Front Porch Fredericksburg - June 2017 by Virginia Grogan

contents

closeups

history’s stories.: salem church our heritage: sand & sun

It’s all energy: natural method for peaceful sleep parenting workshop

Senior Care: a worthy goal

mind your mind: don’t ask emancipated patients: voodoo

renew: food that mirrors body parts

STORIES OF FREDERICKSBURG; jeff mYSTERY hOUSE

fxbg music: feathered fish

porch talk

charlene woods: nothing is ever what it seems Poetryman

companions: the fur ball

another time, another place fxbg photo show

fredericksburg sketches

Ashleigh Chevalier ... ‘burg Singer, songwriter

Chris Muldrow ... new FXBG Today owner

Suzanne Scherr waiting for a connection

on the porch...life in fredericksburg Messages

On the trails:: springtime on the trails

living in the garden...create year round surround.

i have a friend: my friend, my brother

downtown greens: summer gardening tips how does a master gardener grow?

danielle rose: new visitor center manager business brief: appleton Campbell

season’s bounty: boone in june

Cooking with Kyle: not your mama’s fish cakes

beer centric restaurant now opened

16-17

Calendar of events

THE ‘BURG ROCKS! diane cox starts adventure rock finding group interview by kevin brown throughout town, hunting for hidden “rockworks” created by others, and sharing the joy of our finds on Facebook.

I started this group after being inspired last year by a friend who started Daytona Rocks. She was telling me about how much fun she was having in Florida with her group. This was during the Presidential debates when everyone seemed so angry at each other, so I really wanted to introduce something to Fredericksburg that would lighten the mood. When I originally started, I was just trying to get my friends to get together to help me paint rocks and give us something to do. I never expected that we would have so much fun! I have met some amazing people through The Burg Rocks!. Word travels fast when something so simple can bring people together with the common goal to make others happy.

FREDERICKSBURGERS:steve wilcox from my porch: obstacles or opportunities

...And more! 24

the burg rocks!

richard larochelle: hall of fame inductee

sophia st. pottery throwdown

Cover: “Sculptured Butterfly” by David C. Kennedy

Right now The Burg Rocks! is rapidly expanding, and the sky is the limit on where this adventure will go. Diana Cox Finds a Hidden ‘Burg Rock To date, countless rock treasures have (Photo by Sherri Chiocchio) been hidden throughout Fredericksburg downtown, parks, and other public spaces. There are new rocks going out all the time. Have you noticed any colorfully- There are rocks being hidden by youth painted little rocks around town? If not, groups, Scouts, and individual you’d better start looking! This month, we participants. There are people who go out learn about an exciting new adventure looking for specific rocks that have been called The Burg Rocks!. Local group posted. founder Diana Cox shares more below. Q: What is The Burg Rocks!? We are a growing family of funloving people who express our creativity by painting rocks, hiding these rocks

The most rewarding experience I’ve had was related to one of the first rocks I painted. It was found by a woman who had just recovered from breast cancer. It was her first day back at work

Esme, Isabelle, Eliza Crissman, and Riley Rondinone (photo by Karen Riley) and she found a rock that said, "Live Life". She said it was the perfect rock for her because it was her first day back to living life again! It actually brought tears to my eyes. That was PRICELESS. You just never know how you can touch people with something so simple. There are also rocks out there that have names: Speedy, Pinky, Hoppie and Chip. We were watching their adventures as they travel around. Q: What are the “rules” of the game? After you have painted your rock, we ask that you post a photo of your treasure on the Facebook group page. When you find a rock, we ask that you post a photo and then keep or re-hide. Please let us know if you decide to keep them. Posting a photo of a keepsake rock with your smiling face, or perhaps displayed at your home is always appreciated. Our

artists work masterpieces.

very

hard

their

To find out more about The Burg Rocks!, we welcome you to join our Facebook group. A similar group, Spotsy Rocks, also exists so feel free to join that one if you live and play there. In these groups, you can learn about effective rock painting techniques (sealant is key!) and sign up for our popular free rock painting groups. In summary, whether you are a Facebooker or not, all are welcome and encouraged to get out there and paint, hide, and seek!

Your Hometown Jeweler Since 1940

Sunday, June 18th Let Your Dad know how special he is to you! 2

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.

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 front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

contents

closeups

history’s stories.: salem church our heritage: sand & sun

It’s all energy: natural method for peaceful sleep parenting workshop

Senior Care: a worthy goal

mind your mind: don’t ask emancipated patients: voodoo

renew: food that mirrors body parts

STORIES OF FREDERICKSBURG; jeff mYSTERY hOUSE

fxbg music: feathered fish

porch talk

charlene woods: nothing is ever what it seems Poetryman

companions: the fur ball

another time, another place fxbg photo show

fredericksburg sketches

Ashleigh Chevalier ... ‘burg Singer, songwriter

Chris Muldrow ... new FXBG Today owner

Suzanne Scherr waiting for a connection

on the porch...life in fredericksburg Messages

On the trails:: springtime on the trails

living in the garden...create year round surround.

i have a friend: my friend, my brother

downtown greens: summer gardening tips how does a master gardener grow?

danielle rose: new visitor center manager business brief: appleton Campbell

season’s bounty: boone in june

Cooking with Kyle: not your mama’s fish cakes

beer centric restaurant now opened

16-17

Calendar of events

FREDERICKSBURGERS:steve wilcox from my porch: obstacles or opportunities

...And more! 24

the burg rocks!

richard larochelle: hall of fame inductee

sophia st. pottery throwdown

Cover: “Sculptured Butterfly” by David C. Kennedy

The most rewarding experience I’ve had was related to one of the first rocks I painted. It was found by a woman who had just recovered from breast cancer. It was her first day back at work

artists work masterpieces.

very

hard

their

Your Hometown Jeweler Since 1940

Sunday, June 18th Let Your Dad know how special he is to you! 2

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.

June 2017

ON THE PORCH Guest Porch Editorial Contributing Writers & Artists A.E.Bayne Sarah Bachman Laurie Black Carol Bochert Kevin Brown Collette Caprara Judy Chaimson Ashleigh Chevalier Sherri Chiorchio Kate Crawford Caitlin Daly Barbara Deal Christina Ferber Dan Finnegan Frank Fratoe K. Jeanne Frazer Joan M. Geisler Alexis Grogan Ralph “Tuffy”Hicks Karl Karch David C. Kennedy Jo Loving Vanessa Moncure Patrick Neustatter M.L. Powers Karen Riley Valerie Setzer Suzanne Scherr Beth Sperlazza Casey Alan Shaw Georgia Strentz James Kyle Synder Christine Thompson Amy Umble Dawn Whitmore Tina Will Jim Williams Elizabeth Woodford 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

June 2017

springtime on the trails!

reconnect

interview By Kevin Brown

BY christina ferber With all that's been going on in the world these days, the thought of moving to a deserted island may have crossed your mind; I know it's crossed mine. Each day it seems like a new incident happens, and conflict is fast becoming the norm. Sometimes our first instinct is to close off from one another as a protection mechanism, but disconnecting isn't the answerreconnecting is. Once upon a time, kids roamed the streets and the woods without any fear and neighbors sat on their front porch waving and talking to anyone who passed, but somewhere along the line that stopped, and we became a disconnected world. Our relationship with nature is one example of this detachment. We are lucky to live in a community that cherishes nature and offers many chances to get out into it, but there are many who don't take advantage of the opportunities out there. Some of us have even developed a fear of nature when we hear about wildlife encounters gone wrong or the rising incidents of Lyme disease, but nature offers us a beauty and a chance to reconnect with ourselves that outweighs all of those worries. When I was a child, I was outside until dark most days in the summer without a worry in the world. Now, it's a rare instance when I hear the sounds of children outside playing in the woods behind my house or even in the yard. We need to get more of a reconnection with nature. To make those connections matter, we need to start getting more of our Vitamin D from the sun than one that we pop in our mouths each morning.

messages

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.

On the Trails

Stanford researchers recently found a link between nature and mental health, and realized that there was a decrease in anxiety and mood disorders among those who were more exposed to nature type settings. Fredericksburg has multiple paths that wind through the river and woods of the area, and the city and surrounding counties have a wide variety of parks available to us for free. I sense our community's mood lifting just by utilizing these opportunities. We're not only disconnected from our surroundings though, we have become detached from each other. A recent study showed that 1/3 of all Americans had never interacted with their neighbors, which is a stark difference to the world that I remember as a child. As a mother and teacher, that number bothers me and I see it often in the way students interact with adults and even each other. The latest statistics show that there are over 422 million Linked In users and the number of Facebook friends that an average user has is 155. But, these numbers are all connections in cyberspace, and I think we are growing a generation who doesn't know how to interact in other ways. We text and message, and rarely talk to each other. In fact among most age groups, texting outranks phone calls by a pretty wide margin. This texting world is growing a generation that does not know how to properly carry on a conversation or even look a person in the eyes when they do have one.

Avenue, was at a level that we would have been proud to live in it. Best regards, Clint Van Zandt

I was pleasantly surprised to open Front Porch Fredericksburg and see the Mystery House, (January 2017 Issue) this as it is one of many that our son, Jon Van Zandt of Van Zandt Restorations, renovated/restored on Lee Ave and in the local area. While we live in a wonderful house he built at 705 Hanover St., every renovation he's done, to include 709 Lee

Front porch fredericksburg

Hi Virginia. I just saw the cover of the April edition and it looks wonderful. Thanks for your support and for choosing my piece. I really appreciate it. Pete Morelewicz

No wonder we have such conflict in the world- people are learning about human interaction through video games, computers, and texting. Technology has positive impacts as well, but in my opinion, in order to fix this, we need to find a balance so we can reconnect and actually interact with each other face-to-face. Fredericksburg is a prime place to do that with a wide variety of events and activities for all ages. I hope you take advantage of the place we live-it's pretty awesome in my opinion. I might sound preachy and Pollyanna-ish, but I believe that every one of us has an opportunity now, more than ever, to heal what is happening in the world. If we make a choice to open up to our neighbors and connect with each other as a community, change can happen. Look through this month's issue and visit one of the people or places mentioned in person, make that connection, and find even more ways to reconnect as you read Front Porch from “cover to cover”.

Whoopee! All that walking around town is good for me in more ways than one.(Lynne won the April Mystery House Contest) Thanks. I'm a friend of a number of your contributors, and I really enjoy the paper. I was complimenting Christina Ferber at church yesterday.

Ann Beale, foreground & Jayne Mayne, background Eight years ago, a local woman went out for a hike and never came back. No, this is not an episode of Dateline NBC. This is a story about an unassuming independent hair stylist operating at Elle’s Salon in Idlewild who transformed over a few months into a raging “hike-aholic” on our local trails. Let’s hear more about this intriguing case from the lady herself, Ann Beale. “In 2009, after hiking for the first time in the mountains near Asheville, NC, a client of mine introduced me to Virginia’s Old Rag and White Oak Canyon hikes in the mountain west of

Fredericksburg. I wasn’t very knowledgeable about hiking, so I Googled Fredericksburg Hiking Groups and found the Hiking & Fredericksburg Outdoors Group on a website called Meetup.com. I decided to sign up and join the group.

come back around and down alongside the Rappahannock River. Our hikes take 3 to 4 hours, often accompanied by a peaceful picnic under the shade of magnificent trees or on the rocks jutting out along the riverbank.

The first person I met through FHOG was legendary local outdoorsman, Dave Shook. Dave was hosting a Quarry Trails hike on Super Bowl Sunday in February 2010. Well, on the day of the hike, Fredericksburg had a snowstorm and there was about a foot of snow on the ground. Amazingly, that didn’t deter six of us from showing up. We slogged through the snow as far as the Quarry before turning around. So my first official hike here introduced me to the indomitable zeal that many folks like Dave here in Fredericksburg have for outdoor adventure. I discovered that, rain or shine, sleet or snow, I have that insurmountable passion in me as

People who are serious about hiking quickly figure out that selecting the right gear is of utmost importance. For my Quarry Trail hikes, I have been carrying an Osprey Talon 22 daypack, with a built-in water compartment. Superb advice on gear can be obtained from experienced hikers in Meetup groups like FHOG. I also highly recommend consulting with professionals like River Rock Outfitter, our local outdoor adventure company.

well. After 2009-2010, I started hiking a lot. Through the FHOG, I met a great group of folks that I am still friends with today. One lady in particular, Jayne Mayne, has become my regular hiking buddy. Stronger than ever in her late 60s, Jane is a tireless hiker who never ceases to amaze me with her energy and enthusiasm. Once a week, we usually hike an 8-10 mile loop through the vast network of Quarry Trails, winding our way through scenic pathways that traverse up over the quarry and rolling hills, then

WHAT TO WEAR WHILE HIKING ?

Speaking of River Rock Outfitters, as a compliment to my vigorous hiking regimen which I most enjoy in cooler weather, in warmer months I like to get out and kayak on our local water trails. I signed up through RRO several years ago for a guided kayaking adventure from Mott’s Run through numerous rapids to Old Mill Park. That was a thrill! I also greatly enjoy more tranquil kayaking at the Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford where eagles and osprey abound.” Thanks for telling your tale of personal transformation, Ann. We hope you don’t get over your extreme case of hiking-itus anytime soon! Kevin Brown shares up-to-date local trail news and photos as administrator of the "On the Fredericksburg Va Trails" Facebook Group

Introducing Benchmark ...The Distinctive Wedding Rings. 200 William Street Downtown Fredericksburg 540.373.4421 Mon-Sat: 9-5:30 Closed Sun CrownJewelersFredericksburg.com

THE

FREDERICKSBURG LAMP Only Available At

The Copper Shop 371-4455 1707R Princess Anne

Behind Silk Mill Like Us on facebook

Own The Movie A 40-minute film with aerial and underwater photography that tells the story of the Rappahannock River from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay.

Thanks for all you do, Lynne Wood Virginia: Thank you so very much for all that you do for our arts community!! Elizabeth Woodford

DVD $14.95; Members $11.96 www.riverfriends.org 540-373-3448 3219 Fall Hill Ave.

SUMMER 2017 KALYPSO 723 Caroline St 899.8077 Daily 10-5:30, Sunday 12-5 front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

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

June 2017

springtime on the trails!

reconnect

interview By Kevin Brown

messages

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.

On the Trails

Avenue, was at a level that we would have been proud to live in it. Best regards, Clint Van Zandt

Front porch fredericksburg

Hi Virginia. I just saw the cover of the April edition and it looks wonderful. Thanks for your support and for choosing my piece. I really appreciate it. Pete Morelewicz

WHAT TO WEAR WHILE HIKING ?

Introducing Benchmark ...The Distinctive Wedding Rings. 200 William Street Downtown Fredericksburg 540.373.4421 Mon-Sat: 9-5:30 Closed Sun CrownJewelersFredericksburg.com

THE

FREDERICKSBURG LAMP Only Available At

The Copper Shop 371-4455 1707R Princess Anne

Behind Silk Mill Like Us on facebook

Own The Movie A 40-minute film with aerial and underwater photography that tells the story of the Rappahannock River from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay.

Thanks for all you do, Lynne Wood Virginia: Thank you so very much for all that you do for our arts community!! Elizabeth Woodford

DVD $14.95; Members $11.96 www.riverfriends.org 540-373-3448 3219 Fall Hill Ave.

SUMMER 2017 KALYPSO 723 Caroline St 899.8077 Daily 10-5:30, Sunday 12-5 front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Living in the Garden

Songwriters in the 'Burg

create year round surround

We offer private lessons for string, woodwind and brass instruments, as well as guitar, bass, piano and voice.

By tina will

. Plenty of evidence supports Linda Dunn’s claim to have “gardening in her DNA.” Having grown up on a farm in Minnesota, Linda was surrounded by flowers and vegetables, and continues that here at her Stafford County home, “StillMeadow Woods”. After raising her children, Linda enrolled in the Master Gardener program and found it to be just what she needed: “I am so much more aware of what plants work here, which plants draw pollinators, and why we need the native plants. Our MGACRA and its programs have always given me new information; there is so much to learn about the plant world.” For her it is a labor of love, and the variety is marvelous to behold. One of her favorites is her yellow peony. Winters in Minnesota can offer temps as low as -40 degrees F, but peonies grow beautifully there. Linda was unsure how they’d do here in such a warm climate, but she’s been very happy with their success in her garden. Dicentra amabilis (Bleeding Heart) can be seen as the plumage surrounding the heron by her front door. At least fifteen different Hostas are

another love of hers, grown for their foliage. Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’, and Hosta ‘Empress Wu’ span the leaf size variety. An ingenious ‘scarecrow’ effect has deterred deer from ‘Empress Wu’ which sits at the wooded edge of her property. Poor deer!? Nah. Not with all the surrounding woods to feed from.

beauty. Some daylilies bloom later in the summer and Linda has a place for them in her front yard. They can withstand our August heat, and as Linda said: If you want flowers in August you have to work harder!”

Ashleigh Chevalier

Located in "The House on the Corner at the Crossroads of Music" where Route 3 meets U.S. Highway 1. 540-899-6787

“The key for me is not to stress or over strategize a song and lose authenticity - rather experiment and grow with lessons the music teaches me. For me, songs often find themselves simultaneously: lyrically and musically, after I have been working. Dynamics develop the right way more and more when I rehearse with the band and perform it live - sometimes dynamics are determined by the audience present. Sometimes - we flow the other way.”

Linda & Rich Dunn enjoy the Garden Shed, waterfall, & abundance of flowers in their backyard birds all contribute to this process and Linda has encouraged this in her gardens and surrounding woodlands. A little known

Inspired by a talk from a noted daffodil bulb grower, Linda planted 300 daffodil bulbs last Autumn and saw them emerge in sunny glory this Spring. Did she really dig 300 holes? No, she covered them with five inches of mulch; not everything has to be done on one’s knees! All sides of her home feature flowers, or foliage

“Technical practice improves the dynamic of what I can accomplish musically - I hear more than I produce in many cases. I am actively developing my technical skills on the variety of instruments I play - always much work to be done here.”

Supporting The Arts Since 1997

“Music is a canyon; I feel as if I am on a small gnat sized hang glider flying through".

photo by jim williams Not long ago, Linda and her husband had a small garden shed built that is suited to be worked in year-round. It gives Linda the space for her creative projects. Linda loves all things miniature, and has some wonderful Fairy Gardens. She’s offered her interests and skills to Master Gardeners, and the Garden Shed is the perfect place to inspire great gardening works of art. Two summer workshops are planned.

contrasts, that delight the eye as the seasons progress. She loves peonies, dahlias, stepping stones, and statuary, and she enjoys sitting outside to enjoy all the

For many years our Virginia Cooperative Extension/Master Gardener programs have emphasized the need to encourage the pollinators of the plant world. Butterflies and bees and insects and

tree, Aralia spinosa, Devils Walking Stick, though covered with thorns, is also covered with pollinators when it blooms in summer in her wooded area.

"I began singing classically at age 6 and writing my own songs on acoustic guitar when I was 11. I didn't commit to performing original music live until I was 23 when my heart and soul discovered I connected deeply with the blues, the root of my live performances, lyrical development and songwriting. The first popular cover o song I ever performed live was 'Give Me One Reason', by Tracy Chapman. At that point, I wasn't even sure of what the blues were or what they meant - to my soul, to history, to Americana, to the world. It is interesting, it started there, and I didn't even know it”.

“StillMeadow Woods” surrounds with beautiful visual sound, and her labor of love is well worthy of her efforts. Tina Will is also a master gardener and lives in Stafford County. First in a Summer Series featuring the gardens and community projects of some Local Master Gardeners and the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA)

“When it comes to writing - I flow with inspiration emotional/lyrical/environmental/aural/sp iritual/chakral.”

This interview with Ashleigh Chevalier, is one of several interviews of Fredericksburg area songwriters originally printed in the Fredericksburg Literary and Art Review, Fall 2016 Photo by Jim Williams

I jam all the time - on my guitar and the keys, and even on drums - and experiment with chord progressions, grooves, riffs, and melodies. I developed my performance style with a live band by risking myself in improvisational settings. I learned a lot this way - it stretches my musical foundation and ear development.

Large or Small, I Sell Them All! Dreaming of Fabulous City Living? Let’s Make It Happen!

601 LAFAYETTE BLVD

roxburyfarmgarden.com MAIN: (540) 373-9124 NURSERY: (540) 371-8802 SUZY STONE

We Have All Your Gardening Needs Since 1929 Come Shop With Us! 6

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

Mobile:540.847.0630 Office: 540-898-2900 suzystone22@gmail.com C21redwood.com front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Living in the Garden

Songwriters in the 'Burg

create year round surround

We offer private lessons for string, woodwind and brass instruments, as well as guitar, bass, piano and voice.

By tina will

Ashleigh Chevalier

Located in "The House on the Corner at the Crossroads of Music" where Route 3 meets U.S. Highway 1. 540-899-6787

Supporting The Arts Since 1997

“Music is a canyon; I feel as if I am on a small gnat sized hang glider flying through".

contrasts, that delight the eye as the seasons progress. She loves peonies, dahlias, stepping stones, and statuary, and she enjoys sitting outside to enjoy all the

For many years our Virginia Cooperative Extension/Master Gardener programs have emphasized the need to encourage the pollinators of the plant world. Butterflies and bees and insects and

tree, Aralia spinosa, Devils Walking Stick, though covered with thorns, is also covered with pollinators when it blooms in summer in her wooded area.

“When it comes to writing - I flow with inspiration emotional/lyrical/environmental/aural/sp iritual/chakral.”

Large or Small, I Sell Them All! Dreaming of Fabulous City Living? Let’s Make It Happen!

601 LAFAYETTE BLVD

roxburyfarmgarden.com MAIN: (540) 373-9124 NURSERY: (540) 371-8802 SUZY STONE

We Have All Your Gardening Needs Since 1929 Come Shop With Us! 6

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

Mobile:540.847.0630 Office: 540-898-2900 suzystone22@gmail.com C21redwood.com front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

“I Have A Friend” My Friend, My Brother

New Owner at Helm of FXBG Today Chris Muldrow on future plans for on-line news source

By Laurie Black

Interview by Kevin Brown

welcome to stop, walk into the house, and help myself to the TV and the contents of the refrigerator.” “Paige and I are separated in age by 1 year and 2 days. We both grew up in Washington, DC, and we often speculate about how often our paths crossed back in the day. And this year, JoAnne planned a party at their

It was a cheerful scene, complete with balloons, cake, and laughter, as Mike Gray and his friend, Paige, celebrated their birthdays together this past April. Though they only met three years ago, these friends both agree it seems they have known each other forever. Each visit feels like a celebration of life and the wonderful things life can bring. Mike began visiting with Paige through the Senior Visitors Program. Paige’s wife, JoAnne, recalled that they developed an instant friendship. “Paige and Mike are close in age and have so much in common. Mike just lives up the street. He visits every week and sometimes more and he calls us in between visits to check on us.” As Paige has lost his mobility and has faced numerous health challenges, Mike’s visits have become even more important. “Mike is so good to all of us. He is patient with Paige. When Paige is tired, Mike stays with him anyway while he sleeps. It is just a comfort to have him here.” JoAnne went on to say that though it was Mike and Paige’s birthday, she felt she was the one who received a gift. “Mike is a gift to me! He brings light and joy into my home.” Mike and his wife, Gloria, both volunteer with the Senior Visitors Program and both agree that the time they spend volunteering has become time they really cherish. Mike expressed that he feels so blessed to be a part of the Senior Visitors Program and to have been matched with Paige and his family. “Although I started visiting these folks three years ago, I feel that we’ve known each other all of our lives. We have become one family. We share each other’s happiness, and we share each other’s grief. When I go over there, I feel just like I am home. Their son told me that if I’m driving past the house at 3 a.m., I am

June 2017

War trenches or to camp with our Scout troop on the same ground where George Washington played as a kid. I think a sense of place and of history is important to a community, and the Fredericksburg region is really a place that helped define who we are as a nation. This is an important place.

This month we find out more about Chris Muldrow, the new owner of Fredericksburg Today, a popular on-line local news source. We asked Chris to share more about his background and future plans for Fredericksburg Today.

home so that Paige and I could celebrate our birthdays together. We both are avid Redskins fans, and during the season we watch quite a few games together. We also like to watch movies together, especially westerns. Also, we often read the Bible. And we always pray together.” Mike concludes, “He’s my friend, my brother.” As evidenced in Mike and Paige, there is more to celebrate in life, when you can share it with someone. If you know a senior who could benefit from having a weekly, friendly visit OR if you would like to volunteer to visit a senior, call the Senior Visitors Program at (540) 371-2 2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org. The Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.

“First I would like to say that I absolutely love living and working in Fredericksburg. My wife Tamara and I have two kids, and we knew that Fredericksburg was the kind of place where we would feel comfortable raising our family. We like being close enough to go up to the Smithsonian on the weekend or go up to Shenandoah to hike. We like being able to drive past the place where some of our founding fathers and mothers built businesses and homes. I like the idea that my kids think it's ordinary to drive by Civil

I'm a journalist by training, and have spent most of my life in the digital side of the news business. In 1997, I came to Fredericksburg to help build the Free Lance Star website fredericksburg.com. After that, I went on to work for an Alabamabased newspaper holdings company, where I traveled extensively and trained newsrooms and ad departments about how this "Internet thing" worked and how digital news operations were changing the industry. When I decided to leave the corporate newspaper world, my good friend Nick Cadwallender invited me back to the Free Lance Star. Since then, I have moved on to launch my own digital marketing and software development company. Most recently, I’ve just purchased Fredericksburg Today. Why did I make this purchase? For a community of Fredericksburg’s size, we have a fairly modest collection of media outlets that enable businesses and nonprofits to reach out to the community. We don't have our own TV station, and

many media companies had reduced their investment in the local news part of their operations. Well, as a guy who's done the news thing his whole life, it pained me to think of losing one of our few local news outlets with the departure of Fredericksburg Today’s previous owner, Susan Larson. That's my official reason. My wife, Tamara would tell you that I miss the business, I miss the deadlines, I miss looking at analytics reports every day to see if we're delivering information that people want to read, I miss WRITING. She's probably right--she usually is.

I think a sense of place and of history is important to a community, and the Fredericksburg region is really a place that helped define who we are as a nation. This is an important place. So what are some of my immediate plans for Fredericksburg Today? I believe there is a lot of experimentation and learning to be done about how people are going to get their community information as technology changes. I want Fredericksburg Today to be a place where we can do this type of experimentation. I’ve started by reaching out and building relationships with our many advertisers. I've launched Fredjobs, which is an online regional job board where companies can post jobs for free. I'm planning to build a business directory and am looking at running classified ads. I want to provide deeper coverage of government contractors that serve as a real driver of our region's economy. I want to figure out ways to help our local nonprofits communicate more effectively and give them a way to connect with volunteers and donors. I want to do more with education coverage and schools.

Long term, I plan to build a news gathering and sales team that informs the community and markets local businesses in the digital world. Back in my newspaper days, I started preaching the idea that a digital news operation should build its financial model on feeding and paying the mortgage for its news gathering team and sales team. Those folks are the real asset any news organization has, and I'd like to see us able to support that here in Fredericksburg. I've done the corporate office thing, and that was fine, but I'm trying to build the small, effective kind of team we had in the heady early days of the Web. I will leave you with a final thought. There is a lot of animosity towards the press these days, but an informed community needs the support of trustworthy local daily news organizations like the Fredericksburg Today…and of course, the Front Porch Magazine!” Kevin Brown is the administrator of the ""FXBG City Council Public Forum" Facebook Group,

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

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In loving memory of Paige who recently passed away front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

“I Have A Friend” My Friend, My Brother

New Owner at Helm of FXBG Today Chris Muldrow on future plans for on-line news source

By Laurie Black

Interview by Kevin Brown

June 2017

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

Front porch fredericksburg

In loving memory of Paige who recently passed away front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

How Does A Master Gardener Grow? Nature’s Oasis at Falls Run By Tina Will been somewhat neglected over the years, came with a bright, sunny orientation, great soil and basic layout. She quickly discovered that there was a ready group in the community of experienced volunteers (including some Master Gardeners) interested in its renewal. With a modest budget from Falls Run Board of Directors they were ready to begin. But what should be the garden’s theme? Through VCE and MGACRA programs, as well as other timely news articles, the volunteers (who call themselves ‘the Grunts’) Great Spangled Fritillary on Lantana were steered to create a pollinator garden that A Garden Party features plants to attract birds, bees, and for Butterflies and Residents butterflies. It uses many native plants, rather than showy cultivars that may not A fresh vision and new hand on have much benefit to pollinators. There the trowel arrived when Mary Henderson are 90 varieties of plants in “Nature’s moved into Falls Run Retirement Oasis.” Many provide nectar and some Community in Stafford County a few years provide seed or safe haven for nests. At ago. She had, coincidentally, just finished least seven different herbs are grown: Rue her Master Gardener training in Isle of (Ruta graveolens) attracts the Giant Wight, VA, so she transferred her MG Swallowtail butterfly, bronze fennel membership and her energy and (Foeniculum Black vulgare) the enthusiasm as well. Swallowtail. A Passion flower vine twines An experienced gardener for over a pergola providing shade, exotic many years, Mary continues to grow her flowers, and pear shaped fruits. Several own vegetables and ornamentals. Over the Milkweeds (Asclepias sp.) offer good years the continuing educational places for butterflies to lay their eggs, and opportunities through Virginia provide food for the emerging larvae and Cooperative Education (VCE) and Master resulting chrysalis formation. Gardener Association of the Central They do not use insecticides Rappahannock Area (MGACRA) have (except insecticidal soaps and oils if an broadened her knowledge, and have given insect infestation is extreme) since those her the confidence to teach others, and would also kill the butterflies and bees help others improve their gardens. An they are trying to attract. Weeds are inspiring talk by local butterfly expert, pulled by hand, and natural predators are Linda McBride, spurred her to plant encouraged to keep unwanted bugs under species that butterflies, bees, and other control. pollinators need. VCE and MG programs Falls Run residents also enjoy the have given Mary “the joy of finding friends garden for its restful beauty as well as the who are as seriously interested in abundance of winged creatures that add gardening as I am.” She has a host of new to its charm. Once a year “The Grunts” friends and folks to ask “what’s flying throw a garden party with lavish food around my boxwood and browning out the offerings. They wear big hats and invite leaves, and how can I make them go the whole community to come and away?” Mary has also written articles celebrate what “Nature’s Oasis” has about butterflies for the MGACRA become. newsletter after participating in a VCE online series, and has found butterflies to be “fascinating creatures, as well as beautiful.” Tina Will is also a Master Gardener and lives in Stafford County.) Mary noticed that the original Falls Run community garden, which had

June 2017

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Everything Greens Summer Gardening Tips By Sarah Bachman Hi all! Sarah Bachman here, Horticultural Director over here at Downtown Greens. Here are a couple tips for gardening this summer that I hope you will find helpful…

DEADHEAD ALL SEASON LONG. No I am not necessarily talking about becoming a diehard fan of the American psychedelic rock group The Grateful Dead this summer (though perhaps I would if this was a more general "life advise" column) "Deadheading" is the gardening term for removing the dead flowers from plants. If you're unfamiliar with the process, pinch or snip the flower stem below the dead flower and just above the first set of full, healthy leaves and repeat whenever flowers fade. Regular deadheading will improve your plant's appearance and performance by helping the plant channel energy into producing more blooms. Keep up the deadheading and your annual flowers will be "scarlet and purple and crimson and blue" all through the summer

New FXBG Visitor Center Manager 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.

WATER REGULARLY, EVEN IF RAIN IS IN THE FORECAST. A lot of folks are uncertain about how much to water their plants in the spring and summer. When dealing with this question, it's important to have a good understanding of the water needs of the particular plants you're tending to. You'll also need to know the moisture holding capacity of your soil, the weather patterns of your area and the water pressure of your hose. In hot weather, watering deeply with cool water at a rate of 3 or 4 times a week is a good rule of thumb. However! Disease abounds in warm moist environments, so prevent mildew and fungus from developing on plants by watering early in the morning. Also, if your soil is claylike, make sure you're not over-watering.

Danelle Rose

Volunteer training is provided & no special skills are required.

stirrup below the surface of the soil, cutting the roots, which you can rake for disposal or compost.

WORK IN EARLY COOL TEMPERATURES Springtime came in February this year, so what are we to expect in July or August? I have spent many hours wringing my hands worrying about what fresh misery this summer would bring to us gardeners. There is an expression about Virginia that is, "if you don't like the weather, just wait six hours and it'll be completely different", which is true, but it is sure to be hot and humid. Work early in the day if you can, take plenty of breaks, hydrate and don't push yourself into exhaustion by being exposed to hours on end of unbearable temperatures. Stop by Downtown Greens sometime for more gardening tips! Our open garden hours are on Thursdays from 3:00-6:00pm and Saturdays 9:00am12:00pm.

Sarah Bachman is the Horticultural Director at Downtown Greens photo courtesy of Downtown Greens

The Senior Visitors Program is a FREE community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg. Visit mhafred.org or call 540-371-2701

Interview By Kevin Brown

This month we’d like to welcome our new Fredericksburg Visitor Center Manager, Danelle Rose. We ask Danelle to share more about herself and her new job. “I came to Virginia in 2003 to temporarily run a Fredericksburg restaurant franchise location. I commuted to Fredericksburg from Richmond for 2 two years, and then decided to request to stay at the Fredericksburg location. I loved the smalltown feel of Fredericksburg, with an accompanying growing- city feel. It's the best of both worlds. I then met my husband (he is from this area) and knew at that point that we wanted to make our home here. As the Fredericksburg Visitor Center Manager, I am honored to oversee center operations and lead a staff of 12 travel counselors. My travel counselors and I are the first faces that many people see when they come to visit

Fredericksburg, and we want to represent our city in the best way possible. We tell Fredericksburg's story and help guests decide what they want to see and do while they are here. My other duties include administering the social media pages for the Economic Development and Tourism (EDT) Department and assisting with the Fredericksburg City Government social media pages; planning/executing events for downtown (i.e. Restaurant Week, Window Wonderland, Children's Christmas Tree Lighting, etc.); working with Fredericksburg VA Main Street to help promote events (Scarecrows, Holiday Open House Weekend, etc.); and working with Spotsylvania and Stafford counties in on our Regional Tourism Partnership to promote our region. I have so many ideas to enhance our amazing Visitor Center! One thing we have done to help serve our visitors better is opening earlier on Sundays. We are now open at 9 a.m., early enough to provide popular Sunday brunch locations to our visitors, and also early enough to sell plenty of Day Pass tickets so guests can visit our wonderful museums most of the day on Sunday. For the summer season, our Visitor Center will be open on Fridays and Saturday nights until 8 p.m. We can

Where Customer Service and Title Insurance Become One

help suggest dining out for dinner options and shops that are open late. We will be available to assist overnight guests in planning their next day, and encourage them to remain in our city a bit longer. I am working on building our superb Fredericksburg retail line with goods made by local artists and vendors. Around 80,000 people come through our Visitor Center every year, and for the ones that who are only visiting the area for a few hours, we want to make sure that they take a piece of Fredericksburg with them. I’m really looking forward to partnering with Main Street and local museums/organizations to create and enhance city events (tours, concerts, scavenger hunts, etc.). The Visitor Center is important to our out-of-town guests, but I also want to provide information and activities for residents and local businesses too. I have a few ideas for new programs to help everyone learn more about our area. I’m looking to introduce new technology into the Visitor Center to help promote our history and things to do around town. In summary, there is always something in Fredericksburg exciting and new! Our Visitor’s Center will keep you informed, ; we are here for you!

Business Briefs Appleton Campbell Receives Carrier President’s Award

Jewell Wolterman 1320 Central Park Blvd, Ste 200, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-907-0574 www.elitetitleva.com jwolterman@elitetitleva.com

WEED AND PEST PATROL Somehow it is that even in the most blistering and withering summer heat a healthy looking grassy weed will spring up from the ground looking as fresh as a daisy right in the center of your rose bush. Police your garden for unwanted weeds and pests and always try to pick them by hand before seeking any other method. I have found one of the most invaluable tools for me in my journey with organic gardening is a tool called a stirrup hoe (named for appearance of the working end of the tool). Instead of chopping the weeds like a traditional hoe, you slide and wiggle the

Weekend Brunch Specials Saturday 7am -12pm Sunday 7am-1pm

$5. Weekday Lunch Specials

620 Caroline St. 540.373.8300

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

540/371-9890

In recognition of its commitment to quality, leadership and excellence in the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry, Appleton Campbell recently received the 2017 President's Award from Carrier. Appleton Campbell provides plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical service repairs and new installations for residential and business customers throughout Fauquier, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Loudoun, Prince William, and Fairfax counties in Virginia. "This award recognizes Appleton Campbell's commitment to excellence and

Carrier is proud that they are ambassadors of our brand," said Chris Nelson, president, North America HVAC Systems & Service, Carrier. "Appleton Campbell is a first-class Factory Authorized Dealer and is an ideal example of an outstanding company that serves not just the industry and its customers, but its community as a whole." Appleton Campbell provides plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical service repairs and new installations for residential and business customers throughout Central & Northern Virginia

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June 2017

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Danelle Rose

Volunteer training is provided & no special skills are required.

stirrup below the surface of the soil, cutting the roots, which you can rake for disposal or compost.

Sarah Bachman is the Horticultural Director at Downtown Greens photo courtesy of Downtown Greens

The Senior Visitors Program is a FREE community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg. Visit mhafred.org or call 540-371-2701

Interview By Kevin Brown

Where Customer Service and Title Insurance Become One

Business Briefs Appleton Campbell Receives Carrier President’s Award

Jewell Wolterman 1320 Central Park Blvd, Ste 200, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-907-0574 www.elitetitleva.com jwolterman@elitetitleva.com

Weekend Brunch Specials Saturday 7am -12pm Sunday 7am-1pm

$5. Weekday Lunch Specials

620 Caroline St. 540.373.8300

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

540/371-9890

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Richard Larochelle inducted into Cooperative Hall of Fame By Valerie Setzer

In 2015, the founder of the Fredericksburg Vegetarian Group introduced me to Richard Larochelle (known as "Rich"), who was attending a meeting for the first time. He and his wife recently moved to Fredericksburg from Northern Virginia to be near family after he retired from an electric cooperative career. While chatting, he learned I'd formerly been a member of three food cooperatives, had done research on, and hoped to open a food co-op since moving here in 2007. He immediately expressed the desire to work with me on that, so we began meeting weekly to discuss first steps, and I learned just how extensive his career and knowledge of co-ops was! During his 40-year career, Rich demonstrated his passion for the cooperative business model. He spent nearly a decade with the federal Rural Electrification Administration (REA), and later held senior leadership posts with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation. With his self-effacing manner, Rich consistently fought to improve cooperative consumers' quality of life by offering steadfast encouragement, actively listening to them, properly addressing their concerns, and enhancing communities. His numerous achievements include: encouraging Congress to create the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDL&G); securing passage of the REA Improvement Act of 1992; overcoming a presidential veto of

June 2017

the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992; establishing Kauai Island Utility Cooperative in Hawaii; and fashioning a fee structure for the USDA Guaranteed Underwriter Program that delivers sustainable funding for REDL&G. His co-op financial expertise enabled insight and guidance to dozens of decisive studies, and technical assistance that helped electric cooperatives in the Philippines establish the Rural Electrification Finance Corporation. Since retiring, Rich carries his enthusiasm for co-ops by volunteering. Our Fredericksburg Food Cooperative was incorporated in September 2015, with Rich as chair for our board of five directors. He's been a key player in developing the food co-op he and I imagined in 2015. He's educated our board of directors by sharing his knowledge of the co-op business model. We are inspired by Rich's work ethic and expertise as we work to open this cooperative grocery store in Fredericksburg that will focus on locally grown foods, offer a wide selection of natural and organic products, implement sustainable practices, and promote a spirit of community. In only 19 months of recruiting, our member-o owners number 420. When we reach 800, we'll seek a location and coordinate a lease; and at approximately 1,000 member-owners, we'll open a store. While retired, Rich's other pursuits include: serving as an adjunct professor teaching the "cooperative business model" at the University of Mary Washington, and actively volunteering for local causes such as: English as a Second Language (ESL), the Children's Museum, and Downtown Greens. On May 3, 2017, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, Rich Larochelle was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame, established by the National Cooperative Business Association. This is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon individuals that selflessly devote their careers to promote co-o ops. We are immensely proud, and honored to know and work with him as our friend and co-w worker. More information on the Cooperative Hall of Fame is at: www.heroes.coop. For information on becoming a member-owner of the Fredericksburg Food Co-op, go to: fredericksburgfoodcoop.com, or email us at: FXBGfoodcoop@gmail.com; and visit us at Facebook. Valerie Setzer is a board member of the Fredericksburg Food Co-op.

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Season’s Bounty boone in june

Olde Towne BUTCHER Corner of William & Charles Streets Downtown Fredericksburg

By vanessa moncure No, not a spell-check error in the title, although my erstwhile computer assistant kept auto-correcting - "bone", "boon" and "boomer" were just three annoying "suggestions" replacing my intended subject noun. The noun in question is an endearingly affectionate almost-12-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, who, on his best days will still run with you, sneak leftovers off the kitchen table and guard his property from marauding gangs of squirrels. Old-bone days find him curled on his thick bed, rheumy eyes watching you and tail still thumping when you talk to him or better yet, when you toss him a meat-treat or a braided rawhide. Boone is my grand-dog. I mention this as my daughter, her husband and four of my grandchildren will be shortly leaving Nashville, and will stay a few days and then press on to Maine. Boone has spent assorted nights in a Tennessee kennel and many nights here in Virginia with his family, but never an entire month - and never that long with our dachshund, Noodle, who has a severe Napoleonic complex. He defers to her in all matters - sighing and looking around sadly for another bed when she co-opts his, standing far away from his bowl as she devours what should be his kibble.. No snarling back, no barking - just plain resignation which emphasizes his amazingly tolerant and loving behavior. I guess his sweet nature has been honed through years of roughhousing with his older human boys, but especially testing might be the daily too-much "love" given him by the now three-year-old twin girls. However, this past month my daughter sadly noticed him slowing and limping on their daily runs, losing enthusiasm for ball throw-and-catch and even just halfheartedly nosing his food around before searching out a soft bed in a quiet corner. A unanimous family vote nixed the idea of a non-family month-long kennel stay - so now this week, six of his humans will travel with him to Fredericksburg where his doggrandparents will spoil him a bit for the month - a nice long walk to distract Noodle from Boone's mealtime bowl might be a great place to start. Now, as you're re-checking the column's title - "Season's Bounty" hmmm…..nothing about elderly canine grand-dogs, complaints about autocorrect or the author's grandchildren. But, when we had an aged pet some years ago, I found I could spoil the dog and whip up a delicious oven casserole at the same time - a scoop in their dry food may cause excess bowl-licking and possibly the bowl brought to you as a refill (one of Boone's habits when hungry). Easy to freeze in scoops for small dogs, keeps about five days refrigerated. Hope dog and his humans love this.

OVEN CHICKEN RISOTTO You may not have on hand arborio rice, a short-grain, high-starch traditional Italian rice, but it's necessary for making any kind of risotto, a technique for cooking arborio rice which releases its starch and makes a unique creamy texture when cooked. Usually, risotto is made adding boiling stock to the rice as needed. My Dutch oven version isn't traditional, but is delicious! Also, crimini mushrooms are a better choice than the regular white button - they hold their shape better as they contain less water. In a large shallow bowl, mix together one teaspoon granulated garlic, one-half teaspoon black pepper, one-quarter teaspoon dried thyme leaves, one half teaspoon salt and onequarter cup dried parsley flakes. Cover skin-side only of two whole chicken breasts and two whole chicken thighs (if quite large, cut in half but retain a bit of skin on each piece). Heat two tablespoons canola oil and four tablespoons of butter in large dutch oven on medium high. Place chicken skin-side down and saute until browned - the browning and parsley flakes add to the attractiveness-factor, of course you can use boneless/skinless if dietary needs require - the butter helps with browning. Remove chicken from and set aside (you're just browning one side). Over medium heat, briefly saute eight ounces of thick -sliced cremini mushrooms and one and one-half cups diced onion (I used sliced/diced giant (my garden-sized) spring onions, mostly white and some green, scraping the pan and bringing up browned bits from the chicken. Stir in onehalf teaspoon granulated garlic, one cup of arborio rice and let saute together for about a minute. Pour in four cups of chicken broth, stir around, then place the chicken skin-side up on top of the broth and rice. Cover and bake in preheated 375F oven for about 35-45 minutes, checking occasionally to see if you need more broth. Remove from oven, and when you're serving, place meat on top of risotto. Serve with steamed asparagus or an arugula salad. You can shred Parmesan reggiano cheese over rice if desired. RISOTTO FOR POOCH In another Dutch oven, place one cup rice, four cups of some type of meat broth and about one-half pound of boneless meat - you can use cooked steak, pork or chicken leftovers instead of fresh meat. Cover, and that's it - you don't even need S&P. Never never give onions to a dog (this is in addition to risks of giving them raisins and/or chocolate). They should be ready at about the same time. Enjoy your June - you may recognize me walking an older white Lab with a bossy dachshund in tow - and extra green pick-up bags (not my favorite part of the walk!).

540.370.4105 www.oldetownebutcher.com Hours Monday - Saturday, 9am to 9pm; Sunday, 11am to 6pm Keith Lebor Proprietor

Serving Breakfast Sandwiches 10am ~ 11:30am Lunch 10am ~ 4pm Open Monday ~ Saturday 10am - 4pm 540.371.2233 www.thevirginiadeli.com 826 Caroline corner of Caroline & George Streets

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 front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Richard Larochelle inducted into Cooperative Hall of Fame By Valerie Setzer

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

Season’s Bounty boone in june

Olde Towne BUTCHER Corner of William & Charles Streets Downtown Fredericksburg

540.370.4105 www.oldetownebutcher.com Hours Monday - Saturday, 9am to 9pm; Sunday, 11am to 6pm Keith Lebor Proprietor

Serving Breakfast Sandwiches 10am ~ 11:30am Lunch 10am ~ 4pm Open Monday ~ Saturday 10am - 4pm 540.371.2233 www.thevirginiadeli.com 826 Caroline corner of Caroline & George Streets

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 front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Cooking With Kyle Not your momma's fish sticks .... Unless her name is Mitzi O

by james kyle snyder

The Soup & Taco, Fresh Local Organic

Etc.

Beer-Centric Restaurant now open @ 6 Bears & A Goat

Since 2004

813 Caroline St.

309 William Street

Fredericksburg, VA

By Kate Crawford

540.371.9999 BISTROBETHEM.COM

Will Be Back in July & August! Call for Info

Serving Traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex Food and Something More!! Tuesday to Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 11am-6pm

374-0443 My wife is astounding! She is twice as nice as she is pretty, and twice as smart as she is nice. While in college she was recruited by the Atlanta Falcon’s cheering squad, but declined in order to pursue her accounting career. She is a CFO / COO for a trade association now, an incredible mother, handy (she brought three chainsaws and a tractor to the marriage), adventurous - she has driven the Shenandoah 500 motorcycle trail ride – 500 km through the Shenandoah mountains with 13 hip-deep creek crossings being one of two drivers in our group who completed the entire ride – funny, demure, currently completing her law degree while working full time, and an incredible cook. We have spent many hours cooking, either together or for each other, but it has not always been that way. When I opened the wine store, an unexpected anomaly occurred; all my friends stopped bring wine when they came over for a party or dinner. They thought they would be judged harshly. A similar thing happened when I opened the restaurant as the executive chef; dinner invitations all but dried up. There was a fear of cooking for a chef. Thus was the beginning of my relationship with Mitzi; I cooked all the meals we shared, until the day I ruined fried chicken for her and her kids. LOL! It happened. Way too salty. We threw it out and made something else, but it broke the illusion that chefs are infallible. I would have ruined fried chicken a lot sooner had I known it would cause her to start producing the wonderful dishes we now enjoy. This article is one of those meals. Fish sticks and cakes (I think it was the same product, just shaped differently) were a staple growing up. Out of the blue box and into the oven. The

June 2017

flavorless lengths of over-breaded “healthy” food left a lasting impression. Where is the flavor and yum factor?! Ketchup was the only savior so I smothered them in it. Then, Mitzi introduced me to her fish cakes. Wow! My mouth exploded with all the textures and flavors of the easy-tomake treat. Adapted from a Southern Living article, these little bites of joy made me an instant “fish cake lover.” Make the sauce first. In a food processor combine: ½ C plain Greek yogurt, 2 TBS prepared horseradish, 2 TBS capers, zest of one lemon, and a pinch of S&P. Pulse until combined but still maintaining a little texture of the capers. In a mixing bowl combine until well blended: 1/4 cup plus 1 TBS EVOO, 2 minced celery ribs, 1 minced small onion, 1 lb skinless center-cut salmon fillet cut into ¼ x ¼ x ¼ inch cubes, ½ cup panko, 3 TBS chopped fresh dill, 1 large egg lightly beaten, and 1 tsp S&P. Shape mixture into a sticks, or as in the picture, sliders! So how can you cook them? The ones in the picture were done on a cast iron griddle over medium high heat for two minutes per side. I leave them on the heat long enough to get good grill marks. You can egg wash them and bread them like the aforementioned fried chicken and deep fry them for three minutes at 350 degrees, or bake the breaded ones at 350 for 5-7 minutes for nostalgia’s sake. I like to make a triple batch of the cakes, cook them, and freeze them wrapped by pairs in parchment paper and then cellophane. They are an ever-ready meal for the busiest of families. Delectable doesn’t have to be hard to make. I think it should be simple, easy, and delicious. Be well! Edited by K Jeanne Fraser

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www.shopwhittingham.com 1021 Caroline Street

WELCOME TO OUR GREAT OUTDOORS It’s Beautiful ~ Night and Day!

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

The Sunken Well Tavern

6 Bears & a Goat Brewery & Brewhouse is named after the founder's mascots from their corresponding military service. Six of the founders, the Bears, are retirees from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Goat is a retiree from the U.S. Navy. Collectively, these men and women have served our nation for more than 140 years. Head Brewer Chuck

Arnold also served for 26 years in the Marine Corps and serves as a certified beer judge in craft beer competitions around the nation when he's not brewing.

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

Locally Owned Irish Pub and Restaurant 200 Hanover St. ~ 373-0738

CEO Mark Faller, a retired Coast Guard commander, says "While we are very serious about brewing beer, we want to have fun doing it, and our name is indicative of that…it is also indicative of the good-natured rivalry between the Navy and our Nation's oldest continuous seagoing service, the United States Coast Guard". He and his colleagues founded 6B&G on "great beer, great food and a great atmosphere" and hopes to continue to use local vendors and businesses in all aspects of the brewery.

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

Their promise is seen in the 6 B & G Brew House which was designed by Spaces Design Studio of Fredericksburg, which fits 110 people, with 14 at the bar. Take a seat at one of the custom made tables (from Fraser Wood Elements of Fredericksburg) with a pint or flight and enjoy some food prepared by our restaurant partners Joy Crump and Beth Black.

Chef Joy Crump & Restaurateur Beth Black (owners of Foode & Mercantile restaurants) latest culinary concept within 6 Bears & a Goat, is now open to guests.. The culinary team includes an Executive Pastry Chef and a BBQ pit Master, and will ensure 6B&G offers

unique cuisine that pairs perfectly with the craft beer offerings. The "brewcentric" menu features delicious starters, salads and sandwiches that pair with the house made beers. Enjoy menu items such as the Big Brat with Chow Chow and Beer Cheddar made with the brewery's American Pale Ale or The Big House Salad, full of local produce 6 Bears & a Goat is located at 1140 International Pkwy (off of RTE 17), Fredericksburg, VA 22406. For more information, 6bgbrewingco.com or 540-356-9056. Hours Monday: Closed Tuesday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. (only bar snacks served after 9pm) Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Kate Crawford can be reached at | kcrawford@greenolivemedia.com

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Cooking With Kyle Not your momma's fish sticks .... Unless her name is Mitzi O

by james kyle snyder

The Soup & Taco, Fresh Local Organic

Etc.

Beer-Centric Restaurant now open @ 6 Bears & A Goat

Since 2004

813 Caroline St.

309 William Street

Fredericksburg, VA

By Kate Crawford

540.371.9999 BISTROBETHEM.COM

Will Be Back in July & August! Call for Info

Serving Traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex Food and Something More!! Tuesday to Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 11am-6pm

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

www.shopwhittingham.com 1021 Caroline Street

WELCOME TO OUR GREAT OUTDOORS It’s Beautiful ~ Night and Day!

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

The Sunken Well Tavern

Arnold also served for 26 years in the Marine Corps and serves as a certified beer judge in craft beer competitions around the nation when he's not brewing.

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

Locally Owned Irish Pub and Restaurant 200 Hanover St. ~ 373-0738

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

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Lunch in the Garden @Mary Washington House, Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the natural beauty of our 18th century revival garden. The event is free 1200 Charles St.

june 2017â&#x20AC;Ś Dads, Grads, Flags & Summer Thursday, June1

Klutch Trivia, Spencer Devon, 106 George ST. 7p

First Friday, June 2

National Gun Violence Awareness Dayâ&#x20AC;ŚWear Orange gear to help raise awareness to end gun violence. Meet the Artists @ First Friday Meet & Greet, 2-5p Brush Strokes Gallery featured artist of the month, Lynn Abgott's"Another Time, Another Place" opening reception, 6-9p 824 Caroline St. FCCA members Gallery, Dawn Whitmore, Kenea Maraffio & Laura O'Leary. 813 Sophia St Dixie Power Trio, Music on the Steps, Summer Concert Series @Hdqtr. Library, 7-8pm "Feathers and Frivolity" art by Charlene Woods at Artful Dimensions Gallery opening reception , 69pm. 911 Charles St "Waiting for a Connection" by Suzanne Scherr @ Art First Gallery, Opening Reception, 6-9pm, month-long show featuring acrylic & oil paintings of the commuter experience.824 Caroline "Currents" @Ponshop, opening reception 6-9pm. In this fish-themed exhibition, fine artist Joan Limbrick and ceramicist Scarlett Pons commemorate the form and grace of our freshwater finned friends in their respective mediums of paint and clay. 712 Caroline St Legume, Music, Space Koi, 9-11p

Saturday, June 3

Art in the Park, 9a-1pm @Hurkamp Park. Browse and shop local artists and crafters on display Call for Artists!! Now accepting artists and craftsman for our 2017 season. Visit www.thefarmersmarket.co for details. Spotsylvania Farmers Market @ Commuter Lot at Route 3 West and Gordon Road, 8a -1pm open Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 9am-2pm Sunken Well Brunch 9a-2p

CALENDAR of events

Kids' Fishing Derby @ Motts Run Reservoir, 7:30a12:15p. VA Game Dept. 'Free Fishing Weekend'- no license required!) Yoga in the 9am in Market Square! Enjoy a refreshing juice, hot coffee, and stay active this summer with fellow FXBG yogis! For more info, contact Denise Smith at (540) 371-3037 ext 130 dsmith@famcc.org

Monday, June 5

Lafayette Station Band, Music on the Steps, Summer Concert Series @Hdqtr. Library, 7-8pm Exploring Encaustic's workshop. 10a-4p artist Stephanie Woolsey. ArtfulDimensionsgallery.com if interested in attending.

Tuesday, June 6

Picnic In The Park @ Hurkamp Park, 11:30-1p, Bring a lunch to enjoy while listening to the music by The Sidleys Trio. Tastings Tuesday in the Bar @Legume. Taste featured wine &/or draft beer, 3-6p $3 Taco Tuesday in the Bar All Day @ Legume

Wednesday, June 7

Sunken Well Trivia tonight starting at 7:45pm ~ Come and match wits against the finest minds in Fredericksburg! Compete for Honor, Glory, and Prizes!! Live Music @LaPetite Auberge, 311 William St, 8midnight. . No cover. lapetiteaubergefred.com

Friday, June 9

Music Fridays @ Legume, 90's Dance Party, 9-11p

Saturday, June 10

Sophia Street Pottery Throwdown, 1100 Block Sophia St, Downtown. Festival of local & regional potters. Music by Larry Hinkle & Friends, exhibits, hands-on area, demonstrations, items for sale. All day. Rain or shine. Spotsylvania Farmers Market @ Commuter Lot at Route 3 West and Gordon Road, 8a -1pm

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 9am-2pm

Tuesday, June 13

Sunken Well Brunch 9a-2p Town Hall meeting on "Trump, Congress, and the Budget: How It Affects You and Your Community." 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Host We Are For America (WAFA), a non-partisan Indivisible group based in Fredericksburg, VirginiaDorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal Street, Fred'burg, VA Info:contact Jay Brock, 540-842-0324 or jdbrock@cox.net. Join Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) and National Park Service Supervisory Historian Greg Mertz Civil War Paddle @ Ely's Ford Boat Ramp, a day-long canoe trip. 8a Kids' Market at the Farmers Market @ Hurkamp Park, 9a-3p, entertainment by Home by MidNite and will have fun activities for your family Mother & Dolly Tea @ Rising Sun Tavern, 1-3p Spend a delightful afternoon sipping tea in the garden alongside your doll. "Fur Ball, fundraiser for the FXBG SPCA, 7-10pm at the A. Smith Bowman Distillery located at 1 Bowman Drive in Fredericksburg. If you enjoy delicious food, dancing, and saving lives, this is the event for you. "A Night on Broadway" @ Stafford Senior High School, 7p

Sunday, June 11

Trolley Winery Tour,visit local wineries Eden Try Estate & Winery, Lake Anna Winery, Mattaponi Winery, Wilderness Run Vineyard, and enjoy a day of fun, wine & a little history. Reservations required @ Fredericksburg Trolley.com, or 800979-3370 Yoga in the 9am in Market Square! Enjoy a refreshing juice, hot coffee, and stay active this summer with fellow FXBG yogis! For more info, contact Denise Smith at (540) 371-3037 ext 130 dsmith@famcc.org

Monday, June 12

Karen Jonas, Music on the Steps, Summer Concert Series @Hdqtr. Library, 7-8pm Nerd Nite @ Red Dragon Brewry, 7pm, contact Sandra Fedowitz sandrafedowitz@gmail.com.

Picnic In The Park @ Hurkamp Park,11:30p-1:30p Bring a lunch to enjoy while listening to the music by Scott Kurt.

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 9am-2pm

Saturday, June 24

Father' Day

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 9am-2pm

National HIV Testing Day @ Walgreens, Goodie bags will be offered to those who get tested. #knowyourstatus #NHTD #gettested, 3-7p

Sunken Well Brunch 9a-2p Eco-Printing on Silk, 10a-3p, taught by artist Mary Lazar . go to artfuldimensionsgallery.com to sign up

Tastings Tuesday in the Bar @Legume. Taste featured wine &/or draft beer, 3-6p

Annual FXBG PHOTO SHOW, Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal Street, information www.fbgphotoclub.com, questions: fbergphotoclub@aol.com or by calling Carol Bochert at 804-840-2580. Show thru June 25

Wednesday, June 28

Tastings Tuesday in the Bar @Legume. Taste featured wine &/or draft beer, 3-6p $3 Taco Tuesday in the Bar All Day @ Legume

Sunday, June 18

Wednesday, June 14 Flag Day

CYT Fredericksburg presents Shrek the Musical @ Chancellor High School, 7p-10p

The Art of Aging , Life Begins at 50, XBG Expo Center, 10a-2p. Health Services, Recreational Activities, Educational Workshops.

Monday, June 19

Friday, June 16

The Company Store, Music on the Steps, Summer Concert Series @Hdqtr. Library, 7-8pm

Tuesday, June 20 1st Day of Summer!

Picnic In The Park @ Hurkamp Park, 11:30a -1p, ree, live lunchtime concert in Hurkamp Park. Bring a lunch to enjoy while listening to the music by the McTell Brothers.

CYT Fredericksburg presents Shrek the Musical @ Chancellor High School, 7p-10p

Tastings Tuesday in the Bar @Legume. Taste featured wine &/or draft beer, 3-6p

Music Fridays @ Legume, 9-11p, Too Indecent.

$3 Taco Tuesday in the Bar All Day @ Legume

Saturday, June 17

Wednesday, June 21

21st Annual Rappahannock Regional Soapbox Derby @ William Street Hill. This community jewel is celebrating 21 years of children 8yrs- 20yrs racing down William Street Hill at top speeds to become the next champion in their division.Begins @8am Kids' Fishing Derby @ Hunting Run Reservior, 7:3011am FREE Art In The Park @ Hurkamp Park at the Farmers Market Browse and shop local artists and crafters Spotsylvania Farmers Market @ Commuter Lot at Route 3 West and Gordon Road, 8a -1pm

Tuesday, June 27

Picnic In The Park @ Hurkamp Park, 11:30a-1p, Bring a lunch to enjoy while listening to the music by Joe Bayliss.

Sunken Well Brunch 9a-2p CYT Fredericksburg presents Shrek the Musical @ Chancellor High School, 7p-10p

Dona Nobis Pacem: Stafford High School Chamber Signers @ St. George's Episcopal Church, Come out and hear the amazing Stafford High School Chamber Singers perform a variety of music. This is their final performance of the year., 7p

Music Fridays @ Legume, 9-11p, The Acoustic Onion

Friday, June 23

Spotsylvania Farmers Market @ Commuter Lot at Route 3 West and Gordon Road, 8a -1pm

Sunday, June 25

Yoga in the 9am in Market Square! Enjoy a refreshing juice, hot coffee, and stay active this summer with fellow FXBG yogis! For more info, contact Denise Smith at (540) 371-3037 ext 130 dsmith@famcc.org Trolley Winery Tour,visit local wineries Eden Try Estate & Winery, Lake Anna Winery, Mattaponi Winery, Wilderness Run Vineyard, and enjoy a day of fun, wine & a little history. Reservations required @ Fredericksburg Trolley.com, or 800979-3370 Annual FXBG PHOTO SHOW, Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal Street, information www.fbgphotoclub.com, questions: fbergphotoclub@aol.com or by calling Carol Bochert at 804-840-2580. Monday, June 26 Laurie Rose Griffith & Peter Mealy, Music on the Steps, Summer Concert Series @Hdqtr. Library, 78pm History Camp @ Ferry Farm, Kenmore, the Mary Washington House, Rising Sun Tavern and Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop. Kids 8-12 enjoy hands-on activities at 5 different museums, Camp is 9 a.m. to noon each day Call 540-370-0732 ext. 24

$3 Taco Tuesday in the Bar All Day @ Legume

National HIV Testing Day @ Walgreens, Goodie bags will be offered to those who get tested. #knowyourstatus #NHTD #gettested, 3-7p Sunken Well Trivia tonight starting at 7:45pm ~ Come and match wits against the finest minds in Fredericksburg! Compete for Honor, Glory, and Prizes!! Live Music @LaPetite Auberge, 311 William St, 8midnight. . No cover. lapetiteaubergefred.com

Friday, June 30

Bluegrass Under the Stars @ Mount Airy, 7p. Bluegrass lovers, a rare opportunity to see bluegrass pioneer and IBMA Hall of Fame Artist John Starling is here! The inaugural "Bluegrass under the Stars" to benefit Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) Music Fridays @ Legume, 9-11p, Featured Fish

If you are reading this 239th issue of FPF, thank an advertiser as we celebrate our 20th year of continuous publication! If you are an advertiser, list your events. Deadline for July 2017 issue is June 20th. To submit events go to frontporchfredericksburg.com/submit

CYT Fredericksburg presents Shrek the Musical @ Chancellor High School, 7p-10p

3121 Fans (& Growing) Want You to Join

Front Porch on 540-8 899-6 6787 16

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

fortemusicstudios.com front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Lunch in the Garden @Mary Washington House, Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the natural beauty of our 18th century revival garden. The event is free 1200 Charles St.

june 2017â&#x20AC;Ś Dads, Grads, Flags & Summer Thursday, June1

Klutch Trivia, Spencer Devon, 106 George ST. 7p

First Friday, June 2

Saturday, June 3

CALENDAR of events

Monday, June 5

Tuesday, June 6

Wednesday, June 7

Friday, June 9

Music Fridays @ Legume, 90's Dance Party, 9-11p

Saturday, June 10

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 9am-2pm

Tuesday, June 13

Sunday, June 11

Monday, June 12

Karen Jonas, Music on the Steps, Summer Concert Series @Hdqtr. Library, 7-8pm Nerd Nite @ Red Dragon Brewry, 7pm, contact Sandra Fedowitz sandrafedowitz@gmail.com.

Picnic In The Park @ Hurkamp Park,11:30p-1:30p Bring a lunch to enjoy while listening to the music by Scott Kurt.

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 9am-2pm

Saturday, June 24

Father' Day

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 9am-2pm

National HIV Testing Day @ Walgreens, Goodie bags will be offered to those who get tested. #knowyourstatus #NHTD #gettested, 3-7p

Sunken Well Brunch 9a-2p Eco-Printing on Silk, 10a-3p, taught by artist Mary Lazar . go to artfuldimensionsgallery.com to sign up

Tastings Tuesday in the Bar @Legume. Taste featured wine &/or draft beer, 3-6p

Wednesday, June 28

Tastings Tuesday in the Bar @Legume. Taste featured wine &/or draft beer, 3-6p $3 Taco Tuesday in the Bar All Day @ Legume

Sunday, June 18

Wednesday, June 14 Flag Day

CYT Fredericksburg presents Shrek the Musical @ Chancellor High School, 7p-10p

The Art of Aging , Life Begins at 50, XBG Expo Center, 10a-2p. Health Services, Recreational Activities, Educational Workshops.

Monday, June 19

Friday, June 16

The Company Store, Music on the Steps, Summer Concert Series @Hdqtr. Library, 7-8pm

Tuesday, June 20 1st Day of Summer!

Picnic In The Park @ Hurkamp Park, 11:30a -1p, ree, live lunchtime concert in Hurkamp Park. Bring a lunch to enjoy while listening to the music by the McTell Brothers.

CYT Fredericksburg presents Shrek the Musical @ Chancellor High School, 7p-10p

Tastings Tuesday in the Bar @Legume. Taste featured wine &/or draft beer, 3-6p

Music Fridays @ Legume, 9-11p, Too Indecent.

$3 Taco Tuesday in the Bar All Day @ Legume

Saturday, June 17

Wednesday, June 21

Tuesday, June 27

Picnic In The Park @ Hurkamp Park, 11:30a-1p, Bring a lunch to enjoy while listening to the music by Joe Bayliss.

Sunken Well Brunch 9a-2p CYT Fredericksburg presents Shrek the Musical @ Chancellor High School, 7p-10p

Music Fridays @ Legume, 9-11p, The Acoustic Onion

Friday, June 23

Spotsylvania Farmers Market @ Commuter Lot at Route 3 West and Gordon Road, 8a -1pm

Sunday, June 25

$3 Taco Tuesday in the Bar All Day @ Legume

Friday, June 30

CYT Fredericksburg presents Shrek the Musical @ Chancellor High School, 7p-10p

3121 Fans (& Growing) Want You to Join

Front Porch on 540-8 899-6 6787 16

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

fortemusicstudios.com front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

history’s stories

SALEM CHURCH By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks In 1843, a Spotsylvania farmers Walker Landram and Jackson Mills both members of the Massaponax Baptist Church, decided to build a Baptist Church along the Plank Road near George Fredericksburg. Rowe a local cattle farmer also donated land. The Church construction began in 1843 and was completed in the summer of 1844. They named the new church SALEM, which means peace, however, there would be no peace to the area for decades. The Mexican War was on going and the country was in turmoil with Bloody Kansas, John Brown’s raid and other events that eventually led to Civil War In the 1850’s, the Plank Road was a narrow road of oak planks. The road started at what today is Hanover Street and extended miles to Orange Court House. A toll road that would fail due to the “Iron Horse” as local rail took over the transportation of goods. The Salem congregation came from the Massaponax, Wilderness and Piney Branch Baptists Church’s. The first Salem preacher was Joseph Billingsley.

In 1853 Zoan Church a few miles further west was started by Reverend Billingsley with thirty members from Salem who left during a disagreement on the use of “spirits” (Whiskey) as they were strict prohibitionist. Salem Church’s yard was a busy place during the 1850’s as travelers on the stage coach line stopped off at Salem for rest and church services. The trade route from the mountains to the Fredericksburg wharves along the Plank Road was busy. West of the church six miles was a brick inn called Chancellorsville, famous for hospitality, fine food and drink would soon be a name imbedded in history forever. The dark days of the Civil War were near. The year 1861 saw major changes. The toll gate was closed because of financial problems. The congregation did not show up and the windows were shuttered. Religion was slowly being pushed aside by the flames of war. In the fall of 1862 the church yard became active with soldiers moving east and west on the dilapidated road. Preparations were being made for a battle that would take place on December 13, 1862. Fredericksburg would be the scene of a major battle and defeat for the Union Army under the command of Ambrose Burnside, the area was alive with over 150,000 troops camping and fighting over the terrain. The cold winter of 1862-63 would be long and hard on both armies and the citizens. The Spring of 1863 would see more southern troops around Salem church and on May 3, 1863 General John Sedgwick and his army advanced up the Plank Road. General Cadmus Wilcox in command of the Confederate troops was well prepared with troops from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, etc., Sedgwick had planned on marching straight ahead to Chancellorsville to join up with General Joe Hooker to fight General Lee. General Sedgwick was forced to retreat across the Rappahannock River at Banks Ford. This would delay his meeting up with General Hooker for several days. Wilcox is credited with being a major factor in General Lee’s victory at Chancellorsville by delaying Sedgwick and giving General Lee the additional time in planning. Salem’s recovery was slow with much damage from the ravages of war, however, the congregation grew with seventy-two members in 1867. Tourism began early in 1887 as many veterans visited the area. In the early 1900’s the landscape had not changed and would remain the same into the 1960’s before rapid development. Two New Jersey monuments were erected, unusual that they have a tablet dedicated to the valor of their opponents on the field.

OUR HERITAGE sun & sand By Judy Chaimson To escape the Fredericksburg heat, Mrs. L. G. Roach, her children Constance, Beatrice, L.G., Jr. and their friend, Alice Hancock, attempted to drive their Model T Ford to Colonial Beach where they hoped to catch the saltair breezes in “the most attractive summer resort on the Potomac River” - according to the Chamber of Commerce brochure published in 1911. The Roach family trip took place about 1920, and the Model T broke down before they reached Virginia Thompkins and unidentified Colonial Beach, but the pilgrimage friends enjoying Colonial Beach in 1936. was a common one for residents of the Fredericksburg region throughout the about spending time at Fairview Beach in their teens and twenties. W. F. Liebenow 20th Century. kept a diaries from the 1920’s until the Colonial Beach was a popular 1940’s in which he describes fairly destination for folks from Washington, frequent trips to the Beach. Emeline DC, who, in 1911, could travel by steamer Stearns was vacationing in California in to the Beach from June until September. A daily round-trip ticket for an adult was 1947 when her sister wrote to her about nephew Bookie’s mishap at Fairview Beach $.50, for a child only $.25. The summer population of Colonial Beach swelled to – he cut his foot on a shell. . The attraction of the Beaches 15,000 as city-dwellers enjoyed the was not always the healthy air and water. “ozone-laden air free of foul and Colonial Beach, in 1911, boasted the poisonous gases [where] true health abounds”. The Chamber of Commerce Colonial Hotel, a large establishment featuring “electric light[s], running water, brochure continues: “Frequent bathing in call bells and all modern improvements” – the waters of the beautiful Potomac, as all that for only $10.00 to $14.00 per heavily laden with saline matter as the week. Both Fairview and Colonial Beach very ocean, adds much indeed to the had pavilions where dancing and concerts health-giving qualities of the Beach. were major draws for young people from With water always clean and a … Fredericksburg and surrounding counties. constant but not dangerous surf, the Slot machine gambling became legal in bathing is especially attractive to the southern Maryland and, for a few years in visitor from the hot cities.” Closer to home for the 1960’s, Colonial Beach took advantage Fredericksburgers in search of sun, sand of that by placing slots on long piers jutting into the Maryland side of the and surf was (and still is) Fairview Beach. Established as a summer resort in 1928, Potomac. All reference materials, including Fairview is often mentioned in the oral oral histories, diaries and correspondence histories of long-time residents as the of Fredericksburg beach-goers, may be beach destination of choice during their found among the collections at the Anne Brooks Brauer, Elizabeth youth. Heritage Center – an interesting, and Carmichael, Jack Janney Johnson, Cotchy always cool, place to visit when you have Pappandreou, Vera Bazzanella Way, Polly Van Valzah and Charles Forbush all spoke had enough of sun and sand.

Central Rappahannock Heritage Center

A nice place to visit with ample parking, it is peaceful now, remember, SALEM means PEACE. Dedicated to the memory of Emmett Bullock & Clair Robinson

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

Natural Ways to Find a Peaceful Night’s Sleep by christina ferber Your frontal or main Neurovascular Points can help calm the stresses of the day, and simply laying your hand across your forehead can put you in a calm state. You can deepen that peaceful state even more by laying your other hand right under your belly button or placing it on the back of your head, where your head ups’ relax the and neck meet. These ‘hook-u Triple Warmer Meridian, an energy pathway that is involved with our anxiety. When we relax this meridian, we can relax all the systems in the body. One more way to ‘hook’ your body up and get ready for a peaceful night’s sleep is to place your thumb, 2nd, and 3rd fingers, in what is called a three-finger cluster, at the base of your throat and put your other hand under your belly button.

Insomnia has affected 30-35% of Americans (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) at one time or another, and for many of us sleeping pills are not the answer that we are looking for. Fortunately, Eden Energy Medicine (EEM) has a few natural techniques for those troubled nights when counting sheep just doesn’t do the job.

One of my favorite techniques to do anytime I get angry is also great to do before going to sleep. Expelling the Venom, or the Blow Out, helps to relieve any tension felt throughout the day so you don’t take it to your pillow. Bring your arms to either side of your body and make fists, imagining that all of your frustrations are in your hands. On an inhale, bring your arms above your head, and on an exhale, bring them down quickly and open your fists, either using the “shhh” sound or the name of what is upsetting you. Repeat three times and on the last movement, bring your hands down slowly and deliberately and let it all go. Melatonin is needed for our bodies to enter a sleep state, and another option that can work like a supplement is to naturally stimulate the production of this vital hormone by holding and rubbing the backs of your knees. These points connect with your pineal gland, a producer of melatonin.

In 1961 Salem congregation voted to donate the old church to the National Park Service. The new church was built next to it in 1955. Today old Salem Church stands quietly along the busy Plank road it has watched over for 173 years a reminder of its historic past with victories and defeats, happy times and sad times as it is with any human experience.

It’s All Energy

As you do these exercises, you should be sure to breathe, and though they are not specific EEM techniques, some breathing techniques can also help us get a good night’s sleep. Dr. Andrew Weil, an integrative physician, offers a relaxing breath exercise that can help calm the body before bed. Called the 4-7-8 breath, you inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth with your tongue behind your top front teeth. Mentally count to four as you inhale, hold your breath while you count to seven, and finally, exhale to a count of eight. Continue this pattern for a total of four breaths. You can also choose your own breath pattern. Find what works for you. All of these techniques aim to calm our systems, and as we get into a state of relaxing, those zzz’s should come easier. Many of the above exercises come from www.innersource.net and the book, Energy Medicine, by Donna Eden and David Feinstein. You can also check out www.itsallenergywelness.com for more techniques to help you lead a healthier life. Happy sleeping!

parenting workshop games, Crafts & Lessons to Strengthen Families By Amy Umble Want to learn how to help your child have academic success? Interested in learning how to boost your child's development? Want to have fun as a family and build closer relationships? Want to increase your confidence and satisfaction as a parent? From toilet training to learner's permits, parenting is filled with challenges. An upcoming series of interactive workshops aims to help. Rappahannock Area Community Services Board is now enrolling families for its next DARE To Be You session. Workshops include games, crafts, parenting tips and dinner. There are specialized classes for children ages 3 and older. Participants would attend workshops on Tuesday and Thursday nights, from June 6 through June 29. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and classes will be from 6-7:30 p.m. The workshops will take place at Kenmore Club, 623 Kenmore Ave. in Fredericksburg. Adults who complete the program will receive a $50 gift card. DARE To Be you is a family-based prevention program that focuses on positive behavior to help parents develop self-esteem, communication skills and stress management techniques. The sessions are appropriate for parents with children of all ages. What makes DARE To Be You so great: Interactive: lots of games and activities Quality family time Family meal provided at every session Incentives for attending and completing the program

Learn communication skills Boost to child’s developmental level Learning new discipline strategies Developing stronger family relationships Increased confidence as a parent For details or to register for the training, contact Jennifer Bateman, Prevention Specialist, at 540/374-3337, ext. 100 or jbateman@rappahannockareacsb.org. When signing up, share the ages of children who will be attending and any special needs or food limitations. Founded in 1970, the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) provides public mental health, developmental disability, substance abuse, and prevention/early intervention services to the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. To learn more, visit www.rappahannockareacsb.org. Amy Umble, is the Public Information Officer, Rappahannock Area Community Services Board

Christina Ferber is a Certified Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner. You can find out more at www.itsallenergywellness.com

Virginia’s only Regional Archive The Heritage Center

Maury Commons 900 Barton St 540-373-3704; crhc@verizon.net

Fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

history’s stories

Central Rappahannock Heritage Center

A nice place to visit with ample parking, it is peaceful now, remember, SALEM means PEACE. Dedicated to the memory of Emmett Bullock & Clair Robinson

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

It’s All Energy

Christina Ferber is a Certified Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner. You can find out more at www.itsallenergywellness.com

Virginia’s only Regional Archive The Heritage Center

Maury Commons 900 Barton St 540-373-3704; crhc@verizon.net

Fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Senior Care a worthy goal By Karl Karch

Lexi Grogan’s Pet Sitting Service “Your pet becomes my pet while in my care, and I care a lot!” - Lexi (540-903-0437; lexig0892@gmail.com) On facebook as “lexi grogan’s pet sitting service” Prices: Dogs - $15 per canine per visit Cats - $12 per feline per visit

In my three-and-one-half year journey toward a Master’s Degree in Social Gerontology, I studied many biological, psychological, and social issues adults face throughout adulthood and old age. I covered some of these issues in earlier articles, others will be covered in future articles. Well-designed and validated research studies often corroborate other studies’ conclusions, while others reach different conclusions regarding a given issue. Because June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, I will focus this article on cognitive functioning. At the risk of over simplifying, one overall take-away I learned from my classwork is there is no “one best” or “preferred” way to improve and/or retain cognitive functioning throughout one’s adulthood and old age. For example: genetics, physical activity, maintaining good health, nutrition, hearing, committed long-term couple relationships, personality, work complexity, socialization, education, and technology are among the many things that directly or indirectly impact cognitive functioning. We’ve all heard about the use-itor-lose-it theory which states that if a person doesn’t continually challenge their brain in a variety of ways throughout life, cognitive capacity will decline. As I was learning about all the ways we impact brain functioning, I often wondered whether engaging in all these activities will make me super smart. Alas, it doesn’t work that way. I discovered that, especially in one’s later years, challenging the brain is needed to stabilize and maintain brain functioning over time, not increase brain capacity. I was surprised to learn that the brain can build up a “brain reserve” to offset detrimental impacts on the brain like neurodegenerative disease, negative stereotypes, hearing loss, declining health, and social isolation and

June 2017

loneliness. This reserve can help older adults achieve a major goal of remaining functionally independent. So, where am I going with this? The beauty of research is there are a variety of pathways to maintaining brain functionality with demonstrated results. For example, you don’t have to go to a gym to lift weights or use machines, but you can walk. And, if you can’t walk, there are exercises and stretches for wheelchair bound adults. If you are homebound, you need not worry about being socially isolated which can lead to loneliness and depression which adversely impacts cognitive health. With a tablet computer and internet, you can Skype, email, and use Facebook from anywhere in your home and remain socially active. Instead of taking ongoing education classes, you can exercise your brain with brain games, research your genealogy, surf the internet, or engage in other mentally stimulating options. Telehealth and telemedicine are also available in the home. You see, resilient people adapt to changes and challenges in their lives so they can remain functionally independent at home in a community setting where the vast majority of older adults wish to remain. That’s a goal each of us can embrace and the sooner we get started the better the outcome we’ll achieve. The good news is that research has demonstrated that it’s never too late to start, and that’s a worthy goal indeed!

Karl Karch is a local franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care, a licensed home care organization providing personal care, companionship and home helper services in the Fredericksburg and Culpeper region.

Front porch fredericksburg

Emancipated Patients

Mind Your Mind

voodoo

don't ask By Barbara Deal

By Patrick Neustatter, MD Better value, more love for your pet than if you kennel board him!

A recent trip to New Orleans and apothecaries and pharmacists, like Louis J. Dufilho, the first ever licensed pharmacist to the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum in particular made me realize the city had a (1816), whose business was housed in the less enticing side than just being a 24/7 museum building. And who, together with party. And what dangerously wrong- barbers (the for-runners of surgeons) did headed ideas the medical profession can much of what later became the exclusively hold. property of doctors, when licensing was “Hand grenades” and implemented. Below Sea Level “Hurricanes.” Exotic Cajun cuisine and jazz bands on every corner is the popular The low-laying elevation of the image of New Orleans – which is what my city and its environs, with its swamps and wife Paula and I experienced when we went bayous, on the banks of the Mississippi there to celebrate her turning “the new meant mosquito country and malaria. And forty.” frequent flooding, when bodies buried in Horrors, Curiosities and Wicked Humor “wet graves” would float out into the But a visit to this museum paints streets (until they walled the cemeteries) a different picture. and open drains were flushed of their A collection of curiosities - none putrid content. more so than the docent himself, with his And being a port, meant, Cholera, top-knot puff of curls, reminiscent of our Yellow “Jack” (Yellow Fever), and the everfriend’s well groomed full sized poodles; pervasive “French Pox,” as syphilis was eye glasses with one lens square and one known, were frequent visitors. round; high water pants; theatrical style Though this was before the elastic sided boots. He entertained us with recognition of microorganisms, and these what my nephew Cato would call a scourges were thought to be caused by “wicked”, sense of humor. hovering miasmas. Attempts were made to With great glee he showed us a dispel these by firing cannons in the air, guillotine for removing and burning pitch on tonsils; amputation saws; the city outskirts – a hundred years tooth extractors, and “making any from now, which of the countless other instruments current treatments we think of r e s p i r a t o r y of torture. problems worse of as being so wonderful will Holding up a course” the docent people be shaking their heads grooved board he explained assured us. over, and asking “how could how this multiple pill roller W o m e n ’ s they be so stupid?” “just meant you could make brains were more questionable medicines believed to be in quicker” - and there is no doubt, trying to competition with their wombs, so they, cure people by treating them with arsenic, and many other “patients,” were helped to strychnine, lead and mercury, which we rest by the liberal use of highly addictive now recognize as potent poisons, was opium, and it’s derivatives. distinctly questionable. The elaborate marble soda Applying leeches or opening veins fountain in the pharmacy was a legacy of with vicious “fleams” to “let out the bad using sweetened soda pop to make such blood” of people already volume depleted medicines palatable – which is the origin of from their illness was also a bit Seven Up (containing lithium) and Coca questionable. Cola (containing cocaine). How Could They Be So Stupid? This was the business of the Local practitioners of voodoo tended to use herbs, which at least were It’s always more fun less likely to be poisonous, even if equally in the ineffective – though they treated syphilis Scenter of Town! with moldy bread, which may well have Essential Oils produced a form of penicillin. Liquid Herbs It’s easy to wonder how these Reiki apothecaries, pharmacists and doctors Reflexology could be so wrong – but a hundred years Aromatherapy from now, which of the current Custom Blending treatments we think of as being so wonderful will people be shaking their Aroma-Therapeutic Massage heads over, and asking “how could they be Harmonic Resonance Therapy so stupid?”

Products ~ Services ~ Classes 907 Charles Street, Downtown thescenteroftown.com

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

A friend, a sister, a dad comes to you, describing in aching, inhumane terms, the details of a troublesome relationship. Maybe it is physically violent. Maybe it is emotionally abusive, degrading. Maybe there is sexual assault, rejection, humiliation. Other unspeakable actions committed against another. Acts that go nameless, excepting that anguish on a face, tears choked back, near fetal positioned on your couch. Instinctively, we all want to know this “why, oh, why do you stay? What makes you think you must endure this?” You know that person, briefly, or decades, maybe a lifetime. You know the stories, struggles, victories. “Why?” you want to ask. DON’T DO IT. Don’t ask why they stay in that difficult relationship or situation. LISTEN FIRST. For hours, days, weeks, and sometimes years. Hard as it is, JUST LISTEN. Grieve with them. Cry with them. Hold them. Place them in your life, your home, your cell phone, or wherever. A place that is safe, accessible. No judgement. No advice. No directions. You can add your own experience of that person “They do seem distant, or cold” or “I wondered what was going on”. Really, what gives us the right to an opinion about another’s life? I have, certainly, and regrettable, in my practice, jumped into problem solving mode with disregard for that person’s integrity and innate capacity to run his/her life. Many frightening stories of victimization have come into my office, evoking my own high anxiety and concern for safety. The times when I have taken that dominant, bossy, frankly overbearing, commanding approach result in the person never returning for needed well designed help. A person, so certain about what should be done, can often be perceived as another control freak, a know-it all. From that side, it can feel embarrassing, even

belittling, as if “gosh you are so stupid, why are you doing stupid stuff?” In my view, the best strategy is this. LISTEN FOR A LONG TIME. LISTEN LONGER. KEEP LISTENING. Hold that welcoming, soothing space. Again, minutes, hours, weeks, maybe years. Certainly, as I have suggested before, all bets are off with regard to safety. It is good to give concrete OPTIONS, saying “you might try this. “I have heard that there are people who talk to people on the phone about these things. Have the number ready (Empowerment House 540373-9 9373), or some professional you personally have talked with and trusted. Now Ask: Would you like some ideas? What can I do to help? Then just wait Wait some more. Be real. Only agree to what you can realistically do. Do not promise to be something you can not be for them Wait some more. I get it. The worst thing is to be a witness to suffering in a loved one. Guess what, worse is them being lonely alienated and shamed after talking to you. They need you. Let them tell you what for. Barbara Deal LCSW, is a psychotherapist at Alliance Therapy. 540-850-6139

The Natural Path Holistic Health Center

~Nature’s Sunshine Products ~Quantitative Fluid Analysis ~VoiceBio Analysis ~ionSpa Foot Detox ~Zyto Bioscan Compass ble at Availa n.com Amazo

Natural Products for Health & Wellness Barbara Bergquist, CTN Board Certified Traditional Naturopath

891-6200

www.thenaturalpath.us

4413 Lafayette Blvd. Fredericksburg front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Senior Care a worthy goal By Karl Karch

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

Emancipated Patients

Mind Your Mind

voodoo

don't ask By Barbara Deal

By Patrick Neustatter, MD Better value, more love for your pet than if you kennel board him!

Products ~ Services ~ Classes 907 Charles Street, Downtown thescenteroftown.com

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

The Natural Path Holistic Health Center

~Nature’s Sunshine Products ~Quantitative Fluid Analysis ~VoiceBio Analysis ~ionSpa Foot Detox ~Zyto Bioscan Compass ble at Availa n.com Amazo

Natural Products for Health & Wellness Barbara Bergquist, CTN Board Certified Traditional Naturopath

891-6200

www.thenaturalpath.us

4413 Lafayette Blvd. Fredericksburg front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Renew

NEW

Food that looks like body parts

SOUND IMMERSION

TRANSFORMATION THROUGH SOUND

Sophia Street Pottery Throwdown June 1oth festival featuring local & regional artists By Dan Finnegan

by Joan M. Geisler There’s no question that maintaining a nutritious diet can help keep your body healthy. But when it comes to which foods can specifically benefit which body parts, science remains surprisingly sketchy. But God gives us a big clue as to what foods help what part of our body! Here are 6 foods that mirror the body parts for which they provide nutrients. Though these healthy foods are beneficial to the whole body, the list below is a fun reminder of what to eat to target specific areas. Remember, most of these foods are more beneficial when eaten raw.

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. According to science, . at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, eating carrots greatly enhances blood flow to the eyes. Carrot gets their orange color from a plant chemical called beta-carotene, which reduces the risk of developing cataracts. The chemical also protects against macular degeneration an agerelated sight problem that affects one in four individuals over the age of 65 A Tomato has four chambers and is red in color, so also the heart is red and has four chambers. Research has confirmed that tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and it is indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes resembles the alveoli of the lungs. The lungs are made of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny branches of tissue called alveoli. These structures allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. A diet high in fresh grapes has shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which is thought to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy. One reason that premature babies struggle to survive is that, these alveoli do not begin to form until 23 to 24 week of pregnancy.

June 2017

Music will be provided by Larry Hinkle and Friends and a raffle will be held for a collaborative pot made by Dan Finnegan and decorated by Trista Chapman

Wednesdays Weekly Crystal Bowls, Gong, Dijeridu www.Meetup.com/Sound-Immersion A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are similar to those of the neo-cortex. Scientists claim that walnuts help in developing over three dozen neuron-transmitters within the brain enhancing the signaling and encouraging new messaging link between the brain cells. Walnuts help warding off dementia. They also extract and break down the protein based plaques associated with Alzheimer’s diseases, according to a study by Dr. James Joseph of Tuft University in Boston.

“Cruets”, Scarlett Pons On June 10th the First Annual Sophia Street Pottery Throwdown will take pace on the 1100 Block of Sophia Street, Downtown. The “Throwdown” will feature local and regional artists working with clay. This festival provides the opportunity for the community to meet local potters, see demonstrations of a variety of techniques as well as an opportunity for children and adults to get their hands dirty at the”hands-on” area. A wide variety of work will be for sale.

“Vase”, Beth Sperlazza Scarlett Pons is a self taught potter with a degree in Architecture. Scarlett designs, makes and fires all her pieces at her country studio located in Fredericksburg, VA. She designs pieces for the home and garden that are elegantly

simple and quiet in nature. Many of her pieces are often described as rustic contemporary. Much of her inspiration comes from long walks along the Virginia country side. Scarlett and her husband are also the owners of downtown's Ponshop gallery. After graduating from Mary Washington College, Misha Sanborn worked for Dan Finnegan for several years before becoming the second artist in residence at LibertyTown Arts Workshop. Since then she has been making amazing functional pottery and in the past few years has switched to firing her work in the gas kiln at Sophia Street Studios. Beth Sperlazza is a local potter working out of her home studio in Ferry Farm. She graduated from Mary Washington with a degree in Studio Art, then worked at LibertyTown Arts Workshop in a variety of roles before becoming Artist in Residence. Beth's work combines surface techniques such as

“Leaf Mug”, Misha Sanborn screen printing and monoprint transfers with simple forms made out of earthenware clay. In addition to the three potters profiled above the Exhibitors include: Dan Finnegan, Trista Chapman, Jon McMillian, Neal Reed, Christina Lush Rodriquez, Lee Hazelgrove, Nancy Ross, Anna Mueller Branner, Steven Summerville, Kevin Rodrigue, DD Lecky, Rachel Ruddle, Christina Bendo, David Camden, Scott Campbell.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and are shaped exactly like the human kidneys (hence their name). Kidney beans provide a variety of minerals and vitamins, and so are generally beneficial for your health. If your kidneys are healthy, kidney beans can -- when consumed as part of a balanced diet -- contribute to your kidney health. If your kidneys are diseased, you might need to moderate your intake of kidney beans.

Celery, Rhubarb, Bok-cchoy and more look just like bones structure. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are made up of 23% sodium and these foods have sodium in them. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body. Joan is the Director of MedFit, Medically Integrated Nutrition and Exercise at Truong Rehabilitation Center

Front porch fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Renew

NEW

Food that looks like body parts

SOUND IMMERSION

TRANSFORMATION THROUGH SOUND

Sophia Street Pottery Throwdown June 1oth festival featuring local & regional artists By Dan Finnegan

June 2017

Music will be provided by Larry Hinkle and Friends and a raffle will be held for a collaborative pot made by Dan Finnegan and decorated by Trista Chapman

Front porch fredericksburg

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Art in the Burg Suzanne Scherr "Waiting for a Connection" For the past eighteen months, I've enjoyed creating publicity for each artist slated for a month-long solo show at Art First Gallery. Their motives to create are as varied and interesting as their work. Now it's my turn to describe what drove me to paint the pieces featured in my show this June. "Write what you know" was Mark Twain's often quoted advice when I was in So, after a lifetime of packing and moving, mostly on the East Coast and in Europe, I recently landed in Lake of the Woods and now paint full-time Making art has always been a healing practice. The insights and reverence that result from quiet observation can be positively addictive. Conveying those insights through color, composition, and pattern has been a constant goal. Although I first began to show hand-pulled stone lithographs and prints in the mid-1980s, and

"Waiting for a Connection" grade school. For this show, I decided to paint what I knew, and maybe gain some insight and even humor from the memories. Forty years in government policy, in the US and internationally, meant constant travel on planes, trains, and in relentless Washington metropolitan area traffic. I had plenty of time to reflect on the anonymous, yet, oddly intimate commuting experience. Midway, cell phones contributed to a growing sense of isolation in the crowds. Sketching people and keeping a journal of titles for possible paintings, when and if I carved out the space and time to share my experiences, were a respite.

Friday” changed to “Good painting watercolors from the perspective of birds over the next twenty years, acrylics are used for most of these paintings. Birds as a last trace of nature and the ordinary human experience continue to fascinate me. Most of my recent work is triggered by my quick sketches of people or animals encountered when traveling.

“Homage de Cezanne”

June 2017

“Waiting for a Connection” Art First Gallery Opening Reception: First Friday, June 2, 6 pm - 9 pm 824 Caroline St., Downtown 540-3 371-7 7107, artfirstgallery.com

Front porch fredericksburg

Art is a Gift from the Heart Artists: Beverley Coates

Stories

of fredericksburg

810 Caroline Street, Downtown Fredericksburg

Jeff has been homeless for many years. He is working now to get back into housing in our community. "I don't really have a whole lot of memories from my childhood. When I was real young, my memories were mostly from Southwestern Virginia when we were fairly poor. The first house I lived in had only 4 rooms. There was no plumbing, nothing. My father was a self-employed logger and a WWII veteran. When my father passed, my mom packed us up and took us to Maryland. I was 5. So I was raised in Maryland in a suburb and had a pretty decent life. I was raised in an alcoholic home. My first step-father was alcoholic…he passed away of it. So the home was kind of chaotic. My mom did the best she could. She doesn't have any kind of issues. She's only had one speeding ticket in her life and that was my fault because she was chewing me out. “I've always been mechanical minded…from an early age. My mom told me one time, 'I don't think there's a Christmas present I ever bought you that you didn't take apart and figure out how it works.' I got into substance abuse and of course school was out from there. My

Become a Friend Advocate ~ Donate ~ Volunteer

540~479~4116

win downtown gift certificate Identify this mystery house and you could win a gift certificate from a downtown merchant.

Jeff

Lynn Abbott Penny Parrish

Daily hours 10 to 6. Artist on site Saturdays

Name This House

mom told me I was an A and B student up until that point. 11 years and 9 months old is when I started drinking…it got rid of all the thoughts of chaos at home you know, that's what I wanted to do. “I got married at 21-22 and had three kids…was married about 8 years. That didn't work out real well because I still didn't understand what alcoholism was. If you would have asked me and I would say 'oh yeah I'm alcoholic' but I didn't have a clue what that was and it took me a lot of years to figure it out. It took a lot of pain, a lot of talking, a lot of listening - a lot of things to really drive that home and for me to understand it.I didn't know where I was. I didn't know who I was. . I got in trouble with the law and entered the prison system. So it's been kind of ups and downs and I've had periods of sobriety mostly initiated by the department of corrections or the local police department and I'd stay sober for a while and relapse. But in those sober periods I learned as they say in AA to- 'keep coming back' and that's so true. If you stay sober and you go out there and you relapse, remember that- 'keep coming back' Don't stop fighting. Don't stop coming. “They got a saying in AA that goes 'there comes a point when you get sick and tired of being sick and tired.' When you reach that point you just decide it's time to give up the high cost of low living. A place like Micah helps them to survive and gives them the opportunity and the means to get out of that when they're ready. It's kind of like the prodigal son. He had to come to the end of himself before he came back towards God. So 'when you're ready, we're here' kind of thing…'but until then we'll do what we can to help you until you get ready'…and they're there to support you and give you advice and point you in the right direction. . It's true- there are people with active addictions and mental health problems and family problems. They've got to work through that and that's what drives some people homeless. For me it was my alcoholism. The only way I like to drink is in excess. I've taken it just this side of death and I've been able to go to Micah the whole time whenever I needed it. I tried not to wear out that welcome and now that I'm ready, they're there to help."

Here’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 Month’s House: 909 Cornell Street. Kaye Kingsbury is the Winner of a Gift Certificate from Roxbury Farm & Garden Center

I met you many years ago, when we came to Fredericksburg on a whim. The government had captured us, with a siren song of a happy life, with my hope you would play a part. Your faded glory included two very ancient gnomes, grown old within your soot- stained walls, Alas you were not to be mine, but I watched your bones broken, your magnificent walnut tree torn apart. But look at you now young lady, happy faces who love you dearly, smiling from inside on the "Avenue."

Submitted by Micah Ecumenical Ministries, a Christ-Centered Community supporting people experiencing chronic homelessness and identifying pathways to sustainable housing. Contact 540479-4116; www.dolovewalk.net; facebook

1013 Princess Anne Street , FXBG front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

“Homage de Cezanne”

June 2017

“Waiting for a Connection” Art First Gallery Opening Reception: First Friday, June 2, 6 pm - 9 pm 824 Caroline St., Downtown 540-3 371-7 7107, artfirstgallery.com

Front porch fredericksburg

Art is a Gift from the Heart Artists: Beverley Coates

Stories

of fredericksburg

810 Caroline Street, Downtown Fredericksburg

Become a Friend Advocate ~ Donate ~ Volunteer

540~479~4116

win downtown gift certificate Identify this mystery house and you could win a gift certificate from a downtown merchant.

Jeff

Lynn Abbott Penny Parrish

Daily hours 10 to 6. Artist on site Saturdays

Name This House

Here’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 Month’s House: 909 Cornell Street. Kaye Kingsbury is the Winner of a Gift Certificate from Roxbury Farm & Garden Center

1013 Princess Anne Street , FXBG front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

FXBG Music Scene The feathered fish by Ashleigh Chevalier Who are these feathery fishes? Why are they feathery and why be they fishes? The Feathered Fish began with Jeremy “Hanky” Hankins and Johnny Ray Wolfe; two friends hangin’ out in the wilds of Goldvein, Virginia about seven years ago. Johnny started strummin’ and Hank started singing’. The two have been the foundation for this blossoming reggae rock band since. The Feathered Fish have morphed over the years, as most bands do, blending their influences into their own creative creature. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Marley, Men at Work, Sublime all clearly left an impression on the hearts of the two founders. Hank’s energetic persona and strong voice ignites every crowd, like a hippie version of Jim Morrison. Lee LeGross burns the sticks (often shirtless, but no one complains), and Collin Hill funks the bass. Johnny’s harmonies and clean rock guitar tone complete the sound, making The Feathered Fish a one of a kind musical entity. It is no wonder the crowds follow this young group to the biggest venues in Fredericksburg. They gain new fans everywhere they perform, be it Rick’s on the River, Colonial Tavern in down town Fredericksburg, or Hard Times Café Four Mile Fork. Everyone moves and everyone grooves when The Feathered Fish are performing. As exciting as the band’s growth is, these dedicated musicians face life challenges just as everyone else does. “We are still growing as young men… trying to figure life out, but stay focused on the music,” Hank comments.

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

“Trying to figure out finances, jobs...” Every member is one hundred percent dedicated to the music, but it is work making that happen and surviving along the journey. Hank’s lyrics are inspired by this. “Everyday life, memories, life’s struggles, and empathy for others,” narrate their musical story line. The Feathered Fish bolster Bob Marley’s “One Love” mentality. Check out The Feathered Fish’s latest single, “We on the Run,” with special guest on guitar, Mark Vollten. The Feathered Fish’s next single “Colorado Girl” will be released mid-summer before the album release in late summer, early fall 2017. There are twelve tracks and two bonus tracks. Special Edition Vinyl may even become available. The Feathered Fish will perform all over the state this summer, kicking’ off their festival appearances with Rock the River in Downtown Fredericksburg June 3, 2017 at Old Mill Park. On June 3oth at Legume Restaurant. Friday, July 7 at Doah Fest in Luray, Virginia. This is a beautiful river festival on the Shenandoah. Both events are family friendly. Other festival performances include The Dog Daze Festival and The Green Light Festival in Washington D.C.

THE POETRY MAN - By Frank Fratoe

Charlene Woods

Nonconformist True to his name the mockingbird perches alone atop a NO Parking sign flouting authority decreed by humans.

Nothing is ever what it seems by elizabeth woodford

Then flips upward and flies within the hospital zone until he carols loudly in a tree facing a QUIET sign. Then he wings far toward the river to harmonize again where woods enclose a sign which says TRESPASSING ILLEGAL. Sing nonconformist and teach everyone in your own way how farewells end but transcend now to hellos forever. Frank Fratoe lives & writes in the city. He has written poems from the heart for Front Porch for the past 8 years.

Find more at TheFeatheredFish.com. Get social. Get jammin’. Ashleigh Chevalier is a Blues/Jazz/Rock Musician-Vocalist, Songwriter, Music & Media Journalist, Entertainment & Marketing Consultant, Events Management & Support and, a mother living in Fredericksburg

Words to live by? “Sure”, says Charlene Woods. “If you look at everything through that statement, you

begin to realize there is more beneath the surface than you can even begin to guess at. It gives us tolerance and understanding, which is very much needed in society today”. This says a great deal about how this talented artist looks at life. It also may cause you to look at art differently, especially hers. This 54 year-old mother of 5, has only been a mixed media artist for 4 years, but has already begun winning awards! Her most recent was First Place for her Pink Flamingo sculpture in a juried show, Dimensional Expressions, last month at Artful Dimensions Gallery, where she is a Member. Robert Hunter, the juror for the show, had this to say about her sculpture; “Think Pink” is a wonderful combination of unexpected objects to create a very recognizable organic form. The integration of multiple shapes and surfaces to create a specific shape was an impressive use of special engineering and also an impressive use of imaginative selection.” The sculpture is still on display at Artful Dimensions Gallery located at 911 Charles Street. “I think the excitement over my work is due to the different levels of surprise that viewers experience when they see each piece. “Nothing is what it seems to be from a distance.” The phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, springs to mind. The layers of detail and discovery unfold upon close inspection by the viewer, resembling hidden pictures that we all enjoyed as children. Then viewers try to determine how the pieces were constructed and marvel in the artist’s vision and spatial abilities to see a hairclip as a bird’s beak, for example! ”No one (that I can find) creates pieces of art quite the way I do. I don’t consider myself a die-hard recycler, but when I find an opportunity to reuse something, especially in a fun way, I go for it!” explained the artist, in a recent interview. “I like to have fun when creating my art and what could be more fun than working with toys! When I construct my sculptures, I use lots of toys, games pieces, metal, jewelry, strung beads, glass beads, wood and hardware from my husband’s tool box! (He complains that he has the cleanest tool box of anyone he knows!)” “My process is a bit assemblage, a bit collage, a bit abstract, and a bit hide and seek. My goal is to create something unexpected from obscure bits and pieces. Viewed at a distance, you see an animal. Close up, you might see something from your childhood!

“I’m very excited to be doing my very first solo show at Artful Dimensions Gallery. The show, titled Feathers and Frivolity, will run from May 30th through July 2, with an Opening Reception on First Friday, June 2. I’ve been creating a whole flock of birds for the show and a few other surprises. Even though I will be moving to Tennessee this summer, I will continue to show my art at the gallery. I love the

environment and the artists I’ve met. Our community has been so supportive. It’s really an upbeat and positive place!” Don’t miss this opportunity to see this body of work and to speak with the artist on First Friday June 2. “Flight and Frivolity” Opening Reception at Artful Dimensions Gallery, from 6-9 9 pm. Elizabeth Woodford is a member of Artful Dimensions Gallery and teaches classes at the gallery.

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

THE POETRY MAN - By Frank Fratoe

Charlene Woods

Nonconformist True to his name the mockingbird perches alone atop a NO Parking sign flouting authority decreed by humans.

Nothing is ever what it seems by elizabeth woodford

Words to live by? “Sure”, says Charlene Woods. “If you look at everything through that statement, you

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Companions S.P.C.a. courthouse road By Caitlin dALY

Bowman Drive in Fredericksburg. There will be a special VIP reception from 6-7pm with event cocktails and live music. If you enjoy delicious food, dancing, and saving lives, this is the event for you. We will also have an art auction for all to enjoy, as well as a special "experiences" table where you could win a beach house in OBX or Florida!

Another Time, Another Place Lynn Abbott paints a visual holiday

Better value, more love for your pet than if you kennel board him!

By Norma Woodward She smiles as she explains, “Quite seriously, art’s ability to transport us to beautiful places has always inspired me. What I particularly love about landscape paintings is the escape from everyday responsibilities and stress that they provide. In other words, a landscape potentially takes us on a journey to another time and place; essentially, it gives us a visual ‘jolly holiday.’” And many art collectors say that Abbott’s paintings accomplish just that. Her June landscape exhibit, in fact, explores a wide variety of place and time from our local Falmouth to European villages.

Old Town’s Greatest Tour

Sundance- Lots of energy, so cute Daisy: rescued her from a hoarding case.

35 Monuments, Markers, & Attractions

Every year, we at the Fredericksburg SPCA raise 100% of the funds to care for the animals who reside at our shelter and in foster homes. Since 2014 our intake numbers have TRIPLED, so the task has grown with our increased population. Many of the

AND the Fredericksburg Battlefields Weddings Reunions Shuttles Parties Group Outings To get your tickets now, visit https://fburgspca.org/furball2017 If you have questions about this event, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, email ericafredspca@gmail.com

Fredericksburgtrolley.com

540-898-0737

Transporting viewers to another time and place through her landscape oils, Brush Strokes’ Featured Artist Lynn Abbott explores a broad range of beautiful destinations from local Falmouth to

Chicka- Loves everyone, super sweet animals we care for come in with injuries or illness, for example a fractured paw or heartworm disease. Every one of the animals we bring into the program are treated like family pets- with ailments being tended to and special behavioral plans being formulated, so that the animals are healthy and happy when the time comes for them to go home. Since increased numbers mean increased expenses, we have had to ramp

FXBG SPCA 10819 Courthouse Road Office: (540) 898-1 1500 https://fburgspca.org/ facebook

Phineas- So outgoing and sweet up our fundraising efforts to ensure we have enough funding all year round to accommodate everyone's special needs. Our largest event of the year, the Fur Ball, is one such way that we raise these important funds. The Fur Ball will be held on June 10th from 7-10pm at the A. Smith Bowman Distillery located at 1

June 2017

Boots: such a CUDDLE BUG

Front porch fredericksburg

2017 Annual FXBG Photography Show By Carol Bochert Time to look through your photos or get your camera out to capture that prize-winning photo for this year’s photo show. The much-anticipated Photo Show has been an annual event for 36 years. Originally sponsored by Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation, with help from the Fredericksburg Photography Club, the show is now sponsored by the Club, in conjunction with Parks and Rec. With the advent of digital technology, photography has become increasing popular. This show has, at times, had as many as 600+ entries. It is an ideal venue to showcase your work or to see what other photographers are doing. Your entry must be postmarked by June 7, 2017. There are plenty of categories to enter: Animals, Architecture, Monochrome, Abstract, Nature, Portraiture, Scenic, Macro/Close-up, Photojournalism, Life in the Commonwealth, and a Junior category for budding photographers 16 and under. First place in each category wins $25, Most Popular $50 and Best in Show $100. The show is free to the public. This year’s show dates are June 23-25, 2017, at the Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal Street, Fredericksburg. All the information you need can be obtained from our Club webpage www.fbgphotoclub.com, questions can be addressed to fbergphotoclub@aol.com or by calling Carol Bochert at 804-840-2580.

Rigby Loves sunshine and catnip toys

Caitlin Daly is the Executive Director of the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA

Call for Entries

2016 Best in Show “A Moment in Time”, D.M.Fulks Even if you don’t enter this year, be sure to come to the Community Center and stroll through and enjoy the show.

2017 Fredericksburg Photography Show Entry Deadline: June 7 Show: June 23-2 25 Dorothy Hart Community Center 408 Canal Street

Carol Bochert a member of the Fredericksburg Photography Club is the Exhibition Coordinator

“Village Green” European villages. Join us at Brush Strokes Gallery for a visual holiday throughout the month of June. Brush Strokes Gallery opens daily from 11am-5pm at 824 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia. Meet Abbott and celebrate the exhibit’s opening on First Friday, June 2 from 6pm-9 pm. No passport required. For more information, please contact Brush Strokes Gallery, at 540368-0560. Lynn Abbott, jests that Mary Poppins’ sidekick inspired her exhibit “Another Time; Another Place.” Abbott admits that since seeing Disney’s classic film as a child, she has been fascinated by Sidewalk Artist Burt’s drawings and Mary’s practice of “popping in and out of pictures.”

“Another Time; Another Place” May 29 –July 2, daily 11am-5 5pm Brush Strokes Gallery 824 Caroline Street Meet Abbott and celebrate the exhibit’s opening on First Friday, June 2 from 6pm-9 9 pm. No passport required. For more information, please contact Brush Strokes Gallery, at 540-3 368-0 0560.

Norma Woodward is a photographer and a member of Brush Strokes Gallery

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Companions S.P.C.a. courthouse road By Caitlin dALY

Another Time, Another Place Lynn Abbott paints a visual holiday

Better value, more love for your pet than if you kennel board him!

Old Town’s Greatest Tour

Sundance- Lots of energy, so cute Daisy: rescued her from a hoarding case.

35 Monuments, Markers, & Attractions

Fredericksburgtrolley.com

540-898-0737

Transporting viewers to another time and place through her landscape oils, Brush Strokes’ Featured Artist Lynn Abbott explores a broad range of beautiful destinations from local Falmouth to

FXBG SPCA 10819 Courthouse Road Office: (540) 898-1 1500 https://fburgspca.org/ facebook

June 2017

Boots: such a CUDDLE BUG

Front porch fredericksburg

Rigby Loves sunshine and catnip toys

Caitlin Daly is the Executive Director of the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA

Call for Entries

2016 Best in Show “A Moment in Time”, D.M.Fulks Even if you don’t enter this year, be sure to come to the Community Center and stroll through and enjoy the show.

2017 Fredericksburg Photography Show Entry Deadline: June 7 Show: June 23-2 25 Dorothy Hart Community Center 408 Canal Street

Carol Bochert a member of the Fredericksburg Photography Club is the Exhibition Coordinator

Norma Woodward is a photographer and a member of Brush Strokes Gallery

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Let us help you turn your class ring into a lovely bracelet!

Fredericksburg Sketches 606 Caroline Street Old Town Fredericksburg 373-7847

A visual Celebration of our community

By Casey Alan Shaw

www.gemstonecreations.org

From My Porch

FXBG’ERS Steve Wilcox, Unforgettable

“One way or the other, if you want to find reasons why you shouldn’t keep on, you’ll find ‘em. The obstacles are all there; there are a million of ‘em.” ~Benny Goodman

Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged

Give a Child Something to Think About Steve with Holy Cross Cafeteria Staff l-rr: Denice Whatley, Mary Deal Steve Wilcox, Shan Rutkowski, Anita Muccia

Books, Games, Amusing Novelties

"Too often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~Leo Buscaglia

810 Caroline Street (540) 371-5684

SKETCH #32: Hyperion

Each time I begin a new sketch, there’s always an initial dilemma: What is your view of the scene going to be? Will it be a close-up … or will you pull back and include more surroundings … or will you go REALLY close in and focus on a small detail? There’s never a correct answer to these questions, just different outcomes. In the case of the drawing above, I had already done a couple of sketches of the corner of William and Princess Anne streets. So for this drawing, I decided to focus on Hyperion. It was a hot day, so I tried to shift the color in the drawing to let the warmer colors, like the reds in the bricks, contrast with using cooler colors like blue in the shade under the awning. Whether or not this is your favorite spot for coffee, this corner has certainly become an iconic part of downtown. It’s a touchstone for local folks to meet and begin new adventures. And that’s the sense of community that I hope comes through in this particular art piece.

Casey Alan Shaw is a local artist and Realtor. He exhibits his original artwork and limited-edition prints at Art First Gallery in downtown Fredericksburg and at www.caseyshaw.com.

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

By Jo Loving

by georgia Lee Strentz

Tuesday - Saturday 10-5 Wednesdays until 6:30 and by appointment

M-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm

obstacles or opportunities

"Steve Wilcox, the finest man I ever met." I kept hearing this phrase over and again, around our "Burg." By the end of our interview, I joined Steve's fan club. What creates such an outstanding person, a passionate "giver?" He was born in Chicago, his mother was honored as a "Shining Star," who made blankets and collected teddy bears for the Elks Club program. Even though there were eight children in Steve's family, and two were disabled, they made time for other less-fortunate people's needs.The whole family is in helpful careers, police, fire, teachers. His life trek has taken him into the army as a teen, to Virginia and marriage to his always supportive wife, Ana. They have raised 6 children in Stafford, the youngest is in high school. Steve works full-time as an engineer at a municipal water treatment plant in a nearby county. Steve's describes his satisfaction with volunteering by saying, "when I see a child laugh, it makes me smile, because so many children lead very difficult lives."` The many hours per week Steve spends helping others is dizzying. He has participated in the Big Brothers program for several years and still sees his little brothers, now grown up, spending a dinner catch-up, keeping their relationship active.

Grafton Village Deservedly, School named Steve, Volunteer of The Year, for the Margaret Brent Award. Steve was wearing a work apron with a picture of little Carter Harris, the project, Steve said, "is still close to my heart. Steve has enjoyed working at Stafford High School with the Challenge Day.com with high school kids, including his son Allen, who is a junior. He spent two days this year helping organize, "Dad's of Great Students Project," at Grafton Village Elementary School plus,Do-nuts for Dad's. He really enjoys working with elementary students, as he says," they are so sweet and enthusiastic." He enjoys coaching wrestling and helping kids build confidence by helping them build skills, and being that person for a kid who may have no one at home on his side. Steve is here at Holy Cross Academy this morning, where his daughter attended 8 years ago. He teaches 3rd graders a course in life survival skills, a couple of times per year, like check books and all that good life stuff. He also volunteers here in the kitchen for all these years, helping the school and the kitchen staff with alot of heavy lifting and whatever is needed. The list goes on........I am awestruck by his level of unselfish giving. How lucky we are that Steve and Ana decided to move here, raise their children among us, and become "Fredericksburgers."

The curve of the river came up fast, with several stumps, logs, and jutting trees ahead. This portion of the trek was the least traversed, and it showed. There was no avoiding it at this point; the kayak was headed straight for the large logs, quickly, and it was too late to steer clear. After overturning, feeling a bit defeated, I climbed back in, and continued for the rest of that first day, a little daunted, a little pride-wounded, but also a little exhilarated. The fact that everything I brought was now wet was ok – I lost nothing, nothing had budged or floated downstream – I had secured my load. The adventure was underway, and I was along for the ride. So here we were: two women, 32-miles of river, on a 2-1/2 day, 2 night kayak adventure. The night was cool, and the wet clothing didn’t help, nor did the fact that the tent I brought was missing its fly cover – A fact I did not discover until pitching camp for the night. After hot dogs by the campfire, we turned in early, each in our own tent. Of course, it rained that evening. Fortunately, I had brought an emergency kit with a space blanket, I spread it out, crinkly as it was, over my body. Eureka! They really work! I was warm and dry. The next morning, we set out again, and the river, though still fraught with obstacles, was much easier to paddle. Aside from a few shallow areas that required portaging, Day 2 was much easier than that first day. After adjusting my oldschool cushion-type flotation device behind my back, which had been threatening to derail Day 2, I was energized, and able to redouble efforts to paddle. We knew a potential storm and

rain were predicted that night, and pushed to put as many miles as we could behind us, in case we had to delay our start the next day. My friend lent me a tarp/rain poncho to put over the mesh top of the tent. I had managed to dry a couple of items of clothing and a small blanket, so I was dry, and warm, despite the rain that started after 3:00 a.m., through 8 a.m.. No campfire this morning, due to the rain, but we set off again. Because of the rain, the water levels were much better, and the obstacles mostly faded. This was pleasant, despite the occasional downpour while trying to reach our destination. What a lovely paddling trip this was! All along the way on the 3rd day, birds seemed to be strutting their stuff. A red-tailed hawk swooped in front of me, on his way to a nearby cypress knee. A crow paced the sandy shoreline, intent on finding something, and eyed me as I paddled by. A small bird with starling-like qualities served as my guide for many miles, waiting until I came alongside the tree branch on which it was perched, and then flying ahead to another, for miles of this last day. My little friend eventually decided to turn back, but it had been a wonderful rhythm for awhile. And those obstacles? Overturning, wet clothing, rain, back pain - took a backseat to the beauty of the river and sense of accomplishment in overcoming the difficulties. It was a great trip, with good company and conquered challenges. We agreed that we enjoyed the trip and would do another – and that’s what life is, isn’t it? Facing our challenges, our obstacles, carrying on in the midst of them, and feeling accomplished when we face them down. What obstacles loom in your life? What will you do to overcome them? Jo Loving is resting on the porch today, a little sore, stiff from the exertion, cold, and rain. The feeling of accomplishment, though, looms large in her mind, as she plans her next adventure.

This "Downtown Girl," took the waterproof cover off her bike again, put the top down on her ancient convertible, hoping summer is here to stay.... this time!

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017

Let us help you turn your class ring into a lovely bracelet!

Fredericksburg Sketches 606 Caroline Street Old Town Fredericksburg 373-7847

A visual Celebration of our community

By Casey Alan Shaw

www.gemstonecreations.org

From My Porch

FXBG’ERS Steve Wilcox, Unforgettable

“One way or the other, if you want to find reasons why you shouldn’t keep on, you’ll find ‘em. The obstacles are all there; there are a million of ‘em.” ~Benny Goodman

Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged

Give a Child Something to Think About Steve with Holy Cross Cafeteria Staff l-rr: Denice Whatley, Mary Deal Steve Wilcox, Shan Rutkowski, Anita Muccia

Books, Games, Amusing Novelties

810 Caroline Street (540) 371-5684

SKETCH #32: Hyperion

Casey Alan Shaw is a local artist and Realtor. He exhibits his original artwork and limited-edition prints at Art First Gallery in downtown Fredericksburg and at www.caseyshaw.com.

June 2017

Front porch fredericksburg

By Jo Loving

by georgia Lee Strentz

Tuesday - Saturday 10-5 Wednesdays until 6:30 and by appointment

M-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm

obstacles or opportunities

This "Downtown Girl," took the waterproof cover off her bike again, put the top down on her ancient convertible, hoping summer is here to stay.... this time!

front porch fredericksburg

June 2017