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cori blanch & megan samples

Curitiba Art Cafe

a blessing to the ‘burg

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In this month of giving thanks, a note of gratitude goes to the folks at Curitiba Art Café-the inviting hub of community life on Caroline Street across from our historic Market Square. Curitiba's owners Cori Blanch and Megan Samples have designed their café as a threshold through which the world and its array of creative offerings can enterincluding the spectrum of artists who periodically exhibit their works and the musicians who treat guests to weekend performances ranging from Bluegrass to Rock to Salsa. work we do at Curitiba within the community."

A hallmark quality of Cori and Megan is their unbridled enthusiasm for adventure and unintimidated spirit in the face of any challenge-one of which was taking the reins of the café, a firsttime entrepreneurial venture for both. But, the greatest challenge in taking ownership of Curitiba was not a learning curve. Megan had been one of the café's managers when its original owners, Frank and Ana Robinson, approached them in January 2020 about the possibility of buying the business. By the time they took over the business, it was July and the pandemic was in fullthrottle and lock-downs and CDC restrictions were in place. "It was definitely a challenge, but also a great opportunity," said Megan. "Frank and Ana worked hard to put us in the best position starting out. We felt that it was really important to 'pay forward' the opportunities we had been given. That drives the principles we embrace and the In addition to serving as advocates for local artists, Cori and Megan are involved in a range of local community-service and advocacy organizations such as Continuum of Care for the homeless. Their care and concern also extend to the young people they employ. "We try to create opportunities for our staff to move up, providing tools and mentorship along the way," said Megan. That investment of heart is, in turn, reflected in the baristas' thoughtful service to their customers. "Some of the most rewarding parts of our experience with Curitiba are the relationships we've

made with the community and the growth we've seen in our employees," said Cori.

"Relationships are everything," said Megan. "We are happy to serve as a hub where people can come in and feel welcomed and comfortable.” Such a

By collette caprara

diversity of people come to Curitiba-all different kinds of people, people of all different backgrounds, interests, ages, and demographics.

A Pioneering Road Trip

This summer, Megan and Cori's spirit of adventure was displayed to the max, as they launched off for a two-week cross-country road trip on motorcycles. They had been following the YouTube postings of a long-distance motorcyclist, "Where the Magpie Flies. " When they heard about the Rocky Mountain Roll Bikers ' Fest that she was hosting in Corvallis, Montana, they determined that that event would be their destination-a trip of more than 5,000 miles through 15 states. For those who are wondering how the Bike Fest in Montana was, it turns out that the journey took longer than anticipated and Cori and Megan missed the event. "But we got as far as the Big Sky National Park," said Cori with resilient enthusiasm, "and, next year, we'll get our tickets to do it one more time!"

Collette Caprara is a local writer and artist with Brush Strokes Gallery.

They carefully chose and secured all their gear, including c a m e r a equipment, a camp kitchen, and a virtual portable garage with tools for maintenance, lubrication, c h a i n maintenance and repairs. "There's no substitute for experience when it comes to planning for what you will really need. There were a lot of places-especially in South Dakota, Montana, and Nebraska-where there were long stretches with nothing around. We definitely learned a lot traveling through those spaces about what we need for next time," said Megan. In fact, their journals of the trek include the harrowing story of riding through the dark of night in the rain, with a gas tank teetering on empty. "That was definitely a learning experience," said Megan.

The couple had decided to avoid the main highways for most of the trip and that choice brought some unforgettable experiences. Travelling down one gravel road, they crested a small hill to encounter "fields and fields of sunflowers, as far as the eye can see." Curitiba Art Cafe 919 Caroline St, Downtown Offering specialty Brazilian coffee & espresso, pastries, & light food options. A hub for artists of all mediums curitibaartcafe.com facebook@Curitiba art cafe

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"If anything, the trip helped us understand what is possible," said Cori. "We definitely want to do another trip on these motorcycles, and we want to do more remote motorcycling trips."

320 Emancipation Hwy fxbgfoodcoop@gmail.com fredericksburgfoodcoop.com

Jenna Edwards Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Rita Allan Sally Cooney Anderson Dianne Bachman Laurie Black Sonja Cantu Collette Caprara Beverly Coates ElizabethDaly Janet Douberly Jeannie Ellis Jenna Elizabeth Edwards Frank Fratoe Bill Freehling Jon Gerlach Hilary Jacobs Hendel Anne Hicks Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks Christie Hoerneman Nancy Kelly David C. Kennedy Christine Lush-Rodriquez Lisa Chinn Marvashti Ray Mikula Anne-Tillery Melson Vanessa Moncure M.C.Morris Pete Morelewicz Patrick Neustatter ML Power Gerri Reid Paula Raudenbush Rob Rudick Mandy Smith Anne Timpano Rim Vining Tina Will Norma Woodward

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

The mission of Front Porch Fredericksburg is to connect the diverse citizenry of Fredericksburg with lively features and informative columns of interest to our community’s greatest resource, its people.

Messages from our readers are welcome. All article submissions must be received by e-mail by the 16th & calendar items the 19th of the month preceding publication.

Writers / Artists / Photographers are welcome to request Guidelines and query the Publisher by e-mail.

ON THE PORCH

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Copyright 2022 Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine All rights reserved.

gift of history

by jenna elizabeth edwards

This Thanksgiving marks our third living in Fredericksburg, and when I reflect on what I love and am most grateful for about this place, it is the sensation that history is alive and essential here. I believe that history is alive everywhere, but in most places, it's underground and any chance of finding it requires substantial digging. It is difficult to imagine what came before you if there is no trace of its heartbeat. But in Fredericksburg, that heartbeat is a rhythm you can nearly dance to, it's so palpable. And when you open your senses to the people and events that surround and precede you, your sense of family and continuity expands with it. It is no longer just 2022, but 2022 layered on centuries of history and change and development. It is special when you can live your daily moments in the presence of the infinite and know that by your very existence, you're passing on a baton that has long predated you and that will long surpass you.

I am blessed that my history is now so deeply intertwined with that of Fredericksburg. My husband, Fred, and I were married at the Fredericksburg Court House on March 14, 2022. It felt aweinspiring to formalize our union and family amidst so much history - home to the only Gothic Revival courthouse and Revere Foundry Bell in Virginia; a site that had served as an observation point during two Civil War battles and for the administration of the Freedmen ' s Bureau. A few months later, we opened the Edwards Law Firm at 802A Princess Anne St. After picking up the keys, we christened our 'homecoming' by researching the history of the building, courtesy of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. (HFFI). We learned that Dr. Robert Wellford, grandfather of the building's original owner, Dr. Beverly R. Wellford, was revered for his ethical treatment of American prisoners during the Revolutionary War, and would thereafter become President Washington's choice for Surgeon General. The building has since been occupied primarily by attorneys, and we could not be more thrilled to join that legacy.

In the aftermath of the COVID19 pandemic, it has been such a treat to begin engaging with all the Fredericksburg seasonal traditions. I loved serving as a volunteer for Historic Garden Week and learning about the pivotal role of Fredericksburg women and Kenmore in founding the Garden Club of Virginia. My family and I had such a memorable evening at the centennial celebration of the George Washington Foundation. I had a blast dancing and enjoying all the amazing local performers at the Sounds of Summer Concert Series in the Fredericksburg Area Museum Courtyard. This autumn, I enjoyed my first pumpkin patch at Belvedere Plantation and absolutely adore that Fredericksburg is home to one of the most widely celebrated fall festivals in the state. I cannot wait to experience another Fredericksburg Christmas Parade amidst family and friends, of course with hot chocolate from Agora's in hand. The window decorating competitions and seasonal decorations just fill the air with the festive spirit. I am eager for all my firsts to come - including a Fredericksburg Hauntings Ghost Tour this Halloween, HFFI's Historic Pub Crawl in November, and the 52nd Annual Candlelight Tour. I know that Fredericksburg will be such a beautiful home to grow our family and careers.

I am also grateful and impressed by Fredericksburg's efforts to face the darker and more somber aspects of history with resilience, creativity, dignity, and an eye towards how we can better grow in community. I was profoundly moved by the ceremonial unveiling of the historical marker commemorating the Walker-G Grant Class of 1950 Protest. I was also touched by Fredericksburg National Cemetery ' s Luminaria and the city's ceremony in honor of Memorial Day. I have been privileged to write about the people and organizations that honor, celebrate, and advocate for the rich diversity in our past, present, and future.

I firmly believe that history can be our greatest asset if we are receptive to and grateful for its lessons. It is our common thread and inherently relational, rooting us to each other within a particular place and time. What we make of this relationship is up to us. I am thankful to be forging that relationship with and within Fredericksburg. My sincere gratitude to Virginia Grogan for welcoming me as a writer to the Front Porch Magazine, Fredericksburg's source of good news since 1997. Read it cover to cover to learn about all our amazing community has to offer.

Jenna Edwards and her husband, Fred Edwards, own The Edwards Law Firm, located at 802A Princess Anne St. across from the historic Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge No. 4 and City Hall.

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