FPFJAN2019 by Virginia Grogan

contents

closeups

history’s stories: fxbg winter 1862 heritage: daily star

what’s in a cupola?....historic renwick courthouse

TOM Seay America by horseback

Senior Care: never stop learning

it’s all energy...keep your focus

lydia rogers volunteer spotlight

emancipated patients: innovations mind your mind: just a little pot o’ honey

meet cover artist casey alan shaw

gabe pons writing on the wall

mYSTERY hOUSE STORIES OF FXBG: david spellman

art in the burg:

soup’s on: rappArts directory poetryman: now i am

Companions: 'pet’s new years resolutions

focus on fiber

fredericksburg sketches power of habits

Porch talk 4

on the porch...life in fredericksburg Messages

inspirational stories inspire personal action

master gardeners....no hibernation allowed

On the trails: diane huntley

I have a friend: heroes

artist tiffany yates

everything greens...my how its grown

tidbits...small bites of local news

season’s bounty: let it snow

cooking with kyle...chicken tikka masala

vino...mullied wine

16-17

Calendar of events

...And more! 9

great lives series returns to UMW

24 local children’s book nominated

salute to downtown

Cover: “Starry, Starry Night Fredericksburg” By Casey Alan Shaw

january 2019

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Tom Seay america by horseback by ralph “Tuffy” hicks

I have found that the main advantage of living three-quarters of a century is that you have met and made so many friends, that will last all the days of your life. Tommy Seay has been a very close friend of mine for well over four decades, when he was growing up living and farming with his family in Spotsylvania. His father Andrew was a Board of Supervisor’s member in Spotsylvania for many years, a farmer, he and his wife Ora ran the Andora Restaurant across from the Chancellor School on Route 3. When I was a member of City Council, several government officials would meet at the restaurant for breakfast on Saturday mornings. Andrew Seay and I became friends and I met Tom in those days. Tom and his sisters Nancy and Cathy all went to Spotsylvania High School. After graduation Ora who was a school teacher insisted that Tom further his education, knowing that Tom wanted to be a farmer. Tom went and graduated from the University of Richmond and came back home to be a farmer. Tom was the production manager of the televised City Council meetings when I was elected to City Council, which was the beginning of a long friendship that has lasted all these years. Tom has been involved in farming since he

was born and today resides on a large farm called Andora that was established in the 1700’s, just a few miles from Culpeper on Route 3. His love for horses goes back he says when he was five. His earlier involvement in the Television industry was instrumental in his current venture that has lasted for several years. His title of Executive Producer, Host and Trail Master gives you a clue of his involvement in the current popular Television Show Best of America by Horseback, that he has hosted since its inception in 2005. Tom gives much of the credit for the success of the program to his wife Patricia, a graduate of Old Dominion University. Pat had prior experience in motion pictures, cable television and the media. She was the Executive Producer of the RCC cable network that Tom owned for several years in Spotsylvania. She travels the country and rides the trails with him and his guests for the last twenty years. It was in 1995 that Pat and Tom organized the American Transcontinental Trail Ride, which inspired him to create the current popular 14 year TV series. The Transcontinental Trail Ride was a year in the making and Tom led the group of 256 riders from Savannah to San Diego on the Pacific a trip of 3,000 miles that took over four months, passing thru 83 towns. Tom said, former President Jimmy Carter taught them in Sunday school as they passed through the Presidents home town of Plains Georgia. Tom is a unique individual that he rarely takes credit for his accomplishments, for example when he is asked about the planning for the events, he gives credit to his Production

Coordinator Kristen Biscoe. Kristen is a college graduate with a degree in Biology and she is also a certified equine and canine therapist. Kristen started out helping Pat and Tom with the summer events on Andora farm. She became experienced as a Trail Guide while still in college. With a schedule of well over 26 major events being planned from coast to coast, including Canada and trips to foreign countries she is very busy. Tom is proud of his rides especially the one on President Regan’s Ranch and the re-creation of President Lincoln’s Ride to the White House. Anne and I always look forward to visit Tom and Pat and his family at Andora especially during Thanksgiving. Tom is a delightful host sitting at the end of his thirty-foot banquet table telling many stories about his adventures, with his farm boy personality and wonderful sense of humor with Pat at his side smiling. This year was special with his uncle Walter visiting from Florida among his many friends.

When I ask Tom about retirement he looks far off into the distance and says “Isn’t that something you do after you die” as he shows me his busy schedule for 2019. Having been on several crosscountry rides and into Mexico, out of country to Honduras, Belize and the Caribbean Tom says that Virginia is still his favorite place. He started out as an Outfitter at Graves Mountain Lodge, with many over night rides. He did an interview with Horse Talk Magazine in 2017 and in that article, he talked about many of his favorite Virginia trails. Well, as you can imagine Tom Seay is quite a local personality who has many accomplishments and is still looking for one more trail to ride. See Tom and Pat on RFD-TV on Direct TV Dish and 300 cable stations. Tom says he always has a copy of FPF in his saddle bags. HAPPY TRAILS TOM SEAY

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january 2019

Sarah Perry

ON THE PORCH Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists Chuck Archer KathyAnderson Lisa Biever Kevin Brown Judy Chaimson

Rita Allen A.E. Bayne Laurie Black Collette Caprara Meghann Cotter William B Crawley Barbara Deal Elisabeth DellaRova Renee Dunn Christina Ferber Frank Fratoe k. Jeanne frazer Joan M. Geisler Jon Gerlach Ralph “Tuffy”Hicks Sherri Johnson Karl Karch David C. Kennedy Jo Loving Zach Marsh Pete Morelewicz Vanessa Moncure Lenora Kruk-Mullanapy Patrick Neustatter M.L. Powers Sarah Perry Gerri Reid Rob Rudick Casey Alan Shaw Patricia Smith Tim Snyder Georgia Strentz James Kyle Synder Carolyn VanDerJagt Rim Vining Tina Will Sonja Wise Norma Woodward

Front Porch Fredericksburg is a free circulation magazine published monthly by Olde Towne Publishing Co. Virginia Bigenwald Grogan, Publisher. The mission of Front Porch Fredericksburg is to connect the diverse citizenry of Fredericksburg with lively features and informative columns of interest to our community’s greatest resource, its people. Messages from our readers are welcome. All 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.

January 2019

the people make the place by sarah perry When I think back to what has made Fredericksburg home to me it’s overwhelmingly the human connections. When I meet someone new and it comes out that I lived in France after college, the next question is usually, “How did you end up back in Fredericksburg?!” And the answer to that question is easy: the people. Like many folks who “end up” living in Fredericksburg, I attended UMW and it’s really during my tenure as a studio art undergrad student that I started to meet the town. As a transfer student I spent most of my time off campus, not having created that close-knit peer group that most of my fellow sophomores had. One of my first non-campus discoveries was Downtown Greens and its director Laura Shepherd. The beautiful urban green space was where I would volunteer pulling weeds beside the barefooted Laura as we chatted about all things under the sun. More than ten years after my first landscaping session with Laura, I became the executive director, a job that I still adore, five years later. Another early Fredericksburg discovery of mine was Dan Finnegan’s pottery studio downtown. I remember meandering into his studio to find a sea of handmade pottery as well as their maker, the bearded Dan, sitting on his potter’s wheel perch. I eventually worked with him when he opened LibertyTown Arts Workshop and helped with his 25-year retrospective show. They each told me about other Fredericksburg legends, and I was soon to meet Paul Cymrot and Emily Simpson and enjoy endless hours in the upstairs window seat of Riverby Books, studying or just pleasure reading. Another Caroline Street fave of mine was Visual Treats, which at the time was in the upstairs of Ulman’s Jewelry. Joni Ulman Lewis, with her quick wit and thick curls, always had a treasure trove of

messages A very on point ...We love JBrian’s for many of the same reasons listed in article (Jack Hyland, Man Behind the Bar, December 2018) Ken Daveler I hadn't heard about the Front Porch until today. I picked up a copy in

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interesting and unique gifts. We ended up becoming friends, and I still do some digital advertising for her fabulous handmade wares, nearly 15 years later. I realized what a great community of mentors, friends and neighbors in d o w n t o w n Fredericksburg (walking/biking distance) I had accumulated during my years at the college (it was still a college at that time). I was also lucky enough to have an amazing on-campus mentor/professor, Carole Garmon who urged me to spread my wings and pursue a study abroad program in Paris. This decision shaped the next few years of my life, including the aforementioned 6 years living in France. I know you’re thinking endless afternoons on the terrace of the cafes along the Champs Elysee, accordion music and baguettes galore... but the reality of my six years in France included the same everyday struggles as living anywhere else would -- bills, work, broken-down car... the only difference? It was all in French! I made some friends, got to know the cool spots in Toulouse where I spent four of my six ex-pat years. But there was something missing...it was bigger than a few friends here and there. It was a community of folks that I could call upon for a favor, or to hang out or just for some advice. That’s when I made the decision to move back to Fredericksburg, the town I had spent four years in, as a student. I missed my people. Would the sense of community and freshness still be present as a non-student in my college town? It was, and then some! In addition to the original cast of Fredericksburg community favorites listed Agora coffee shop. I love how you cover real stories of things going on in this community! Jaraad Hines

Greatly enjoyed this article about one of our favorite fxbg food options by the very talented Collette Caprara (Juan More Taco, Dec 2018) Kevin Brown

above who have all become great friends, some of my post-France favorites include my mom friends (yes, I have mom friends now); Tami and fam at the Frenchman’s Corner (where the Belgium chocolates are amazing); another family of amazingly sweet business owners, Maria Martin and the rest of the Juan More Taco crew; the dynamic Suzi Anker of Anker Mobile Bartending and FoodE; all of the great and kooky folks I have had the pleasure of working with at Downtown Greens … and the list goes on and on! This is a fabulous city for many reasons. It’s beautiful, the river is a part of the neighborhood, it’s got a thriving downtown, it’s well placed between bigger cities but those things were never reasons that made me want to come back or to stay. It was the actual community of people that make up our city: students, shopkeepers, nonprofit volunteers and workers, professors and professionals. Thank YOU for making this city great! To discover even more Fredericksburg people to love, read this issue of Front Porch 'cover to cover.'

Sarah Perry is the executive director of Downtown Greens and is lucky enough to hang with her most favorite guy Troy and their TWO sweet babies, Ginger & new baby Lothian.

Dear Virginia The Jan 2019 poem begins my 11th year that I have been associated eith Front Porch. I am grateful to you & Rob for making this possible. Rob was a fine person, and I still miss the discussions we had together. Congratulations to you for maintaining the high standards of the magazine. Best Always, Frank Fratoe

Strengthening Each Other inspirational stories inspire personal action

by kathy anderson

“I just wanted to let you all know you changed my life several years ago. I came to one group session and met several other women, who I thought were much worse off than me. I was thinking I shouldn't even be there until it was my turn to speak. The compassion, empathy

a n d understanding I got from those women who had been beaten, and even shot, helped me more than I can describe. It helped give me the strength I needed to get out of a h o r r i b l e marriage. I wish I could thank those women. I don't believe I'd be alive now w i t h o u t them and without your organization. Thank you for all you do.”

In its 20th year the Empty Bowl event, with the support of a now expanded community of potters across Fredericksburg, has grown from less than a hundred people located originally at the Dorothy Hart Community Center raising a few thousand dollars to a fundraiser with over 400 ticket holders who gather in the Elk’s dining hall to break bread and dip sumptuous soup together, pick out their favorite locally handcrafted bowl to take home, and enjoy the sounds of local musicians who volunteer their talent. Many other delights are there to tempt the palate and the other senses on a cold day, the last Sunday in January. Many other volunteers and donors make it possible to raise over $50,000 for Empowerhouse each year to help in the

We are humbled by the words spoken by people who pass through our doors at Empowerhouse. There also are the words spoken in private by too many women in our community with each other. One in four women in the United States will experience severe physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner. Their stories are shared in private in one to one conversations rather than in public for many reasons. I listened to one of our supporters say recently that she felt like she belonged to a secret society that is a huge network. The more she tells people what happened to her and about the services she received at Empowerhouse as she navigated away from the abuse the more people open up to her about their own similar stories much to her surprise. It is just these personal accounts from local people in our community that inspire personal action and others to act. One example of this lovely action within our community is the annual Empty Bowl event started 20 years ago by local potters motivated to bring an event to Fredericksburg and make Empowerhouse (then RCDV) the local charity. Trista and Phil Chapman and Dan Finnegan wanted to benefit the domestic violence shelter. With a story of her own, one Trista shared in private with her friends and family and later publicly, she knew she had family to turn to when a prior relationship became unsafe. She and other potters wanted to help more people find that help and safety in our community when they needed it through Empowerhouse.

many ways this nonprofit serves our community. We sure do appreciate these many people and these many efforts, each and every contribution, to support the courageous women and men who bravely tell their stories privately often finding shared experience with others. Kathy Anderson is Empowerhouse Executive Director Looking forward to seeing everyone January 27 at the Fredericksburg Elk’s Lodge- Tickets on sale at LibertyTown, Sophia Street Studios, Empowerhouse, and online www.empowerhouseva.org For help, information, or questions about how to help a friend- Empowerhouse hotline- 540-3 373-9 9373

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January 2019

Master Gardeners in Winter Volunteer Spotlight no hibernating allowed

Lydia Rogers

By Tina Will

interview by Elisabeth DellaRova Interview of Lydia Rogers, Volunteer at Downtown Greens Tell us about yourself: I’ve been in the Fredericksburg area for years. I was born in California, raised in the DC area, but had a chance to also live with my family in the Caribbean as a young child. The sum of all these experiences helped me to love nature and food! I am back in school at Germanna Community College pursuing a degree in Health Sciences through the Virginia Community College System’s INOVA Fellows Program. National Seed Swap Day January 26, 2019 Food and flowers speak a universal language, and bring people and gardeners of all types together. Gardeners love to share seeds and talk about how to grow interesting varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The hope for new varieties in a Spring/Summer garden begins with the Master Gardeners 3rd Annual National Seed Swap event coming up Saturday, January 26, 2019. Collect and trade seeds and learn how to live and garden with our infamous clay soil. The Seed Swap is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the Central Rappahannock Area Extension Master Gardeners. This year it will be at the Rowser Building on Route 1 in Stafford (near Log Caabin Restaurant) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be three lectures: Wanda Johnson, Associate Extension Specialist from VCE and VSU will speak on Native Fruits and Vegetables; noted speaker, David Roos, on Spring Clean-up Tasks; and Master Gardener Pat Reilly on How to Live and Garden with Our Clay Soil. Speaker schedule, and guidance on what to and what not to bring is also on our website for this event: www.mgacra.org/seed-sswap-e event.html. Saving and sharing seeds is as old

as agriculture, and continues to be both a local and nationwide event. In 2006, National Seed Swap Day was designated to be held on the last Saturday in January by the people who publish the Washington Gardener Magazine. It has become an event held all around the country. Master Gardeners in Virginia Beach have established a Seed Library in cooperation with their local library and have given away thousands of seeds. The web site seedlibraries.org also has more information. On my visits to local Farmers Markets this past Summer, I noticed that farmers are offering an increasing variety of unusual or heirloom fruits and vegetables. There is an increasing demand for high quality produce which is good news not only for our health, but also for our plant food choices because it increases the biodiversity of plants available. It also adds to the enjoyment for those who try a new variety. Gather your seeds (in labeled packets) and garden items (tools, garden books, magazines, flower pots) to trade and find your way to the seed swap.. Master Gardeners will be in the large GYM room with seeds to swap, garden items to trade, speakers to inform, and a raffle that can't be beat. Bring something still usable and garden related, and take home something new to you (free!). There will also be free coffee, tea and water available for those who bring their own beverage container. Come be part of the fun of seed swapping! Please note: Some seeds are not allowed: invasive plants and noxious weeds. The list for those plants is on this website: www.invasive.org/species/list. See you on January 26th! The event is sponsored by the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA).

Tina Will has volunteered with MGACRA for 13 years and lives near Ferry Farm in Stafford County

January 2019

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How did you hear about Downtown Greens? I learned about Downtown Greens many years ago when joining the Fredericksburg CSA. Downtown Greens supplied produce to the CSA. I also learned about activities such as the Fork It Over Festival - very fun and unique. What do you do at Downtown Greens? I recently volunteered in the Head Start Garden Sprouts program. I’ve also done the Saturday open garden hours. I really enjoy both activities! What’s your favorite thing about Downtown Greens? My favorite thing is that through programs at Downtown Greens, children and others are getting more connected and grounded to the earth and to healthy foods grown in sustainable ways. What’s your favorite color (and why)? My favorite color is purple because Lydia in the Bible was a worshipper of Christ who sold purple cloth.

What’s your favorite plant or flower? Figs are one of my favorites that I have acquired a taste for while living in Fred. What do you enjoy the most about Fredericksburg? I enjoy the small town aspect of Fredericksburg with its wealth of food, art and historical experiences. There are endless things to do from the city to the country - and we also have easy access to the DC area for additional fun.

Elisabeth DellaRova is a UMW student

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On the Trails don’t pet the monkeys: diane huntley on the nepl trails By Kevin Brown

On Poon Hill Summit_ L to R_Tenzing, Kumar, Diane, Sarah, Tom, Lupka, Dan, Matt, Pete, and Zach. There is a faraway land where wild monkeys run to and fro, seemingly everywhere you go. Outdoor adventureloving friend, Diane Huntley (shown left hiking the Nepal Trails), recently experienced this and much more on an exotic trek sponsored by River Rock Outfitter (RRO). We asked Diane to share the tale of her once-in-a-lifetime experience. Diane: "I wanted to do something extraordinary to celebrate my 58th birthday, so I leapt way outside of my comfort zone and joined a River Rock Outfitter-sponsored trip to Nepal last October. Our trekking group ranged in age from 20's to 70's. I couldn't have asked for a more supportive group of hiking companions, such as the always helpful Zach Marsh who was also our official photographer.

“Upon arrival, our lead Sherpa guide, Tenzing, provided us with a wonderfully educational tour of the fascinating sights and sounds of the city of Kathmandu. The next morning we set

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out over ancient trails that are the primary method of daily local travel between mountain villages. On the third day, we woke up at 3 AM and hiked up to the grand summit of Poon Hill, where we gazed in awe at the sun rising over the Annapurna (10th highest mountain peak in the world).

friendly people and village homes majestically adorned with the most beautiful hand-woven fabric; and yes, wild monkeys scampering around Kathmandu like squirrels in NYC's Central Park (although tempted, I heeded my doctor's advice: "Don't pet the monkeys!").

“For five invigorating days, our tightly-knit group traversed up and down thousands of rock, slate and stone stairs varying in height and placement. We had to keep a close eye on every step since they were all different. Fortunately, local porters carried our overnight bags, while we trekkers carried only a day pack, and professional Sherpa guides led us expertly along each step of the way. The landscape was gorgeous with waterfalls and jungles and much natural beauty. We overnighted in 'Tea Houses' where we bathed in the warmth of heavy blankets, hot showers, and abundant rice, lo mein, vegetables, and chicken.

“My most memorable part of the trip was meeting the remarkably resilient people of Nepal. Manual labor is involved in every aspect of local village life. Everything from washing clothes to building your own broom (from the leaves of a broom tree) is done by hand. I was extremely humbled when I compared Nepali life to our relatively easy life here in the United States. But everywhere we went, these hardworking people were cheerful and smiling, and during our travels we always felt welcome.

“I saw so many unusual sights along our journey: a small wiry man carrying a full-size refrigerator up a mountain on his back; a bleating goat on top of a van traveling to be sacrificed (Buddhists pray for the animals and the Hindus sacrifice them); a young couple with child vacationing on horseback trotting down a mountainside;

“In closing, I would like to say that Nepal is a beautiful country with the nicest people; the Himalayas are magnificent; and I was in awe every 'step' of the way. I will always cherish this adventure of a lifetime." Want to find out more? River Rock Outfitter will continue to partner with US Sherpa to provide Nepal experiences. A Poon Hill trek will be offered each October, and RRO is looking to expand to other Nepali treks in the coming years. More information is available at www.riverrockoutfitter.com. Kevin Brown is the administrator of the "On the Fredericksburg Va Trails" & the "FXBG City Council Public Forum" Facebook Group,& a downtown resident Photos by Zach Marsh

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January 2019

“I Have A Friend” heroes By Laurie Black

On a recent visit with Sergeant Major James Kerns and his wife, Carol, I found myself in the presence of several extraordinary heroes. Our visit was arranged by Senior Visitors Program volunteer, Jeaninne Baumann (left above). Jeaninne, who regularly visits the Kerns family, contacted the Senior Visitors Program Director, Teresa Bowers, in December to let her know Sergeant Major had received a special honor. Reading a press release from the Robert Land Academy in Ontario, Canada, I learned that Academy Sergeant Major Paul Zahra travelled to Virginia to present “Sergeant Major Kerns with a plaque recognizing the naming of The Sergeant Major Kerns Award, which will be presented for the first time during Robert Land Academy’s Graduation ceremony in June of this year.”

January 2019

“We hold Sergeant Major Kerns in high esteem at the Academy which is why we wanted to recognize his contribution to our cadets and the school,” says ASM Zahra, explaining Kerns first visited the Academy more than two decades ago which was the catalyst for a long and beneficial relationship between Massanutten Military Academy and Robert Land Academy which continues to this day. “SGM Kerns is a Veteran of the Vietnam War with a stellar career in the U.S. Special Forces and was Academy Sergeant Major at Massanutten Military Academy for many years before his retirement.” Jeaninne explained that Sergeant Major Kerns began working at Massanutten Military Academy after his retirement from the military. Kerns volunteered ten years at the Academy, giving freely of his time, talents,

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experience, and money to help the Academy’s young high school-aged students succeed. During our visit, Sergeant Major Kerns accepted the accolades with honor and grace, but was eager to tell me about his wonderful volunteer, Jeaninne. “I look forward to her visits. I’m as interested or more interested in her life.” Jeaninne explained that her own parents lived in Georgia. “It was difficult seeing their needs as they aged, and not being able to visit or help more. I became passionate about helping seniors and searched for a way I could help seniors locally.” Jeaninne heard about the Senior Visitors Program through a coworker whose spouse volunteers for the program. It was exactly what she was looking for. “Seniors are so often neglected which really upsets me,” she explains. “Seniors have so much to give and to share. Sergeant Major thanks me and I tell him I get just as much or more from our visits. In fact, it is a two for one. I enjoy visiting with Sergeant Major’s wife, Carol, too. I enjoy their stories and they fill a void in my life.” As we continued our visit, another hero walked in - Kristin Karcher (right above), Carol Kerns’ oldest daughter. Kristin said she met Sergeant Major many years ago while attending Mass. She ultimately set him up with her mother who was then a widow. Sergeant Major and Carol hit it off immediately and were soon married. Together Carol and Sergeant Major have 15 children and 43 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They moved to Stafford to be near Kristin, their oldest daughter, who at the time practiced medicine at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. “The arrangement worked well, with me stepping in to perform

caregiving duties when necessary, while enjoying one another’s company as neighbors,” Kristin said. “Then tragedy struck when I was seriously injured. Multiple surgeries followed. In late 2017, I underwent two neurosurgeries and, in 2018, I struggled through rehab. During that time, Jeaninne came into our lives and filled the void left in my absence. I can never thank Jeaninne for not only what she has done for my parents, but for my entire family. I served on “Wounded Warrior” wards at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I know firsthand how brain injuries affect an entire family, not just the injured. Most people who have not been affected personally by brain injury tend to think of financial losses and caregiving burdens, but the loss of treasured relationships is the most devastating. Jeaninne is there for my parents. I hope she knows she is a part of our family now.”

Laurie Black is the Administrative Assistant for the Senior Visitors Program She can be reached at mhafaa@mhafred.org

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.

Great Lives at a Great Price: FREE! umw’s popular series returns by william b. crawley

200 William St Downtown Fredericksburg 540-373-4421

Since its creation in 2004, the Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series has become a major cultural and educational attraction in the Fredericksburg area. Initially endowed by a generous gift from John Chappell of Philadelphia in memory of his late wife, Carmen, a Mary Washington alumna, the series focuses on

Bring a little sunshine to a senior’s life! Too many seniors feel lonely and isolated. 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

present and encompassing key figures in politics, entertainment, literature, art, music, science, and sports. The lineup of topics for the 2019 season continues this eclectic approach, as evidenced by the three January topics: musical theater giants Rodgers and Hammerstein, creators of memorable Broadway shows such as Oklahoma!, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music (January 15); Bruce Lee, the martial arts icon (January 22); and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union before its collapse (January 29). Notable literary figures will include the colorful and controversial Oscar Wilde; Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit author JRR Tolkien; and the muchbeloved Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House on the Prairie. The speaker on Wilder, Caroline Fraser, received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in biography for her book, Prairie Fires. Topics during Black History Month include jazz singer Billie Holliday and Nelson Mandela, the South African activist who led the heroic fight against apartheid. Several topics focus on the diverse contributions of women, among them actress Lucille Ball and primatologist Jane Goodall; the “Rocket Girls,” a group of pioneering women in space technology;

Gorbachev: His Life and Times: Tuesday, January 29

signing by the speaker. Books are made available for purchase on site by the University Bookstore, or people may bring their own copies to be signed. A complete list of the 2019 topics and speakers, as well as archived programs from previous years, can be found online at umw.edu/greatlives All programs are held in Dodd Auditorium on the campus of the University of Mary Washington and begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

Bruce Lee: A Life: Tuesday January 22 biographies of some of history’s most intriguing people, offering free public lectures by foremost authorities in their fields. The series has grown each year, thanks to the financial support from local individuals and corporations, whose generous donations make it possible to present speakers of national and international renown. Previous participants include a number of Pulitzer Prize winners in biography, as well as prominent writers such as Jon Meacham, Evan Thomas, Catherine Clinton, Douglas Brinkley, James MacPherson, Annette Gordon-R Reed, and Stacy Schiff. A hallmark of the series from the beginning has been the extent and the diversity of its topics, ranging chronologically from ancient times to the

radium while employed in watchmaking in the World War I era. Two topics have a noteworthy local connection: artist Gari Melchers, whose museum/studio is located in Falmouth, and “The League of Wives,” the story of the women who worked to secure the return of Vietnam POWs; one of the wives’ leaders was UMW graduate Jane Denton, class of 1946. On average, audiences usually number between 500 and 600, sometimes as many as 1,000. Each talk is followed by a Q&A session and concludes with a book-

Something Wonderful: Tuesday, January 15

William B. Crawley, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Mary Washington, is the creator and longtime director of the Great Lives series. In 2016 the program was named in his honor.

and the “Radium Girls,” the tragic young women subjected to the deadly effects of front porch fredericksburg

January 2019

Artist Tiffany Yates Balancing the Personal with the Practical By A.E.Bayne

When visiting LibertyTown Arts Workshop this holiday season, make it a point to visit Tiffany Yates’s gallery space, shared with artists Hsi Mei Yates, her mother, and Amanda Carter. Tiffany’s style is eclectic and visionary, and within her collection you’ll find everything from wee animals of Chinese zodiac, to heart, lung, and brain necklaces, to masterful statement pieces. In neat contrast to her mother’s traditional Chinese Brushstroke paintings and Carter’s bright landscapes

and still-lifes, Tiffany’s work reflects the intimate and personal, as well as the whimsical and utilitarian. Some of Yates’s most intriguing imagery evolves from visions that needle their way into mundane routines. She says, “The visions are pretty consistent. I might be on a walk, and I will get a picture of what I want to sculpt. If I ignore it, it will come back. That’s why I have tons of sketchbooks, because if I don’t do some kind of drawing of it, it will come to bug me later.” Yates says some of the icons in her work come from things she’s read earlier in her life. Her work takes on an element of fantasy in the form of wolves, fish and eels. She uses a play on cliches in her titles, such as “Good Girl” for the image of a wolf emerging from a woman’s gaping maw, or “Aftermath of a Kettle of Fish,” shown here, for a woman on hands and knees expelling eels and fish from her mouth. Sculptural images like these suggest a purging of negative experiences, ones to which artist and audience might attach personal stories. In contrast to these visceral images, Yates is also inspired to sculpt

Thank You Fredericksburg for Your Support Since 1997 Accepting New Patients Emergency Patients Welcome Participant With Most Major Insurance Plans 131 Park Hill Dr, FXBG, 22401 540-373-0602 fdadental.com 10

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imagery from nature, such as the piece shown here that she paired with Carol Phifer’s poem, “In Spring,” for LibertyTown’s Open to Interpretation I show last year. While much of Yates’s work on display is sculptural, she allows her background in illustration from VCU to guide her process. She calls herself a potter/digital illustrator and says she’s always trying to get her illustrations into the pottery somehow. Yates explains, “Sculpting is very different from illustration. They’re closely related, like two arms attempting to do different tasks; it’s hard to get them to work on the same thing at the same time.” Yates says most recently she’s been attempting to break from the limitations of print illustration by making her illustrations into practical forms. “It’s an interesting problem in itself. I’ve been doing a lot of experimenting recently, because I’m trying to find a niche to make something that I enjoy working on. I know that if I want to make a living off of art, I need to make something readily replicable, but also something I like and won’t get tired of producing. If I can swap out different illustrations that I readily like to make, that’s a good place to start.” Yates’s most recent designs have involved cutting out her illustrations as sculptural pieces and then using the sculptures to make prints. In this way, she continues to walk the line between

honoring her vision in her work and producing practical items for everyday use. Check out Tiffany Yates’s work at LibertyTown Arts Workshop any day of the week.

A.E. Bayne is a writer, artist, and veteran educator who publishes the Fredericksburg Literary & Art Review twice a year. Read more about Tiffany Yates and other local artists in the fall/winter edition of FLAR in January 2019.

Your Hometown Jeweler Since 1940

On-Premise Jewelry Repair Large Selection of ESTATE JEWELRY 212 William Street,Fredericksburg 540-373-5513 Mon-Fri 9-5:30; Sat 9-4 jewelboxfredericksburgva.webs.com jewelbox14k@yahoo.com

Everything Greens my how it’s grown By lisa biever 23 Years of Community Greenspace at Downtown Greens Humble Roots. Downtown Greens started as a hobby and an adventure for a small group of hopeful people. Founder Laura Shepherd began growing flowers and vegetables in the vacant lot behind her apartment. Neighborhood children quickly arrived to ask questions, eat sunflower seeds and get their own hands dirty. Likeminded growers and organizers joined the effort. In a short period, Downtown Greens incorporated and established status as a 501 c 3 nonprofit. The original board of directors and many dedicated volunteers worked to beautify the area and to raise money, which eventually allowed the organization to purchase 2.78 acres at the southwest entrance to the City of Fredericksburg. Today, “the garden” as many call it, is a thriving community greenspace. Downtown Greens promotes environmental care by preserving two urban garden areas using sustainable

gardening methods. Trained education staff offer weekly programs for varying age groups, including a Youth Farm Project that offers not just gardening education and environmental literacy, but also monthly community dinners and a youth-led farmers' market stand. Downtown Greens is also the site of numerous community activities including workshops and demonstrations, a marimba school, an urban beekeeping program and special events like the Fork it Over Festival. Keep on Growing. Downtown Greens has grown significantly since 1995. The unique grassroots character and commitment to making a difference locally are unchanged, but the organization grows in effectiveness and impact each year. In 2015, the garden land was placed in a permanent conservation easement. In 2017, the Downtown Greens board of directors established the Fund for Downtown Greens Community Greenspace at The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region. The Community Foundation's first dedicated Socially Responsible Investing charitable fund, it helps ensure that Downtown Greens will be available for generations to come. You Can Help! Anyone can help protect and nurture urban greenspace, community environmental stewardship and hands-on education by investing in Downtown Greens. The garden’s staff, board and volunteers invite you to enjoy a visit – sunrise to sunset 365 days a year. Volunteers are welcome, too.

To donate to Downtown Greens, visit the website at downtowngreens.org or send a check to Downtown Greens, 206 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Alternatively, donors may choose to give through the Fund for Downtown Greens Community Greenspace of the Community Foundation or talk to a trusted financial advisor about including Downtown Greens in your planned giving. Downtown Greens acting Director, DeLaura Padovan, or Director Sarah Perry are happy to help answer questions you may have. They can be reached at 540 371-7315 or downtowngreens@gmail.com With a community like ours, and a legacy of hard work, dedication and passion for all things green, Downtown Greens is ready for another 23 years and more. Lisa Biever is Downtown Greens Co-Founder, Vice President 1995 - 2002

THE

FREDERICKSBURG LAMP Only Available At

The Copper Shop 371-4455 1707R Princess Anne

Behind Silk Mill Like Us on facebook

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January 2019

TidBits Wills and Trusts Provide for Incapacity Trusts for Minor Children Wealth Preservation Trusts Avoid Probate AhearnEstateLaw.com

small bites of local happenings

540/371-9890

Where Customer Service and Title Insurance Become One

Zero Interest Loan Program

Jewell Wolterman 12225 Amos Lane, Ste 204 Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-907-0574 www.elitetitleva.com jwolterman@elitetitleva.com

Fredericksburg Virginia Main Street received a Virginia Main Street’s Downtown Investment Grant in the amount of $25,000 and a match of Fredericksburg $25,000 from the Economic Development Authority for the exclusive purpose of funding a revolving loan fund to offer financial incentives and capital to entrepreneurs and/or property owners for building restoration, preservation and rehabilitation and community revitalization in the Fredericksburg’s Main Street District. Awards are limited to maximum of $5,000 with first round of applications being accepted from December 15 to January 31, 2019. First awards are estimated to be dispersed in by early March. For more info, please reach out to info@fredericksburgmainstreet.org. See Program Guidelines and Application for specifics on web site Fredericksburg Main Street 904 Princess Anne St, Suite 303 Downtown, FXBG fredericksburgdowntown.org 540-4 479-1 1595

University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development The UMW Center for Economic Development, which includes the University’s Small Business Development Center is a free service to assist you in your business. The University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center (UMW-SBDC) is one of the best local resources for accessing business development information through educational classes or on a oneon-one basis at no cost. Services provided include business and strategic planning, business structure considerations (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, etc), marketing,

January 2019

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personnel concerns (hiring employees, policies and procedures, etc.), purchase or sale of a small business, cash flow analysis, financial forecasting and loan proposal preparation UMW Center for Economic Development 1125 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 400 Fredericksburg, VA 22401 economicdevelopment.umw.edu/sbdc/

Special event venue Now open at Castiglia's The space is at 911 Charles Street, (former home of the Artful Dimensions Gallery) .Accomodates 200 people 911 Charles Street www.castigliasitalianrestaurant.com/priva te-p parties

UMW planning New theater, other improvements A new theater at the corner of William Street and Sunken Road, the renovation of the fine arts complex and upgrading student housing are among the proposed projects in the University of Mary Washington's $100 million, 10-yearplan.

Guru opens at new location Guru Indian Cuisine has relocated within Central Park. Its new location is at 3140 Cowan Blvd. Go check them out! Guru Indian Restaurant 3140 Cowan Blvd www.guruindiancuisine.com 540-5 548-1 1011 Contributed by FXBG VA Main Street & FXBG Dept of Econonmic Development & Tourism

Season’s Bounty

Fredericksburg’s Hometown Irish Pub & Restaurant Since 1961

Let it Snow!

By vanessa moncure

Mon-Thurs, 11am-9pm Fri & Sat, 11am-10pm Sun, 11am - 9pm Bar open until 2am everyday

200 Hanover St. ~ 373-0738

As a child growing up north of NYC, there was never a winter question Will it snow? Just WHEN will it snow? All the school buses had chains on their tires so even in half-blizzard conditions, my hatted, booted and muffled elementary school group huddled en masse waiting to hear the snapping metal long before we’d see the bus. We lived on a lake and usually by Christmas our neighbor with his miniZamboni would be clearing a not-quiteregulation size ice hockey arena, mostly for the boys. No white skates allowed. Huge treeless hills on the nearby golf course were overrun with sleds, toboggans, inner tubes - even a few pizza pans. Excitement and activity kept you warm at first, but it was time to drag yourself home when you finally couldn’t feel your extremities any more. The greatest feeling was getting home, banging in the door and shedding pounds of sodden cold garments and pools of melting snow, changing into warm, dry clothes and a pair of scratchy woolen

socks. Then a big bowl of soup with Louise’s Mother’s Worlds Best Grilled Cheese. My Mom’s was OK, but hers was, well, the Best. Sorry, Mom.

The Sunken Well Tavern

The Soup & Taco, Etc. 813 Caroline St. Fredericksburg, VA

HAM AND POTATO CHOWDER Melt 4 T. butter in large saucepan, soup pan or Dutch oven. Chop 1 medium onion and two large peeled potatoes, then sauté over medium low heat until softened, not browned. Stir in 4 T. flour to make a roux, then slowly add 2 c. chicken broth, a sprinkle of thyme, some garlic powder, ½ tsp. black pepper and 2 c. chopped ham (you can use uniformly pre-chopped ham found in plastic containers if you don’t have leftovers from a cooked ham). Simmer until potatoes are tender, then add 2 more cups chicken broth and 2 c. half and half. Bring to a low boil and thicken with a flour and water (or milk) slurry, stirring constantly. Sprinkle the top with chopped fresh parsley and serve with…

Serving Traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex Food and Something More!! Tuesday to Saturday

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

11am-9pm Sunday 11am-6pm

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

LOUISE’S MOTHER’S WORLD’S BEST GRILLED CHEESE Really being from the South (I was born in MS) pretty much the only cheese I knew anyone cooked with was either Velveeta or yellow American. My taste buds were in for a shock when Dad was transferred to NYC. I can still smell the tangy, garlicky, waxy, spicy, yeasty aroma from our local Italian market. Louise’s mom would buy the braided provolone and hand-slice it, removing the wax. Then she would preheat her broiler, cut slices of crusty Italian loaf on the bias, sprinkle with olive

oil (maybe the oil from calamata olives) and toast on both sides - then she would top each piece with several slices of the aged provolone and hand-cut thin slices from a Parmesan wedge and grill until the cheese was lightly browned and bubbly then she placed fresh basil leaves on each piece and put two pieces together to make a sandwich - the Best! Louise liked her Mom’s pickled eggplant in the middle, but I loved to dip mine in her Tomato Soup… LOUISE’S MOM’S TOMATO BASIL SOUP Chop one large onion and sauté with several cloves of garlic in olive oil, over medium heat in Dutch oven until onion is just soft. Stir in one large can of Italian pureed or crushed tomatoes and one large can of whole or chopped Roma tomatoes, with juice. Add 2 c. chicken broth, ¼ tsp. each basil and thyme leaves, 1-2 T. sugar, S&P to taste and a chunk of Parmesan cheese edge if available - remove before blending, though. Simmer 15 minutes, then puree with hand-held blender or blend in batches until smooth. Stir in 1 to 1 ½ c. heavy cream; bring to a slow simmer (so cream will not curdle). Thicken soup with tomato paste if necessary, ladle into deep bowls, then top with fresh basil leaves cut into a chiffanade and croutons of Italian bread. This is a thick soup, so add more chicken broth if you like a lighter tomato flavor.

Vanessa Moncure requests “just a bit of snow. But any day you see snow, you’ll know I’ll be making soup!”

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January 2019

Cooking With Kyle Chicken Tikka Masala by james kyle snyder

Monday – Friday at 6 am Saturday – Sunday at 7 am Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner $5.00 Weekly Lunch Specials

540-373-8300 www.marriott.com/fkrcy 620 Caroline St. FXBG, VA

Cold January days lend themselves to deliciously warm dishes. Mitzi and I were driving around, trying to figure out what to write about this month. Mitzi exclaimed, "Chicken Tikka Masala." It is one of her favorites - bite sized pieces of marinated chicken grilled to perfection. We had never made this dish before so I set to the task of trying to figure it out. I poured over other's recipes to finally come up with this effort. We like the nuttiness of basmati rice so get it going first. Next the marinade. There are lots of variations out there. I usually go for the simpler recipes but had to ditch that idea to produce the layers of flavors that Indian cuisines possess. This is not a "hip-pocket" recipe but only takes some good together time to get it to the table. To save space - "T" = Tablespoon and "t" = teaspoon. If you are using brined chicken breast, do not add the salt. Combine: 1 C Greek yogurt, 1 T minced garlic, 1 T minced fresh ginger, 1 T of masala, 1 T turmeric, 1 T lemon juice, 2 t ground cumin, 1 t ground cinnamon, 2 t cayenne pepper, 2 t freshly ground black pepper, and 2 t salt. The marinade will be thick. Add 2 pounds of washed, boneless, skinless chicken breast which has been cut

into bite sized pieces. Set this aside for at least 30 minutes; an hour is better. Prepare the sauce. In a sauce pan, heat 1 T butter and add 1 thinly sliced small onion, 1 clove garlic, minced, and 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped. Cook these until the onion is opaque about 5 minutes. Add: ½ t ground cardamom, 2 t ground cumin, 2 t paprika, 1 t turmeric, 1 t salt added at the end (adjust to taste at the end - most likely will need more), 1- 8 ounce can tomato sauce, 1 C Greek yogurt or heavy cream, and ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro. Let this simmer, stirring occasionally to keep it from burning, while the chicken is cooking. Fire up the grill! We love grilling in the winter. These skewers can be done over wood, gas, or even hot cast iron depending on the flavors you are looking for. We like the smokiness of wood. While the grill is heating-up, prepare skewers by rinsing off the marinade, and ensuring there is a little space between each piece of chicken on the skewer. Try to group similar size pieces on one skewer so the cook time is the same. Grill time should only take 3-4 minutes each side. The juices will run clear when internal temp reaches 165 degrees. Be very careful not to overcook the chicken. Season the sauce with the salt and add the chicken. We are almost there! Once the chicken has rested for five minutes, plate the rice, ladle the sauce, and stack on the chicken. Dinner is served! Although this is not a technical dish, nor is it particularly hard to make, it does take some time to prepare. If you spend time together in the kitchen, this is a fun one to share together and make an evening out of. It is one of the coldest months of the year after all. Happy New Year from Mitzi and I! Simple-ish, easy-ish, and definitely delicious. Be Well! Kyle Snyder is a gourmet chef, jack-ofall trades, and an all-around happy guy

January 2019

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C L THE HAPPY M The Only Thing We “Overlook” is the Rappahannock! Monday ~ Saturday: 11am ~ 9pm Sunday: 12-8pm 1017 Sophia Street

540-899-0140 (ph)

540-899-0141 (fax)

Rand Sompayrac & Richard Moncure, Proprietors

Become a Member

fxbgfoodcoop@gmail.com fredericksburgfoodcoop.com

Vino Have glogg this winter by City Vino

Olde Towne BUTCHER Corner 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

The term "mulled" wine refers to spiced, heated wine, generally served in the winter. But where did it come from? The ancient Greeks and Romans would add spices to left over and lesser quality wine and then heat it up to make it more palatable. In the middle ages, when the plague was in full force, mulled wine became popular because it was believed the spices would guard against illness. As Europe emerged from the Middle Ages, the popularity of mulled wine faded, except in Scandinavia where "glögg" would be served to warm messengers who traveled by horseback or skis during the winter. Glögg, which would include wine or clear spirits like rum, became a drink regularly consumed on Shrove Tuesday, the Scandinavian version of Mardi Gras. In the latter half of the 1800s mulled wine, called "glüwein" in Germany, became increasingly associated with Christmas. It was mentioned in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and glögg producers started adding images of Santa Claus to their bottles. In addition to a dry red wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and orange zest are among the most commonly used ingredients in mulled wine. Traditional glöggs may also include cardamom and ginger. Whether you make your own or buy pre-packed spice mixtures, mulled wines are great for holiday parties or just sipping by a fire on a snowy winter day.

FPF Favorite Mullied Wine/Glogg Recipe (We have had our share, many of January nights, of this warm delight) Making mulled wine couldn't be easier. Combine a bottle of red with some orange slices, spices, honey, and brandy, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. THAT'S IT. We like using dry varietals like merlot, malbec, or cab sauv. But really, any kind that you like should work! If you don't like brandy, or don't want to buy a bottle, skip it. 1 (750-ml.) bottle red wine 1 orange, sliced into rounds, plus more for garnish 6 whole cloves 3 cinnamon sticks, plus more for garnish 3 star anise 1/4 c. honey 1/2 c. brandy

DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer not a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer gently over low heat for 10 minutes. 2. Serve warm and garnish with more citrus slices and cinnamon sticks.

City Vino is located at 810 Caroline St. You can find owners Renee Dunn & Rita Allen on-site to provide answers to all your wine questions & help you plan your Holiday beverages front porch fredericksburg

January 2019

CALEND january 2019… Happy New Year. May Your Year Be Filled With Joy! Tuesday, January 1 Happy New Year

"Thunder on the Rise" Hard Rock Café, 4-Mile Fork, 6:530p-9p. Free

Wednesday, January 2

Open Mic at the Rec Center 8 pm best sounding open mic in FXBG Sign up starts at 7, music at 8. 213 William St.

Thursday, January 3

Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. featuring drink specials at the copper top bar.

First Friday, January 4

Railroad Museum and Rail Excursion, relive history at the Rappahannock Railroad Museum. Located in Spotsylvania Business Park across from the Fairgrounds and near Shannon Airport.. 9-Noon, 301-653-7983 for more information. FREE Flavors of Fredericksburg, a Food Tour,through the historic district enjoy a variety of tastings at restaurants and specialty shops while your guide highlights Fredericksburg's history and architecture. Tickets .flavorsoffredericksburg. com

Sunday, January 6

Bluegrass Jam @Sunken Well, 720 Littlepage, 79pm Dj Drummer Duo Winter Bash, Strangeways Brewing , 8pm

Mindful Mornings 8am, at FAM Adults with Aspergers & Parents of Adults with Aspergers groups meet collectively and separately to socialize, make friends, and exchange information. Info, contact Danielle at 540-5380262 or Karen (parent) at 540-842-1005. 7-9pm. Community Room at the Fredericksburg disAbility Resource Center

Tuesday, January 8

Jon Wiley & Brandon Snellings,Live Music @LaPetite Auberge, 311 William St, 9-11p. . No cover. lapetiteaubergefred.com

Wednesday, January 9

Launch Party for a podcast Integration Nation. enjoy refreshments and music with us as we celebrate the power of integrative mental health 7 p.m. - 9 p.m 307 Lafayette Blvd. third floor. FCCA Members Gallery, Lynne Smyers & Faith Gaillot Brush Strokes Gallery, All Members "Influences", 6-9pm, 824 Caroline St.

Show

Saturday, January 5

Opening Reception for Johnny Johnson's Annual Arts Workshop Exhibit, CRRL xbg branch, 6-8pm. Exhibit thru January New Year's Traditional Donut & Wine Pairing, Mattaponi Winery - 7530 Morris Rd, 22551. 10a6p

Kim Chi Workshop, Join Steve Hickman in the kitchen at Downtown Greens to learn all about Korean spicy fermented cabbage. Free tasting! 5pm Songwriter's Open Mic, Highmark Brewery, 7-10p. FREE

Open Mic at the Rec Center 8 pm .Scott Wagner hosts the coziest and best sounding open mic in Fredericksburg. Sign up starts at 7, music at 8. 213 William St.

Thursday, January 10

Ashley McBryde,"The Girl Going Nowhere Tour", Hard Times Café, 4-Mile Fork, 8pm Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. featuring drink specials at the copper top bar. Open Mic with Larry Hinkle Highmark Brewery!, 390 Kings HWY, Happy hour -4-6p

Friday, January 11

"Twelfth Night at Kenmore"-a dramatic theater presentation set in January 1776, as Fielding & Betty Washington Lewis celebrate the holidays in their newly built home. Immerse yourself in the candlelight, music, and decorations of an eighteenth-century Christmas! Info: ayes@gwffoundation.org

Become a Friend Advocate ~ Donate ~ Volunteer

540~479~4116 1013 Princess Anne St , FXBG 16

January 2019

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Adults with Aspergers and the Parents of Adults with Aspergers groups meet collectively and separately to socialize, make friends, and exchange information. info, contact Danielle at 540-5380262 or Karen (parent) at 540-842-1005. 7-9pm Community Room at the Fredericksburg disAbility Resource Center

Wednesday, Janua

Saturday, January 12

Friday, January 18

Railroad Museum and Rail Excursion, relive history at the Rappahannock Railroad Museum. Located in Spotsylvania Business Park across from the Fairgrounds and near Shannon Airport.. 9-Noon, 301-653-7983 for more information. FREE Flavors of Fredericksburg, a Food Tour, through the historic district and enjoy a variety of tastings at restaurants and specialty shops while your guide highlights Fredericksburg's history and architecture. Tickets available for Saturday tours at www.flavorsoffredericksburg. com Laurie Rose Griffith & Pete Mealy, Live Music @LaPetite Auberge, 311 William St, 8-10p. . No cover. lapetiteaubergefred.com

Sunday, January 13

The Arts & Cultural Council of the Rapphannock (ACCR) 3rd annual "Soup's On!" event in the theater room at the CRRL FXBG Branch 2:30 pm. earn more about the website's capabilities in helping artists and arts organizations promote their businesses and programs. Plan on visiting ACCR at the library for some hot soup and lively conversation about promoting the arts Hugh Mercer Birthday Open House, 12-4pm , Celebrate the 293rd birthday of Hugh Mercer with us! In honor of his birthday, there will be an open house at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, featuring cake, punch, a bagpiper, music, and tours. This event is FREE! Bluegrass Jam @Sunken Well, 720 Littlepage, 79pm It's a Sunday tradition with some of the best pickers around.

Tuesday, January 15

"Roders & Hammerstein", William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series open to public free of charge 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Aud.in George Washington Hall. lecture concludes with an audience Q&A session .

Open Mic at the Rec Cen at 7, music at 8. 213 W

Thursday, January

Live Music at 7:30 Kenm specials at the copper to

FXBG Restaurant Week downtown restau FredericksburgRestauran

Adults with Aspergers a with Aspergers groups friends, and exchange i Danielle at 540-538-02 540-842-1005. 7-9pm Fredericksburg disAbility

The Acoustic Onion, Live 311 William St, lapetiteaubergefred.com

Davisson Brothers Band Fork, 8p

Saturday, January

Winter Wonder Bar Plantation Winery, 1pm,

Railroad Museum and Ra at the Rappahannock R in Spotsylvania Busines Fairgrounds and near S 301-653-7983 for more

Flavors of Fredericksbu through the historic dist tastings at restaurants your guide highlights Fr architecture. Tickets av at www.flavorsoffrederic

Sunday, January 2

Zero Waste: The 5 R's: L Reduce, Reuse, Recycle sustainable lifestyle. Fredericksburg Food Co and the Library with showing us how we ca fredericksburgfoodcoop.

DAR of events

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Learn how you can Refuse, e, and Rot for a more Presented by the o-op, UMW Sustainability, local sustainability stars an all make a difference. .com

Peter and Will Anderson Trio with Alex Wintz, St. George's Episcopal Church Chamber Music Series. "beautiful music in a beautiful space" will be offered free to the public. All concerts are at 3 pm and take place in the Nave of St. George's, 905 Princess Anne Street, Bluegrass Jam @Sunken Well, 720 Littlepage, 79pm It's a Sunday tradition with some of the best pickers around.

Tuesday, January 22

"Bruce Le", William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series open to the public free of charge and no admission tickets are required. Programs begin at 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Auditorium in George Washington Hall. Each lecture concludes with an audience Q&A session with the speaker and a booksigning.

Wednesday, January 23

Eating for the Earth: St. George's Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne St, 5:30-7:30 pm. Fred Food Coop member Geetha Kumar will demonstrate how to make a healthy weeknight meal using spiced lentils. Vegan potluck follows the cooking class. fredericksburgfoodcoop.com Open Mic at the Rec Center 8 pm .best sounding open mic in FXBG Sign up starts at 7, music at 8. 213 William St. Open Mic with Larry Hinkle every Thursday at Highmark Brewery!, 390 Kings HWY, Happy hour 4-6p Civil War Round Table of Fredericksburg hosts historian Robert Dunkerly who will give a presentation on "Civil War Railroads". University of Mary Washington Jepson Alumni Center, 6-9pm.

Thursday, January 24

Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. featuring drink specials at the copper top bar.

Friday, January 25

Adults with Aspergers & Parents of Adults with Aspergers meet Info:. Danielle at 540-538-0262 or Karen at 540-842-1005. 7-9pm Community Rm Fredericksburg disAbility Resource Center

Terri Clark @Hard Times Café, 4-Mile Fork, 9pm

Saturday, January 26

Annual National Seed Swap event Collect and trade seeds and learn how to live and garden with our infamous clay soil. free and open to the public, sponsored by the Central Rappahannock Area Extension Master Gardeners. Rowser Building Route 1 Stafford 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Railroad Museum and Rail Excursion, Bring the Family and spend Saturday morning reliving history at the Rappahannock Railroad Museum. Located in Spotsylvania Business Park across from the Fairgrounds and near Shannon Airport.. 9Noon, 301-653-7983 for more information. FREE Flavors of Fredericksburg, a Food Tour, garnished with History. Walk through the historic district and enjoy a variety of tastings at restaurants and specialty shops while your guide highlights Fredericksburg's history and architecture. Tickets available for Saturday tours at www.flavorsoffredericksburg. com

"Mikhail Gorbachev", William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series This series is open to the public free of charge and no admission tickets are required. Programs begin at 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Auditorium in George Washington Hall. Each lecture concludes with an audience Q&A session with the speaker and a book-signing.

Wednesday, January 30

Open Mic at the Rec Center 8 pm .Scott Wagner hosts the coziest and best sounding open mic in Fredericksburg. Sign up starts at 7, music at 8. 213 William St. Sunken Well Trivia tonight starting at 7:45pm, 720 Littlepage, ~ Come and match wits against the finest minds in Fredericksburg! Compete for Honor, Glory, and Prizes!!

Thursday, January31

The Lacs, Hard Times Café, 4-Mile Fork Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. featuring drink specials at the copper top bar.

Sunday, January 27

Annual Empty Bowl benefiting Empowerhouse, Elks Lodge #875, Tidewater Trail, 5-7:30pm Free Film Screening: "A Plastic Ocean," at Gari Melchers Home and Studio , When he discovers the world's oceans brimming with plastic waste, a documentary filmmaker investigates the pollution's environmental impacts. Please join us for a free screening of the powerful documentary film 'A Plastic Ocean.' Reservations NOT required. Can't make the screening? Watch the film on Netflix. Dr. Andrew Dolby, University of Mary Washington Biology Professor, will lead a discussion after the screening. Bluegrass Jam @Sunken Well, 720 Littlepage, 79pm It's a Sunday tradition with some of the best pickers around.

Open Mic with Larry Hinkle every Thursday at Highmark Brewery!, 390 Kings HWY, Happy hour 4-6p

If you are reading this 258th issue of FPF, thank an advertiser as we celebrate our 22nd year of continuous publication! If you are an advertiser, list your events. Deadline for February 2019 issue is February 20th. To submit events go to frontporchfredericksburg.com/submit

Tuesday, January 29

Red Dragon Brewery Beer & Trivia night . As always you can battle the bartenders or sit at the bar & join their team!. 1419 Pr.Anne St

3375 Fans (& Growing) Want You to Join

Front Porch on

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January 2019

history’s stories

FXBG WINTER 1862-6 63 By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

A look at the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center collection

Fredericksburg Daily Star By judy chaimson

I am often asked the question, what happened after the battle with the soldiers in camp? That is a question that takes much research, using letters, diaries and official records. I have researched many accounts of the lives of both Union and Confederate soldiers for many years. Recently I received a book from my friends in Louisiana Bill and Robbie Rome. The book LEE'S TIGERS by author Terry Jones gives some excellent information about the lives of soldiers in the Louisiana Infantry, especially at Fredericksburg in the winter of 1862. Mr. Jones has done extensive research using personal letters and official records of the units before and after the Battle in 1862. He relates the affect the winter had on the lives of these soldiers from Louisiana. The Louisiana brigades were not actively engaged in the Battle of Fredericksburg; however, they did suffer casualties from the heavy Union artillery fire as they were in the reserve area on the Confederate right near Hamilton's crossing. Today you can see the remains of their camps along mine road, most of which is owned by the National Park Service. The "hut sites" or as the soldiers called them "holes in the ground," depressions remain very visible. These troops like many from Georgia, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama had arrived in Virginia in early September thru October. At that time of the year they were in cotton uniforms and did not anticipate or have any ideas of the cold Virginia winter. Many of the southern troop had never been away from home or mild southern winters. Snow arrived in early December and the Fredericksburg area was covered. It is recorded in my previous research that 325 men fighting at the stone wall were shoeless, many had wrapped their feet in parts of their clothing too keep warm. In Hays brigade the men of the 2nd Louisiana bought goods from a local farmer including wheat that they used to make a coffee substitute. Other Confederate troops used acorns to make coffee, while others constructed small boats to send across the Rappahannock and traded tobacco for coffee with the Union soldiers. The winter camps stretched from where todays Central Park is located all the way to Moss Neck, where Stonewall Jackson had a large encampment at his headquarters. There were not many trees left standing on either side of the river as the below freezing temperatures required fires for warmth on a 24-hour basis. Most of the wood was either used to build the log huts, which ranged in size of four by six feet over a dugout impression that was four feet deep the same size. Each hut had a fire place that required a constant supply of wood for heat. Ezra Denson of the 9th Louisiana made a visit across the river and upon his return told his fellow Tigers that the Yankees said they would be willing to "meet shake hands and never fire another shot". The winter had taken its toll with several men having frozen to death. Out of 1,500 soldiers in the camp 400 were without shoes while others did not have overcoats or blankets. The harsh condition during the winter of 1862-63, did not ease up until late March with 365 soldiers in the unit being AWOL (absent without leave). The war would continue for two more years. Fifty years after the end of the Civil War, soldiers both North and South would shake hands at their reunions and reminisce about the harsh winter of 1862-63 in Fredericksburg. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019 DEDICATED TO: COURTNEY PRICE, JERRY STEIN AND CLARENCE BOWLING Tuffy is the Front Porch resident FXBG historian

OUR HERITAGE

January 2019

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The newspaper headline reads: “Pastor Pounded” and 100 years later we are startled, maybe even shocked, that such a terrible event would occur in rural Stafford County. In January of 1919, however, the pastor of Rock Hill Baptist Church was delighted as his parishioners filled a buggy with pounds of flour, sugar, coffee and other foodstuffs which would allow his family to eat well for several months. There were few “feel good” headlines in the Fredericksburg Daily Star of January, 1919. The Armistice ending the war in Europe had been signed the previous November, but casualty lists were still being printed each week. Spotsylvania resident, John Carnahan, killed in France in October received a headline in January. Communication was slow. Not all military news was dire – some of the missing were reported found, and sons, fathers and brothers were coming home. In contrast, the influenza news reported in January 1919 was almost entirely dire. National and state governments reported a decrease in flu cases, but headlines in The Daily Star do not seem to support that claim. All churches in Bowling Green were closed. The flu was of “epidemic” proportion throughout the Northern Neck. The “Spotsylvania School News” was almost entirely concerned with teacher illness. The January 21st issue of the paper contained the following flu deaths: Mrs. Gardner and her son, the seven-month-old baby of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Guy, Mrs. Sutherland, Mrs. Lizzie Smith, Robert Herndon, Eddie Orrock (whose wife died later that week), Mrs. Ollie Brown, Mrs. Rosa Bourne (whose son died days earlier). Many of the flu victims were young men and women, like Mrs. Nora Burton of Stafford County who left five small children. Eventually, the flu featured less prominently in The Daily Star. There were more reports of people recovering and fewer deaths, but the emotional and economic toll on families continued. In January 1919, subscribers paid thirty cents a month for the paper. That reasonable cost must have been due to the fact that much of the newsprint was devoted to advertising. Scattered among large ads for local businesses were many articles extolling the merits of various “tonics”. Some of the ads were subtle, leading the reader to think he was reading about a newsworthy topic. In an article pertaining to women working during the

war, the opening paragraph described the various jobs that women were called to do – munitions work, streetcar and elevator attendants, ambulance drivers – and how important they were to the war effort. The next paragraph explained that many more women would have been able to work if only they had ingested Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound! Old newspapers are historically interesting and are useful research tools for genealogists. In the one hundred years since January 1919 the news travels faster, wars continue in different places, new diseases make the headlines, advertising is more inescapable, and one hopes that church pastors no longer have to depend on “poundings” to feed their families.

The Heritage Center recently received a donation of bound issues of The Daily Star (1913 – 1926). Researchers are welcome, but the papers are very fragile so please make an appointment so one of our volunteers can assist you. Judy Chaimson can be found most days at the Heritage Center

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a Cupola ? the historic renwick courthouse By jon gerlach

Fredericksburg is widely known for its iconic skyline. Along with historic church steeples, the magnificent cupola of the Renwick building is an architectural gem. Recently, construction of the new Fredericksburg Courthouse added another cupola to the striking skyline. When the new courthouse was in the planning stages, its cost elicited controversy. The

old days were no different. The first courthouse dated to around 1736. There, notable attorneys such as James Monroe, John Marshall and Bushrod Washington argued their cases. The original courthouse was demolished and replaced with what we know today as the Renwick building in 1852, designed in the English Romanesque style by famous architect James Renwick, Jr.. Renwick also designed the Smithsonian Castle in Washington DC and St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. The price tag for the Renwick building was shocking at the time, around $14,000. An unheard-of amount, the proposal spurred a petition of 172 signatures by local residents seeking a more modest cost of $6,000, according to historian John Hennessy in the online Mysteries & Conundrums blog: A Beleaguered Courthouse. A unique example of public Norman-Gothic architecture in Virginia,

the Renwick building has many interesting stories. The historic bell in the cupola weighs in at several hundred pounds, cast in 1828 by the Revere Company, of Paul Revere fame. Prior to the Civil War, the building housed the court and the Hope Fire Company. Early in the war, the courthouse was a Confederate barracks. Later during a Union occupation it served as housing for escaped slaves. On December 13, 1862, Major General Darius N. Couch, watching the destruction of his forces in front of Marye's Heights from his vantage point high up in the cupola, exclaimed: "Oh, great God! See how our men, our poor fellows are falling!" After the Battle of Fredericksburg, and again following the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, the courthouse was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. Other interesting tidbits about the Civil War history of the Renwick building are found in the book, Fredericksburg Civil War Sites, by Noel Harrison. After the Civil War, the building housed the Fredericksburg Circuit Court, a school, and an armory. Among many changes over the years, the parapet walls were removed, and a second floor was added to the courtroom in 1948. The Renwick building is actually part of a complex of three historic buildings owned by the City that include the Old Jail (1928) and the Wallace Library (1910). The future of all three buildings is uncertain. The City would like to see the buildings reused (they sit vacant now). A Historic Structures Report from 2016 provided documentary, graphic, and physical information about the history and existing condition of the buildings. It highlighted a number of problems with the Renwick building, primarily moisture infiltration in the bell tower and the building's cracked

stucco, as well as problems with structural members. Results of a feasibility study are expected early in 2019: possible adaptive re-u uses of the site may include office space, special events, a restaurant, a small performing arts venue, and a boutique hotel. Stay tuned as City leaders consider the future of the Renwick building. So â&#x20AC;Ś what's in a Cupola? A crown jewel in our historic skyline.

An attorney and retired archaeologist, Jon Gerlach chairs the Architectural Review Board in Fredericksburg. "Crown Jewel" by Jon Gerlach

Supporting Historic Preservation Since 1997

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January 2019

Senior Care never stop learning Dog Walking Pet Sitting Companion Play Time & Mini Furies, Too!

By Karl Karch

(540-903-0437; lexig0892@gmail.com) On facebook as “City PetSitting”

Wikipedia define lifelong learning as “the ‘ongoing, voluntary, and selfmotivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Therefore, it not only enhances social inclusion, active citizenship, and personal development, but also self-sustainability, as well as competitiveness and employability.” While lifelong learning begins at an early age, one is never too old to benefit from learning. The last five years I combined my now thirteen years of practical experience caring for our aging population with the theoretical study of the biological, psychological, sociological, and political factors involved in the process of aging and have now earned a Master of Arts in Social Gerontology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha via an online program. I was inspired to attain a master’s degree by my former employee Billie Stewart, RN who, at the age of 82, completed her master’s degree in nursing and then enrolled in her PhD program but passed away at 84 before completing the program. You don’t have to enroll in university or community college classes to The Central continue learning. Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) has excellent resources for seniors that can be accessed by visiting in person or online. Branches throughout the region hold periodic classes and events such as: genealogy and local history, health screenings, tax clinics, and book groups. Training is available for topics such as basic computer skills and downloading eBooks. Talking books are available, as well as large print books. You can download eBooks (and adjust the font size and type), eAudio, and eMagazines for free. You can even apply for a library card online and it will be mailed to you. It can’t get any easier than this. We are fortunate to have such a great resource in our community.

January 2019

The actress Marlo Thomas once said, “When your formal education ends, the learning really begins.” Later life learning is a time to learn new roles by getting involved in community activities and non-profit organizations that are always looking for volunteers. There are several community centers for people 55 and older. Dorothy Hart Community Center holds many Parks and Recreation classes for residents of zip code 22401. Rowser Senior Citizen Center for anyone (free for Stafford residents, $30 for nonresidents), and the Marshall Center for Spotsylvania County for residents. Healthy Generations Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging has five senior Cafés providing socialization and learning activities in addition to healthy meals. The internet is great for learning. I routinely read news on websites, although I continue to have the Free Lance Star delivered at home (with high reliability before 5:00am I might add) which I read with my morning coffee. My engineering background causes me to read reviews and compare products before purchases large or small, and read about my physical issues on medical websites. I read articles and watch videos on improving aspects of my golf swing. Even though I’ve been playing the game for fifty years, I am still learning how to play better. Gerontological research has shown that continual learning (formal or self-directed) has an important role in active aging and helping older adults compensate for cognitive and emotional decline as well as helping older adults deal with depression and poor self-image. So, when you wake up each morning ask yourself: What can I learn today? Karl Karch is a Gerontologist and local franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care in the Fredericksburg and Culpeper region.

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All Energy keep your focus by christina ferber

THE

FREDERICKSBURG LAMP Only Available At

The Copper Shop 371-4455 1707R Princess Anne

Behind Silk Mill Like Us on facebook

Donate to a Cancer Organization

Helping homeless children and families in City of Fredericksburg, Counties of Caroline, Stafford & Spotsylvania 540 371 0831

ble at Availa n.com Amazo

Donna Eden : Crown Pull

Memory Pump

A new year has begun, and you have probably made some goals or resolutions to fulfill in the coming year. Eden Energy Medicine exercises can help you maintain your focus on those goals, as well as on day-to-day activities. Try some of these and see if you gain more clarity and focus in the coming year. Two tried and true exercises to help are taken from Donna Eden's Daily Energy Routine. Both exercises will help you to think more clearly. To perform the Crown Pull, place your thumbs on your temples and your fingertips in the middle of your forehead. With pressure, stretch your forehead by moving your fingers to your temples. Repeat at your hairline and move over your head until you reach the base of your neck. Pull across it and place your fingers behind your shoulders. Squeeze your fingers over them to the front, and with a deep breath, pull your hands off. The Cross Crawl can also help to improve coordination, as well as help with clarity. Start with a shoulder pull by placing your right hand on your left shoulder. With a little pressure, push in and drag your hand across your body to the opposite hip. Repeat on both sides a few times, and then move to an exaggerated walk as you cross over each hand to the opposite knee. If your left knee is up, your right hand should cross over to touch it. Continue this cross-over march for at least one minute. Staying grounded and connected is a key element in maintaining focus and attention, and one of my favorite exercises that accomplishes this is Taking Down the Flame. Take a deep breath in and out with your hands on your thighs. On the next inhale, raise your hands on either side of your body and connect them above your

head so that your fingers and thumbs meet. Bring them down to your head, touching your thumbs to the top of your head, and exhale. Inhale and bring your thumbs to the middle of your forehead. Exhale. On the next inhale, move your thumbs to your heart. Exhale. Then inhale and bring your thumbs to your naval. Exhale. Inhale and flatten your hands on your thighs and move them down your legs, and off your toes. Finally, trace your hands up the inside of your legs, finishing in the same spot you started. The Four Memory Pumps not only help you to think more clearly, they can also help keep your memory sharp if done regularly. Place your right hand on your chest, and the other on the side of your head with your fingers extended over your head. Take four deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Then, move your left hand to the front of your head with your fingers extending over your forehead and repeat the breath pattern. Next, place your left hand on your chest, and your right hand on the side of your head and breathe four times again. Finally, place your right hand on the back of your head and breath four more times. This exercise has actually helped me to find misplaced or forgotten items, and since then, I have tried to make it an everyday exercise. For videos of these and many more exercises to help with all aspects of your life, visit www.itsallenergywellness.com. I hope your year is filled with balance, wonder and joy!

Christina Ferber is a Certified Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner. www.itsallenergywellness.com

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January 2019

Emancipated Patients new year innovations

Mind Your Mind just a little pot’o honey

By Patrick Neustatter, MD As with last year, the New Year edition is time to bring you up to date on the latest and greatest in medical advances (whether you are interested or not) – facilitated by the report from the Cleveland Clinic Top Ten Medical Innovations for 2018. Eyes Some is seriously sexy technology, like gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases. Using virus “vectors” this inserts new genes to replace the faulty ones in diseases like Leber Congenital Amaurosis – where a genetic defect means the photoreceptor cells of the retina don’t work right. A little obscure you might think – but a technology with great potential. Vaccines Or finding better ways to grow the inactivated microorganisms used in vaccines – like growing influenza virus in tobacco plants, insects, and nanoparticle systems, rather than a zillion chicken eggs. Much simpler. And freeze drying them so they keep much longer (a boon in the third world). Also making them absorb through the skin, so instead of a flu shot, you get an impregnated patch like a Band-Aid. Recalcitrant Cholesterol Maybe less exciting but likely to be relevant to a lot more people is improvement in treatment of high cholesterol (everyone tells me there doctors says “get your cholesterol down”). Statins are the current way, but some difficult patients can’t tolerate them. And in others they don’t do the job. Enter “PCSK9 inhibitors.” These work in a different way. They inhibit a protein in the liver called PCSK9, which destroys the receptors that mop up cholesterol from the blood. On their own, or combined with statins, they are pretty damn effective – to the point that is has the experts asking “how low is too low?”

They are available as Praluent (alirocumab) from Sanofi-Aventis and Repatha (evolocumab) from Amgen. Down side is they have to be given as a shot every two weeks. And treatment costs $ 14,350 per year.

Take Up Thy Bed and Walk I like item #8 - Enhanced Postoperation Recovery - because of its common sense approach, and that it challenges some sacred medical dogma. Also it is relevant to many. Post op’ “fast-track” allows the patient to eat before surgery (the convention is anesthetizing someone with a full stomach is a no-no because they will vomit and aspirate and die – or at least get “aspiration pneumonia”). Patients are also given a nutrition plan to follow after surgery (attention to diet - another radical idea). It also limits post-op’ opioids, and thus sedation/constipation/addiction, by prescribing non-narcotic pain med’s. Then it gets patients up and walking much sooner – all of which reduces risk of stuff like blood clots, nausea, muscle wasting, pressure sores, pneumonia. Maybe a little cynical that the motivation for this was too many nonreimbursed hospital readmissions. Not to mention a rampant opioid epidemic. Watching From Afar Finally, number 9 on the list was a sort of intermediate-tech. Centralized Monitoring – where one central control station can monitor many physiological parameters of sick patients in many different locations, and use “risk stratification algorithms” to forewarn when someone is “going down the tubes.” This is reported to improve the rather downbeat statistic that only one in four patients survive in-hospital cardiac arrest. Worryingly, some 44% of inpatient cardiac arrests are not detected appropriately. But this intense monitoring should help - it reported a “robust” 93 percent survival. So that’s the cutting edge. Still the best is don’t get sick and need any of these wonders.

Drug companies claim they have to

charge so much because it’s such a financial burden to bring a drug to market. But 2017 revenues of SanofiAventis of about $40 billion and Amgen about $26 billion which makes me think they are full of bull.

Patrick Neustatter is the Medical Director of the Moss Free Clinic.

By Barbara Deal You know what? A funny thing happened along the journey for trying to have a more positive attitude. Well, maybe not funny but curious, even hopeful... There was some talk on facebook a couple of years ago suggesting that one write down everyday a positive thing that happened and put it in a jar or a piggy bank and keep it going for a year. Then, beginning the next year, one could read a message each day remembering good things. Not a bad idea, self discipline involved, refocusing thinking patterns. Tailor-made self improvement plan. I was all in. Immediate and excitedly I grabbed pen and random sticky sheets with a little plan for the container of future positive musings. My friend and artist Ed King had given me a hand thrown pot, really a honey pot. That thing had just the right ambiance to contain the anticipated joy and processing for the year. And thus I began. It really was not hard to identify even silver linings on bad days. I probably put in those notes for a week, maybe 10 days. Then I forgot. Then I remembered and wrote 5 things retrospectively and put them in the box. Then I would forget a couple of days then write 8, folding the little yellow, sometimes blue or white squares of notes with a few words. The discipline of the daily got me but I expanded the expectation to “ do it when you do it.” And “continue.” And ‘do it anyway, any how. The pot got full and fuller. After awhile I was jamming a piece in because the lid would no longer easily close. Ever the nay-sayer, even ole husbee threw in a couple. I pulled a few notes out for this column. A friend talked about empowerment and awareness .A musician sent an email about my painting .I drew some cartoons for the grandkids. Set limits with a person nicely. Saw a full double rainbow arching across the Chatham square parking lot. Avoided an accident. Bad day but that coffee! Somebody was in the hospital but came

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

January 2019

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home. Spent 3K on car repairs but at least I didn’t have to buy a new one. Somebody brought me blueberries they had grown. Felt joy quilting the ribbon quilt. I played in the children’s toy room while a friend was having surgery. Moments… Little daily things, minor things identified and written. It enhances the felt sense, the detailed memory of excitement, the longing and also the spin. So here is the odd part. That little honey pot has held all of those little recognitions, those pauses to recollect, those moments of cherishing and sorting and continues to hold them so silently. That pot has sat for 2 years holding its lid over those notes. Yet still, that pot remains the holder of hope, its contents never read. Because that effort of centering an effort at hope is rekindled everytime I look at that little honey pot. I am thinking about imagination. Irish poet David Whyte, and his friend the late John O’Donahue once talked about imagination. They believe that it is imagination and imagination alone that gives a person the reason to live. And it is that hope that underlies that motivation continue . And may we continue with that imagination into tomorrow and tomorrow. Barbara is a retired psychotherapist and local artist & plays flutes with Tom Miller & Jeff Snyder at FCCA on First Fridays.

Writing on the Wall Artwork Exemplifies School Spirit By sherri Johnson What started as a modest way to beautify Hartwood Elementary School’s front office, evolved into a an art initiative that spanned the entire school and PONSHOP redefined “School Spirit”. Studio’s Gabriel Pons worked with the school to create a 27-foot long canvas mural as well as integrate a “color band” system for the school’s hallways. Hartwood Elementary’s principal, Scott Elchenko reached out to Pons last spring seeking his creative input on improving the administrative office’s interior. The charge was to incorporate inspiring artwork with a message that embodies the spirit of the school – and since Pons’s signature work incorporates street art-inspired writing and imagery, it was a perfect match. Pons created a six-panel canvas mural that is a colorful mosaic of dense text, which he calls the “Hartwood Promise”. The writing was the result of a teacher survey where they were asked to define qualities of the school – its faculty,

academic goals, and m o s t importantly the students’ character. The artist then composed a 156 word “pledge” that celebrates the school’s communitymindedness, diversity, and their charge of academic excellence. This declaration was then hand painted in vibrant colors and overlaid with a single cursive word: “Welcome”. “From my experiences as a parent at Hartwood Elementary over the past eight years, I knew that this mural had to embody what makes this school so special, and it can easily be described in one word – Family” said Pons “In addition, the front office is literally the face of the school, it’s the first space that new students and parents experience upon arrival and I felt that’s important that we put our best foot forward in greeting guests. The mural is, by design, undeniably engaging and encourages viewers to pause and take it in”. The Mural reads: “We are a community of dedicated and determined teachers who believe that

students thrive in an environment that is inclusive, safe, purposeful, respectful, collaborative, engaging, and responsive. Kids come first in our family and we strive for a stimulating learning experience that provides young minds with a creative spark and a nurturing environment where they can excel as children and be free to explore on their own or as a team all that our world has to offer. Curiosity, tenacity, empathy coupled with a supportive, hardworking and hands-on curriculum is key to cultivating success. We are invested in our future and believe that enduring relationships are built upon a foundation of trust, honesty, respect, patience, devotion, and charity. Students are encouraged to grow together and learn from one another as an integrated community devoted to exploring science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, traveling the world and understanding our place in history because we are the future.” You can view a time-lapse video of the mural project on the PONSHOP Blog.

Coincidental with the mural project, Pons consulted the school on an initiative to paint stripes of color throughout the school’s hallways. These “color bands” have a dual function: like any subway map, they provide students and parents a color-coded means of orienting themselves in the building, while at the same time, they create an opportune moment for incorporating directional signage and motivational slogans, giving each quadrant of the school its own personality and indicating the activity of the adjacent rooms. Motivational Slogans include: “We Have A Lot To Say And Even More To Do”, “Believe You Can And You Are Halfway There”, “Strong Bodies Promote Strong Minds”, “Focused and Ready”, “Good Food Is Better With Friends”, “Little Minds Foster Big Dreams”, “What Defines Us Is How Well We Rise After Falling”

Sherri Johnson is the Communication Director at Hartwood Elementary School patersonjg@staffordschools.net

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January 2019

Casey Alan Shaw

Local Children’s Book Nominated for Illustrations

Cover Artist depict Fredericksburg's architecture.

iconic

“I was born & raised in Texas, but fxvbg area has been my hme for more than 20 years” and is much of his inspiration. Shaw is a designer for The Free Lance-Star and the Culpeper StarExponent and he's also an adjunct art professor at Germanna Community College. He worked for USA Today for almost twenty years as Creative Director for USA Weekend Magazine, where he earned dozens of national awards for graphic design and illustration. Shaw holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with honors, from the University of North Texas and a Master of Fine Arts from Syracuse University. This month's cover artist, Casey Alan Shaw, was always the kid at the back of the room drawing caricatures of his teacher.

His original art and limitededition prints are available at Art First Gallery on Caroline Street, where he's a past president.

Now he draws from more than thirty years experience as a graphic artist to create pen & ink drawings and paintings in various media. His subject matter ranges widely, but one of his very favorite subjects is finding new ways to

You can also find his work at other iconic downtown spots like Goolrick's, Ulman's Jewelry, The Made in Virginia Store and on his website, www.caseyshaw.com.

“Cold Feet” by Penny A. Parrish 810 Artists: Beverley Coates, Watercolorist Penny A. Parrish, Photographer; Lynn Abbott, Oil Painter Daily 10 to 6.

Artist on site Saturdays

540.371.4099

810 Caroline Street, Downtown Fredericksburg 24

January 2019

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Marla Wears A Halo The Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) announced the nominees for its 2018 Writing Competition, which recognizes outstanding work about dogs. Marla Wears A Halo, written by Carol McElhaney Shelton and illustrated by Joan Critz Limbrick was nominated in Category 23. Series of Illustrations or Paintings. Winners will be announced at the DWAA Awards Banquet on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at the Hotel New Yorker in Manhattan. Keynote speakers are NBC correspondent Jill Rappaport, host of Animal Planet's "Dog Bowl," and radio host/journalist/author Steve Dale of Steve Dale's Pet World. (www.dogwriters.org)

Name This House

Stories

of fredericksburg

win downtown gift certificate

david spellman

Before Micah had a relationship with the veteran's administration, there was a retired Marine who made it his mission to know the veterans who slept on the streets at night. He wasn't shy about calling them to attention, and no amount of bureaucracy could stand in the way of his push to get them the support that was owed to them. Before Micah had a jobs program, there was a clever New York salesman that sought out the hardest to employ. One minute they'd be sitting in the Micah lobby and the next they'd be riding around town in his car putting in job applications or accompanying him as he manned a popup promotion counter in a local store. Frankly, before Micah knew much at all about what it meant to cultivate community and care for neighbors, a devout Catholic named David Spellman was humming his way through our halls and exemplifying much of the identity we have assumed today. I will never forget those particularly challenging early days, when we were still learning that people are homeless for a reason, they rarely "do what you tell them to do" and that helping is a relentless process of making and remaking new narratives. Dave was a voice in those times that simply believed in what we were doing and encouraged perseverance, even when the dominant opinion was that Micah worked with the people who simply could not be helped. "You know what you are doing here," he would often remind us. "You are selling hope." He could not have been more correct to draw the parallel between his sales experience and the strategic process of making a difference in the lives of the our neighbors in need. Consider the top five principles of any sales job:

1. Make people believe you have something that benefits them 2. Demonstrate value. The more people see the value in what you are offering, the more they will want it and the more they will "pay" for it. 3. Build a relationship. When customers trust and feel confident in the expertise of the person selling them something, they are more likely to follow through on the sale. 4. It's not about your product, but their problem. Sales happen when people see sincere and genuine solutions that can change their lives. 5. Give and keep on giving. Whether its time, free products, or a benefit of value, buyers come back time and again to the person who gives in spite of the deal. David knew that the people walking through our doors, first and foremost, needed something to believe in. The circumstances that had led to their homelessness had often evolved out of disappointment, countless missteps and a slew of bad deals that left them deeply hopeless and mistrustful of even the best offers. His willingness to spend time, unpack the problem and even jump in the car at a moments notice to address the issue at hand, made people want to work with him. Those who had never had a job, taken initiative or followed through on the requests made of them were suddenly invigorated through their relationship with Dave. They would seek him out, bring jobs they wanted help following up on or solicit his assistance navigating their problems with the VA. They trusted him and followed through because he gave freely of his expertise, genuinely invested in their lives and demonstrated a commitment to seeing a solution to fruition. Their problems were his problems; and even when a strategy didn't work the first time, he'd regroup, concoct a new plan and endlessly try again and again. When Dave passed away a few weeks ago, these many fond memories came flooding back. He is one of the many reasons I will always believe that true ministry happens when the gifts God has given the world leave from the pews on Sunday and find their way to into the lives of those on the street. After all, it is in the unexpected places, the humblest circumstances and the most impossible odds that we find the greatest hope of all. Merry Christmas everyone. May your new year be filled with love and abundant opportunities for selling hope.

Identify this mystery house and you could win a gift certificate from a downtown merchant. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how: Email frntprch@aol.com, Subject: Mystery House, Identify house address, Your name, address, email. The poem below is a hint of the location of the mystery house. Good Luck!

Last Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House: 1715 Sunken Well Street The Winner of a gift certificate from Roxbury Farm & Garden is Nick Calamos

The Friend Down the Hill How grand you are in spirit and repose, sitting next to the grand dame exposed. You have been neighbors, for a hundred years or more, you so secure and supportive of your friend, who was ripped asunder. She came out of the frightening revision recognizable, but in your eyes, your old friend still approachable, You are an original, only touched by saw and nail minimally. You view the same repository of the brave and dead as your friend, but you chose to be quiet and sad, never drawing a breath. Things will quiet down now my dear, with the new family settled, next door on the hill. They are a wonderful family, you will love them all. P.S.Your silver stars are heavenly, floating so gently.

Submitted by Micah Ecumenical Ministries Executive Director Meghann Cotter

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January 2019

Art in the Burg "JANUARY ALL-M MEMBERS SHOW" A Collection of Works by Art First Artists 824 Caroline Street

“The Flat”, Valerie McCarney @BSG "Influences" Brush Strokes Gallery, 824 Caroline St. If any artist is asked how they were first inspired to pursue their career or avocation, chances are they will cite a particular work by another artist-sometimes someone who is famous but, often, a personal acquaintance who, virtually or literally, served as a mentor in their lives. In some cases, the artist pursued a style or medium similar to that of the person who influenced them; In others, the impact of the mentors was related to their attitude to their subjects or the process of creation itself. Throughout January, an exhibit titled "Influences" in which each of our members will display a work by that "special person," side by side with one of their own creations. Visitors will have an opportunity to understand a deeper aspect of the gallery's artists that is reflected in their work--"The Heart behind the Art." Chat with our artists at the pening reception on First Friday, January 4, 6 pm to 9 pm. ~ Norma Woodward

January 2019

Did you enjoy the Van Gogh inspired "Starry, Starry Fredericksburg" on the cover of this issue of Front Porch? Then you'll definitely enjoy Art First's allmember show for January where a number of the member artists will be creating their take on a famous piece of historic art … and put their "Fredericksburg" twist on it.. Art First is Fredericksburg's oldest area artists co-op and offers a wide variety of professionally created paintings, jewelry, photography and sculpture. Take this opportunity to enjoy the abundance of great art created by local Fredericksburgarea artists. Opening Reception: First Friday, January 4, 6 to 9 p.m. ~Casey Shaw

Fine Arts 100 Taylor St, Colonial Beach

“Alice an Her Cat”, Nancy Brittle @FCCA

New art from all 22 member artists including: painting, photography, encaustic, basketry, jewelry, and pottery. The featured artist Karen Julihn, whose paintings and collages portray delightful images of wild life creatures and stylized characters that appear to have jumped out of a story book. opening reception on Friday, January 11 from 6-9.show runs until February 3. ~ Rob Rudick

“Focus on Color” FCCA, 813 Sophia St. A Juried Show; Frederick Gallery A show with an abundance of color, textures, and mediums

"Spirits Bright" The Artists' Alliance (AA) at Jarrett Thor

Lisa Gillen Glass Carolyn Cameron @Art First All Member Show Artful Dimensions 922 Caroline St Come see our gallery space... a work of art renovated entirely by our artist members. The only 3-D Gallery in Virginia!

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All Member Exhibit Art First Gallery 824 Caroline St “Leaping for Joy”, Karen Julihn @Art Alliance

Features works from all members. Opening Reception, January 4,

Soup s On! THE POETRY MAN By Frank Fratoe

Now I Am Behind everything we can see stands an unknown existence, all the bays, hills, streams which change but are undying, as in crags covered by snow and farmland enduring winter, or where dragonflies mature under the surface of the pond.

Introducing the RappArts Calendar & Directory by Carolyn Van Der Jagt On Sunday, January 13, The Arts & Cultural Council of the Rapphannock (ACCR) will hold the 3rd annual “Soup’s On!” event in the theater room at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Fredericksburg Branch on Caroline Street at 2:30 pm. Over the last year, ACCR has been working on expanding and updating arts.org (formerly its website at www.rapp-a fredericksburgarts.org). Attendees at “Soup’s On!” will learn more about the website’s capabilities in helping artists and arts organizations promote their businesses and programs.

information to be added to the Calendar of Events often and in a timely manner. Come to “Soup’s On!” to learn more about making Calendar submissions!

The new, updated Calendar of Events not only lists arts and culture events in the central Rappahannock River region, which includes Caroline, Fredericksburg, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Westmoreland, it also contains information on upcoming classes and workshops, auditions, artist opportunities, galas and fundraisers, and much more. It will be the ultimate guide to all future arts and culture events in the region. However, ACCR needs everyone’s assistance to make the Calendar of Events as comprehensive as possible. We hope all artists and arts and cultural organizations will contribute to the success of this Calendar by regularly submitting

artists from visual artists to performing artists, from bands to theater groups, from local authors to public art, from recurring festivals or events to offerings in museums. Don’t be left out of this important Directory. Submit your information and “Get Listed!”

The new website also includes a Directory of artists, arts organizations, and cultural resources. Here, also, ACCR needs the assistance of the arts and cultural communities. By submitting information about your organization or about yourself as an individual artist, the Directory can become a multi-faceted and diverse listing of all arts organizations and

the east coast, ACCR intends to use the new and improved website to highlight and promote the vast number of regional arts and cultural assets and resources. To do this, it is important that we demonstrate and publicize our vibrant arts community. In addition to publicizing a robust Calendar of Events, populating the Directory with all our arts and cultural resources is the next step. On January 13th at “Soup’s On!”, ACCR will present the new website to the arts community and demonstrate how

Just as sunrise breaks early to vanquish another darkness, so beyond loss there is hope whenever fate redeems itself, because the world says again now I am, here’s what I give. Frank Fratoe (Pop-Pop) lives & writes in the city. He has written poems from the heart for Front Porch for over 10 years.

Many people visit our area throughout the year. Some come for the history. Others come for the dining and breweries. Still others come because the central Rappahannock region is gaining attention for producing outstanding arts and cultural offerings. With the goal of establishing the Central Rappahannock region as a premier arts destination on

easy it is to “Get Listed.” ACCR members will assist participants in uploading their information into the Directory. Participants will also learn how to use the Directory to promote their arts and culture businesses. Help us help you promote yourself and your organization! So, check your calendar and plan on visiting ACCR at the library for some hot soup and lively conversation about promoting the arts in central Rappahannock River Region and beyond! See you January 13th at the downtown library at 2:30pm! Carolyn Van Der Jagt is the President of ACCR and a local fiber artist.

Old Town’s Greatest Tour 35 Monuments, Markers, & Attractions AND the Fredericksburg Battlefields Weddings Reunions Shuttles Parties Group Outings Fredericksburgtrolley.com

540-898-0737

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January 2019

Companions new year’s resolutions for you pet by Gerri Reid dvm

Happy New Year to Everyone! Time to start a new and make this year better than the last one We tend to make resolutions for ourselves such as start exercising or eat healthier. We head into the New Year ready to commit to these goals but what about our pets? This year, let’s make a few Resolutions for your pet (and you). When it comes to your pet’s diet, we fill up the food bowls each day and give treats. Not really knowing how much food/treats we have given them. Try to measure your pet’s food every time you feed them. How much to feed them? Start with the recommended feeding guidelines on the bag. Use a 8 oz measuring cup to feed the appropriate amount. This will lead to better feeding habits for your pet and hopefully maybe even a bit of weight loss. For ourselves, we tend to want to try new activities at the start of the year. Consider trying a new activity such as hiking, skijoring or even kayaking. This is a great way to bond with your pet. It will get you and your pet out of the house. And just think, both of you will reap the benefits of this new healthy physical activity. Try to incorporate more playtime in your daily routine such as throwing a ball or a favorite toy, laser toy, crinkly toys, and even a cardboard box can be entertaining for your cat! As we think about our health as well as our pets health, make a date with

Schedule a your Veterinarian. yearly examination to have your pet checked out for good preventative care. This can help identify any early health issues such as obesity or dental disease. Older pets should be seen twice a year to help manage conditions such as arthritis or kidney issues. Planning your pet’s visits to the Vet is a great way to give them the gift of health each year! Grooming your pet daily is a great resolution. Brushing your pet daily can remove excess fur from the coat will help distribute oils from the skin to the fur. This daily task will help keep the coat healthy and shiny. And it is another way to spend time with your pet and bond with each other. At the beginning of the year, we are reminded to change the batteries in our fire alarms. As for your pets, let’s update your pet ID information. During the year, we move to new homes or states and at times, our phone numbers change. We tend to forget to update our pet’s ID info on there microchip or even their pet tags. Mark this on your To Do List as this can ensure your pets safe return to you if your pet is lost. And lastly, many of us consider getting a new pet whether it is a dog or a cat. We suggest to try fostering a pet. This is the perfect way to test out the waters for pet ownership without a lifelong commitment. Fostering a pet can give a pet a chance to be in a loving home while waiting for a forever home. Who knows, their forever home just might end up being yours. New Year’s Resolutions just aren’t for humans. With some time and dedication, you can pick some resolutions for your pet. A morning stroll or even cutting back on the treats is a start to a healthier you and your pet! Dr. Gerri S. Reid is the Owner/Veterinarian of Reid Mobile Veterinary Servicess 540-623-3029

Dog Walking Pet Sitting Companion Play Time & Mini Furies, Too! (540-903-0437; lexig0892@gmail.com) On facebook as “City PetSitting” 28

January 2019

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Focus on Fiber woodford, anderson, george, finch, reed, & Lazar exhibit their art By patricia smith

Lynette Reed, “Gilded Lily" Seven fiber artists will exhibit their art in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg from Jan. 6 through Feb. 24. The opening reception will be on Jan. 6 from 11:30 AM until 1 PM. The reception is free and open to the public. The artists are part of the Artful Dimensions Gallery, 911 Charles Street, the only gallery in Fredericksburg devoted to a variety of three-dimensional art. These fiber artists have unique visions and experiment with a wide variety of natural and synthetic fibers, fabrics, yarn, felt and many other materials. Some place highest value on spinning and weaving traditions, making wearable art and practical items for the home. Most prioritize the aesthetic value pf the work over the utilitarian, and treat the material experimentally for its E l i z a b e t h expressive qualities. Woodford loves the natural world. She often uses plant materials from her organic garden and other found objects in her work. She repurposes used textiles, and uses a variety of hand dye techniques. The variety of materials are seamlessly integrated in her patchwork style. Her quilt "Protecting the Pollinator" reflects

her passion for our ecosystem, and for endangered species. Barbara Posey has been working with needlefelting and wetfelting for a decade, "I poke a wad of fiber with a needle, create a painting from the same fiber with nothing but soapy water and friction-it is magic!" Her "Moon Party" illustrates the sculptural effects she

necessity. I can do it for the sheer pleasure of creating!" Most of her weavings are functional, and she hopes to bring beauty to everyday objects like towels or placemats, rugs or wearable art. Her scarf, "Chocolate', is featured here. Andrea Finch creates art quilts. "Sunflower Fields" is a quilt that exemplifies her attention to detail, since every one of the thousands of petals was cut by hand. Like Elizabeth, her love of gardening , as well as photography, merges with her love of fabric. "My sewing machine is my pen, and the fabric my paper!" She calls her quilts "please touch me quilts" because their three dimensions seem to call out to be explored. Lynette Reed was influenced by her paternal grandmother who was an artist. She considers herself to be a

painter, a fiber artist, a book artist, and a marble artist. "Gilded Lily" exemplifies how she can 'paint' with fabric. Mary Lazar hand paints silk scarves. Her 'Untitled" wall hanging of a tree illustrates her work . From 2600BC silk was spun and woven into silk in China. Ancient Egypt spun and wove around 3400BC. Cotton fabric dyed indigo blue was found in Peru that is 6200 years old. These ancient cultures provide inspiration for these seven artists, connecting them to the lives of women throughout history. But as Linda said, “we no longer have to create out of necessity. We can now do it for the sheer love of creation”. Please come and meet the artists at the opening reception.

Linda George, "Chocolate" achieves through this process. Sally Cooney Anderson creates "Crazy Girl Fashions". Her "Asymmetrical Scarf" is one example of the free-form crochet pieces she creates. Each work is unique, made with recycled, found and contributed materials. She says there are no mistakes in the rhythm of creation. Linda George loves the feel of fiber in her hands, and she feels connected to the women through the ages who worked to clothe their families. "Those women spun, wove and knitted out of

Barbara Posy, "Moon Party"

Patricia Smith is a member of the Visual Arts Committee at UUFF

Sally Cooney Anderson, "Asymmetrical”

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Gallery 25 Chalice Circle, Fredericksburg 22405 Info contact Nancy @540-3 310-4 4001

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

January 2019

POWER OF HABIT

Fredericksburg Sketches A visual Celebration of our community

why we do what we do

By Casey Alan Shaw

By Joan Geisler Two fish were swimming up the stream. An older fish swam past them and said, “Good mornin’ boys, how is the water?” The boys swim on for a few moments when one looked at the other and asked, “What’s water?” That is us. We are swimming in a sea of habits and we do not realize it. Habits are important. Nearly 90% of what we do everyday is based on habits. YOU have the power to create Healthy Life Habits! Where Do You Begin? In order to create your life of abundant health, vitality & purpose you

~ Have more romance – stop nagging …you get the idea. Dynamic DOES NOT have to be BIG. Dynamic just means impactful. WHAT IF? ~ Making your bed every morning – inspires you to pick up clothes on the floor ~ Washing dishes every night– cause you to pack your lunch and prep for dinner ~ Cleaning trash out of car – inspire you to keep house clean ~ Lacing up your sneakers when you get home from work, or first thing in the morning – cause you to go for a walk or head to the gym

SKETCH #50: Old Towne Butcher Shop Guest Artist: Carol Phifer

must first create healthy life habits. Aristotle said, “We are what we repeated do, excellence therefore, is not an act but a habit.” Habits actually save our lives If we had to relearning everything we do, we would be exhausted – read, math, drive, email, brush our teeth. That is why so much of the activities we do in a single day are sheer habits. It conserves brain energy Start Small. You don’t have to change dozens of habits to get to your goals. Establish a few keystone habits that will have a ripple effect on your outcome. Keystone habits is one or more good habits that will start a chain reactions of positive outcomes. Keystone habits have 3 characteristics: 1) They give you small victories 2) They serve as the soil from which other habits grow 3) They give you energy and confidence to do more Start with one small action step. ~ Repair Relationship – call that person, write a note. ~ Start setting alarm 10 minutes earlier ~ Expand your vocabulary - download an app ~ Exercise more - find an accountability partner

January 2019

~ Packing your gym bag – and putting it in the front seat cause you to go to gym after work BAD HABITS ARE LIKE A COMFORTABLE BED, EASY TO GET INTO BUT SO HARD TO GET OUT OF. You have heard it said, “Willpower is a muscle, it gets stronger the more you use it.” The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg.says, “Willpower is a muscle and it gets fatigued just like any muscle.” If you have to use willpower all day long, instead of a habit, you will be exhausted by the end of the day when it is often needed most! Choices make habits. Habits make a healthy lifestyle. Commit to 2019 to make healthy lifestyle habits.

As the new year starts, I thought I’d share a sketch of Fredericksburg by talented local artist Carol Phifer. Literally every corner of downtown has a history to tell and the corner of William and Charles streets is no exception. These days, it’s home to the Old Towne Butcher Shop. The corner also is still home to an infamous stone slave block that continues to spur lengthy discussions. I love Carol’s depiction of this local landmark. I’m particularly impressed with (and jealous of) her ability to jump right into the watercolor rendering with little or no drawing underneath to act as a guide. That, I think, is how I’d like to approach this new year … a tad less tedious drawing up of plans and occasionally jumping directly into the work and seeing where it leads me. Here’s hoping your 2019 will be a colorful palette, too! Casey Alan Shaw is a local artist. He exhibits his original artwork and limited-edition prints at Art First Gallery and at www.caseyshaw.com.

606 Caroline Street Old Town Fredericksburg 373-7847

Be inspired visit Joan’s website www.8020healthyhabits.com

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www.gemstonecreations.org Tuesday - Saturday 10-5 Wednesdays until 6:30 and by appointment

Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged

DOWNTOWNERS Listen to the music of downtown by georgia Lee Strentz the downtown merchants figured out people liked to eat out, close to home,

"Our gal about town decided to seek out tourist and shopkeeper alike, to see why shopping downtown is so popular and growing!!!!" What makes you heart sing like that Billy Joel song ? To answer that question, I hit the road, College Avenue, on my threewheeler, basket full of camera, Front Porch magazine to catch up on my neighbors doings. Also took a sandwich from,The Joint, and my short doggie-girl in her new red sweater, her water dish, plus a do-nut from Sugar Shack. For those of us who have lived here in Fredericksburg for a long time, we remember that our town used to be called, "Dead Fred." The college was here, with the same wonderful, fun and friendly students, but town usually, "rolled up the sidewalks," at 6:30 in downtown, for some reason. All the stores closed and everyone went home. I think it was just a reflection of society, "in those days." It seems when

women started taking on full time jobs, new subdivisions were built on the edges of downtown, (Ferry Farms, Altoona, Westwood) things started changing. Belk Department was the only big store, all others were tiny, niche shops, which seems to work for our city and tourism. There were some Civil War stores for tourists. Little by little everyone was noticing, neat town, beautiful views, interesting houses, nice Southern people, historically charming, commutable to D.C. Interesting shops,such friendly people who run the shops. We need more places to eat, shop and play, and relax. The boom is still on, now a huge building boom downtown, townhouses, new homes. (Try to find a house under $350,000) Then the government commuters came, drawn by the (then) uncrowded I95, access to their good paying jobs in Northern Virginia, cheaper housing, very nice neighbors So much has changed in the world, but the quality of life, the wonderful, friendly citizens of our town, has grown into the town we know today. This is where everyone wants to live "downtown," people wave to you, and you know it comes from the heart. Outdoor life abundant

Dog,

Today I am looking for Dewey the Raven Hi-F Fi who lives at downtown,who rides his buds motorcycle to work and home.That is the kind of town we live in ,love it!. I am pedaling madly toward the renovated house at the top of the hill. The winter wind is whipping Baileys large Beagle ears straight out, while she peeks from the

basket. Town is small, great shopping, interesting, found no-other-place items, great parking,usually in front of store you want to shop at. Stores sit right next door to one another, no freezing your babies,walking from store to store in our town. Nice places to chain your bike, think I need a hot chocolate at Hyperion. We're headed to downtown, where we we can talk to all the great tourists and shopkeepers, and see, "what's going on?". What do people say, why do they come downtown to shop, rather than "out there" to the vast,boring sprawling acres of asphalt and impersonal "do it yourself" shopping? there are so many interesting shoppers, even my grandson (who lives downtown) prefers downtown, ("I love the antique shops, Grandma.") From our Goolricks fountain and drug store, to the Bavarian Chef good food at the train station (our food in Fredericksburg is gourmet (believe it) from breakfast to dinner. Then there are the breweries, the music and coffee houses to hang out in.

The rooftop views while eating, is our most recent experience. The river views at Brocks, my favorite, tho love Oraphino's rustic-ness. and ice cream One friendly tourist couple said they love the Court of Shoppes on coroner of William and Caroline, because of the enormous variety and number of shops.(See the friendly group picture from first shop as you enter door). I left with an antique train, so there was hardly room in bike basket for Bailey and the train. There are shoppes downtown with products Made in Virginia, (construction details explained to you if you have the time at, The Wood Shop, on Caroline. One couple told me the shopkeepers are so interesting, that shopping was not only a shopping trip, but a lesson in history and Southern hospitality, as Irish Eyes serves coffee! Did I say the food is delicious, and several women shopping together told me that when they sat in a charming eatery, Cork & Table in town, they felt like they were in someones home. The interesting architecture of each downtown store, adds to the experience ,and the shopkeepers are mostly residents of our Burg. Don't miss our huge library when you are in town,so homey, great place to spent an hour or the day, lots going on. Lighting shops,so many unusual gift shops, beauticians, facial, nails, massage The parking is closer to the shops in town,than out at those malls. You won't lose your cars in town,y a'all hear me?

Georgia is our favorite Gal About Town greeting everyone she sees in her favorite place, Downtown!

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January 2019