DULY NOTED paper goods galore

by M.L. Powers

Fredericksburg has a knack for attracting novel and unique shops. Duly Noted is a new gift/paper goods shop that fits this criterion to the tee. Owners Chris Allen (above) and Tobin Traxler opened the store in May 2022 at 714 Caroline St. Prior to this, they owned a similar shop in Georgetown. Not really enjoying the feel of the big city, they moved to the smaller, more community oriented Fredericksburg. Chris, a graduate of The Art Institute in Chicago stated he had when I'm working on an article, but that I would definitely be back to get some Valentine's Day goodies.

Duly Noted jumped right into the community tone of Fredericksburg. They collaborated with different local businesses to promote events. They helped host a dinner with local chef, Joy Crump from FOODE. Their backyard adjoins the PONSHOP, and they have had joint social events there. They did a cookie

Once there was time when we relished a letter in the mailbox, but now we mostly hit a quick click for a hello on our social media platforms. A shop like Duly Noted reminds us to slow down and really communicate with someone. Just a couple of lines can make a person's day in a time when we need to connect more than ever before. Stop in and check out their gift selections, and maybe pick out a special card for someone you are thinking about. Or just stop in, and meet Chris and Stetson!

Duly Noted

714 Caroline Street shopdulynoted com fb@shopdulynoted/fredericksburgVa always dreamt of a stationery shop. His husband Tobin works for Fredericksburg city schools as STEM coordinator, but is also involved in the store. Stetson, their adorable beagle is Chris's assistant, most days.

In additional to being a purveyor of cards and paper goods, Chris is a graphic designer who uses letterpress printing in wedding invitations Letterpress printing is a method by which an image is produced by repeated direct impression of an inked, raised surface against paper. It is a time intensive technique that produces a unique product and a method that is considered one of the dying arts.

Most of the greeting cards and stationery products are unique and come from local vendors The day I spoke to Chris, he was in the process of breaking down the Christmas stock and installing the Valentine's Day merchandise (Above: “All I Need is Love” display) I joked with him that I try not to purchase anything swap of sorts called Backyard Treats where many of the businesses contributed. What great neighbors to work with!

Duly Noted plans to offer various classes and workshops. Over the holidays they held a Making Christmas Wreaths class. Chris said there is more fun in the works for the Spring, which will soon be posted on their Facebook page and website. Shopdulynoted.com is a great preview of some of the merchandise they have available.

8 plants & how to kill them: pt 1

By Meghan budinger & elyse adams

A love of gardening doesn't necessarily translate into a green thumb. In fact, sometimes the greatest lovers of the flora are actually serial murderers when it comes to the plants in their care. Learn from Meghan and Elyse's mistakes!

African Violets - M

An African Violet was gifted to me when I moved into my first apartment. I took care not to over water, as I had been warned that was the surest way to kill African Violets. That's why I was very surprised that after a month or so the entire plant just…fell off. The entire plant just rolled right off the pot one day. Turns out, you can't water African Violets from above You have to put water under them, and allow the roots to soak it up

Peonies - E

My grandparents' home was surrounded by several flowering plants that seemed to grow effortlessly, and my favorite of them were my grandfather's Chinese Peonies After buying my first home, I went to the greenhouse to find those pink flowers with piles of soft, weightless petals. They didn't have them, but they did have some coral-colored hybrid called a 'Singing in the Rain'/ Itoh Peony As a huge fan of musical theater, the name alone stole my heart. I had planted them in the perfect place, I thought, right by the patio with the best soil- where the grass grows tall and green. But with tall grass comes the need for mowing, and let's just say that 14-yearolds are NOT the most observant of their surroundings, and they were mowed right over by my son, all because I wanted them to have the best spot in the yard.

Shamrock Plant - M

I bought one of these to give to a friend who had recently lost an elderly

(and Irish!) family member. I managed to kill it in the short period of time between buying the plant and delivering it. I had assumed that an "Irish" plant would need a lot of water. I was wrong. Especially when that plant is headed into a dormant season and should actually be put away in a dark corner and utterly ignored for a while. I killed it with my attentiveness

Yucca - E

My cat peed in the pot. Like, dozens of times. I'm not even going to take credit for this, cats are like that.

Zinnias - M

I have tried growing them from seed and starter plants. I put them in pots and on the ground. I place them in bright sunlight. I give them some shade. I water regularly - I let them get a little dry. I have killed Every. Single. Zinnia. Meanwhile my neighbors have bed after bed of enormous, brilliant colored flowers all summer. And those neighbors just look at me and shrug. To be honest, there's no lesson here. I really don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Will the authors ever learn? Have they had enough? Tune in next month for the thrilling conclusion of 8 Plants and How to Kill Them

Meghan Budinger and Elyse Adams are shameless plant murderers and do not work at Downtown Greens for obvious reasons.

It's time for the Downtown Runaround! Go to www downtowngreens org for info and to sign up!