Front Porch Fredericksburg by Virginia Grogan

contents

closeups

history’s stories:INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS OUR HERITAGE: SCHOOL FOR ENSLAVED CHILDREN

what’s in a SCHOOL?....MAURY COMMONS

20 Senior Care: REMINISCENCE THERAPY 5

.Hall of Famer Coach Serby

Chris ROLAND fOOD CO-OP NEW MANAGER

NEW city PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DIANE BEYER

Porch talk 4

on the porch...life in fredericksburg Messages

In the Garden: keeping company with mom’s rose

everything greens: where we’ve been

wild & scenic film festival

it’s all energy.: LIVER MERIDAN

22 emancipated patients: COOTIES 23

SPINNING & POETRY ... WITH ELIZABETH SPENCER SPRAGIN

24 art in the ‘burg 28 Companions: Support local pet businesses 29

astrology & you poetryman:HIDDEN BUT THERE

fredericksburg sketches

DOWNTOWNERS: TECH IN THE BURG FREEDOM SOCIETY TEA & GIFTS

...And more!

i have a friend: building friendships

biz marketing: your website

season’s bounty: in an instant (pot)

bEST NON-KENTUCKY BOURBON

3 THE Man Behind the Lamp.. A tribute TO aLLEN GREEN

vino...river runs red

16-17

Calendar of events

treasured memories: buildings that are no more ART OF PROTEST...PROTESTING FROM SIDE OF LOVE

Cover: “Fredericksburg Lamp in Tree” by Allen H. Green

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The Man Behind the Lamp Allen Howison Green III By Mary Giunca

Visitors who entered the Copper Shop knew they’d arrived at a real place. On the weathered brick walls, ancestral portraits mingled with irreverent cartoons. There were tangles of tools and a row of rockers. Nothing was there by accident. Everything had a story— including the man who worked there, Allen Howison Green III. Allen or Al—he answered to both—had come to the Copper Shop to work with his namesake father, known as Codger, in 1974. The two of them turned out their trademark Fredericksburg lamps,

until Codger died in 2007. Allen carried on alone until he died on Christmas Day at the age of 69. Allen travelled lightly through life, with a free-ranging mind, an open heart and an independent spirit. He was born into a family with deep roots in Virginia, though he was more likely to tell you about the ancestor who slapped George Washington than the ones who belonged to the House of Burgesses. It wasn’t that he condoned violence, so much as he prized a good story. When a homeless man who broke

into the shop years ago left a note that apologized for breaking in, but complimented the wine in the refrigerator, Allen framed it in a place of honor at the shop. Though he never went to college, Allen never stopped learning. He loved Mark Twain, Pat Conroy and the Beatles. He played a mean guitar and he loved music. Conversation at the Copper Shop achieved an art form when Allen and his buddies gathered. Allen would work on his lamps and appear not to listen as the group dissected a situation. After awhile, he pipe up with an insight that was often as iconoclastic as it was humorous or clever. Family was important to Allen. He loved working beside his father and he took quiet delight in his marriage of 42 years, his two children and four grandchildren. He recognized family in spirit as well as blood, and he loved his friends as family too. (group photo of Green Family Vacation, 2019)

But visitors might have noticed the painting at the Copper Shop’s front door of “Mister. Dog”, the subject of a favorite childhood book. The book told the story of the dog who belonged to himself. Allen recognized early in life that the longest relationship we’ll have is with ourselves—so we’d better make sure we liked what we saw in the mirror each morning. If something smacked of pomposity, dishonesty or cliches, Allen was suspicious. Part of the reason the Copper Shop attracted so many regular visitors was that it was restful to be in the company of a person so completely at ease with himself.

“Take a look around and let me know if you have any questions,” was the extent of his sales pitch, but it worked because people realized they were taking home the spirit of the man when they bought his lamps. Allen was leery of people

who bought their legacies. He preferred to earn his quietly, one copper lamp at a time. It’s a fair bet that the spirit of the man I was privileged to call Cousin Al will live on wherever his lamps are lit, good conversation, good music and good drinks are prized, and independent thinking is celebrated. Mary Giunca is Al Green’s first cousin, a frequent Copper Shop visitor and lives in Winston-Salem, N.C. where she does public relations for the library system. painting above & on cover by Allen H. Green

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Bill Beck

ON THE PORCH Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists Rita Allan Bill Beck Sally Cooney Anderson Dianne Bachman Sarah Kay Bierle Laurie Black Collette Caprara Sonja Cantu Jeanne Ellis Sandra Erickson Christina Ferber Frank Fratoe Bill Freehling Mary Geil Jon Gerlach Mary Giunica Kathyrn Guy Malanna Carey Henderson Karl Karch Alison Gauch Heiber David C. Kennedy Pat Mikula Vanessa Moncure Pete Morelewicz Patrick Neustatter Gabe Pons M.L. Powers Gerri Reid Rob Rudick Carleigh Skarkston Bradley Smith Casey Alan Shaw Mandy Smith Pat Smith Georgia Strentz Tina Will Laurie Westermeir Norma Woodward Kristi Wooldridge

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

The mission of Front Porch Fredericksburg is to connect the diverse citizenry of Fredericksburg with lively features and informative columns of interest to our community’s greatest resource, its people. Messages from our readers are welcome. All submissions must be received by e-mail by the 19th of the month preceding publication. Writers / Artists / Photographers are welcome to request Guidelines and query the Publisher by e-mail. Front Porch Fredericksburg PO Box 9203 Fredericksburg, VA 22403 Ad Sales: E-Mail: frntprch@aol.com Web Site: www.frontporchfredericksburg.com Facebook: @Front Porch Fredericksburg The opinions expressed in Front Porch Fredericksburg are those of the contributing writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Front Porch Fredericksburg or its advertisers. Copyright 2020 Olde Towne Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

March 2020

voter primer by bill beck Spring is almost upon us and, here in Fredericksburg, along with the flowers, that means local election signs will be sprouting in yards all over town. Some folks lament that having our elections separate from the state and national contests in November tends to diminish voter participation. That is probably true and certainly lamentable, but the great advantage is that it has helped us in keeping partisanship and all of the baggage entailed with the national parties at bay. Keeping our elections nonpartisan has also allowed federal employees to be full participants in Fredericksburg’s government. That is a good thing. Fortunately, this town is small enough that you stand a very good chance of actually having real conversations with some of the candidates for city council and Mayor. If they heed the advice I was given twenty years ago, and that I still think is the best, they will come knocking on your door sometime between now and May 5th. Let’s hope so. Invite them in, sit them down and ask questions. Start with some easy ones. Should we preserve our historic resources? Is the river an asset to the city? Those seem like softballs, but I’d be very skeptical of simple and easy answers. What you’re really trying find out, even more than WHAT they think, is are they honestly giving serious THOUGHT to how the city government interacts with these issues? Do they connect things like street curbs with historic preservation or parking spaces with the river. Really good local government folks understand that cities are living organisms and that virtually every action, every decision, large or small, has consequences beyond just the immediate issue at hand. Hopefully your candidate/visitor will be engaged by this point and you can ask them some solid, meat and potatoes, questions. School capacity and continuing improvement of our public education

messages I so appreciate your support of our efforts. You are right there with us trying to lift up our community and keep it caring! I am really grateful for you. Kathy Anderson

I am getting many compliments on my photo that graces your January cover. Thanks again for using it. Penny A Parrish, photographer

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system should be near the top of the list. What about our drinking water and our sewer treatment plant? Have they thought about treating stormwater? Do they think we need a new fire station? Where? How much will it cost? Just mention “homelessness” and see where the conversation goes. Ask them for thoughts about how to revitalize Central Park in an age known as a “retail apocalypse”. What can the city do to make sure that as Central Park evolves it actually improves? It would be interesting to know what they might say to all of the downtown merchants who are adversely affected by Oktoberfest. What about the Renwick Courthouse? Do you think they really understand its significance? Do they have a good idea? Or, more importantly, are they committed to finding the right idea? If some of those questions seem like they are almost too scary don’t be surprised. This might be a good time to thank your visitor for being willing to serve our city and to talk about the amount of time they are willing to devote to the job. Then look them in the eye and ask exactly why they have decided they want to be on our city council. That may be the single most important question. Some of that may be a bit heavy and you’ll want to end your visit on a lighter, but still important note. Tourism is probably a good topic. It is hugely important to our economy and to the quality of Fredericksburg life. Folks who really understand Fredericksburg know that the things our visitors enjoy, and that they come back for over and over, are the things that make life here wonderful for all of us. Get them talking about not just museums and historic sites, but shops and art galleries and restaurants and music venues and whatever else it is that you

Love magazine! Phyllis Whitley

this

great

monthly

This is a great article! "Dynamic Duo in the Kitchen", Jan 2020 Emma Stoddard

So glad we have the community news I thoroughly enjoy Front Porch. When Calvin and I drop off bundles of FPF to local sites/businesses, the delivery is warmly received. Owners/managers

love about this place. Are they enjoying walking in your neighborhood? Before they leave I hope you’ll take a minute to tell the candidate that, whether you you support them or not, and whether they win or lose, you appreciate their commitment to Fredericksburg and their willingness to serve and try to make it a better place. And please promise them that you will vote. Until just this past Spring I had voted in every election since 1972 when, much to the country’s detriment, my candidate lost. I planned to vote in last June’s state primary election but was stuck in traffic on I95 trying to get home from Alexandria. That, in itself, was a lesson in why voting, and taking it seriously, is so important. For this city election I have one last suggestion: Before you go to polls you’ll want to be in the right frame of mind, so sit down with a copy of Front Porch Fredericksburg and read it “cover to cover”. Whether you live in the City or not Former Mayor Bill Beck gives good advice to all about participation in your government, local & national relay how much their patrons look forward to each edition. Applause for the consistent top-notch quality monthly that Virginia & Alexis produces! It takes a big effort to do this month after month. Especially their friendly personalities, as well as their broad knowledge about our area are appreciated. Beverley Coates Publishers Note: ...And We appreciate the Coates for helping on the FPF delivery efforts.

Coach Serbay Introducing Songbird

VA High School League Hall of Famer By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

723 Caroline St 899.8077 Daily 10-5:30; Sunday 12-5

It is many miles from the large city of Yonkers New York with almost 200,000 residents to the city of Fredericksburg, however going on four decades Richard Michael Serbay has been the head coach at James Monroe High School. In just this short period of time his legacy is known throughout Virginia for his State Championship Football four state Teams, having won championship titles, while massing 275 victories. James Monroe High School started off as Fredericksburg High School in the early 1900’s, gaining a reputation as a tough football team in the leather helmet era. Today we hear talk of the early years of Hollobar, O’Neil, Maynard, Holt, Morris, Gibson, and Lanford to name just a few. Many of us still living played for the latter five, myself included in the 1960’s. Coach Serbay recalled that Dennis Dotson a former player and Virginia Tech Quarterback and I presented him with a leather helmet from the early 1900’s team in 2016. Richard Serbay grew up playing football and was the first in his family to

attend college and ended up at Towson State in Maryland playing offensive tackle on the football team. He and his team were inducted into the Towson Hall of Fame as being the only team to be undefeated in the history of Towson. After his graduation in 1974 he was offered an accepted a coaching job at a high school in Maryland. He had only been coaching a few years when he was contacted by one of his former Towson teammates a coaching job located at a place called Stafford County Virginia. He was hired as the offensive line coach. He found an apartment in Fredericksburg, which would lead him to obtaining a job that would make him a coaching legend in James Monroe Hall of Fame. In 1982, he became assistant under Coach Joe Lanford who would retire in 1985. Coach Serbay was promoted to head Coach after Coach Lanford retired. In 1986 the Yellow Jackets earned their first state title. In 1987 they earned their second state title having a record of 14-0. All together his teams have earned a total of four state titles and have been in the running almost every year, being in 7 state finals and 11 semi-finals. (Serbay was a 2014 inductee into the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame & a 2012 JMHS Hall of Fame) Coach Serbay always gives much of the credit to the success of the team to his assistant’s, many of them have been with him for years. I always call Herman Griffin, the TV announcer for the team, “The Voice of the Yellow Jackets” He Along with Bob Blackburn have announced the games supporting the teams for years. Coach Serbay said that he is so proud to be in a City that is so supportive of the Team and all sports at James Monroe, which has produced many championship sports teams besides football.

Having known him for many years, what you see on the side lines is not the real Richard Serbay. On the field he is sometimes in his players faces yelling and being tough and is the same way with the officials. Realistically he has a love and compassion for his players and coaching staff that is nonstop. He has been known to not only buy clothing for needy players but give them food and shelter in times of need. One parent said that he is a father figure to many of these young men. He especially loves his son Samuel who we watched grow up following his dad on the sidelines. He was another wearer of the Black and Orange playing for his dad. Coach is proud that his son graduated from college and that they still have a close relationship. He hopes he has had a positive impact on the thousands of young men he has . Many of his former players keep in contact with him regularly. I recently visited Coach Serbay in his home where he was recuperating from a medical procedure. His eyes were bright as I asked about the upcoming season. It is easy to see that Coach Serbay, will be in the glare of those “Friday Night Lights at Maury Stadium” come this fall as his coaching and values will continue to be a role model embedded in the player’s for all the years of their lives. GO JACKETS

Born & raised in FXBG, Tuffy Hicks is our man about town Publishers Note: As FPF went to press we were notified that after 35 years as Coach at JMHS Richard Serbay was unceramoniously told this would be his last year at JMHS

Donate to a Cancer Organization Let’s Find a Cure!

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In the Garden keeping company with momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rose By Tina Will the time he had it. As many of us know, a Great Basin Bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) specimen in California, has been dated to be over 5000 years old and tops out at about 50 to 60 feet. Ray taught Science here for nine years, and, after retiring, found himself talking to VCE Extension Master Gardener volunteers at the Gordon Road Plant Clinic. He realized he could continue to share gardening knowledge with the public and took the MG training in 2013, and has spent many Saturdays giving advice and sharing plant knowledge with the public.

Ray Mikula. with Grandson A strong nurturing instinct got an early kick start in the life of our Master Gardener Association's new president, Ray Mikula. Formerly from Erie, Pennsylvania, Ray and his family moved here fifteen years ago. He loves both indoor and outdoor plants and his collection is large. It all started at the age of six with one of his mother's rose plants. He is the youngest of six children, and, having no younger sibling to play with at the time, he turned his attention to his mother's garden. There he found a single stem of a rose plant his mother had been growing. Ray was six years old when he asked his mother if he could take care of this rose. Sixty-one years later it is alive and growing here, having moved with Ray and his family through the years. This particular red velvet rose seems to be resistant to brown spot and powdery mildew. What a prize and how impressive an accomplishment to care for a plant for more than sixty years!

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Ray has loved growing and nurturing plants since discovering his mother's Rose, and now has several acres to support that interest. His love of seeing

In the 1970's, Ray served in the Peace Corps in Colombia (leaving the rose in his family's care). It is common to have indoor gardens and greenhouses in that climate, and there he developed a love for indoor plants. He had a hard time leaving those behind, but has made up for it with his collection here. He has grown some beautiful Bromeliads, a six-foot Ponytail Palm, and a Sago Palm as well. Returning to Pennsylvania after the Peace Corps, he bought a Bristlecone Pine which he tended for the years that he lived there, though he did have to leave that one behind when he moved to Fredericksburg. This is a plant that grows really slowly: Ray's grew about three inches during

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Rayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pink Bromeliad, plants grow successfully keeps him committed to his gardens, and encourages others to do the same. He is also drawn to unusual plants, and has a native box huckleberry, an uncommon low shrub that grows to about eight inches high, and is self-sterile, meaning that it relies on other similar plants for pollination. Keeping company with his mother's rose, his outdoor gardens feature over 120 azaleas, several thousand daffodils, more than 300 Iris, and many day lily varieties. Ray's enthusiasm and friendliness encourage us to increase our plant knowledge. We are grateful to have him step into this role as our MGACRA President.

Tina Will has volunteered with MGACRA for 15 years and lives near Ferry Farm in Stafford County. Photos by Laurie Westermeir, Workman Publishing photos by Pat Mikula

Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rose

Bring a little sunshine to a senior’s life! Too many seniors feel lonely and isolated. YOU can make a difference by volunteering to visit a senior in the Fredericksburg area. Volunteer training is provided & no special skills are required. The Senior Visitors Program is a FREE community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg. Visit mhafred.org or call 540-371-2704

Everything Greens where we’ve been, where we’re going By Bradley Smith Celebrating 25 Years

at Downtown Greens As we begin new decade-and prepare to celebrate our 25th anniversary-the Downtown Greens family looks back on years of dirty hands, sprouting seeds, and smiling faces. We remember dances and picnics, concerts and fashion shows, open mics and yoga sessions. We remember farmers' markets and hide-and-go-seek, marimba sessions and community workshops, weeding and naps in the garden.

At Downtown Greens, we believe connection to nature-the dirt beneath our feet, the food we grow and eat, the trees we climb in, the birds we observe-is essential to the health of a community. We also believe that, though we often think of ourselves as separate, we-people!have to appreciate our role not just as stewards of the environment but as part of the environment.

From the privilege of being able to work with Head Start children to our flagship Garden Sprouts and Y o u t h W e “At Downtown Greens, we believe F a r m consider how Program, connection to nature-tthe dirt beneath our fortunate we we are are to benefit feet, the food we grow and eat, the trees we t h a n k f ul f r o m climb in, the birds we observe-iis essential to for the Fredericksburg's the health of a community” chance to collaborative foster an spirit, growing with so many other great non-profits, appreciation and understanding of businesses, and individuals. We think nature in our city's youth. We have about how amazing it is to get to work also been humbled by how many with children from all around the world adults have rediscovered some aspect and be a part of connecting them to each of their love of the outdoors or an other and to the world around them. But appreciation for sustainability in our as we have been celebrating and spaces. reminiscing, our staff, board, and friends of the garden have thought deeply about what our next 25 years may look like. We have spent much of the last year asking ourselves and members of our community how best to grow as an organization-we've asked people to be honest, critical, and to dream big. We've asked ourselves what Fredericksburg needs us to be-how we can be more nurturing, responsive, accessible, reflective, inclusive, intentional; how we can be a part of larger efforts to foster environmental stewardship and environmental justice.

Going into the next decade, we want Downtown Greens to have something for everyone. Thanks to the generosity, creativity, and energy of members of the community we have been allowed to dream bigger. Not only are we enhancing our facilities with a full working kitchen, we are also reorganizing to accommodate a new staffing structure that will help us meet the needs of our ever expanding mission of impacting our city's youth, providing activities for individuals of all ages, and continue to maintain a space where any member of the community can feel welcome and safe.

We realize that we don't have all the answers and have leaned into the wisdom, passion, experience, and creativity of others. We realize we need each otheryou!-to move forward well, so please talk to us if your dreams may overlap with ours. And as always, please come celebrate, visit, and grow with us at Downtown Greens! Bradley Smith is President of Downtown Greens Board of Directors

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Wild & Scenic Film Festival Where Environmentalism and Adventure Meet. By carleigh skarkstoni walkable distance of the film festival. So shake off your winter blues and join us at the 10th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Sunday, March 22 from 2-5 p.m. at the Chandler Ballroom in the University Center of UMW. Admission is $15 for FOR members or $20 for General Admission. Tickets can be bought at riverfriends.org/events or at the door. All student admission is free of charge. See you there!

Carleigh Starkston is the Development Coordinator for Friends of the Rappahannock Photos courtesy of FOR

Are you a movie buff? Do you love the outdoors? Always looking for a new adventure? Come get inspired at Friends of the Rappahannock’s 10th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival! This year’s festival is hosted by the University of Mary Washington. Wild & Scenic is a part of the largest environmentallyfocused film festival in North America, joining with more than 200 festivals nationwide. The festival presents the most inspirational adventure and environmental films of the past year.

learn about acoustic biology, solutions for animal road crossings and the monster that is taking over lakes and streams. Come with us to kayak blindly down rushing rivers, build beehives in Detroit, fly above Louisiana’s barrier islands and save hundred year old sequoia trees. Wild & Scenic will show you how the everyday actions of people like you can overcome seemingly overwhelming environmental challenges facing our planet. Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) works to protect the health and scenic beauty of the river from the Blue

Climate change, public lands, invasive species and community advocacy are addressed in a manner that will leave you feeling empowered to confront threats facing our rivers, oceans, forests and deserts. The adventure films will encourage you to explore these fragile and resilient ecosystems in your own backyard and around the world. Through Wild & Scenic you will

Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. It is a vital wildlife corridor that is the source of our drinking water, a place we go to relax and play, and home to hundreds of species such as the bald eagle and atlantic sturgeon. Your support of this festival will help FOR continue this important work. As part of this year’s Wild & Scenic Festivities, Friends of the

March 2020

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Rappahannock will be hosting an Oyster Roast benefit. As an intimate event, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy oysters, fried okra and bloody marys while they get to hear from local river legend, John Tippett. The benefit will be from 11:30 am-1:30 pm and within a

10th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival Sunday, March 22 from 2-5 5 p.m. Chandler Ballroom University Center of UMW. Oyster Roast 11:30 am-1 1:30 pm within a walkable distance of the film festival. Contact FOR , 540-3 373-3 3448

Treasured Memories stories told on an empty lot By Collette Caprara whose studio was in the adjacent building. Dan had moved to Fredericksburg in 1980 where he served as the manager of Fredericksburg Pottery just across Hanover Street. When he moved to his own studio at 106, he added a distinctive feature,

Before

200 William St Downtown Fredericksburg 540-373-4421 crownjewelersfredericksburg.com

Dogs About Town

“Just waiting for my Dad outside Hyperion. We just love this stroller.... We can now see more than folks feet!”

Throughout the Burg, there are a number of buildings that were once the locales of bustling activity but are no longer among us. Though the structures have disappeared, the memories of what happened within their walls are very much alive. Among these, are the lots at 106 and 108 Hanover Street. A passer-by may scarcely give notice to the flat, concrete foundation that lies at 106 and 108 Hanover Street, but its remnants of green and cream floor tiles provide a clue to the role the site played in the rise of Fredericksburg’s thriving and mutually-supportive art community. In 1992, when Jane Woodworth, a visionary artist, saw that the building at 108 (once the site of a rowdy bar/restaurant) was vacant, she recognized opportunity. Envisioning its potential to be a bustling hub of artistic creation, she spread the word of that possibility among fellow Westmoreland artists, who gathered at the site a short time later to consider its prospects. Among this group was artist Linda Warshaw, who recalls, “I will never forget Jane sitting on that empty stage overlooking the vestiges of the bar and asking ‘Why wouldn’t it work?’!” The crew of 12 artists soon rolled up their sleeves, investing the sweat equity that was required to transform the site into a gallery and several small studios, including one in the former kitchen at the back that would be used for paper-making. “We went in with jeans and gloves to knock out walls, scrape floors, and totally redo that bar,” said Cathy Herndon who was one of the original artists at the site. “Our little group took on all the major jobs of running the gallery as well. It was comical to see everyone working on the dirty jobs with paint on their faces, hands, and clothes and messy hair.” With that, the Art First Gallery was launched. Observing that miracle unfold was legendary local potter Dan Finnegan

AFTER

trafficked Caroline Street, but three months remained on their lease contract. Johnny Johnson, an original member of Art First, told the artists who participated in his weekly watercolor class about the gallery’s situation. Immediately, another optimistic visionary, artist Bonnie Halford, embraced the news and declared, “We can do it!” She organized a group of artists from the workshop as well as others that she invited to join together to form the Brush Strokes Gallery. Time was of the essence and, not wanting to risk the site to another bidder, Bonnie stepped forward to pay the first month’s rent herself. The group went to work, scrubbing the floor and sprucing up the venue, spurred on by the added challenge that their First Friday reception and Grand Opening was just days away. Through determination and teamwork, the deadline was met and on April 2, 2004, a sizeable crowd gathered and a sumptuous table was set. As fate would have it, the sky suddenly turned ominously dark. “That was a time before cell phones and we had no idea that Fredericksburg was under a tornado warning that night,” said Brush Strokes member Beverley Coates. The rain fell in sheets and lightning crashed. “Water was rushing down the street and almost reached the gallery door,” said gallery member Sarah Flinn. “The members closed the gallery down for 45

gluing “seconds” of his creations to the roof, presenting a signature silhouette to the street’s little skyline. Dan would later go on to found LibertyTown Arts Workshop, a hub for arts in the city that provides 30 studios for 50 artists in what was once a plumbing warehouse. He recalls that during the early 2000’s, the arts community in the Burg was nascent The first shows artists who joined at the Hanover Street but that Hanover Street location: Bev Bley, Kandra Orr, Sarah Flinn, Elen Grigg, was bustling with Collette Caprara, Jeanne Tanks & Joe Wilkinson (back) creativity and was home to a tinsmith and silversmith as well as the minutes,” said Coates, “but when the painting and pottery artists. He wanted storm passed, I stepped out and saw an his studio to serve as a gathering place for amazing sight—the double-rainbow that all and hosted weekly Friday invitational arched over 106 and 108 Caroline tea parties. Street!” In 2004, the Art First members Collette Caprara is a local writer &artist. spotted an opportunity for expansion in the 810 building on more heavilyfront porch fredericksburg

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Have A Friendâ&#x20AC;? Building friendships By Laurie Black

Barbara Wren When had someone suggest that she try volunteering to a visit a senior, her reaction was, "Are you crazy?" However, she decided to try it and she is so glad she did. Like many Senior Visitors Program volunteers, Barbara is a senior herself. Barbara says, "I have learned that when I do something to lighten someone else's day, in turn my day is lightened." Barbara began volunteering in 2012. She visited her first senior for three years until he moved out of the area. "After my first senior moved, I took a small break and then started volunteering again. I now visit Nancy. We are from the same generation, so we have many things in common and talk about growing up. I admire Nancy's faith. Nancy always has a smile on no matter what. I don't think I've ever heard her complain!" A home care provider referred Nancy to the Senior Visitors Program in 2009. Since that time, Nancy has enjoyed several volunteers. Sometimes a volunteer's circumstances change and they are not able to visit beyond their initial six-month commitment. However, as Nancy's daughter, Mary Jane, put it, "Good things come to those who wait." Barbara and Nancy have been visiting now for almost five years. Mary Jane explains, "Though Mom has a full-time caregiver now, Barbara's visits are still important. I would say they have a great partnership. Mom really enjoys Fridays when Barbara visits." Nancy says, "Our visits are always comfortable. I love Barbara and would not take anything for her!" Some volunteers for the Senior Visitors Program take their seniors out

March 2020

into the community. For Nancy and Barbara, they are more comfortable staying at Nancy's house. The flexibility of the Senior Visitors Program is one aspect of the program that volunteers and seniors really appreciate. Volunteers and seniors are able to meet once a week at any time that works best for them. Teresa Bowers, Senior Visitors Program Director, states, "We try hard to match volunteers and seniors with similar backgrounds or interests. Then the volunteers and seniors are able to tailor their visits to their interests, needs, and comfort level. Whether they get out into the community or just stay at home and watch a movie or play card games, the important thing is that they are building a friendship. That friendship alleviates loneliness and isolation. That friendship makes for a healthier, safer, more resilient community." It is evident in visiting with Barbara and Nancy, their friendship brings laughter and light into their life that they both treasure. Barbara says, "This program really means a lot to me. I cannot express to people how good it is for my own mental health to be a part of something like the Senior Visitors Program."

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SUZY STONE Mobile:540.847.0630 Office: 540-898-2900 suzystone22@gmail.com C21redwood.com

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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 website at mhafred.org. Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.

Jewell Wolterman

Laurie Black is the Administrative Assistant for the Senior Visitors Program

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

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Biz Marketing your website By mandy smith

Gone are the days of looking up businesses in the phone book. Google is definitely the new Yellow Pages. When potential customers discover your website, what do they find? Is it a well-manicured site with bold graphics and good content? Or is it a glitchy site that hasn’t been updated since you first built it in 2001. I get it, maintaining a website can be time consuming, annoying, and hard. In the end, it’s completely worth the effort. You have to think of your website as the “get to know you” phase of the relationship. Your website needs to look good, be easy to navigate, and give your future customers the information they need in A few things to just a couple clicks. consider when developing a good website are the look, the content, who will maintain it, and mobile ability. There are a plethora of website templates to choose from. The key is to

select the one that most represents your business’s branding. From restaurants to pediatricians and retail, the most eye catching websites feature nice graphics and photos. Additionally, your website needs to nicely fill the screen, the menu buttons need to be easily found, and the business logo/contact information/location needs to be present. Do not put blurry images on your website. If your images and/or logo look pixelated or distorted in anyway, then you need a bigger graphic. When developing content for your website ask yourself, “why would someone want to find my business on the internet?” Maybe they’re looking for your contact information or to see what services you have. Pick your top three reasons that people may visit your site and make that information extremely easy to find. They shouldn’t have to click

through 3 pages to find your address and phone number. If you have the time and knowhow, you can build your own website and opt to maintain it yourself. This is a tremendous amount of work upfront and going forward in order to keep the website up-to-date. I would recommend working with a website developer. Make sure THEY are the ones doing that work and it is not being outsourced. This allows you to work more closely with the web developer so you can achieve your ideal website. Additionally, ask them who will maintain the website. Some developers will completely turn the site over to the business owner while others give an option for joint updating. Joint updating means that the business owner will get an admin password so they can update content. The web developer collects a small fee to help maintain the website and also operates as tech support. Another option is to pay a fee to the web developer to fully maintain the website. Then it is the business owner’s responsibility to send updates as needed.

It’s very important to make sure your website is mobile friendly. Cell phones are mini computers you can hold in the palm of your hand and many people use them to visit websites instead of their desktop. When you’re working with your web developer, tell them you want your site to automatically adapt to mobile devices. I’m sure you’ve experienced the annoyance of visiting a website on your phone that’s hard to navigate because it wasn’t built for mobile. Once your website is up and running make sure you experience it! Fully explore you website, check all the links and graphics. As a business owner you should do this once a month to make sure your site is running smoothly. Another trick of the trade… Google doesn’t like stagnant websites. Therefore, you have to actively update your website content. This in turn will help increase your Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Mandy Smith is the Promotions & Marketing Director for B101.5. AKA "AJ" - Weekend Air Personality

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March 2020

FOOD CO - OP Update New Manager Chris Roland By Mary Lynn Powers

The Fredericksburg Food Coop has been working towards the opening of its new storefront. When I first interviewed one of the original founders of the Co-op, the organization needed 1000 owners to begin acquiring a storefront. Since 2018, they have exceeded their goal, and are steadily adding new owners. The last tally was over 1400 members. The shop is located on the corner of Princess Anne St. and Route 1, and is presently in the design and demolition phase. As to a definite opening, the plan is sometime in the fall, just around the corner. Additionally, the Co-op has hired a general manager to guide them through the process of bringing Fredericksburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Co-op into reality. I spoke with the new manager, Chris Roland about his new position, and the future of the Co-op. Chris is a gregarious, humorous individual that is passionate about Food Co-ops. He moved here on Super Bowl Sunday, and though he is still in the process of settling and finding a house, he managed to carve a little time to talk about the new endeavor. Chris started volunteering in college at Deep Roots Market in Greensboro, NC, a local Co-op. He acquired a business degree from University of North Carolina, Greensboro and then started a permanent position with the Co-op. Soon thereafter, he moved into the position of finance manager, and learned the ins and outs of running the business at a very young age. Since then, he has worked in food co-ops in Asheville, North Carolina, Northern Minnesota, Arizona and lastly, Oak Park,

March 2020

Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Two of these co-ops were start-ups, similar to Fredericksburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Co-op. Chris said he feels fortunate to have found his passion early, and he said that co-ops will be what he does for the rest of his life. He spoke to why the co-ops have carved a niche for themselves. Besides, the factor of aiming for local products, the co-ops can be a more shopper-focused intimate experience. Formed to be convenient to the customer, there will be less choices, a change from the normal experience of decision after decision about brands. They will have a full service kitchen and juice bar that offers a variety of healthy options. They hope to expand the patio in the front of the store to accommodate 60 seats inside and out. They plan to give classes on nutrition, cooking and healthy lifestyle eating. They presently give these talks at the different libraries and open brewery spaces like the Red Dragon on Princess Anne St. We have many talented health specialists who are willing to share their time and expertise for these sessions. Over the last two years, the co-op scheduled monthly happy hours to discuss progress and other pertinent topics. I appreciated talking with Chris and am looking forward to the opening of the co-op. You can learn about the concept of co-ops, and follow the progress on Facebook and on the website at Fredericksburgfood.coop. Coming this Fall FXBG FOOD CO-O OP Store Corner of Princess Anne & RTE 1 Follow progress : fb@ fredericksburg Food Cooperative

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Grab a passport at fredbeertrail.com and forge your way along the Fredericksburg Area Breweries Trail.

6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Co. 1140 International Pkwy., 22406; 6bgbrewingco.com 1781 Brewing Company 11109 Plank Rd., 22553; 1781brewing.com Adventure Brewing A) 33 Perchwood Dr. #101, 22405; B) 1113 Jefferson Davis Hwy, 22401; adventurebrewing.com Barley Naked 15 Tech Pkwy., 22556; barleynaked.com Highmark Brewery 390 Kings Hwy., 22405 A highmarkbrewery.com Maltese Brewing Company 11047B Pierson Dr., 22408; Fmaltesebrewing.com Red Dragon 1419 Princess Anne St., 22401; Treddragonbrewery.com Spencer Devon Brewing 106 George St., 22401; Vspencerdevonbrewing.com Strangeways Brewing 350 Lansdowne Rd., 22401; strangewaysbrewing.com

Season’s Bounty

The Sunken Well Tavern

in an instant (pot) vanessa moncure

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

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

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

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

It hasn't been too long since my grandchildren were busily compiling their wish-lists - ohh, we need American Girl babies; ahh, if only we had Nintendo Switch or PlayStation; ooo, the Nashville gang wishes for drum and gee-tar lessons (possibly necessitating noise-canceling headphones for the carpool driver). These lists are a familiar tradition, at least for the toys and games family demographic. But, surprisingly to me, an adult musthave popped up on my grown children's wish lists - the Instant Pot - and judging from the millions sold, not on my family's list alone! Home pressure cooking and canning gained popularity during World War II as a way to save on cooking fuels, as liquid under high pressure can cut cooking times by half or more. A French physicist invented the first food "steam digester" as early as 1679, but it wasn't Seal until the 1938 debut of the Flex-S Speed Cooker, the first designed for home use, that the pressure cooker became a kitchen appliance staple. Preserving food under pressure had been in commercial use for years, and by raising the boiling point of water to near 250F, botulism toxins and other bacterium are killed by this high-h heat method that water bath canning can not replicate. I recall with some trepidation the large 1950s pressure canner used in my grandmother's basement canning kitchen every summer to can garden vegetables. Freezing or using a pressure canner were (and are still today) the only safe options for preserving low acid foods . I know, I know technology has

well advanced past those doubled-handled, cast aluminum pots with giant inset black rubber rings, their rattling weighted steam release caps with marked pressure measurements - and anxiety-inducing instruction books, with CAUTION writ large on every page, BUT…….I admit being a bit leery when the 21st century iteration of the multi-use pressure cooker appeared under the tree this year, for me! Surely I could get by with my collection of Dutch ovens, slow cooker or steamer? Well, yes I could - without factoring in the savedtime element and one-pot convenience. I can sauté, steam, slow cook, bake, warm and pressure cook - I haven't mastered the yogurt setting yet, although I ended up with a delicious kefir-like beverage after nine long hours. I'm loving the meats and savory dishes - my cookbook swears by its Instant Pot version of cheesecake - the "best and creamiest" - but that will have to be a tale for a future column. NO-S SOAK CUBAN BLACK BEANS in minutes! Sauté together in 4T. olive oil one large chopped onion, ¼ cup minced garlic, 2 teaspoons each cumin, smoked paprika and oregano, ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper and one bay leaf for 4-5 minutes or until the onions are softened. Stir in one pound unsoaked dry black beans and 6 cups salted chicken stock. Pressure cook at high pressure for 120 minutes. Season to taste with S&P, garnish with sour cream and fresh chopped cilantro.

WORLD'S EASIEST SHRIMP RISOTTO Well, if not the world's easiest, the Instant Pot saves you a hot half hour

or more, standing over the burners and ladling boiling stock to the risotto mixture. This recipe takes about twenty minutes for four servings. Sauté together briefly, stirring constantly, in 6T. butter - 8oz. sliced mushrooms, one cup minced onion and two cloves of grated fresh garlic along with 1 ½ cups Arborio rice. Stir in 2 ½ cups chicken broth, ½ cup white wine (or substitute ¼ cup rice wine vinegar and additional ¼ cup broth),one pound of peeled and deveined raw shrimp (21-25 or 26-30 size), S&P to taste. Set on high for 8 minutes, with quick release. Stir in a small handful of chopped Italian parsley(or ½ cup defrosted frozen green peas)and serve immediately. Without a cheese topping! Never add cheese to risotto or any pasta dish made with seafood as the heavy cheese and light seafood don't pair well together - well, the Italian exception is on a seafood pizza. QUICK NORTH CAROLINA-S STYLE PULLED PORK BBQ Mix together the following dry rub spice ingredients (1T. dark brown sugar, 2tsp. each smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1tsp. each dry mustard, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cumin) for a 3- pound shoulder or Boston butt pork roast. Cover all over with the dry rub. Sauté meat in 3T. butter, turning so all sides brown. Pour in ? c. cider vinegar and ½ c. prepared BBQ sauce. Set on high for 60 minutes, then allow the pressure to release for 10 minutes before doing a quick release. Remove meat from pot, then shred with two large forks. Serve on buns with a creamy coleslaw. Vanessa Moncure serves up yummy recipes in an instant (pot)!

Become a Member

www.fredericksburgcsa.com

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March 2020

SpiritS Spring is coming- Rooftop Dining opening soon!

best non-kentucky bourbon by kristi wooldridge 314 William St..656-2500..fb@vivifyburger..vivifyburger.com

John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey was named America's Best Non-K Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon at a recent ceremony in New York City where Whisky Magazine announced the 2020 American World Whiskies Awards. At the same ceremony, A. Smith Bowman Distillery was highly commended for the magazine's 2020 Icons of Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year, America. "Producing quality spirits is our top priority, so we are thrilled our John J. Bowman is receiving recognition as the category winner," said Master Distiller Brian Prewitt. "It is also an honor to be runner-up for Visitor Attraction as we thoroughly enjoy sharing the distillery and our rich history with our guests on our complimentary tours." Whiskies in each category were subject to blind tastings in a three-round judging process to reward and promote the world's best whiskies to consumers and trade across the globe. The winners from the World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky Awards America 2020 will now compete with counterparts from all over the world, and global winners will be announced March 26 in London. For more information about the World Whiskies Awards visit .worldwhiskiesawards.com, and for more information about the Icons of Whisky visit www.iconsofwhisky.com.

after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm. The Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location. As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today's standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia's first settlers. As Virginia's oldest and most award-winning distillery, its various brands have earned numerous prestigious awards over the years, including John J. Bowman Single Barrel, which received a gold medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

March 2020

Become a Member

Kristi Wooldridge is in the Public Relations Department at A.Smith Bowman Distillery

A. Smith Bowman's distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934,

Fredericksburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hometown Irish Pub & Restaurant Since 1961

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

200 Hanover St. ~ 373-0738

Vino

Join us for Comedy at the Courtyard! Friday, March 27th

river runs red

Tickets available at: Rahmein.com

by City Vino

540.373.8300 620 Caroline Street

Olde Towne BUTCHER Corner of William & Charles Streets Downtown Fredericksburg 540.370.4105 www.oldetownebutcher.com Monday to Thursday, 10am to 7pm; Friday 10am to 8 pm Saturday 9am to 8pm, Sunday, 11am to 6pm Keith Lebor Proprietor

Become a Member

fxbgfoodcoop@gmail.com fredericksburgfoodcoop.com

Old Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greatest Tour 35 Monuments, Markers, & Attractions AND the Fredericksburg Battlefields Weddings Reunions Shuttles Parties Group Outings Fredericksburgtrolley.com

540-898-0737

On Wednesday January 22, 2020, at approximately 1:30 pm, the door near the bottom of a large blending tank, containing near 100,000 gallons of wine, popped open, spilling wine onto the ground at Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg, California.

error or sabotage. The tank was 97,000 gallons but Rodney Strong indicates that only 20-25 percent of the tank made it into the creek and river.

The wine flowed into an inlet on the floor of the wine production building, and through underground pipes that empty into four wastewater ponds on the property. The ponds filled up quickly, and the drains and sewer system became overwhelmed by the rushing gallons of wine, and then it poured into the Reiman Creek, which runs through the property and out into the Russian River.

Wine isn't believed to be as harmful to the environment as raw sewage, because wine doesn't contain toxic pollutants. Wine is highly acidic and untreated. A saving grace to the environment may be the fact that this event occurred during winter, when the water levels on the river where running very high. According to the United States Geological Survey, the river was moving nine times the volume of the wine in water each second, meaning that the wine was being diluted rapidly.

Rodney Strong staff managed to get the tank closed, pumped some of the remaining wine into another tank, and notified authorities within a couple of hours of the incident. The staff immediately started to clean up the spill on the property, using two vacuum trucks, along with trying to assemble a temporary dam to stop the spillage from going into the Reiman Creek; however, with the height of the water due to winter, this was a daunting task. All other tanks at the Rodney Strong property are being carefully inspected.

Environmental groups appear to be encouraged by the initial study, which showed no loss of fish, which is usually an indicator of the level of impact to the environs. There has probably been some loss of fish food and small organisms which couldn't get away from the spill. Russian River Keeper, an environmental non-profit group that keeps a vigilant eye on the waterway, has about 50 volunteers monitoring the river since the spill. Encouraging signs this weekend included frogs behaving normally along the waterway banks.

The winery self-reported they saved over half of the wine in the tank. Rodney Strong staff worked closely with California Office of Emergency Response, Healdsburg Fire Department, Sonoma County Sheriff, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The cabernet sells for about $27 a bottle so the loss to the winery is estimated to be in the millions, in addition to the cost of the clean-up efforts. There may be some misdemeanor charges and penalties stemming from the leak to be levied on the winery.

The wine that was lost equates to about 500,000 bottles, and was enough to fill eight tanker trucks. The cause of the leak was stated to be mechanical, therefor, the incident was not caused by human

You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make this stuff up! City Vino is located at 810 Caroline St. You can find owner Rita Allan on-site to provide answers to all your wine questions Photo courtesy of City VIno

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March 2020

CALEND March 2020...May the Luck of the Irish & Love of Family be with you! Sunday, March 1

Art of Protest: . Opening Reception, 11:30a-1:30p featuring local artists Holly Cole, Carlos Moore, & Bill Johnson The Unitarian Universalist Gallery of Fredericksburg, 25 Chalice Circle. FCCA, Members Gallery Charlotte Richards, "Art, Water, Wings", 813 Sophia St. Scott DeHaven, "Passages", @ Brush Strokes Gallery, 824 Caroline St., exhibit thru March 29

Tuesday, March 3

Caregiver Appreciation Day

"Adorn" exhibition of women artists using clay in the fine art of jewelry making. Opening Reception: 6-9pm Exhibition thru March 31, "Spinning & Poetry", Elizabeth Spencer Spragins, Darbytown Art Studio 241 Charles St. Opening Reception 6-" Elizabeth will be set up with her spinning wheel to show how she creates beautiful knits from raw wool. "Another Destiny", Canal Quarter Arts , 1517 Princes Anne.Opening Reception 6-9 Plein Air Artists latest exhibit: features works from the artists' travels. 6-9pm, 1517 Princess Anne St.

Wednesday, March 4

"Through Our Eyes" , Artful Dimensions Gallery, 922 Caroline, features clay self-portraits made by gallery members. Opening reception 6:pm-9pm.

Open Mic at the Rec Center 8 pm rock out, sing, play guitar enjoy ice cold drinks and hang out! Join us between 7-10p 213 William St

"March Blow-out Sale", At First Gallery, 824 Caroline St, member artists are doing a bit of early spring cleaning in their studios and exhibiting items with discounted prices. Don't miss this chance to add a bargain piece to your collection of your favorite local artists!

Sunken Well Trivia tonight starting at 7:45pm, 720 Littlepage,

Martin & Taylor , a local Fredericksburg group at Red Dragon Brewery 1419 Princess Anne Street from 6pm to 8pm. Come hear our mix of Eagles, James Taylor, Beatles and many other of your favorite tunes from the 70's, 80s, & 90s

Thursday, March 5

Ask a Dietitian.Registered Dietitian Marsha Luckett shares tips, recipes, cooking methods, & samples of plant-based foods. Noon-1 pm. UUFF, 25 Chalice Circle. fredericksburgfood.coop "The City as my Witness", Paintings by Caroline Murphy,Red Dragon Brewery Opening Reception: 6-9pm, Show runs thru2- April 27 Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. featuring amazing live performances with an eclectic range of musical styles - from soft jazz, blue grass and country, to pounding rock and roll.. Open Mic with Larry Hinkle Highmark Brewery!, 390 Kings HWY, Happy hour -4-6p

First Friday, March 6

Pottery on the Hill , LibertyTown hosts 30 potters from Hill Center's Annual Show,

"Passages", Scott DeHaven, Brush Strokes Gallery, 824 Caroline St, Opening Reception Exhibit a tribute "to people and the passing of time," Adopt a Potter, Take a tour of all the shops & businesses that have adopted a local potter for the month. The potter's work will be on display &/or for sale. See ad in this issue . Through March 29 "Signing in the Rain", presented by CYT 7p Spotsy HS, 8801 Courthouse Rd. greatest Musical of all times! Jon Wiley & Brandon Snellings,Live Music @LaPetite Auberge, 311 William St, 9-11p. . No cover. lapetiteaubergefred.com

Saturday, March 7

Spring Spruce Up, Friends of Rappahannock, help us get ready for another season. Recycling Facts & Fiction. Diane Jones, Recycling Manager of the Rappahannock Regional Landfill,

Become a Friend Advocate ~ Donate ~ Volunteer

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

March 2020

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has answers for us about household recycling. enjoy a plant-based potluck before the discussion. 11:30 am-1 pm. Unity of Fredericksburg, 3451 Jefferson Davis Hwy. fredericksburgfood.coop

Live Music 7:30 Kenmo live performances with a styles - from soft jazz, b pounding rock and roll..

Motts Run Ice Breaker Tournament, 8a-3p, 6600 River Road The Weekend Bassers Fishing Club Tournament Proceeds will benefit the Kids' Fishing Derby in June. Boat rental available. Bring own fishing gear. info Ray Thomas (540-898-7542) or Dickie Musselman (540-785-8087)

Open Mic with Larry H 390 Kings HWY, Happy h

"Signing in the Rain", presented by CYT 2 & 7p Spotsy HS, the greatest Musical of all times

Sunday, March 8

International Women's Day "Signing in the Rain", presented by CYT 7p Spotsy HS, the greatest Musical of all times

Tuesday, March 10

Friday, March 13

69th FXBG Fine Arts Sh Community Center, 80+ 300 artworks. FREE, .Exh Reception 6 pm to 8 PM

"Seasons of Inspiration" Friday Art Walk Artisits Suite 101, Colonial Bea

Bob Sima & Shannon Plu at Unity Fredericksbur Highway, 730 PM - 930

"Female Internet Inventors", Claire Evans, Author. Great Lives Series, Dodd Aud, UMW , 7:30p

"Signing in the Rain", pr HS, the greatest Musical

Wednesday, March 11

Soul Brothers, Live Mus William St, 9-11p. lapeti

Brain Injury Services (BIS), Open House 927 Maple Grove Dr, #107. braininjurysvcs.org, Sunken Well Trivia tonight starting at 7:45pm, 720 Littlepage, Open Mic at the Rec Center 8 pm rock out, sing, play guitar enjoy ice cold drinks and hang out! Join us between 7-10p 213 William St

Saturday, March 1

69th FXBG Fine Arts Sh Community Center, 10 A

"Signing in the Rain", p Spotsy HS, . the greatest

St Pats Day Party, 6 Bea Martin & Taylor@Red Dragon Brewery 1419 Princess Anne St 6pm to 8pm. mix of Eagles, James Taylor, Beatles & other favorite tunes

Thursday, March 12

"The Gathering Table" @ Cork & Table an innovative 3-course dinner & wine pairing. Corkandtable/events for menu. Or 909 Caroline C.S.Lewis, Devin Brown Author, Great Lives Series, Dodd Aud, UMW , 7:30p Give back to the community by tutoring adults in basic reading, math, ELL & digial skills. Goodskills Literacy, Tutor Info Seesion: Porter Library, 7-8pm

UMW Chamber Music Fe of the U. S. Army Ba program , Gari Melchers

Chamber Concert Serie Church "Hazel Run" Americana, soul, and ro concert is free donation

Conscious Consumption Wiggins share the tr replacing meat with sala special Lenten prog Presbyterian Church Princess Anne Street. fr

DAR of events

ore Inn. featuring amazing an eclectic range of musical blue grass and country, to .

Hinkle Highmark Brewery!, hour -4-6p

how & Sale Dorothy Hart + local artists more than hibit 10-4. The Champagne M.

", Marcia Chaves , Second s Alliance 100 Taylor St., ch

ummer CD Release Concert rg, 3451 Jefferson Davis PM

resented by CYT 7p Spotsy l of all times

sic @LaPetite Auberge, 311 teaubergefred.com

how & Sale Dorothy Hart AM - 6 PM. Open to public

presented by CYT 2 &7p t Musical of all times

Thursday, March 26

Ides of March

"Untold Stories of Women in History: Love, Liberty, Equality Women's History Month tours originate at FXBG United Methodist Church, 308 Hanover Street 6-9pm

FXBGFine Arts Show & Sale Dorothy Hart Community Center, 10 AM - 8 PM. Open to public

The Acoustic Onion Live Music @LaPetite Auberge, 311 William St, 8-11p.. lapetiteaubergefred.com

Tuesday, March 17

Saturday, March 21

"The Gathering Table" @ Cork & Table an innovative 3-course dinner & wine pairing. Visit Corkandtable/events for menu. Or 909 Caroline

Sunday, March 15

St Patrick's Day..everyone is Irish today

Wednesday, March 18

Sunken Well Trivia tonight starting at 7:45pm, 720 Littlepage,

Rec Center 8 pm rock out, sing, play guitar enjoy ice cold drinks and hang out! 7-10p 213 William St Martin & Taylor , a local Fredericksburg group at Red Dragon Brewery 1 6pm to 8pm.

Thursday, March 19 Spring Equinox

Childrens Art Show youth-oriented art exhibition , ages 4-12th grade, Dorothy Hart Community Center, reception , 6-7:30p "Solo Show"Theresa Rasmussen, Sunken Well Tavern, 720 Littlepage, , 6-9pm ,

ars & A Goat Brewery,

estival, Woodwind Quintet and presents a chamber s Home & Studio, 2-3:30p

es , St. George's Episcopal a FXBG-based quartet ock . 905 Princess Anne ns accepted at the door.

n. Scientist/ author Hal ransformative effects of ad. All are welcome at this gram. 9:30-10:45 am of Fredericksburg, 810 redericksburgfood.coop

Childrens Art Show, Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St. 10a-2p

Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn.

ArtsLIVE! Musical Madness Rapidan Ridge, Sibling Rivalry Fiddle Band & FXBG String Quartet! artsliveva.org/event/musical-madness .

Comedy at the Courtyard, tkts @ Rahmein.com, CYM, 620 Caroline St

Open Mic Live Music at 7:30 Kenmore Inn. .. Open Mic with Larry Hinkle Highmark Brewery!, 390 Kings HWY, Happy hour -4-6p

Give back to the community by tutoring adults in basic reading, math, ELL & digial skills. Goodskills Literacy, Tutor Info CRRL downtown, 7-8pm America's Notorious Pirates, Eric Jay Dolin, Author, Great Lives Series, Dodd Aud, UMW , 7:30p The League of Women Voter's celebration of the centennial of women's suffrage luncheon Restorante Renato, 422 William St., 12:00 Noon 2 . RSVP: Marie Gozzi, seters@comcast.net\

Friday, March 20

Childrens Art Show, Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St. 10a-4p

Give back to the community by tutoring adults in basic reading, math, digial skills. Goodskills Literacy, Info Session: FXBG Baptist Church, 7-8pm

Discover Our Co-op. Why? When?Gen Manager Chris Roland has answers. lively presentation next door to the Co-op's location. 2-4 pm. Living Water Church, 318 Jefferson Davis Hwy. fredericksburgfood.coop

Sunday, March 22

10th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival, 2-5 p.m. Chandler Ballroom University Center of UMW. Oyster Roast 11:30 am-1:30 pm within a walkable distance of the film festival. FOR , 540-373-3448

Monday, March 23

Women's History Month Keynote Spesker Mecca JJamilah Sullivan PhD, UMW University Center

Tuesday, March 24

Karl Marx, Jonathan Sperber, Author Great Lives Series, Dodd Aud, UMW , 7:30p

Wednesday, March 25

Eating for the Earth. Learn how to make delicious vegetarian shepherd's pie from Caroline McTarsney, 5:30-7:30 pm. St. George's Episcopal Church,fredericksburgfood.coop Sunken Well Trivia tonight starting at 7:45pm, 720 Littlepage, Open Mic at the Rec Center 8 pm rock out, sing, play guitar enjoy ice cold drinks and hang out! Join us between 7-10p 213 William St Martin & Taylor ,at Red Dragon Brewery 1419 Princess Anne Street from 6pm to 8pm.

Friday, March 27

Laurie Rose Griffin & Peter Mealy Auberge, 311 William St, 9-11p.

@LaPetite

Saturday, March 28

Help your local Sierra Club clean up roadside trash near Spotsylvania Regional Hospital, Community Clean Up Day 10 am. Info: rich.sue.sc@gmail.com Public Sculpture Walking Tour FREE walking tour of two of the sculptures, Meet at pocket park at the triangle intersection of Wolfe Street, Prince Edward St & Kenmore Ave to find out more about these large public art installations. 10a Volunteer Orientation for Motts Run Nature Center Volunteers register: 372-1086 or emailafharris@fredericksburgva.gov The Rappahannock Pops & ArtsLIVE! present the winners of the Young Artist Competition on their spring concert 7pm in the JMHS auditorium

Sunday, March 29

Easter Cantata FXBG United Methodist Church choir and orchestra Handel's Messiah The Easter Portion at both the 8:30 am & 11:00 am

Tuesday, March 31

Hedy Lemar, Stephen Michael Shearer, Author. Great Lives Series, Dodd Aud, UMW , 7:30p If you are reading this 272nd issue of FPF, thank an advertiser as we celebrate our 23rd year of continuous publication! If you are an advertiser, list your events. Deadline for April 2020 issue is March 20th. To submit events email frntprch@aol.com: subject Calendar

3615 Fans (& Growing) Want You to Join

Front Porch on

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March 2020

history’s stories

IOOF 1839 By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

School for Enslaved Children By Malanna Carey Henderson

Recently while having breakfast at Eileen’s Cafe located at 1115 Caroline Street, my mind drifted back to my childhood, when my father was a member of an organization called the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Odd Fellows Lodge meetings were held at the now Café location. Looking around the room I noticed that a peep hole was still in the exit door where the Lodge sentinel would be seated.

The Odd Fellows were first formed in England around 1730, however, it was not until 1819 that Lodge #1 was formed in Baltimore. The name Odd Fellows is not totally understood, it is believed because it is made up of so many men of different professions ie. (lawyers, mechanics, physicians) is how it was named. There are many different lodges such as Elks, Eagles, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Pythias and the oldest one of the groups the Masonic Lodge’s. Most all of the lodges are identified by having a number such as Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge #4. The first Odd Fellows organized in Fredericksburg about 1839, it was called Rappahannock Lodge #14. The lodge only operated a few years until a new lodge was formed in 1847, known as Myrtle Lodge #50. It is recorded that the Odd Fellows along with the Knights of Pythias built a building on Main Street (Caroline), that both groups used for several years until the Odd Fellows moved to the third floor of the Bradford Building that no longer exist. In 1903 the Odd Fellows were reorganized under a new charter and was known as Acorn Lodge #261. The Lodge was organized in the Masonic Lodge meeting room and rented the bottom room space from the Masons. They were still meeting there in 1908. The exact time is not known when the Odd Fellows relocated back to the Main Street location. The motto of the Odd Fellows is (FLT) “Friendship, Love and Truth”. The group became the first fraternity in the United States to include women when it adopted the “Beautiful Rebekah Degree” in September 1851. The Odd Fellows state their mission is to “Visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan”. There have been many well know members of the Odd Fellows in the United States including the following: Robert C. Byrd, Charlie Chaplin, Wyatt Earp, Ulysses S. Grant, Charles Lindbergh, Franklin Roosevelt and Earl Warren, just too name some of the earlier members. According to the 2015 membership report there were 600,000 members in 10,000 lodges in the United States and 26 countries with the main office in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Unlike many of the organizations founded in Fredericksburg and still in operation, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows is no longer in existence. I remember my father speaking of all the charitable activities that the Odd Fellows were doing back in the 1950’s. Jack Gibson who is in charge of the archives for the Virginia Independent Odd Fellow Lodges advised me that the last known records of the Fredericksburg Odd Fellows Lodge was February 12, 2011 when the Charter was returned. The only known living former member of the Fredericksburg Lodge, is a resident of Caroline County residing in the Woodford community. There are currently twenty-six active IOOF Lodges in Virginia. *(Thanks to Travis Walker of City Archives for his assistance) Dedicated to: LIisa Torrice, Warren Harding, Jackie Haney, Silvester Silver, Frances Harrell Hicks, & Allen Brennan Tuffy is the Front Porch resident FXBG historian

OUR HERITAGE

March 2020

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In 1656, a Virginia Court granted Elizabeth Key, born of an enslaved mother and free white father, liberty due to her baptism in the Church of England. Converts of the faith were required to read the catechism; thus, wedding literacy with Christianity. Educating slaves was a bone of contention between white supremacists who outlawed it and those who adhered to English law. Whenever English common law threatened the institution of slavery, the laws were changed in colonial America. For example, in England, a child’s status followed that of his or her father, even for children born out of wedlock. However, in 1662, the Virginia General Assembly assigned slavery to persons based on the status of their mother, facilitating enslavement of mixedrace children of free white fathers and enslaved African mothers. Likewise, in 1667, a law was passed to keep baptized slaves in bondage. Therefore, slavers who felt compelled by their faith to teach slaves to read would no longer have to fear baptismal emancipation. However, the slaveholding community still saw education as a threat to its self-interest. What if a slave read Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, wrote his own pass to gain freedom, or taught others to read? In 1723, an anonymous letter reached the bishop of London, Edmund Gibson, written by an enslaved man from Virginia, representing many. He begged the bishop to help them gain their freedom and educate their children. In 1724, Thomas Bray, an English clergyman founded two missions: the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (1699) and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (1701). From these organizations, The Associates of Dr. Thomas Bray was founded to educate slaves and native Americans in the North American colonies. Benjamin Franklin established a Bray school in Philadelphia, and his advocacy helped build schools in Rhode Island, New York, and Williamsburg and Fredericksburg, Virginia. In 1765, Colonel Fielding Lewis, the brother-in-law of George Washington and the Reverend James Marye, Jr., established the Fredericksburg school. Lewis became its administrator. The Association rented classroom space and provided books and a teacher’s salary. In a letter to the Bray Associates, Lewis boasted that the children had exceeded his expectations. At the height of its influence, only sixteen children were in attendance.

Their ages r a n g e d f r o m five t o

eight years o l d . Opposition to the school’s existence was strong from the outset. Children attended at the convenience of their masters. Once a child attained rudimentary reading skills, he or she never returned. Moreover, during planting and harvesting time, children’s field labor took precedence. Meeting the school’s aspirations to master a five-year curriculum was impossible. In 1770, Lewis wrote the Reverend John Waring, secretary of the Bray Associates, that he had closed the school. The Reverend rebuked the slave masters: “Sir, we were grieved and astonished. Grieved to find our good endeavors so unavailing and fruitless and astonished at the amazing inattention of persons who call themselves Christian to the spiritual welfare of those of their own household. It may just be asked where their wisdom, Christianity or even humanity was?” Malanna Carey Henderson ,an author lives in FXBG. She is currently writing vignettes for the Untold Stories program, a cultural event sponsored by several downtown churches & civic groups

What’s in a School? Maury Commons By jon gerlach Barton Street, which is open to the public for historical and genealogical research. Simply called "The Heritage Center", this non-profit facility houses a vast collection of fascinating documents and photographs, preserved using state-of-theart techniques. The collection chronicles the rich history of Fredericksburg and our surrounding counties. Visit www.crhcarchives.org for online searches and hours of operation. Visitors, volunteers and donations are always welcome.

As you navigate one of our lovely gateways into downtown Fredericksburg, you'll see the Matthew Fontaine Maury School near the corner of Kenmore and Hanover Streets. Maury, its namesake, hailed from the Fredericksburg area. He is widely regarded as the "Pathfinder of the Seas" and the father of modern oceanography. Built in the Colonial Revival style in 1919-1920, this was the brainchild of local architect Philip Nathaniel Stern, who designed many of the buildings on the University of Mary Washington campus. Like much of Virginia history, this building's story is complicated … and sometimes painful. Built as a whites-only public high school, it became a middle school when James Monroe High School opened in 1952. Desegregation didn't happen here until many years after the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which found racial segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional. In 1980 Maury ceased being used as a school, and it waited 27 years for its next lease on life. The structure was abandoned and widely viewed as neighborhood blight until 2007, when it was rehabilitated and adapted to mixed

use by general contractor TRENT Corporation and Commonwealth Architects at a cost of about $7M, resulting in the 32-unit Maury Commons condominium complex we see today. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, Historic Tax Credits helped with the project's cost. The athletic field and stadium (c. 1935) are still used for James Monroe High School sports. Go Jackets! Other public events include outdoor concerts, and the popular Fredericksburg Dog Mart which may just be the longest operating event of its kind in North America.

the early 1900s, just before the school was built, many burials were exhumed from Potter's Field and reinterred in the Shiloh Baptist Cemetery (Old) at the corner of Littlepage Street and Monument Avenue. It is likely that a number of graves were missed, and still exist somewhere on the grounds of Maury Commons today. The school's gymnasium dates to 1930. Today it is home to the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center at 900

So … what's in a School? Here, a marvelous example of the adaptive re-use of a public building that retains a deep and abiding connection with our past.

Jon Gerlach is a candidate for an AtLarge seat on City Council in the May 5, 2020 local election. An attorney & retired archaeologist, he serves on the Architectural Review Board in Fredericksburg. Photo by Jon Gerlach

For generations before the school's construction, this tract of land was known as "Potter's Field" which is an Old World term for a public cemetery where unknown or indigent people were laid to rest. According to legend, a potter's field was where the distinctive red clay used in making ceramics in ancient times was dug out of the ground. Our Potter's Field was adjacent to the Liberty Town neighborhood, and contained many African American graves. During the Civil War, over 50 Confederate soldiers who died of disease were also interred there. In

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March 2020

Senior Care Reminiscence therapy Dog Walking Pet Sitting Companion Play Time & Mini Furies, Too!

By Karl Karch

(540-903-0437; lexig0892@gmail.com) On facebook as â&#x20AC;&#x153;City PetSittingâ&#x20AC;?

For me, March is a wonderful time of year. I always look forward to the beginning of spring weather and hoping to revitalize my golf game. St. Patrick's Day is a fun time of celebration and who can forget March Madness basketball playoffs which consumes many enthusiasts for three weeks.

group, the Carnoustie Golf Memories Project, was launched in 2015. The first US RT project began in St. Louis, MO in 2013 with baseball. A partnership was formed between the St. Louis Cardinals, the Alzheimer's Association, the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Office, and St. Louis University. A first-ever Golf Memories program in the US started in January 2019 at TPC Sawgrass to honor the legendary golf architect Pete Dye who subsequently died from Alzheimer's. This program incorporated men, women, and caregivers.

Reminiscence is the act or process of recalling past experiences, Reminiscence events, or memories. Therapy (RT) involves exchanging memories with old and young, friends and relatives, residents in facilities, and caregivers and professionals. RT is a Through these and other RT socialization therapeutic tool especially forms of socialization, RT helps stimulate beneficial for older adults with Alzheimer's memory recall and encourage people to disease or other dementias whose short- talk about pleasant memories from past term memory loss is evident, but whose experiences they love. Other benefits long-term memory can from RT are: improved ......take time to often be recalled more communication; involve your aging loved ones easily. According to improvement in mood, in some form of RT. Try experts in the field of stress levels, and watching a March Madness cognition; increased selfaging, reminiscing takes on a greater significance game while reminiscing with worth and sense of as we age. In an effort achievement; and them. You will enjoy your to communicate with reduced depression that time together.... loved ones with often comes with memory dementia, many family members bring out loss. It's enjoyable to see an otherwise old photographs and other mementos, somber person perk up and become more listen to music from the past, tell family expressive when they recall a life story. stories, reminisce over old movies or TV For those who have loved ones shows, or talk about hobbies. However, with dementia, RT is a way to increase because two-thirds of those who have communication. Your loved one may not dementia are female, many of these remember current or recent events as socialization programs have traditionally their disease progresses. However, take been geared towards women. For this time to involve your aging loved ones in reason, sports reminiscence therapy (SRT) some form of RT. Try watching a March is starting to gain traction as a type of Madness game while reminiscing with socialization program more geared toward them. You will enjoy your time together, men with dementia. your loved one's quality of life will be Sports Reminiscence Therapy better, and who knows, you may even (SRT) got its start in Scotland in 2009 learn something new to pass down to with Football Memories. The program future generations. May the luck of the offered people with dementia an Irish and love and reminiscing with family opportunity to talk with other soccer fans be with you this March. in an informal and relaxed setting. The men became animated, recalling memories Karl Karch is a Gerontologist and local franchise owner of Home Instead Senior from younger years like players they Care, a licensed home care organization watched, people they watched games with, providing personal care, companionship what they ate, pubs where they drank, and home helper services in the even fights they had. Shortly after, other Fredericksburg and Culpeper region. SRTs gained traction. Another Scottish

March 2020

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All Energy Liver meridan by christina ferber

Astrology for You Natal Charts Transits Consultations Diane Bachman 540.845.7622

Donate to a Cancer Organization

ble at Availa n.com Amazo

donatelifevirginia.org dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#organs.asp

The energy pathways in our body that are called Meridians are responsible for keeping all our body's major organ systems balanced. When they are in balance, we can achieve greater physical and emotional health. Each Meridian is associated with an organ in the body, and this month's "spotlight" is on Liver. Our Liver is responsible for hundreds of functions every day and keeping it healthy and balanced can go a long way to improving our overall health and well-being. The Liver Meridian (LV) is associated with the largest physical organ in our body and has the most known functions out of any other organ. Sometimes called the "General" or "Chief of Staff" in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is most active when we sleep (from 1 am to 3 am) and is involved with digestion, metabolism, filtration, detoxification, immune function, eye health, ligaments and tendons, and hormone health. Emotionally, an imbalance in the LV Meridian can result in an inability to relax, frustration, irritability, and anger against ourselves, as well as feelings of guilt. However, a balanced LV Meridian can result in kindness toward ourselves, a belief in our inner strength, inspiration, and creativity. Tracing the pathway of a meridian can help to balance it. LV Meridian runs up both sides of the body and begins at the inside of the big toes. It comes up the inside of the legs, over the hips to the sides of the ribcage and ends under the breast area in line with the nipples (see diagram). You can trace it with your hands as many times as you like, but to give LV an even bigger boost, you can 'flush' it by tracing the meridian backwards one time, and then forward three times (see video on my website for more information). The Source Point for any Meridian not only helps to balance the Meridian itself, but also sends energy directly to its associated organ. The point called Liver 3 is LV Meridian's Source point. It is located on the top of the foot where the big toe bone meets the second toe bone. You can press and massage this point on both feet for as long as you like. Do this at least once a day to help balance LV Meridian.

Holding points on the head that are called the LV Neurovasculars (NV) can help to balance hormone function as well as the emotional aspects of LV. These points are located at the hairline. You can simply place your hand sideways over your hairline area and use a light pressure, or I like to place the palm of my hand over the middle of my forehead and rest my fingers over the top of my head. This can help balance a few energy systems, Another way to unblock stuck energy in the LV Meridian is to deeply press or massage the LV Neurolymphatic Points (NL). These are located under the breast area on the right side of the body. Use a deep pressure and if they are sore, it just means you needed to work with them. LV Meridian is associated with springtime, and with the Spring Equinox coming up later this month, it is the perfect time to balance LV to help bring in the growth and expansion associated with this season. For tips and videos to balance all of your energy systems, visit www.itsallenergywellness.com. Happy Spring! Christina Ferber is a Certified Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always more fun in the Scenter of Town!

Essential Oils Liquid Herbs Reiki Reflexology Aromatherapy Custom Blending Aroma-Therapeutic Massage Harmonic Resonance Therapy Products ~ Services ~ Classes 907 Charles Street, Downtown thescenteroftown.com

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March 2020

Emancipated Patients cooties By Patrick Neustatter, MD a WWI battle field background in to a cage.

Creeping and Crawling

I was in the office of Madeline, the psychologist/social worker at the Moss Clinic who helps our patients with their social needs - incidentally sponsored by a generous grant from Potomac Health Foundation. She has a cabinet full of foods that she gets from the Fredericksburg Food Bank. But in a box on the bottom shelf were canisters of powder for treating bed bugs. "Why do you have bed bug stuff?" I asked. "Oh there's a virtual epidemic of bed bugs in Fredericksburg" she told me "it's a real problem in low rent, temporary accommodation." I started itching immediately.

Cootie Phobia We maybe are becoming inured to some of the bugs that live in and on us - the microbiome. That collection of mainly bacteria to be found in greatest number in our GI tracts. But they are also on your skin, even in the air around - like an aura. We leave traces as we move around - think Pig-Pen in Peanuts. We've learned that these include lots of "good" bugs, and the fact that they don't creep around and are not visible to the naked eye means we find these particular cooties less repulsive. Incidentally the term "cootie" was likely derived from "kutu" a term for a parasitic biting insect in Philippians and Malaya. It was adopted by soldiers during World War I as a term for the awful louse infestation soldiers got in the trenches. Seems we were less cootie-phobic then - there's a sort of forerunner to video games called Cootie Game where you have to maneuver red bead like "cooties" across

March 2020

It's the things with legs, that creep around, and are often visible that really give us the horrors. Bed bugs, lice, mites, ticks, chiggers, fleas, scabies. Though you could argue bed bugs aren't so bad. They don't live on us. They live in bedding, clothing, luggage They feed at night, sucking your blood while you sleep. They can cause itchy bites, often in rows, though there is a lot of variation in how much people react. You treat the bites like any other bite or itch. You can just see them with the naked eye - in the seams of a mattress. Or you find evidence of them on the bedding as tiny dark specs of dried blood or bed bug poop. They were pretty common in the past, but then use of what turned out to be toxic insecticides - like DDT - virtually wiped them out. Now they're making a comeback - I know that sounds like some has-been rock star. Getting rid of them takes two separate treatments. First to kill the adults, then a few days later to kill the eggs that have hatched- "but this second treatment very often doesn't get done if someone is in temporary accommodation and has moved on" Madeline warned. To my mind it's mites that are the most repulsive - if you're not squeamish, go to https://www.livescience.com/65533-yourface-mites-never-poop.html and take a look. These distant cousins of spiders and scorpions live in hair follicles on your face, eating skin oils and dead cells, and also go marauding at night. But maybe just bed bugs is all you can deal with right now? Though medically none of these critters are particularly sinister - true ticks and lice can carry diseases, but that's pretty rare these days. It's really just the "eeewwwww" factor. Even being a doctor doesn't prevent it. As I say, as soon as Medline started talking about bed bugs, I was squirming. Patrick Neustatter is the Medical Director of the Moss Free Clinic. author of "Managing Your Doctor, The Smart Patient's Guide to Getting Effective, Affordable Healthcare", at Amazon

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Spinning Joy spreading beauty By kate guy

Have you ever met someone who lights up an entire space when they enter it? Someone who never appears without a smile on their face? The kind of person who exudes enthusiasm about everything? Elizabeth Spencer Spragins is one of those people. She radiates joy when she speaks, particularly about the things she loves: historical poetry and fiber art. And not only does she love these things, she knows them. Well. She has written and had published two books of poetry. In one, “The Language of Bones: American Journeys Through Bardic Verse,” she takes the reader on a journey from Jamestown, Virginia, to Muir Woods, California, with a large focus on Fredericksburg. Using the musical cadence of bardic verse in the Celtic style, she explores past stories of places such as Chatham Manor and Gari Melcher’s Belmont, among others, as well as addresses more current issues such as the racial and cultural tensions at Standing Rock and the heartbreak surrounding climate change. In the other, “With No Bridle for the Breeze: Ungrounded Verse,” Spragins uses the Japanese tanka style to explore the magic found in the natural universe, inspired by some of the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring settings around the world. From the book: Chamber Music a maidenhair fern rises from her mossy bed to flutes of thrushes breezes tune the fiddleheads and coax blues from violas And as if all of that didn’t make her interesting enough, she’s an incredibly talented fiber artist as well. Taking a clump of raw wool, what appears to be a matted tangled mess, she gently washes it out, then using hand cards (large brushes just for the task) brushes it into what appears to be now organized threads of

fluff. She sits at the wheel and spins it into a beautiful yarn, and then knits it into stunningly elegant pieces. To watch her at the spinning wheel is to watch music in motion; the way she finds a perfect rhythm at the pedals with her feet, her hands working in harmony with the wool

and motion of the wheel to spin a beautiful yarn. It is apparent in watching her that it is a true labor of love for her, but one that she manages to make look anything but laborious. Full of cheer and smiles as she works, she is eager to share the process with those interested to watch and learn. If you would like to see and experience it for yourself she will be demonstrating the process at Darbytown Art Studio, 241 Charles St, during First Friday on March 6th, from 6-9pm. She will also have copies of both books available purchase and signing. Kate Guy is a local photographer, a volunteer at Downtown Greens & a patron of all the arts photos by Kate Guy

Spinning By Elizabeth Spencer Spragins First Friday, March 6, 6-9 9pm Darbytown Art Studio 241 Charles St.

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March 2020

Art in the Burg March Shows in the Galleries “Spinning & Poetry” Elizabeth Spencer Spragins Darbytown Art Studio 241 Charles St. Opening Reception, First Friday, 6-9 9p Fiber artist Elizabeth Spencer Spragins. Elizabeth has written two poetry books: "The Language of Bones: American Journeys Through Bardic Verse," and "With No Bridle for the Breeze: Ungrounded Verse." Elizabeth will be set up with her spinning wheel to show how she creates beautiful knits from raw wool. ~Kate Guy

“Through Our Eyes” @Artful Dimensions “Another Destiny” Canal Quarter Arts , 1517 Princes Anne Opening Reception 6-9 9 First Friday Plein Air Artists latest exhibit: features works from the artists' travels. 69pm, 1517 Princess Anne St. ~Jeannie Ellis

"Through Our Eyes" Artful Dimensions Gallery, 922 Caroline Show features clay self-portraits made by gallery members. Those participating had plaster molds of their faces made by ceramic artist and gallery Rodriguez. Artists founder Christine Lush-R then used the molds to create the masks which were fired, glazed and decorated. Each artist's mask is reflective of that artist's preferred medium. The opening reception will be on First Friday, March 6, from 6:00pm-9:00pm. ~Sally Cooney Anderson

“Passages", Scott DeHaven Brush Strokes Gallery, 824 Caroline St Opening Reception First Friday In his "Passages" exhibit, which he describes as a tribute "to people and the passing of time," DeHaven celebrates athletes and entertainers and trailblazers that embodied the spirit of an era of "The Greats." “Passages”, Scott DeHaven @Brush Strokes Among the Greats in Scott's life was the model of his father, an

accomplished engineer and pilot, who augmented his fascination with flight and space exploration ~Collette Caprara

“March Blow-o out Sale” At First Gallery, 824 Caroline St “Girl With the Umbrella”, Lynn Bailey @Art First Opening Reception: First Friday, March 6 roaming the shore for shark's teeth, shells, A rare E:vent: Member artists are and driftwood among the pebbles doing a bit of early spring cleaning in their ~Rob Rudick studios and exhibiting items with discounted prices. Don't miss this chance to add a bargain piece to your collection of your favorite local artists! ~Casey Shaw

“Adorn” Joelle Ferrara, Jenna Vanden Brink, Scarlett Pons, & Rachel Vitko Ponshop Studio & Gallery, 712 Caroline Opening Reception First Friday An exhibition of women artists using clay in the fine art of jewelry making. Each artist in the exhibit not only makes “Pleasure Island”, Marcia Chaves @Artists’ Alliance ceramic jewelry, but also creates functional ceramic items for the home.

“Seasons of Inspiration”, Marcia Chaves March 13 Second Friday Art Walk Artis’ Alliance, 100 Taylor St., Suite 101, Colonial Beach Marcia Chaves, a native of Fredericksburg, in a show of recent paintings inspred by her early years of summer months at Mt. Moriah farm in King George, and in Colonial Beach;

“Solo Show”Theresa Rasmussen Sunken Well Tavern, 720 Littlepage, March 19, 6-9 9pm Local landscape and Battlefield photographer’s first solo “I've lived in Fredericksburg for over 30 years now, and just love taking photos of our beautiful little town”.

810 Caroline Street, Downtown 540.371.4099

“Happy Faces”, Beverley Coates 24

March 2020

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“Tulip Time”, Penny A Parrish

“If Walls Could Speak”, Lynn Abbott

Artist on Site Saturdays

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March 2020

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Art of Protest protesting from the side of love

by Patricia Smith whose work is aligned with social justice movements? We received a variety of original art, signs, posters, buttons, Tshirts and other artifacts related to social justice movements. We asked for art that was rooted in love rather than hate. It is hoped that the variety of points of view will lead each viewer to a more t h o u g h t f u l consideration of social justice issues. “Endangered Asian Elephants, Holly Cole The exhibit will featured three artists: Holly Cole, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Carlos Moore, and Bill Johnson-M Miles. of Fredericksburg sent a Call for Entries Holly arrived in Fredericksburg flier throughout the community for this for her retirement from teaching in 2015. 2nd Annual “Art of Protest”.. We asked if they were activists A drama teacher at the University of Ohio, for social change, if they sometimes Holly took many years of costume design employed visual tactics to help their and applied her skills to the narrative causes succeed? Or were they artists quilts she now creates. She loves telling

stories in her quilts, and tries t o “New Zealand Tragedy”, Bill Johnson-M Miles convey Bill Johnson-Miles is a socialher feelings in the imagery. In the quilt justice leader at UUFF. He represented “Endangered Asian Elephants”, for UUFF as clergy and lay leaders marched example, she lures the viewer into arm-in-arm in Charlottesville, singing connecting with the tragedy of the near “This Little Light of Mine” while neoNazis and other haters attacked them. As a retired 20-year Navy veteran, and a retired civil servant. He is a professional photographer and someone who documents many social justice movements. The photo-collage “New Zealand Tragedy” draws us in as part of the suffering. These three artists use their passion and compassion to help convince the viewer that a better world is possible. They each enter the battleground for public memory in causes they care passionately about. Please visit the UUFF Gallery to see how various artists and activists engage the viewer in their causes.

“Lady Liberty”, Carlos Moore extinction of such a beautiful animal by having the viewer look deeply into the elephant’s eye. .. Carlos Moore retired as an art teacher at Chancellor High School in Spotsylvania this past spring. He used his social-justice art as inspiration for his students to express themselves. The closeup of Lady Liberty shows a figure shrouded in shredded money. The lust for money by society has consumed her, students said.

Patricia Smith is a member of the Social Justice Committee & Visual Arts Committee at UUFF. She is also an activist painter.

“Art of Protest: Protesting from the Side of Love” March 1 - April 26 UUFF Gallery. 25 Chalice Circle Opening reception March 1 11:30 AM- 1:30 PM.

Give a Child Something to Think About

Books, Games, Amusing Novelties M-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm

810 Caroline Street (540) 371-5684 front porch fredericksburg

March 2020

Companions why support local pet businesses by Gerri Reid dvm

Spring is coming and it's that time of the year for Farmer's Market to kick-off their opening Day as well as outdoor Festivities to begin! We have so many businesses that are owned by maybe someone you know. As business owners in this Big Box world, it can definitely be a struggle to stay afloat. But with a community like Fredericksburg, we can definitely rally together to support all the Small Businesses in our town. When it comes to Pets, Fredericksburg has some amazing small business that could use your support. Downtown Fredericksburg is Booming with Small Businesses for your pets. In need of pet supplies and food? Dog Krazy has you covered. From yummy treats to even grooming your pet, Dog Krazy does not disappoint. With the help of the knowledgeable employees, they can help you get a start with your pet's health with Nutrition and Diets recommendations. And the best part, you can bring your four-legged pal into the store, even if it is just for a visit. As you stroll Downtown, ever notice an abundance of dogs? Off Leash K9 Training as taken Downtown Fredericksburg by storm! A new resident to the Downtown Family, this Business is known for their obedience training. They have many Trainers to suit any dog when it comes to achieving that well-trained dog. So, while you are downtown, stop in and ask them about their services or just look around and you may see the trainers in action training dogs as they interact with the day-to-day activities and people. Fredericksburg is a town that loves pets! You will find many people walking downtown in the early morning with their dog. You may even notice many of the restaurants have outdoor seating which can accommodate your furry best friend. And no need to worry about your dog getting thirsty, many of the stores

March 2020

have water bowls outside their establishment to quench their thirst! With Spring coming, remember to take your pet to the Farmer's Market to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables. This is a great way to support our local farmers and producers while spending some quality time with our pets. When it comes to the health and well-being of your pet, think about the animal hospitals that are owned by Small Business owners. The rise of corporateowned Veterinary Hospitals has taken over the world of Veterinary Medicine. We have loss the relationship and bond that Veterinarians once had with their client and their pets. But all is not loss. With businesses such as my own, we are able to bring that bond back and tailor our care to each individual client/patient. This approach brings a more personable touch to the care of your pet. Our business is centered around high-quality Veterinary Care and Customer Serviceâ&#x20AC;Śplus we come to your Home! Downtown Fredericksburg is abundant with Small Businesses that will suit all your pet's needs. The pet-friendly atmosphere will get you motivated to stroll thru Downtown and bring your pet! You may even catch our Jeep there outfitted with our Logo because we always support Local. Consumers tend to gravitate towards the Big Box Stores but don't forget about what is offered locally. I always say if we don't support Small Businesses, then they will close down. When it comes to your pet's needs, think about all the business right here in town and how supporting these businesses can make a difference in our community. Dr. Gerri S. Reid is the Owner/Veterinarian of Reid Mobile Veterinary Services. 540-623-3029; reidmobilevetservices.com ; facebook eVetServices Photo by Reid Mobile Services

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Astrology & You

THE POETRY MAN

cazimi: heart of the sun

By Frank Fratoe

By Dianne Bachman

Hidden But There Often cities overwhelm us when our streetlight haze blocks out stars at night, and not even wind pulsing can clear the human-smog of traffic so persistent. Yet constellations keep encircling high above us to show figures of magic, and running through them is a long celestial-river people call the Milky Way. Somehow not very far off there are forests hidden no one sees beyond dusk, and a silver-cove is near where you can still press the sand under your feet.. Frank Fratoe lives & writes in the city.he loves.

Of all the astrological jargon, my favorite term is "cazimi". To me, the word elicits a sense of wonder and fun. I just like saying it. Cazimi. And what makes it even more magical is the fact that Neptune will be in its cazimi (exact) on March 8, 2020, at 8:07 a.m. For those who do not know what a cazimi is, I will explain. When any planet comes within 0 degrees and 17 minutes of the sun, it is said to be in its cazimi. Borrowed from ancient Arabic astrology, the translation is roughly "heart of the Sun". So, in a birth chart when a planet is exactly conjunct (together) with the Sun and there are zero degrees and only up to 17 minutes difference between them on the zodiac wheel, that is when the magic can happen. It is as if the planet in cazimi is supercharged by the Sun, turning the planet's attributes and mission into an astrological superpower. The upside for transiting Neptune's cazimi this month is that it can bring out the dreamy, poetic, visionary or even musical side of us. It can also represent the more altruistic and maybe spiritually connected energies within, though it is also easy to feel bogged down, confused or heavy. In the latter circumstance, there can be an urge to escape from our reality into one of our own making. I have found a true cazimi (0 degrees and 17 minutes or less) to be sort of rare, though not uncommon. My son, Daniel, was born when Mercury was in its

Historic Renwick Courthouse 815 Princess Anne Street, Downtown Fredericksburg

cazimi and it is almost exact save for one minute. He is a prolific musician, having recorded 14 albums and if you look on YouTube, there are endless videos that folks have posted of his music or other musicians covering his songs. The following people were also born with a planet in its cazimi: Ram Dass: Uranus in Aries. Uranus is the innovator, the rebel, the independent thinker who shakes things up and he sure did! Carole King: Mercury in Aquarius. The most successful female songwriter of the Boomer generation, having written 118 top hits. Oprah Winfrey: Venus in Aquarius. Amazingly popular and known for her huge heart. Steve Wozniak: Pluto in Leo. Pluto transforms, tears down and forces us to innovate for the new. Co-founded Apple and paved the way for personal computers. Donna Summer: Jupiter in Leo in the 5th house! Queen of Disco. During the new Moon each month, the moon will have its cazimi and this is an excellent time to focus on planting the seeds of something you would like to manifest in your life, depending on the sign of the new Moon. Now, let us look at some key planetary players for March 2020: March 1st: Mercury will still be in retrograde and will enter Aquarius. Though Mercury stations direct on March 10, we will remain in the shadow of the retrograde until the end of March. On March 16th, Mercury will enter the sign of Pisces (when we might be more apt to use our imagination OR get lost in our daydreams).

March 5th: Venus enters Taurus and will be conjunct Uranus. New relationships could suddenly pop up or we could feel the urge to add some excitement to current relationships. Creativity and the novel are also highlighted under this influence, lasting until March 16th. March 7/8: Neptune will enter its cazimi (exact) at 8:30 am at 18 degrees, 23 minutes of Pisces. To see where this might impact your natal chart, look to see where 18 degrees of Neptune is located. It might be helpful to ask yourself: How do I honor my intuitive self? Where do my dreams take me? March 20: Vernal Equinox, 11:50 pm. Happy first day of spring! Sun enters the sign of Aries and is conjunct Chiron. The next week or so may present opportunities to take action and own your role of warrior/healer in your own life. If old 'stuff' is burbling up, the universe supports you in efforts to release and heal. March 21: Saturn enters the sign of Aquarius: Energies are optimal for spring cleaning and planning for the future. March 24: New Moon in Aries: Moon in its cazimi exact at 5:28 am. The very best time to meditate on starting something new in your life, especially if you have lacked motivation or courage. If you have tended to put other people and things before your own needs, this is a good time to reflect on actions that will support changing the pattern. March 30: Mars enters Aquarius: A time to revisit the ideas you planted on March 24, as the planetary energies infuse this with uniqueness and energy to move forward. Diane Bachman is a psychotherapist & astroger practicing in FXBG. She can be reached at dbachmanlcsw@gmail ..com Illustration: 16th C. Woodcut

front porch fredericksburg

March 2020

Diane Beyer

Fredericksburg Sketches

new fxbg Public Works Director

A visual Celebration of our community

By Casey Alan Shaw

By Sonja cantu Historic Interpreter, and service as a National Park Ranger for 15 years. Additionally, Ray Regan is being promoted to Assistant Director of the department. "Between Diane, Ray and Tim Slaydon (Assistant Director of Utilities) the Public Works Department will have leadership in hardscape, environmental services, utilities, and facilities that our growing community demands," says Baroody.

There has been a change in leadership in the City's Public Works Department. The previous Director, Dave King, retired in January. "After two broad searches since August, we have determined that our own Diane Beyer is the best candidate for the job," states City Manager Tim Baroody. Diane Beyer was hired by the City as Assistant Director in 2017. She is certified as an ISA Arborist, Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector, Virginia Urban Nutrient Management Planner, and certified in 6 Pesticide Applicator categories. Her diverse background includes employment as: VDOT Contractor for State Roadside Management Division where she implemented the statewide Pollinator Habitat Program, member of the Commonwealth's DCR/DEQ team on the Chesapeake Bay Act/Stormwater/Nutrient Credit Trading programs, District Manager of the Tri-County City Conservation District, longtime Environmental Educator and Chief

Ray Regan was hired by the City in 2015 as Manager Public Facilities. With a Bachelor in Business Administration and an Associate's degree in Heating and A/C, he was formerly Director of Facilities and Construction Services at Mary Washington Healthcare. Ray's significant experience in all facets of construction, handling many multi-million dollar projects, with prior role as Director of Environmental Services at Service Master, have contributed to the City's overall efforts to maintain and costsave in all of our city buildings. For more information on the Fredericksburg Public Works, please visit www.fredericksburgva.gov or call 540372-1023.

Now Featuring Jewelry Appraisals & Various Jewelry Evaluations by Nancy Yun-Sheldon.

Sonja Cantu, a local artist , is the Public Information Officer for the City of Fredericksburg She can be reached at 540-372-1010 ext. 304, or spcantu@fredericksburgva.gov

This sketch is based upon a photo by my friend Susan Larson who used to edit a local news website. If you're reading this column during March and it feels like early spring, enjoy the snowy scene as a reminder of how much snow we endured in previous Fredericksburg winters. But as I currently sit here writing this column, it's the middle of February and we're enjoying yet another pretty day. I can only hope I haven't tempted fate with this snow scene and jinxed your day as you sit reading this during March and provoked a late season blizzard. If so, my humblest apologies.

606 Caroline Street Old Town Fredericksburg 373-7847 www.gemstonecreations.org

Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged March 2020

When I came across this old sketch of Kenmore covered in snow, it reminded me of how little of the white stuff we've seen this winter. My relatives in temperate Texas have seen more snow this season than we have.

.Casey Alan Shaw is a local artist. He teaches art at James Madison University and Germanna Community College and exhibits his original artwork and limited-edition prints at Art First Gallery and at www.caseyshaw.com.

Please call for an appointment

SKETCH #63: Kenmore in Snow.

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Tuesday - Friday 10-5:30 Saturday 10-4

Shop Local Welcome to Downtown Fredericksburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Main Street District fredericksburgdowntown.org

DOWNTOWNERS Techs in the burg by Georgia Strentz

Eileen and David Secrest, a great couple,who greet you in their cozy computer shop, Techs in the Burg, on Caroline St., two more reasons to love Fredericksburg! What makes Downtown Fredericksburg so enjoyable to visit and shop in? Eat in? Visit? Live? Well, I visit downtown to take care of most all of my needs, including my housing needs. What is this oh so good, safe, feeling really? After 50 years here, I have decided,the smiling friendly faces of our people are genuine. unlike most tourist townsand, it's the merchants, who mostly own their stores, and who live downtown. They visit with each other,buy each others merchandise, encourage each other,and really know and love their customers, and treat the tourists, like friends, who often are so charmed, they come back to Fredericksburg to retire.

Often, tourists move here, and get another job to commute to D.C. and raise their family here. So we have a healthy community of second a third generations (and even further back to Civil War era families, who came and stayed) The merchants inhabitat a world they create each day, including so much of the charitable activities for our homeless population.The heart of downtown is displayed, fresh water in the large generous dog bowls in front of every store. Eileen who decided to move to D.C. when she graduated from UN, Chapel Hill, as a communications major. She met David who was raised here in Fredericksburg, and studied Architecture and computers at Catholic Univ.ersity. He has been into computers "forever," (even the Tandy TRS80 of the 70's) for those of you who love computers as David does!!

away to charitible organizations, Volunteers for the Blind, Childcare Network.. Eileen, who quilts and gardens and David whose hobby is practicing on his drum set, are also an animal friendly business so look to be" well-loved', by their furry loved ones.

Eileen commuted into D,C, on trains, planes and automobiles for many years, and several years ago, she and David decide to open their quaint downtown shop,"Techs in the Burg."

Techs in the Burg has been named; Best in the Burg, Best Internet Provider, Best Place to Work, Best Computer Repair And check out Tech AM 1230

Techs In the Burg gives away many computers every years to our local

Bailey my trusty biking companion loves to sit in our bike basket and say hi to the Tech cats, Triple Baby, Baby, Double Baby, Millie (above). and have a do-nut at Freddy's on Kenmore Ave All for now from the Gal bout town .til April

Techs In The Burg 1025 Caroline St. 540-3 371-2 2874 techsintheburg.com fb@techsintheburg

Freedom Society Tea and Gifts Nicole & Karen Robyn Combine Tea with Human Trafficking Awareness

Nicole and Karin Robyn are a mother and daughter team with a passion for freedom and tea, and they have recently opened their own local storefront that reflects these passions! Freedom Society is part tea room and part gift shop; it sells stunning

handcrafted products made by survivors of human trafficking and each sale helps to bring freedom and empowerment around the world. "We really wanted to create a place where we could carry more things and have a space where people can celebrate special occasions, meet friends and have an impact," Nicole said. The gift shop section carries handcrafted items, including organic skin care products, leather goods and purses made by survivors of human trafficking The pair lived in Devon, England for several years in a small countryside town where their family had immigrated from, and they soon became obsessed with all things tea and scones. During that time, Nicole also started her own freedom

business called Polished Pearl, which makes beautiful bridal accessories made by survivors. She now runs her business internationally and serves on the worldwide board of the Freedom Business Alliance. Karin has loved cooking and baking since she was little, and after taking several classes and interning at a bakery, she is excited to bring those beloved British flavors of classic cream tea and high tea to downtown Fredericksburg.

Freedom Society Tea & Gifts 1015 Caroline Street (540) 212-4 4256 freedomsocietyfxbg.com fb@freedomsocietyfxbg

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March 2020