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ON THE PORCH
Guest Porch Editorial
Contributing Writers & Artists
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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.
