survivor For The Cause

fight the lure of the far away

Byjohn sovitsky

by archer dipeppe To own art from people you know, as Arch does, is much more than an economic investment… -RG What do El Greco, Paul Gauguin, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Vincent van Gogh have in common? Today they are internationally recognized as some of the most important artists to ever grace the planet. During their lifetimes they were virtually unrecognized and unappreciated.

They would all be absolutely amazed at their popularity today, and since most of them came to embody the definition of starving artist, they would be dumbfounded by the tens of millions of dollars their works now command.

Vincent van Gogh had serious health issues that plagued him his entire life.

He suffered from epilepsy and depression. He was a prolific artist and left 2000 paintings and drawings. He sold only two pieces during his lifetime.

Home of great Food & great Art! 720 Littlepage Sunkenwelltavern.com

EAT WELL DRINK WELL LIVE WELL

HisPortrait of Dr. Gachet fetched an impressive 82.5 million in 1990 and is valued at 134 million today. He died by his own hand at 37 believing himself a failure.

The other above mentioned artists all had their own tragic stories of poverty and rejection.

At best, the life of an artist is a rough road. It isn’t made any easier when you go unappreciated in your own hometown. This is a phenomenon that often affects musicians, as well. The crazy thing is that so many of our artists are better recognized and appreciated out of town than here. It is almost as if we know you, you can’t be but so good. What is with that? This is not just true here; it is almost universal.

We are so lucky to have so many wonderful artists in our midst. Just take a leisurely walk through the local galleries.

We have it all - painters, sculptors, weavers, potters, and photographers in every direction. When you invest in local art, you help insure that artist will still be here to create again tomorrow.

While collecting local art (mostly paintings and pottery) for the last 20 years, I have been fortunate to know many of the artists, including two of my favorites, Cliff Satterthwaite and Bill Harris. I would always see Cliff all over town swinging his concentrated brush in a determined stoke while always chasing the light. Cliff will tell you, “It’s all about the light.” He can paint as objectively as a photograph, or as abstractly as van Gogh.

His eyes flash while he fences with his paintings. He is brilliant.

I first saw Bill Harris’s work on the side of an optometrist’s building in Falmouth. Who is that guy? I wondered.

Old Town’s Greatest Tour 35 Monuments, Markers, & Attractions AND the Fredericksburg Battlefields Weddings Reunions Shuttles Parties Group Outings Fredericksburgtrolley.com 26

January 2014

540-898-0737

Front porch fredericksburg

Then I read about this “self-taught muralist from Lahasta, PA” in Front Porch more than a decade ago. He is now much more of a complete painter. One attribute of a fine artist is that you have to look at their work. I not only had to look at it, I had to buy some of it. Bill is much more laid back than Cliff. I love to look in his studio at Liberty Town. His adept use of form and color is extraordinary.

The figures in his work seem to want to roll off the canvas and walk around the room at any moment.

I wish I had more time to talk about artists because there are so many great ones that make this area their home.

Please visit their studios and art shows.

They are part of what makes this region a great place to live. Show them you care by investing in their art. Give them the respect and recognition they deserve.

Our culture is a giving one, our artists’ hearts as big as planets, John explains…

-R RG

Arch Di Peppe taught drama in high schools for many years.

THE POETRY MAN - BY FRANK FRATOE

Inversion

Advanced Dental Care of Fredericksburg 540-891-9911

Inland for another winter herring-gulls appear to be floating atop a minilake, until I get much closer and spot that they perch on ice formed overnight, inverted bills and wings are underneath each body reflecting from glasswork, when suddenly every bird and the image it has made leaps up and flies away.

Frank Fratoe lives and writes in the city

$79

$650

New Patient Special Includes Exam, X-Rays and Cleaning

Per Arch Full AcrylicDenture or Partial

With this Coupon only for non-insured patients. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer Expires 2/1/14 A $239.00 Value

With this Coupon only for non-insured patients. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer Expires 2/1/14 A $1100.00 Value

Because we care for you!

10524 Spotsylvania Ave. Ste #104 Fredericksburg, VA

When talking about the upcoming Empty Bowl Fundraiser, Trista Depp Chapman says she’s “come a long way.”

I would say that amongst her talents she can list a gift for understatement. If you don’t know Trista, she is the owner (and potter) at Sophia Street Studios, which she and her late husband Phil Chapman opened here in the mid-90s.

Trista’s bright and boldly decorated bowls have been a part of Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence’s Empty Bowl since its inception a few years later.

Trista has another, pivotal link to this cause, for she is also a survivor of domestic violence.

Her first marriage ended after repeated episodes of physical abuse.

One attack ended with police dragging her spouse away. Soon after, she decided enough was enough and left her abuser and filed for divorce. After finally extricating herself, she went to work for two potters in Richmond, where she began to find herself in her own art. It was also here that she was introduced to the Empty Bowl event. Trista not only made bowls but also contributed by working in the kitchen doing whatever needed to be done at the Richmond event from 1987 through 1994. The next year, encouraged by her employers, she entered her first craft show where she met Phil Chapman, who would soon become her husband and partner. With Phil, she established the local pottery studio she still operates.

When the couple hired Neal Reed, they would meet his wife, Kathy Anderson, who was then working for RCDV. Trista soon joined the RCDV board and suggested holding an Empty Bowl fundraiser here in Fredericksburg. She and Phil, along with

other local potters including Dan Finnegan, Steven Summerville, and Neal, made and donated several hundred bowls that first year. Over the years, she and Phil would donate over a thousand bowls.

At craft shows, Trista regularly collected bowls from fellow potters and donated to their Empty Bowl events as well.

The first few years, the event was held at the Fredericksburg Community Center, before moving to the Baptist Church at the corner of Caroline and Amelia Streets. These days, the event has grown to fill the Elks Lodge on Route 2.

Here, the generous patrons enjoy an evening of fun and food.

(See Advertisement.)

Last year marked the first year Trista had attended the Empty Bowl since Phil’s last appearance there.

The outpouring of support Trista felt in the community during Phil’s battle with ALS is one reason she continues. As she puts it, she’s “giving back because so much has been given to me...”. I didn’t know Trista when she was a victim. She says it seems like it was “five lifetimes ago”. As long as I have known her, she has always been a caring artist, dedicated to her family, her friends, her art and to Phil, who taught her by his example to push herself and give her all to whatever she does. She has an understanding of domestic violence most of us will never have, and her work to support fellow victims continues year after year.

John Sovitsky, an Empty Bowl volunteer, can’t wait to see Trista’s bowls again this year!

Listen in to Host Ted Schubel, in partnership with Front Porch Magazine, on Jan. 26 at 8 a.m. at NewsTalk1230.net to a discussion of the annual EmpowerHouse Empty Bowl event.

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

27

My Own Path parenting from a place of healing By c. ruth cassell I am on a journey.

I chose a path of self-discovery and recovery, equipped with a determination to live intentionally and love responsibly.

Self-discovery constantly unveils new layers of personality to be tended and cultivated. The path constantly grows and shifts, revealing new alcoves of sunshine and new life; uncovering tangled vines and challenging roots. Recovery—from loving too much, addiction, negative thinking— travels a similar trail. Breaking through the wall of trees, grabbing a glimpse of the peak. Traversing rocky meadows, following a tenuous path winding back onto itself.

Leading from one break-through to another, there is no ultimate culmination.

As I’ve learned lessons and tried to put them to use in my own life, I’ve also begun sharing them with my young son. A few I use regularly: Don’t worry about things you can’t control.

While preparing for a Kindergarten field trip, he asks what will happen if it rains and the class can’t go to the farm. “Don’t worry about things out of your control, buddy,” I say, with the idea that he will learn not to waste the present moment feeling anxious about something yet to happen and out of his realm of influence.

What are you looking forward to today?

Each day during our quick drive from the house to the drop-off line, I ask him this question. The hope is he will begin to view each day as a gift, something to be valued.

Getting angry hurts you the most.

When his cousin won’t let him color in the same coloring book, and he tries to tear out a page and it rips, my sixyear-old son reacts by crossing his arms

over his body, pouting, and throwing the piece of paper. I ask him how he is feeling and whether being angry and stomping around makes him feel better.

The intention is he will learn to identify his emotions, but control his anger, realizing he is not changing the situation but only hurting himself more.

Children are on the same journey as we are, though they will not for a long time realize the path is the purpose.

Knowing I can only share as much as I experience, I consider it my personal and parental responsibility to continue healing so I may continue sharing thoughts and living by example.

Another lesson I’ve learned as a parent who approaches my child from my own place of healing is the importance of maintaining balance so I can be a more stable presence for him. Whether exercise, meeting with friends or finishing work so I don’t bring it home, I strive to stay on my own path if I am to be a useful guide.

Seeking only the next summit, without attentively passing over the ground at my feet, it is easy to neglect self-discovery and ignore recovery.

Focusing not only within, but also at the young life given to me as a chance to relearn through his innocent interactions, I am better able to stay the course.

C. Ruth Cassell intends to write My Own Path in 2014 as a way to share lessons in parenting with the many readers of The Front Porch who desire to raise welladjusted, respectful, and respectable children, but who are also on a continual path of personal healing.

Please share comments, suggestions, and column ideas with Ruth at ruth3of5@gmail.com.

Dearly Wanted: Fredericksburg's Oldest Residents

Serving Up Local “Good” News Since 1997

For Our Oral History -A Fredericksburg Treasure Front Porch is calling for Our Town's Ageless Citizens to let us know who they are so our writers can sit and hear their wonderful stories.

We treasure your lives and memories.

28

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

Front Porch Fredericksburg

Harambee 360 What its past did for our present When we admire the current state of art as community, we must look to its pioneers to appreciate what we have today. Harambee grew community theater, built race relations, and guided young lives. As we commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr’s. birthday this month, let us remember and applaud.

Porch Light

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Stories that shine a light on life

the back story: high fives in the hallway By rob grogan

The original members of Harambee 360º Experimental Theater renewed their 25-year-old bond in 1994, as told by The Free Lance-Star in its Town & County magazine of December 3rd that year. Names like Busy Jackson Zaremba, Gaye Todd Adegbalola, Xavier Richardson, and Malvina Rollins Kay, among many others, graced the city with performance and inspiration.

A reading of the history of Harambee runs parallel to the reading of a local history of the Civil Rights Movement.

Its meaning, the African word for “pulling together,” implies as much. And since every member of Harambee was AfricanAmerican (or “Negroes” or even “colored”, we are reminded), Black was Beautiful.

While the parents of the original members had attended segregated schools, their generation went to James Monroe High School during the first half of the 1970s and its tense days of integration. “Their parents had church,” wrote Verline Anne Shepherd for the paper.

“They had Harambee.”

Clarence Todd (photo courtesy CRHC; FL-S S) was recruited by Carole J. Hamm to direct a show at Shiloh (New Site) on Princess Anne. Todd was the city’s first black School Board member and had been involved in music and theater when he lived in Philadelphia.

The performers showed so much enthusiasm that Todd agreed to stay on, to direct theater and to guide young lives toward achievements in life.

As the group developed, Gaye Todd returned home from New York and raised black consciousness among the black ensemble. The father-daughter duo opened up the world of black literature, history, poets and playwrights to them.

They went on trips to the D.C. Black Repertoire and rented a house at 715 Lafayette for meetings and small performances, a neutral place unattached to any neighborhood, school or church.

Though the focus of the times was integration, Harambee revealed the black legacy and awareness to its young members. The nuances of the times were visible in hairstyles and attire, and stage performances often hit racial nerves that raised awareness for any and all openminded persons of either race.

“Leadership and trust” were two of the most important outcomes of Harambee for Richardson, who went from carrying the Todd-given nickname of “Harvard” on to a Harvard MBA. This story transcends the arts and puts leadership, consciousness and

growth center-stage. Harambee dealt with the elephants in the room, and in doing so caused some heartburn while it ultimately helped win the hearts and minds of black and white Fredericksburg during turbulent times. When we watch a Stage Door Productions performance today, or spend an evening at the Riverside Center dinner theater and watch actors and crew of every race and mixed races, we don’t blink an eye – we applaud them.

Harambee was an eye opener in the 70s. It built great lives. So many of its children then are community leaders now who mentor the new generation. The Arts are powerful tools, and Harambee may have been the sharpest tool in the box all those important years ago. — RG

Author: J Robert Du Bois Edited by Rob Grogan

Most of you remember Paul Harvey’s “the rest of the story” — the back-story leading to the headline story that makes the news. The back-story is the core of the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of the headline story. It usually comes out later, after the facts and the splash of the breaking news begin to fade.

My most recent trench battle with my primary carcinoid tumor has a back-story to it that heralds two doctors and a nurse anesthesis. Together, and with great care not to upset the apple cart of protocol and hierarchy within their ranks, they gave me Christmas, 2013.

Without their skill and courage, who knows? Things were looking bleak those eight days in November when my life was in their hands and hearts.

Just a few weeks ago — Nov. 11, Veterans’ Day - I lay in a bed on the fourth floor north of Mary Washington Hospital, dehydrated and shedding pounds of weight as though they were layers of

Give a Child Something to Think About Water Street Studio Upcoming Workshops

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

Memoir Writing~ Beginning Jan. 15 Art After Dark~ January 17 Women’s Writing Circle~ Wednesdays 11 more information here: waterstreetstudio.org facebook.com/ waterwritingandarts

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winter clothing on a tropical island. I was digesting nothing, vomiting everything, and when that was gone I was losing my body’s bile.

I was very sick.

Many promising weeks after the procedure at Johns Hopkins to restore my lymphatic system had resulted in the successful installation of a “Denver Shunt,” I was experiencing a serious setback at the core of my cancer. Carcinoid had found a new way to attack me: bypass my bypass shunt and attack elsewhere.

A glimmer of hope came when the trauma surgeon spoke with us encouragingly. But after reviewing my records and images, she returned to us with her verdict: “There is nothing we can do.” Our niece, Katie Dunn, a certified registered nurse anesthesist (CRNA), was there with Virginia, Alexis, and me.

Virginia and I gazed at one another and welled up with tears of fears and sadness.

Would system after system begin to cave to a carcinoid that crushes and plows everything within reach?

But Carcinoid Tumor #1 — we’ll call it “”CT 1” — hadn’t counted on my secret weapons — my incredible wife, Virginia Mary Bigenwald Grogan, and our Superwoman Niece Anesthesist, Katherine Dunn. Both shook off their emotions to put on their thinking caps. You could hear their brains grinding in thought, reaching for answers, or a clue, or a lead to go on — like two detectives on a mission.

Virginia suddenly looked up and said, “Wait. She said she was a trauma surgeon.

She thinks in terms of triage. But this is not that.”

Katie, who is on record to access my medical records, asked Virginia for her permission to take the records and hope to discuss them with another doctor. Of course, her “Aunt Ginny” agreed. Katie stood up and said she would be back in a while. Time stood still and silence ruled Room 4014. Just days before, we had listened to Alexis’ baby’s heartbeat in the womb. On Nov. 15, my heartbeat was in question. Katie, meanwhile, was calmly approaching colleagues, asking who was in the building that she might talk with. An on-call surgeon saw the chart and shook his head, “No. There is nothing I can do here.”

She then approached Dr. Allan L. Hardy, MD, a gastroenterologist and Dr. Chetan Pai, PA, also a gastro doc. Hardy went to UNC Medical School, Pai to Michigan State. They are at different practices, but they attended the same training course in order to learn how to

install a stent in the G.I. system.

In training, they worked together to the point that Dr. Hardy later told me, “We know how each other thinks.” Putting their minds together, they told Katie, “We can do this, together, safely, but there’s a problem. We are not your uncle’s doctors.

We can’t just say, ‘Let’s do this,’” to which Katie replied, “I think my aunt just fired the others and would like you to be his doctors now.”

On Nov 15, 2013 the two gastro doctors whose special interest in common was the ‘stent,’ began an hours-long procedure in tandem, each man alternating every 45 minutes slowly pushing the stent through while watching the monitor, or resting his weary arms and helping observe. The stent, as Dr. Hardy explained to us at a post-op office visit Dec. 5, had to reach its destination without scraping the tumor or its delicate environment of multiple organs at a critical junction of the human body. (The illustration he drew is, in a very personal way, the finest piece of artwork I have ever held.) The stent followed the path of a wire they had pushed along to lift the obstruction without risking damage. Like lifting a puffy sleeve from the arm to allow a bug to crawl out without biting is how I pictured it. Once it was in place, the job was still not over until they had retreated the wire from my body as the inflating stent lifted the obstruction. “We see each other in the hallway and we give high fives,” Hardy grinned in explanation of how the two doc-colleagues felt about their achievement — they had potentially saved a life.

Discharged on Nov. 18, I remain on a strict “Full Liquid” diet that allows purees. My energy is low. Pain comes and goes. I make no plans. I live moment-bymoment.

My monthly anti-carcinoid injection dosage has been boosted. I had Christmas and will likely see our first grandchild born next May... Life is good.

As Spotsylvania singer-songwriter, Bob Sima, wrote, “It’s amazing, it’s amazing, it’s amazing, it’s amazing — ain’t it!” how two collegial doctors and a “niece anesthesis” from “Rob’s Army” defined courage, compassion, and skill to extend a life. Has it been a really bad year? Yes, but I have never been happier.

And now you know the rest of the story...

Rob Grogan is Editor of Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine.

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

29

My Own Path parenting from a place of healing By c. ruth cassell I am on a journey.

I chose a path of self-discovery and recovery, equipped with a determination to live intentionally and love responsibly.

Self-discovery constantly unveils new layers of personality to be tended and cultivated. The path constantly grows and shifts, revealing new alcoves of sunshine and new life; uncovering tangled vines and challenging roots. Recovery—from loving too much, addiction, negative thinking— travels a similar trail. Breaking through the wall of trees, grabbing a glimpse of the peak. Traversing rocky meadows, following a tenuous path winding back onto itself.

Leading from one break-through to another, there is no ultimate culmination.

As I’ve learned lessons and tried to put them to use in my own life, I’ve also begun sharing them with my young son. A few I use regularly: Don’t worry about things you can’t control.

While preparing for a Kindergarten field trip, he asks what will happen if it rains and the class can’t go to the farm. “Don’t worry about things out of your control, buddy,” I say, with the idea that he will learn not to waste the present moment feeling anxious about something yet to happen and out of his realm of influence.

What are you looking forward to today?

Each day during our quick drive from the house to the drop-off line, I ask him this question. The hope is he will begin to view each day as a gift, something to be valued.

Getting angry hurts you the most.

When his cousin won’t let him color in the same coloring book, and he tries to tear out a page and it rips, my sixyear-old son reacts by crossing his arms

over his body, pouting, and throwing the piece of paper. I ask him how he is feeling and whether being angry and stomping around makes him feel better.

The intention is he will learn to identify his emotions, but control his anger, realizing he is not changing the situation but only hurting himself more.

Children are on the same journey as we are, though they will not for a long time realize the path is the purpose.

Knowing I can only share as much as I experience, I consider it my personal and parental responsibility to continue healing so I may continue sharing thoughts and living by example.

Another lesson I’ve learned as a parent who approaches my child from my own place of healing is the importance of maintaining balance so I can be a more stable presence for him. Whether exercise, meeting with friends or finishing work so I don’t bring it home, I strive to stay on my own path if I am to be a useful guide.

Seeking only the next summit, without attentively passing over the ground at my feet, it is easy to neglect self-discovery and ignore recovery.

Focusing not only within, but also at the young life given to me as a chance to relearn through his innocent interactions, I am better able to stay the course.

C. Ruth Cassell intends to write My Own Path in 2014 as a way to share lessons in parenting with the many readers of The Front Porch who desire to raise welladjusted, respectful, and respectable children, but who are also on a continual path of personal healing.

Please share comments, suggestions, and column ideas with Ruth at ruth3of5@gmail.com.

Dearly Wanted: Fredericksburg's Oldest Residents

Serving Up Local “Good” News Since 1997

For Our Oral History -A Fredericksburg Treasure Front Porch is calling for Our Town's Ageless Citizens to let us know who they are so our writers can sit and hear their wonderful stories.

We treasure your lives and memories.

28

January 2014

Front porch fredericksburg

Front Porch Fredericksburg

Harambee 360 What its past did for our present When we admire the current state of art as community, we must look to its pioneers to appreciate what we have today. Harambee grew community theater, built race relations, and guided young lives. As we commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr’s. birthday this month, let us remember and applaud.

Porch Light

For Sale Now at Amazon.com

Stories that shine a light on life

the back story: high fives in the hallway By rob grogan

The original members of Harambee 360º Experimental Theater renewed their 25-year-old bond in 1994, as told by The Free Lance-Star in its Town & County magazine of December 3rd that year. Names like Busy Jackson Zaremba, Gaye Todd Adegbalola, Xavier Richardson, and Malvina Rollins Kay, among many others, graced the city with performance and inspiration.

A reading of the history of Harambee runs parallel to the reading of a local history of the Civil Rights Movement.

Its meaning, the African word for “pulling together,” implies as much. And since every member of Harambee was AfricanAmerican (or “Negroes” or even “colored”, we are reminded), Black was Beautiful.

While the parents of the original members had attended segregated schools, their generation went to James Monroe High School during the first half of the 1970s and its tense days of integration. “Their parents had church,” wrote Verline Anne Shepherd for the paper.

“They had Harambee.”

Clarence Todd (photo courtesy CRHC; FL-S S) was recruited by Carole J. Hamm to direct a show at Shiloh (New Site) on Princess Anne. Todd was the city’s first black School Board member and had been involved in music and theater when he lived in Philadelphia.

The performers showed so much enthusiasm that Todd agreed to stay on, to direct theater and to guide young lives toward achievements in life.

As the group developed, Gaye Todd returned home from New York and raised black consciousness among the black ensemble. The father-daughter duo opened up the world of black literature, history, poets and playwrights to them.

They went on trips to the D.C. Black Repertoire and rented a house at 715 Lafayette for meetings and small performances, a neutral place unattached to any neighborhood, school or church.

Though the focus of the times was integration, Harambee revealed the black legacy and awareness to its young members. The nuances of the times were visible in hairstyles and attire, and stage performances often hit racial nerves that raised awareness for any and all openminded persons of either race.

“Leadership and trust” were two of the most important outcomes of Harambee for Richardson, who went from carrying the Todd-given nickname of “Harvard” on to a Harvard MBA. This story transcends the arts and puts leadership, consciousness and

growth center-stage. Harambee dealt with the elephants in the room, and in doing so caused some heartburn while it ultimately helped win the hearts and minds of black and white Fredericksburg during turbulent times. When we watch a Stage Door Productions performance today, or spend an evening at the Riverside Center dinner theater and watch actors and crew of every race and mixed races, we don’t blink an eye – we applaud them.

Harambee was an eye opener in the 70s. It built great lives. So many of its children then are community leaders now who mentor the new generation. The Arts are powerful tools, and Harambee may have been the sharpest tool in the box all those important years ago. — RG

Author: J Robert Du Bois Edited by Rob Grogan

Most of you remember Paul Harvey’s “the rest of the story” — the back-story leading to the headline story that makes the news. The back-story is the core of the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of the headline story. It usually comes out later, after the facts and the splash of the breaking news begin to fade.

My most recent trench battle with my primary carcinoid tumor has a back-story to it that heralds two doctors and a nurse anesthesis. Together, and with great care not to upset the apple cart of protocol and hierarchy within their ranks, they gave me Christmas, 2013.

Without their skill and courage, who knows? Things were looking bleak those eight days in November when my life was in their hands and hearts.

Just a few weeks ago — Nov. 11, Veterans’ Day - I lay in a bed on the fourth floor north of Mary Washington Hospital, dehydrated and shedding pounds of weight as though they were layers of

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

Memoir Writing~ Beginning Jan. 15 Art After Dark~ January 17 Women’s Writing Circle~ Wednesdays 11 more information here: waterstreetstudio.org facebook.com/ waterwritingandarts

810 Caroline Street (540) 371-5684

winter clothing on a tropical island. I was digesting nothing, vomiting everything, and when that was gone I was losing my body’s bile.

I was very sick.

Many promising weeks after the procedure at Johns Hopkins to restore my lymphatic system had resulted in the successful installation of a “Denver Shunt,” I was experiencing a serious setback at the core of my cancer. Carcinoid had found a new way to attack me: bypass my bypass shunt and attack elsewhere.

A glimmer of hope came when the trauma surgeon spoke with us encouragingly. But after reviewing my records and images, she returned to us with her verdict: “There is nothing we can do.” Our niece, Katie Dunn, a certified registered nurse anesthesist (CRNA), was there with Virginia, Alexis, and me.

Virginia and I gazed at one another and welled up with tears of fears and sadness.

Would system after system begin to cave to a carcinoid that crushes and plows everything within reach?

But Carcinoid Tumor #1 — we’ll call it “”CT 1” — hadn’t counted on my secret weapons — my incredible wife, Virginia Mary Bigenwald Grogan, and our Superwoman Niece Anesthesist, Katherine Dunn. Both shook off their emotions to put on their thinking caps. You could hear their brains grinding in thought, reaching for answers, or a clue, or a lead to go on — like two detectives on a mission.

Virginia suddenly looked up and said, “Wait. She said she was a trauma surgeon.

She thinks in terms of triage. But this is not that.”

Katie, who is on record to access my medical records, asked Virginia for her permission to take the records and hope to discuss them with another doctor. Of course, her “Aunt Ginny” agreed. Katie stood up and said she would be back in a while. Time stood still and silence ruled Room 4014. Just days before, we had listened to Alexis’ baby’s heartbeat in the womb. On Nov. 15, my heartbeat was in question. Katie, meanwhile, was calmly approaching colleagues, asking who was in the building that she might talk with. An on-call surgeon saw the chart and shook his head, “No. There is nothing I can do here.”

She then approached Dr. Allan L. Hardy, MD, a gastroenterologist and Dr. Chetan Pai, PA, also a gastro doc. Hardy went to UNC Medical School, Pai to Michigan State. They are at different practices, but they attended the same training course in order to learn how to

install a stent in the G.I. system.

In training, they worked together to the point that Dr. Hardy later told me, “We know how each other thinks.” Putting their minds together, they told Katie, “We can do this, together, safely, but there’s a problem. We are not your uncle’s doctors.

We can’t just say, ‘Let’s do this,’” to which Katie replied, “I think my aunt just fired the others and would like you to be his doctors now.”

On Nov 15, 2013 the two gastro doctors whose special interest in common was the ‘stent,’ began an hours-long procedure in tandem, each man alternating every 45 minutes slowly pushing the stent through while watching the monitor, or resting his weary arms and helping observe. The stent, as Dr. Hardy explained to us at a post-op office visit Dec. 5, had to reach its destination without scraping the tumor or its delicate environment of multiple organs at a critical junction of the human body. (The illustration he drew is, in a very personal way, the finest piece of artwork I have ever held.) The stent followed the path of a wire they had pushed along to lift the obstruction without risking damage. Like lifting a puffy sleeve from the arm to allow a bug to crawl out without biting is how I pictured it. Once it was in place, the job was still not over until they had retreated the wire from my body as the inflating stent lifted the obstruction. “We see each other in the hallway and we give high fives,” Hardy grinned in explanation of how the two doc-colleagues felt about their achievement — they had potentially saved a life.

Discharged on Nov. 18, I remain on a strict “Full Liquid” diet that allows purees. My energy is low. Pain comes and goes. I make no plans. I live moment-bymoment.

My monthly anti-carcinoid injection dosage has been boosted. I had Christmas and will likely see our first grandchild born next May... Life is good.

As Spotsylvania singer-songwriter, Bob Sima, wrote, “It’s amazing, it’s amazing, it’s amazing, it’s amazing — ain’t it!” how two collegial doctors and a “niece anesthesis” from “Rob’s Army” defined courage, compassion, and skill to extend a life. Has it been a really bad year? Yes, but I have never been happier.

And now you know the rest of the story...

Rob Grogan is Editor of Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine.

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

29

Bob Sima’s Next Big Thing

New Art post-holiday hangover relief by amy pearce

By Steve de campo

Leslie Brier, “Spotsylvania” The PONSHOP Studio and Gallery at 712 Caroline is nothing if not smart!

Its Opening Reception on Friday, January 3 was deemed the Holiday Hangover Exhibit, an elixir for “Hey, it’s January so let’s get back to our routines lives.”

But why not an upbeat tweak in our routines, one that continues to embrace celebration in the everyday and in the small things we experience in our daily lives? By running this Exhibition all the way through January 31, 2014, Gabriel and Scarlett Pons (540-656-2215, w w w . p o n s h o p s t u d i o . c o m , gpons@ponshopstudio.com) give us art as a means of fulfilling our request, living in the present and in the presence of good things, great talent, and beautiful craftsmanship.

PONSHOP had invited its fans to visit them and “enjoy all of our offerings from local artists,” wrote Gabe.

The gallery is featuring fine art by Leslie Brier, Cameron Limbrick, Crystal Rodrigue, Nicholas Candela, and James Walker and new ceramics by co-owner Scarlett Pons.

“We continue to feature over thirty artists creating everything from fine art and ceramics to jewelry, clothing, and accessories for the home,” said Scarlett.

Their First Friday Opening Reception in January, she said, was “a special evening celebrating the creativity of our local community.”

PONSHOP is also offering a unique and fun art curriculum for all ages in their winter and spring workshops, including ceramics and drawing classes for children and adults as well as assemblage workshops with Leslie Brier. For a current class schedule, visit the PONSHOP online.

Amy Pearce is an associate editor at Front Porch.

James Walker, “Resurrection”

30

January 2014

with divine purpose

Front porch fredericksburg

Ever since Bob Sima lifted the Little White Veil in front of his music (CD by that title), awareness of his messages has gone viral. And in a year (2013) when a prime-time New Year’s Eve television program recapped 2013 as “the year of behaving badly,” we need a cultural cleanup, including a bar of soap in our collective mouths to restore some civility in our 50-state community.

“This is a BIG goal to meet; I hope you can join the love team by donating, and passing this around to your friends, it’s grass roots baby!” Bob revels in calling us out to help, starting with the man in the mirror (“This time I’ll change myself, not everyone else, on the inside…”), you and I, who are the chosen ones to “Put a little more love in the world.”

Is it pie-in-the-sky? I don’t think so. 2013 had a way of showing the power of positive thinking and collective community organizing driven by compassion. Why not 2014? Why not roll that snowball down an alpine slope and gather energy from the inertia?

Here’s Bob: “This campaign is a big step for me in fully embracing my life’s purpose. It’s also about two brand new CDs coming out at the same time and a full year of touring. I would love your support and will be eternally grateful.”

The first CD is PUT A LITTLE MORE LOVE IN THE WORLD, a full-length studio CD. The second is BELIEVE THE BIRD, an introspective all-acoustic CD, yours at the $70 fundraising level.

“I knew years ago that I am supposed to sing to as many people as I can reach with the full intention of opening hearts and raising consciousness in the world. I was doing this part-time enjoying it as a hobby - for many years.

And I most recently took that slightly scary transition into doing this full-time.

Yes! A full-time transformational musician on a mission!

I would be honored to have you join me. We need your help to get this music into the daily lives and consciousness of this world in transition.”

Bob’s music mission states it best: “I come to you with crystal clear divine purpose. With utmost and sacred devotion, I encapsulate in song my interpretations of the ancient and timeless wisdom of the ascended masters and the contemporary teachers I meet in this life. Each and every song I channel begins as my personal conversation with Source delivered as life lessons of spiritual growth and transformation. Just as these conversations birth expansion, awakening, and remembrance in me, I share my gift to soften the hardest of hearts, widen the narrowest of smiles, loosen the tightest of

grips, lighten the heaviest of loads, and thin the thickest of walls of as many souls as I can possibly reach. With passion, conviction, and enthusiasm, it is my highest honor to sing from my heart to yours.”

What We Need & What You Get Bob’ Sima’s campaign goes beyond 10-20 songs and will put feet to so many activities that are on the Bob Sima Music to-do list. “It is so exciting to see them come to life - becoming more than just a conceptual thought in my mind, intentional words on a piece of paper, or a beautiful riff from my guitar. I want to know that I can get more of these messages by integrating this music into more corporate events; scheduling more holistic retreats; partnering with change agents who use this music to compliment their public speeches and raise consciousness in the corporate world. I want to continue my “gratitude concerts”, these are concerts I perform for free in places where the music is needed the most, like prisons, homeless shelters, and mental health facilities.”

Lofty?

Yes, but that’s Bob’s positive vibe speaking, and it works. Front Porch Magazine editor Rob Grogan felt it lift him one night last summer at an acoustic house concert featuring Bob. “I felt that the old saying, ‘A rising tide lifts all boats’, was well at work. It lifted me and has not let go. Instead, it steers me toward the port I’m intended to reach.”

There is more to learn here to be part of Bob Sima’s mission, so do go to Bob Sima Steve De Campo is a freelance writer based in Fauquier County who travels extensively to cover cultural stories.

This piece is largely derived from Bob Sima’s press announcements and media relations team.

Stacey & Amy Unfurl Their “Sales” ...to market your business A fair wind catches the sails of a well-built ship, and a rising tide lifts all boats. Stacy Howell, (right) who works hard as a program coordinator/director/ teaching artist, raises a son and lives life with the love and support of a good husband, has joined the crew of the Front Porch sales team to set sail for your business needs.

Were that not enough, Stacy also serves as secretary, publicity chair, actor, director, house manager, and an original one-act play festival reader — all for Stage Door Productions in Fredericksburg – is an independent contractor who serves as a judge for various district, regional, and national speech and debate tournaments, regional Poetry Out Loud competitions, and VHSL Theatre Festivals, was Emcee for the 2013 Virginia Theatre Association Community Theatre Festival, and is a teacher at the Christian Youth Theatre (CYT).

The flexibility of schedule is what drew Stacy to the position open at the magazine. That she has taught courses in Oral Communications, Public Speaking, Debate, Mock Trial, Academic Decathlon, and Learning Strategies for the CYT, is what drew the attention of the magazine to consider her for a position as a Sales Representative. Stacy will be following

and developing leads to potential new clients and catching up with old ones who have left our pages for awhile. If she calls on you, please take a listen. She can help your business grow.

Amy Raposo (above with family) is also setting sail with us in 2014. Her mother, Ruth Golden is this month’s cover photographer, so why not join mom

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

aboard the FP?!

Amy is a native resident of the Spotsylvania/Fredericksburg area.

“I attended Germanna Community College and received an associate’s degree in general studies as well as a paraprofessional counseling certificate. I spent five years doing office work for the family business, a yacht insurance brokerage.”

Then, Amy began pursuing a dream — “I began work in the bakery at Wegmans as a cake decorator.

My interpersonal skills, dedication to high quality, and my attention to detail and organization allowed me to excel and quickly rise to the position of team leader in the bakery, where I enjoyed the challenges of working with and leading a diverse team. After three years, and the birth of my son, I decided to stay home with him full time. In my spare time, I enjoy writing stories for my son.”

We are glad she decided to take advantage of an FP commissioned Sales Rep position. Whether she is part of a rising tide or a rising cake, Amy has a way of making the whole of the parts better. She has already made contact with many of the businesses on her target list – small entities she can help find value in marketing locally – in Front Porch print and web!

We hope to see both women flourish in every aspect of their busy lives, and to see your business flourish on the pages of our magazine as you ride the rising tide with us!

To contact either rep, email frntprch@aol.com and ask for them by name. One will get back to you with their direct contact info and arrange to help you at your convenience.

540/371-9890

FREDERICKSBURGCOLLABORATIVE

ARCHER DI PEPPE CAGA

CERTIFIED APPRAISER

Insurance Riders Estate Settlements Divorce Cases Damage Claims Oral or Written Appraisals SPECIALIZING IN ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

Certified Appraiser Certified Appraiser’s Guild of America

adipeppe@aol.com

(540) 373-9636

Sail on! - RG

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

31

Bob Sima’s Next Big Thing

New Art post-holiday hangover relief by amy pearce

By Steve de campo

Leslie Brier, “Spotsylvania” The PONSHOP Studio and Gallery at 712 Caroline is nothing if not smart!

Its Opening Reception on Friday, January 3 was deemed the Holiday Hangover Exhibit, an elixir for “Hey, it’s January so let’s get back to our routines lives.”

But why not an upbeat tweak in our routines, one that continues to embrace celebration in the everyday and in the small things we experience in our daily lives? By running this Exhibition all the way through January 31, 2014, Gabriel and Scarlett Pons (540-656-2215, w w w . p o n s h o p s t u d i o . c o m , gpons@ponshopstudio.com) give us art as a means of fulfilling our request, living in the present and in the presence of good things, great talent, and beautiful craftsmanship.

PONSHOP had invited its fans to visit them and “enjoy all of our offerings from local artists,” wrote Gabe.

The gallery is featuring fine art by Leslie Brier, Cameron Limbrick, Crystal Rodrigue, Nicholas Candela, and James Walker and new ceramics by co-owner Scarlett Pons.

“We continue to feature over thirty artists creating everything from fine art and ceramics to jewelry, clothing, and accessories for the home,” said Scarlett.

Their First Friday Opening Reception in January, she said, was “a special evening celebrating the creativity of our local community.”

PONSHOP is also offering a unique and fun art curriculum for all ages in their winter and spring workshops, including ceramics and drawing classes for children and adults as well as assemblage workshops with Leslie Brier. For a current class schedule, visit the PONSHOP online.

Amy Pearce is an associate editor at Front Porch.

James Walker, “Resurrection”

30

January 2014

with divine purpose

Front porch fredericksburg

Ever since Bob Sima lifted the Little White Veil in front of his music (CD by that title), awareness of his messages has gone viral. And in a year (2013) when a prime-time New Year’s Eve television program recapped 2013 as “the year of behaving badly,” we need a cultural cleanup, including a bar of soap in our collective mouths to restore some civility in our 50-state community.

“This is a BIG goal to meet; I hope you can join the love team by donating, and passing this around to your friends, it’s grass roots baby!” Bob revels in calling us out to help, starting with the man in the mirror (“This time I’ll change myself, not everyone else, on the inside…”), you and I, who are the chosen ones to “Put a little more love in the world.”

Is it pie-in-the-sky? I don’t think so. 2013 had a way of showing the power of positive thinking and collective community organizing driven by compassion. Why not 2014? Why not roll that snowball down an alpine slope and gather energy from the inertia?

Here’s Bob: “This campaign is a big step for me in fully embracing my life’s purpose. It’s also about two brand new CDs coming out at the same time and a full year of touring. I would love your support and will be eternally grateful.”

The first CD is PUT A LITTLE MORE LOVE IN THE WORLD, a full-length studio CD. The second is BELIEVE THE BIRD, an introspective all-acoustic CD, yours at the $70 fundraising level.

“I knew years ago that I am supposed to sing to as many people as I can reach with the full intention of opening hearts and raising consciousness in the world. I was doing this part-time enjoying it as a hobby - for many years.

And I most recently took that slightly scary transition into doing this full-time.

Yes! A full-time transformational musician on a mission!

I would be honored to have you join me. We need your help to get this music into the daily lives and consciousness of this world in transition.”

Bob’s music mission states it best: “I come to you with crystal clear divine purpose. With utmost and sacred devotion, I encapsulate in song my interpretations of the ancient and timeless wisdom of the ascended masters and the contemporary teachers I meet in this life. Each and every song I channel begins as my personal conversation with Source delivered as life lessons of spiritual growth and transformation. Just as these conversations birth expansion, awakening, and remembrance in me, I share my gift to soften the hardest of hearts, widen the narrowest of smiles, loosen the tightest of

grips, lighten the heaviest of loads, and thin the thickest of walls of as many souls as I can possibly reach. With passion, conviction, and enthusiasm, it is my highest honor to sing from my heart to yours.”

What We Need & What You Get Bob’ Sima’s campaign goes beyond 10-20 songs and will put feet to so many activities that are on the Bob Sima Music to-do list. “It is so exciting to see them come to life - becoming more than just a conceptual thought in my mind, intentional words on a piece of paper, or a beautiful riff from my guitar. I want to know that I can get more of these messages by integrating this music into more corporate events; scheduling more holistic retreats; partnering with change agents who use this music to compliment their public speeches and raise consciousness in the corporate world. I want to continue my “gratitude concerts”, these are concerts I perform for free in places where the music is needed the most, like prisons, homeless shelters, and mental health facilities.”

Lofty?

Yes, but that’s Bob’s positive vibe speaking, and it works. Front Porch Magazine editor Rob Grogan felt it lift him one night last summer at an acoustic house concert featuring Bob. “I felt that the old saying, ‘A rising tide lifts all boats’, was well at work. It lifted me and has not let go. Instead, it steers me toward the port I’m intended to reach.”

There is more to learn here to be part of Bob Sima’s mission, so do go to Bob Sima Steve De Campo is a freelance writer based in Fauquier County who travels extensively to cover cultural stories.

This piece is largely derived from Bob Sima’s press announcements and media relations team.

Stacey & Amy Unfurl Their “Sales” ...to market your business A fair wind catches the sails of a well-built ship, and a rising tide lifts all boats. Stacy Howell, (right) who works hard as a program coordinator/director/ teaching artist, raises a son and lives life with the love and support of a good husband, has joined the crew of the Front Porch sales team to set sail for your business needs.

Were that not enough, Stacy also serves as secretary, publicity chair, actor, director, house manager, and an original one-act play festival reader — all for Stage Door Productions in Fredericksburg – is an independent contractor who serves as a judge for various district, regional, and national speech and debate tournaments, regional Poetry Out Loud competitions, and VHSL Theatre Festivals, was Emcee for the 2013 Virginia Theatre Association Community Theatre Festival, and is a teacher at the Christian Youth Theatre (CYT).

The flexibility of schedule is what drew Stacy to the position open at the magazine. That she has taught courses in Oral Communications, Public Speaking, Debate, Mock Trial, Academic Decathlon, and Learning Strategies for the CYT, is what drew the attention of the magazine to consider her for a position as a Sales Representative. Stacy will be following

and developing leads to potential new clients and catching up with old ones who have left our pages for awhile. If she calls on you, please take a listen. She can help your business grow.

Amy Raposo (above with family) is also setting sail with us in 2014. Her mother, Ruth Golden is this month’s cover photographer, so why not join mom

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

aboard the FP?!

Amy is a native resident of the Spotsylvania/Fredericksburg area.

“I attended Germanna Community College and received an associate’s degree in general studies as well as a paraprofessional counseling certificate. I spent five years doing office work for the family business, a yacht insurance brokerage.”

Then, Amy began pursuing a dream — “I began work in the bakery at Wegmans as a cake decorator.

My interpersonal skills, dedication to high quality, and my attention to detail and organization allowed me to excel and quickly rise to the position of team leader in the bakery, where I enjoyed the challenges of working with and leading a diverse team. After three years, and the birth of my son, I decided to stay home with him full time. In my spare time, I enjoy writing stories for my son.”

We are glad she decided to take advantage of an FP commissioned Sales Rep position. Whether she is part of a rising tide or a rising cake, Amy has a way of making the whole of the parts better. She has already made contact with many of the businesses on her target list – small entities she can help find value in marketing locally – in Front Porch print and web!

We hope to see both women flourish in every aspect of their busy lives, and to see your business flourish on the pages of our magazine as you ride the rising tide with us!

To contact either rep, email frntprch@aol.com and ask for them by name. One will get back to you with their direct contact info and arrange to help you at your convenience.

540/371-9890

FREDERICKSBURGCOLLABORATIVE

ARCHER DI PEPPE CAGA

CERTIFIED APPRAISER

Insurance Riders Estate Settlements Divorce Cases Damage Claims Oral or Written Appraisals SPECIALIZING IN ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

Certified Appraiser Certified Appraiser’s Guild of America

adipeppe@aol.com

(540) 373-9636

Sail on! - RG

front porch fredericksburg

January 2014

31