Front Porch Fredericksbrug July 2023

5Suad McClain welcome to he living room

11FIliz Tabak New Umw business dean

23huda maltbie rehana’s : a gathering place

Porch talk

3 who knew? Refuge Lake’s version of gary goose

4 on the porch...life in fredericksburg messages

7everything greens: mission, vision, values

8In the Garden: my thumbs not green

9growing & crawling: the worst berry

10i have a friend: change of the guard

12tidbits...small bites of local news

13 season’s bounty: hooray for red white blue

15vino: le fete nationale

16-17Calendar of Events

18history’s stories: german midget sub in fxbg

100th anniversary: fairview baptist church

19 what’s in the air? flying cameras

20mental health: legacy of the affordable care act

21Emancipated patients: doctor decisions

22auto known better: ancient language of lawns

23 bastille day celebration

24art in the burg ...galleries in July

25porchfest: celebration of music

26supporting independence

28housing Crisis impact

29astrology & you poetryman: undying gift

30fredericksburg sketches

31 what’s up with your website?

...And More!

6 walk around challenge winners

22about town: gary goose & don elliott

28 a stroll downtown

Cover: “”Old Glory in Old Fredericksburg”, By David DC. Kennedy

Front porch fredericksburg

Delighted by the photographs of nature I saw on Facebook that were taken by my husband's cousin Joe Altieri, I asked if I might use them as a reference for some of my oil paintings. With his hallmark generosity and humility, "Joey" replied Absolutely! Joe is an avid and inspired photographer who thinks nothing of rising at 5:00 am and traveling miles to distant sites for a photo shoot and he gladly shares the fruits of his labors.

As I went through the treasure trove of Joe's images, one especially caught my eye. (Pun intended.) It was a photo of a reddish owl with one eye closed and seemed to be winking at the viewers. As I painted, I thought that the owl seemed to be sharing some secret and I dubbed the finished product "Wise Guy!" I included this painting in the June exhibition at the co-op gallery I belong to, Brush Strokes

At the First Friday opening reception for that exhibit, while perusing the artworks that were on display, I was surprised to see that, among the offerings of wildlife photographer, Jason Bradshaw, an owl was also featured-this one with both eyes closed-which was titled "Sleepy Time."

Since taking up photography about four years ago, after backpackinging through such National Parks as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon, Jason has been enamored with wildlife, particularly bears. He discovered enchanting photo opportunities in at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, which supports one of the densest populations of black bears ever reported.

In talking with Jason that night, I told him that I was amazed that our

the most popular owl

By collette caprara

gallery's exhibit would feature two different owls, not a typical image depicted in our artwork. To which, he responded that, in fact, he was 90 % sure that they were not two different owls, but one and the same. He said he first saw the owl he photographed at the Refuge's Lake Pungo after seeing another photographer investigating its tree.

"A lot of photographers have a picture of the same owl on Facebook. It always just had one eye open or both eyes closed. Word just got around about this owl. I'd say he was the most popular owl in North Carolina-kkind of like the Refuge's version of Fredericksburg's Gary Goose" Jason said.

Intrigued, I sent a message to Joe, asking where he took that picture. In short time, he replied saying that he took the picture of the golden-orange Screech Owl that I was asking about at Pungo, about two hours from his home in Raleigh.

Jason now says he is 99.9 % sure that the owl in their artwork is the same. Joe recently wrote. "Jason and I have connected and it's amazing that two people from two different parts of the world captured the same owl in the same tree. Life is amazing!"

Collette Caprara is a writer, artist & lover of all of life's blessings

Jason Bradshaw, “Sleepy TIme”

Collette Caprara, “Wise Guy”

Norma Woodward

ON THE PORCH

Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Rita Allan

front porch: 27 years of good news

Sally Cooney Anderson

Dianne Bachman Bonnie Baker

Sonja CantuCollette Caprara

Gary CloseRyan Cudahy

Janet DouberlyJo Ann Dinwoodie

Jeannie Ellis

Jenna Elizabeth EdwardsFrank Fratoe

Bill FreehlingJon Gerlach

Alexis GroganAnnie Harpe

Ralph “Tuffy” HicksNancy Kelly

David C. Kennedy

Joyce KinnardRay Mikula

Kristin MoellerVanessa Moncure

Pete MorelewiczLaura Moyer

Patrick Neustatter

M.L. PowersPaula Raudenbush

Gerri ReidRob Rudick

Jen SnowMandy Smith

Rim Vining Tina Will

Norma WoodwardVon Young

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.

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 2023

Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine

All rights reserved.

By Norma woodward

Entering many businesses in this area, you will notice "Front Porch" on the counter or a table near the door. Pick it up and peruse this local treasure. The publication has a history.

In 1997 Rob and Virginia Grogan started publishing " Front Porch Fredericksburg" choosing to highlight the good things happening locally. Unfortunately, Rob passed away several years ago, but Virginia keeps the publication running and distributes to the myriad locations where it can be picked up - FREE!

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

This area has changed extensively over the years since the publication began. Many of us "long timers" (my husband and I moved here in 1963) have watched the changes with dismay. It is sometimes difficult to realize that we have a once small town that is inexorably merging with the metropolitan areas to our north and to our south.

Enter a publication like "Front Porch" working to keep the character of the area intact. Flipping through each month's edition reveals the unique character and characters of the city. The diversity of the columns, which are usually written by locals, is amazing. No matter what your interests, you will be able to find information.

Are you a gardener? Check "In the Garden" or "Growing & Crawling" "Our Heritage" talks about the history which surrounds us. Several columns tell us how to maintain our health. Fredericksburg is a fantastic art town. "Art in Burg" lists numerous art galleries and studios. There are frequently articles

about individual artists.

Front Porch also gives local artists and writers a venue in which to publish. The cover art and the various columns cover many creative topics and types of artwork. Articles about the music scene keep everyone in the entertainment loop.

A large number of local residents actually work out of town and spend extra time commuting. It is not always easy to learn about our neighbors or for them to truly know us. "Front Porch" also addresses that issue with interesting articles about individuals who live here. Read about where we travel, what we eat, our pets, our opinions, our kids, and their activities.

What happening around the area? The two page "Calendar of Events" will tell you. It's also an excellent resource for visitors from out of town who are unaware of the scope of activities and exhibitions.

Many years ago, the search for services involved opening the "phone book", which really did exist for every community. The book listed the phone numbers of everyone in town and at the back were "yellow pages" where you could find a plumber, a doctor, a gardener, automobile repair and anything else you needed. The local advertisements in Front Porch serve in the same way.

These days when we are constantly bombarded with various media which emphasizes the unpleasant, and at times terrifying, happenings in our global existence, how wonderful it is to have "Front Porch" write about the popular city

dock famous resident Gary the Goose or about friendship or how to cook a local dish.

True to its published mission, "Front Porch" articles remind us of how lucky we are to live in a diverse community with fascinating residents, interesting activities, fabulous art, and a publication which helps remind us of the specialness of it all.

I think I'll pour a glass of iced tea, sit on the deck, and enjoy the beautiful day while reading local positive news in "Front Porch Cover-to-Cover".

Thank you, Virginia, for continuing our community newsletter "Front Porch".

Norma Woodward is a local photographer and writer. She has contributed several cover phographs for Front Porch. Her photograhy can be viewed at Brush Strokes Gallery

Suad McClain is excited to welcome everyone in Fredericksburg to her majles, which is Arabic for 'living room.' As the owner of Suad's Majles Desserts and Coffee, McClain specializes in unique, delicious Bahraini desserts.But it is more than just desserts and coffee.

Suad McClain

welcomes you to her “living Room

”

by ryan cudahy

years ago she moved to Stafford, and as of last week, she is the proud owner of a local Fredericksburg business.

"It's a friendly place," McClain said of Fredericksburg.

In Hawaii, McClain started a cheesecake business called In the “Jar by

Specialty sandwiches and salads are also on the menu.

McClain moved from Bahrain to Hawaii in 2003, where she went to culinary school and perfected the recipes of her home country and family. Three

Suad” in 2015, where she focused on private and pop-up events. Since she was nine years old, she always dreamt of owning a coffee shop and bakery. Many of McClain's baked goods are inspired by the recipes of her grandma, such as her basbousas and three-layer cake. She is excited to have opened her brick and mortar business in Fredericksburg, as she is a firm believer in supporting local businesses.

"This is home," McClain said. "You support your people."

As an avid traveler, McClain said that Fredericksburg reminds her of London and other European cities. She fell in love with Fredericksburg even more

once she started to meet the local business owners, who made her feel welcome in the city. McClain considers herself a very social person, and loves to host guests in her living room. Now, with Suad's Majles, she has the opportunity to welcome people to her living room as a career. Suad's Majles is McClain's passion, and she is excited to provide her delicious desserts to Fredericksburg.

"I want my customers to come here and feel home," she said.

Open every day except tuesday, 7a-7p. Stop by, sit in the Majles snd relax. Be sure to say hello and chat awhile with Suad.

Suad's Majles Desserts & Coffee

2619 Princess Anne Street

Open Wednesday-MMonday, 7a-77p (540) 940-66423 facebook@suads majles instagram com/suads majles

Eric B “Captured at City Dock”

Sara M “Out at the Quarry with an Adoptable Dog”

Les Anne F “Buddies on a Bench”

Judy L, “Gary Goose”

Anne S. “Bald Cypress Knees Are Taller Than A 4th Grader

Jennifer T “Maggie’s in the Heart of Downtown”

Tara B Taken by Her 12 year old daughter

Downtown Greens began when Laura Shepherd planted a garden on the unused land behind her home at 206 Charles Street (now Downtown Greens offices) , inspiring the curiosity of neighborhood children. With the help of Lisa Biever, Eric Olsen and Mark Jacobson, Laura established Downtown Greens as a nonprofit organization in 1995. Its nonprofit status helped Downtown Greens purchase the land behind 206 Charles Street, which became known as the Lower Garden.

Four years later, an additional parcel of land across the street at Princess Anne and Dixon Streets was purchased creating what is now referred to as the Upper Garden. Thus a little baby garden began to grow up.

Flash forward to 2013. Sarah Perry, dancer, clown, volunteer, and all 'round swell person, took over the Executive Director position. She continued to run the organization and gardens with the help of staff, volunteers, and community members. The entire 2.8 acres was placed under conservation easement in 2015 to conserve it in perpetuity.

Everything Greens mission, vision, values

By Janet Douberly

The young garden was gaining strength, reach, and knowledge. We were hitting our teen years!

Now, 10 years later, we have a larger staff and a LOT more land. The addition of the new 56 acres has made us look around and realize how far this little organization has come!

With all the changes and growth happening, Sarah and our amazing Board Members knew it was time to take a moment to look at where we've been, where we are, and where we are headed.

With that in mind, they have created our newly updated mission statement that really hones in on what Downtown Greens is all about. They have also created a vision statement and defined our values.

We look forward to bringing this organization to the next level and spreading the good word for many years to come.

Please allow us to share with you our updated Mission, Vision, and Values… Downtown Greens Mission statement: To enhance the well-being of our community, by connecting people with nature through education and the preservation of greenspaces.

What does this mean?

A Mission Statement is important as it accurately defines our organization's guiding principles. Our Vision Statement is a description of the desired future state of, not only the organization, but also the community and, dare we say, the world. Our Values represent our core beliefs that inspire and guide our choices in the way we operate and interact with our community.

Vision statement: One day, we will live in a world where the community feels a deep connection with each other,nature, and the food they eat.

Values:

Sustainability- We are intentional in the use of all resources and mindful of how our actions impact the community and the world.

Inclusion - We honor diversity by respecting the innate worth of all persons, cultures, and abilities. We are stronger because of the varied contributions of all.

Stewardship - We accept responsibility to care for the land and to educate and encourage the community to become active contributors to a healthy environment.

Optimism - We believe in our community, and the ability to bring change for the better through our actions, words, and intentions.

Service - We dedicate ourselves to creating opportunities for the advancement of the community.

Janet Douberly is proud to be on the team at Downtown Greens.

In the Garden my thumb’s not green

By ray mikula

day. Check this during May, June or July when the sun is at its peak. What is the ph of your soil and what kinds of nutrients does it need. Do a soil test and get all the info you need.

Many people have told me, as they see pictures of my gardens, that I have a green thumb. If they ever saw the many plants that I have sent to the compost pile due to my negligence they might say something else. Every gardener has their own mishaps but the key to getting better is to learn from your mistakes. Trial and error goes only so far in one lifetime. So I'll share a few tips to make things easier.

Know your garden spaces. How is the moisture there. Does the ground stay soggy for a long time or does it drain well? How much sunlight does it receive each

Know your plants. So many times I will see a flowering plant I can't resist. But I've learned to see what it's needs are first and see if I can meet them. The tag will let me know how much sun it needs each day, how often it needs water, and spacing. Some will say if it needs well drained soil or can stand having its roots in wet conditions. You might need to look that one up on line. Plants that are planted properly and in the right space grow and bloom best. If you don't have enough sun, your plant will bloom less or not at all. Instead of growing larger, it will shrink until it dies. If you give plants too much water they will get root rot. Too little water will make them wilt. Some plants need little or no fertilizer while others do better with a regular fertilizing schedule. Are your plants susceptible to diseases and what are they. How do you know how to prevent this from happening.

Sharing information on plants and gardening is the mission of The Master Gardener Associa-ttion in our area They present free talks with guest speakers throughout the year. These are usually at the public libraries of the Central Rappahannock Region. They are

free and open to the public and are often offered on Zoom. You can visit the website at MGACRA org for the current schedule of speakers. You can also find a Master Gardener booth at the Farmers Market at Rt. 3 and Gordon Road on Saturdays throughout the summer or at Cossey

August 5th and 19th. The Master Gardeners are not at Hurkamp Park this year. We'll get you started in the right direction. We also have soil sample test kits from VA Tech with instructions and many Va Tech gardening pub-lications for free. Soon your thumb too will be green. Until the next time, happy gardening.

RayMikula is a Master Gardener. He has several acres of garden space & has been gardening for 62 years. Before retiring Ray was a Earth Science & Astronomy Teacher

Master Gardener booth at the Farmers Market at Rt 3 and Gordon Road on Saturdays throughout the summer or at Cossey Botanical Park in Freder-iicksburg at 1601 Kenmore Avenue on July 1st and 15th and August 5th and 19th

Botanical Park in Freder-icksburg at 1601 Kenmore Avenue on July 1st and 15th and

Berry Bugs in the UK they are referred to as Harvest Mites Here in the states we call the Chiggers No matter what you call them, we can all agree they are terrible.

It's that time of year again. Time when these horrible little beasts wait patiently for some unsuspecting person or animal to walk by their perch so that they may reach out and ruin someone's day… and week.

From the family trombiculidae, they live in forests and grasslands and most places there is vegetation. They are most numerous in early summer when grass, weeds, and other vegetation are heaviest.

In their larval stage, they crawl onto their hosts and inject digestive enzymes into the skin that break down skin cells. They do not actually "bite", but instead form a hole in the skin, called a stylostome, and chew up tiny parts of the

Growing & Crawling the worst berry

By janet douberly

inner skin. This causes severe irritation and itching.

These relatives of ticks are nearly microscopic, measuring 1/60 of an inch, and have a red to orange color. If they weren't so horrific they would be pretty.

Alas, by the time most humans start to itch, the larvae have already gotten what they needed and have fallen onto the ground to continue their life cycle. Alas, no need to cover yourself in fingernail polish! A hot shower and topical medicines help with the itching and the skin should heal itself within a week or two!

Janet Douberly has not encountered any chiggers at Downtown Greens.

“I Have A Friend” changing of the guard

By joyce kinnard

The Senior Visitors program has been serving Fredericksburg and the surrounding communities for 23 years. The program began in order to address the loneliness and isolation too many older adults feel. Loneliness and isolation are known risk factors for depression and are not a normal part of the aging process.

Through a volunteer visitor or through MHAfred's HELPLINE , we are always working to help older adults in our community feel connected and get any assistance they need. Our volunteers look forward to giving back to the community by supporting our older adults with companionship, friendship and conversation.

Sometimes due to life changes and regardless of age, we have to adjust to twists and turns in our lives. So, it is with mixed emotions that we have to say "goodbye" to Laurie Black Laurie is the current Senior Visitors program Coordinator at Mental Health America of

Fredericksburg. Laurie and her family will be starting a new chapter of their lives later this summer in another state. Sitting down with Laurie, she stated, "Saying goodbye can be difficult whether you've been friends for a long time or a short while. I have written articles about MHAfred's Senior Visitors program since 2017. I have loved highlighting the volunteers and seniors of the Senior Visitors program. They are a constant source of inspiration for me and a special part of our community. I am confident the Senior Visitors program will continue to be a valuable resource for many older adults in our area."

Taking the helm as the new Program Coordinator is Denecia Conner Denecia is a student at VCU pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work. She was previously a HelpLine Coordinator for MHAfred. Denecia enjoys volunteering in her community and advocating for those that are unable to do so for themselves. She is a military spouse and a mom to

three. Denecia says "I am very excited to take on this new role at MHAfred and I look forward to getting to know all our volunteers and participants".

Lastly, I will "pick up the torch" of writing the Front Porch Fredericksburg articles. I have been with the Senior Visitors program since 2016 as a Senior Visitors volunteer and have now accepted the task of keeping you informed of our

work in the community. I'm excited to continue the tradition of bringing exciting news from the Senior Visitor program, introducing the Fredericksburg community to our family of volunteers and program participants.

Although there have been staff changes, the Senior Visitors program will still offer the same excellent services we have always provided to the Fredericksburg community.

Joyce Kinnard is a volunteer with the Senior Visitors program at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.

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) 371-22704 or visit our website at mhafred org Refer a senior or sign up to be a volunteer! The Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.

Left to Right: Joyce Kinnard, Denecia Conner, and Laurie Black

Since 1997

Filiz Tabak umw’s new college of business dean

By laura moyer

Organizational leadership isn't just a scholarly discipline for Filiz Tabak It's also a specialty she has successfully practiced over the past 28 years in the College of Business & Economics at Towson University - as a faculty member, graduate program director, department chair and, most recently, acting associate dean.

Now Tabak brings that expertise to the University of Mary Washington, where she'll become dean of the College of Business (COB) starting July 10.

She already has a plan for her first few months on campus - to learn the strengths, experiences and passions of the faculty she'll lead and the UMW students she'll help educate. At the same time, she plans to connect with the COB Advisory Board, the deans of UMW's College of Arts and Sciences and College of Education, and others in the campus community, "to see what we can accomplish together."

“A primary job of any dean is to understand the culture of the institution”, she said - though she already has a pretty good idea of Mary Washington's. When she learned earlier this year that UMW was seeking a permanent COB dean, a website search led her to UMW's ASPIRE statement of values Those principles - accountability; scholarship; personal and institutional integrity; inclusive excellence; respect and civility; and engagement - resonated deeply, not just as individual items but in combination with one another. "When you as an academic are perfectly aligned with the values of a school, that's really priceless," Tabak said.

Visits to the UMW campus and meetings with students, staff, faculty, administrators and President Troy D

Paino confirmed that impression. When the offer came, she said, accepting "was not a difficult decision at all. I knew I would belong right away, and I knew it was a good fit."

Nurturing an inclusive culture, Tabak said, is not just about demographic diversity, but also about inclusive pedagogy and inclusive scholarship that create a space where students and faculty can grow together. She especially appreciates UMW's approach to preparing students for life after Mary Washington , emphasizing digital knowledge, people skills and undergraduate research. Those elements contribute to students' full development, she said, so they'll leave ready to make contributions wherever they go.

That mirrors Tabak's own path from first-generation college student to seasoned academic. As a child, Tabak absorbed her parents' belief that nothing was more valuable and important than a quality education. She earned a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering and a master's degree in marine physics and chemistry. As she began a career with the multinational corporation Henkel, she earned an MBA from Bogazici University and discovered a passion for understanding organizational behavior.

A connection at Oklahoma State University (OSU) urged her to consider their College of Business Administration for her Ph.D., and that's how she moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Her time at OSU was transformational, where she discovered that her multidisciplinary background gave her a distinct advantage in her research and dissertation on strategic decision-making, applying behavioral decision-making concepts from cognitive psychology.

Doctorate achieved, she became an assistant professor at Towson University in Maryland She progressed through the ranks to full professor, teaching a range of business disciplines, taking on leadership roles and publishing prolifically in peer-reviewed journals. Tabak loved the supportive culture at Towson and considered it "a great place of balance, where I was able to do teaching, scholarship and service to the students and to the community," she said.

In her four years as Department of Management chair, she became a mentor to other department chairs, which she found immensely fulfilling. The experience led to her appointment as acting associate dean and opened her mindset to exploring a deanship of her own - and that, in turn, led her to UMW.

She will succeed COB Interim Dean Ken Machande '94, whom Provost Tim O'Donnell praised for leading the COB's AACSB accreditation effort, striking partnership agreements to the benefit of students with community colleges and four-year institutions in Virginia, and growing enrollment.

Tabak and her husband will move to the area as almost-empty-nesters - their two sons are in college, in Indiana and Pennsylvania. Tabak is excited to live within easy distance of campus and the downtown restaurant, arts, history and shopping scenes.

As ready as Tabak is to embrace UMW and its home city, Mary Washington is eager to welcome her.

"I am excited about Dr. Tabak joining our leadership team," O'Donnell said. "She believes in our mission, is enthusiastic about our future, understands the important work that lies ahead and brings a range of knowledge, experience and a competitive drive that will benefit both the College and the larger University."

Filiz Tabak joins the University of Mary Washington July 10, 2023, as dean of the College of Business.

Laura Moyer is University Relations & Communication Editor

Finest Supermarket Opening in Fredericksburg

A supermarket featuring foods and products from Afghanistan and adjacent countries is opening next month at Fredericksburg's Gateway Village development off State Route 3. Finest Supermarket will be at 2342 Plank Road near the Goodwill store. A child support office was in that space previously; the supermarket's owners have been renovating the space and say it should be ready in June.

The owners of the new store came to the United States from Afghanistan. The business will feature fresh Halal meats, organic fruits and vegetables, fresh-bbaked bread, pastries and more. Food will come from various Asian, European and Middle Eastern countries.

TidBits

small bites of local News

By Bill Freehling

goals, each of which has three action items. The City worked with Richmond-based Chmura Economics & Analytics on the plan. The goals are:

Goal #1: Recruit new businesses to the City

Goal #2 : Develop pro-business policies

Goal #3: Enhance the City's tourism operation, with a focus on sports tourism

Goal #4: Enhance public infrastructure that will drive tourism and business growth

Goal #5 : Redevelop areas of City consistent with Small Area Plans

lGoal #6: Maximize the potential of the City's few remaining greenfield sites

Goal #7 : Help create a competitive workforce

Goal #8: Enhance the City's marketing strategy

Goal #9: Help develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem

Goal #10: Analyze City-owned real estate

Fun Land Sold to Five Star Parks

Fun Land of FXBG which is located at 1351 Central Park Blvd., was sold to Five Star Parks & Attractions.

Fun Land has been a staple of Fredericksburg for more than two decades, delighting generations of families. A recent addition at the complex was the Tailgater's Sports Grill restaurant.

Highway Marker Unveiled

Honoring John Washington

A new historic highway marker honoring John Washington was unveiled in front of the building where he used to live in downtown Fredericksburg.

The marker was unveiled in front of the building that now houses Foode and JON Properties at 900 Princess Anne St. .

VRE Summer Fare-FFree Fridays

No tickets required on Fridays thru September 1

Friday is typically a busy day for traffic in the DC and Northern Virginia region, especially during the afternoon and evening rush hour. But commuters will have a new incentive to ride rail this summer.

Virginia Railway Express, will offer free service on Fridays this summer. Riders can travel without paying a fare at any of the VRE stations on the Manassas and Fredericksburg Lines Fridays from until Sept. 1.Take a ride on the rails.

FXBG Economic Development Plan Adopted

The Fredericksburg Economic Development Strategic Plan includes 10

What's planned for Mary Washington Monument and Caretaker's Lodge?

Watch Freehling Finds on Youtube

Washington Heritage Museums are the new owners of this historic site WHM currently own & operate St, James House, Rising Sun Tavern, Hugh Mercer Apothecary, Mary Washington House

Anytime Fitness Now Open Downtown

The new Anytime Fitness location in downtown Fredericksburg is now open. The roughly 6,500-square-foot facility is part of the William Square Luxury Apartments building along Amelia Street between Washington Avenue and Douglas Street. The fitness center is at 710 Amelia Street , which is at the corner of Washington and Amelia.

Anytime Fitness is available for private memberships and will also be used by guests of the adjacent Publisher Hotel, which is expected to open next year.

The marker, titled "Great Exodus From Bondage" honors the journey of John Washington, who was an enslaved man in Fredericksburg who escaped to freedom on April 18, 1862, during the Civil War. He later wrote a narrative of his life. Washington used to live on the second floor of the building at 900 Princess Anne. The marker unveiling was part of Fredericksburg's continuing efforts to better tell its full history, which recently included the creation of a Civil Rights Trail. Five additional historic markers have also been placed around the City since 2020 commemorating aspects of Fredericksburg's African-American history

Bill Freehling, Fredericksburg's director of economic development and tourism

e a s o n ’ s B o u n t y hooray for the red, white & blue

vanessa moncure

The Fourth of July is our country's summer sparkler and fireworks holiday, celebrated by most everyone in America - this year is our 247th Independence Day. Colorful painted trailers full of pop-rockets, smoking tanks and snapping firecrackers appear in local parking lots, expensive cellophanewrapped packages looking tremendously appealing to the grandchildren-crowd. And the parades! All over the country, community parades of miniature tophatted versions of Abraham Lincoln and Lady Liberty with torch in hand march next to red, white and blue crepe-paper festooned bicycles, strollers and wagonstelevised versions of America's larger parades feature floats honoring our service members, marching bands play patriotic tunes and of course the day would not be complete without a dazzling nighttime fireworks display. Traditional picnics, cookouts and cook-offs sprout in back yards, parks and communities all over the country - and for many workers, the Fourth of July is an extended three-day weekend. Every year our family combines the Fourth with the Third of July, my husband's birthday - the annual theme and decorations are so easy! Several dozen American flags planted outside around the house, balloons and a trip to the fireworks trailer complete the arrangements. A simple hot-dog and hamburger menu rounds out our backyard food festivalthat and the homemade ice cream alongside the birthday cake! probably the best and easiest dessert to make are bar cookies Easy to bake, easy to transport and exceptionally yummy.

MUD HENS

This is a really old family recipe with an unusual name. I still don't know how this name came about, but they are easy and delicious. Let them sit out overnight to crisp up the top, or the meringue will become soggy. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter a 9"x13" baking pan. Beat together one-half cup softened butter with one cup sugar, then add one egg and two egg yolks (save the whites for the topping), one teaspoon vanilla and two tablespoons half and half. Whisk together one and one-half cup flour with a dash of salt and one teaspoon baking powder along with one and one-half cup chopped pecans and stir into mixture. Spread into baking pan and bake ten minutes. While crust is baking, whisk the remaining two egg whites until foamy, add a pinch of cream of tartar and beat until stiff. Whisk

one cup tightly packed light brown sugar until there are no lumps, and gradually fold into the beaten egg whites. Spread over cookie layer and bake an additional twenty to twenty-five minutes or until golden brown. The top will crumble a bit as it cools - wait until the cookies are cool to the touch to cut and serve.

SEVEN LAYER BARS

I have a grandson who is severely allergic to tree nuts, so I leave them out and call them six-layer bars for him. Use either regular sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated) or the newer chocolate flavor. Either way, cut them into tiny squares to serve as they are SO sweet. Wait for these to cool before cutting as well. Preheat oven to 325F. Melt one-half cup butter in a 9"x9" square baking pan (easy to do in microwave if using a glass or microwave-safe pan). Layer in the following order - one cup of graham cracker crumbs (or if you are a complete chocoholic, use crushed oreo cookies instead, along with one can of the chocolate condensed milk) - one cup shredded coconut - one-half cup butterscotch chips - one-half cup semisweet chocolate chips - one cup chopped pecans. Open the can of condensed milk and pour evenly over the top of the bars, do not try to spread it or you will end up with a very messy bar cookie. Bake for thirty-five minutes, or until golden brown all around the edges and shiny on top. Let cool before cutting.

KEY LIME BARS

These are really cool and refreshing - and quite different than lemon bars, although they are based on the same recipe. Preheat oven to 350F. Cut in one cup butter into two cups flour and three-quarter cups confectioner's sugar until the mixture resembles cornmeal and clings together. Spread evenly into bottom of 9"x13" pan and bake for twenty minutes or until lightly browned. While the cookie base is baking, combine four eggs, two cups sugar, onethird cup Key Lime juice (you can find this bottled in most grocery stores, or you can juice regular limes), one tablespoon finely shredded lime zest, one-half cup flour mixed with one-half teaspoon baking powder. Pour over crust and return to oven for an additional fifteen minutes or so until the filling is set. Sprinkle with one cup shredded coconut and return to oven until coconut is lightly browned. Again, wait until the bars are cool before cutting. (If you like the idea of a greener filling, just add a drop or two of green food coloring to the filling mixture before baking).

BY MARY LYNN POWERS

another generation. These are some hard working folks!

There is so much happening in our little city. Every drive through shows new buildings, apartments, townhomes and of course, restaurants. One new local eatery opened up in an unusual spot at 104 Wolfe Street This historically marked house has been renovated into a two story lounge and restaurant. The owners are an interesting couple. Rick is ex-AAir Force and soon to be a retired federal employee and Huda his wife, is a real estate agent by day and chef extraordinaire at night The pervading theme is local with a global twist.

Huda has been around restaurants all her life, and acquired her "chops" watching her mother cook Indian food. Her mother, Rehana was a professor in India, but unable to find a teaching position in the US, she saved enough to open a restaurant in1976. Faisuda in DC became a favorite for locals and visitors looking for authentic Indian cuisine. Her story is one of hard work, family loyalty, and striving towards the American dream which has obviously carried forward into

Huda and Rick Maltbie’s vision is to have a local gathering spot that serves a variety of ethnic and local dishes as well as specialty wine paired dinners and cooking classes. Though Indian cooking will be a part of the menu, other dishes such as Spanish Paella or Rick's family pierogis will be interspersed periodically Huda stated “you many never catch the same menu, but rather a variety of local heritages and cuisines.”

and end tables that lent to an intimate setting. We tried a tequila lemonade concoction which Rick started us out on. The tequila was pineapple flavored and topped with a cherry bourbon. Many of the drinks offer a distinct blend or ingredient.

Later, Jessica, their daughter took over at the bar and we talked as she made the involved cocktails. They offer small plates in the lounge and we tried a tandoori chicken dish served with pitas and a mango chutney They had a garlic shrimp dish, also cooked to perfection. They do not want to do a large menu, just a selection of well honed dishes, that Huda claims she makes in honor of her mother.

Right now, they are open in the lounge on Thursday 6-9, and Friday and Saturday from 6 to ll. They do a brunch on the weekends from 11-2, but plan to expand the dining hours as they get acclimated.

Rehana’s, Lounge & Restaurant

104 Wolfe Street

Cocktail Bar: Thursday 6-99p; Friday and Saturday 6 to llp Brunch on the weekends from 11-22p First Luncheon, July 5, 12-22p

Reserve online: rehanas com

Contact:

540-9940-66602 hmaltbie@rehanas com

FB: rehana’s

I ventured into the lounge upstairs which is cozy and thoughtfully designed. There were comfortable settees

The menu will change regularly depending on of availability of local fare. For instance, last month they did a seafood boil in the back patio area, and the photos on their facebook page of this feast looked delectable. You can't go wrong with fresh shrimp and crab legs! They are offering specialty dinners and some cooking classes throughout the summer You can find all of the reservation only events on their website and facebook page. Rehana's is a

great new addition to our ever growing lineup of places to dine.

Mary Lynn enjoys meeting and writing about interesting people & businesses in the 'Burg, especially when it involves food!

Vino La FÍte nationale

by Rita Allan

July 14th, le Quatorze Juillet, marks the date that we know by the name "Bastille Day," or as known in France as "La Fête Nationale."

Our first wine celebrating Bastille Day hails from the Loire Valley, in France, 2020 Domaine Benoit Daridan Cheverny Blanc. Our "Blanc" wine meaning white is 80 percent Sauvignon Blanc, blended with 20 percent Chardonnay. The Domain Darian White is golden-yellow in color, with hints of green reflections. The aromatics on this wine include grapefruit, apple, pears, lemon, white peach, and white blossoms. On the palate are ripe apples and citrus, with hints of fresh flowers and smoke. The wine has a medium body, with some richness in texture, and would be perfect with fish in a butter sauce, shellfish, white lasagna, or with some whipped goat cheese on crackers

Next wine in our Fête lineup is the 2021 Laurent Miquel Père et Fils Cinsault Syrah Rosé, from the Pay d'Oc, in France. This lovely rosé is a blend of 70 percent Cinsault and 30 percent Syrah. The Père et Fils wines are a collaborative effort between Henri, the father (Père), and Laurent, the son (Fils). They didn't always agree along the way, but the resulting wine was worth it in the end, and it is a wine they are proud of.

In the glass, the Laurent Miquel has a beautiful, pale pink color. The Cinsault provides freshness and a smooth texture to the wine, while the Syrah brings red-fruit flavors and adds to the color. Aroma and flavors echo a bowl of fresh fruit like strawberries, cherries, watermelon, raspberries, and peaches. The wine is beautiful on its own, but try it with some barbeque or salad or white fish

The red wine in our Bastille Day tasting is the 2015 Atelier Prestige Foncalieu L'Apogee, from the SaintChinian region, in Languedoc, France.

The Atelier Prestige Foncalieu L'Apogee is a blend of 85 percent Syrah and 15 percent Grenache Noir that was aged 70 percent in new French oak barrels, and 30 percent second-use barrels. The wine is a deep ruby in color, and has a pronounced nose of ripe red berries and blackberries; eucalyptus; oak; and garrigue, which is a term used to describe herbs like thyme and rosemary. The palate features powerful fruit, wrapped in a long-and-spicy finish. This wine cries out to be served with grilled meats, roasted duck with a tapenade, or roasted lamb that is seasoned with herbs that echo the garrigue notes in the wine.

The final wine in our Fête day tastings is the 2020 Domaine des Bernardins Muscat de Beaumes-dde-VVenise, from the Rhone Valley, in France. City The Domaine des Bernardins is made from 100 percent Muscat à Petits Grains, of which 75 percent is Blanc, and 25 percent is Noir. The Noir (red grape) provides the peachy-pink hues to the wine, when blended with the Blanc (white grape). The wine has telltale notes and flavors of honeysuckle and grapes, along with honey, apricot candy, peaches, orange nectarines, rhubarb, apple, orange peel, and roses. While this wine is quite sweet, it has high acidity to balance the sweetness. The wine is luscious and velvety in your mouth. It would pair with foie gras, fresh melon, or something spicy, with lots of flavors

Saturday July 1

Art in the Park, 7a-1p, Hurkcamp Park

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park,7a-2p, Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm 2150 Gordon Rd

CALEND

Thursday July 6

Live Music @Food CoOp,Jiamie Pyles, 6-7:30p

Live Music, Acoustic Onion, 7-10p Colonial Tavern, 406 Lafayette Blvd

Live Music, Larry Hinkle, Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy, 7-10p

First Friday July 7

Master Gardener at Farmers Market Rt. 3 and Gordon Road throughout the summer

Live music #UNCHAINEDDROCKS @Billiken's, 623 Caroline St, 7p. Back to Rock

Swing Dance, Dance FXBG, Poicker's Supply, 902 Caroline St, 7:30-11p

Live Music The Boffins@6B&G, 7-9:30p

Live Music@Adventure Brewing North, Rich Caselaa, Guitar Guy, 7-9p

Sunday July 2

Live Music, Jealous Minds with Friends, Tia Dalia Band, Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 4:30p

Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern, 720 Littlepage, til 1p

Monday July 3

Music on the Steps, CRRL FXBG Branch, 6:30-7:30p, Cabin Creek

Tuesday July 4 Independence Day

Children's Roll N' Stroll Downtown at 9:30 am. The route of the kids' parade runs from Caroline to Market Square. Later on, the festivities proceed to Riverfront Park. From 10 am to 4 pm enjoy live music, an arts and Crafts Show 2-8p, kids' activities, and various foods. The Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence at Hugh Mercer Apothecary takes place several times during July 4th. Another gathering point is Ferry Farm, which is holding cultural activities for the whole family

Story Time & Family fun at rising Sun Tavern Join us on the lawn behind the Rising Sun Tavern as costumed interpreters will read children's books on the American Revolution 1304 Caroline St, 11:30a

Fredericksburg Nationals baseball game at Virginia Credit Union Stadium at 4:30 pm and finishes with fireworks at around 9 pm.

John Lee Pratt Memorial Park invites folks to some late-time chill, including DJ music, food trucks, and yard games.6p; Firework show starting at 9:30 pm. Besides from the venue itself, you can also observe the display from Old Mill Park and Expo Center parking area.

Wednesday July 5

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm 720 Littlepage

Open Mic @Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 7-10p

Adventure Jeopardy @Adventure Brewing Eagle Village, 7"30-9p

Snaps Poetry & Spoken Word,Bring those rhymes, flows + heart-torn woes. Inspire or be inspired. Audience invited to CLAP / SNAP / STOMP, Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 8-10p

VRE Fare Free Fridays in Summer thru 2-Sept1 tickets not required

Brush Strokes Gallery, All Member Show, "Spectrum of Summer Experiences" opening reception 5-9p, 824 Caroline St

Fredeicksburg Center for the Creative Arts, Member's Gallery, Helen Joyce Burroughs & Kay Thompson Summitt, 813 Sophia St

Art First Gallery presents "As Above." a solo show by local Fredericksburg artist, Nicole Myers. Opening reception, 6-9p, 824 Caroline St

Ponshop "Remix 8" exhibition, original artwork using 12" vinyl record albums. over fifty participating artists working with this unconventional canvas. 712 Caroline St

Darbytown Art Studio, watercolorist Mark Parmelee, Opening reception 5-8:30p, 241 Charles St

Canal Quarter Arts, Guest Photographer artist Chris Cepulis, opening reception 5-8:30p, 1517 Princess Anne St

"Americana" All-Member Show Artful Dimensions 922 Caroline St Opening Reception, 6-9pm

Sounds of Summer Free Concert Series, 44 Diesel, Southern Rock, Market Square, 6:30-8:30p

Live Music Spike Burton @6 Bears & a Goat, 1140 International Pkwy, 77-9:30p

Live at the Lounge, an exhilarating night of artistic expression Whether you're a musician, poet, comedian, or any other type of performer, we invite you to take the stage and showcase your talents. Hat Gallery & Lounge, 1409 Princess Anne, FREE, 8:30-11:30p

Open Mic with Green Bean Adventure Brewing Eagle Village, 7-9p

Saturday July 8

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park,7a-2p, Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm 2150 Gordon Rd

Comic & Toy Show! FXBG Convention Center, 11a-2p

Live Music @Adventure Brewing North, The Docsters, 7-9p

Sunday July 9

Bag Bee- turning t-shirts into eco-fr 3:30p

Monday July 10

Music on the Steps, Frank Solivan &

Wednesday July 12

FXBG Prayer Lunch, Brock's R interdenominational prayer meeting and complimentary lunch, followed

Live Music Chromatic Static, FXBG C

Open Mic Katora Coffee, 615 Carolin Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm

Thursday July 13

Job Fair, UMW Bushnell Hall Cedric R

Walk with a Doc 4-5p FXBG food Co group on the Heritage and Canal Pa

Live Music, Acoustic Onion, 7-10p Co

Live Music, Larry Hinkle, Highmark B

Live Music FXBG Jazz Jam, Colonial T

Friday July 14

Annual Bastille Day Celebration, Hu aux Puces (flea market), in additio Harry Wilson's Quartet will be Marseillaise, and another will sing th Sounds of Summer Free Concert Ser Rock, Market Square, 6:30-8:30p Snaps Poetry & Spoken Word,Bring / STOMP, Katora Coffee, 615 Carolin

VRE Fare Free Fridays in Summer th

Live Music Torrey B @6B&G, 7-9:30

Live Music Anthony G Solo Acoustic ST 6-9p

Live Music @Adventure Brewing Nor

Live Music Superlocrian @Colonial Ta 406 Lafayette Blvd

Saturday July 15 Art in the Park at Farmers Market, l

Live Music Goodtime Alibi, perrform Park 10a

Farmers Market, Hurkamp

DAR of events

riendly shopping bags Food CoOp 2-

Jillian Lea, 7:30p, CRRL FXBG Branch

Riverside Grill, 12:30p, monthly gWe gather for a time of fellowship by a short devotional on prayer

ourtyard Marriott, 6-9p Caroline St ne St, 7-10p m 720 Littlepage

Rucker University Center, 12-4p

oOP, 320 Emancipation Hwy walking th Trail

olonial Tavern, 406 Lafayette Blvd Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy, 7-10p Tavern, 406 Lafayette Blvd, 7p

urkamp Park will include a Marché n to wine, beer, and food for sale. playing, a singer to present La he Star Spangled Banner.

ries, The Dixie Power Trio, Southern

Audience is invited to CLAP / SNAP ne St, 8-10p

hru 2-Sept1 tickets not required

0p

c@Courtyard Marriott, 620 Caroline rth, Goodtime Alibi, 7-9p avern, 7-10p fun evening of live jazz, live music, art, Hurkamp Park, 1-1p ming a rare acoustic set , Hurkamp 2p,

FREE Outdoor Public Concert

every Friday night 6:30- 8:30PM

Historic Market Square, 907 Princess Anne St

Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm 2150 Gordon Rd

Live Music Ernie Ackerman, Food CoOp, 6-7A:30p, Emancipation Hwy

Master Gardener booth at the Farmers Market at Rt. 3 and Gordon Road throughout the summer or at Cossey Botanical Park Kenmore Avenue

"When I was Hungry, You Fed Me…" Will you help? preparing and serving a hearty homestyle meal to the residents of the Thurman Brisben Shelter. We prepare (4:00-5:45 PM)serve (5:45-7:00 PM) dinner in the Shelter's commercial kitchen. Absolutely no experience or materials are required: just you &your gifts of time and love.

Live Music bon at waters Edge Brewery, 525 Caroine St, 6:30-9:30p

Live Music @ 6B&G 3 Exits to Memphis, 7-9:30p1140 International Pkwy

Live Music @Adventure Brewing North, Chris Munson, 7-9p

Zane Lamprey "thirsty" Comedy Tour, Strangeways Brewing, 8-9:30

Sunday July 16

Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern, 720 Littlepage, til 1p

Parents Lunch @Soup & Taco2, 806 William St, 4-6p, support event for parents & guardians of LBBTQ children & teens

Monday July 17 Music on the Steps, CRRL FXBG Branch, 6:30-7:30p, Nethers Hot Club

Wednesday July 19

Trunk Show with Powder Designs, Lady Legacy, 723 Caroline St, 4-7p

FAM Fun, Families with elementary-aged children FXBG Area Museum in a new light with fun games, and activities. 907 Princess Anne, 10a

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm 720 Littlepage

Open Mic @Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 7-10p

Thursday July 20

Walk with a Doc 4-5p FXBG food CoOP, 320 Emancipation Hwy fun walking group on the Heritage and Canal Path Trail

Live Music, Acoustic Onion, 7-10p Colonial Tavern, 406 Lafayette Blvd Live Music, Larry Hinkle, Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy, 7-10p

Friday July 21

Snaps Poetry & Spoken Word, Op-en Mic Audience is invited to CLAP / SNAP / STOMP, Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 8-10p

Sounds of Summer Free Concert Series, Adwela & the Uprising, Southern Rock, Market Square, 6:30-8:30p

Live Music @Curitiba, Latin Night w/ Spanglish Latin American Band Concert FREE , 6-9p, 919 Caroline St

Live Music Ella Buettner @ 6B&G, singer/songwriter, from jazz to tpo 40, 7-9p, 1140 International Pkwy

Saturday July 22

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park,7a-2p, Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm 2150 Gordon Rd

Countdown to Christmas Expo, Fxbg Convention Center, Holiday Shopping,9-4p

Live Music BON @6B&G, 1140 International Pkwy, 7-9:30p

Live Music Skinny Wallace @Billiken's, 623 Caroline St, 7p, classic rock & country

Sunday July 23

Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern, 720 Littlepage, til 1p

FXBG Bridal Show Virginia Bride Magazine as they host the 19th annual bridal show. area's premier wedding vendors. FXBG Fairgrounds , 1p

Wednesday July 26

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm 720 Littlepage

Open Mic @Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 7-10p

Thursday July 27

Walk with a Doc 4-5p FXBG food CoOP, 320 Emancipation Hwy fun walking group on the Heritage and Canal Path Trail

Live Music, Acoustic Onion, 7-10p Colonial Tavern, 406 Lafayette Blvd

Live Music, Larry Hinkle, Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy, 7-10p

Friday July 28

Snaps Poetry & Spoken Word,. Katora Coffee, 615 Caroline St, 8-10p

VRE Fare Free Fridays in Summer thru 2-Sept1 tickets not required

Sounds of Summer Free Concert Series, Whiskey Rebellion, Southern Rock, Market Square, 6:30-8:30p

Agricultural FXBG Agricultural Fair, FXBG Fairgrounds, thru Aug 6

Saturday July 29

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park,7a-2p, Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm 2150 Gordon Rd

Live Music @Billiken's, Scott McMillen full band show, 7p, 623 Caroline t

Monday July 31

Music on the Steps, Steven Gellman Trio (Steven Gellman/Seth Kibel/Margaret Wolfe) , CRRL FXBG Branch, 6:30p, 615 Caroline St

If you are reading this 312th issue of FPF, thank an advertiser now in our 27th year of continuous publication!

List your events email frntprch@aol com: subject Calendar Deadline for August 2023 issue is July 19th

donatelifevirginia.org

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

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

German Midget Sub

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

100th Anniversary Celebration

Fairview Baptist Church

By Bonnie Baker

Fairview Baptist Church will be celebrating our 100th anniversary of brining The Word to our area on July 16, 2023.

Celebration begins at 10 am with videos of personal comments from church members about our church.

A luncheon will follow at 12:30 pm in Fellowship Hall.

We are looking forward to seeing a lot of faces we haven't seen for awhile, and meeting new people.

My longtime friend Keith Littlefield who is always researching information about Fredericksburg, asked me if I remember the German submarine that was displayed in Fredericksburg in 1948? I advised Keith that I was only 4 at the that date and did not recall such an event.

On March 24, 1948, the local Free-Lance-Star published a story (NAZI SUB EXHIBIT SET HERE APRIL 5) about an upcoming event that would occur on April 5 sponsored by the Navy Club A German midget submarine would be on exhibit at William and Caroline Street. When we speak of midget submarines our minds immediately think Japanese as they had them at Pearl Harbor and other places during WWII.

The story in the FLS stated that the submarine was a secret weapon developed to paralyze allied shipping It further stated that the submarine was 39 feet long and weighs twenty one tons and carries two torpedoes and a crew of two. The article said that the submarine is one of only two known. The exhibit was to be free to the public.

I decided to do research into the German mini-submarine in WWII. I found

that the Germans did develop a mini sub called Biber which means "beaver" in German. The Submarine was designed to carry two torpedoes and It could also carry mines Unlike the story in the FreeLance-Star the description is much different in that it is 29 feet in length instead of 39 and there were 324 of them built with many still in existence. One interesting fact about the submarine was that it had two sources of power For being on the surface it had a 32 horsepower engine that use diesel While being submerged the Germans had developed and electric motor using batteries for power There are 22 of the submarines known to still be in in museums and private collections with several on display in France, England, Norway and Germany. There was only one allied ship known to be sunk by the mini submarine, the Alan A Dale a cargo ship Many of the submarines sank due to design flaws such as carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust.

The project was started late in the war in February 1944, to meet the threat of Allied invasion of Europe. This resulted in many technical flaws along with inadequate training of the German sailors. The midget submarine never posed a threat to Allied shipping.

In the Free-Lance-Star on Saturday April 3, 1948, the story was titled Midget Sub To Be In City Monday. The story is very brief and much like the story of March 24, 1948, gives a general description of the submarine. I have not been able to find any follow up stories about the event. We would think that there would be pictures of the submarine and comments by the public.

If anyone can give any further information I would like to hear from you. ….Happy July 4th

Dedicated To: Dan Torrice, Phyllis Patton, Rick Hallberg, Nancy Perry Newton, and Betty Saunders

Tuffy is Front Porch’s Resident Historian

At 10:30am we will welcome everyone, and the Baptist General Association of Virginia will present a plaque to the church. Following the presentation, Mark Andrist, our Music Minister, will begin the musical part of our program. which includes Alpha Ensemble, Handbell Choir , and the Sanctuary Reunion Choir

We will have our church ensemble and a reunion choir of current and past choir members. Jim Ailor, a retired Baptist Minister and Missionary will bring the message at 11 am.

Then there will be closing remarks, and a blessing for the meal. Our closing music will be "Sweet Sweet Spirit".

Come join us and celebrate 100 years of bringing the Word to our area.

100th Anniversay Celebration

Fairview Baptist Church

July 16th

Beginning at 10am 900 Charlotte Street

This is a story about a remarkable invention: the flying camera. Yes Virginia, flying cameras do exist!

It all started on May 6, 1896, when inventor Samuel Pierpont Langley (namesake of today's Langley AFB) made

What’sintheAir?

flying cameras

By jon gerlach

Smithsonian Institute . His office, interestingly enough, was located in Renwick's Smithsonian Castle

Langley's unmanned flight in 1896 was a milestone in the history of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) It would be another seven years before the Wright Brothers achieved the world's first sustained gas-powered airplane flight with a human on board. Today, the Langley Flight Foundation is devoted to building a life-sized, working replica of Langley's remarkable invention. You can learn more about this cool venture at www langfound org

There are two types of UAVs (aka drones ): fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft. Both are piloted remotely and rely on Global Positioning Satellites (GPS). Within the past ten years or so, remarkable advances in technology have brought miniature, camera-equipped rotor-wing drones to the consumer market. Millions are in use by hobbyists, and commercial pilots fly drones in a wide array of industries, including law enforcement, agriculture, mining, construction, search and rescue, and real estate sales. What many folks might not realize is that drones are also important for historic preservation

photography and video).

As an avid amateur photographer and FAA certified UAV pilot, I like to call drones by a different name: "flying cameras". That's what they really are, and it's what makes them so useful in historic preservation. A flying camera can give unprecedented visual access to difficult-ttoreach areas of a building. This makes data collection far safer, more convenient and cost-effective than other approaches. For example, the photos of Renwick Courthouse shown here were taken by a flying camera over a period of some 20 minutes, while the pilot (me) was squarely planted on the ground.

This brings our story full circle in a uniquely Renwick sort of way. From Langley's pioneering aviation work at Renwick's Smithsonian Castle 127 years ago, to current efforts to preserve and adaptively reuse Renwick's Courthouse in downtown Fredericksburg, drones are a common "Renwick link" between past and future. For more on the Renwick Courthouse, check out Danae Pecker's article in last month's issue of Front Porch magazine.

history - the world's first successful flight by an unmanned, engine-ddriven, heavierthan-aair flying machine The 90-second flight happened in Stafford County.

Langley designed his invention while he worked as the Secretary of the

When it comes to studying a historic building, drones are cost-effective, flexible tools. They can be used to survey and map a site; document the current condition of a structure, both on the exterior and interior of the building; monitor a building's exterior to assess any damage and potential risks, such as missing boards and windows, moisture problems, structural weaknesses and abnormal temperature changes; and drones can provide easy public access to inaccessible parts of a building through published visual content (aerial

So … what's in the air? Here, flying cameras offer unique perspectives on historic sites.

An attorney and retired archaeologist, Jon Gerlach serves on Fredericksburg's City Council, Ward Two.

Photos by Jon Gerlach

Mental Health the game-changing legacy of the affordable care act

By Jen Snow

Each year, elected Representatives in the House and the Senate introduce thousands of bills in the U.S. Congress. A small percentage of those bills are passed and signed into law by the President. Some of those laws have a very local impact - like laws that rename a neighborhood post office in honor of a local hero. Fewer of those laws have a national impact - like laws that modify how you file your taxes each year. Even fewer become landmark laws that revolutionize an industry and have an everyday impact on millions of Americans. The Affordable Care Act (known as ACA or "Obamacare") is one of those once-iin-aalifetime laws

In 2010, the ACA was signed into law as the most significant expansion of health care coverage since the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. The law had wide-reaching implications for the entire U.S. health care industry, and profound implications for mental health. Most importantly, ACA had a direct impact on NAMI members across the country.

The Benefits Of The ACA

Here are the key ways the ACA improved health insurance coverage for people with mental health conditions.

Insurers Can't Deny Coverage To People With Pre-EExisting Conditions

Mental illness is poised to become the most common pre-existing condition nationwide.

Before the ACA, some health insurers routinely denied coverage to people with mental health and substance use disorders.

People, like Timothy, a programmer who explains, "the first job I worked had an insurance company that reserved the right to refuse health insurance to anyone with health problems. So, they refused health insurance to me because of my

psychiatric disorder." Thanks to the ACA, people with mental illness cannot be refused coverage.

Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Services Must Be Covered Benefits

Before the ACA, some health insurers could choose not to cover mental health and substance use disorder services or apply annual or lifetime limits on these services. ACA requires coverage of mental health and substance use disorder services in most health insurance, without annual or lifetime limits on these services. ACA also extended the protections of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) to individual and small group plans so people can't be charged higher cost-sharing for mental health services than they do for other medical services.

"Because of the Affordable Care Act, [my son] has been able to see a psychiatrist," says Lilian, whose son was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 21. "Without the Affordable Care Act, none of this would be possible."

Health Care Is More Affordable For Millions

Before the ACA, people seeking private health insurance were often priced out of coverage. As the result of Medicaid expansion, tax credits to purchase private health insurance and limits on deductibles and copays, the number of people who don't get mental health treatment because of the cost has gone down by one-third.

"Even though I'm highly educated, I do have a history of psychosis," mental health advocate Joy says. For the past few years, she has only been able to work temp jobs that provided little to no health care. "Without the Affordable Care Act, health insurance just wouldn't have been available to me."

Young Adults Can Stay On Their Parents' Health Plans Through Age 26

Before the ACA, young adults were frequently uninsured because their parent's plans no longer covered them, and they could not afford separate coverage. With the ACA, young adults can remain on their parent's plan up to the age of 26, even if they no longer live at home. This is a crucial extension, since 75% of all cases of lifetime mental illness begins by age 24

When young adult Maggie experienced a mental health crisis, she was job searching and didn't have employer health coverage. "Because of ACA, I'm alive," she says because she was covered on her parents' health insurance plan and could get the intensive and lifesaving care she needed.

There have been many additional benefits of the ACA. Specifically, thanks to the ACA:

People with mental health conditions are more likely to have insurance and less likely to report unmet need due to cost of mental health care.

Young adults with mental health conditions are now more likely to be insured and receive outpatient services. People are experiencing positive changes in their mental health, including fewer poor mental health days and increased access to care.

lMore people with serious mental illness are using mental health services and fewer people are delaying or skipping necessary care.

People are less likely to skip medications due to cost and more likely to seek regular care for their ongoing health conditions while reporting improvements in their overall health.

NAMI In Our Fight

Even though the ACA has been law for more than a decade, there have been more than 2,000 legal challenges filed in state and federal courts contesting part or all of the ACA. The most recent challenge involves the ACA requirement that most private insurance plans cover recommended preventive care services without cost sharing. NAMI will continue to fight against these challenges because we cannot go back.

Here are some ways you can join the NAMI community in this vision: Join our #Act4MentalHealth advocacy network.

lYour story matters. Share how the ACA has helped you or a loved one.

lSign a petition to tell policymakers to support mental health. We cannot go back to a time when health insurance was unavailable, inaccessible and discriminatory for people with mental health conditions. Instead, we must look forward and work to build on the successes of the ACA. We will not stop until all people with mental health conditions have accessible, affordable and comprehensive health care.

Jen Snow is the National Director of Government Relations and Policy at NAMI

Join

By Patrick Neustatter, MD

The joy of having students at the Moss Clinic (we have a lot of pre-med students working as scribes) is that it provides an opportunity to corrupt them.

Well, maybe "corrupt" is not quite the right word. But it gives me a chance to introduce the heretical idea that the information we use to practice evidencebased medicine may not be quite as golden as they will be led to believe in medical school

The Holy Grail Evidence-based medicine is considered the holy grail. The ultimate in what we should strive for.

It means your doctor is making decisions on how to manage your case, based on the evidence derived from the plethora of clinical trials that are published in one of a zillion different medical journals.

This is what medical students are taught. Look at the studies - or some slightly more convenient distillation of the studies in the form of clinical guidelines. Many doctors don't question this, but the studies are not so inviolable as you might think.

Heresy

I didn't really question the validity of these published studies - which are nearly always peer reviewed before publishing - until I came across an eyeopening book, Ending Medical ReversalsImproving Medical Outcomes, Saving Lives, by Hematologist/Oncologist Vinayak

K Prasad MD, MPH, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago, Adam S. Cifu MD, published in 2015.

They tell how they have studied, and "struggled with, " what they call medical reversals - that a lot of established practices are shown to be of no benefit to patients - and these outmoded treatments are continued, "sometimes for decades."

They give innumerable examples (including an appendix of 146 studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine between 2001 to 2010 that contradicted accepted practice).

Stuff like a study of arthroscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus (cartilage)in the knee followed by physical therapy showed that physical therapy alone was just as effective

In diabetes - a major risk factor for vascular disease like heart attacks and strokes - the dogma is that the tighter the control the better. But they cite a study where tighter control showed no benefit to risk of dying from cardiovascular disease - and in fact people in the intensively treated group had a higher allcause mortality.

They warn any study should be Randomized Controlled (RCT), as opposed to an observational, cohort, or case control one. It should not use a "surrogate end point" - where you measure some easier metric like blood cholesterol level instead of much harder to assess, atheroma in arteries, as an indicator of the risk of heart disease for example.

They also warn, whoever is performing the study - which is nearly always a drug company - can have major influence on the results by how the study is designed and reported.

And drug companies can have a major influence on supposedly objective treatment guidelines - like Eli Lilly providing 90% of funding for the creation of guidelines for treating septic shock Surprise, surprise, the guidelines recommended an antibiotic they make. The Take Home

I was certainly never taught anything other than "base your treatment on the evidence." Nothing about critically assessing the evidence.

I have to admit to a certain joy in debunking medical dogma - and sharing these heretical ideas with students. Including one that really messes with their heads that "half of what we are taught in medical school is wrong" - it's just no one knows which half.

This possibility that the evidencebased information your doctor is using to decide on what treatment or tests you should have could be out of date, is a bit unnerving.

This is real "emancipated patient" stuff Your doctor's claim that "this is the way it's always been done" may not be good enough To play safe you must get in there and do your own research

Patrick Neustatter, MD is the Medical Director of the Moss Free Clinic

Auto Known Better ancient

Around Town

gary goose

language of lawns

By Rim Vining

from "Dan Your Local Insurance Man" or promotions for better yields on passbook savings from your "Hometown Bank?"

How come we only have Independence Day? Freedom once tasted cannot be erased. We cannot un-see things, we cannot un-say things and we certainly cannot un-hear things. Words matter above all other things yet we only get one day?

Fireman's Parades were the staples of the boomer years. The parades were filled with firetrucks and sleek convertibles loaded with smiling hometown queens of one persuasion or another. All of them smiled and waved… elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist, as their heads turned slowly from side to side with a never waning smile. And they wore long gloves in the July heat! VFW bands and brigades marched and played and everyone waited for the clowns or the Shriners on their miniature motorcycles and go-karts and we thought the sun would never set so the fireworks could begin.

About the same time of year we heralded the arrival of the Fireman's Carnival. They were something we seldom saw. The trucks rolled in one day carrying all manner of brightly painted metal bits and pieces. They set all this up in someone's field and by dark the lights were on and the rides were spinning. The sounds of amusement park music and the smell of cotton candy and popcorn are etched in the mind. You cannot un-see the sights nor un-hear the sounds of your first 4th of July celebration. It was magical. So why only do that for one day? It makes no sense.

Wouldn't it be nice to go to work one morning and see a few sleek convertibles with smiling youngsters in long gloves waving as if they have not a care in the world! Would you wave back? Would they have the same "sponsor" signs on the doors promoting life insurance

Freedom and independence are something we have in the U S that we definitely take for granted . We are free to choose what we do for a livelihood and which car we want to drive and where we might want to go for a vacation. It's not always equally shared by all citizens so that part still needs a lot of work but opportunities exist here that do not exist in all parts of the globe.

So it's baby steps. What can we do for ourselves that might open our eyes to more opportunities to enjoy our independence every day? Start small.

I may have mentioned before there was an article in Car and Driver magazine years ago extolling the freedom one found in mowing the lawn The writer viewed that as the one place in his life where he was not bound by anything more than not flipping the mower over and getting hurt. He could mow in any direction at any speed and at any time of day or night. Boats have channel markers and maritime rules. Planes have all manner of rules even at 10,000 feet. Cars need even more rules if the craziness we deal with daily on our roads is any indication and the new "self-driving" features give us even less independence.

But cutting grass, ahhhh….. we had a nephew living with us for a while who has a wonderful free spirit. When you looked out the upstairs window while he cut the grass it looked like crop circles and hieroglyphs sending message into space. The ancient language of lawns.

Enjoy your freedom and independence and cherish every day!

autoknownbetter@gmail.com

Rim Vining, humorist, friend and a devoted community volunteer

Lovely morning at City Dock, Don Elliott feeding the long time freeloader of the town Gary the Goose Loved by all Take a walk down by the dock you just might spot this majestic fella who doesn't exactly blend in Alexis Grogan

Office: 540-368-1234

Viva La France!

Bastille Day Celebration

by kristin moeller

The Fredericksburg Sister City Association (FSCA) is a cultural organization that shares and spreads an appreciation of French culture through a pairing with Fréjus, France. Fréjus, a city similar in size to Fredericksburg, is on the Mediterranean coast a little west of Nice. Our two cities were first paired in 1980 and have celebrated this relationship ever since. Summer plays host to several of our biggest events, including Bastille Day and the student exchange program.

Bastille Day, like the 4th of July, commemorates the beginnings of modern democracy. In France, this day is celebrated on the 14th of July with fireworks and friends. Here in Fredericksburg, FSCA shares this moment by hosting a celebration in Downtown where everyone is welcome to come and enjoy music, drinks, snacks, and a fun time with friends and strangers alike. This year we will kick off festivities in Hurkamp Park on July 14th at 5 p.m. We'll have music by the Harry Wilson Quartet and a performance of La Marseillaise by Ashley Rizzo There will be drinks and crêpes available for purchase at the event as well as a Flea Market (Marche aux puces) with proceeds supporting FSCA activities. We're kicking off our annual raffle for dinner and a night at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond with tickets at $20 each. These tickets may also be purchased on the FSCA website (www.fredericksburgfrejus.com). Proceeds from the raffle will be used to directly support our student exchange program.

While our Bastille Day celebration is happening in Fredericksburg, we will have 10 area high school students representing us at the parties in France as part of the annual student exchange program The students will spend eleven and a half days in Fréjus before spending two and a half days in Paris with their chaperones. Students will live with local families and get to experience daily life in another country and be immersed in its customs. During this trip, the Sister City organization in

Fréjus has planned many incredible group outings for the students. They will get to explore the ancient history of their host city and modern history in visits to the Roman coliseum and the landing site of the World War II GIs. They will explore southern France in trips to Nice, Les Baux de Provence and the famed perfumeries of Grasse.

In Paris, the chaperones will take the students to see many of the major sites of the city. They'll visit the Eiffel Tower, shop on the Champs-Elysée, explore the art of the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay. A local guide will take them on a personal tour of the city, explaining the unique aspects of Paris culture. The students will take a sunset boat tour along the Seine to see the city as it lights up at night, and many more activities.

It's a busy trip for the students and chaperones, who will all come home with new lifelong friends, both French and American. The work on this trip and the development of these incredible bonds has already begun through meetings between the students, their families, the chaperones, and members of the FSCA Board of Directors. Everyone met at Castiglia's Downtown to learn a little about the program and start to get to know one another as they prepare for their adventure. We wish them luck as they represent our city and experience the world abroad and we hope to see you at our Bastille Day celebration.

Kristin Moeller was a part of the student exchange to Fréjus, France and also later served as a chaperone and is now on the Board of Directors

Bastille Day Celebration

July 14, 5-88p Hurkamp Park enjoy music, drinks, crepes & Flea Market fredericksburgfrejus com

If you want to host a French student or would like to participate as an exchange student to Fréjus, France., contact us at studentprogramsfsca@gmail com

Art in Burg

Art Galleries in July

Museum is a hat-tip to city destinations for summer ventures.

The thought-provoking abstract images of Shawn Pilj's "Open Arms" painting and Kimberly Zook's depiction of the "Asthenosphere," a shifting layer in the earth's mantle, remind us of the value of embracing unanticipated experiences, which often bring joy and a sense of fulfillment.

. ~-Collette Caprara

Guest Artist, Photographer, Chris Cepulis

Opening Reception,

First Fri July 7, 5-88:30p

Canal Quarters Arts, 1517

Princess Anne

“Spectrum of Summer Experiences”

Opening Reception First Fri, July 7, 5-99p

Brush Strokes Gallery, 824 Caroline St

In their artwork that will be presented throughout July, the artists of Brush Strokes Gallery offer a sampling of the spectrum of summer activities and moods.

Carol Waite's "Chessie Crabs" and "Fluffy Hamster" by Marianna Smith connote a carefree, playful spirit, while Lois Baird's "Garden Shed" signals that, while a garden may require personal investment, it offers a peaceful retreat in

Watercolorist, Mark Parmelee Darbytown Art Studio, 241 Charles St

Opening First Friday, July 7, 5-88:30

“As Above”

New New Works By Nicole Myers

Opening Reception First Fri, July 7, 6-99p

Art First, 824 Caroline St

. Art First Gallery presents "As Above." a solo show by local Fredericksburg artist, Nicole Myers. This is her third annual show at Art First Gallery, and this time, she is delighted to share collection of all-new acrylic landscape paintings that feature dramatic cloudscapes. Her cloudscapes stretch over many iconic regional landmarks including the Shenandoah Valley and Skyline Drive, local Battlefields as well as her "happiest place," the Outer banks of North Carolina.

Chris Cepulis has always enjoyed photography. She would take out her Canon point-andshoot camera and photograph a wedding, party, or baseball game, vacation, spring flowers, or architecture. In 2021, she was walking on the Heritage Trail when, thanks to a mama fox and her kits, she got bit by the wildlife photography bug. Then came the camera and lens upgrades. She learned how to shoot outside of Auto Mode, and the rest is history as they say.

~Jeannie Ellis

"Americana" All-MMember Show

Artful Dimensions

922 Caroline St

Opening Reception, First Friday July 7, 6-99pm

July is one of the months in which we celebrate our country's history, displaying our symbols and our colors. Join us at Artful Dimensions as our artists honor this tradition

~ Sally Cooney Anderson

“Remixed 8” PONSHOP

712 Caroline St

PONSHOP returns with our most popular community art exhibition . "Remixed 8" features original artwork using 12" vinyl record albums. The exhibit includes over fifty participating artists working with this unconventional canvas.

return. Penny A Parrish's photo of a "Beach Fence" and "Virginia Beach Trip" by Stacy Gerise are tributes to a popular summer destination, the seashore, while Taylor Cullar's photo of the Guggenheim

Opening Reception will be during First Friday, July 7th 6-9pm. Light refreshments will be available and all are welcome to attend.. Be sure to stop by and see Nicole's impressive collection as well as the new and refreshing rotation of work by the gallery's other local artists.

.

~Gary Close

Featured artists include Sarah Brooks, Heather Evans, Julie Maida, Destiney Lynn, Morgan Buenos, and Dan Craddock.

Gabe Pons

LibertyTown Arts Workshop

Over 60 Local Craftspeople & Artists Display Works 916 Liberty St

810 Caroline Street, Downtown 540.371.4099

Artist on Site Saturdays

Chris Cepulis@ Canal Quarters Arts

“Ode Watership Down”,Robyn Ryan“Carl’s”,Beverley Coates “Sunrise Princess Anne St”,Lynn Abbott

Lois Baird, “Garden Shed” @BSG

“Americana”@Artful Dimensions

Nicole Myers, “Clouds Over Dunes” @Art First

Destiney Lynn, "Washed Up" @PONSHOP

PorchFest!

4th annual celebration of music coming august 19th

By annie harpe

The Brother Reggie Solo Show, classical guitarist Steve Bell, the Rappahannock Choral Society, and more. Look for the full line-up and event schedule in the August issue of Front Porch.

sidewalk chalk in the street to create their own artwork, and face painting will be available for $3 each - cash only please.

RappArts 4th annual PorchFest celebration of local music will be held Saturday, August 19th from 11 am until 5 pm, on Fredericksburg's Hanson Avenue between Fall Hill Avenue and Charles Street. This family-friendly, neighborhood festival continues its tradition of building community through music with another exciting line-up of both new and wellknown musicians. Some of this year's performers include Acoustic Onion, Hazel Run, Harry Wilson and Friends Jazz Band, Belles & Beaus Handbells, Moch Pryderi's traditional music of Wales and Brittany,

Admission to the event is $5 cash for adults and children over 10 years old. NO coolers or alcoholic beverages are allowed. Traffic barricades will be placed on Hanson Avenue at Charles Street and Fall Hill Avenue to allow folks to stroll and sit safely in the street while listening to music. Attendees must bring their own portable chairs. Two or three performers will play each hour, on staggered porches along the two-bblock stretch of street, starting at 11 am and ending at 5 pm. In addition to great music, PorchFest will also offer food and snack trucks, including Kona Ice and Pop-PPops Kettle Corn Porta-jjohns will be available for the comfort of attendees. Children can blow bubbles and use

PorchFest is sponsored by RappArts/The

Rappahannock, an arts advocacy nonprofit organization. PorchFest is a part of their mission to increase arts and cultural opportunities for the region, as well as to expand public awareness of the many talented individual artists and strong arts and cultural organizations in the area. By moving this event to a different location each year, RappArts is able to showcase local musical talent, and highlight some of the unique neighborhoods that make Fredericksburg such a special place to live. The Hanson Avenue neighborhood is north of historic downtown, near the Falmouth bridge, between Route 1 and the Rappahannock River. Just one block from Fredericksburg's scenic Canal Path, Hanson Avenue is known for its crepe myrtle treelined median and charming cottages built in the late 1940's.

With events like PorchFest, RappArts continues to promote

Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock region as a premier arts destination on the east coast with friendly neighborhoods and a vibrant arts community!

Want to help make this a successful event? RappArts would love to have more volunteers to help set up, clean up, and work during the event. Contact us at arts@rapp-arts.org to volunteer. There are jobs for all talents!

So, come out Saturday, August 19th to Hanson Avenue between Fall Hill Avenue and Charles Street, and enjoy a relaxing day of fun and great music! Remember to bring your own chair, and cash for admission and treats!

Rapp Arts PorchFest

August 19, 2023

Family-ffriendly, neighborhood festival Hanson Avenue between Fall Hill Avenue and Charles Street

11 am until 5

Admission $5 cash for adults and children over 10 years old To Volunteer contact arts@rapp-aarts org

Supporting Independence

empowerhouse assists survivors of domestic violence

By Nancy Kelly

July is the month we celebrate our country's independence and the freedoms we hold dear. We value our individual rights and all that they offer.

Domestic violence is characterized as a pattern of abusive behaviors used by one individual intended to exert power and control over another individual within the context of an intimate relationship. The abuser is trying to isolate the survivor of domestic violence and limit or take away their freedoms, making the survivor more dependent on the abuser.

Domestic violence occurs in relationships of all races, ages, religions, educational levels, sexual orientations, gender identities, and income groups. 1 in 4 women in the U S have been a victim of intimate partner violence. The abuse can take the form of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, as well as emotional and mental cruelty. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between

the ages of 15 and 44, (Uniform Crime Reports, FBI) yet it is the least reported crime. Examples of abusive behavior include:

Verbal violence including name-calling, cursing, and yelling,

Criticizing and humiliating their partner in front of others,

Non-verbal threats such as brandishing a weapon or "the look,"

Controlling all the money in the relationship,

Isolating the person from family and friends and other support systems,

Physical violence such as hitting, detaining, shoving, and choking, Forcing or demanding sex, Threatening to hurt or kill their partner, a pet, or themselves, Murder.

Since 1978, Empowerhouse, a non-profit agency, has been breaking the cycle of domestic violence through shelter, advocacy, education, housing, awareness, prevention, and education.

We serve vulnerable community members in the city of Fredericksburg and Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties. Empowerhouse promotes safe relationships, homes, and communities by empowering survivors of domestic violence and their children to believe in themselves and build new lives filled with dignity, respect, safety, and hope. We give victims the time, space, and tools to heal their hearts, restore their connections, rebuild their lives, and renew their spirits.

In short, we support survivors of domestic violence with our caring services and resources, so they regain their

independence and enjoy freedom from another's power and control. In fiscal year 2022, Empowerhouse helped over 3,700 women, men, and children in our community. We educated over 3,400 teens in area classrooms on healthy relationships and the warning signs of teen dating violence. We provided services at area courthouses, hospitals, and out of our outreach office in Spotsylvania, our satellite offices in King George and Stafford Counties Sheriff's Offices, and our confidential domestic violence shelter.

To learn more about Empowerhouse, please visit our website at www.empowerhouseva.org. If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call our 24-hour confidential hotline at (540) 373-9373.

We wish you all a safe and Happy Independence Day.

Nancy B. Kelly is the Development Director for Empowerhouse.

The shortage of affordable, petfriendly rentals, high deposits, and breed or size restrictions have resulted in a dire situation for animal shelters across the country. The Fredericksburg SPCA is just one of many facilities that are struggling to keep up with the demand for their resources. The summer months are especially challenging as animal shelters reach maximum capacity. Compounded by the scarcity of housing for families, it is a disastrous situation. The shelter is receiving numerous requests from pet owners and other facilities across Virginia, and even across state lines, with desperate pleas for intake to prevent euthanasia

The Shelter Animals Count National Database reveals that total community intakes have increased by 3%, but outcomes have not kept up. Non-live outcomes for dogs have nearly doubled in

TheHousingCrisis and its impact on local animal shelters

Q1 2023 compared to 2021.

"In May, the Fredericksburg SPCA intake requests from the public looking to surrender their animals doubled," said Ashley Lindbeck, Director of Animal Care for the Fredericksburg SPCA. "56% of intake requests were because of living situations, 23% were behavior, 16% medical (human), and 5% medical (animal). This trend has carried over to June, with no sign of slowing down in July."

The Fredericksburg SPCA has implemented several programs to assist families in keeping their beloved pets at home. However, the shelter has yet to find a solution to the challenge of affordable and accessible housing The shelter encourages the public to take advantage

minute behavior consultation with a C A C T P -c c e r t i f i e d behavior coordinator They also provide various behavior classes at a reasonable price. To reach even more members of the community, the Pet Pantry hours have been extended, and Mobile Meal deliveries have been introduced to become more accessible to those with a lack of transportation or mobility restrictions. This supplemental bit of free pet food can help alleviate some of the

by Von Young

of its programs and spread the word. For those seeking help with training their pets at home, the Fred SPCA offers a free 30-

financial burdens and get a family through to payday.

The Fred SPCA is currently offering several adoption specials to help find loving homes for pets. With fee-wwaived Petof-tthe-MMonth animals, bonded pairs available on BOGO, and reduced-fee seniors, there are plenty of opportunities to find your new furry companion. Additionally, veterans can adopt fee-waived animals through the Fred

SPCA's partnership with Pets for Patriots.

If you're unable to adopt, there are still ways to make a positive impact, such as volunteering for mobile meal deliveries or donating much-needed supplies. Every action, big or small, can have a positive impact on the people and pets in your community. Visit fredspca org, or reach out to any shelter or rescue in your area to get involved.

Von Young, Director of Communications Fredericksburg SPCA

Adoptable “Quip”, 1 of 250 animals looking for a home @FredSpca

Kathy Bates Pantry Mobole Meal Delivery

Beth Tumlin, Behavior Training Coordinator Training Dog for AKC “Good Citizen” Certificate

C o m p a n i o n s a stroll downtown

by gerri reid, dvm

offers 3 Off leash areas. There are areas for dogs under 30 lbs, dogs over 30 lbs and a large area of almost 7 acres for all dogs. There is agility equipment, toys, water and bag dispensers available. Lastly, for the Residents of Fredericksburg City only, there is the Dog Park at Kenmore Park. It provides an off-leash area and water as well. When taking your pet to any dog park, I highly recommend you proceed with caution and to monitor your pet closely. If you feel that your pet does not play well with other dogs, then this may not be the right setting for your pet.

Summer is here! And it is time to get those doggies out and about for their walks. Whether it is enjoying a walk during the morning sunrise or the cool evening stroll, walking your pets is great exercise. From hiking trails to dog parks, Fredericksburg is definitely a city that is Dog-ffriendly. No need to leave your pet at home as you venture Downtown. There are many dog-friendly places to enjoy with your pooch.

Downtown Fredericksburg is a great place to spend your day exploring the shops and the sights. Many stores have bowls of water outside their business, so no need to worry about your dog getting thirsty. Or if you decide you want to bring your own bowl, many places will fill up your bowl for you. It is still important to remember when Downtown to bring some Dog Waste bags as no one likes stepping in pet waste. There are plenty of trash bins/receptacles for you to throw away your bags. And this may be silly to say but all dogs need to be on a leash. We want your pet not only to enjoy itself but we also want your pet to be safe.

There are 3 Dog Friendly activities in Fredericksburg for pet owners. The Fredericksburg Farmer’s Market is held at Hurkamp park every weekend during the summer. The Market offers local produce, craft vendors and local community events. It is great to pick up some fruits and vegetables for yourself. And your dog may love feasting on a few of them. Duff Park is a dog park that

After your stroll around town or some time at the Dog parks or Farmer’s Market, you may find yourself a bit hungry. Well, no worries. The restaurants/coffee shops are happy to welcome you and your pet. So, here is a Guide of a few Pet-Friendly Restaurants that offer outdoor seating. For coffee/tea and other goodies, many people will frequent Hyperion Espresso to enjoy a good cup of Joe. For Breakfast/Brunch, try Italian Station (and get a pup cup) and the Sunken Well Tavern Other restaurants include Castiglia’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Vivify, J Brian’s Tap Room, Fahrenheit 132 All these places have amazing food and are happy to accommodate you and your pet.

Historic Downtown Fredericksburg is a wonderful place to spend a weekend exploring all the shops and history. You can enjoy the Farmer’s Market as well as have lunch with your four-legged pal. And while your there, take your pet to Dog Krazy for some delicious treats to celebrate the day. This town is known for George Washington and his Boyhood home. But did you know that President Washington had English Spaniels, Terriers, and American Foxhounds? So, it is no wonder that the City of Fredericksburg would be so DogFriendly!

Dr. Gerri S. Reid is the Owner/Veterinarian of Reid Mobile Veterinary Services. She can be reached at 540-623-3029 or reidmobilevetservices.com or facebook @ReidMobileVetServices

THE THE POETRY MAN POETRY MAN

By Frank Fratoe

Undying Gift Undying Gift (Her Immortality)

Mywife hoped to have sons and when two boys were born felt happiness kissing them as each hugged their mother.

Had she outlived the cancer Jane would be jubilant now to hold our grandchildren and watch all four grow up.

They revive an immortality to generations not yet born who can honor a matriarch because she willed devotion.

Astrology & You

synastry through astrology

By Dianne Bachman

believe that a deep dive into our charts would have changed my mind, but it may have helped us understand our similarities and differences as we grew together. In astrology, the practice of comparing charts is called synastry

imagination are bumped to full speed ahead for the next few days. Give yourself extra time to wonder and to dream!

July 10 Mars enters Virgo and a strong drive to perfect aspects of our lives can arise, maybe obsessive for some. The inner critic can be strong with this combination, so self-care and radical acceptance of the Self is important.

As I am writing this, it is midJune, and we are smack dab in the middle of wedding season. When I got married many Moons ago, I did not think about the astrological implications of my partner's unique astrology or how it would mesh (or not) with mine. On the one hand, I don't

Synastry is an area of astrology that focuses on relationships and is a means of assessing compatibility between people. We compare charts to see where planets are placed and which sign, they are in. Most people are familiar with their Sun signs and certainly our Sun plays a significant role, but the other personal planets (Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) can allow us to understand the chemistry on a deeper level. If reincarnation is within your wheelhouse, the Nodes of the Moon can assist us in understanding any leftover karma from previous lives and how this plays out in a relationship. If you are looking to examine family of origin issues (most of us do at some point), you can use synastry to look at family dynamics and situations like intergenerational trauma.

Though synastry is complex, an effective way to begin to appreciate the usefulness is to ask the following questions when comparing charts:

1) What sign is the individual's Sun in (how we shine and show up in the world)?

2) Moon (our reigning needs)? Mercury (how we communicate)? Venus (how we love)? and Mars (how we initiate)? What houses do they occupy? How do the same planet in each chart blend via conjunctions, sextiles, trines, squares, or oppositions?

Now, here is a look at the astrological weather for July:

July 3 Full Moon in Capricorn illuminates a pathway to explore our responsibilities as well as the structures and routines in our lives. The Full Moon is a time to celebrate the changes we have already made and to identify what no longer works for us. Heave ho to the dead wood!

July 9 Pallas enters Virgo and is a perfect time to push the reset button on self-care and any health regimens. Is it time for that checkup or to establish better eating and exercise routines? The time is ripe to fine tune.

July 9 Mercury in Cancer trine Neptune in Pisces-Intuition, creativity, and

July 10 Mercury enters Leo for a few weeks, adding a flair of the dramatic. Be bold, focus on fun and let your mane down.

July 17 New Moon in Cancer invites us to honor our need for comfort and home, what is nurturing for our soul. Spending time with our families, friends, and four legged friends is favored.

July 22 Venus stations retrograde in LeoNot a suitable time to start a relationship but rather take stock of the ones we are already part of. As with all retrograde motion, we can take a step back and evaluate what has true meaning in our lives.

July 22 Moon wobble-Sun in Cancer will be squaring the lunar nodes in Aries (NN) and Libra (SN). Moon wobble can make the available energies a bit off or unstable and this can be the case for one week before the wobble and the two weeks following the wobble. Take extra care, be mindful when driving.

July 22 Sun enters Leo, and it is time to have fun. Get tickets for a live performance, go play your favorite instrument on the porch and serenade your neighbors, or head to the shore and splash your cares away. Enjoy Leo's warm vibes.

July 23 Chiron stations retrograde in Aries and supports us as we work on our emotional wounds. Themes of independence, courage, and boldness of spirit can be part of this transit. Since Mars is a warrior planet, working on any personal issues around temper could prove successful.

July 28 Mercury enters Virgo, so if you have been needing to organize things around the home or office, now is the time to get busy. Purge closets of unused items, reconfigure the spice cabinet. Planning is favored during this time.

Dianne Bachman is a psychotherapist & astrologer practicing in FXBG. She can be reached at dbachmanlcsw@gmail.com

Artwork “Petit Livre d'Amour” (Little Book of Love), by poet Pierre Salas, 16th century. Note: the image is a page from the book he wrote for his lover and future wife, Marguerite Bullioud.

Frank Fratoe lives & writes in the city.he loves.

Fredericksburg Sketches

A visual Celebration of our community

By Paula Raudenbush

McDonald’s

Recently I went with the Fredericksburg Urban Sketchers to Eagle Village and, while there are lots of great views of cars, people, and businesses, I was drawn to the McDonald's across the highway. I decided to concentrate on a black and while line drawing but the big yellow arches kept talking to me so I gave in and colored them. Sometimes keeping things simple is the best way to go.

Hope you're all having a great summer and maybe even doing some sketching.

Paula Raudenbush is an admin for the Fredericksburg Chapter of the Urban Sketchers and maintains a studio in Libertytown Arts Workshop.

What's up with your website? When creating content and graphics for clients, I'll visit their website to learn more about them. This allows me to check out their "About" section, see their graphics style, confirm their logo, etc. There are 3 major things to keep in mind when maintaining a good website.

1) Are your graphics up to date?

2) Are your links working?

3) Is your content correct?

In order to keep your website looking fresh and up to date, it's important to change your graphics. You can do this monthly or quarterly. Changing up your graphics allows customers to have a new experience when visiting your website.

BizMarketing

what’s up with your website?

By Mandy Smith

your website, the best advice I can give you is, don't set it and forget it. Set a calendar reminder to do a website audit once a quarter Go through every page, every link, check your content, and check your graphics. This will allow you to catch things that might be out of date or not linking correctly. By setting aside dedicated website refresh time, you'll be able to stay on top of these issues.

built? Or do they build it and leave it to you to figure out how to update everything. These are important things to think about when investing in a website.

It's important to have an easy to navigate website, which includes making sure your links are working. One section I find quite frequently not working is the social media icons Facebook, Instagram, Twitter it's important to make sure these links are working. If they aren't working, you're stopping customers from liking and following your content on your social media platforms.

Is your content correct and up to date? Is your address correct? What about your phone number? Is your Team Listing correct or do you have old employees still listed? What about your services? If you want your website to be a resource for your customers, your information needs to be correct.

When it comes to maintaining

Think about the things you don't like about other websites. Do you have to jump through a lot of hoops to find their contact information? Are there too many pop-ups? What do you like about other websites? Do they have nice graphics? Good design? Ease of navigation? Think about these things and discuss them with your website designer. When you are having your website developed, be sure to shop around for a designer. Get multiple quotes and find out what they offer. Will they give you tech support after the site is

Remember, your website many times is your first impression. You want to make sure it looks good! With so many businesses out there competing for the same customers, making sure your site is up to date legitimizes your business and sets you apart from your competition.

Mandy Smith is the Promotions & Marketing Director + On-Air Personality + Queen of All Things Nerdy for B 101.5