Front Porch Fredericksburg VA

closeups

3Jonathan & Toni Stevens at the Food Co OP

11Joel Griffin honored for heroic actions

23hunter perkinson artisan blacksmith

Porch talk

4 on the porch...life in fredericksburg messages

6Saving local nature...Blue heron rookery

7everything greens: garden sprouts

8In the Garden: pollinators & parks

9growing & crawling: mint to be?

10i have a friend: the colors of our lives

12tidbits...small bites of local news

13 season’s bounty: back to the grill

15vino: think outside the box

16-17Calendar of Events

18history’s stories: slaughter pen farm what’s in a cone? Carls

19 our heritage: renwick courthouse

20mental health: mental health & gun violence

21Emancipated patients: inroads & reservations

22auto known better: you can always go first class About Town

24art in the burg ...galleries in June

25Celebrate local ceramics

26 you are not alone

28companions: fun in the sun

29astrology & you poetryman: indescribable

30fredericksburg sketches

Cover Artist Lois Baird

31care-a-thon help children grow strong

5 sister city visit to schwetzingen germany

14 fxbg annual photography show

27 Compassionate care campwith the spca

Cover: “Girl in the Purple Tutu” by Lois Baird

Front porch fredericksburg

Jonathan and Toni (Lipe) Stevens are an extraordinary couple, so it might be expected that their courtship would also have been a bit out of the ordinary! Both have served on the board of the Fredericksburg Food Co-oop, both had prior experience in the cooperative arena, and both are committed advocates of the Coop's mission to promote healthy eating and healthy living and working to protect and sustain our Earth.

Jonathan moved to Fredericksburg in 2015 and soon retired and became involved with the co-op years before it opened its grocery store. After serving on several committees, he became a board member and eventually served as chair of the board. Toni, who had worked in Northern Virginia for years, moved to Fredericksburg in the Fall of 2020, to be closer to her 86-year-old mother and her daughter. She continues to work remotely for a Falls Church management consulting firm.

"This was during the time of Covid, and I didn't know very many people. I saw signs for the Food Co-op wherever I went and joined right away," said Toni. "I volunteered to help man our table at the Farmer's Market at Hurkamp Park as well as on some First Fridays." Toni's volunteerism eventually led to taking on the position of secretary of the executive board. "2021 was a fantastic year for me," she said. "I was learning my way around Fredericksburg and getting to know everybody and living my best life! I couldn't have been happier."

During that same year, Jonathan experienced the loss of his wife of 50 years, Peggy, after a year-long bout with cancer. "I spent that Christmas with my

A Marriage Made in...

The Food Co-op!

By collette caprara

sister who lives in New York City and had a wonderful visit with her, but when I came back, I was pretty lonely."

"The first time I saw Jonathan was at a co-op board meeting, but he was just in a little box on Zoom," recalled Toni. "Then I met him in person when I was taking down equipment for the Events committee. I introduced myself but didn't have a chance to talk with him. Then, surprisingly, I received a text from him a couple of months later."

"I had confided to a friend about my loneliness," said Jonathan. "He said, 'you know, Toni is available.'We had only met through Zoom and maybe just once or twice at the store, but I took the leap and asked if she would have coffee with me," said Jonathan.

A Courtship of Texting

Toni and Jonathan made plans to meet at a coffee shop for breakfast. It was mid-January and snow was in the forecast, so business was slow and they had an upstairs room to themselves where they talked for an hour. Their first official date was the following Friday and a courtship of texting ensued. "Our texts became hysterically funny and we shared pictures of our pets and beautiful sunsets," said Toni. "We've been together ever since!"

The couple compared their blossoming relationship to a Hallmark movie with a tagline Handsome Widower Meets New Girl in Town. "It's been a whirlwind and so much fun," said Toni. "We are old enough to know what is important and what isn't important to us!" Toni and Jonathan were married on April 15 and are honey-mooning in England as this is written.

A Unique Wedding Album

As might be expected, the Stevens wedding album is as unique as their romance. "We shared so much about our lives through texts during that first week, that Jonathan mentioned he wished there was some way to save that experience so we would never forget how enchanted we were," said Toni. Her solution was the creation of a 53-page hard-cover book that featured transcriptions of all of their texts, as well as the photos they sent and a bevy of heart emojis.

The light and love Toni and Jonathan share have been an inspiration and comfort to others as well. Gloria Lloyd, who was a founding member of the co-op and chairs the Events committee, recently wrote: "They joined me in monthly Bag Bees, creating

environmentally-friendly grocery bags, and we shared lots of laughter during those sessions.

“Last year, in the midst of grieving the death of my husband, Bob, the sparkle between Jonathan and Toni was a gift for my spirit. I could observe the joy they shared and rejoiced in seeing the good energy they invested as they put their co-op values into practice. They are both committed people with strong beliefs in volunteering their time for community good. I am so grateful that our lives connected."

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

Joshua Cole

Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Victoria AlicandroRita Allan

Sally Cooney AndersonLois Baird

Dianne BachmanLaurie Black

Carol BochertKhalilah Brooker

Chelius CarterSonja Cantu

Collette CapraraTrista Chapman

Joshua Cole Janet Douberly

Jo Ann DinwoodieJeannie Ellis

Jenna Elizabeth Edwards

Caroline FordFrank Fratoe

Bill FreehlingJon Gerlach

Daniel Gillison, JrAnnie Harpe

Ralph “Tuffy” HicksNancy Kelly

David C. KennedyRay Mikula

Vanessa Moncure

Pete Morelewicz

Patrick Neustatter Danae Peckler

M.L. PowersPaula Raudenbush

Gerri ReidRob Rudick

Ranjit SinghMandy Smith

Anne TimpanoRim Vining

Tina WillNorma Woodward

Front Porch Fredericksburg is a free circulation magazine published monthly by Olde Towne Publishing Co.

Virginia Bigenwald Grogan, Publisher.

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

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

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

Front Porch Fredericksburg PO Box 9203

Fredericksburg, VA 22403

Ad Sales: E-Mail: frntprch@aol.com

Web Site: www.frontporchfredericksburg.com

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@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.

ON THE PORCH a call back to community

by joshua cole

Fredericksburg has always been home for me, well, Falmouth, but if you grew up here you know most of this area was referred to as Fredericksburg. I grew up in a small little neighborhood where on our little street, all the neighbors knew each other, and we kept each other accountable. If I was caught outside doing something I wasn't supposed to, Mrs. Washington, next door, would take me to my grandmother. If I was teasing another child, Mrs. Anthony, up the street, could tell my mom what happened. Today, one wouldn't dare 'tattle' on a child in the neighborhood, but back in the late 90's that was COMMUNITY. Something I think we lost today. Don't get me wrong, we certainly have communities - but we lack the concept of community.

The word community is a compound word, from common and union. The Latin term, communitas translates as "the same" or "public, together". A sense of community means that we all belong together, and we all have a common responsibility to each other Your well-being equals my wellbeing. Communities are essential because they provide us with a sense of belonging and offer support and protection to us. Communities could be our jobs, our circle of friends, our neighborhoods, our faith communities, etc.

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We certainly have these groups we belong to but how much do we really belong? We attend meetings, we worship on our holy days, we hang out at the bar, or we travel together - but do we have common union? I would suggest that we do, but often we don't really capitalize on what surrounds us. Building community requires first and foremost a sense of belonging If I don't feel like I'm welcomed, how can I feel a sense of community. A sense of belonging must be fostered by everyone and by the individual, it requires, sometimes, effort to be a part. Communicate with those in your circles or communities. Not just communicating when you must - but communicating often, checking in on each other, being genuinely concerned about each other's lives, and offering sincere help and emotional support. The more we effectively communicate, the more we can feel a sense of belonging. The more we prove ourselves to be a haven for communication, the more others will communicate with us!

Once we feel like we can belong, community also calls us to collaboration! If I can communicate with you, I feel like I can trust you. Once I feel like I can trust you - I want to be able to work, partner up, and succeed with you! If we are considering the various communities, we belong to - consider the goals and plans that your community can achieve. Maybe it's your neighborhood and a friendly neighborhood tutoring for the kids. If parents have communicated with each other, shared the need to help their kids excel in school - then communication has happened, collaboration is on the brinkand BOOM a plan is formed and followed out - and kids all down the street meet at various houses for tutoring and, *read this part out loud* COMMUNITY!

You have successfully communicated, collaborated, and now it's time to invest to ensure these practices continue. Community requires work. That's the hard part. We all must do our share to ensure community thrives. If you're a lay leader within a house of Faith, you are carrying the vision of the faith leader, the overarching Faith goal, and the goal of the house of Faith as a wholethese all require consistent work and effort. If you're in a group of friends, communicating, remembering each other's birthdays, being careful not to push each other's buttons - these are all ways we invest in our community of friendship. Investing is the opportunity we must put our own time, effort, money, or emotions into a situation, or community, for us to buy in. This requires everyone's participation; it cannot be one-sided. One person in a community cannot do all the investing, we all must invest for our community to thrive.

I want to share a few final thoughts. I listened to a preacher quote Psalm 133 recently, but he added his own spin. He stated, "How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in UNITY

not uniformity!" As we build communities, it's key to understand - communities should be safe spaces Not places of assimilation We all bring unique opportunities and gifts when we bring our individuality to communities - allow each person to shine and collaborate Secondly, community is more than just what's outside our doors. Yes, that is our community, but community is whatever is connected to us via common union. Mama Bear groups, Churches, PTA, the nerd group you joined on Facebook - these are all communities we have aligned with, and it's our job to communicate, collaborate, and invest for these communities to thrive! Let's thrive together!

Let's thrive together: read Front Porch cover to cover!

Rev. Joshua Cole is a former State Legislator and candidate for Delegate in HD-65.

Last month, I had the pleasure of visiting Schwetzingen, Germany upon the invitation of Lord Mayor René Pöltl and among a delegation of 17 Fredericksburg guests, including: my husband, Fred Edwards; Councilman Matt Kelly and his wife, Cindie; SFA Vice President Kimberly Chronister; Brenda and Eric Martin; Cathy Herndon; Miranda Reynolds, Odile Pryor; Edda and Wayne Davis; Nancy Moore and Roger Engels; Rex and Audrey Bishop; and Sue and Rick Henderson

Fredericksburg and Schwetzingen share many similarities. Just as

Fredericksburg’s Finest

Sister City Visit to Schwetzingen 2023

by Jenna ELIZABETH eDWARDS

Fredericksburg is situated centrally between Richmond and Washington, D.C., Schwetzingen is located equidistant from Heidelberg and Mannheim. The populations are also roughly similar, with Fredericksburg at 28,367 and Schwetzingen at 21,769. Both are small cities with civic pride, natural beauty, and rich history.

The purpose of the visit was to celebrate over ten years of friendship between the cities May 2010 marked the first Fredericksburg visit to Schwetzingen, when Fredericksburg Mayor Tom Tomzak and Schwetzingen Lord Mayor Pöltl signed a letter of intent to pursue a sister city relationship. That bond was formalized in December 2012 through a signed agreement between Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw and Lord Mayor Pöltl during the

2012 Battle of Fredericksburg sesquicentennial.

In the intervening time, adults and students from Fredericksburg and Schwetzingen have enjoyed cultural exchanges and built enduring friendships. I am honored to serve as the President of the Schwetzingen-Fredericksburg Alliance (SFA), our local group responsible for maintaining our relationship with Schwetzingen. SFA meets monthly for Stammtisch and Kaffeeklatsch, in addition to coordinating lectures and other events pertaining to the celebration of German culture.

It was in my capacity as SFA President that I enjoyed the great pride and privilege of representing Fredericksburg at various special events throughout our delegation's visit to Schwetzingen from May 2nd through May 10th, 2023 Two especially important and historic milestones included the unveiling of a street to Fredericksburg, as well as a public mural symbolizing ten years of friendship between the two cities

Fredericksburger Strasse will be the main street in Schwetzinger Höfe, an ecologically progressive residential development currently under construction and situated in a prime location. Lord Mayor Pöltl noted that the street designation fits perfectly with the site's historical connection to Pfaudler, an American company founded by a German emigrant. Fredericksburg Artist Mirinda Reynolds was also commissioned to create a public mural honoring the bond between Fredericksburg and Schwetzingen Reynolds is the same artist responsible for our beautiful Welcome to the Old Mill District and Agora Downtown Coffee murals in downtown Fredericksburg.

At both of these milestones, I also felt honored to represent the Rappahannock Rotary Club and to witness first-hand the influence of Rotary International's commitment to building goodwill and better friendship throughout the world. Lord Mayor Pöltl and Mirinda Reynolds are also Rotarians. Reynolds was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow in 2014.

Other highlights from the visit included participating in Schwetzingen's

annual Spargelfest ("Asparagus Festival")

The whole city turned out for a festive day of delicious food and community activities. I even had the opportunity to participate in an asparagus javelin throwing contestI threw a raw bundle a whole 15 meters and competed in great fun alongside Lord Mayor Pöltl, Fred Edwards, and Eric Martin.

Our friends in Schwetzingen treated us with the utmost hospitality and took great care in coordinating every

detail of our trip to ensure the best experience. When we arrived at the airport, Sabrina Cass, our chief point of contact within Lord Mayor Pöltl's office, and her associates, Katia and Sarah, greeted us with warm pretzels, water, colorful posters, and sincere enthusiasm. The City of Schwetzingen covered our accommodations for the week, the majority of our meals and beverages, and all of our group excursions, including a vintage car show and procession, as well as a 3-hour horse and carriage ride through the Pfalz wine region. There was never a shortage of generosity, laughter, dancing, or music Lord Mayor Pöltl and Martin Griffiths, our wonderful host at the Schwetzingen Palace and Gardens, both treated us to guitar serenades featuring German and American favorites.

A delegation from Schwetzingen will be visiting Fredericksburg in Spring 2024, and we are already exploring ways to create for them an experience as beautiful, meaningful, and memorable as the one they have created for us.

Jenna Elizabeth is a partner of Edwards Law Firm PLLC and a local realtor. She highlights local business owners and community members to showcase why the Fredericksburg region is an amazing place to live.

(L to R) Lord Mayor Rene Pöltl, SFA President Jenna Edwards, Chairman Matt Kelly

Lord Mayor Rene Pöltl (left speaking) with Mirinda Reynolds right next to Chairman Matt Kelly at public mural unveiling

Saving Nearby Nature

The protected rookery behind Fredericksburg's blue herons

By Ranjit Singh

an interest in politics, then returned in 2004 to teach international affairs at the rebranded University of Mary Washington. Boy, had things changed. Decades of unfettered development left places unrecognizable Stafford's population had quadrupled from when I finished high school. Little Fredericksburg now had its own traffic reports! And aside from the congested highways and schools, any bonehead could see that our area ' s natural beauty was in real jeopardy

I often tell students they never know what they will be doing in five years. Accordingly, I'm now in my final year as chair of the NVCT's board of directors. Never saw that coming.

So what does the NVCT do?

Each spring an aeronautical pathway appears right over our heads. Flights are never late, and baggage (almost) never lost. That's because the pilots are great blue herons. And their urgent purpose is to catch fish for baby herons waiting in the nest.

You've probably seen this beautiful spectacle unfold along the Rappahannock River But have you ever wondered where the multitude of herons come from? The birds' flight pathssouthwest to northeast - reveal that most local herons nest (see picture above) in Stafford County's Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve

I was raised in Stafford on a small family farm that's directly under the Heron Highway After graduating from Mary Washington College, I left the country for a number of years to pursue

I love natural spaces. My '70s childhood was spent fishing and looking for arrowheads. Bored on the farm, I explored creeks and forests. I recall buzzy summer nights when bugs splattered our car's windshield so prolifically that wipers and fluid couldn't handle the load. When was the last time that happened to you? It doesn't anymore. Clear-cut housing developments, pesticides, herbicides… they've taken a heavy toll. Even people who hate bugs know insects are key to a healthy ecosystem.

Long story short: I joined the effort to save Crow's Nest peninsula from development. The Preserve was formally established in 2008 and has now grown to 3,000 acres That gratifying experience also introduced me to the non-profit Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) I learned that the NVCT had purchased the 70-aacre heron rookery inside Crow's Nest - one of the largest rookeries in the mid-Atlantic - back in the '90s. That forward-thinking act of conservation laid the cornerstone for efforts to protect the entire peninsula.

With "Saving Nearby Nature" as our motto, we partner with landowners to permanently protect natural areas Landowners who place their property in a voluntary “conservation "easement” have an eye on the future. They often receive valuable tax incentives, but also know they are setting aside space for wildlife, open vistas, recreation, the preservation of cultural heritage, and much more. To date, we've saved nearly 9,000 acres from the bulldozer's blade. Thanks to incredible donors, we've added hundreds of acres to Crow's Nest Preserve in just the last three years.

Why venture into frigid, boot-sucking wetlands in late January? Because we know the herons will be returning to their nests in only a few short weeks. We want to count last year's nests - which are as sturdy as you'd expect from a bird with a six-foot wingspan - without disturbing them at that most sensitive time. This nest count tells us how well the birds are doing. One thing we've learned is that herons are very particular about trees, with a distinct preference for sycamore and ash. Some especially desirable trees host as many as fifteen or twenty nests - veritable bird condos 70 feet above the marsh! Data going back to 2007 shows the heron population has remained pretty stable despite the pressures of nearby development.

In the midst of change, the rookery has become a sanctuary. This is conservation at its finest. Join us!

As the story of Crow's Nest shows, Fredericksburg and surrounding counties have long been part of the NVCT's service area (the "north" in the Trust's name is a geographic descriptor, not a cultural one). Just last year, the NVCT and Stafford County signed an agreement - like those the Trust has with other jurisdictions - that makes the Trust the County's principal conservation partner.

And each year, in the height of winter, we team up with partners and friends to visit the NVCT's heron rookery.

Ranjit Singh teaches at UMW, chairs the board of the NVCT (nvct.org), and is writing a book about changing nature and life on Potomac Creek. In idle moments, he still wonders how decades ago Sonny Covington earned a lifetime ban from the now-defunct Recreation Center on William St. Contact him at rsingh@umw.edu.

Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT), a non-pprofit land conservation outfit that has conserved natural and open spaces in our area for about 30 years

At the Walker Grant School Building they have a flower and vegetable garden for the children It's sensory oriented, they get to touch, smell, harvest and taste what they grow This garden is a bit different from surrounding gardens that are close by. It's tucked away in the back corner of the Walker Grant building on the preschool side and it's a Microclimate What's a Microclimate? The dictionary defines a micro climate as a small or restricted area, especially when this differs from the climate of the surrounding area. Basically, it's a lot warmer in that corner because of the brick wall and large windows from the classroom and gym. This allows the garden to flourish when others in the neighborhood are dormant or no longer producing The slightly higher temperature in this area can be good and bad.

The good is what the children get to see. They've witnessed strawberries flower and ripen in December. Tomatoes

Everything Greens garden sprouts

By Khalilah Brooker

are still being harvested up until mid November after Autumn's first frost has claimed others. Some of the leafy greens will survive the winter, the closer they are to the wall. It's like a cozy blanket keeping them warm in the cold. Many root vegetables stay snug and yummy tucked away in the soil all winter.

With all the warmth this area produces for the garden in the cool Autumn and winter months, when spring and summer rolls around it produces a heat that feels like a million suns bearing down on you. The temperature can sometimes feel double of what it actually is, even on a day of 60-70 degrees the garden can feel the heat and it begins to show through the plants. This produces something the children get to see that many people don't. Most of the vegetables in the garden don't always get harvested in time and if we have a warm weekend or a holiday some of the vegetables go into survival mode.What do I mean? The children will come back and see the carrots and radishes they planted grow tall and begin to flower, from this they learn where the seeds come from. Who knew Radishes created seed pods for their seed and carrots are in the queens anne's lace family and produces a really pretty flower?

They see Brussel sprouts grow tall and the flower buds resemble Broccoli, of course they do because they're in the same plant family and Broccoli is a flower that we eat. How exciting! Once that bud opens up its pretty yellow flowers, the bees buzz all over and enjoy.

The small salad green arugula that many of us love for its spicy kick in our salads and on our pizza can grow to a massive bush and produces the prettiest pale yellow flower that turns into long pods filled with seeds. They'll grow, dry out and pop open and fall to become our volunteer plants for the next fall season's arugula, and will survive the winter in the garden.

Want to get involved at Downtown Greens?

Join us for volunteer hours every Thursday, 3-66pm, and every Saturday, 9am-112pm No sign-uup required!

Khalilah Brooker is a Garden Educator at Downtown Greens. She works closely with the children in the Garden Sprouts Program and the Youth Farm Program.

In the Garden Pollinators & parks

By tina will

beautify their own yard, and create an inviting habitat that will bring them back every year. Information on Pollinator Week can be found here: www.pollinator.org/pollinator-week. Virginia Cooperative Extension's Hort-59 "Creating Inviting Habitats" l ists the plants needed to attract birds and butterflies: www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/HORT/HORT59/HORT-59.html.

Celebrate Pollinator Kick-OOff Week on June 17

Caterpillars are not my favorite; they eat my plants and probably yours too. But, as with most insects, the adult moths and butterflies not only act as pollinators, they (and larval stages too) are also food for birds. The application of pesticides to control mosquitos has reduced the insect population, and sickened birds and other small animals. Our garden produce yields are also reduced; the fact that gardeners have resorted to hand pollinating a zucchini (like my brother-in-law) or other planting in their garden is alarming.

How can we change this? Plant more flowers and use fewer pesticides! June 19-23 is pollinator week and it is celebrated nationally to encourage people to grow what pollinating insects need,

In Fredericksburg, Master Gardener Laurie Clarkston is leading the Pollinator Week effort. It begins on Saturday, June 17 from 10 to 3 p.m. at our Fredericksburg library in the Theater room, 1201 Caroline St, Fredericksburg. Come to this kick-off event and bring your children. We are expecting local groups to be there with information to share about activities they are doing to encourage pollinators. Also, to encourage

quantity). Bring a flower you have grown to this Flower Show (same location) for fun, and to show others what you've done; ribbons will be awarded. Encourage your children to participate. Look for information on our website www.mgacra.org

Cossey Botanical Park 1601 Kenmore Ave

Master Gardeners are very grateful to the Fredericksburg Parks Department for their help in obtaining mulch, mowing, and encouraging us to develop the park to be an educational destination as well as a beautiful one. To that end we are locating the VCE/MG Plant

planned, we will post flyers at the Dorothy Hart Community Center and other locations downtown, as well as in the newspaper and on website and www.facebook.com/MGACRA. Many hands have made weeding, pruning, and mulching tasks easier and more enjoyable. Happily, a wonderful group of Master Gardeners and MG interns have rallied to help with these tasks recently. There is so much beauty and variety at this park; come take a walk there, and bring your gardening questions on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays this Summer.

Tina Will is a Master Gardener and lives in Stafford County. She can be reached at brianandtina.will@gmail.com

flower growing efforts, Master Gardeners will be giving out small pots of native plants: one per family, and small pots of annual seedlings to children interested in participating in the Master Gardener Flower Show at the end of the Summer on August 22 and 23 (one per child, limited

C l i n i c / I n f o r m a t i o n table to be in this park on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the Summer months through September. June dates are Saturdays June 3 and June 17 from 9 to 11 a.m.

There are plans for an Herb Garden to take the place of the perennial garden. We also hope to conduct other talks and plant tours. When those are

Pollinstor Week Kick off With Master Gardener Laurie Clarkston Saturday, June 17 10 to 3 p m

CRRL Theater room, 1201 Caroline St Info: www mgacra org

Master Gardeners Plant Clinics: Sspotsy Farmers Market, Gordon Rd, Saturdays

FXBG Farmers Market, Hurkamp PArk Saturdays

A polite mint that spreads slowly and won't take over the whole garden?!? Mountain Mint, or 'Pycnanthemum muticum' is a Virginia native plant and member of the mint family (lamiaceae). It was first discovered by the French botanist Andre Michaux in 1790, when he found masses of the plant growing in Pennsylvania. Although the common name is Mountain Mint, it actually does not grow in mountainous regions, but rather in open, moist fields and forest edges, often located along the lower elevations of a mountain. And while it is a mint and will do a bit of spreading, it is a great 'weed-suppressing' plant and does not spread as invasively as other common mint plants.

The flowers open over a 3 month period beginning in June and are a great source of nectar for bees, beneficial wasps, moths and butterflies! In fact, it is rare that the plants are not a flurry of activity when in bloom. Much like a typical mint, the foliage is very aromatic when rubbed

Growing & Crawling mint to be?

By janet douberly

and is popular in teas and salads It is also very effective at repelling mosquitoes when rubbed on the skin. This aroma is also a useful tool in eliminating deer browse! This plant is a great addition to any beds that are MINT to feed the pollinators! Want to check it out for yourself? Come to Downtown Greens in the lower garden by the stone circle and grab a whiff!

Janet Douberly won't take over the whole garden at Downtown Greens.

“I Have A Friend” the colors of our life

By Laurie Black

her children, and she even gave me some advice for getting older.

She said, "When you are older you should do what you enjoy and not necessarily what people tell you to do."

I asked Leila what it is that she enjoys. She smiled and said, "Come with me."

She showed me her "art studio" where she paints. Her paintings are full of the colors and experiences of Puerto Rico and mirror her own vibrant personality. Leila said, "When I paint, I get into the painting and don't worry about all the things going on outside [my art studio]."

patient person. We enjoy visiting with each other."

Susanne, a native of Germany, started volunteering with the Senior Visitors Program to meet people in the community which was new to her.

Susanne said of Leila, "I learn a lot from her. She has shared how different life is in Puerto Rico and how she arrived in New York as a little girl. I love that she shares her art with me and so many stories. When the weather is nice, we will visit outside, sit in the swing, or go for walks. I am enjoying my volunteer experience very much."

I always enjoying visiting with Senior Visitors program volunteers and participants. A recent meeting with Leila (above left)and her volunteer, Susanne,

was a particularly fun experience. Leila immediately began sharing with me stories of her Puerto Rican heritage, her life and experiences working in Virginia and raising

Leila also shared with me that she loves meeting new people and hearing about their life. She has especially enjoyed getting to know Susanne through the Senior Visitors program.

Of Susanne she said, "I love her. She is very good to me. She is a gentle,

I also met Nancy, one of Leila's daughters. Nancy said, "We love Susanne. I appreciate how consistent she is. She loves what she does, and it shows. She has a gentle heart and is one of a kind. Mom feels more hopeful and happy when Susanne visits. Her visits give Mom something to look forward to each week."

I felt honored to share in Susanne and Leila's weekly visit. Their bright smiles, cheerful voices, and colorful stories, made me feel like I'd stepped into one of Leila's paintings.

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

Laurie Black is the Senior Visitors Program Coordinator at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg

CPR Awareness Week is June 1st7th and is highlighted throughout the month of June. We would like to shine a spotlight on the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the incredible impact it can have on saving lives. This year, the week-long campaign takes on an even greater significance as local businessman, Joel Griffin, co-founder and Chairman of Gwyneth's Gift Foundation, was honored for his heroic actions that led to the successful resuscitation of a man who experienced sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) Griffin was recently presented with the Meritorious Civilian Award by the Loudoun Chamber, recognizing his outstanding courage and dedication to saving lives.

The valor award was given to Griffin during the Loudoun Chamber's 38th Annual Valor Awards ceremony held on May 1, 2023. This prestigious honor commends individuals who have demonstrated exceptional public service or performed heroic acts within their community. Griffin's selfless response and knowledge of life-saving techniques played a vital role in the revival of an elderly man who suffered from SCA.

The incident unfolded when Griffin witnessed the man's collapse due to sudden cardiac arrest. Thanks to his knowledge of CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use, Griffin swiftly sprang into action. Without hesitation, he initiated chest compressions and, on the

Joel Griffin honored for heroic actions

By Jo Ann Dinwoodie

28th compression, successfully revived the man. Emergency services arrived shortly thereafter and transported the individual to the hospital for further treatment.

"We are thrilled that Joel's heroic actions have been recognized with this award," expressed Veronica Gutierrez, Director of Operations for Gwyneth's Gift Foundation "Joel's quick response and knowledge of CPR and AED use highlights the importance of being prepared for sudden cardiac emergencies-they can happen anywhere at any time."

Joel Griffin, together with his wife Jennifer, founded Gwyneth's Gift Foundation to honor the memory of their daughter, Gwyneth, who tragically lost her life to sudden cardiac arrest shortly after her 13th birthday. The Foundation's mission revolves around preventing

Foundation aims to double or triple the survival rates of those affected by sudden cardiac arrest.

In addition to awareness campaigns, the foundation offers free Hands-OOnly CPR and AED training events tailored to different groups' needs and sizes. Gwyneth's Gift Foundation provides training sessions, bringing all necessary equipment directly to the participants; GGF has trained over 18,000 people in Hands-Only CPR, to date. Furthermore, the organization assists with AED funding applications to expand access to these lifesaving devices in public facilities across the Commonwealth.

Join Gwyneth's Gift Foundation in honoring the spirit of caring, compassion, and community exemplified by Gwyneth herself. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.

Jo Ann Dinwoodie is the Public Relations Manager for Gwyneth's Gift Foundation. Jo Ann likes to share good news and to write stories that inspire people to take positive action within their communities.

sudden cardiac death by promoting heart health and providing education and training in Hands-OOnly CPR and AED use Gwyneth's Gift Foundation strives to establish a Culture of Action where communities are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to respond to sudden cardiac emergencies effectively, increasing the likelihood of positive health outcomes.

"Joel is a leader; he lives the mission of Gwyneth's Gift Foundation," Gutierrez further acknowledged. "By teaching four basic steps, we hope to prevent other families from experiencing the devastating loss that the Griffins have endured."

Gwyneth's Gift Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is committed to saving lives through education and action. The Foundation's primary focus lies in raising awareness about the importance of CPR and the use of AEDs. By advocating for Hands-Only CPR and facilitating increased access to AEDs in public facilities, Gwyneth's Gift

For more information about Gwyneth's Gift Foundation and their services, please visit their website at gwynethsgift org

Curio Wine Bar opening on William Street

Curio Wine Bar & Tasting Room is coming soon to downtown Fredericksburg.

The owners of Rogers Ford Farm Winery in Fauquier County are opening the tasting room at 209 William Street, which was formerly home to Hunan Garden Chinese Restaurant (Hunan is now at 923 Caroline Street).

"Curio will bring the tasting room experience that we currently offer in our farm winery to the City of Fredericksburg, but in a new and exciting way," said owner Johnny Puckett. "Many people are intrigued by wine but find it confusing and even intimidating at times. Curio is a comfortable place for people to follow their curiosity about wine."

The cozy space will feature an intimate wine cellar and a unique outdoor courtyard that is shared with Wild Hare Cider Cider Pub at 205 William Street. There will be food options including charcuterie and flatbread. Rogers Ford will continue to run as is.

Curio is expected to open early summer. We look forward to it!

Goodwash Car wash Open on Plank Road

A project to replace the former Bob Evans restaurant building in Fredericksburg with a car-wash business is expected to begin next week.

The former Bob Evans building at 2305 Plank Road is now the Goodwash Express car wash

TidBits

small bites of local News

El Asadero Restaurant Planned on Lafayette Boulevard

By Bill Freehling

A restaurant is planned in a vacant building across from Paul's Bakery in Fredericksburg.

Project plans include renovating the existing building into a restaurant, adding a patio and walk-in cooler, and improving the facade.

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop

A Capriotti's Sandwich Shop location is planned at 2203 Plank Road in Fredericksburg.

The eatery is planned in the same new building as where Dunkin' recently opened. It's going into one of the additional 1,250-square-foot tenant spaces built into the structure.

Capriotti's, a national franchised restaurant chain is known for its cheesesteaks, turkey subs and more. I

FAM Announces New President and CEO Sam McKelvey will be the next president and CEO of the Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM).

McKelvey was most recently executive director of the Menokin Foundation, a National Historic Landmark in Warsaw. His placement follows an extensive national search led by Good Insight. He will start June 5.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series

The Fredericksburg Area Museum's (FAM) popular Sounds of Summer concert series will return June 2 in downtown Fredericksburg's Market Square.

The series will feature live music starting at 6:30 p.m. every Friday in June, July and August. Concerts are free, and refreshments are available.

Karen Jonas Music will kick things off June 2. .

"As an experienced museum professional, Sam has the knowledge and passion we need to expand FAM's vital role in the region," said Rhonda Fried, FAM Board Chair. "His deep understanding of history and museums as living, breathing parts of the community will build upon our successful legacy and take us into the future."

Cool Cat Cupcake

No Dairy -NNo Eggs -NNo Nuts

Cool Cat Cupcake is planning to open downstairs from Olde Towne Butcher shop in downtown Fredericksburg.

The store is scheduled to open in June - likely the first or second weekend that month - in the basement of the building at 1000 Charles Street. It will be open Thursday through Sunday at first.

Cool Cat's products have long been sold at the butcher shop along with other area stores. The company features cupcakes without dairy, eggs or nuts.

"I am incredibly excited to begin my tenure with the Fredericksburg Area Museum," said McKelvey. "The museum has laid the groundwork to create an example of what a museum can mean in a community. I look forward to building on the work that the talented staff, board, and volunteers have created."

VRE Fare-FFree Fridays

No tickets required on Fridays thru September 1 !

Take a ride on the rails.

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

It's that time of year again! Make room in your refrigerator for a permanent pitcher of sweet tea and load up on the charcoal for summer grilling! Memorial Day weekend kicked off the the unofficial start of backyard grilling-inearnest. When it's ninety degrees in the shade outside, who feels like standing over a hot stove inside when you can grill outside? And there are SO many outdoor cooking appliances to choose from todayfrom a simple charcoal grill (check out the KUDU grill), to hibachi size to the Green Egg to competition-size; infrared ovens; workhorse Weber propane grills; gas and wood-ffired pizza ovens; grilling stones, griddles and rotisserie spits; complete luxury outdoor gas kitchens; tandoor clay and roti ovens; classic turkey fryers; and boilers, tops in our area for backyard steamed and Old Bay spiced blue crabs. Of course you don't need every listed appliance - with a cast iron skillet, you can fry chicken, blacken fish and keep hush puppies coming - on a grill top you can fry eggs and pancakes, grill sandwiches and vegetables, and cook that delicious pizzaand if you love tandoori chicken and flatbread, check out the YouTube videos on how to make your own oven with clay flower pots!

I have to mention the importance of cleaning your grill - before each use, preheat the grill or griddle; fold a small towel, grip with a pair of metal tongs and pour 2-3 tablespoons of canola oil on the end. Use this to oil the griddle top or grill strips to help avoid food sticking. Scrape and clean these after each use, while still hot, with a long-handled brush BUT avoid brushes with metal bristles as they can easily break off and get in your food. Save those for the times you're doing a complete cleaning and washing/scrubbing - when I do those, I put all the disassembled oven-cleaner-proof pieces in a large black trash bag, then spray thoroughly and leave overnight before washing, scraping and wiping clean. Follow directions on the can of oven cleaner - this is definitely an outside job!

JAMAICAN JERKED CHICKEN OR PORK

Jerk sauce is THE Jamaican barbeque sauce and marinade mix. Prepare the sauce at least an hour before you begin to marinate the meats as it needs time for the flavors to develop. To prepare the sauce, place about two cups roughly cut green onions or scallions, one cup thinly sliced fresh ginger, one-third cup chopped garlic, 4 Scotch Bonnet

chilies or ten whole jalapeno peppers, one cup lime juice and one and one-half cups soy sauce together in a food processor and puree until very smooth. Pour into a mixing bowl and stir in the following ingredients, adjusting the flavors of soy, lime and brown sugar to your taste. One-quarter cup ground allspice, two teaspoons ground cinnamon, one cup malt vinegar, one half-cup dark brown sugar, two tablespoons dark molasses, one half teaspoon each ground nutmeg and cloves, one tablespoon minced fresh thyme, one teaspoon cracked black pepper and one cup canola oil. Mix together well. This will make enough marinade/BBQ sauce for two large chickens (each cut into eight pieces) and 2-3 pounds of pork loin (sliced into one and one-half inch steaks). Keeps well for about a week refrigerated. TO PREPARE AND SERVE - Marinate meat in just enough sauce to coat, using your hands to cover completely, for about two hours. Discard used marinade. Grill meat over medium heat, turning frequently. Transfer to a serving platter and place a small bowl of the marinade to use as additional BBQ sauce. Delicious served with grilled vegetables or grilled pineapple. This always reminds me of buying jerk chicken at roadside grilling shacks in the Caribbean!

SOUTHWESTERN BEER RIBS

Mix together the marinade in a gallon plastic bag - six large cloves of minced garlic, one tablespoon each ground cumin and dried oregano leaves, two tablespoons (or more to taste) ground ancho chili, one half-cup lime juice and a 12-ounce Mexican beer. Place four pounds beef short ribs (or pork tenderloin or chicken wings if you'd like!) in the bag and coat fully with the marinade. Refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally. Remove ribs from the bag and wipe ribs dry to avoid having burned bits while grilling. Discard marinade. Grill over hot fire, about 2-3 minutes per side. Great with grilled CORN ON THE COB Shuck enough

corn for everyone, being careful to remove all of the silk tassels. Place on hot grill, turning often, until charred all around, about ten minutes. Remove from grill, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with Kosher salt.

GRILLED SHRIMP & VEGETABLE SKEWERS

Prepare the marinade - melt onehalf cup butter and add four large grated cloves of garlic, one tablespoon each of lemon juice and Cajun seasoning. Divide in half, as you will brush it on while grilling. If using wooden skewers, soak in water at least an hour before grilling. Lightly oil metal skewers. Use shrimp size 16-20 count per pound, or 21-24. Peel and devein enough shrimp for 6-8 per person, leaving on the tails. Skewer shrimp and brush on marinade. Cover and refrigerate while preparing vegetable skewers, using a mixture of zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red onion, green peppers and mushrooms. Brush marinade on vegetables - place shrimp and vegetable skewers on hot grill, brushing often with the marinade, at 3-4 minutes cooking time each side. Sprinkle vegetable with kosher salt and coarse ground pepper. Sprinkle shrimp with finely minced fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Vanessa serves up yummy recipes for every season

Fredericksburg Photo Show

AN ANNUAL EVENT FOR 37 YEARS

BY CAROL BOCHERT

Your mailed in entry must be postmarked by June 7, 2023, or you may pay with Paypal at the club website listed below. There are numerous categories to enter: Abstract, Animals, Architecture, Birds, Digital Art, Our Home Town, Macro/Close-up, Monochrome, Plants, Landscape, Street Photography, Portraiture, Sunrise/Sunset, Unclassified. and a Junior category for budding photographers 18 and under. First place in each category wins $25, second place wins $10 and third wins $5, Most Popular $25. Best in Show will win $125 and the Best Junior will win $50.

The Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) is pleased to announce the return of its highly anticipated Sounds of Summer Concert Series in historic Market Square beginning on Friday, June 2nd, 2023, and continuing through Friday, August 25th, 2023. The 13-week series will feature a FREE outdoor- public concert every Friday night from 6:30- 8:30PM in historic Market Square, located at 907 Princess Anne Street.

Time to look through your photos or get your camera out to capture that prize-winning photo for this year's photo show.

The much-anticipated Photo Show has been an annual event for 37 years. Originally sponsored by Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation, with help from the Fredericksburg Photography Club , the show is now sponsored by the Club, in conjunction with Parks and Rec.

With the advent of digital technology, photography has become increasing popular. This show has, at times, had as many as 600+ entries. It is an ideal venue to showcase your work or to see what other photographers are doing.

The show is free once it opens to the public. Club Member, Andy Sentipal, will be conducting two free classes on Saturday, June 17, beginning at 1:00pm, one on Introduction to Photography, and the other on Composition. This year's show dates are June 15-18, 2023, at the Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal Street, Fredericksburg. Entry forms and information are available on our Club webpage (www.fbgphotoclub.com). Questions can be addressed to fbgphoto@aol.com or by calling Carol Bochert at 804-840-2580.

Even if you don't enter this year, be sure to come to the Community Center and stroll through and enjoy the show.

This year's concert series is generously supported by The Fredericksburg Nationals, Germanna Community College, Atlantic Builders, Collage Spa, SWEAT FXBG, Parrish Snead Franklin Simpson PLC, The Bowman Distillery, The Fredericksburg Arts Commission, and Higashi Glaser.

Bring a lawn chair and your dancing shoes and enjoy familyfriendly music by local bands, free arts & crafts for the kids, popcorn by Jus Pop 'N', and more!

Beer from 6 Bears and a Goat will be available for purchase, as well as wine from City Vino (must be 21 years of age or older). Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available for sale. Members of the FAM will receive discounted prices on beverages. Not a member yet? Join online at www.famva.org/ membership

Caroline Ford is the Director of Operations and Annual Giving for FAM

Sound of Summer Concert Series

Friday Evenings Thru Augusdt

6:30-88:30p Market Square Free

Everyone is anxiously awaiting the kickoff to the summer season. Most think of trading the long sleeves for tank tops, packing up the thermals, and opting for a cool drink instead of a hand and body warmer.

Summer brings us the welcome warmth that we missed while putting on layers and turning up the heater, and with that welcome warmth, it pushes us to desire thirst-quenching wines over the ones that warmed our soul and body. Summer wine companions are a little different than those of winter, foods of the summer are crisp, fresh, chilled, and grilled. Here are some suggestions for some pairings you might try this summer that might make you think outside the "wine" box.

Let's start with brunch! Of course, your first thoughts go to Mimosas, right? Instead, try a different summer cocktail approach. Try a cucumber mint French 75 with a veggie omelet. French 75 was a wartime cocktail, whose name was inspired by a gun. The French-made Canon de 75 modéle 1897, known as the Soixante-Quinze or Seventy-Five, was an agile rifle that could shoot faster and more accurately than any other. A regular French 75 has simple syrup, 1 ounce gin, 1/2-ounce fresh lemon juice, Ice and 4 ounces chilled brut Champagne. Add a bit of cucumber and a mint leaf for a unique drink that screams of a summer day. It's refreshing, crisp and a great companion with the veggie omelet, with the acid in the cocktail meeting up with the fat of the eggs.

Headed to a barbeque and would rather pair your hot dog or hamburger with wine instead of a brewsky? Riesling is a wine we might often think of during the summer, but have you paired it with a hot dog?! A hot dog topped with mustard and German kraut - bamm, German AND summer pairing! Score! The acid in the mustard and kraut will marry with the acid in the wine, and the fruitiness will bring out the grilled flavors of the dog. Cheeseburgers and Sangiovese or Tempranillo are great companions! Make sure you either skip the bun or be sure it is a plain bun. The sweetness of a brioche or Hawaiian bun would mess with the flavors of the wine. Another pairing idea that might be new to you, but might

by Rita Allan

surprise your senses, try grilled chicken fajitas with a Brachetto d' Acqui, which is an effervescent red wine with notes of wild rose and bursts of strawberries. It is low in alcohol, so as to not ramp up the spiciness, and fruity with a slight bit of sweetness to soothe the spice. For the vegetarians in the house, a wonderful pairing is an Oregon Pinot Noir and grilled Portabella mushrooms! Oregon Pinot has wonderful earthy, forest floor and dark fruit characters that would just melt in with the flavors of the mushroom. Top your mushroom with some mozzarella, parmesan, basil, and thyme.

Picnicking beach or poolside really calls for Sauvignon Blanc; crisp, refreshingly citrusy, and zippy. Go with a Sancerre from Loire as you enjoy the sun and cool breezes. It really does not need a companion, except for you and your lounge chair; however, it would be great with herbed goat cheese and crackers. Champagne is a perfect buddy to fried chicken and salty potato chips with French onion dip; take your picnic to a new level! It doesn't need to be a budget breaking bubbly; Prosecco or Cava would work wonderfully as well. Furmint is another great choice for picnic foods. The high acidity would be up for a dance with the fried chicken, or a ham sandwich! If you have never ventured to Furmint, it has some wonderful unique qualities of smoke, minerals and herbs.

“Wines are like people. Some are perfect but boring, some are precocious but fail to live up to their promise, and some may be flawed, but the way they may develop is endlessly fascinating”

~Michael Broadbent

CALEND

Thursday June 1

First Thursday The Acoustic Onion, 7-10p Colonial Tavern, 406 Lafayette Blvd

First Friday June 2

FCCA Sally Rhone-Kuharek; Artist Choice: Cara Feys, Auten Davis, Madison Hinton, 813 Sophia St

BrushStrokes Gallery, feature artist Seija Martin, opening reception 59p, 824 Caroline St

Art First “Water, Water, Everywhere” All Member ExhibitionOpening Reception 6-9p

Canal Quarters, Featured Artist, Hunter Perkinson, Artistic Blacksmith, Opening Reception, 5-8:30p 1517 Princess Anne St.

“Remixed 8”, & 13th Year Anniversary Party, PONSHOP, Opening Reception 5-9p 712 Caroline St

"When Dinosaurs Return" Works by Sally Cooney Anderson Artful Dimensions, 922 Caroline St Opening Reception, 6-9pm

Madeleine McGraw, Guest Artist , Tasting/Samples of Sauces Artwork , 58:30p Darbytown Art Studio.241 Charles Street

Live Music, Larry Stephenson Band, FXBG Fairgrounds, 12p

Live Music @ Curitba Art Cafe, Spanglish Duo, 7-9p, 919 Caroline St

Live Music @Hard Times Cafe, Strizzo, 7-11:55p, 10760 Patriot Hwy

Sound of Summer Concert Series 6:30-8:30p Market Square Karen Jonas

Live Music @6Bears & a Goat, Ashleigh Chevalier dynamic, powerhouse vocals and fiery, unforgettable stage performances never cease to captivate audiences. 7p

Live Music@Advneture Brewing, Waking Napster, 33 Perchwood, 7p

Saturday June 3

Art in the Park, Browse & shop local artists and crafters FXBG Farmers Market, 9a-1p

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park,7a-2p,

Master Gardeners Plant Clinic, FXBG Farmers Market.

Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm Location:12150 Gordon Rd

Master Gardeners Plant Clinic, Gordon Road Farmers Market FXBG Garage Sale Shop 100's of vendors and find your unique picking at the largest indoor garage sale in VA FXBG Convention Center, 8a-4p

Kids' Fishing Derby 7:30A-12:30 P Ages 3-16 Motts Run Reservoir Free admission, please pre-register fxbgparks.com

Food CoOP Walking Group 9-10 am Meet at Fred Food Co-op, 320 Emancipation Hwy every Saturday

Live Music@Adventure Brewing, Suzie & Stephen, Sweet and sassy singing and acoustic guitar 33 Perchwood Dr, 7-9p

Live Music, Rabble Rousers, FXBG SQ, 6-9p, 525 Caroline St

Live Music WAVOS , 6p, Strangeways Brewing , 350 Landsdowne RD

Arts & Beyond, evening of arts with Avery Ballet , UMW Dodd Aud, 7p

Sunday June 4

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

Live Music, Counterproductive Band, Katora Coffee, 4:30p

Monday June 5

Music on the Steps, CRRL FXBG Branch, 6:30-7:30p, Surf Junkies

Tuesday June 6

Picnic in the Park 11:30 A-1:30 PM Memorial Park Free admission

Wednesday June 7 Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm 720 Littlepage

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

Thursday June 8 Walk with a Doc 4-5p FXBG Food CoOP, 320 Emancipation Hwy every Thurs

US Navy Band Summer Concert, Nat’ Museum of the Marine Corps, 1775 Semper Fi Way, Navy's premier country-bluegrass ensemble Free 7-8p

Live Music @Colonial Tavern, FJC Jazz Jam, 406 Lafayette Blvd, 7p

Friday June 9

“Homage to Colonial Beach” opening Seccond Friday Art Walk 6-9 pm, Artists’ Alliance 100 Taylor St., Suite 101, Colonial Beach.

Sound of Summer Concert Series 6:30-8:30p Market Square, Spanglish

Live Music @6B&G, Jonathan Mitchem, 7p

Live Music @Courtyard Mariott, Anthony G Acoustic, 620 Caroline 6p, Saturday June 10

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park,7a-2p

Kid's Market at the Farmers Market 7: A-1p Hurkamp Park Free admission

Master Gardeners Plant Clinic, FXBG Farmers Market.

Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm Location:12150 Gordon Rd

Master Gardeners Plant Clinic, Gord Black Arts Revisited, FAM, 907 Princ Live Music, Puerto Rician Bomba @M

Live Music @6B &G, Movin On Band, Rock and Roll music from the 60's, 7

Shakespeare on the Lawn, "Mids Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave, Sunday 11

Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern, FXBG National vs Charleston Riverdo

Shakespeare on the Lawn, "Mids Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave, PRIDE Prom, for 21+ members of LG to celebrate in a affirming space. a we show off our vibrant pride! Prom of the night., Water's End Brewery, Monday June 12 Music on the Steps, Spanglish Latin

Tuesday June 13

Picnic in the Park 11:30 A-1:30 PM

Flag Day Wednesday June Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm

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

Thursday June 15

FXBG Photography Show, showcase Dorothy Hart Community Center, 4

Friday June 16

Sound of Summer Concert Series 6

Live Music, The WAVOS @FAM, @Colonial Tavern, For a Dollar Trio

Live Music @Curitiba, Latin Night Concert FREE , 6-9p, 919 Caroline S

Shakespeare on the Lawn, "Mids Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave, Live Music@Colonial Tavern, For A D

Live Music @6B&G, Rocky Guttman, classic rock, folk, country, and Irish

& Juneteenth

540~479~4116 1013 Princess Anne St , FXBG

St

DAR of events

on Road Farmers Market

cess Anne, 10a-5p Market Square 3-5p

a 5-piece rock cover band. They play 70's, 80's, 90's and current hits! 7p

summer Night's Dream" 7-8:30p

, 720 Littlepage, til 1p

ogs, 1:35, VA Credit Union Stadium

summer Night's Dream" 7-8:30p

GBTQIA+ community and their allies night of dancing, music, and fun as m King & Queen crowned at the end 525 Caroline St, 6-10p

American Band, CRRL FXBG 7p

Memorial Park Free admission

14 m 720 Littlepage line St, 7-10p m

es work from area photographers. p

:30-8:30p Market Square WAVOS

907 Princess Anne STLive Music

w/ Spanglish Latin American Band

summer Night's Dream" 7-8:30p

Dollar, 406 Lafayette Blvd, 7p a solo acoustic guitarist and singer tunes , 7p

FREE Outdoor Public Concert

every Friday night

6:30- 8:30PM Historic Market Square, 907 Princess Anne St

Saturday June 17

Art in the Park, Browse & shop local artists & crafters FXBG Farmers Market, 9a-1p

Father’s Day Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park,7a-2p, T

Master Gardeners Plant Clinic, FXBG Farmers Market.

FXBG Independant Book Festivalover 60 authors from a variety of genres author signings,readings, book talks, marketing talks, music, food trucks, and more! FREE , Riverfront Park, 10a-4p

Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm Location:12150 Gordon Rd

Master Gardeners Plant Clinic, Gordon Road Farmers Market

Juneteenth Celebration, , Patriot Park, 5710 Smith Station Rd, free community event, vendors, DJ, food, family activities,11a-4p

Live Music @6Bears & A Goat Brewing, Shannon Peterson, 1140 International Hwy, 7p

Live Music @Strangeways Brewing, Journey Tribute Trial by Fire, 350 Landsdown d, 7-10p

Live Music@Hard Times Cafe, Presley & Taylor, 10760 Patriot Hwy, 9p

Father’s Day Sunday June 18

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

Shakespeare on the Lawn, "Midsummer Night's Dream" 7-8:30p Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave,

Monday June 19

Junteenth Independance Day

Tuesday June 20

Picnic in the Park, Kenmore Park, 1401 Kenmore Ave, 11:30-1:30p

Wednesday June 21

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

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

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm

Thursday June 22

Live Music@Jubilation, Elements of Kindred, 6:30p Carl D, Silver Pkwy

US Navy Band Concert, Sea Band Chanters, 1775 Semper Fi Way, 7-8p

Friday June 23

Live Music @FXBG Square, Darcy Dawn, 525 Caroline St, 6-9p

Live Jazz@Courtyard Mariott, 6-9p, 620 Caroline ST

Live Music @6B&G, The Cold North at 6, 7p

Sound of Summer Concert Series 6:30-8:30p Market Square Acoustic

Onion, Free

Saturday June 24

Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park,7a-2p, Master Gardeners Plant Clinic, FXBG Farmers Market.

Spotsy Farmers Market , 8am - 1pm Location:12150 Gordon Rd

Master Gardeners Plant Clinic, Gordon Road Farmers Market

FXBG Honey Festival Unlimited Samples of Wine, Mead & Cider, Festival Foods, Honey Vendors and Honey Specials Haley's Honey Meadery 1600 Princess Anne Street, Noon

FXBG PRIDE March, theme is I Love My City, MY City Loves Me , Riverfront Park, 2-3p

FXBG PRIDE, Musical Performances! Local Vendors! Local Organizations! Raffles! , Old Mill Park, 11a-5p

Live Music @ Hard Times Cafe, Drive In Riot, blues & rock, 10760 Patriot Hwy, 7p

Sunday June 25

Black History Walking Tour walking tour of Downtown focuses on black businesses and entrepreneurs, Meet at FAM, 907 Caroline St, 11:30a

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

Monday June 26

Music on the Steps, Laurie Rose Griffth & Peter Mealy, 6-7:30p CRRL FXBG Branch

Tuesday June 27

Picnic in the Park 11:30 A-1:30 PM Memorial Park Free admission

Wednesday June 28

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

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

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm

Friday June 30

Sounds of Summer Concert Series, 6:30-8:30p Market Square Free Harry Wilson Band

Live Music, Rick Hollowell @Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood Dr, 7p

Live Music@6B&G, JoJo Bayliss 7p

If you are reading this 311th issue of FPF, thank an advertiser now in our 26th year of continuous publication!

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

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

Slaughter Pen Farm

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

In 2006 the Civil War Trust began a campaign to acquire the Slaughter Pen Farm, a major part of the Fredericksburg battlefield that is 205 acres. The farm is adjacent to Shannon airport and across from the Fredericksburg Country Club. Known for years as the Pierson farm, it was the Union Army's left flank during the battle of Fredericksburg. The land which was considered prime for development, was the only land left where you can follow the Union assault from start to finish All the other parts of the Fredericksburg battle has been degraded by development..

Slaughter Pen has always been less important in discussions than Marye's Heights, however, it was at Slaughter Pen where the battle of Fredericksburg was won or lost Over this ground the Federal Troops Under Generals Meade and Gibbon would assault "Stonewall" Jackson's troops holding the Confederate right flank (Prospect Hill).

Fredericksburg would have never been a battle if General Ambrose Burnside would have carried out his original plan. Burnsides plan was to cross the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg around fifteen November and proceed towards Richmond before General Lee could get his troops in position to block him. All was put on hold when Burnside was unable to get the pontoon bridges in time to cross the Rappahannock. The issue was according to the New York Engineers was that they needed over 250 horses to move the pontoons. Actually most of the bridging was still on the upper Potomac, unknown to Burnside's Staff engineer Cyrus Comstock. Fredericksburg when Burnside arrived was only home to approximately 500 Confederate troops. General Sumner suggested that a force cross the river and drive off the Southern troops. He ordered General Sumner to wait in Falmouth until the pontoons arrived, after Sumner suggested crossing at the fords in the river. When the pontoons finally arrived the Confederate army was near Fredericksburg with around 65,000 troops. Burnside's hesitation with his 100,000 soldiers had denied him his element of surprise

Slaughter Pen tract today is much like it was in 1862. The R F & P railroad is in the same location as it was in 1862. The Pyramid is very visible as it was constructed as a marker for rail passengers in the 1930's. On December 13, 1862, it was the Left Grand Division of Major General William Franklin that crossed over the Pontoon Bridges at

Mansfield (Fredericksburg Country Club) in preparation to attack Jackson's troops on the confederate right south of the city. South of the Town on December 13 at Slaughter Pen Farm, Franklin had his entire division of 60,000 troops. His orders were to seize the high ground known as Prospect Hill. The morning was blanketed with a dense fog, when General George Meade was ordered to move forward with around 4,500 troops. It was 1PM when Meade hit Jackson's force of around 35,000 in the thick under brush. Meade hit a portion of the line about a 600 yard space that was undefended. Meade ran into a group of Confederates with stacked arms not expecting an attack, many were captured along with a Georgia flag. This was some of the most severe fighting with bayonet. Meade had broken thru the southern line, he later complained that Birney's troops did not give him the support he needed and also Reynolds had not ordered his division forward. Franklin did not reinforce Meade's break thru with 20,000 troops in reserve, stating that all his forces were engaged which was not true as the entire VI Corps and I Corps were mostly in reserve during the fighting. Early's division began a counterattack that would drive Meade's troops from the woods in a disorderly retreat, the skirmishing would continue until dark, however, the Slaughter Pen Farm would be a forever memory for both North and South.

Franklin would suffer 5,000 casualties and Jackson's losses 3,400.

On the night of December 14, 1862, the Aurora Borealis appeared over the battlefield which was quite unusual for this area as the sky had a ruddy glow over the field of frozen dead by the Rappahannock as one soldier would write. Slaughter Pen today is a wonderful place to visit with displays and walking trails.

Dedicated to: Emmitt Marshall, J ane Edwards, Tom Trany, Brenda Huff, & Henrietta Snellings

Tuffy is Front Porch’s Resident Historian

What’sinaCone? Carl’s By

Delicious soft serve ice cream. Smiling kids of all ages. These are "a few of my favorite things" that make Fredericksburg so special. Carl's Frozen Custard first opened for business in 1947 in a re-purposed filling station and restaurant at 2200 Princess Anne Street. It was one of five frozen custard stores that opened that year in our region. Today, Carl's is the only one left.

Built by local contractor Ashton Skinner in 1953, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Carl's is a great example of Art Moderne architecture that speaks of the bygone era when automobile-centered commercial development first defined the old US Route 1 corridor.

It's much more than just a cool building (no pun intended). Carl's is an iconic treasure of Fredericksburg history and culture. Important not only to the local economy, it has profound social significance. For generations, families have come here, lining up for their turn at the window, enjoying ice cream and visiting with one another. It's a place that brings people together.

Carl's was named by Southern Living and USA Today as one of the best places to get ice cream in America, and was featured by PBS in "An Ice Cream Show". The Electro-Freeze machines at Carl's are original, and both date from the 1940s. Electro-Freeze pioneered soft serve ice cream in 1946, and they are still in business today under the name of H.C. Duke.

What makes Carl's ice cream so good? Well, it just is. The original recipe for frozen custard was changed in the

jon gerlach

early 1960s when four percent egg yolk (by volume) became the norm. Undeterred, and to keep its original recipe, Carl's changed its name from "Carl's Frozen Custard" to just "Carl's". Later, the recipe was altered by a switch to Pet Milk that kept the ice cream pasteurized with the correct viscosity. That's just a scientific way of saying "Yummy & Smooth".

What's in store for Carl's in the future? Good things, we hope. The Princess Anne Street corridor still has many commercial buildings that evoke the old US Route 1 heyday. The Architectural Review Board has identified 30 structures here, including Carl's, that contribute to its unique character. The Creative Maker District is a new urban plan for this part of Fredericksburg, spearheaded by Assistant City Planner Mike Craig with grass-roots support from many local residents and business owners, including the Fredericksburg Canal Quarter The goal of the plan is to encourage adaptive re-use of historically significant buildings in a way that supports local business, creates walkable areas with green spaces, while nurturing and complimenting the neighborhood character in a modern, sustainable fashion. We look forward to what's coming next … like the anticipation of standing in line for Carl's ice cream!

So … what's in a Cone? Here, a shining architectural gem and a favorite gathering place for generations of smiling families.

An attorney & retired archaeologist, Jon Gerlach servesd on Fredericksburg’s City Council, Ward Two

The Renwick Courthouse , the most architecturally significant building in town, has been at the epicenter of local government for more than 150 years.

James Renwick, Jr.'s contributions to American art and architecture in the mid-nineteenth century reflect a seismic shift in the way our nation's cultural heritage was interpreted and conveyed by the built environment. What is generally called the Gothic Revival style today emerged from a philosophical and artistic movement that looked to monuments of Medieval Europe over those of ancient Rome or Greece for inspiration, and James Renwick, Jr. mastered its architectural expression, most notably in churches.

Fredericksburg's courthouse is one of Renwick's early experiments with medieval eclecticism, mixing Norman, Early English-LLancet Gothic, and Romanesque Revival architectural features. A 2006 publication from the Society of Architectural Historians, Buildings of Virginia: Tidewater and Piedmont, briefly describes its stylish design, along with its eye-catching price tag: "Unique in Virginia and significant nationally is this pre-Civil War Gothic Revival Courthouse…. The building was controversial with the citizenry because of a tax levy, and Renwick responded with

OUR HERITAGE

public history of renwick courthouse

By danae peckler

a simplified and economical Gothic Revival design."

The cost to local coffers and the tax levied for the courthouse's construction may have motivated the town's Council to pass an ordinance shortly after work was completed that enshrined its public use as something of a modern-dday community center . On September 6, 1852, of The Fredericksburg News recounted these details: “The following Resolution was offered by Mr. G.W. Eve, Resolved that the Ordinance passed on the 8th of March 1852, relating to the Court House, when it shall have been received, shall be used for the purpose of all public meetings of the citizens of the town, except for military drills, by private association, upon application therefor, being made to the Mayor; and the vote having been taken thereon, by ayes and noes it was adopted.”

For nearly 100 years, minutes from City Council meetings have reflected the building's use by Fredericksburg residents as a library, armory, firehouse, school, church, and meeting space for numerous local organizations. It also served as home to the Freedman's Court after the Civil War and as a War Service Community Camp after World War I (see appended list).

This courthouse-like many others across the country-is a powerful symbol of its community and the American form of government that generations of citizens have fought to protect. The Board of Directors at Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Inc (HFFI), our community's sole preservation advocacy organization, recently renewed its offer to help the city

complete a National Register of Historic Places nomination for this publicly owned historic asset and iconic architectural gem. HFFI was pleased that the matter was discussed at the March 13 City Council meeting and hopes that it will be one of many significant strides the city takes to support the high-quality preservation treatment the Renwick Courthouse deserves.

Varied Uses of the Renwick Courthouse, 1852-11945, as noted in City Council Minutes Abstracts

2 September 1852-Courthouse to be used for all public meetings of the citizens with the exception of military drills and private operations.

3 February 1853-Northeast corner of the Courthouse to be set aside for the use of the District Court and for a library for said court.

15 December 1853-Mayor to have the middle room of the north wing of the Courthouse fitted up to hold Council sessions.

7 March 1854-Union Fire Company authorized to use the room in the south wing of the Courthouse in conjunction with the Fredericksburg Guards.

27 November 1860-Lease a room in the south end of the courthouse for use by the 2nd Battalion of Volunteers.

28 December 1861-Unoccupied rooms in the courthouse to be used by officers and soldiers of the 30th Regiment of Virginia Volunteers.

24 October 1865-Granted use of the armory room in the Courthouse for purpose of instructing white children of the town whose parents or guardians may be unable to pay tuition.

15 December 1865-Granted permission to hold Freedman's Court in a Courthouse room.

15 February 1866-Young Men's Literary Society allowed to use Courthouse hall for evening meetings.

22 August 1871-Appropriated $400 to "fit up" the south wing of the Courthouse for use of the public schools.

24 and 31 September 1872Courthouse to be open for public meetings with approval of the Mayor and with payment for gas and cleaning.

11 December 1876-Library Association authorized to use a room in the Courthouse for a library.

21 August 1885-Granted permission to use the District Courtroom for a high grade school.

1 July 1887-Shiloh Baptist Church asked to continue to occupy the courthouse for a little longer-until a new building could be procured.

21 September 1899-Overflow school started in the Courthouse for 59 white students who could not be accommodated in the regular school.

19 April 1906-Ladies of the City Mission request use of the Courthouse for a public lecture to benefit the poor.

13 May 1919-Chamber of Commerce committee asked to use rooms in the south end of the Courthouse for a War Service Community Camp. Space had previously been used as an Armory.

9 October 1934-Minutes indicate that the American Legion is using a room in the Courthouse.

10 July 1945-Permission granted for Textile Workers Union to meet in the Courthouse.

Danae Peckler chose her passion as a profession and enjoys making meaningful connections between the past and the present for the future. She has researched, documented, and assessed historic properties throughout the mid-Atlantic region for 13 years as an Architectural Historian at Dovetail Cultural Resource Group and currently serves on HFFI's Board of Directors.

The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center is a non-profit, all-volunteer archives whose mission is to preserve historically valuable material of the region and make it available to the public for research

Mental Health the truth about mental health & gun Violence

By daniel Gillison, Jr

Every time we experience a tragedy involving guns, people with mental illness are drawn into the conversation. The truth is that the vast majority of violence is not perpetrated by people with mental illness

Whenever we hear about another tragedy involving gun violence, we grieve along with our fellow citizens and community members impacted by it.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) sees gun violence as a national public health crisis that impacts everyone.

Every time we experience a tragedy involving guns, people with mental illness are drawn into the conversation. The truth is that the vast majority of violence is not perpetrated by people with mental illness. Statements to the contrary only serve to perpetuate stigma and distract from the real issues. Far too often, we hear stigmatizing comments and generalizations about people with mental illness being violent, which simply isn't true. This kind of misinformation comes as a punch in the gut to those of our family and community members living with mental health conditions.

The overwhelming majority of people with mental illness are not violent Most people with mental health conditions will never become violent, and mental illness does not cause most gun violence. In fact, studies show that mental illness contributes to only about 4% of all violence, and the contribution to gun violence is even lower

Research shows an increased risk of gun violence comes from a history of violence, including domestic violence; use of alcohol or illegal drugs; being young

and male; and/or a personal history of physical or sexual abuse or trauma. Mental illness alone is not a predictor of violence. We need to be careful that the response to these tragedies does not discourage people with mental health conditions from seeking treatment. Stigma far too often prevents people from getting the help they so desperately need. "When people unfairly connect mass shooters with mental illness, it stigmatizes the millions of people living with mental health struggles who are not violent," said NAMI's National Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, Kimball Angela

While the relationship between mental illness and gun violence is very low, we need reasonable options. This includes making it possible for law enforcement to act on credible community and family concerns in circumstances where people are at highrisk

Hate Is Not A Mental Illness

Let's be clear: It is incorrect and harmful to link mental illness with gun violence.

Blaming mental illness for gun violence only serves to further stigmatize and discriminate against people with mental health conditions - who are more often the victims of violence than the cause of violence - and further distracts from the real issues at hand in addressing this national crisis.

Radicalism is not a mental illness

Terrorism is not a mental illness. Hate is not a mental illness.

There is no reliable psychiatric cure for angry, often young, men with access to guns who are committed to perpetrating violence (according to the Washington Post, 98% of mass shooters are men and almost half are between the ages of 18 and 29). The mental health system cannot prevent mass shootings because mental illness is not the problem

The Real Issues At Hand

We have to stop using mental illness as a scapegoat and instead focus on evidence-based risk factors for gun violence, like impulsivity and a history of violence.

Mental health conditions are common around the globe, yet no other country comes close to the level of gun violence our country experiences. According to the CDC, firearms have now surpassed car accidents as the No 1 killer of children and adolescents It defies not just statistics, but also common sense, to keep placing the blame for this uniquely American problem elsewhere.

We have to address the real issues at hand - such as the fact that it's easier in our country to get a gun than to get mental health care, and the unfortunate reality that self-directed gun violence is fueling our nation's suicide epidemic: The majority of firearm deaths each year are suicides, and firearms are the most common method used for suicide.

We need to have an honest and productive national conversation about all the factors that play into this type of violence and what we can do to prevent these tragedies. Only then can we find

meaningful solutions to protecting our children and communities.

Coping With Vicarious Trauma

In the aftermath of traumatic events like school shootings, the gaps in our current systems of mental health care are further amplified.

According to Texas State Sen Roland Gutierrez , there is only one psychiatrist for all of Uvalde. A lack of providers in rural areas like Uvalde has always been a huge issue, but in the aftermath of tragedy, these disparities in access to mental health care become even more devastating as communities grapple with the lack of providers to address trauma.

Investing in our mental health resources as a nation is more important now than ever - not because doing so is the overriding solution to preventing gun violence, but because the trauma of gun violence is far-rreaching

On an individual level, we must commit to our own self-care and seek support as we try to cope with the vicarious trauma spurred on by the constant news coverage of these terrible tragedies. We must commit to checking in with the people around us, who may be struggling in ways far beyond what we could ever imagine. We must commit to hope where there are feelings of helplessness, love where there is hate, and action where there is apathy

The time for meaningful change is long overdue. Lack of action by legislators is literally killing us.

Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is the chief executive officer of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Also contributing NAMI California Advocacy & Public Policy

It's tempting to say gun violence is about mental illness. The truth is much more complex

By Patrick Neustatter, MD

In March, Open AI unveiled it's latest, improved, version, GPT-4 4furthering anxiety among us doctors that patients will be consulting with computers, bots and AI, and not needing our professional services.

Artificial intelligence is far superior to the human brain (even that of doctors) in its ability to retain and review information. This makes it ideal for that detective like function doctors perform of diagnosing. Looking at your symptoms and solving the mystery.

It is less likely to have brain farts like doctors do, who, for example, are famous for overlooking obscure but serious conditions like abdominal aortic aneurisms or pulmonary emboli.

What people have reservations about is that some bot won't be good at empathizing - though a study of 200 medical questions posted on Reddit that were answered by doctors and by ChatGPT found that "our panel of health care professionals preferred ChatGPT four to one over physicians."

Technological Inroads - And Reservations

We have seen IT making a lot of inroads in the practice of medicine already.

Everyone seems to consult with Dr. Google to diagnose themselves - or see if the doctor has got it right.

More and more people are buying electronic monitoring gizmos to measure blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, blood sugar, even assessment of mood.

Surgeons are pretty much standing by while robots do the surgery for them. And we're getting used to consulting via video link - though this, and the autonomous robots that round on patients in the hospital, are not quite the same. They do at least involve linking you to a human provider.

My reservation is not philosophical. That there is anything wrong with patients making their own enquiry and being informed - in fact an informed patients who can help share in the decision making is what an Emancipated Patients should be.

My misgivings are from seeing how awful computerized medical records are. They have been almost universally adopted - thanks to mandates and financial incentives to doctors and hospitals - but are apparently built by geeks who have gone out of their way to make even the simplest tasks like writing a prescription or ordering a lab test involve pulling up multiple screens and making innumerable key strokes.

Not to mention that the 150 odd different vendors, who, in this land of private enterprise, all compete with each other so their proprietary products won't communicate with each other.

Computerized records also suffer that apparently irresistible ability to generate massive amounts of data. So, reports from other doctors that used to be one page long are now an unwieldy 15 pages. Or ER notes and hospital discharge summaries are crammed with irrelevant information - though this "data tsunami" also plagues other industries.

What doctors hope these ever more sophisticated generative pre-trained transformers will do is help with the "busy work" - reading imaging studies, improving documentation by helping to both read and write notes, dispensing medicines, and a whole lot more - unloading doctors to spend more time actually attending to their patients.

Ask GPT

So will AI replace doctors?

These days when you want to know the answer to a question where else would you go but to AI

"No" GPT-4 told me. It is "capable of understanding and processing large amounts of information" but is "not a medical expert."

That's a relief.

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

Auto Known Better

you can always go first class...

By Rim Vining

Around Town

1949 MG-TC Special Roadster

While I always liked cars I never pursued being a mechanic. I'm not a gear head, I never dreamed of having a muscle car and horsepower didn't ring my chimes. I always favored the ones with curves and personality, flare and style, and a lack of fins helped. Never understood fins.

You Just Can’t Stay Long!

That bit of sage advice along with "just because you can buy it doesn't mean you can afford it" are probably the most important things I learned from my father and they have kept me in good stead for close to 70 years. Wow, writing '70' is a blow to my psyche.

I devoted last month's missive to mothers and now as is proper, we celebrate Father's Day! Notice it comes after Mother's Day? Don't get me wrong it's not that there is some kind of ranking of importance going on here we just know which side the bread is buttered on. Really? Who speaks like that anymore?

A little background here, my father was raised an only child in a very Victorian household in Ohio. His mother was a divorcee which was unheard of in polite society in 1920 so she professed to be a widow and wore black for an "appropriate" period. All the photographs of young Heath don't have his name on the back just "Boy" Vining which kind of sets the tone for his upbringing. To his credit and despite some pretty tall obstacles he became a successful mechanical engineer entirely self-taught. His single semester at NC State was most likely spent as most freshmen have done since time immemorial, i.e., in a stupor.

Although he never actually taught me much about automobiles and mechanics he did expose me to all manner of motorized conveyances from the homemade wooden go-kart with rope steering to my first pedal car. There was also the string of odd cars we owned from Crosley to Austin, MG TD to Triumph Mayflower and Karman Ghia to Beetle they made an impression.

So now I'm twenty years into a second career restoring classic cars and with 45 years of seat time in an MG BGT I guess the old man did hand something down. I actually know what a Whitworth wrench is and twin carbs don't scare me.

I also know that a weekend at the Waldorf or the Willard beats the hell out of three weeks in a Holiday Inn and buying an old Jaguar without six-figures lying around in a discretionary 'stupid money' account is a fool's errand. Hence I drive the affordable MG's.

My father died young at barely 60 from throat cancer back in the dark ages of treatments. Here I am six years out from successful treatment of the same diagnosis and living life working on and driving all the old cars he might have been able to buy but knew he couldn't afford.

For all the silence between us there was that twinkle in his eye when we had to swap cars and he got to drive my first '68 BGT for a week. There he was bombing around the beltway passing everyone because of course the speedometer didn't work. "Yeah Dad, 4500 RPM is damn near 80MPH" … in the rain... on the beltway. His only comment was I needed new wiper blades.

So here's to L Heath and Primrose Parents who always did their best

… so why isn't there an oldest brother day or little sister day, or "odd uncle" who came every summer for two weeks day? More on that later.

autoknownbetter@gmail.com

Rim Vining, humorist, friend and a devoted community volunteer

I happened to land a photograph of this beautiful 1949 MG-TC Special Roadster, that was briefly parked around the block from our house. Was fortunate to capture in a nice urban context on Marye's Heights:

Thought ya'll would enjoy this odd candid image around town.

~Chelius H. Carter

"Travel Is Fatal To Prejudice, Bigotry, And Narrow-Mindedness." -

~Mark Twain

hunter perkinson: blacksmith

This month’s guest artist at Canal Quarter Arts is Hunter Perkinson , a artisian blacksmith for First Friday, June 2, 5-8:30. His work will remain on display for the entire month of June

Hunter is such a kind and generous man with so much talent. His beautiful creations are one of a kind and true works of art.

“As an artisan blacksmith I have been practicing the craft since the year 2000, but my journey started much earlier. Having acquired a BS degree from Va.Tech. in Industrial Arts Education gave me a strong foundation in which to pursue a career in this field that one might say has been out of favor for a hundred years. Taking a one week introductory class in 1990 was the spark that started a fire that still burns today

“Thank you Ed King for such an incredible birthday gift. I mentioned how I was so fond of Hunter Perkinson's beautiful work, so he contacted Hunter and commissioned this awesome piece. Thank you Hunter for such a great piece of art. I will treasure it always.”

(Fireplace Screen, pictured)

~Liz

Castellano-K

King

by jeannie ellis

“Having come to this craft relatively late in life I felt the need to take some shortcuts in my pursuit of my new found passion. I do not consider myself a "Master Blacksmith", Journeyman at best.The historical aspect

of the blacksmith and its functional nature is what drew me initially to the craft. The more I learn the more I realize I don't know.

“From the very beginning I knew it would be at least a hobby but turned into a rewarding pursuit. As my skill set improved my desire increased to learn even more, I found myself gravitating toward sculpture. Incorporating items found in nature in functional items and finally art for art's sake. There's a certain irony, pun intended. transforming an element like steel, hard, heavy and ridged into something seemingly light, delicate as a feather forged from steel

Locally Perkinson has been a member of several art galleries over the past few years starting at Libertytown, Artful Dimensions, and Canal Quarter Arts. He comments, “I thoroughly enjoyed my association with each and everyone. I have done live demonstrations for Ferry Farms, Chatham Manor, Fredericksburg Museum as well as reenactment for several local Civil War Battles for Spotsylvania County. I enjoy sharing the craft/art with the public almost as much as creating items and art itself.”

Forge On!

Jeannie Ellis is the owner of Canal Quarters Arts and Darbytown Art Studio

Art in Burg

Art Galleries in June

“Water, Water, Everywhere”

All Member Exhibition

Opening Reception First Fri, June 2, 69p

Art First, 824 Caroline St

The works may be in any medium and depict any subject matter, including, of course, water, and featuring a wide range of subjects and artistic styles. Artwork media may include acrylic, assemblage, collage, drawing, oil, photography, printmaking, textiles, threedimensional objects, and watercolor.

“Art Across the Country”

Seija Martin Featured Artist

Opening Reception First Fri, June 2 5-99p

Brush Strokes Gallery, 824 Caroline St

In her exhibit "Art Across the Country: America the Beautiful," Brush Strokes Gallery's June featured artist, Seija Martin, conveys both the awe-inspiring power of nature as well as its emotive embrace. In her words, "I welcome visitors to my exhibit, where they can experience the beauty of nature in works inspired by my recent cross-country travels. My paintings reflect on the landscapes that I encountered within each state, where I was struck by the majesty of the mountains, trees, rivers, and skies."

"Pfeiffer Beach California" highlights the placid, calming beauty of the seascape, while emerging boulders and cliffs are a testimony to the enduring, timeless character of the scene.

~-Collette Caprara

.

"When Dinosaurs Return"

Works by Sally Cooney Anderson

Artful Dimensions, 922 Caroline St

Opening Reception, First Friday June 2, 6-99pm

When dinosaurs return, they will be created from the remnants of things we did not use. Visit Artful Dimensions during June to meet the first ones to come back and read the story of how they meet and impact each other.

~ Sally Cooney Anderson

.

~Anne Timpano

Madeleine McGraw, Guest Artist

Tasting/Samples of Sauces

Artwork

First Friday, June 2, 5-88:30p

Darbytown Art Studio

241 Charles Street

Madeleine is an artist and small business owner who loves to share her passions and creativity with the community. She celebrates women and nature in her art, and the recipes for her company Spicy Grrrls.

Jeannie Ellis

“Homage to Colonial Beach”

opening is Seccond Friday Art Walk

celebrate, we'll be hosting a garden party at the shop during June's First Friday. Our garden will be open from 6 to 8 pm with live music and local fare. We will have our backyard set up picnic style with food offerings by local restaurant Alpine Chef and local baker Bri Bakes with live music by guitarist, tendersong, and harpist Elizabeth Owens.

Featured Artist, Hunter Perkinson

Artistic Blacksmith

Opening Reception, First Fri June 2 , 5-88:30p

Canal Quarters Arts

1517 Princess Anne St

~ Jeannie Ellis

June 9, 6-9 9 pm, Artists’ Alliance

100 Taylor St , Suite 101, Colonial Beach

The Artists' Alliance (AA) at Jarrett Thor Fine Arts will pay homage to Colonial Beach's water heritage with a group show featuring water landscapes. Our artists will exhibit work depicting the Potomac River and Oceans beyond.

Rob Rudick

“Remixed 8”

13th Year Anniversary Party

PONSHOP

Opening Reception First Fri, June 2, 5-99p 712 Caroline St

PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is planning for a watershed month in June. We are celebrating our "Lucky" Thirteenth year as a brick and mortar shop.To

PONSHOP also returns with our most popular community art exhibition for June and July of 2023. "Remixed 8" features original artwork using 12" vinyl record albums. The exhibit includes over fifty participating artists working with this unconventional canvas. Featured artists include Sarah Brooks, Heather Evans, Julie Maida, Destiney Lynn, Morgan Buenos, and Dan Craddock.

~Gabe Pons

810 Caroline Street, Downtown 540.371.4099

Artist on Site Saturdays

Hunter Perkinson@ Canal Quarters Arts

“Foxes”,Robyn Ryan“Carl’s”,Beverley Coates

“Sunrise Princess Anne St”,Lynn Abbott

Seija Martin “Pfeiffer Beach California” @BSG

Sally Cooney Anderson@Artful Dimensions

“Peaceful Day on the Rappahannock” Leah Fromer @Art First

Heather Evans, "La Fleur" @PONSHOP

Rob Rudick@Artists’ Alliance

Celebrate Local Ceramics!

6th annual sophia street pottery throwdown June 10th

Our final four ceramic spotlights this month celebrate the works of Ana Brugos, Beth Sperlazza, Deb Balestreri and Kevin Rodrigue.

Ana Brugos has a studio at Libertytown Arts Workshop in Fredericksburg and does functional work with handpainted local themes. "I enjoy drawing images on my pots. Eventually I discovered the Mishima technique and it gave me the ability to play with colors

By annie harpe

flowers and animals from the back yard, the landscape, experiences. I specially like to celebrate our town by drawing the skyline of Fredericksburg, the Chatham bridge, and so on."

You can see more of Ana's work at Libertytown, or online on Instagram at: annabrugos_pottery.

The 6th annual Sophia Street Pottery Throwdown to showcase local ceramic art will be happening Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of the Sophia Street Studios at 1104 Sophia Street in downtown Fredericksburg. Shop for work from more than 25 local artists, watch pottery demos, enjoy live country and bluegrass music from local favorite the Wellbillies, and buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind collaborative piece by Trista Chapman, Dan Finnegan and Neal Reed Raffle proceeds are donated to Empowerhouse to support victims of domestic violence.

and have painterly images on the pots. I find inspiration in our surroundings,

Deb Balestreri is based in Stafford, Virginia and makes one-of-a-kind, textural, earthy-colored functional ceramics from durable stoneware clay. She calls her work Corgi Clay after her favorite breed of fascinating, playful, and super smart dogs. See more of Debs work at: www.debrabalestreri-corgiclay.com/.

Deb also teaches pottery and recently opened the Corgi Clay Art Center in Stafford. Learn more and register for a class at: https://corgiclayartcenter.com/.

Beth Sperlazza is another Fredericksburg pottery favorite with a studio at Libertytown. Beth describes her

Arts Workshop, or online at: www.etsy.com/shop/SperlazzaPottery.

Kevin Rodrigue also has a studio at Libertytown in Fredericksburg. Kevin uses his interpretations of form and function to alter clay to define, enhance and meld with the user's environment. It is the interpretation that allows Kevin to connect with the viewer's everyday lives. Check out Kevin's work in-person at Libertytown, or online at: www.rodriguestudios.com/.

The Sophia Street Pottery

Throwdown was started by longtime local ceramic artist and Fredericksburg resident Trista Chapman, owner of the Sophia Street Studios. Trista has been making pottery for over 30 years and is known for her festively colorful "Tristaware." You can see Trista's work and other fun furniture, jewelry and more at the Sophia Street Studios, 1104 Sophia Street, open Wednesday through Saturday from 10-5.

ceramic work as "funky utilitarian pottery for your home, kitchen and life." You can see Beth's work in-person at Libertytown

So stroll on down to Sophia Street, Saturday June 10 10 a m to 5 p m in front of the Sophia Street Studios at 1104 Sophia Street and celebrate local ceramic arts!

Deb Balestreri

Beth Sperlazzza

Ana Brugos

Kevin Rodrigue

You Are Not Alone

empowerhouse can help

By Nancy Kelly

Girls and women between the ages of 16-24 are almost three times more likely to experience violent relationships than women of any other age. 1 in 4 women in the U.S. are victims of intimate partner violence.

Those who abuse their partners seek to exert power and control over their victims and to isolate them from family, friends, and colleagues At Empowerhouse, we want survivors of domestic violence and their children to know that you are not alone. We are here to help you find safety, healing, and supportive services.

Since 1978, Empowerhouse has given survivors of domestic violence the time, space, and tools to heal their hearts, restore their connections, and renew their spirits. We empower survivors and their children to believe in themselves and build new lives filled with dignity, respect, safety, and hope.

We are dedicated to breaking the cycle of violence through shelter, advocacy, education, awareness, prevention, and intervention. Empowerhouse provides connection, assistance, and support with:

Our 24-hour confidential hotline

Our court advocacy and healthcare services accompaniment

Our 24-hour residential shelter

Our housing assistance and services program

Crisis intervention and advocacy

Support/education groups for women

Teen Girls Groups for teens witnessing domestic violence or in atrisk relationships

Risk assessment and safety planning

Spanish language and culturally relevant services

Our free, age-appropriate Healthy Relationships classroom presentations, which we bring to area elementary, middle, and high school students, and cover various topics like bullying, boundaries, equality and respect, warning signs of teen dating violence, and effective communication.

Last year, Empowerhouse launched our successful Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) partnership with the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, which identifies high-danger survivors of domestic violence in their homes and immediately connects victims to one number answered by a dedicated Empowerhouse advocate using new cell phones and technology.

From our six months of LAP data, we know that of the high-danger victims, 85% of those receiving follow-up services had never heard of Empowerhouse, 61% of their abusive partners had access to a firearm, 75% of the victims had been strangled and 68% of the victims were stalked by their abusive partners. The LAP program's immediate connection from the scene to a vital live support system allows a safe escape for domestic violence survivors and their children, prevents further harm, and saves lives.

We are thrilled that we will be able to continue and expand the groundbreaking LAP program and help women in immediate danger thanks to a

very generous $50,000 grant made possible with support from the Women and Girls Fund of The Community Foundation This is one more way that Empowerhouse is here for survivors of domestic violence and their children when they need us most. We care about you. You are not alone.

To learn more about Empowerhouse, please visit our website If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call our 24-hhour confidential hotline at (540) 373-99373

Nancy B. Kelly is the Development Director for Empowerhouse.

Are you looking for a fun and educational experience for your child this summer? If your kids have a passion for animals, the Fredericksburg SPCA has got you covered! Compassionate Care Camp offers a week of exciting activities, learning opportunities, and hands-on experiences with pets. Camp sessions are available for kids aged 6-9 and 10-13, running from June 12 - August 4, Monday through Friday, for three hours each day at the Fred SPCA facility.

The focus of this camp is to educate kids on humane practices, responsible care & treatment of animals while also providing hands-oon experiences to those interested in animal career fields Some of the most popular activities include: reading to cats and kittens, making cat boxes & pupscicles, tie-dying camp shirts, puppy playtime, and getting the opportunity to visit the veterinary team as they work! Kids can also look forward to educational activities throughout the day to encourage how to make a difference in the lives of animals in their communities, country, and the world.

Emails from past participants have shared their gratitude and love for Compassionate Care Camp as it has grown over the years.

CompassionateCareCamp

hands on experience at fred spca

by Victoria Alicandro

" Becca has always loved animals, but this camp has increased her knowledge about how to properly care for animals and understand how we each can help our local shelters," said the mom of a past camper. "Each day she was so excited to share what she learned and has been reading to our own dog at home when she thinks he needs some extra attention or comfort."

"We had a middle-school-aged camper, who was of very few words and was noticeably uneasy around cats. Halfway through camp, he was with an elderly cat who just loved to snuggle and purr. He stood and read to the cat for the first 10 minutes in the room. After the 3rd time I walked by, he was sitting on the couch, with the cat in his lap and the book high up in the air, avoiding touching the cat in any way. The cat continued to nuzzle him. Before leaving that day, he was lit up like a Christmas tree," said Rachel. "The boy and his family walked out of the shelter with the newly adopted elderly cat to bring home!"

These programs help kids just as much as the animals awaiting their new homes. All the money raised through the program will go back to supporting the mission of the Fredericksburg SPCA. The staff, volunteers, and animals hope to see the animal advocates of tomorrow during Compassionate Care Camp!

Compassionate Care Camp sessions are available for kids aged 6-9 9 and 10-113, running from June 12 - August 4, Monday through Friday, for three hours each day at the Fred SPCA facility Register for a spot this season at fredspca org/humaneed

It's no secret that animals impact our lives too. Rachel Murray, the woman behind the program, a teacher and lover of animals, shares how she has seen the effect animals can have on even the most timid of kids.

C o m p a n i o n s fun in the sun

by gerri reid, dvm

. Summer is here! Kids are starting to get out of school so let the FUN begin! It is time for long days at the pool, family gathering and lots of cookouts. And don't forget about Family vacations. But what about your pet? What should we do when we go away or even have people over? Well, let's talk about the precautions we should take for our pets this summer

Summertime is the time of the year where we spend more time outdoors. And pet owners tend to walk their pets more. Here a few tips to keep your pet safe when outdoors or walking. Be mindful of the pavement/asphalt. I always tell my clients that if you can't wake barefoot on it, your pet can't either. Damage to the paw pads is common injury at this time of the year And don't forget to bring some water along with you especially on long walks/hikes. Pets can suffer a heat stroke if out in the sun for extended periods of time. Always ensure your pet has a shaded area to lay in addition to fresh water. Remember, the best time to walk your pet is early in the morning or late evening when it is not too hot.

Many of us love to enjoy a day at the beach. And for some of us, we will bring our pets along to enjoy some fun in the sun and sand. When at the beach, I always suggest a life preserver for your pet Yes, dogs can swim but when at the beach they can get caught in a wave or a current. Be sure your pet does not ingest sand as this can cause digestive issues. Oh, and beware of sand fleas! Apply monthly flea/tick prevention to help prevent any infestation. For pets that are white in

color, try to decrease their exposure to the sun as they can get sunburned easily Apply sunscreen to their ears and bridge of nose will help will in the sun. And don't forget, sand gets hot too, so avoid walking your pet on the sand when the sun is at its peak.

Dogs love to ride in the car with the windows down and their ears flopping in the wind. As we venture out with our pets in tow, remember to secure your pet in their seat You can purchase a pet seat pet online or at your local pet retail store. This will ensure their safety as well as your safety when driving. And if you decide to just "run" into the store to get something, the average person takes at least 10 minutes to come back out to their car. Leaving your pet is never a good idea as your car can heat up fairly quickly. The average temperature here in the summer is 85 degrees and in just 10 minutes, your car will feel like 104 degrees! Too many pets are loss due to the negligence of pet owners by being left in the car. So, it is wise NOT to leave your pet in your car for any amount of time

So, get outdoors with your pet and enjoy the Sunshine! As much as we love the summer, I think we all love our pets a bit more and want them happy & safe! Following these helpful tips will ensure you and your pet have the best summer ever!

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 Indescribable Indescribable

No one could declare by words all the feelings that we have especially in a grand moment whenever things come together and we view the backdrop of a cataract falling amid hills to announce its own presence which none can affirm better.

Yet narrators keep on trying to share inadequate verbiage as the hours pass until later when a twilight has concluded and stars mushroom overhead filling expanse far beyond us while onlookers reach within to proclaim the indescribable

Astrology & You

lunar returns: cosmic reset button

By Dianne Bachman

sign, if we feed and nurture our inner Moon, we feel contentment, a sense of wellbeing. So, each month we have the opportunity to check in and to reset if we have strayed from the optimal care and feeding of our personal Moon.

June 5: Venus enters the sign of Leo bringing a creative, passionate flavor to relationships. This is one of the more creative transits, so if you are inclined to explore personal creativity and innovation, break out the art supplies, journals, or musical instruments and have fun!

The Moon takes 27.3 days to make the journey around the Zodiac wheel. That means that each month, Luna will return to the same sign and degree as the day you were born Lunar returns are the absolute best time to check in with yourself to ensure you are honoring your personal needs, which is one of the areas of life the Moon represents. Astrologer Steven Forrest says, "The Moon is your heart-the thing that balances your head."

Astrologer Noel Tyl described the Moon in each sign as having a "reigning need of our personalities." Based on element and

Here is a list of each Moon sign with important needs to consider (though I'm sure you can come up with a more personal list on your own):

Aries: independence, the need to be "number one"

Taurus: stability, comfort

Gemini: mental stimulation, the need to be informed

Cancer: feeling safe, having a sense of home

Leo: creative expression, attention, feeling appreciated

Virgo: improving things, efficiency, analyzing

Libra: finding harmony with others, balance

Scorpio: the truth, depth, intensity

Sagittarius: ideas and opinions to be respected, travel and adventure

Capricorn: sense of achievement, order, structure

Aquarius: Freedom to be and act with individuality, involvement in a cause

Pisces: commitment to an ideal, the freedom to dream

Around the time of your Lunar return, you can do something as simple as taking a moment to reflect on your world and the feelings that occupy it. Or, if you like the idea of diving into it, create a monthly ritual. Light a candle, journal, dance under the moon, moon bathe, meditate, honor Luna in any way that feels right for you.

If you have your birth chart, finding your lunar return is simple. You can check in at Astro.com and the current planetary positions are listed, along with the degree and sign they are in. If you don't have a birth chart to reference, Astro com will create one for free.

Now, let's look at the astrological weather for June:

June 3: Full Moon in Sagittarius, also known as the Strawberry Full Moon. Get in touch with your inner adventurer. You may feel the road calling you to grab the keys and embark on a fun journey. Allow the optimism of this Moon to expand your mind and tune in to new vistas.

June 11: Pluto retrograde slides back into Capricorn. Pluto will be dipping in and out of Capricorn until November 19, 2024. We are once again headed back to reconsider structure, rules, responsibilities in our personal lives as well as the collective. What has been hidden has the tendency to become known during Pluto retrograde, especially as Capricorn can pertain to government and the political sphere.

June 12: Mercury enters Gemini, and Merc feels right at home. Socializing, conversation, and a search for learning highlight this transit over the next two weeks. Visit libraries or your favorite museums.

June 17: Saturn stations retrograde in Pisces. Pisces is the most spiritual sign and with Saturn we are given the opportunity to look back through time at the meaning of our lives. We might waffle between what we know to be real and fantasy for a while. Ultimately, patience and faith can deepen and bring us to a new understanding of our world.

June 18: New Moon in Gemini is the time to write down your ideas and focus on what it might take to manifest them.

June 21: Sun enters Cancer. Reflect on what you need to create a sense of security. Focus is on home, family, and feeling safe.

June 26: Mercury enters Cancer. If you have been out of touch with family, now is the time to pick up the phone and give them a call. If you need a hobby, genealogy would be an excellent pursuit and supported by this combination of planet and sign.

June 30: Neptune stations retrograde in Pisces inviting us to engage with our dreams, the language of the unconscious. Intuition and fantasy abound. For some it might feel a bit like trying to run in water, so slow down and engage with life from the right brain and intuition.

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

Artwork by Simon Mathurin Lantara (1729-1778), titled "Moonlight"

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

Cover Artist

lois baird

This month's cover artwork "Girl in the Purple Tutu" is an oil painting created by artist Lois Baird . It isn't unusual for Baird to include children in her paintings, however the viewers perspective in this particular painting makes it such a striking piece.

Baird, whose work is exhibited at Brush Strokes Gallery on Caroline Street in Downtown, is primarily an oil painter. A representational artist, her work includes both studio work and pieces that are painted "en plein air" or painted outdoors.

With a degree in Fine Arts and Graphic Design, Lois spent over 20 years as the publisher and designer of "Horse Talk Magazine." She recently retired from publishing and has rediscovered her passion for painting. "I have enjoyed the calmness and serenity painting has brought me."

An avid photographer and outdoor enthusiast, her seascapes and landscape paintings are in-spired by a love for the streams and lakes in Virginia and the coastal waters of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. "Through my camera lens I have spent many hours studying light and reflec-tions. The excitement in painting, both in studio and "en plein air", is in taking my interpretation of

what I see, putting paint on canvas, and seeing what unfolds." Baird explains "I can often look at one of my finished plein-air paintings and remember the sounds of the rippling water, the warmth of the sun, and how the light and shadows danced while I painted. If my art can draw the viewer into the scene and create a similar feeling then I consider it a successful painting."

"Girl in the Purple Tutu" will hang at Brush Strokes Gallery through the month of June or visit Lois' website at oisbaird.com or her Facebook page facebook.com/loisbairdphotography

Fredericksburg Sketches

A visual Celebration of our community

By Paula Raudenbush

Shannon Airport

Sketching at the airport was such a fun day. It was a couple years ago but it's still a favorite sketch of mine. We had quite a few folks participating and had a yummy lunch in the café. I still can't draw cars worth a darn but I seemed to have a feel for the little plane. And the nostalgic diner atmosphere was so much fun. I think it's maybe time we went back. Cheers!

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

Helping Mariana to Live Life to the Fullest

Mariana began to have trouble breathing four hours after she was born. She was airlifted to Children's National Hospital via its rapid helicopter transport service known as SkyBear Doctors in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) diagnosed her with persistent pulmonary hypertension, a dangerous condition that prevented her lungs from getting enough oxygen after birth. They put Mariana on oxygen support and she received specialized care during her month-long hospital stay.

Care-A-Thon

help children grow up stronger

Today, she is a bubbly elementary schooler who loves to paint, play outside and sing with her sister, Gabriela. Mariana says, "I want to be an orthopedic surgeon when I grow up, and I want to go to Georgetown University."

Children's National neonatology program has been ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report for six years in a row. Mariana's family says they always will be thankful for the expertise and compassion of the NICU care team that saved her life.

Improving Care for Families in Our Community

The B101 5 Care-AA-TThon supports care for children and families in the community every year. In 2020, generous radio listeners helped launch the Children's National Fredericksburg location , conveniently located on the campus of Mary Washington Healthcare It includes pediatric specialty care in:

·Cardiology

·Sickle Cell Disease

·Endocrinology

·Neurology

·Physical Therapy

·Gastroenterology

·Hematology/Infusion

By Mandy Smith

"If you have kids, at some point during their childhood you will probably use a medical service from Children's National," says Chuck Archer, Operations Manager at B101.5 and a father of three. The nephrology team treated out son and our youngest daughter receives care from the electrophysiology team in pediatric cardiology. It's so amazing to have this incredible level of care close to home."

B101 5's 10th annual Care-AAThon will take place Thursday, Sept. 21 and Friday, Sept 22 Donate at B1015 com using the keyword "donate" or text "Buzzy" to 51555

"This can't happen without the support of generous donors like those who give during the B101.5 Care-A-Thon," Chuck says. "My wife and I have contributed for years because we know firsthand that Children's National makes miracles happen every day."

For more information, email Mandy@wbqb.com.

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