year end review

YearEndReview

ideas and projects of 2022

by ted schubel

I was doing an interview with Rappahannock Rotary ' s John Coker in early December at the Letters to Santa box in downtown Fredericksburg, where kids can drop off letters to Santa. As we talk, a father and son walked up to the box to leave a letter. Moments later, a dozen preschool students walked up with letters. Dr. Coker beamed. Standing there for just a few minutes he experienced the gratification that comes with seeing an idea become a success.

It got me thinking about how we've seen the results of some ideas and projects in 2022.

For instance, the Free Fridge at Downtown Greens.(pictured Above) Javonne Kirby and her team opened it and immediately saw people using it and donating to it. That corner of Princess Anne and Dixon Streets was the site of frequent pop-up pantries in 2022. People using the pantry or standing in long lines at the pantry were stark illustrations of the effects of inflation. And the generosity of the community.

At this year's Ceili Leahy Day of Service, several students talked about how volunteering at non-profits influenced their college choice and vocational decisions.

Some plans take longer and are never seen by those who hatch the idea. 100 years ago, a group of Fredericksburg women toured the country to raise money to save Historic Kenmore. They succeeded, and The George Washington Foundation spent the last year celebrating the centennial. Ironically, Ferry Farm, George Washington's boyhood home, was saved in the late 1990's by area residents who also made a national plea to save the land.

Some ideas have an immediate impact. The Radley Automotive Community Cash Giveaway on B101.5 and Coldwell Banker Elite ' s Ginger Walker and her Give Back Team have both provided money in 2022 to non-profits. Jonathan Pittman and Michelle Radley, from Radley Automotive, have put the spotlight on local charities that many people might not know about.

Riverfront Park in Fredericksburg opened in 2022. For George Solley, and others, it was 30 years in the making. Controversial to some because of the cost, it has become a focal point of downtown events. Statues of Otters were placed around town in 2022. A project to draw people downtown and illustrate the health of the Rappahannock River. Their worth was magnified when an otter was stolen and later returned. The backers of the project quickly saw their worth and the attention the otters provide the downtown.

Supporters of minor league baseball have seen a full ballpark in Fredericksburg the past two years. While the FredNats didn't win a title in 2022 (they came close), they did win the

attendance title. With an average of 4,008 fans, the FredNats were tops in Low A minor league baseball in attendance.

During budget discussions in the spring, City Councilwoman Kerry Devine said, "We're an old city with new needs." Looking back at stories we've watched in 2022, I'd say Fredericksburg is an old city, with lots of new ideas. We'll get to see how some unfold. Others, like the women who worked to save Kenmore, we may not see right away! Happy New Year!

Ted Schubel is News Director B 101.5, Host of Town Talk Podcast and is heard every morning from 8-9am onNewsTalk on AM 1230 WFVA