contents
closeups 5
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history’s stories: christmas 1862 what’s in a rock? rappahannock freestone
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our heritage: 50th candlelight tour
GInny Summers studying aboard...virtually
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it’s all energy: lung meridian
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emancipated patients:: benefits of graandparenting
Karl Karch A labor of love
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mobility solutions
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art in the ’burg ...galleries in December
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art during uncertain times
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behind the scenes chuck archer
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Companions: all i want for christmas....
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astrology & you poetryman: born in starlight
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fredericksburg sketches
christmas in russia a photographer’s journal 26
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Porch talk 3
holiday faire
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on the porch...life in fredericksburg Messages
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stories of FXBG....Grace
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everything greens: letter from Brad Smith
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In the Garden: smiling behind our masks
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...And more!
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i have a friend: through everything
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growing & crawling....cabbage worm
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season’s bounty: plenty of pounds
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spirits: gingerbread #2
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tidbits....small bites of local news
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vino..some like it hot
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smart park:.riverfront park to be the 1st
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Calendar of Events
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clean & green FXBG
Cover: By Beverley Coates
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December 2020
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HOLIDAY FAIRE FAMFaire, KrisKringlMarkt & Merry Trees
by sara poore The Fredericksburg Area Museum annual "FAMFaire: KrisKringlMarkt" is back! This traditional, German-style Holiday market will feature vendors of all types selling their wares in Historic Market Square. This year, FAMFaire will take place over a period of two days, December 12th and 13th, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. In keeping with state regulations due to COVID-19, a maximum of 8 vendors will occupy Market Square each day during the event. Visitors to the event can look forward to one-of-a-kind art, crafts, treats and much, much more! Fredericksburgbased German restaurant Alpine Chef will also be on site with traditional German cuisine. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to cast their vote for most creative vendor tent! If you are interested in participating as a vendor in this Fredericksburg tradition, please contact Caroline Ford at cford@famcc.org for more information. Spaces are limited, so act quickly!
Additionally, the FAM the fifth annual Merry Trees exhibit.in FAM's gallery spaces will be filled with trees decorated by Hugh Mercer Elementary School students. Each tree is inspired by a book the students have read in the classroom. FAM is excited to continue this
partnership with Fredericksburg City Schools. . This exhibition is a celebration
of art, literature, the holiday season, and Fredericksburg's elementary students. Merry trees will be on display December 1st through December 31st, 2020. We invite everyone young and old to come and visit the FAM this holiday season. FAM members and children under the age of 10 are free. The FAM collects, researches, interprets, teaches, and preserves the history, heritage, and culture of the Fredericksburg region. We serve a diverse community through a commitment to inclusion, integrity, credibility, and relevance. We will facilitate an understanding and appreciation of how the acts of those who preceded us have shaped this community and the nation at large- providing both lessons and inspiration as we work together to forge a greater community.
Not a member yet? Join online at www.famva.org/membership/ Sara Poore is the President & CEO of Fredericksburg Area Museum FAMFaire: KrisKringlMarkt December 12-1 13, 10a-5 5p Market Square Merry Trees Exhibit FAM Gallery December 1-3 31
Letters to Santa
For three weeks, a wonder occurs! A mysterious mailbox, bearing the image of Santa Claus himself, appears in downtown Fredericksburg. Legend has it that a child who deposits a letter into the mailbox will receive an answer directly from the North Pole. Santa’s mailbox will appear for the holiday magic through December 16th, located at the corner of George Street & Caroline Street, in front of the Fort-To-Go Store. The Santa Mailbox is overseen by the Fredericksburg Rappahannock Rotary Club. Please remember to include your return address.
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ON THE PORCH Laurie Black
Guest Porch Editorial
Contributing Writers & Artists Rita Allan Kathy Anderson Sally Cooney Anderson Laurie Black Dianne Bachman Sarah Kay Bierle Linda Billard Sean Bonney Ann Bowie Sonja Cantu Beverley Coates Collette Caprara Janet Douberly Christina Ferber Frank Fratoe Bill Freehling Jon Gerlach Lisa Gillen Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks Karl Karch David C. Kennedy Julie Laiacona Chuch Archer Miller Vanessa Moncure Nancy Moore Pete Morelewicz Patrick Neustatter Allison Nida M.L.Powers Penny A Parrish Gerri Reid Paula Raudenbush Sara Poore Brad Smith Mandy Smith Brad Will Tina Will Norma Woodward Kristie Woolridge
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 submissions must be received by e-mail by 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 2020
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gift outside the box by Laurie Black The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year are a constant celebration for our family. In addition to the traditional holidays, we celebrate several birthdays during this time. Our home is a flurry of cooking, baking, decorating, and wrapping. In anticipation of the family celebrations, I usually begin months in advance, planning and shopping for the perfect gifts. Of course, this year is different. For starters, the family is not gathering. With COVID restrictions, travel is neither practical nor advisable. Shopping is another hurdle. Of course, there is always online shopping and curbside pickup. Yet, both of those options seem completely counter to my normal - careful, thoughtful gift choosing. Clearly, I need a new plan. I asked myself, what meaningful gifts can I give in a year that has challenged every aspect of normal life? What are the favorite gifts I've received or given over the years? How can I "gift outside the box"? I am reminded of a favorite family Christmas memory... When my oldest son was five years old, we were standing in line to take pictures with Santa. As you can imagine, the line was long and my son's patience was short. Santa's helper, a cheerful elf in a green suit, approached my son and whispered, "Santa's watching. You better be good or you'll get sticks and coal for Christmas." My son's eyes became wide and fixed on Santa. When he finally made it to Santa, he sat on his lap, Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, and my son declared, "I'd like 100 sticks for Christmas!" Santa chuckled, the picture was snapped, and the moment went down in the Family Memory Hall of Fame. You see, my young son loved sticks! He never imagined that he could ask for sticks for Christmas until a helpful elf gave him the idea. Guess what he got for Christmas? That's right! 100 sticks - 10 bundles of 10 - in several varieties including bamboo and maple. He was delighted and will still tell you today at age 25 that those sticks were one of the best gifts he ever received. They were more than sticks. They were swords, a cage for trapping stuffed animals, a gang plank on a pirate ship, and million other things that a five year old can imagine. I
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think my young son was on to something. Truly, the best gifts are the gifts that inspire us or the gifts that magically transport us to a happier place or take us back in time. For my husband's 50th birthday, our children and I came up with their top 50 most memorable moments with Dad complete with embarrassing photos from family vacations, birthday parties, sporting events, chaperoning field trips and so forth. Memories are a priceless gift! The best gifts also usually include a little piece of ourselves. I love the year my best friend baked me a batch of my favorite cookies along with a copy of her secret family cookie recipe. I discovered that the most important step in the recipe was "bake with love." (You probably saw that coming!) I know I am getting overly nostalgic. The holidays tend to do that to me. Bear with me; I've almost got my new plan figured out. The holidays are going to look a little different. The house will be a little quieter. However, we can still celebrate. We can still give beautiful, meaningful gifts. I will start by giving my time. (I have a lot more of it this year thanks to COVID!) I will call a friend that I haven't talked to in a while. I will write more letters. I will walk down Caroline Street and say "Happy Holidays" (through my mask) to the people I meet. I will donate my time to a local charity. I will pick up dinner from a favorite restaurant or bake
a batch of cookies (from my friend's recipe) and leave it on the doorstep of someone who cannot get out - who just needs to know someone cares. I hope you, your family, friends and neighbors will also find ways to celebrate and ways to give joy this holiday season- outside of the box. Maybe even pick up a copy of Front Porch and read it "cover-to-cover" for more ideas and stories about the amazing people and places in our community. Laurie is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, gardener, and the Assistant Coordinator of the Senior Visitors Program.
Wishing You All the Hope, Wonder & Joy that the Season can bring! Happy Holidays from the Front Porch Family
Studying Aboard...Virtually students partner with students across the globe By jill laiacona
Studying abroad is as much a part of University of Mary Washington culture as bench-sitting or playing Frisbee on Ball Circle. One-third of each graduating class - about 300 students spends time learning overseas. Not this year. As COVID-19 continues to sweep the globe, international travel - like commencements, reunions and all large gatherings - has been put on hold.
But the pandemic hasn't halted cross-cultural learning at Mary Washington. This fall, an international marketing class taught by College of Business Associate Professor Kashef Majid has partnered with a university in the Czech Republic to better understand global consumerism and how certain brands and behaviors can transcend cultural differences. Connecting on Zoom, students have discussed everything from fashion fads to technology trends, discovering similarities and differences between young adults living in opposite sides of the world.
"You can study marketing trends in foreign countries all day long," said senior Ginny Summers (right), "but in order to succeed in business, you need to be able to have a respectful conversation with someone from a different culture." Her plans to study in Spain and Australia this year dashed by the virus, Summers was among the more than 20 students in Majid's class matched with students at the University of New York in Prague (UNYP), which hosts an exchange program with UMW.
make real world connections," said UMW's Center for International Education Director José Sainz, who helped facilitate the project. He and Majid hope to replicate it at other foreign universities that have partnerships with UMW.
An international business major, Summers was paired with Tereza, a Czech student who had lived in the United States as a teen, making her familiar with popular U.S. brands like Hollister, American Eagle and Victoria Secret. "We're both in a stage in our lives where we like nice things, but we're also on a tight budget," Summers said. Knowing your audience is critical for marketers, said UNYP lecturer Adriana Starostová. Her students' findings revealed subtle societal disparities. Online shopping is prevalent in the United States, but Czech students prefer to try on clothes in the store before making a purchase. Americans grab coffee on the go, while Europeans linger in cafés. UNYP students often cook at home, with groceries bought at specialty stores like bakeries and butcher shops, while UMW students are more likely to consume fast food and use meal delivery services. Similarities included an affinity for Apple, Sephora and Netflix, Starostová said. And on both sides of the Atlantic, students are making an effort to purchase environmentally sustainable goods as well as fresh produce from farmers' markets. Majid had taught the course before, but it's the first time he's had students interview their counterparts across the ocean. The project led them to make recommendations for an advertising campaign targeting 20-something consumers. Once COVID-19 is over, he said, he hopes to add a study abroad component.
Mary Washington senior Shannon Ghahramani, a business major who intends to apply to graduate school abroad, said it was reassuring to know that a person on the other side of the globe shared her same concerns about the virus and how it's disrupted everyday life. "My biggest takeaway is how similar young adults can be despite their different environments," said Ghahramani, who bonded and became Facebook friends with Michal, a Czech student she interviewed. "I was elated to have such a fulfilling conversation with someone so far away." International Education Week celebrates cross-cultural learning opportunities. One in three Mary Washington students volunteers, interns, conducts research, or joins a faculty-led trip or other UMW-approved experience outside the United States, according to Center for International Education (CIE) Director Jose Sainz. Visit CIE or call (540) 654-1434 for more information.
Jill Laiacona is the Media Manager, University Relations & Communications at UMW
"Partnerships like this present an opportunity for all involved to gain some firsthand cross-cultural knowledge and
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Stories
ALL IS CHIC
of fredericksburg
ALL IS BRIGHT
Grace’s Stor y From the Empowerhouse Files
“What began as cruel and hurtful language turned to controlling behaviors telling me what outfits I could wear and finally violence. The slow buildup made it difficult for me to leave; we had been together for 6 years and shared two sons. How could I face the guilt of taking my children away from their father? As the abuse progressively worsened I kept his behavior a secret from friends and family and buried it deep within me. “The determination to leave my partner arose when I became pregnant; I had to protect this new life inside of me. I planned my escape when he was not there to quickly pack our belongings and leave our home. I heard of Empowerhouse and their services for survivors of domestic violence. I called them straight away before he could interfere. “Empowerhouse Advocate, Daphne, answered and quickly arranged for me and my children to be taken to the Empowerhouse Shelter. So many thoughts were running through my head. Would I be allowed to stay in the Shelter even though I'm pregnant? What will I do about housing? Is it right leaving my partner and taking our children from him? Is he looking for me? Daphne comforted me and assured me I would not be denied any Empowerhouse services because I was pregnant, and I started to feel a sense of calm that soon disappeared when my partner repeatedly contacted me.
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“He called every day pleading with me to return. He made empty promises he would change. These pleas struck deep in my heart where I had my doubts. I returned to give him a chance to redeem himself. “Yet, the day I returned, his anger towards me returned with more force and he brutally assaulted me leaving me covered with bruises while shouting at me no one would ever be in a relationship with me because I had children. Afterwards, I felt defeated and knew I made a mistake. I planned my second escape. I called Daphne again. She understood my decisions quickly getting me back into Empowerhouse. “After being taken in a second time, I needed to refocus on my future and what kind of example I wanted to set for my children. “I worked with Rose, the Shelter Director, to seek guidance and develop a plan to get work to support us. Rose was always very direct and upfront with me on what I needed to do to get my life back on track; her honesty was always filled with compassion for my situation. Daphne helped me enter Empowerhouse housing services paying for a home where we lived while we left abuse for good. They directed me to Rappahannock Goodwill Industries Employment Specialist, Maureen, who helped me with key steps I needed to take to receive further education, update my resume and fill out job applications. With her help, I applied for my FAFSA and entered the Women's Independent Scholarship
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Program (WISP) for domestic violence survivors. WISP helped pay my bills while I was in school. “I earned my degree staying up countless nights studying for six classes at a time but I still faced self-doubt. Thankfully, Empowerhouse never ceased in encouragement. Their support bolstered my confidence to continue on this path. Maureen reinforced how qualified I was for these accolades and how much I deserved what I accomplished. That support helped me get on the bus every day for job interviews, stay up late searching for openings and find the perfect job suiting my needs. “While I achieved great success, I still remember many women I met during Empowerhouse Support Groups in the same situation. I strongly desire to help. I recall not only the fear I felt in seeing how many people were in the same situation and reliving their traumas, but also the relief found in knowing that I was not the only one suffering from this; that is a feeling I want to share with others living with domestic violence. “I want all women to know they can break the cycle and achieve lasting change when they find their inspiration to leave. I found mine in my children. I wanted them to see me building new life through my pain instead of letting myself drown in it, and that I had the fortitude to not give up on them or myself. Now I wake up in my own home every day and I thank God for Empowerhouse and the support and opportunities they provided to us because I was able to persevere, rediscover my confidence, and be resolute in my determination to not fail for my family.
723 Caroline St
899.8077
Daily 11-5:30, Sunday 12-5
To help Empowerhouse's Domestic Violence Shelter families and provide the crucial items they need to get through this challenging time, please support our Shelter by mailing your donation to: Empowerhouse, P.O. Box 1007, Fredericksburg, VA 22402. Mission Statement Empowerhouse empowers survivors and their children to believe in themselves and build new lives filled with dignity, respect, safety, and hope. We give victims the time, space, and tools to heal their hearts, restore their connections, rebuild their lives, and renew their spirits.
200 William St Downtown Fredericksburg 540-373-4421 crownjewelersfredericksburg.com
Everything Greens a letter from the president of the board By Brad Smith
Dean’s Plastering Services
our dedicated staff and interns; our ever growing board-with six new members over the past twelve months; and our beautiful armies of supporters and volunteers.
Plaster, Stucco, Drywall, Art 540.656.2399 540.419.8878 luckyluckydean@aol.com
As we come to the end of an extraordinary year, I reflect on how so many of us have been forced to become more aware of the world around us. We are reminded, daily, of challenges facing our environment, our society, our neighbors, ourselves. We have seen the very best and worst of humanity shown as we wrestle to find our place in our world. I am beyond thankful to have had the opportunity to learn, grow, and serve
Please join with me and continue to support our Local FXBG small businesses SUZY STONE Mobile:540.847.0630 Office: 540-898-2900 suzystone22@gmail.com C21redwood.com
in such an incredible community beside
Where Customer Service and Title Insurance Become One
Jewell Wolterman 12225 Amos Lane, Ste 204 Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-907-0574 www.elitetitleva.com jwolterman@elitetitleva.com
The genuine concern they show one another overflows to the community. I have spent this summer reflecting on our nation and world. I would be lying if I said I did not worry for future generations, but I would also be remiss if I did not say I draw inspiration from both past and present: I consider the legacy of the Powhatan and Patawomeck tribes that once grew, hunted, argued, played, laughed, and cried on this ground around the Rappahannock. I consider those that fled persecution and insecurity in the Old World, hoping to find a better home here. Those who hoped and fought for justice, established; domestic Tranquility, insured; common defense, provided for; general Welfare, promoted; and the Blessing of Liberty, secured. Our garden has become not just a place where we strive to meet the physical needs of our community, but a place of reconciliation. It has been a place for healing as partner organizations have hosted events for survivors of domestic and sexual violence to find solidarity. It has been a place of comfort, with many of our housing transient and homeless community finding peace amongst the flowers and shade of the garden during our hottest days. This has been an incredibly challenging year for the whole world, but also for the Downtown Greens family specifically--rocked with personal health issues, deaths in families and communities, economic precarity, raising children in the
age of COVID, and a whole host of other large and small concerns. Our two main fundraisers, the Fork It Over Festival and Down Home Ball, were cancelled. We were unable to host our Youth Farm Program, Youth Garden Club, or Garden Sprouts-hundreds of our kiddos that we were only able to see in passing, if at all. As I think about these challenges, I think about the words we used to describe this land--a Common Wealth in a More Perfect Union--and I think about Downtown Greens' role in making this community a more perfect place to live in imperfect conditions. I think about how we can honor the forgotten words and
legacy of the first inhabitants caretakers of this land.
and
This all may seem lofty for a community garden on a few acres of land, but I think now is the time to imagine ourselves greatly. To learn the lessons of single seeds, that contain whole forests. To learn from so many of our kids that are the first in their family to go to college or trade schools or have become volunteers and givers in their communities. To look to the best parts of our past and present to build a better future. Be well, be healthy, and thank you for a wonderful year! Brad Smith, President of the Board of Directors at Downtown Greens
Founded in 1995, Downtown Greens promotes environmental care by preserving two urban garden areas, using sustainable gardening methods, teaching children through a weekly Garden Club, and raising bees with the Urban Bees program.
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In the Garden smiling behind our masks By Tina Will Master Gardeners are very grateful to Mary and Carlyle for their long-term investment in growing this Boxwood. Mary's energy is a great example to us, and shows that one is never too old to learn something new, especially if there is a passion for it, and a plan to use what is learned.
Beautiful and Healthy Boxwood A few weeks ago, on a beautiful November day, a masked but smiling crew came out to a special place not far from here to help prune and care for some sixty-year-old boxwood. In the late 1950's, the owners, Mary (above) and Carlyle Bowie, had settled into their home and started gardening and landscaping their property. Mary had grown up with 'a garden hoe in her hand' thanks to her parents' example, and brought her knowledge and love for gardening to their life together. Along with the vegetable garden, they decided to grow English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'suffruticosa'). They started rooting cuttings with Rootone, added bonemeal to the soil, and continued planting cuttings for many years. The boxwood apparently found the conditions just right because more than 60 years later most of those cuttings are strong mature shrubs that surround
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the homestead. Mary continues to make Boxwood wreaths for many in her family every year. She had always wanted to take the VCE Master Gardener training, and did so in 2017. When she heard about our boxwood wreath project, she offered us a chance to take some cuttings from her shrubs. With local boxwood from the Bowie's abundance and a generous amount from another location, beautiful wreaths were made that year, but then we had to skip two years while we waited to see if Boxwood blight would damage the plantings. On our recent work day, Mary and her daughter Ann, and MGs Kristin Stone, Kathy Holliday, Sharon Moser, Paula Loccisano, Arlene Wilkinson, Rose Jennings and I exclaimed over such healthy shrubs. Rose had thoughtfully brought a light-weight power tool to help remove some old boxwood limbs; what a help that was!
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Wreaths are for sale through RAAI this year at the old Roxbury Mills Garden Center location, and will be available through the early weeks of December. We thank Andy Lynn at RAAI (Rappahannock Adult Activiteis Inc.) for that opportunity, and hope you will consider supporting RAAI and MGACRA with your wreath purchase. Merry Christmas!
Widewater State Park Demonstration Garden Master Gardener Beth Daly initiated the grant and project idea for a Demonstration Garden at Widewater State Park on the Potomac River in 2019. Even during this difficult COVID-19 isolation, some work has been done by Girl Scouts in Troop 44 headed by Kirstin Nason, as the girls work to finish their Bronze award. Also helping are members of Friends of Widewater and Master Gardeners Tracy Blevins and Beth who put in a day of work recently, and it is encouraging to see the plans take shape. A fortuitous encounter with Cessie Howell reminded Beth that Friends of Rappahannock (F.O.R.) was
hosting a tree giveaway time this Fall. Beth was able to reserve several lovely native trees for the Demonstration Garden that have also been planted. Plan to visit next Spring. Come see what's growing!
Tina Will has volunteered with MGACRA for 17 years and lives near Ferry Farm Photos by Brian Will (Wreath) & Ann Bowie (Mary Bowie)
Clean & Green FXBG City adopts 100% renewable Energy resolution By Sonja Cantu Fredericksburg's residents and visitors. Electrify Virginia is a Virginia Clean Cities project launched in 2019 that provides direct no-cost assistance to municipalities for planning, and is supported by a grant to help plan for electric vehicles in Virginia in the heavy duty sector. VCC also provides planning assistance for all fuels through other programs. This new partnership is an significant first step for bringing the City's police fleet of vehicles into this important green planning for Fredericksburg.
In response to City Council's Priority for a Clean and Green Fredericksburg and their recently adopted 100% Renewable Energy Resolution, the Fredericksburg Police Department (FPD) has partnered with Virginia Clean Cities (VCC) for guidance on alternative fuel vehicles. It is intended that this effort, as a pilot project on a portion of the City's fleet, will be a model for the remainder of the City's fleet over time. The FPD currently consists of 39 patrol vehicles and 22 administrative vehicles. Working with VCC places the FPD on a path toward converting their fleet to cleaner vehicles. The goal is to reduce petroleum consumption and emissions, advance air quality, and reduce expenditures for petroleum fuel, all while promoting a cleaner environment for
City Council adopted the 100% Renewable Energy Resolution in December 2019, and committed to the goal of powering municipal operations with 100% renewable energy by 2035 or earlier. Additional conversations are now being had with Fredericksburg City Schools on the potential for a joint pursuit of solar energy for public buildings.
increasing attention and implementation to stormwater issues and mitigations through planning and development reviews, field surveys and general education; engaging in instituting energy efficiency measures and conducting additional assessments for over a decade in City structures; developing additional markets for true reuse of recyclables, such as glass and construction debris; and by protecting important riparian buffer zones along the Rappahannock River.
About Virginia Clean Cities: Virginia Clean Cities advances air quality improvement, economic opportunity, and energy security through deployment of alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure, education programs, and other petroleum reduction activities. Founded in 1996, the organization is headquartered out of James Madison University. Virginia Clean Cities provides technical assistance to Virginia's 872 alternative fuel stations and 100
alternative fuel fleets. In 2019, VCC reduced fuel use by 36.4 million gallons gasoline/diesel and 151,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. VCC assists and collaborates with stakeholders, who consist of fuel suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, private companies, local governments, state and federal agencies, and interested citizens. For more information on the City's clean and green initiatives, please visit www.Fredericksburgva.gov.
Sonja Cantu, a local artist , is the Public Information Officer for the City of Fredericksburg She can be reached at 540-372-1010 ext. 304, or spcantu@fredericksburgva.gov
The City and community of Fredericksburg have already demonstrated leadership on environmental and climate issues through the activities and programs of the Clean and Green Commission; PACE ordinance to help local adopting a C-P businesses finance energy efficiency; participating in the George Washington Planning Region's Climate, Environment and Readiness (CLEAR) Plan; partnering with Tree Fredericksburg to enhance and manage the City's urban forest, which include a unique zero waste tree program;
Become a Member
fxbgfoodcoop@gmail.com fredericksburgfoodcoop.com front porch fredericksburg
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“I Have A Friend� Bring a little sunshine to a senior’s life! Too many seniors feel lonely and isolated.
friends through everything By Laurie Black
Throughout 2020, we have been celebrating the Senior Visitors Program's 20th Anniversary. Our celebration has not been what we originally planned, but we have celebrated nonetheless. More importantly, we continue to build friendships, relieve loneliness, and offer seniors a connection to the community, which is needed now more than ever. It seems fitting to finish out our anniversary year by highlighting a volunteer and senior who have been with the Senior Visitors Program for quite some time. Niki Howell and her senior friend, Jean, both joined the Senior Visitors Program in 2012. Niki says, "For many years I attended the Women's Forum in Fredericksburg which was a wealth of information on issues, problems, and community services in our area. The Senior Visitors Program had a table set up and the Director of the program was answering questions about the program. I was immediately drawn to the volunteer work because I had a void in my life at the time. My mother had gone into assisted living after living with me for some years. She was over 500 miles away and I missed her. " Niki goes on to say, "I have been
with Jean for over 8 years, so we have both had many changes in our lives. Jean was very mobile and active when we first got together so we could enjoy many outings. She and I have similar interests, politics, and even religion which made it very easy to be together. Hey, what are the chances of that these days? I went from a very busy job to being retired so we were able to change our time together over time. Jean went from independent living to needing care, so I have been there to help her in this difficult transition." Though they've been through many life changes, their devoted friendship hasn't changed. When I asked Niki what has surprised her the most about volunteering, she replied, "The most surprising thing for me is how close I became to my senior. We quickly became family after I started visiting." Jean says of Niki, "My senior volunteer has become my best friend. We have done so many things over the years that it is hard to list. We have gone to many movies, craft shows, festivals and fairs, and art and photography shows. She has taken me places to take pictures and helped me prepare pictures for contests and sales. I have won prizes for my photography - my lifelong hobby." When asked about how she and Niki stay connected in the midst of the pandemic, Jean said, "Not being able to have in person visits is the hardest part of the virus precautions. Every week I have a video chat with Niki. We also add phone calls when we can. She sends cards and helps me get items I need using the internet. My favorite new activity is adult coloring with my big pack of colored pencils. I am getting pretty good and I
www.donatelifevirginia.org 10
December 2020
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get lots of compliments on my pictures." Niki and Jean are a perfect example of how the Senior Visitors Program works. As we come together offering encouragement and support in even the simplest ways - we become happier, healthier individuals and communities. With regards to volunteering, Niki advises, "Definitely choose something that speaks to you and has importance for you. I chose some other volunteer work since I retired that seemed like fun, but my heart was not in it like working with seniors." Jean added, "I hope someone can find a special volunteer like mine." To learn more, call the Senior Visitors Program at (540) 371-2 2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org. Refer a senior or sign up to be a volunteer! The Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.
Laurie Black is the Administrative Assistant for the Senior Visitors Program
YOU can make a difference by volunteering to visit a senior in the Fredericksburg area. Volunteer training is provided & no special skills are required. The Senior Visitors Program is a FREE community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg. Visit mhafred.org or call 540-371-2704
Growing & Crawling The gluttonous cabbage worm By janet douberly If you've ever grown anything in the cabbage family (Brassicaceae) you may have struggled with the dreaded cabbage worm! Cabbage worms are the larval stage of Cabbage Whites or 'Pieris rapae', the mostly white butterfly looks charming when fluttering around your garden but beware, they are actually laying eggs that can decimate your cole crops! These wriggly green gluttons can take your kale leaves down to just the skeletal veins and hinder heading and flowering of cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Donate to a Cancer Organization Let’s Find a Cure!
To fight these pests you can remove the tiny, individual white eggs by hand. You can also hand pick the worms when you find them! (This gardener also recommends crowing in triumph every time you squish one.) Using a row cover to keep the butterflies from laying eggs is also a huge help. If you are already
infested, it is said that if you wet the leaves of the vegetables and sprinkle them with cornmeal, the caterpillars will eat the meal, swell, and die. Cabbage worms also love mustard greens, so planting mustard as a trap crop can help keep them off your prized cabbages! So, if you ever see our gardeners shaking their fists at picturesque little butterflies or muttering angrily over their kale, you'll know these pesky little pests are the cause of their frustration! Janet Douberly is Program Coordinator at Downtown Greens. If you'd like to learn more about things growing and crawling in Fredericksburg, check out Downtown Greens on Facebook and Instagram.
Janet Douberly is Program Coordinator at Downtown Greens. If you'd like to learn more about things growing and crawling in Fredericksburg, check out Downtown Greens on Facebook and Instagram.
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TidBits small bites of local News By Bill Freehling We Are FBG VIdeo The City of Fredericksburg recently rolled out a new promotional video called "We Are FXBG." A film crew from Virginia Beachbased Meridian Group was in Fredericksburg in October to shoot the video, which emphasizes that Fredericksburg's businesses have safely reopened. The video and the promotions thereof were funded by a portion of the federal CARES Act money allocated to the City of Fredericksburg. Additional footage that didn't make it into this video will be incorporated into future promotional videos. The video is on social media, streaming TV services such as Hulu, traditional cable networks in the surrounding area, the Washington Post's website and more. .fredericksburgva.com/we-are-fxbg-video
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The Pig Pitt BBQ Pig Pit restaurant, 1017 Sophia St. in Downtown Fredericksburg (former Happy Clam). Owner, Peggy Durrette, says the menu features pork, chicken and beef smoked over hickory. Customers have a choice of several different barbecue sauces and sides, which are made in-house. For more information about the restaurant, go to the-pig-pitt.business.site or find them on Facebook. New LOVE sign up at Hurkamp Park The popular LOVE sign at Hurkamp Park has a new theme for the holidays and winter months. The City of Fredericksburg worked with FASTSIGNS to create the new design, which features festive wintry scenes and the hashtags #visitfred and
606 Caroline Street Old Town Fredericksburg 373-7847 www.gemstonecreations.org
Tues-Fri: 11a-4p Sat By Appointment
Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged 12
December 2020
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#lovefxbg. The design will likely remain in place until the spring. The sign is near the Christmas tree by the park's fountain. New Lifestyle Store Opens Downtown Rappahannock Exchange, 107 William St. in Downtown Fredericksburg. Mary Catherine Butterworth says when you visit her store you will find
The owners want to turn Casey's into a community and neighborhood gathering spot and plan to offer free coffee between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The interior will be renovated with new paint, ceiling tiles, light fixtures, reupholstered furniture and more. We look forward to the opening! Construction gearing up at Mellow Mushroom in FXBG The region's first Mellow Mushroom project is getting started. A 4,800-square-foot Mellow Mushroom restaurant will be constructed over the next several months at Liberty Place, a new commercial development along William Street in downtown that features ground-level retail/restaurant space and two floors of office space. Mellow Mushroom has a loyal following. It specializes in pizza, craft beer and other items. The next-closest locations are in Northern Virginia, Richmond and Charlottesville. We can't wait to welcome Mellow Mushroom to Fredericksburg!
home interiors, accessories, flowers and jewelry. Also note of the building's structural elements, which have been preserved and left exposed. For more information about this location, check out @Rappahannock_Exchange on social media. New restaurant coming to Kenmore Avenue A new restaurant is coming to the former location of Grapevine Cafe at 622 Kenmore Avenue in Fredericksburg. The restaurant, to be named Casey's, is shooting for a February 2021 opening. It will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays.
Rebellion The newest entry to the Downtown FXBG dining and nightlife scene - an establishment with 92 different types of bourbon, (left) a scrumptious-sounding menu and a wood-burning fireplace - is open. The owners of Rebellion FXBG finished up the extensive renovations to the 188-year-old building at 309 William Street. The space looks great. Stop by and visit thm on facebook for all their special s Bill Freehling, Fredericksburg's director of economic development and tourism, lives with his wife, Emily, two children, Abby and Andrew, and cockapoo, Chessie, in downtown Fredericksburg.
Season’s Bounty
The Sunken Well Tavern
Plenty of Pounds
vanessa moncure
Eat Well Drink Well Live Well 720 Littlepage sunkenwelltavern.com 540-370-0911
The Soup & Taco, Etc. 813 Caroline St. Fredericksburg, VA
Serving Traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex Food and Something More!! Tuesday to Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 11am-6pm
Phone: 540-899-0969 soupntaco@yahoo.com
Do you need a delicious and easy centerpiece for your holiday dessert table? Well, a poundcake might just fit the bill. Originally named because the first oral recipe called for a pound each of sugar, flour, butter and eggs - easy recipe to remember without being written out making a large cake which, if unfrosted and stored airtight, becomes moister and tastier as it ages. Poundcakes have long been popular Southern desserts - I have SO many variations by SO many friends and family members that a lightbulb went on - I should compile them into a poundcake cookbook! Well, the lightbulb dimmed and then went out when I typed in "Poundcake Cookbook" on my computer - hmmm‌.only 14,000,000 results on my search engine. Looks like a few others had the same idea. Just shows how popular this type of cake really is! Flavorings, from original rosewater to vanilla and various liqueurs fruits and citrus zest, nuts and even cornmeal are just some of the numerous additions made to the basic cake in different regions of the country and of the world. The original 1:1:1:1 recipe was baked without leavening - baking soda or baking powder - although as the cake evolved, these additions began to be added to make the cake lighter. Bake in a loaf pan, Bundt pan or tube pan - and remember the first order of baking - measure exactly - cakes can fall if overbeaten or underbeaten, baked in either a too cool or too hot oven, jostled when baking or cooling or using cake flour in a dense poundcake - it can't support the other ingredients and won't rise well. Although most recipes don't mention this tip - it's usually best to have all ingredients at room temperature - especially eggs, as the volume produced by the egg white may be halved when using chilled eggs. If you want to try the original recipe, you will need a kitchen scale. Amelia Simmons wrote the first known American cookbook in 1796 and supplied ingredients as follows: "One pound sugar, one pound butter, one pound flour, ten eggs, one gill of rosewater, spices to our taste. Watch it well in a slow oven." Very succinct. TRADITIONAL POUNDCAKE Keeps well if stored airtight, also mails and travels well. Cream together two cups of butter with three cups of sugar. Add slowly nine beaten eggs with one tablespoon each vanilla and lemon extract and a dash of ground nutmeg. Beat in four
cups of flour and beat on medium speed of mixer for three minutes until batter is well combined. Spoon into a greased and floured ten-inch tube pan. Bake in preheated 300F oven for 90 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Cool in pan, away from drafts. (This is from an old recipe and makes a large, very dense cake which doesn't seem to rise as much as the following - great to use as cake in a trifle recipe). CHOCOLATE POUNDCAKE Dense, moist, chocolate-y better-as-it-ages cake. Makes a great birthday cake when iced with Seven Minute Frosting. Beat together one cup butter with two cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Melt together eight ounces of semisweet chocolate chips with one sixteen-ounce can of chocolate syrup (dark if available) and add to the butter-sugar-egg mixture when chocolate mixture is at room temperature. Stir one tablespoonful vanilla extract into one cup of whole-milk buttermilk and add alternately with three cups all-purpose flour to the batter. Beat until smooth. Spoon into a well-greased and floured twelve-cup Bundt pan or ten-inch tube pan. Bake in preheated 350F oven 80-90 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack, then remove from pan and invert onto serving plate. Dust with confectioner's sugar if desired. BROWN SUGAR POUNDCAKE Glaze with a mixture of chopped toasted pecans, confectioner's sugar and milk if desired. Beat together one cup butter with one-half cup Crisco until light, gradually adding one pound plus one cup light brown sugar. Beat until smooth. Beat in five eggs, one at a time. Sift together three and one-half cups flour with one-half teaspoon baking powder and add alternately with one cup whole milk. Bake in greased and floured Bundt pan or teninch tube pan in preheated 325F oven for 80-90 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Let cool in pan at least thirty minutes before trying to remove.
SOUR CREAM POUNDCAKE This rich version seems to be Southern in origin. For a variation, replace vanilla extract with pure lemon extract and one-eighth cup or more poppy seeds for a LEMON POPPYSEED POUNDCAKE or add one cup flaked coconut along with the vanilla extract and two teaspoons coconut extract for a delicious COCONUT POUNDCAKE or for a nutty ALMOND POUNDCAKE replace one-half cup flour with almond flour, then add one and onehalf cup chopped almonds and one and one-half teaspoons almond extract along with the vanilla extract. BASIC RECIPE Beat together one cup butter with three cups sugar until very light and fluffy. Beat in six eggs, each one minute apart, until batter is light. Gently stir in one cup sour cream (not light or nonfat), then three cups sifted flour (measure full cups, then sift) along with one-quarter teaspoon baking soda. Stir in two tablespoons of vanilla extract. Spoon into ten-inch tube pan and bake in preheated 325F oven for 75 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
Vanessa shares her fabulous recipes , with a bit of southern charm & wit, each month in FPF
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SpiritS
Join Us on the Rooftop for Chill VIbes, Tasty Eats, & Cold Drinks
bowman releases gingerbread#2 By Kristie Woolridge
A.Smith Bowman Distillery announced its 20th release in the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Whiskey series, Gingerbread #2. This expression is based off the Distillery's previous gingerbread-finished Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Whiskey, which was the triple gold winner during the MicroLiquor Spirits Awards in 2014. Starting out with its traditional recipe for bourbon and distilled to 144 proof off the still, the spirit matured in select white oak barrels for more than seven years. These barrels were made up of staves with six-month minimum airdrying time, an average wood grain profile and a number four char level. After seven years, the bourbon was then transferred to freshly emptied Gingerbread Stout barrels, where it was left to finish maturing for over three years. Tasting notes for this 10-year-old whiskey describe it as having an aroma of
ginger and brown spice, with strong notes of vanilla and hints of nutmeg. The flavors of toasted oak with caramel pralines moves to a hint of graham cracker and fig, giving the bourbon a medium mouthfeel with a huge impact of flavor that lingers pleasantly. "Our journey is to discover how new and different expressions of bourbon can be produced using creative ideas and inspiration from our local Virginia environment," said Master Distiller Brian Prewitt. "Like many of our previous releases, we feel this expression is an interesting perspective on producing a delightfully new whiskey expression." The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Bourbon Whiskey is part of a series of limited-edition whiskies, named after Abraham Bowman, the commander of the 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Each edition of the Abraham line is a different expression and a new release is offered a few times a year. The Abraham Bowman Gingerbread #2 Whiskey will only be available through the A. Smith Bowman Distillery gift shop The total age of this bourbon is just over 10 years.
314 William St..656-2500..fb@vivifyburger..vivifyburger.com
WELCOME TO OUR GREAT OUTDOORS It’s Beautiful ~ Night and Day!
A Smith Bowman a small and privately owned company, continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. As Virginia's oldest and most award-winning distillery, its various brands have earned numerous prestigious awards over the years. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com. Kristie Wooldridge is a PR Associate for A.Smith Bowman Distillery
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Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri & Sat 11am-10pm Sun 11am - 9pm Bar open until 2am everyday
Locally Owned Irish Pub and Restaurant www.fredericksburgcsa.com 14
December 2020
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200 Hanover St. ~ 373-0738
Vino
Join Us for Breakfast
some like it hot
$5 Sunrise Breakfast Special Two Eggs Your Way, Breakfast Potatoes, Choice of Toast Mon./Fri. 6am-10am
by City Vino
Carry Out Available Book Your Holiday Party Today! 540-373-8300 ~ 620 Caroline St. FXBG, VA
Olde Towne BUTCHER orner of William & Charles Streets Downtown Fredericksburg 540.370.4105 www.oldetownebutcher.com Monday to Thursday, 10am to 7pm; Friday 10am to 8 pm Saturday 9am to 8pm, Sunday, 11am to 6pm Keith Lebor Proprietor
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fxbgfoodcoop@gmail.com fredericksburgfoodcoop.com
Open every Sat 7am-2 2pm Rain/Shine @Hurkamp Park masks & gloves recommended
As the temperatures drop and our bodies attempt to adjust to the cooler temperatures of the fall into winter, we don heavier fabrics or add layers of clothing, sit in front of a roaring fire in the firepit or fireplace, and look to hot drinks to warm us from within. This week's blog features warm wine concoctions, to ease in with the seasonal temperature transition. One of the most classic warm alcoholic beverages is the Hot Toddy. It is usually made with brandy, whiskey, or rum, blended with honey and spices. Here is a recipe for a Riesling Hot Toddy (seriouseats.com) that pairs Riesling with a splash of brandy, honey, bay leaves, and lemon. As an alternative, Gewürztraminer would also work great in this recipe. Most think of mulled wines as being red wine-based, but white wine can also be used. In this recipe for Mulled White Wine, dry white wine is paired with brandy, honey or sugar, cloves, cinnamon, orange, and star anise. For the wine, a nice fruity Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc would work. The recipe calls for 2 bottles of wine, but can be halved. Remember that leftover mulled wine could be stored in the refrigerator for the next day but remember to remove the clove, cinnamon stick, and star anise. Otherwise, there might be too much steeping going on. Warm any leftovers gradually. Nothing warms more than a delicious mug of hot cocoa. One thing better than hot cocoa would be hot cocoa spiked with red wine. The following recipe Red Wine Hot Chocolate for (thekitchn.com) blends dark chocolate, cocoa powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, and milk with fruity red wine like Merlot, Shiraz or Zinfandel. This can be made with Ruby Port, if you skip or reduce the brown sugar, as the wine will provide sweetness on its own. If you are more of a coffee drinker, we've got you covered with this
Cabernet Latte (howsweeteats.com). This recipe starts with the making of a red wine syrup. You do not have to use Cabernet, and can easily substitute just about any robust red wine in its place that will stand up to the espresso. For the traditionalists among you, we take you to Germany, home of the classic mulled wine known as Glühwein. The recipe is rich with flavors of orange, lemon, cinnamon, allspice, anise, cloves, and juniper. While this hot beverage is usually served at the Christmas markets in Germany and Alsace France, it can be enjoyed anytime. Any discussion of warm wine beverages has to include Norwegian Gløgg, (winemag.com) which is a mulled wine treat. This recipe for Gløgg matches red wine, spices including fresh ginger, with aquavit which is Norway's national spirt. Either vodka or cognac will serve as substitutes for the aquavit. There are many recipes around for mulled wine made with red wine. Some recipes add apple cider and other fruit juice. This recipe for Hot Spiced Wine (southernkitchen.com) keeps things simple by adding orange juice, water, honey, lemon or orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg to red wine. Allow us to help you with your wine choice to make any of the warm wine concoctions. If the recipes above are a bit too many ingredients or too time consuming to make, remember that City Vino has Lt. Blender Mulled Wine Freezer/Hot Drink mixes ready for your mulled wine making pleasure. Simply pour in a bottle of red wine into the pouch, fill with water, and shake. Then pour into a saucepan or crockpot to warm up. All spices are already in the mix, add a slice or orange or cinnamon stick to garnish City Vino is located at 810 Caroline St. You can find owner Rita Allan on-site to provide answers to all your wine questions
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CALEND december 2020... Ho, Ho, Ho....Support Your Local Merchants, Enjoy the Season, & Celebrate the Coming of a New Year! Throughout December:
Take a picturesque stroll down the historic streets of Fredericksburg during the 50th Annual HFFI Candlelight Tour. Enjoy holiday decorations & a self-paced tour, featuring specific houses and neighborhoods, using your own mobile device. More information at HFFI.org Tickets HFFI.org or Visitor Center Trees of Hope to benefit Loisann's Hope House at the Ashley HomeStore Outlet in Cosner's Corner - Don't miss out on this annual holiday tradition! Come walk the inaugural Tree Trails and bid on an array of brilliantly decorated tabletop trees. Visit loisannshopehouse.org for more information. Window wonderland Ready for a little holiday family fun?! Well, to some it is a family competition! Join in on this annual FXBG tradition. Head Downtown and put your riddling skills to the test. Stop by the Visitor Center (706 Caroline St) to pick up an entry form Find the 62 riddles in the windows of the participating businesses Home for the Holidays, Enjoy the house decorated for the holidays in the spirit and style of American painter Gari Melchers and his talented artist-wife Corinne.
"There's Snow Place Like Fredericksburg", A Collection of Local Fredericksburg Art, An All Member Show, Art First 824.Caroline Street Holiday Store, Libertytown Arts Workshop, 60 Artists, Throughout Dec 916 Liberty St, Mon-Thurs, 10-6; Fri/Sat 10-8, Sun 10-5, Something going on all month...classes, giveaways, lots of art & more! Holidays at Artful Dimensions Gallery, Holiday ornaments are hanging. Under $50 gifts are out
Wednesday, December 2
Trivia on the Patio, Sunken Well, 6:30, 720 Littlepage Karaoke/Open Mic, The Rec Center FXBG, 213 William St. Bring your voice, your instrument, your poetry, your art and share with us! ! 7pm til about 1 am
Friday December 4
FXBG Holiday Craft Show, (December 4-5-6) at the FXBG Expo Center. A wide variety of talented crafters will have one of a kind handmade holiday gifts and decorations A ticket is needed to enter Check website for info . Masks are required to be worn at all times.
Holiday Shop, Sip, Snack & Stroll. Support Local Downtown. Collect as many stamps on your card at participating businesses. enter into a random drawing for $500, $250 or 3 $100 Downtown Gift Cards. Cards must be returned by January 6 to Visitor Center, drawings on January 8.
Friday, December 4
Concert in Lights Come to the big Christmas tree at the center of The Village to enjoy our special holiday light show! Shows are nightly at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm! Spotsy Towne Center
Saturday, December 5
FXBG Olde Towne Carriage Victorian Holiday Greenery & Ivy Tour 45 min daytime tour through the Colonial, Antebellum, Victorian and Edwardian homes in our beautiful historic City of FXBG you will learn about the holiday traditions this is a group tour. (Note: This many not be suitable for children, who still believe in Santa Claus!) 12p
Giving Tuesday: December 1
Join in the global giving movement by supporting your local food ministry, The Table! You can donate online at St. George's website; on our Facebook page; by text to 540.701.4133 with message: Funds. For more information, please contact Chris Cook at 703.328.1530. Comedy Open Mic & Empanadas, The Recreation Center FXBG FREE comedy for you “Christmas is Love�, Throughout the Holiday Season, the artists at Brush Strokes Gallery will be presenting images that convey their unique Holiday sentiments 824 Caroline ST
Become a Friend Advocate ~ Donate ~ Volunteer
540~479~4116 1013 Princess Anne St , FXBG 16
December 2020
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Artists' Row Holiday Show, Art will be sold at three locations in Colonial Beach along on Taylor St, from the AA Gallery to Dockside Realty, with CBAG tucked in between. The hours are 11-4, Dec 4-6
Drive-Through Reverse Christmas Parade. Gas up the car to drive through & look at 40 floats & Lights, Celebrate Virginia, Gordon Shelton Blvd., 5:30-8:30pm FREE. Info: FXBGParade.com Holiday Glass Ornament Class for kids & adults. 12p Libertytown Arts Workshop FXBG Winter Wine Fest, Get out of the COLD and enjoy some AMAZING Virginia Wines in our HEATED buildings! We will pack BOTH buildings with 6 Wineries (total), Vendors, Music and Food! FXBG Fairgrounds, 11a-5p Dec 5& 6
Sunday, December 6
Brunch on the Patio, Sunken Well Tavern, til 1p, 720 Littlepage Bluegrasss on the Patio, 6-8pm, Sunken Well Tavern, 720 Littlepage Trivia Night @ Colonial Tavern, teams of up to 5 people and Each team will have ten minutes to answer and turn in the form. .
Tuesday, December 8
Comedy Open Mic & Empanadas, T
Wednesday, December 9
Trivia on the Patio, Sunken Well, 6
Friday, December 11
34th Annual Gingerbread Contest Farm Adults and children alike wi festive creations displayed at Ferr Tales. An outdoor exhibit of conte to 4 p.m. Dec 11- 12. The gingerb view on these 4 days (weather perm
Artists' Row Holiday Show, Art will Beach along on Taylor St, from th CBAG tucked in between. The hou
Parent Date Night=FUN Night fo socially distanced games & activitie hands-on cooking activity , 5:30-8:3 4-12 yrs, $
Saturday December 12
Outdoor Open House @Libertytow holiday shopping!
Holiday Artisan MarketArtful D Handmade artist creations in all m holiday needs
Wee Christmas Workshop, a virtu 10:30 a.m. Participants will create materials provided in kits. Participa purchase of a kit, Historic Kenmore
Sunday, December 13
Brunch on the Patio, Sunken Well T
Bluegrasss on the Patio, 6-8pm, Su
Tuesday, December 15
Comedy Open Mic & Empanadas, T
Wednesday, December 16
Senior Drive In Bingo, 10am-11am Parking Lot, Admission is free Th Participants must remain in their v called through radio and holding u horn and then turning on flashers. limited walk up space will be av Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation a
DAR of events
The Rec Center , 213 William ST
6:30, 720 Littlepage
& Exhibit, George Washington Ferry ll enjoy the sights and smells of the ry Farm. This year's theme is Fairy st entries for the public will 10 a.m. bread houses will only be available to mitting)
be sold at three locations in Colonial e AA Gallery to Dockside Realty, with rs are 11-4, Dec 11-13
or Kids! Fun-filled night will include es. Awesome dance party & delicious, 30. Dorothy Hart Community Center,
n Art Workshop. All Day. Do all your
Dimensions Gallery 922 Caroline, edias. One stop shopping for all your
ual tutorial conducted live online at e a holiday themed "room box" using ant will need to supply glue. Upon the e
Tavern, til 1p, 720 Littlepage
unken Well Tavern, 720 Littlepage
The Recreation Center, 213 William St
6
, at Dorothy Hart Community Center he Parking lot will open at 9:30am. vehicles at all times. Numbers will be up signs. Call BINGO by honking your Limited to the first 38 vehicles. Very vailable. For information please call nd Events at 540-372-1086.
Drive In Family Bingo, 6:30pm-7:30pm at Dorothy Hart Community Center Parking Lot $5 per player, pre-registration is required Enjoy an evening of BINGO fun and win great prizes! The Parking lot will open at 6pm. Bring your own marker. BINGO cards will be provided. Participants must remain in their vehicles at all times. Numbers will be called through radio and holding up signs. Call BINGO by honking your horn and then turning on flashers. Preregistration is required. Register online at Parks.Fxbg.com or call 540-372-1086. Trivia on the Patio, Sunken Well, 6:30, 720 Littlepage Karaoke/Open Mic, The Recreation Center FXBG, 213 William St. B 7pm til about 1 am
Friday, December 18
Wednesday, December 23
Trivia on the Patio, Sunken Well, 6:30, 720 Littlepage Karaoke/Open Mic, The Recreation Center FXBG, 213 William St. Bring your voice, your instrument, your poetry, your art and share with us! Come hang with hosts Broadway and FXBG Public Radio! Drink specials from 7pm-10pm! Mic Covers provided and sanitizing between performers! Don't miss out on the awesome atmosphere 7pm til about 1 am
Sunday, December 27
Brunch on the Patio, Sunken Well Tavern, til 1p, 720 Littlepage Bluegrasss on the Patio, 6-8pm, Sunken Well Tavern, 720 Littlepage
34th Annual Gingerbread Contest & Exhibit, George Washington Ferry Farm Adults and children alike will enjoy the sights and smells of the festive creations displayed at Ferry Farm. This year's theme is Fairy Tales. An outdoor exhibit of contest entries for the public will 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Dec 18 & 19
Tuesday, December 29
Parent Date Night=FUN Night for Kids! Fun-filled night will include socially distanced games & activities. Awesome dance party & delicious, hands-on cooking activity , 5:30-8:30. Dorothy Hart Community Center, 4-12 yrs, $
Karaoke/Open Mic, The Recreation Center FXBG, 213 William St.7pm til about 1 am
Saturday December 19
Holiday Glass Ornament Class for kids & adults. 12p Libertytown Arts Workshop
Sunday, December 20
Brunch on the Patio, Sunken Well Tavern, til 1p, 720 Littlepage Bluegrasss on the Patio, 6-8pm, Sunken Well Tavern, 720 Littlepage
Monday December 21
Winter Solstice Night Hike Join a naturalist at Motts Run Reservoir on the shortest day of the year and the first day of Winter - the Winter Solstice.Participants will take a night hike on one of the trails (less than a mile) and afterwards enjoy hot cocoa by the campfire. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Pre-registration is required. This program is for adults and kids ages 6 and up. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Fee: Motts Run Reservoir 5:30-7 p.m. For information please call Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events at 540-372-1086.
Tuesday, December 22
Comedy Open Mic & Empanadas, The Recreation Center FXBG FREE comedy for you as well as $5 bombs and delicious chili dogs Join us for non stop fun and endless camaraderie. $4 Empanadas OR $7 Empanada & Tequila shot special!!
Comedy Open Mic & Empanadas, The Recreation Center 213 William St
Wednesday, December 30
Trivia on the Patio, Sunken Well, 6:30, 720 Littlepage
Thursday, December 31 New Year's Eve
FXBG Olde Towne Carriage Victorian Holiday Greenery & Ivy Tour 45 min daytime tour through the Colonial, Antebellum, Victorian and Edwardian homes in our beautiful historic City of Fredericksburg during the holiday season. During the tour you will learn about the holiday traditions this is a group tour. (Note: This many not be suitable for children, who still believe in Santa Claus!) 2p
Friday, January 1
Happy New Year! New Beginnings First Day Hike Start the new year off right by spending the first day out in Nature! Bring out the whole family to take a hike on one of the many trails at Motts Run Reservoir and enjoy a fun activity along the way. Come out to this event anytime between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. The First Day Hike at Motts Run is completely free! Don't miss out on this fun opportunity to kick off the year on the right foot. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. For information please call Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events at 540-372-1086. If you are reading this 281st issue of FPF, thank an advertiser as we celebrate our 24th year of continuous publication! If you are an advertiser, list your events. Deadline for January 2021 issue is December 20th. To submit events email frntprch@aol.com: subject Calendar
3706 Fans (& Growing) Want You to Join
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history’s stories
Christmas 1862 By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks
Prior to the War Between the States, Christmas was not celebrated as an official holiday in the United States. In New England, the holiday was a time for fasting by the Puritans with their strict rituals. In the early 1700's Massachusetts punished the colonist who observed the Christmas holiday, even as it became a state it was years before the holiday was observed. It was not until around the 1820's that stories such as "A Visit from Saint Nicholas (1823) that began the ideas of gift giving and celebration within the family of dinners and celebrations. Just prior to the beginning of the Civil War songs began to become. popular such as "Jingle Bells" (1857). In the South in cities such as Charleston and New Orleans the citizens began to decorate evergreen trees such as spruce and pine a tradition that went back to Germany in the Middle Ages. It is written that the first Christmas tree lot was in New York in 1851 . 1862 brought the Civil War to the forefront with the thousands of deaths and casualties at the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam), with the Battle of Fredericksburg just twelve days before Christmas that would change the day forever in the United States. The Union Army under General Ambrose Burnside had well over 100,000 men camped in Stafford County while the Southern Army under General Robert Lee had over 60,000 men in and around Fredericksburg. Prior to the battle many of the Town of Fredericksburg citizens were trying to carry on their lives not knowing when a battle would take place. Many of them felt that it would be after the Christmas season as they had prepared for Christmas, however they were given orders to leave their homes just before the battle which took place on December 13, 1862. It was declared a victory for the Southern Army as the Union retreated back across Rappahannock River. As both armies would remain in camp during one of the coldest winters on record in 1862-63. Many of the soldiers both North and South would write home and write in diaries. Many of these letters and diaries have survived the past 158 years and tell of their living conditions and feeling during the long and lonely winter in camp. Soldiers on both sides would write home about how they remembered celebrating the Christmas holiday. One passage from a wife to her husband in the Southern army she wrote, "Never before had so sad a Christmas dawned upon us". A Union officer received a letter from his wife stating, "I am so nervous and lonely I could not write". Many of the letters and diaries reflected that the Battle of Fredericksburg made them reflect on times past and prepare for the future once the war was over. The media was involved as Harper's Weekly a popular paper published Christmas stories and illustrator Thomas Nast drew the image of Santa Claus that is still famous today as a bearded Saint Nick. By the end of the Civil War Christmas had become idealized vision of "over the hill and thru the woods to Grandma's house we go". MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS…… Tuffy & Anne
Donate to a Cancer Organization Let’s Find a Cure! 18
December 2020
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What’s in a Rock? Rappahannock Freestone By jon gerlach On the south bank of the Rappahannock River, just downstream from the Blue and Gray Parkway, is a cluster of massive s a n d s t o n e boulders. It's a favorite place for kayakers to pull up for lunch. Beyond the beauty of the place, the rocks speak to the rich history of stoneworking in early Fredericksburg. From roughly 1725 until the mid-1800s, sandstone outcrops were quarried and commercially exploited in the Fredericksburg area. Thanks to the work of historian Noel Harrison, today we know of at least eight quarry sites within five miles of town where Rappahannock freestone - the local manifestation of Aquia sandstone - was mined during that early period. Ironically named, "freestone" was quarried using slave labor. Day after day could be heard the "clink, clink, clink" of iron chisels driven into the yielding rock by slaves laboring in tiresome quarries. To be sure, early Fredericksburg was built largely by slave labor. Many foundations in town were built using Rappahannock freestone. The Old Stone Warehouse and the first floor of Town Hall/Market Square are excellent examples, as was a mansion (now gone) known as Mannsfield. Stones salvaged from the Mansfield ruins are found today at Gari Melcher's Belmont. Fredericksburg is known worldwide for its famous Stone Wall along the Sunken Road, which sheltered Confederate infantrymen while they methodically destroyed successive Union assaults on December 13, 1862. The Stone Wall was built long before the war, from Rappahannock freestone quarried in the woods behind what is today the National Cemetery. Never to be forgotten, the Slave Auction Block on William Street was also made of Rappahannock freestone. Behind the Mary Washington Monument on Washington Avenue is the massive sandstone outcrop known as Meditation Rock. This was a peaceful getaway for the mother of George Washington. There, a brass plaque reads: "Here Mary Ball Washington prayed for
the safety of her son and country during the dark days of the Revolution." Local Fredericksburg sandstone came in several grades of quality and commercial value. In its common form the stone was coarse with abundant pebble inclusions (as seen at Meditation Rock), best suited for the rubble method of making foundations and stone walls (as seen in the Stone Wall). Less common but better grades had a finer, more uniform texture, suitable for use as durable dimensional stone (such as the walls of the Old Stone Warehouse and Town Hall/Market Square), and hearthstones, door stoops and window lintels (visible in many buildings on Caroline Street). Perched at the pinnacle of commercial value was the rarest of all: a dense, finegrained sandstone suitable for crisp gravestone carvings (as seen in the Masonic Cemetery). The stories of the quarry workers, stone dressers, and gravestone artists are long forgotten - dust to dust, as they say - for there are few written accounts of their lives and work. Notably, these unsung laborers and artisans created a permanent legacy that will survive for generations to come, a rich part of the built environment of historic Fredericksburg. So … what's in a rock? ... Legacies in stone.
An attorney and retired archaeologist, Jon Gerlach chairs the Architectural Review Board in Fredericksburg. "Stone Wall" by Jon Gerlach
OUR HERITAGE 50th annual Candlelight tour By nancy moore convenient for them-anytime during the month of December. In August, HFFI sent letters to Fredericksburg property owners asking them to participate. They 1971 Candlelight Tour advertisement were asked to the from the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. Archives decorate outside of their homes to help create a festive When the pandemic began, the environment. Properties that had been on Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. the Candlelight Tour before, or had HFFI (HFFI) feared that its 50th annual research or plaques, were included. Candlelight Tour would need to be "Our goal is to sign up at least postponed. In 2020, the idea of 50 houses to celebrate 50 years of tours. homeowners opening their doors to 1,500 Pulling this event together has always or more people did not seem realistic. been a community effort, so we are Instead, HFFI decided to create a hopeful for a big response," was HFFI's tour app, featuring specific houses and statement. neighborhoods, that people could access The community response has using their mobile devices. Guests could been overwhelming-more than 130 then walk or drive the tour at a time homeowners have signed up! Tour homes
are located in four general areas of the city: Darbytown, Hanover Street, Washington Avenue, and the Downtown/Upper Caroline Street corridor. Every participating house will be a dot on the app map, so people know what properties are on the tour. Besides enjoying the decorated doors and windows, tour-goers will learn fascinating facts about the history of each home and neighborhood. Did you know that E.G. "Peck" Heflin, builder and architect of many of the city's prominent homes and commercial buildings, dropped out of school at age 15 to become a carpenter? Several of the homes on this tour are showcases of his work. Guests will pay HFFI to access the tour content. It is self-paced, so people can stop for a cup of coffee or lunch and then continue on. Tours can be taken in a leisurely fashion-at any time and on any day during the month of December. In 1971, nearly 1,000 people joined the first tour. It took place on lower Caroline Street. The idea for this fundraising event came from the newly
formed HFFI Junior Board. Mary Wynn McDaniel and her husband, Charles, offered their home, the Sentry Box, at 133 Caroline Street for the inaugural tour. Soon other Caroline Street homeowners agreed to participate. In those days, the Junior Board did it all-publicity, decorations, hosting, and refreshments. This year, the McDaniels and their three children all have Caroline Street homes on the tour, which is still HFFI's major fundraising effort. HFFI is committed to protecting the area's rich cultural heritage and promoting awareness of local preservation issues.
To purchase a downloadable 2020 Candlelight Tour ticket, go to hffi.org/shop. Tickets are good for one device, which can be shared by a small group. Cost is $20 for nonmembers, $17 for HFFI members. Nancy Moore is a HFFI Board Member, edits by Linda Billard of the HFFI Publications Committee
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Senior Care labor of love By Karl Karch "Find the joy in your life." (from the movie Bucket List). Don't underestimate the importance of relationships to your legacy. You are not alone in caring for a loved one. Resources are available to help in time of need. Humans, regardless of age, want to know that there is some person who cares enough about them to help and spend time with them, something technology cannot replace. I'm positively positive about aging. Those who view aging as a positive experience live, on average, 7.5 years longer than those who take a negative view.
My passion is working with, advocating for, and enhancing the lives of older adults and their families. That's why Roberta and I started Home Instead fifteen years ago. As I learned more about issues facing older adults, their families, and caregivers, it became important for me to share this knowledge with others. Thankfully, fourteen years ago Virginia and Rob Grogan gave me an opportunity to write a Senior Care section in their news magazine. During this time, I wrote 164 Senior Care articles. Researching and writing these articles has impacted my life journey. Here are a few snippets from past articles that had special meaning for me. The gift of time is the most precious gift you can give and one most often at the top of an older adult's wish list. Resolve to make a positive difference in family communications. It's not our abilities or inabilities that define us, but the choices we make that are the differentiators. In any given situation, you always have a choice as to how you act. Remember that how you respond will help define you, and your relationships. So, how will you be defined? What do you think you will regret 10 years from now? You can't undo the past, but you can make wise choices going forward. Make the most of the remainder of your life and limit future regrets. Your choices today will determine the number of regrets you will have in the next ten years. Clint Eastwood's comment when Toby Keith asked what keeps him going. He replied: "I just get up every morning and go out and I don't let the old man in."
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Writing these articles has been a labor of love, a great journey, and one I never expected to last 14 years. There is so much to say about our aging population, caregiving, and family dynamics. But, for me, the time is here and as Willie Nelson said in a song, "I gotta go now." Roberta and I continue to own Home Instead and remain active in the business and advocating for our aging population in other ways. I am truly grateful to Virginia Grogan for allowing me the opportunity to write about issues facing our aging population. Many thanks to all who have taken the time to read these Senior Care articles. To quote Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (I'm really dating myself now), "Happy trails to you." Remember, "Some trails are happy ones. Others are blue. It's the way you ride the trail that counts�. Here's a happy one for you"
Karl Karch is a Gerontologist and local franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care, a licensed home care organization providing personal care, companionship and home helper services in the Fredericksburg and Culpeper region.
Publisher Note Many thanks to Karl for being apart of the Front Porch Team for 14 years. We will miss his voice.
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Remember to Do Good Be Generous
Have You Tried Acupuncture?
It’s All Energy Lung meridian by christina ferber
Call Now to Schedule 540.847.6985 AcupunctureFredericksburg.com
Astrology for You A language of planetary patterns that connect us with universal energies. We are born with unique configurations that can advise us, guide us, help us grow to our highest potential Consultations by Dianne Bachman 540.845.7622 dbachmanlcsw@gmail.com diannebachman.com
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As we come to the last month of 2020, Lung Meridian closes out our year-long journey through the Meridians. It is a fitting Meridian to end on, as we breath out the old year and ready ourselves to breath in a new one (hopefully with brighter days ahead). From a physical standpoint, our lungs are the chief part of the respiratory system and along with the heart, help with the circulatory system including the distribution of oxygen throughout our body. The Lung Meridian (LU) also governs the skin and sweat glands which means it plays a large role in the detoxification process. Our sinuses, nose, throat, and the ability to speak with a clear voice also owe it to the lung system for their proper function. Physical imbalances in LU can show up as a sore throat, shortness of breath, catching colds easily, overall tiredness, pain in the chest area, and even asthma. Emotionally, we can feel depressed, sad, anxious, and have feelings of grief. We can have trouble letting go of what we no longer need and lose faith in what is to come. LU imbalances can also lead to us cutting off and withdrawing from others and becoming detached from our greater purpose. However, when LU is balanced, we are full of integrity, reverence, and awe. We are tender to ourselves and others, and we are inspired. Just as our lungs release what we no longer need in terms of respiration, we can release what we no longer need, and have faith in the bigger picture. Luckily, there are few techniques that The Eden Method offers to help balance LU, so we can achieve greater wellbeing. The Lung Source Point, LU 9, helps support the lung organs directly. Simply massage or press on this point and hold it as long as you like. It is located at the crease in your wrist right under the pad of the thumb (see diagram). Together with the Large Intestine Meridian, LU helps make up what Traditional Chinese Medicine calls the Metal Element. To balance the Metal Element, and therefore LU, place one hand over your forehead and the other over the top of your head near where the baby soft used to be. Lightly hold these two areas together and take some deep breathes. This can help us to balance the emotional aspects of both of these meridians, which
involves not being able to release that which we no longer need. Tracing a Meridian can infuse it with energy. To trace LU, start with a flat hand over the opposite side of the body over the lung area. Move your hand over your shoulder, down the inside of the arm and off of the thumb. Do this on both sides. You can also 'flush' a meridian for a deeper balancing technique by tracing it backwards one time and forward three times (see diagram for the Meridian pathway). Working with the Lung Neurolymphatic Points helps to balance LU by releasing toxins associated with it. With pressure massage the points at the middle of your chest (see diagram). Hopefully some of these techniques will help you to release the old and bring in the new as we welcome a new year into our midst. For more techniques to achieve better wellbeing, visit www.itsallenergywellness.com. I wish you a New Year filled with abundance and blessings! Christina Ferber is a Certified Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner
It’s always more fun in the Scenter of Town!
Essential Oils Liquid Herbs Reiki Reflexology Aromatherapy Custom Blending Aroma-Therapeutic Massage Harmonic Resonance Therapy Products ~ Services ~ Classes 907 Charles Street, Downtown thescenteroftown.com
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Emancipated Patients
About Town
benefitS of grandparenting By Patrick Neustatter, MD living with them. Now I know the benefits of grandchildren are:
Linley has come to stay. And her being here is meant to be good for me. Let me explain. Linley is my nine-week-old granddaughter. She is staying in our guest cottage as a waystation in a relocation from Boston to Richmond. She has brought her parents along - my eldest daughter Tegan and her husband Joe. The vanguard of this move was a U-Haul full of furniture to be unloaded on what I swear was the hottest day in July. Then, back in Boston Tegan, got to 41 weeks, before having to employ what is a bit of a family tradition - a feisty curry to get labor started (it was the same with her mother). Three weeks ago, this now transient trio - with the addition of their rescues-dog Wellsley, a rambunctious chocolate Lab' - arrived in a two car caravan. Seasoned Grandparents My wife Paula and I have had grandchildren from her side (Donavan age 7 and Alice age 5) for 2 or three days a week since they were born. So grandchildren aren't a complete novelty. The literature claims grandchildren are good for your health. This seemed a little fantastic and prompted research.
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They boost our immunity - which may seem perverse for these "germ-farm," snotnosed kids that poop everywhere. But my hypothesis is that it is the same mechanism as kids growing up in germy environments, like farms, who have a better immune systems. They improved our cognitive function - maybe because grandam and grandpa have to figure out ways to not be outsmarted? Specifically, a study published by the North American Menopause Society notes "women who spend time taking care of grandkids lower their risk of developing Alzheimer's." Emotional ties to the little dears protect against depression. Caring for your grandkids makes you more physically active - chasing after them round the house or anyone of a slew of recreational activities. And the Berlin Aging Study even showed that grandparents live longer. Or could it be that it just seems that way? One slight twist to this idea was a study in Social Science and Medicine about the health benefits to grandparents. This notes "grandmothers and not grandfathers" are the beneficiaries. This seems to reinforce my slightly curmudgeonly observation that its grand-mothers who are so besotted by babies and we men maintain our austerity and emotional distance. Though I have to say Linley is maybe making me change my tune. She is one of the cuter babies I've met. But maybe this a subliminal recognition that she is an extension of my ego? She is the persistence of some of my DNA? Too Much of a Good Thing You can over do it, it seems. The Berlin Ageing Study that showed increased longevity, tellingly did not include "grandparents who were primary care givers" - that is those grandparentcaregivers that had their grandchildren
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When the grandkids are with you full time, so you can't buy them noisy toys and fill them with sugar and give them back, they can be too much of a good thing. Wilmington An article in parent.com reported "grandparentcaregivers experience depression, high blood pressure and other health problems at higher rates." Taking note of this, I shall have to have a talk with Linley and make very sure she really does go with Tegan and Joe when they do finally complete their move to Richmond - though the way the talk is going about how "it wouldn't be bad to stay in Fredericksburg for a while," she could be in college by then. Patrick Neustatter is the Medical Director of the Moss Free Clinic. & Author of Managing Your Doctor The Smart Patient’s Guide to Getting Effective Affordable Healthcare. managingyourdoctor.com
Delivering Front Porch to your Neighborhoods
Mobility Solutions Keep your loved ones safe this winter by allision nida remaining by your side from the initial consultation and free in-home assessment to the installation and future repairs or service plans.
Did you know that falls are the number one cause of injury inside and outside of the home for the elderly? This is especially true as winter approaches and the slushy mix of snow, ice, and sleet make it difficult for your loved ones to safely and securely access their homes.
NEED A LIFT? Stair lifts give your loved one the opportunity to move safely up and down the steps. Whether it is a straight staircase with five steps or a spiral
According to a study published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 42 percent of people who use wheeled mobility devices, including scooters and manual and power wheelchairs, experience "reduced outing frequency in winter months," along with "lack of access to family/friends for transportation." Everyday tasks such as going to the grocery store or making it out to the mailbox are suddenly more challenging and come with many added risks for those with mobility issues or those who are homebound. Steps become slippery, surfaces indoors and outdoors become slick, and, as the friendly folks at Fredericksburg-based All American Mobility say, "Climbing your steps shouldn't feel like Mt. Everest." All American Mobility understands just how dangerous stairs can be and recognize that loss of balance and stability can cause major concerns. Since 2006, their local team of Aging-In-Place Specialists has proudly serviced Fredericksburg and surrounding areas,
staircase, a stair lift can be used to maintain your mobility inside the home and out. Outdoor lifts work very well for porch and deck access, as well as for a dock or structure with steps leading to it. Not only does All American Mobility install the units, but they are also certified to service and repair stair lift units. Straight Curved Comfortable
Durable Power Options RAMP UP! To help increase mobility, ramps are one of the most important modifications a person's home can undergo. Whether it is from a driveway to your door, or covering a threshold, it is important to bypass dangerous obstacles that prevent mobility. The best part about All American Mobility is that every ramp they install is ADA certified, meaning it is within the proper code and has the proper level of mobility and safety for people that are wheelchair or scooterbound. Without ramps, your loved one may be confined to their home, or require an on-site caregiver to help them with mobility needs. Metal Wood Custom Weather-Proof Slip-Resistant ON THE GO Vehicle lifts give your loved one the opportunity to go out and about with ease. All American Mobility has a deep understanding of the installation and vehicle lift options available to each and every customer. Whether it is a sedan, truck, SUV, or minivan, a vehicle lift is a perfect option for your family member to maintain their mobility while enjoying time out of the house. Depending on the type of vehicle and mobility device the customer owns, All American Mobility can determine the best option possible. Not only do they install the unit, but they maintain and service the unit for a lifetime.
Scooters Powerchairs Wheelchairs Interior & Exterior Worry less about your folks this winter and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing their home is eliminated of potential risks that come along with extreme weather. In addition to high-quality mobility solutions such as stair lifts and wheelchair ramps, All American Mobility also installs vehicle lifts. Schedule a free in-home assessment today by calling (540) 361-1679, or visiting AllAmericanMobility.com!
Allision Nida is an Accouint Manager with Madison & Main
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Art in Burg
Holiday Store @Liberty Town Arts Workshop
Art Galleries in December "There's Snow Place Like Fredericksburg" A Collection of Local Fredericksburg Art An All Member Show, Art First 824.Caroline Street
Ornaments, Ornaments & More Ornaments @Artful Dimensions Artful Dimensions Gallery 922 Caroline Holiday Artisan Market Dec 12-1 13 Handmade artist creations in all medias. One stop shopping for all your holiday needs ~Sally Cooney Anderson
FCCA Members Gallery, Mark Prieto All-M Media National Exhibit. 813 Sophia ST Th-F Fri, 12-4 4p; Sat 11-4 4, Sun, 1-4 4p
Exhibit features winter themed and iconic Fredericksburg art. The gallery wanted to showcase the town that has supported them through the years and this ordeal called 2020. ~Lisa Gillen
Holiday Store Libertytown Arts Workshop 60 Artists, Throughout Dec 916 Liberty St Mon-T Thurs, 10-6 6; Fri/Sat 10-8 8, Sun 10-5 5 Something going on all month...classes, giveaways, lots of art & more!
“Christmas is Love" Exhibit Brush Strokes Gallery 824 Caroline St. Thurs- Sun 11am - 5 pm. And, By Appointment
Joelle Cathleen 2020 Calendar@ Darbytown Art
“Selene, The Macaron Queen” Beverly Toves @Brush Strokes
“Art For Your Laundry Room “ The Artists' Alliance Throughout Dec 100 Taylor St, Suite 101 Colonial Beach .Artists' Row for Holiday Gift Shopping Dec 4-6 6, and Dec 11-1 13. Art will be sold at three locations along on Taylor St, from the AA Gallery to Dockside Realty, with CBAG tucked in between. The hours are 11-4 4, each day
“”Hillbury Barn”, Kit Paulsen @Art First
~ Rob Rudick
Throughout the Holiday Season, the artists at Brush Strokes Gallery will be presenting images that convey their unique sentiments related to our theme "Christmas is Love!" ~Collette Caprara
Canal Quarter Arts 1517 Princess Anne Street Darbytown Darbytown Art Studio 241 Charles Street ~Jeannie Ellis
Nancy Brittle @Art Alliance
810 Caroline Street, Downtown 540.371.4099
“Goolricks After Hours”, Penny A Parrish 24
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Beverley Coates
“Rappahannock Winter”, Lynn Abbott
Artist on Site Saturdays
Art During Uncertain Times A Genuine Thank You From Art First Gallery! By Lisa GIllen There is no doubt that 2020 has been a unique year. We have witnessed a whole culture shift the likes we have never seen in this country before. We have lost loved ones, lost jobs, been quarantined, had to adjust to learn and work virtually and learned how to lead and follow differently. This year not only brought us Covid, it also brought us polarizing politics. No matter where you land on the political spectrum you are sure to find someone who vehemently disagrees with you. How does an art gallery find its place in these strange times? An artist owned co-op of twenty local artists, Art First has been celebrating fine art in Fredericksburg since 1992. After the Governor's shutdown order mandated art galleries to close temporarily, Art First Gallery had a chance to reevaluate the business. Like many businesses downtown they had to take a close look at how they would overcome the obstacles that were put before them. During this uncertain
time the artists not only supported each other and the gallery but also supported the community by shopping, donating, and dining at the other downtown Fredericksburg businesses. The gallery collected food for local food banks at a crucial time when supplies were dangerously low. Members also sewed face masks and donated to the Fredericksburg Sheriff's department in the beginning of the shutdowns when they were not easily available. Artists had the opportunity to focus on their art, their family, and their friends (in person or virtually). They had the task of not only to be inspired to make art but also to inspire others through the difficult situations many people faced. The artists dug deep and hung their shows even though First Friday's were cancelled. They opened their doors “Rappahannock Winter�, Barbara Taylor-H Hall when they were allowed and welcomed those who felt tourism taking a bit of the hit early in the comfortable getting out and about, and year the locals who have supported the they even expanded their membership to gallery will never know how much Art First new and talented artists. appreciates them. The gallery, along with its artists, wants to thank everyone who Though this year lends itself to supports local artists and the downtown plenty of negative things that can be businesses. As we look forward to the focused on, Art First has decided to remain holiday season, may we be grateful and positive and optimistic about the future. thankful for all the blessings we have been There are so many things to be thankful given. for even in a year like 2020. A year like this allows us to slow down and put our Lisa Gillen is the Vice-President of Art lives and businesses in perspective. It First Gallery allows us to fine tune what works and cut out what doesn't. It affirms that we need each other more than ever. It forces us to prioritize what is important and reveals to us what we can live without. Art is a universal business that has always brought people together. It is sure to bring a smile and warm someone's heart. Art is subjective, it is an expression of the imagination, and is appreciated primarily for its emotional power. Art has the power to change moods, elicit ideas and inspire minds. The galleries December's show titled "There's Snow Place Like Fredericksburg" features winter themed and iconic Fredericksburg art. The gallery wanted to showcase the town that has supported them through the years and this ordeal called 2020. Many businesses endured state shutdowns, some were not so lucky and closed their doors for good, and yet some still hang in the balance. With downtown
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Smart Park Riverfront Park to be fxbg’s firstI Sonja Cantu The City of Fredericksburg is proud to announce a partnership with the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) for a "smart" Riverfront Park. This new park located along Sophia Street in Historic Downtown will be a significant new public space in the downtown area. It is currently under construction and, when complete, will feature Rappahannock River views with open space, event space, and a play area. "In 2018, City Council directed staff in their Priority #8 to build Riverfront Park after more than a decade of work. To deliver other Council Priorities at the same time, we have been very focused on embedding ‘Smart Communities’ thinking within our design and construction - with success," stated City Manager Tim Baroody. Thanks to the City's new partnership and a $75,000 grant from CIT, more expansive plans for Riverfront Park are coming together. The City has
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been working to position itself for Smart Community efforts and recognizes that broadband infrastructure is the key to many smart community projects. CIT is leading the statewide strategic initiative to pilot "smart" technologies throughout the Commonwealth under the newly Virginia Innovation established Partnership Authority (VIPA). For the City, CIT has helped from the beginning to design and implement the infrastructure to help make this project come to life with smart technology implemented in phases. The first phase provides public Wi-Fi in the park and park security cameras as well. The infrastructure, designed for growth, could later include a digital information kiosk, a public performance stage, environmental sensors for air quality and river flooding, and possibly sensors for parking availability or crowd counts. According to CIT CTO David Ihrie, "The partnership with the City of Fredericksburg is an outstanding
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example of our statewide smart community approach of 'communitydriven' innovation. The City invited us to collaborate early in the process to help ensure the inclusion of key infrastructure elements in the park to allow for future growth. This project demonstrates that the benefits of 'smart' technology are approachable for communities of all sizes throughout Virginia and is a model that other communities can follow." The Information Technology (IT) department approached CIT with this opportunity to work toward our progressive City Council's priority "Position the City for Smart Community Initiatives…" This Smart Community project is also in conformance with the City's One Dig Policy in which IT is included in the review process for any pending underground projects so the City can identify and evaluate opportunities to
collaborate on the installation of new fiber at the same time the ground is already being disturbed. This approach strategically saves costs and preserves limited Right of Way space throughout the City. As stated in their Council Priorities, carefully planned capital projects should include infrastructure investments to improve public services. Preparing Riverfront Park not only provides the traditional outdoor benefits of a publicly accessible space for all to enjoy, but it will also provide technological advancements for all who use and service the park area. Riverfront Park is anticipated to open in summer 2021. For more information on the Riverfront Park project, please visit Fredericksburgva.gov or call 540-372-1010. Aerial photo taken 10/23/20
Behind the Scenes From Fischer-Price Record Player to Operations Manager
by Chuck (Archer) Miller radio airshift. I played music, talked between songs, and believe I even voiced a commercial. Like any good morning show, I entertained by doing impersonations of Foghorn Leghorn (something else you kids can Google). It was just a box. OK, not just a box. It was a wrapped box nestled under our family Christmas tree. My 5-year old self really didn't notice how nicely it was wrapped or how carefully the bow was placed. All I knew was it needed to be unwrapped‌quickly! I would have never guessed opening that box would determine my career to this day. Inside was a shiny new Fischer-Price record player. Red and white and it played both 45's and 33's (Kids, you can Google that). I darn near wore that thing out. Somewhere, my mother has a recording of me at about age 8 performing a pretend
It was 7th grade after a trip to Walt Disney World and listening to a couple of Orlando radio stations, I decided broadcasting was going to be my future. From that point and into highschool, I learned as much as I could about both TV and radio. I didn't just want to know how to be on the air. I wanted to know how things worked. What did all those buttons do on a console? How does a transmitter work? How do you edit audio and video? What do the ratings mean? What does a Traffic Manager do? How do you choose what songs get on the radio? I couldn't get enough information.
Radio is responsible for another important part of my life. My freshman year at Marshall University, I worked for the student run radio station, WMUL-FM. On the night of the first Gulf War, I was tasked with keeping the station on the air so our News Director and her team could report what was happening in Iraq and locally as student protests erupted around the campus. That News Director, who I met for the first time that night, became my wife a decade later. This December, I'll happily celebrate my 14th year with B101.5 and NewsTalk 1230 WFVA. I am fortunate to be able to work in the two formats I'd listen to if I wasn't working in radio. While I certainly enjoy being on the air and interacting with our listeners, I can say that working behind the scenes as Operations Manager is truly rewarding. We have accomplished so much from the B101.5 Careathon For Children's National,
the Channel B Podcast Network, and helping our listeners and advertising sponsors through the pandemic.
B101.5's Chuck "Archer" Miller is a resident of Arlington County where he lives with his wife, Kimberly, an attorney, and their 3 children. Caitlin is a high school junior lettering in softball and basketball. Twins Chase and Lexi are in middle school where Lexi is active in art and drama and Chase is an avid video gamer who entered his first gaming competition at age 11. Their home is ruled by their cat, Sochi (or Sushi depending on who you ask).
Give a Child Something to Think About
Books, Games, Amusing Novelties M-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm
810 Caroline Street (540) 371-5684 front porch fredericksburg
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Companion All I want for Christmas is..... by Gerri Reid dvm
This Holiday Season is a bit different for most of us. With COVID cases on the rise, our celebrations are bound to be limited to just family. Grandparents and other relatives won't be coming for Holiday Dinner this year. But we will still cook dinner and enjoy all our favorite holiday foods and desserts. Children will be making their Christmas list while Mom and Dad will be checking it twice. Christmas is the time of the year that many children don't just want toys. All they want for Christmas is a Puppy or a Kitten! Here are a few tips to help you decide if adding 4 paws to your home is for you and your family. I always tell my clients that when it come to getting a pet, don't just buy the pet for one child or for the children. Because in the end, the parents are going to be taking care of pet. I recommend when considering a new puppy, kitten or any other pet that the adults decide if having a new pet is something they are willing to do. To think a young child is going to wake up and feed the pet or tend to the cage or the litterbox may not be attainable. I suggest to think about the age of the children but decide as a family that we will all contribute to caring for the pet. Young children can come along while walking the pet or your Teenager may be responsible for feeding the pet in the evening. Designating certain duties to each family member will make having a new pet more enjoyable. How do you surprise the family with the new addition? Maybe the pet is not ready for its new home before Christmas? Maybe you have to pick the pet up after Christmas? What do you do? No worries! Presenting a new pet to the family can be fun and at times you have to get creative. You can consider giving each
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child a gift that contains a leash, collar or a dog toy. Buy an ornament for the tree that says "Puppy's/Kitten's First Christmas" and tell everyone that Santa left an ornament on the tree and have them hunt for it. You can always give them a pet photo book and put pictures of the new pet in it. Then you can sit down and try to think of a new name! The ideas are endless. Just be creative and think outside the Christmas box! Once you have " let the cat out of the bag" about the new arrival, make sure to setup your pet's first Vet visit. Most hospitals in the area are still not letting people into the clinic or some may be only letting 1 person in for the visit. Don't fret! This is the age of technology! You can Facetime your family so they can still be a part of the visit and even have the chance to ask the Veterinarian questions. Involving the family in the veterinary care of the pet is important as it teaches them about keeping the pet happy and of course healthy. Your new pet needs some Christmas gifts under the tree. Head to our Downtown Fredericksburg Pet store, Dog Krazy and grab some yummy treats and toys or order online. The staff there will help you pick out the proper treats or toys appropriate for your pet. So, all is not lost for Christmas. All I want for Christmas is everyone to be safe and to stay healthy. See you next year!
Gerri S. Reid is the Owner/Veterinarian of Reid Mobile Veterinary Services. has been named “2020 Best Veterinarian in the “Burg, 540-623-3029; reidmobilevetservices.com
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Astrology & You THE POETRY MAN
farewell 2020 By Dianne Bachman
By Frank Fratoe
the cosmic weather from an energetic perspective: all things are possible, so we just focus on the conditions and allow free will and nature to unfold the rest.
Born in Starlight It is never too late to know that our breath drawn everyday has risen from dust and fire exuding a long-lived presence found in the stars of winter.
Let's look at the astrological events for December 2020:
And we should go on striving even if some doubt our faith uncertain to regard a legacy whose paragon taught us hope when his mercy conquered fear.
December 1: Mercury, signifying the way we think and how we communicate, will enter the sign of Sagittarius. The energy of Sagittarius supports learning new things, reflection of what our highest hopes are, where we are in our faith. Issues of fairness can also be prominent at this time.
Now a divine-joy heartens us from the aura where galaxies give birth anew, as they glow and enrich our inmost spirit for we are Children of Light. Frank Fratoe lives & writes in the city.he loves.
With 2020 coming to an end, most of us are either letting go a sigh of relief or holding our breath, hoping that 2021 brings a kinder, gentler energy. Certainly, our world is ripe for speculation and this can make us vulnerable to something called 'confirmation bias'. As far as astrology goes, this type of bias reflects the tendency to apply our unfounded hopes or fears, our biases, to support a particular point of view or belief. Try this: Get an old driver's license or passport photo and superimpose your image on newspaper headlines about a vicious serial killer. Pass it around the internet and people will soon be saying, "Oh my, you can see it in her eyes! Yep! She is the one." Or maybe they will say, "But that angelic face…No! she could never do that." Point is, astrologers have the same bias as all of us, so where one person might see doom and gloom, another might see hope, light and new pathways of understanding. So, if you encounter astrological predictions for 2021, keep in mind that astrologers are not fortune tellers. I like to think of it more as climatologists keeping track of
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December 14: New Moon in Sagittarius/Solar eclipse. The new Moon in Sagittarius speaks to our beliefs, maybe our ability to believe or feel a oneness with all. The Moon will square Neptune in Pisces, so opportunities for either a spiritual leap of faith or perhaps some illusion about what we believe may come into play. Eclipses are a catalyst for change, either endings or beginnings, so energies lend themselves to learning, looking at our ideals, and working with those circumstances we wish to expand in our lives. December 15: Venus enters Sagittarius, dipping into renewed energy for relationships as well as for seeking the truth, knowing our values, appreciating our worth, collectively as well as on an individual basis. On the 17th, Venus forms a sextile with Saturn in Aquarius, allowing us to step back a bit and gain perspective, maybe some independence. December 17 to December 21: Saturn enters Aquarius on 12/17, is joined by Jupiter on 12/19, and these two planets form an exact conjunction on 12/21. This
is an extremely exciting event that will be observable in the sky and is rather rare, their paths crossing only every 20 years or so. I am told you don't need a telescope to view these planets, that a good pair of binoculars will do, so don't miss it! The air sign of Aquarius brings new inspiration, seed ideas for personal growth. Technology, innovation, and focus on the collective come to the forefront. While Saturn and Jupiter are meeting up, Pluto in Capricorn will exactly square Mars in Aries, potentially putting intense change on a fast track. This can be a challenging aspect, so it might be helpful to remember that the degree of difficulty we encounter can be equal to the degree that we cling to the old ways. I am reminded of seedlings as they push through the crust of the earth to find the sun. They just keep pushing and it all seems to work out. And, as Pluto tears down the old, the Sun enters Capricorn on 12/21 and supports order, boundaries, rebuilding and responsibility for the longterm structure of our lives. December 29: Full Moon in Cancer illuminates our relationships, family, and feelings of emotional safety. We began the year 2020 with a full Moon in Cancer on January 10, and now we have come full circle. This is an excellent time to work on getting grounded and making the place you call home a place where you can feel safe and calm. This is a watery Moon, so emotions tend to go deep. Please remember to reach out, friends, family, clergy, or community because there are others there to listen, to help, to support.
Diane Bachman is a psychotherapist & astrologer practicing in FXBG. Reach her at dbachmanlcsw@gmail.com Painting by Johfra Bosschart, 1974, “Capricorn”
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Fredericksburg Sketches A visual Celebration of our community
By Paula Raudenbush
Gary the City Dock Goose There has been a lot of chatter on Facebook lately about Gary the City Dock goose and I wanted to make sure he ended up in my sketchbook.
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I walked down to the soggy, muddy dock this week to introduce myself and see if he minded me sketching him. It was just the two of us and he said it was fine with him. He's quite used to people taking photos but I'm not sure he's been asked to pose for any length of time, so I tried to work quickly. I went directly to watercolor this time and it's a bit wonky, but I think I captured his sassy personality. He stood on one leg the whole time. I was impressed. For a sketch to be an "urban sketch" it simply needs to record something in its place in the world. Gary standing in the puddles on City Dock qualifies. Hope you are all doing well. Sketching helps so pick up a pen or pencil and give it a go. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Paula Raudenbush is a local artist and organizer of the Fredericksburg Chapter of Urban Sketchers International (on Facebook at Urban Sketchers Fredericksburg).
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December 2020
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Christmas in Russia a photographer’s journal By Penny A Parrish haven't done so). Close to Red Square, we watched fireworks (the U S. does those better) and raised a toast to 2020 (little did we know what was ahead of us!).
St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow Where do people who live in Minnesota go for winter holidays? Russia, of course - at least if you are my friend Maureen Reeder and her family. I was lucky to join them on a two week visit there last December and January.
Then we took a train to St. Petersburg, which to me is a cross between Paris and Venice. Our guide here was Sima, our driver was Alexey, and together they shared amazing sights. Churches, Peter and Paul Fortress (where the Romanovs are buried), and beautiful palaces like Peterhof and Catherine to get
Two other memories remain very strong for me. In St. Petersburg, we had dinner with a Russian family in their apartment. Elena is a translator for a large company so her English was impeccable. Her husband Sasha is a writer. We met their daughter, their cats and had a delicious home-cooked meal, with a bit of vodka (and instructions on how to drink it properly!). The other memory is a visit to the Gulag Museum in Moscow, which Maureen and I did together on our last day there. It is designed to
The first thing we noticed were the Christmas lights and decorations. I have never seen such delightful displays, not even in New York City. Since the winters that far north are so long, and the days so short, cities seem to be trying to lift spirits for residents and visitors alike.
Christmas Tree @ GUM Shopping Complex
look like a
In Moscow, we had a wonderful guide named Marina. We saw Red Square, the GUM Shopping complex (which used to be the State Department store) now filled with luxury shops and restaurants. A walk through the historic Kremlin was a must. We also toured the Metro or Underground system, which is not only a people mover but an art gallery. Since we were in
Hermitage Arch, St. Petersburg
Matryoshka (Wooden Stacking Dolls) Moscow on December 31, we attended a concert at Tschaikovsky Hall and were lucky enough to get a late dinner reservation at the famous Metropol Hotel (read "A Gentleman in Moscow" if you
Several of my photos are on display through the end of the year at Brush Strokes Gallery and STon Caroline Street. I will also be posting more on facebook so those who cannot travel due to COVID can enjoy vicariously the wonderful holidays I had earlier this year.
Nativity scenes. experience.
a taste of how royalty lived. The Hermitage itself is a museum, and we spent hours there and saw only a fraction of the collection. We squeezed in a ballet performance of "Cinderella" and on Russian Orthodox Christmas Day (January 7), we visited a small church in Novgorod and watched grandmas in babushkas light candles with little children and pray at It was a very moving
prison camp, with interactive displays, audio recordings and personal belongings. During Stalin's reign of terror, more than 18 million people were sent to prison labor camps; almost two million died there and 700,000 were executed. In this place, Russia has put history on display, talking about it, learning from it - instead of destroying it. Being a Nativity Scene, St. Petersburg photographer, I had hoped to get many "Doctor Zhivago" Penny A Parrish is a local photographer photos of snow but that didn't happen. Her work can be viewed at Brush Strokes We had flurries twice, but several days it Gallery & 810 Weekend Gallery She is also a frequent contributor to was warmer in Fredericksburg than in Front Porch Russia!
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