be on the lookout for blessings in disguise

Be on the Lookout

For blessings in disguise

In the midst of the sweltering Dog Days of summer, it might seem odd to be talking about the frigid time we experience in January, but that is a subject that is inescapably on my mind-with a message that Blessings Often Come in Disguise.

I recently came across a cache of candles in a rarely-opened cupboard, ranging from a group in glass containers with three wicks to a variety of tall candlesticks. That discovery took me back to the Big Storm this winter in which our family lost our power for three days.

This "unfortunate incident" happened just as our son arrived for a rare visit from his home in Japan. All of us had harbored plans of places we could go, things we could do, and people we could visit when, literally, we were left in the dark. It seemed like one of the worst things that could happen during this much-awaited visit. But we could not foresee the treasured moments that the blackout would bring.

Though we anticipated that those days with our son would surely involve a good amount of screen time and cellphone engagement, without a source of charging power and internet connection, interaction with our computers and gadgets and gizmos was put on hold. That was replaced with hours spent in close proximity as we huddled around the fireplace in our family room and we all were transformed into our innovative, solution-oriented "best selves." One idea we came up with for a supper that would be memorable was roasting foil-wrapped plant-based sausages over our fireaccomplished with both a sense of humor and pride. The hours spent around the glow of that fire gave rise to memories from our past experiences together and stories we may have never shared as we bustled along in the busy-ness of our lives. Even the darkest hours of the night brought a sense of camaraderie and unity as we retired to our beds wearing ski jackets and wool sherpa hats and cozied into our sleeping bags.

Those candles that were put away in storage once provided our sole source of light, with a bit of a theatrical touch, as they glowed from their positions throughout the kitchen and family room. And so, the visit that we thought would be lost in the dark days of the loss of all power emerged as one of our most treasured times and a reminder that blessings in disguise may be in store for us all, if we view them through the lens of opportunity.

EVERYFRIDAY

By collette caprara

Collette Caprara is a local writer and artist with Brush Strokes Gallery.

Kathleen Harrigan Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Rita Allan Sally Cooney Anderson Amy Bayne Laurie Black Dianne Bachman Sonja Cantu Tom Conway Collette Caprara Karen Finucan Clarkson Elizabeth Daly Janet Douberly Jenna Elizabeth Edwards Frank Fratoe Bill Freehling Jon Gerlach Micah Golmant Marcia Grimsley Kathleen Harrigan Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks David C. Kennedy Kathleen Lewis Anne-Tilley Melson Ray Mikula Vanessa Moncure Laura Moyer Pete Morelewicz Patrick Neustatter Tammy Ozolins Gerri Reid Paula Raudenbush Rob Rudick Carleigh Starkston Mandy Smith Anne Timpano Rim Vining Tina Will Norma Woodward

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

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

Messages from our readers are welcome. All article submissions must be received by e-mail by the 16th & calendar items the 19th of the month preceding publication.

Writers / Artists / Photographers are welcome to request Guidelines and query the Publisher by e-mail.

Front Porch Fredericksburg PO Box 9203 Fredericksburg, VA 22403

Ad Sales: E-Mail: frntprch@aol.com Web Site: www.frontporchfredericksburg.com Facebook: @Front Porch Fredericksburg 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 2022 Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine All rights reserved.

ON THE PORCH

wall of honor

by kathleen harrigan

Can you believe The Front Porch has been bringing Local Good News to the Fredericksburg region since 1997? How many issues have you thumbed through while sipping a cup of coffee, or sitting on your couch? Twenty-five years is a long time to be in the business of community building.

In creating the Front Porch, Rob and Virginia Grogan gave our community more than just a free monthly paper. We received the gift of the voices of our community - the artists, healers, historians, entertainers, and so many more. We learned about new business endeavors, non-profit service organizations, and about ourselves. We were able to see ourselves reflected back to us in this collaborative effort of so many talented people and such a labor of love. As Bill Beck noted "Rob Grogan conceived the idea of a true community based publication that would focus entirely on the things he most enjoyed about his adopted home town. Within a few years, Front Porch became a significant part of the social fabric of Fredericksburg. No other publication has ever come near to offering as much of our local culture…without a trace of unpleasantness. I never heard him utter an unkind word. If he had a fault it was simply that of being too nice."

On the pages of the Front Porch writers have linked the faces of people and organizations we see in our neighborhoods with tales of their back stories, accomplishments, and aspirations. Their words have helped the Front Porch be a cheerleader for what is good and unique in Fredericksburg.

"People refer to Rob as a 'nonstop cheerleader' for the region, but he was so much more than that. He nutured. Rob more than just supported artists in the region-he published them. He gave many of us our first byline or photo credit", reflects Sue Henderson. "He strengthened. Rob's infectious energy and enthusiasm for all that was good and unique in Fredericksburg spilled out from the pages of Front Porch and into every interaction. He connected us. Rob was the very definition of communityminded. He quietly led. Perhaps humble to a fault, Rob never wanted the limelight. Rob Grogan contributed to the foundation of the Fredericksburg region by focusing on what made us unique and special. In his every activity, he made people feel special and valuable by treating them like family. He was a rare ability to work across socioeconomic lines and support of the greater good and he never missed a chance to build UP Fredericksburg."

Along the journey of the past 25 years, we lost Rob Grogan to cancer in 2014. In considering that loss, Ray Woodruff commented that "We lost our collector, our greatest appreciator…We lost a great connector between a huge number of creative people artists, writers, musicians, foodies. We lost a great appreciator of what this town could create and of what this town is and, most importantly, of what this town could be. We lost our great believer."

I am proud to announce, that later this year Rob Grogan will be recognized for his contributions to the Fredericksburg community with a plaque on the City of Fredericksburg ' s Wall of Honor (check back with us in October for ceremony date).

To be in Rob's presence was to be fully seen. His eyes would look straight at yours and his spirit would envelope you. You couldn't help but be fully present and respond in kind with openness, with thoughtfulness, and hope. I feel this applied to individuals as well as to the community at large. This is not to imply that Rob was a Pollyanna of never seeing where change was needed, when growth needed to be stimulated, or a problem solved. But it is to say he would see it honestly and look upon each of us with love, kindness and a view towards what tomorrow could bring.

In creating the Front Porch with his wife Virginia, Rob brought our community more than just a free monthly paper (although that is significant enough). We received the gift of the voices of our community - the artists, healers, historians, entertainers, and so many more. We learned about new business endeavors, non-profit service organizations, and about ourselves. We were able to see ourselves reflected back to us in this collaborative effort of so many talented people and such a labor of love.

It was in this editorial space that Rob reached out to us as readers and as a community, as Brynn Pacitti remarked, "His love of humanity and particularly his Fredericksburg community was expressed through his written word monthly, told from a lifetime observing, loving and listening to people from all walks of life, young and old alike. Rob had a keen ability to listen and noticed unique gifts in others. Rob became a voice for these folks and felt a duty to share their words, talents and highlight all that his beloved community members had to offer. Rob's influence profoundly touched Fredericksburg by deepening relationships and connections among its citizens and by encouraging and motivating folks to be their best and share their gifts with others. Rob instilled a culture of sharing 'Local Good News' among the community he loved so much….and his legacy is that folks are still sharing".

I feel there is a link between people and organizations I've met through the Front Porch with those that are recognized on the Wall of Honor. Fredericksburg is rich with people who have made a difference in remembering our past, improving and enriching our present, and helping us dream and build our future.

Each month I can mute the phone, step away from emails/texts/videos and sit down with my hometown in articles written by our neighbors and friends. I read Front Porch cover to cover each month and find myself meeting new neighbors and learning all the good news about our community.

Kathleen Harrigan came to Fredericksburg to attend UMW and stayed because of the community of people she met. She currently devotes her time to family, volunteering for Empowerhouse, and baking. Painting of Rob Grogan by Sue Henderson