Front Porch Magazine March 2023

5stacy gerise Acclaimed Cover Artist

25helen karnath profile in resilience

Porch talk

4 on the porch...life in fredericksburg

6Osprey Festival in Colonial beach

7everything greens: 8 plants & how to kill pt2

8In the Garden: it’s spring

9growing & crawling: rollie pollie

10i have a friend: peter & ashley

11 Celebrating Gratitude

12tidbits...small bites of local news

13 season’s bounty: march into spring

15vino: wine & a movie

16-17Calendar of Events

18history’s stories: mary washington hospital History in our backyard:

19 what’s in an Step? historic washington/lincoln steps

20mental health: hygiene indifference

21Emancipated patients: transgender

23auto known better: mythological march

24art in the burg ...galleries in March

28companions: .spring musts

29astrology & you poetryman: join me

30fredericksburg sketches

31biz notes: get involved

...And More!

Cover: “My guinness!” By stacy gerise

3Alix Smith American Girl Collector

14 Chef Raymond Renault of La Petite Auberge

Alix Smith is one of the most interesting people I have met in the last few years. She spent most of her working life as an educator and administrator in the Stafford County schools. She

Alix Smith An extraordinary collection

By Mary Lynn Powers

Alix spent a quiet afternoon with me in her loft which is filled with the famous collectables. For those not familiar with American Girl Dolls, the company was started in 1986 by Pleasant Rowland, an educator who thought girls might be interested in learning about history through the dolls and the books that came with them.

Somewhere back then, someone put a catalog on Alix's desk, and she was a goner. She couldn't stop collecting them. She owns 36 dolls at this point She told me that since she didn't have children, she had cats and dolls instead. Alix stated that having read Little House on the Prairie growing up, she related to the Kirsten doll (above left top)who is a young girl in pioneer times. Pleasant Rowland attributes some of the ideas on the origins of the dolls to a trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Alix was sometimes invited to Stafford classrooms to share the Williamsburg doll Felicity with students and demonstrate her different clothing.

attended Sweet Briar College in southern Virginia, then Brown University for her M.A.T. (Masters of Art in Teaching) before accepting a position as a 7th/8th grade history teacher in Stafford County. She then became an Assistant Principal in the middle school. Later she headed the gifted program. She still works with the county in an advisory capacity within the Governor's School program. Her knowledge , though of American history partially explains how her collection of American Girl dolls grew.

The dolls are separated into two groups, mainly historic and modern. The company continues to add new lines such as Just Like You and Girl of the Year that

reflect different nationalities and stories relating to the time periods that the dolls depict. Alix had the dolls dressed in their holiday finest for Christmas but has many different outfits and accoutrements for them. She keeps all the accessories in two cupboards that are meticulously organized and labeled. She has a plethora of accessories for the dolls including a VW bug and a miniature 1950s airstream camper There was even a small typewriter which would have belonged to Kit, the doll who wrote stories

When I asked Alix about her favorites, she said that was a difficult one. She said the first doll she acquired was Molly (with glasses) who hails from the 1940s WWII era. Molly reminds her of the stories her mother told her about living during that era. She stated that as she dresses the dolls, she relives the period of their life, and at that moment that doll becomes her favorite. I liked the 1970s kind of free spirit hippie girl - Julie, and the newest one depicting the 1920s Harlem Renaissance period - Claudie. They are all beautiful, so I understood her dilemma about naming a favorite. It is not only their physical beauty, but the character traits that are attributed through the books that build a story around the dolls.

and wanted to be a reporter Kit hails from the 1930s, where the Depression period is a part of the story told in the accompanying book. She was one of Alix's favorites, described as inquisitive and creative.

Alix often has younger friends and relatives that come to play with the dolls, and she still is a teacher at heart in the way that she shares freely her history knowledge through the dolls. Many people have special collections, and this is a remarkable one.

Mary Lnn enjoys meeting and writing about interesting people & businesses in the 'Burg

Virginia Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach

April 15 ~ 9am to 4pm

Virginiaospreyfestival.org

Educational Programs, Live Raptors, Craft Vendors, Children’s Activities, Trolley Nest Tours, Golf Cart Nest Tours, Something for Everyone

Anne Hicks

Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Elyse AdamsAji Albertson

Rita Allan

Sally Cooney AndersonTodd Brown

Dianne BachmanLaurie Black

Meghan BudingerSonja Cantu

Collette CapraraIvory Causey

Michelle Crow-Dolby

Janet DouberlyJeannie Ellis

Jenna Elizabeth EdwardsFrank Fratoe

Bill FreehlingJon Gerlach

Jenny GrimesAnne Hicks

Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

Nancy KellyDavid C. Kennedy

Peter Kolakowski

Ray MikulaVanessa Moncure

Pete MorelewiczPatrick Neustatter

Penny A Parrish

M.L. PowersGerri Reid

Paula RaudenbushRob Rudick

Mandy 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

Facebook: @Front Porch Fredericksburg

The opinions expressed in Front Porch Fredericksburg are those of the contributing writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Front Porch Fredericksburg or its advertisers.

Copyright 2023

Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine

ON THE PORCH lucky to live in the ‘burg

by Anne Hicks

In my virtual workspace, there is a view of life outside the office in my backyard. I can see those feet meeting the pavement when the young ones get off the school bus in our neighborhood, and see people walk or bike to work. Virtually, I peruse community postings on Facebook and see those who share pictures of sunrises, moonscapes, and landscapes, trails and rivers. It is a reminder that as the days go by and the gentleness of nature unfolds, it maybe a reason why so many flock here to live. Community engagement with the fair weather reside in this town's favor.

The kindness of nature's fair weather this year allows for much listening internally and externally. The Doves, Blue Jays, Crows, Cardinals and all the birds including Squirrels, those, chatty, nervous, clever gatherers are enjoying temperate winter weather. Then, all becomes quite when it gets cold. And it does get cold.

Still, we are lucky and may be spared Old Man Winter's white blankets of flakey or weighty snow and wind. It's certainly been a reprieve from the damage last year. With all to love about winter, we are turning the corner patiently awaiting spring while often adjusting daily to this winter's fidgety temperatures, and wonder what's next?

I hope we are lucky, and luck lasts beyond St. Patrick's Day into Easter and up until and after the cherry blossoms arrive and forever, which it will perhaps by definition. At least for now. As I hesitate and fondly remember my mother saying, "Beware of the Ides of March" naïvely I believed it had more to long winters of my younger days, wondering how long winter would last! I've been in Virginia half of my life and in Fredericksburg for thirteen years and feel lucky to live here.

As I reconcile what luck means in the context of historical sayings, i.e., "The Ides of March," its historical value and meaning, I also think of my mom and our families heritage.

Not all is lucky, historically. Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15th and William Shakespeare dramatized this in the famous quote, "Beware of the Ides of March". There are other dates in history in which the 15th of March was

very unlucky and ripe for the superstition. To name one, the blizzard in North Dakota and Minnesota on March 15th, 1941. I didn't find one while searching weather in Fredericksburg, luckily. Though I did find online that "Ides of March," can mean icicle! This would be chilling and for me a delightful pleasure especially when not expected. Still, it may be very unlucky for others that have them hanging from their houses.

The Ides of March is a date on the Roman Calendar and a day that comes every month. The Ides also refer to the first new moon of a given month. Some also say "Ides of March" means nothing other than the 15th of March. For me, it is a month to concentrate on the smells and life of spring. It is the time of allowing then newness in the new year. After all, there are shamrocks everywhere and hopefully pots of gold somewhere.

The Irish saying about luck is they seem to be able to land on their feet when bad circumstances occur. I think this is true for all, in nature, the world and beyond. We need to keep lucky in our mindset. Luck itself means "success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions. “ But good luck is said to really mean “Good fortune or a favorable occurrence". Either way it's interesting to find all forms of the definitions of luck and the ides and the Ides of March.

We're feeling lucky to enjoy the beautiful places in the Burg. The weather is the sweet space between the freezing cold and melting heat. Although, it has a way of being both.

Feeling the welcome changes in the seasons and wishing you all the best luck and love in this year. There are many events taking place in town during March either in person or on our porch/deck. You will find more reading Front Porch every month cover to cover and page by page may discover a lot about this awesome town in all the articles. For sure, check out the Events Page!

Anne Hicks enjoys living in Fredericksburg with her husband Tuffy.

Stacy Gerise

March Cover Artist

By Collette Caprara

The subjects in the artwork of Stacy Gerise, the cover artist for this issue of Front Porch, often emanate the vivacious, joyful, (and sometimes whimsically humorous) qualities of her own personality. The title of her featured painting "My Guinness!" is a nod to an advertising slogan for the classic Irish brew-"My Goodness My Guinness!"-which is depicted with tantalizing clarity. Stacy comes from an Irish family in New York and says that, from her experience "Guinness and St. Patrick's Day go hand in hand!" so it was a perfect fit for the March issue.

Stacy is an acclaimed local artist and member of Brush Strokes Gallery in Fredericksburg. Her style incorporates bold lines, sometimes created with large blocks of color and at other times utilizing black and white contrast to convey her statement.

Another category of Stacy's paintings that has emerged through the years is a motif of trees. These works include a depiction the steadfast, deeply-rooted Oak in "Celtic Tree of Life," images of "Wistful Wisteria" and "Willow Weep for Me" that convey the mood and emotion of these familiar and beloved species, and "Rainbow Eucalyptus" which is painted as a cascade of streaming colors reaching to the sky.

Having earned her degree in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, it was a "natural" for Stacy to gravitate toward the built environment for her images. She especially derives fulfillment and joy from bringing to life buildings that may be overlooked or are vestiges of yesteryear. These works range from a hauntingly empty country house in "Dead of Winter" to a vibrant scene with an abundance of vitality in "Five Points Grocery." She takes great pride in creating custom house/business portraits of beloved places.

Stacy's artwork can be seen at brushstrokesfredericksburg.com and Facebook/Stacy Gerise Art.

Collette Caprara is a local writer and artist

“O’Dwyers”

“Doing It Right”

Virginia Osprey Festival celebrating a birding mecca

by jenny grimes

two of the Livingstone children. That Fall the Livingstone Family all left for the annual migration to South America.

In 2019, Joyce Reimherr started the Colonial Beach Osprey Festival to celebrate the annual spring return of the Ospreys to the town. Joanie was enamored by the Ospreys and wanted to know everything about them. She started emailing with, probably the world's leading authority on Ospreys, literally the guy who wrote the book (or two books) Dr Alan F Poole

brought down the chicks so that Ken could attach the bands and then replaced them in the nest.

When Joanie Millward retired, after working for 22 years as Clerk of Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Downtown Fredericksburg, she and her husband Barry retired to Colonial Beach. Joanie has always loved being close to the water. The beautiful Potomac River, five miles wide at that point, is just four blocks away from Joanie's front door, and from the back door, just a few yards away, an Osprey nesting platform behind the volunteer fire department.

That spring Joanie watched Mr. Osprey bring sticks for the nest. Watched him court Mrs. Osprey and bring her food as she incubated her eggs. Town residents suggested a naming contest. Joanie won, naming the Osprey family after the side street close to the nest - Livingstone Street. Dr David Livingstone and his wife Mary seemed an obvious choice, the two chicks who fledged from that nest were christened Thomas and Elizabeth after

In 2021 Joanie was invited to help with the 2022 festival. Joanie volunteered to organize the programs and exhibits for the festival. Dr. Poole offered to zoom in for a live keynote presentation. Mike Callahan , chief ornithologist at Caledon State Park presented Raptors Rule and brought live raptors from the Nanjemoy Creek E n v i r o n m e n t a l Education Center in Maryland. Shannon Carlin from W e s t m o r e l a n d State Park and Lisa Benoit from Wren and Sparrow in Downtown Fredericksburg were among the presenters. The festival was a resounding success.

Post Festival Joanie organized the first banding event in town. Ken Smith, a federally Licensed Bird Bander, came down from Maryland to band four Osprey chicks. A Dominion Energy employee in a bucket truck

The 5th Annual Virginia Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 on Town Hill from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. A complete schedule of programs and events can be found on the festival website at virginiaospreyfestival.org. All events held on Town Hill are FREE. Tickets are required for presentations at the Fisheries Building and for trolley and golf cart nest tours, $10 Single and $15 for a "Full Nest". Children 12 and under are FREE and must be accompanied by an adult. Early bird tickets are available online. Ticket prices increase by $5 on day of event.

Keynote speaker for 2023 is Dr Brian Watts from the Center for Conservation Biology, who will address "Osprey of the Potomac". Mike Callahan

Maryland are protecting our Ospreys on the Patuxent River. An interesting side note here. In 2021 local photographer, Cable Risdon photographed the band number on the leg of one of our Ospreys and established that she was banded 21 years ago in Maryland by none other than Greg Kearns. Exhibitors include Virginia Institute for Marine Science, International Osprey Foundation from Sanibel Florida, VA DWR, Potomac Riverkeepers, Awesome Possumz from Downtown Fredericksburg and many more.

While the festival is a one-day event, visitors are encouraged to spend the weekend and participate in the many pre and post festival events. Including: The 2nd Friday Art Walk featuring bird themed art by local artists; Saturday evening, Colonial Beach Brewing will host the Grand ole Osprey Concert; Sunday morning the "Soar Like an Osprey" Kite flying event on the beach; Master Naturalists and Audubon Society will lead bird walks at Westmoreland State Park and James Monroe Birthplace Park.

Passion, dedication and affection describes Joanie's feelings about Colonial Beach and its residents both human and feathered. She wants everyone to learn about and experience the Osprey, Virginia's abundant wildlife and ecosystems, her small town and its unique relationship on and with the Potomac River.

will be back with live Raptors and to talk about Raptors in Colonial Beach. Senior Park Naturalist at Patuxent River, Greg Kearns will discuss how our friends in

5th Annual Virginia Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach Saturday, April 15, 9a-44p A complete schedule of programs and events can be found on the festival website at virginiaospreyfestival org

Front porch fredericksburg

8 plants & how to kill them: pt 2

By Meghan budinger & elyse adams

A love of gardening doesn't necessarily translate into a green thumb. In fact, sometimes the greatest lovers of the flora are actually serial murderers when it comes to the plants in their care. Buckle up for the exciting conclusion and to learn from Meghan and Elyse's mistakes!

Aloe - E

My grandmother had so many of these she would repot them and give them away as gifts whenever she had the chance. She taught me to "soak" the plant once a month, i.e., just leaving them in the sink for 20 minutes with water running to get them nice and hydrated without worrying about spillage. When they are finished dripping, you put them back in their plant hangers and voila, a happy aloe plant with heavy leaves that grandma would break off to use on your sunburn after a day in the pool. After killing several of my own aloe plants this way, I attempted to water them in a regular manner. When that didn't work, I tried full on neglect, which interestingly, has kept them alive the longest! I still have some hanging on for dear life in too-small pots and I can't remember when they were last watered. I'm scared to even touch them.

Fig Tree - M

Anyone who has ever walked the grounds at Historic Kenmore has probably noticed the huge fig trees that grow there. Those trees are a favorite of mine, so I decided to try growing one. 7 years later, I had produced exactly one fig. And while the tree was not actually dead, it was tiny and very close to its end. In this case, I know exactly what the problem was: groundhogs A family of them moved in under my garden shed, and apparently they love figs as much as I do. Not so

much the fruit, but the leaves and even the branches. I tried building a fence, then a cage, then covering in netting. Nothing could dissuade these furry invaders. But they sure are cute. So in the end, it was my soft spot for cute animals that killed my fig tree.

Philodendrons - E

This one is embarrassing, on multiple levels. One big, beautiful philodendron was gifted to me by a friend who had several and wanted to pare down. This plant was in great shape. I thought, "You know, such an established plant might be able to survive my brown thumb, let's give it a shot". That was until I left it outside for some rain and sunshine in August like good plant parents do. However, good plant parents usually don't leave them out there until November.

Sorry Judy…

In conclusion: If you aren't killing plants, you aren't gardening hard enough! If at first you don't succeed…

Meghan Budinger and Elyse Adams are shameless plant murderers and do not work at Downtown Greens for obvious reasons.

It is time for the 3rd Annual Downtown Runaround! This Virtual 5k runs from March 4th-118th Sign up is open now through the last day of the race! The Downtown Runaround helps us raise the funds we need to continue our mission! Headover to our website www downtowngreens org for more information and to sign up to secure your awesome race tote!

In the Garden

Spring is here

by Ray Mikula

When getting your shovel and pruners ready for the season make sure your tools are clean and washed This prevents any diseases from spreading from plant to plant or through the soil. It also helps your tools last longer. After cleaning, you can apply a little oil on a rag or paper towel and wipe them down. This will coat the metal and prevent rust and will also remove some rust as well.

Meteorological spring, astronomical spring, and Groundhog spring all begin in March. Our northern hemisphere will explode in color as the trees and shrubs and bulbs start to bloom. That's natures way of saying get your gloves and shovels ready because it's gardening time. Nurseries will open this month, the Cherry Blossom Festival begins, and the Master Gardeners are gearing up for their April 1st Spring Sym-posium. The Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20th to April 16th. Peak bloom usually appears in our area about a week before it does in Washington, so watch the trees in your neighborhood as a clue of when to go.

The Master Gardener Symposium will begin at 8:30 am on April 1st at Gari

gardening. There's still availability so check it out at MGACRA.org.

Your lawn will probably need some attention in the spring. To prevent crabgrass, you can put down a pre emergent that will stop the crabgrass seed that's in your lawn from germinating. Be careful to follow the directions on the bag and don't apply if you are planning to plant grass or other seeds there in the next couple of months because it will stop those from germinating too. Plan to apply the pre emergent when you see the daffodils and the forsythia in full bloom in your neighborhood.

If you left your flowered stems up during the winter so the birds could eat the seeds you can safely cut them back now. Cut back ornamental grasses and liriope as well. They will begin sending up their new shoots soon and you don't want to cut those off. You can also rake the old leaves out of your garden and remove spring weeds before the perennials start to grow too big.

It's not time yet to plant annuals unless your talking spring vegetables like lettuce, peas, radishes, broccoli etc. These types of plants love the cool weather and

will bolt once it gets hot.

But most importantly it is time to breath in that fresh spring air, feel the warmth of the sun on your face, and take

a glance around at the rebirth of the plant and animal life, in your garden, a public park or waterway in our area. After a long gentle winter, Spring is here.

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

Melchers Studio, 224 Washington St., Falmouth, VA. Speakers this year include Bryce Lane speaking on Garden Soils and Herbaceous plants, Stacey Chapman of Westwind Flowers, and Nancy Berlin speaking about Native Plant container

MGACRA org

Paraiba Tourmaline.

Growing & Crawling the secret life of the rollie pollie

By janet douberly

No time for a clever opening, we have a LOT to cover!

I'm sure we have all seen a Rollie Pollie/Pill Bug/Doodle Bug at one time in our lives and have seen it roll into a perfect little ball for protection! Native to the Mediterranean, 'Armadillidium vulgare' have been a delightful and harmless companion to anyone spending time outside. But here is what most of us didn't know…

These useful creatures not only help with composting organic material but are actually very useful in contaminated sites for their ability to eat and crystallize heavy metals that stay in their bodies for the 1.5 years of the bugs life.

Rollie Pollies are actually crustaceans, making them closer to crabs and lobster than to insects. In fact, you can tell how much they loved the water at one point because these little cuties still

have gills! To keep their gills from drying out they tend to hang out in moist places such as under rocks.

Rollie Pollies are the ULTIMATE recyclers. They selfcoprophagy, meaning they eat their own feces, which allows them to obtain nutrients they may have missed in the first digestive cycle.

Also, they are able to drink water through their mouths or through tubes located in their rear. So, there you have it! Some of the weirdest facts about one of the cutest bugs.

Janet Douberly is now wondering why her mom always calls her Doodle Bug, at Downtown Greens.

“I Have A Friend” peter & ashley

By Laurie Black

It is once again my pleasure to introduce you to two amazing people here in our community, Peter Getts and his friend Ashley

Peter has been volunteering with the Senior Visitors Program since 2012. He and Ashley began visiting in 2019, right before the pandemic.

I met Peter and Ashley at one of their favorite places, Bojangles in Spotsylvania. Their genuine smiles and comfortable conversation said volumes about their friendship.

Peter says of Ashley, "Ashley is a hard worker. He was a chef for 35 years. For decades he worked two jobs to support his family. He grew up on a farm near Keysville. Really, he is a social butterfly and he is always positive, upbeat, and full of energy."

Ashley says of Peter, "He is a fine person. I couldn't ask for a better friend. We enjoy talking about old times, but we talk about the future too." Ashley went on to say, "This program is good for the mind. I lost my wife and that was really hard. [This program and Peter's visits] give me something to look forward to."

I asked Ashley and Peter if they had a favorite outing or visit together. They both agreed that a fishing trip to Mott's Run just before the pandemic was their favorite. Ashley explained, "We didn't really catch anything, but it was nice to be out in the fresh air fishing. I have alwaysenjoyed fishing."

Peter said, "We are hoping to return to outings soon. Maybe we can go

on another fishing trip. However, my favorite thing about our visits is the conversation. I love our conversations. One of our favorite topics is ‘it was better in the old days.’Really we are just two old guys sitting around telling stories." Peter and Ashley both laughed when I said I would be sure to share that quote.

Peter said of the Senior Visitors Program, "It is incredibly fulfilling. The connections you make are wonderful. I referred a friend to the program. He volunteers with Mental Health America of Fredericksburg's Senior Visitors Program now too. We were talking recently, and both agree, it is really a fun [experience]. It is just a really nice part of my life. I couldn't imagine missing out on these conversations."

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

Celebrating Gratitude empowerhouse says thanks

essential in-kind items to restock those we lost due to smoke and water damage. Your contributions also enabled us to better care for DV survivors and their children who we provided with mobile services and support in alternate shelter as the Shelter was being repaired. Happily, we were able to start moving our residents and their children back into the newly repaired Shelter in late December. We could not have done this without you!

By nancy

kelly

support of our signature fundraisers, the Empty Bowl, Night of 1,000 Pies and our annual Golf Tournament - all of which were very successful. The funds from these wonderful events are vital to ensuring that we continue to provide urgent services to those who need them most and to furthering Empowerhouse's mission.

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines Gratitude as "a strong feeling of appreciation to someone or something for what the person has done to help you." As we head into spring, a time of rebirth and renewal, the Empowerhouse team would like to take a moment to celebrate the gratitude we feel for you, our caring community

We are grateful for the many accomplishments that you have made possible thanks to your support. During the past year, we have provided safety, shelter, and critical services to survivors of domestic violence, over 3,700 women, children, and men in Planning District (PD) 16. These are vulnerable community members who were able to heal and move forward with dignity, respect, and hope.

When our 24-hhour residential Shelter was struck by lightning this past summer, which caused a fire and considerable damage, individuals, businesses, foundations, churches, and community and governmental organizations rallied around us and those we serve. You not only donated funds to assist with much-needed repairs to our Shelter, you also generously donated

We are also grateful for the numerous community partners who work with us to share our mission and services, to advocate for healthy relationships and to comprehensively serve DV survivors and their children. These partners include, but are not limited to: area law enforcement, first responders, departments of social services, commonwealth attorneys, courts, Victim/Witness Program, Community Based Probation, Legal Aid Works, RCASA, Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center, Healthy Families, LUCHA, SERVE, the Salvation Army, FAHASS, Moss Free Clinic, RACSB, forensic nurses and other Mary Washington Healthcare professionals, University of Mary Washington and Germanna Community College, the Virginia Action Alliance, the Continuum of Care organizations, Rappahannock Goodwill Industries, churches, local governments, The Community Foundation, Rappahannock United Way, and schools in Planning District 16 who partner with us to serve homeless children or who invite us to educate school children with our Healthy Relationships Classroom Presentations.

Throughout the year, we so appreciated the enthusiastic and generous

We are grateful for our amazing Board members and board boosters who advocate for us, share their expertise, and champion our life-changing and lifesaving work. We are inspired and motivated by the DV survivors who show incredible courage and resilience under heartbreaking and difficult circumstances as they navigate a more hopeful path forward. Many of our former clients also selflessly look for ways to give back to Empowerhouse and other survivors, which fills our hearts.

Finally, we are thankful for our dedicated, skilled, and hardworking Empowerhouse staff and volunteer colleagues who have been met with many challenges during COVID as the needs of those we serve increased and became more urgent. The team has met and surpassed these challenges again and again thanks to our community who continue to show up and step up to support us.

We are full of gratitude and celebrate everyone who made these achievements possible.

If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call Empowerhouse's free, confidential 24hour Hotline at (540) 373-9373.

Nancy Kelly is the Development Director of Empowerhouse.

New owner of the Historic Mary Washington Monument and Lodge

The City of Fredericksburg donated the 1.36-acre property at 1500 Washington Avenue to Washington Heritage Museums which plans a small museum about the monument at the Lodge. The building will also serve as WHM's headquarters. The conveyance included the grave of Mary Washington, the Mary Washington Monument, Meditation Rock, the Gordon Family Cemetery, the Lodge, and the sloping land leading down to Memorial Park.

TidBits

small bites of local News

Goodwill Store and Donation Center opening in City Rappahannock

By Bill Freehling

Goodwill

Industries this week will open a new store and donation center in the City of Fredericksburg. The location is at 2010 Lafayette Boulevard near Paul's Bakery. That was the former site of a Salvation Army Thrift Store, which recently moved to FXBG's Eagle Village shopping center.

creations, such as the Chimichurri Steak Sandwich and Rita's Reuben. Now, Always Flavored has another gourmet item to specialize about: their revered homemade sauces recently won two awards at the 2023 Scovie Awards. Follow them on Facebook.

Carl's Re-OOpened

Who needs Punxsutawney Phil when you have Carl's ice cream? In an annual sign that Spring can't be too far off, Carl's is re-opened after being closed for the winter. Carl's is located at 2200 Princess Anne Street.

Lewis Store Renovation

A renovation was recently completed on the historic Lewis Store property owned by Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Inc. (HFFI); it now provides a glimpse of what retail was like in the 18th century. In this week's edition, Bill talks with Shannon Lee, HFFI's director of operations, about the historic items you will see when you visit the Lewis Store at 1200 Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg.

Raising Cane's Project

Starting in Central Park

Construction work is getting started on a project to bring a popular chicken-finger restaurant to Fxbg. Raising Cane's is planning to build a roughly 4,000-square-foot restaurant at 3071 Plank Road near the main entrance of Central Park. A former Pier 1 Imports building that is at that location will be torn down for the project.

Always Flavored Wins Two Awards at 2023 Scovie Awards

1711 Princess Anne St

Recently opened in the Canal Quarter District, the new restaurant Always Flavored specializes in gourmet

Ownership changing at Sammy T's

810 Caroline St

Iconic downtown restaurant Sammy T's will soon have a new owner. Jeff Small is purchasing the business March 1. Small is Clerk of Fredericksburg Circuit Court and an entrepreneur who has run car-wash businesses.

Civil Rights Trail

Civil Rights Trail: "Freedom, a Work in Progress " The three-mile walking trail guides participants through post-Civil War history, drawing together the stories - one never-before-heard testimony at a time - of Fredericksburg-area people and places that have helped shape the civil rights narrative. Years long in the making, the trail brings to light Black people's struggle for justice and equality in a city that played a pivotal role in the Civil War.

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

Spring is the most fleeting of the seasons - fragile snowdrops push their way out of the warming ground, tulips and daffodils follow with a riot of color, impressionistic waves of forsythia and cherry blossoms color the awakening landscape - and the garden! shovels, spades and garden hoes turn over the loamy soil, seeds are planted in narrow rows or widely broadcast and the annual miracle of germination and growth begins anew. We are the fortunate denizens of spring renewal, especially in the kitchen. After the warming soups and stews made to sustain us during our winter’s hibernation, we crave freshness and lightness as reflected in longer warming days of the new season. Because we now import so many fruits and vegetables, the lines between seasons have begun to blurexcept for the price and the freshness. I would rather wait for fresh local asparagus at the farmer’s market rather than an older, woody Andean crop jetted in chilled containers to grocery distribution centers. A convenience, yesbut no comparison in taste. Try these recipes with fresh vegetables from the farmer’s market - a seasonal revelation.

BUTTERCRISP ASPARAGUS

Rinse one pound of green asparagus and trim off woody ends. In a 12” frying pan with lid, melt 4 T. butter over mediumlow heat. Place asparagus in one layer in pan, cover and cook for about 8-12 minutes, or until asparagus is crisptender. Arrange cooked asparagus on platter and pour pan juices over - drizzle with the juice of one lemon (more or less, to taste), then generously place shaved Parmesan cheese over the asparagus - you shouldn’t need any salt as the cheese is salty.

TRICOLOR ASPARAGUS SALAD

Wash and cut woody ends off 1 lb. asparagus - purple, white and green. Blanch each color separately until tender, then cool immediately in ice water to retain color. Drain and pat dry. Drizzle with an herb vinaigrette - Mix together 1/3 c. prepared herb mustard, ½ tsp. crushed green peppercorns, 1/3 c. champagne vinegar, 2 T. finely chopped parsley and 2c. olive oil. S&P.

SPRING GREENS WITH GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

The original Green Goddess dressing was created at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel in the 1920s in honor of a hit play “Green Goddess”. I’ve updated it with some watercress - and made the original anchovies optional. Serves 8.

Toss together 6 cups of spring mix salad, one head of Boston lettuce and one bunch of frisee lettuce in a salad bowl. Separate two heads of Belgian endive and add leaves to the salad mix. Set aside while you make the dressing - 2 whole anchovies, mashed (optional), 1 garlic clove, peeled and smashed, ½ c. each Italian parsley leaves and watercress, ½ c. fresh tarragon, 2 T. each chopped chives and lemon juice, ½ tsp. kosher salt and ground pepper to taste, 1 ¼ c. mayonnaise and ¾ c. thick sour cream. Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth, scraping down the sides of blender as needed. Drizzle over salad and toss. Any extra salad dressing can be refrigerated for up to a week.

SPRING 3-PPEA SALAD

Lightly blanch and chill one cup each of shelled spring peas, snow pea pods and sugar snap peas. Mix together a dressing of ¼ c. lemon juice, slivers of lemon zest, 2 T. white balsamic vinegar, 1 T. dijon mustard, 1 c. fruity olive oil, freshly ground pepper. Drizzle over pea mixture (there should be some left over). Thinly slice a head of fresh radicchio onto a platter, then place pea mixture atop. Garnish with fresh pea shoots .

STRAWBERRY

AND RHUBARB CRISP

The crisp mixture can be made ahead and stored in the freezer, to be used as needed. It’s great for apple, pear and peach crisps in other seasons. Mix together until crumbly 1 ½ sticks butter, 1 c. flour, 3 c. whole rolled oats (not quick cooking), 1 c. light brown sugar, 1 T. ground cinnamon, ½ tsp. salt. Set aside. Toss together 6 c. diced fresh rhubarb (never use the leaves, only stems) and 4 c. sliced fresh strawberries with ¾ c. sugar, 3 T. cornstarch, 2 tsp. grated orange zest and ½ c. orange juice. Bake in 9”x13” glass baking dish at 350F for 45-55 minutes or until fruit is bubbly and topping is browned. Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Spring is sprung!

Vanessa serves up yummy recipes for every season

by Mary Lynn Powers

People who love food, better known as "foodies" these days have always been attracted to the cuisine of France. Fredericksburg is fortunate to have a quaint brasserie-style French restaurant.

La Petite Auberge is a fine dining establishment that opened in 1981 under Chef Christian Renault Chef ran a tight ship for many years, and gradually groomed his son Raymond Renault to take the helm. Raymond is now the head chef, though he works integrally with a faithful kitchen staff. When I talked with Raymond he stated that he follows his father's lead in that he is very much a hands-oon restauranteur. Most often he will be found in the kitchen cooking and overseeing the operation.

Raymond referred to the style of their restaurant as "bouchon", which referred to a small inn that came into existence in the 17th century and specialized in Lyonaisse cuisine. At that

time, the fare was traditional and hearty; designed for the working class. In keeping with the present time La Petite Auberge has incorporated local fresh produce and seafood when available. Some of their best dishes include, Rockfish with Spinach Risotto and Hollandaise Sauce and Surf and Turf with Bearnaise Sauce. Now that they are back in full swing after a couple of hard years, Raymond said they are looking at some changes down the road. Their menu will still have many of the old favorites, but Raymond wants to breathe some fresh air into the popular eatery. He recently added a Tuna Tartare appetizer which was a nice success.

We talked a little about the effects of the pandemic, and commented on the fact that most of Fredericksburg's restaurants were able to bounce back. During those crazy times, all the shops went to carry-out, and it took an incredible toll on how they operated their businesses. Raymond said at times he was the only one in the kitchen with just one other person handling the front side of the house. He stated that they were fortunate to maintain much of their staff as they went back to normal operations. Since then with rising costs in food and utilities, LaPetite has increased wages as well. Raymond commented that this will help maintain consistency in the workplace, allowing for the employees to withstand the increasing cost of living.

Raymond and his wife, Jessica, operate one of the most successful family businesses in our town It certainly can't be easy working and living together. Additionally, Jessica homeschools their two daughters, as well as handling most of the administrative work for the restaurant. It's the old adage, the more you do, the more you can do. La Petite Auberge has a lovely website, lapetiteaubergefred.com and social media presence if you would like to preview their fare. They are located in the heart of Fredericksburg at 311 William Street. Stop in and check out their simple philosophy of "serving the best quality food and wine " since 1981

Wine and a Movie

So, the groundhog saw his shadow a while back, and you know what that meant: Six more weeks of winter! While we here in the 'Burg don't get the hellacious nor'easters they get up north, we do get sick and tired of the cold and the snow. I like a good move-whether it's classic oldy, or a current hit. Give me a good flick, a comfy seat, and … a bottle of wine.

My new thing is watching movies that involve wine in the plot somehow. For your viewing enjoyment, I offer here three that I've watched (in no particular order):

Take 2004's "Sideways " In it two men-Miles Raymond and Jack Colereaching middle age with not much to show but disappointment, embark on a week-long road trip through California's wine country, just as one is about to take a trip down the aisle.

During the film, Miles speaks fondly of the red wine varietal pinot noir, while denigrating merlot. After the film's U.S. release in October 2004, merlot sales dropped two percent, while pinot noir sales increased 16 percent in the Western United States. The film's main effect on the U.S. wine industry was a rise in the sales volume and price of pinot noir and in overall wine consumption.

Grab up a bottle of 2016 Chateau St Thomas Pinot Noir from Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, boot up your streaming device, and do a search for "Sideways." This pinot noir is sure to showcase the beauty of the wine! And if you want the perfect snack to go with the wine, I think you should spend a little time making some stuffed mushrooms, then curl up and have a nice, warm evening at home.

Another movie you may want to stream is "Terroir," from 2014. Wealthy wine maker Jonathan Bragg hires Tuscan wine detective Victor Borgo to find the source of a mysterious bottle of wine, the "Oroboros." The film is set in the underworld of the Tuscan wine business. With references to Brunellopoli, the great Italian wine scandal of 2008, and with cameo appearances from real-world winemakers such as Salvatore Ferragamo and Luca Sanjust, the film brings a level of

by Rita Allan

authenticity when it comes to the wine business.

We suggest grabbing up a bottle of 2017 Montemorli Chianti Riserva DOCG from Tuscany, Italy for this movie and pair it with some pecorino cheese and salami.

One more suggestion I would make for your streaming pleasure is A Walk in the Clouds " This 1995 romantic drama is regarded by some as one of the best wine movies ever made.

"A Walk in the Clouds" is set in Napa Valley, California, shortly after the end of World War II. It sees soldier Paul Sutton return home to his wife, Betty, as he tries to forget the horrors of war. But his marriage to Betty becomes increasingly strained. So, where does the wine come in? Well, with his marriage collapsing, Paul heads off to Sacramento, in search of work, only to meet Victoria, a graduate student whose family owns a vineyard in Napa County. Learning that Victoria is pregnant by her university professor, Paul offers to pose as her husband to stave off her domineering, oldworld father's anger.

I won't spoil the rest of A Walk in the Clouds too much, but suffice to say, if you like love stories, family drama and the beautiful Napa Valley, this is the film for you to enjoy a bottle with. For this one grab a bottle of 2019 Precision Wine Co Octopoda Wines Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, California and a nice charcuterie board.

These are just three of the many movies that involve wine. Do an internet search and you'll find more, then search City Vino's shelves for the perfect with to pair with your movie-of-choice.

City Vino is located at 810 Caroline St. You can find owner Rita Allan on-site to provide answers to all your wine questions.

CALEND

Saturday March 4

Wednesday March 1

Come and play with us! gym is open! Bounce a ball, chase your friends, or maybe build with blocks and color! Enjoy some non-structured play with your child. , Dorothy Hart Community Center, 9:30-11:30a

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

Jeopardy nights at Adventure Brewing Eagle Village 7:30 pm..

Tuesday March 2

Shared Vision: The Mary Washington Monument, Panel presentation: Washington Heritage Museums recently received the Mary Washington Monument, Caretaker's Lodge, and surrounding grounds Learn more about how this was accomplished and our vision for the future of the site. CRRL FXBG branch theatre, 10a

Chidren's Consignment Sale, Tabernacle United Methodist, 8a-5p, 7310 Old Plank Rd #A

Live Music The Acoustic Onion @Colonuial Tavern, 7-10p, 406 Lafayette

Great Lives Series, "Magellan,", Dodd Auditorium, 7:30p, FREE

First Friday March 3

Brush Strokes Gallery featured artist Lois Baird "Wanderings", opening reception, 5-9p, 824 Caroline St

FCCA " Faces & Figures" and Katharine Owens "Picasso-Esque Portraits Friends & Family". 913 Sophia St.

"Bloomcore" works that encompass flowers and floral motifs. opening reception , Libertytown Arts Workshop

"Creating Elegance on Silk" Works by Janey Harrington Artful Dimensions, 922 Caroline St Opening Reception, 6-9pm

All Member Show, Opening Reception 6-9pm, Art First, 824 Caroline St

Live Music by Ms. Jalin Brown. Curitiba Art Café 919 Caroline Street 22401, 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm Free.

Live Music@Hard Times Cafe, Joey Muha, 6p, 10760 Patriot Blvd

Live Music@Hard Times Cafe, Nonpoint, 6-11p, 10760 Patriot Hwy

Live Music@Highmark Brewery, Alex Parez, 6-9p, 390 Kings Hwy

Open Mic@ Adventure Brewing Eagle Village, 6:30-9:30p7-9p

Live Music @Adventure Brewing North, The Reckless Brigade,

Live Music Patchwork Dorothy @Colonial Tavern, 7-10p, 406 Lafayette ,

38th Annual Oyster Roast to benefit Katrina Packhard & Kathy Staples, 2-5p, FXBG Fairgrounds, 2400 Airport Ave.

Children's Consignment Sale, Tabernacle United Methodist, 8a-5p, 7310 Old Plank Rd #A

FXBG Fashion Week Model Casting Call, CRRL Howell Branch, 2:30-5p, 806 Lyons Blvd

Outdoor Adventure & RV Expo All things outdoor adventure under one roof! Dreaming of hitting the open road, traveling, and experiencing all that nature has to offer , FXBG Expo Center, 10a-6p thru Sunday

3rd Annual Downtown Runaround! This Virtual 5k runs from March 4th-18th. help us raise the funds we need to continue our mission! downtowngreens.org for more info & sign up

Live Music, Elle Jay & Jorge of Spanglish Latin American Band. Curitiba Art Café 919 Caroline Street 22401, 8:00 pm- 10:00 pm Free.

Live Music, JD Roberts & Crowfoot @Cowboy Jack's, 7p, 2312 Plank Rd

Live Music Whiskey Revival @ 6 Bears & a Goat Brewery, 7-9:30p, 1140

Internaational Pkwy

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

Live Music Wyatt Micheal @Amy;s Cafe, 103 W Caambridge St, 7-8:30p

Live Music Blues Jam @Colonial Tvern, 406 Lafayette Blvd, 2-4p

Sunday March 5

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

Bridal Show Under the Stars, The Silk Mill and The Woolen Mill dozens of Virginia's top wedding and event vendors, sample selections from our menu, listen to music from DJ's, browse through gowns from Ava Laurenne, and more! Doors open at 5pm, event ends at 8pm. $

Monday March 6

Drive in Movie in the Park "Trolls World Tour:, FREE family movie night in the park. movie played through your car radio. food truck available for dinner. Free, gates open 5p, movie starts 6p, Old Mill Park

Tuesday March 7

Tea Talk Book Signing ,author Heather S. Cole 12-2p Mary Washington Monument Caretaker's Lodge 1500 Washington Ave. Info:Washington heritage museums.org

Great Lives SeriesSandra Day O"Connor", Dodd Auditorium, 7:30p, FREE

Wednesday March 8

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

Jeopardy nights at Adventure Brewing Eagle Village 7:30 pm..

Thursday March 9

Great Lives Series "The Transcenden

Live Music, FXBG Jazz Collective, Colo

Friday March 10

FXBG Fine Arts Show & Sale, Doro Canal St, 10a-8p Show thru Sunday "March Madness" All Member Show, Alliance 100 Taylor St, Suite 101 Co

Live Music, 90's Rock Band Waking N

Live Music Hokie Joe @Adventure Br

Saturday March 11

Live Music @Cowboy Jack's, Tyler Jam

Live Music Bailey Hayes @Adventure

Women Flipping Out Pinball Tourna

8pm 11047 Pierson Dr, B Spotsy Farmers Market, 12150 Gord

Sunday March 12

Daylight Savings Time Begins

Sunday Brunch Sunken Well Tavern, Possum Storytime, fun storytime Possum-bilities, 211 William St, 2nd

Monday March 13

March Chapter Chat & Book Exch Basilico New York Deli, 7013 Harriso

Tuesday March 14 Health & Wellness Fair, University C us for an afternoon of health and w Great Lives Series , "Anne Frank" Do Live Music@ Adventure Brewing Nor From the Ground Up Sustainable CoOp, 320 Emancipation Hwy, 6-7p,

Wednesday March 15

Ides of March

Trivia Night, Sunken Well at 6:30pm

Jeopardy nights at Adventure Brewin

FebruaRY 2023 Front porch fredericksburg

march 2023 In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb

540~479~4116 1013 Princess Anne St , FXBG

DAR of events

ntalists",Dodd Aud, 7:30p, FREE onial Tavern, 406 Lafayette Blvd, 7p

othy Hart Community Center, 408 y

Second Friday, 6-9pm, The Artists' olonial Beach

Napster, Adventure Brewing N, 7-9p

rewing North, 7-9p

mes Band, 2-5:30p, 2312 Plank Rd Brewing North, 7-9p anment, Maltese Brewing Company, don Rd, 9a-2p

Thurday March 16

St Patrick's Day

Great Lives Series , "Lafayette" Dodd Auditorium, 7:30p, FREE

Preschool Palette nurtures your child's creative spirit through engaging books, garden walks, Gari Melcher Home & Studio, 10-11a, 224 Washington St

Friday March 17

Big Spring Sale, Friends of the Library Center & Bookshop, 10a-5p, 125 Olde Greenwich Dr, Suite 150, crrlfriends.org

Dr, James Doering, guest artist, Piano Recital @Seacobeck Hall, recital hall room 145, 7:30p

Live Music@6 Bears & a Goat Brewing, Marc Allred, 7p

Live Music Luke Johnson @Adventure Brewing North, 7-9p

Saturday March 18

Big Spring Sale, Friends of the Library Center & Bookshop, Half Price Day, 10a-5p, 125 Olde Greenwich Dr, Suite 150, crrlfriends.org

St Pat's Day Festival, Adventure Brewing North, Noon-10p

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

Thursday March 23

First Day of Ramadan

Great Lives Series , "Bruce Springsteen" Dodd Auditorium, 7:30p, FREE

Live Music@ Colonial Tavern, FXBG Blues Society, 7p, 406 Lafayette Blvd

Always Flavored Hot Sauce & Beer Pairing Dinner, Red Dragon Brewery, 1419 Princess Anne St, 6-9p

Saturday March 25

Live Music @Billikens, DejaVu, 7p, 623 Caroline St

Live Music@Cowboy Jack's, Southern Explosion, 7p, 2312 Plank Rd

Live Music@Curitiba Art Cafe, JoJo Bayliss Acoustic Fire, 7-10p, 919 Caroline St

Live Music@6Bears & a Goat Brewing, Reto/Active, 7p, 1140

International Pkwy

Live Music@ Adventure Brewing North, Suzie & Stephen, 7-9p

Karaoke Competion@Haley's Honery, 1600 Princess Anne St, 7p

Saturday March 25

BrickFair Lego Expo, 10a, FXBG Expo Center

UMW Chamber Music Festival II, Gari Melcher Home & Studio, 7:30p,

, 720 Littlepage, til 1p e, animal experience and craft , Floor

ange Welcome book lovers! 7-9p, on Rd enter, UMW, 1701 College Ave, Join wellness, with local vendors , 12-5p odd Auditorium, 7:30p, FREE rth, Rockstar Connect, 6-8p

Farming & Gardening, FXBG Food speaker John Wilson

Live Music Concrete Fleet & Radar Theory@Colonial Tavern, 8p, 406 Lafayette Blvd

Sunday March 19

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

Monday March 20

Spring Has Sprung!

Big Spring Sale, Friends of the Library Center & Bookshop, Half Price Day, 10a-5p, 125 Olde Greenwich Dr, Suite 150, crrlfriends.org

Tuesday March 21

Big Spring Sale, Friends of the Library Center & Bookshop, Half Price Day in Bookshop & $1/Bag in Warehouse, 10a-7p, 125 Olde Greenwich Dr, Suite 150, crrlfriends.org

Great Lives Series , "Queen Isabella" Dodd Auditorium, 7:30p, FREE

Wednesday March 22

Preschool Ballet, fun way to foster a natural inclination for movement by developing control, coordination, gross motor skills , Ron Rosner YMCA, 5700 Smith Station Rd

m 720 Littlepage ng Eagle Village 7:30 pm..

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

Jeopardy nights at Adventure Brewing Eagle Village 7:30 pm..

Sunday March 26

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

Tuesday March 28

Great Lives Series , "Colin Powell" Dodd Auditorium, 7:30p, FREE

Wednesday March 29

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

Jeopardy nights at Adventure Brewing Eagle Village 7:30 pm..

Thursday March 30

Sprellyfest , Peanut Butter & Beer Pairing, Red Dragon Brewery, 6p, 1419 Princess Anne

Prof. John White (guitar) and Kayla Hanvey (flute) in recital in the newly renovated Seacobeck Hall room 145. , 7:30p

If you are reading this 308th 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 April 2023 issue is March 19th

Mary Washington Hospital

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge #4 laid the corner stone on April 14th, 1899, for the Mary Washington Hospital. The corner stone came from the original Mary Washington monument that was started in 1833, never completed until 1894. The date of April 14th, was chosen as it was General Washington's last visit to his mother before she died in Fredericksburg at eighty-one years of age. The beginning of the hospital was formed by a group of women within the F r e d e r i c k s b u r g community There is mention of the formation of Mary Washington Hospital in both the History of Fredericksburg , by Quinn (1908) and Embrey (1937). In 1989 Dr Edward Alvey, Jr., with the aid of many members of the community wrote the book 90 Years of Caring Mary Washington Hospital 1899-11989

After much discussion the building site was chosen at the Corners of Fauquier and Sophia Streets. Mayor W S White who was a strong supporter of the hospital died suddenly at the age of 44 in 1897, the newspaper said that this gave more incentive for the hospital project. The actual building was completed at a cost of one-thousand-two-hundred dollars by E G Heflin who is known to have built many buildings within the city including the Heflin Apartments still located on Prince Edward Street. The Board of women wished that the hospital be "debt free." The hospital had a total of 8 beds on its opening and after operating for almost two years had a net profit of less than three-hundred dollars. Prior to the Civil War hospitals were non-existent. The mass casualties during the battles created a need for hospitals, church's and other building were used for "hospitals". It was an expectation that you would only enter a hospital when very ill or near death. Any medical fees were paid by the patient on a cash only basis.

The Mary Washington Hospital's need for expansion was completed in 1901 with donations from many sources. In 1903 along with being officially chartered the hospital set up a nurses school of training. The Nurse Training building was built on Fauquier Street in back of the Hospital with funds donated by the Dabney Maury Daughters of the Confederacy at Philadelphia, the building was named General Dabney Maury Memorial. Private duty nursing fee's ranged between ten and twelve dollars per week. The School of Professional Nursing closed in September 1933. It would be

History in OurBackyard immigrant warrior

By peter kolakowski

Col Joseph Moesch: Immigrant Warrior & Wilderness Casualty

In addition to other area battles, the Fredericksburg National Cemetery includes the monuments and graves of those killed at the Battle of the Wilderness (May 5-6, 1864). Of the 3,461 soldiers buried in the National Cemetery from the battle, only 342 are known.

almost twenty years before another school would be established in 1949.

Mary Washington Hospital would continue to grow due to donations many of which came from out of state. The second floor was added to include four additional rooms in 1910.

The Hospital had a printed booklet in 1917 charges: Private Room $5.00 with bath $6.00, Nursery $1.00, Ward $2.00, Operating Room Major $10.00 Minor $8.00, Delivery Room $5.00 the charges were on a daily basis (1).

In 1927 the Building Committee decided that the hospital needed a new building and if built on the current site would save money. It was decided that a new building with fifty beds be constructed at a cost of $88,000. The Masonic Lodge #4 laid the corner stone on November 4, 1927. Many item belonging to Mary Washington were placed in the corner stone. A gift from a lady in New York enabled hospital to be completed as originally designed when it opened in July 1928. The Hospital continued to use with a profit thru the depression years.

In 1942, Mary Washington Hospital appointed a new building committee, however, it would be another seven years before any building efforts would become reality. During this period of time many births would increase at the hospital from 308 in 1941 to 515 in 1945. Including Ronnie Herndon born October 18, 1942, myself Tuffy Hicks born October 18, 1943, along with many of my friends and classmates. My famous artist friend John Wayne Edwards reminded me that he was delivered by Dr. Travis in 1946, always has to remind me that he is younger.

The most prominent monument and memorial to a soldier killed at the Wilderness is that of Col Joseph A Moesch, commander of the 83rd New York Volunteer Regiment. He is the second highest ranking officer buried in the National Cemetery.

Colonel Moesch was born August 13, 1829, in Eiken, Canton Aargau, Switzerland. Along with his wife Verena (Fanny), and a daughter, Melanie, Moesch established his family in New York City upon arrival in 1854. He worked as a humble laborer. Another daughter, Josephine, was born into the family in 1856. Moesch filed for naturalized citizenship on September 26, 1856.

On May 6, 1864, Col. Moesch led the 83rd New York Regiment into action in the assault along the Orange Plank Road at the Battle of the Wilderness. George A Hussey, regimental historian for the Ninth New York Militia, later wrote: "The assault was gallantly made and the enemy driven nearly two miles; but the NINTH suffered heavily, losing, among their killed, their brave leader, Colonel Moesch. His loss was deeply felt by all in the regiment." The colonel's body was carried to the division hospital where it was placed in a rudely constructed coffin. Colonel Moesch was buried under the direction of the regiment's chaplain, Alfred C. Roe, in the Ellwood cemetery.

In 1887, Hussey, aided by Chaplain Roe, who remembered the exact location of the burial, and along with Andrew J Birdsall, then superintendent of the cemetery, recovered Moesch's remains and had them reinterred in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. At the time of the reinterment a bullet was found in the bottom of the coffin as the remains decomposed. It was the bullet that killed Moesch at the Wilderness.

When the Civil War broke out Moesch felt he should do his part as a citizen and enlisted as a volunteer for three years with Company B, Ninth New York State Militia (later redesignated the 83rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment) as a first sergeant. He received a promotion to captain in October 1861, and fought at Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, and Antietam. He endured a painful wound at the Battle of Fredericksburg and was promoted again to lieutenant colonel. Moesch then became the regimental commander and led it at the Battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He eventually received promotion to colonel in October 1863.

The regiment's veterans subsequently raised the funds for the monument to their fallen leader. A dedication ceremony for the monument to Moesch and the regiment took place on September 24, 1890 in the National Cemetery.

Col. Joseph Moesch lived the American dream, advancing through his natural talents and hard work. He gave his life for his adopted nation while fighting for its ideals. In an official report, Col. Richard Coulter, commanding the regiment's brigade at the Wilderness stated of Moesch, "It is only necessary to say that in his death he proved himself worthy of the favorable mention heretofore repeatedly made of him."

Peter Kolakowski is a Civil War Batlefield Trust Board Member. He is an active supporter of preservation

In Memory of: Alexander Shefield, Allen Durrett, Freddie Whittaker, Larry Southworth, & Rodney Hinkle

Tuffy is Front Porch’s Resident Historian Photo From Edward Alvey, “90 Years of Caring”

When you walk downtown, you tread the same paths that others have followed over the centuries. This is part of the amazing charm of Fredericksburg. Many locations have fascinating stories to tell about the people who once stood where you stand today. This is about one of those places.

In the Spring of 1862, the Union army occupied Fredericksburg. President Abraham Lincoln came to town on May 23rd, meeting with the Union high command, then in the process of preparing for an advance on Richmond, the capitol of the Confederacy. The meeting was not heralded and escaped much notice by the Northern press. Thanks to research by John Hennessy, we now know a fair bit about Lincoln's visit.

W h a t ’ s i n a S t e p ?

The Historic Washington/Lincoln Steps

By jon gerlach

This was months before December's Battle of Fredericksburg. Of course, Lincoln had no way of knowing that the route of his carriage ride up to Marye's Heights would be followed six months later by the collective footfall of thousands of Union troops in their failed attempts to reach Marye's Heights.

When you stand on the Washington/Lincoln Steps at the museum, imagine all the people who walked here before you, and the many generations of people who will follow. After all, we tread the same paths, but in different eras.

At the corner of Princess Anne and George Streets sits the Foode Restaurant, which occupies the former National Bank Building On the George Street side of the building is a series of sandstone steps. Known as Farmer's Bank Building at the time, Lincoln stopped here on May 23rd to visit with U.S. General Marsena Patrick, and very likely stood on these steps. The steps provided access to a residence upstairs, and Patrick's temporary quarters. After the President's visit, Patrick escorted Lincoln around, probably up Hanover Street, along Sunken Road and through the Union camps on Marye's Heights overlooking Fredericksburg.

There's another thing Lincoln didn't know that day: the steps at Farmer's Bank were already on their way to becoming a milepost in the arc of local history. Local resident and slave John Washington had been living in the second floor of the Farmer's Bank building. It was on Good Friday, five weeks before Lincoln's visit - on the very day the Union arrived at Fredericksburg - that John Washington left home, walked down these steps for the last time and made his way across the Rappahannock River to freedom on the Union side. For more on John Washington's trek to freedom, check out "What's in a Journey?" in the May 2022 issue of Front Porch Fredericksburg magazine.

Today, the Washington/Lincoln Steps can be seen at their new location, next to the Fredericksburg Area Museum They were gifted to the museum by Jon Properties and Foode Restaurant. After removal, highly accurate replacement steps were installed at the original location. Mike Adams of Jon Properties explains how the new steps were made. First, a high-resolution 3D laser image was created from the original steps. The topographic data from this image was used to fabricate new steps that exactly follow the shapes and contours of the original steps, resulting in as-near an exact duplicate as possible.

So … what's in a Step? Here … an enduring connection to people across time.

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

900 Barton St #111, Fredericksburg, VA www.crhcarchives.org contact@crhcarchives.org

540-373-3704

Volunteers Wecome! Contact us about donating collections of documents and photographs

Photo by Jon Gerlach

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

Hygiene Indifference: the symptom not talked about

By ivory smith causey

Most of us have heard the saying: "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." This oldfashioned mantra reinforces a long-held, misguided belief: that being "unclean" equates to laziness and moral ineptitude. As a result, our culture often takes an unsympathetic approach to addressing issues like poverty and homelessness; far too many of us interpret these situations as a personal failing.. And, significantly, our ideas about the morality of cleanliness can shape how we view mental illness.

Hygiene is one of the many symptoms that is frequently left out of the mental health conversation This is largely because the subject is difficult to talk about. However, indifference to hygiene tasks, including showering, brushing teeth, doing laundry or brushing hair, is a common symptom of mental health conditions (particularly depression).

As a health care professional and someone living with depression, I can speak to the very real manifestations of this symptom. My personal understanding of hygiene and my professional understanding of germ theory was simply not enough to beat the confines of a depressive episode. As I bathed others and taught caregivers, I, myself, struggled to take a shower. This was difficult to wrap my head around, but I have come to understand that neither a professional designation, nor "knowing better," can shield you from mental health symptoms.

The Connection Between Hygiene And Mental Health

In my work in the health care profession, I have found that difficulty with hygiene tasks can be an early warning sign of mental illness I have seen how bipolar disorder can present in its early stages in the form of changed feelings

about daily hygiene practices. This symptom can seemingly come "out of nowhere." .

Hygiene issues can also appear during more advanced stages of mental illness; I have even witnessed patients in psychosis experiencing irrational thoughts about hygiene. I have also seen how major depression can extend to hygiene practices. When experiencing the crushing weight of depression, showering can feel like an ordeal that requires exhausting amounts of forethought and effort. The number of steps feel intimidating; making sure the water is hot, washing everywhere, drying off efficiently, moisturizing, then putting on clean clothes can feel like a lot to handle with deep depression.

My Experience With Depression

When I was struggling, I found those steps to be excruciating; I would often say, "Why bother, I'll do it tomorrow." Suddenly, showering felt like a huge task - like doing an entire spring cleaning of my house every day.

During my year-long episode of depression, I saw firsthand how hygiene could fall by the wayside. And I was not even fully aware that my habits had changed.

I was embarrassed when my spouse told me, gently, "You may want to go and take a shower"

I began to keep track of my bathing habits so I could get a clearer picture of how my depression was impacting my hygiene. A "moderately" depressed week usually accompanied three showers a week. As the depression became more severe, I was shocked to realize that I had bathed only twice that week. Things I once enjoyed like pedicures and facial

grooming faded away.

To make myself bathe, I would have a conversation with myself. For example, I would say (in third person), "Ivory, since it is Saturday, and Sunday is the Sabbath, you need shower that night or that morning." Essentially, I attached bathing to something else I was already doing. It was no longer performing hygiene activities; I associated it with my manageable everyday tasks as well as staying healthy.

Tips For Practicing Hygiene During A Mental Health Episode

For those who are struggling with the effort to maintain hygiene, I have a few suggestions:

1.Attach the act of bathing to the start of something, like the beginning of the work week. This built-in routine can be a helpful reminder to shower .

2 Attach showering to the end of a workweek. This adds more consistency to your routine.

3 If showering is too much of an ordeal, keep adult disposal bathing cloths handy.

4 Make agreements with supporters that you will bathe on a specific day or night. .

5 If possible, splurge on quality soaps and shampoos. This act of self-care can be fun and make for a more pleasant showering experience.

6 On days when you cannot follow a showering routine, simply cleanse your face and the perineal areas for express cleaning and put on clean clothing.

This will cover certain health precautions and likely give you more energy.

When we are having difficulty functioning, we deserve help. Struggling to practice hygiene (even when you know you "should") isn't a moral failing; it's simply a sign that we need extra support. You should not feel ashamed about voicing your struggles and reaching out to members of your support team. This journey can be difficult, but you don't have to do it alone.

Ivory Smith Causey has a B.A. in sociology from Georgia Southern University and a B.S. in nursing from Macon State College. Ivory is a registered nurse She is a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association

By Patrick

I'm worried that my curmudgeon is showing. That I'm being bad tempered and old fashioned because I'm having a bit of challenging being expected to tell people what pronouns I use.

Declaring your pronouns seems to be the new expectation - or it is being encouraged at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg where I go to try to nurture my spirituality (you know the joke about Unitarians - "people who want to be religious, but they don't know how")

This pronoun imperative is a consequence of us being in an age of gender fluidity - a major issue in itself, that is associated with some significant mental health problems.

The Times They Are a Changing

When I was in medical school if you had a Y chromosome you were male. You wore pants not makeup, played rough games like rugby and football, drink beer, acted boorishly and everyone unquestioningly called you he/him.

If you had no Y chromosome but two X's, you were female, you wore dresses, you simpered, you shopped, you nurtured the children and you were referred to as she/her.

Sorry if I'm seeming offensive with my examples of sexual stereotypes. But the point is, your dress, behavior and pronouns were largely predicated by what sex you were. What's changed is that now, someone ' s biological sex does not determine their gender

We are in the age of transgender, gender-ffluid, non-bbinarywhatever term you use for it -"where the brain is not tied to any one gender" explains roddy biggs, new intern minister at the Fellowship, who is gender fluid, and who goes by the pronoun "they/them" and who is sympathetic to the plight of local trans-gender youths and showing it by being instrumental in the creation of a "Safe Sanctuary" get together for local LGBTQ youths at the Fellowship once a month.

roddy (whose name is spelled without capitals) claims people are more willing to accept and disclose being nonbinary now. On a personal, roddy shared with me that their non-binary-ness became more apparent as they discovered more about themselves and the world

MD

around them (writing this, I still struggle with using "they" and "their" and not "he" or "his")

Conflict

It's not just me. The world as a whole has not quite caught up with this. The DMV and the INS are still stuck in the dark ages - your passport and your driving license allow no fluidity. And I hear complaints about filling out forms at the doctor's office because "you have to declare whether you are male or female."

Worse still is the position of some, mainly Republican, politicians who want to tell you what bathroom to use, books you can read, sports team you can be on- even know about your menstrual history.

Or you are liable to prosecution if you go with what is usually a very powerful imperative, to change sex, with the aid of hormones and/or surgery.

A consequence of this is that gender dysphoria - as the condition of mismatch between assigned sex and gender identity is called - can lead to not just things like shame and isolation, but anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicide, which is "up to seven times more likely" notes roddy.

My own, personal, maybe rather trivial seeming, conflict is whether the pressure to announce my own pronouns is necessary to let transgender people know I am alert and sympathetic to gender fluidity, and will not intentionally "misgender" them (use an inappropriate pronoun), which some consider a form of verbal violence, or even hate speech.

Or whether, as M J Murray , Associate Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies at University of Illinois notes, I should be like the people who consider a public request for your pronouns a form of "administrative violencethat isn't a request at all. It's a subtle but powerful demand that effectively disables the recipient of the request, and threatens negative consequences for any questioning, resistance or refusal."

Ah, the conflicts a curmudgeon can be subject to.

Auto Known Better mythological march

By Rim Vining

Time Marches on so here we are again… spring has sprung!

I've been doing this column long enough to have covered a lot of topics this time of year from the Ides of March to the Banshee and Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Pots of Gold and "Always after Me Lucky Charms" have made it into print along with the spring colors of cars in Columbus Gray and Rangoon Red, the sounds of Harley-Davidsons in the distance and the first sightings of British sports cars on warm spring afternoons. It's an awakening.

So the thought of the Banshee took me to thoughts of mythical beasts and right into how many automobiles have aspired to possess amazing powers through badging and branding. It is a staggering number and especially intriguing if you actually know the story behind the badge.

Let's start simple with the mighty Kaiser Golden Dragon of 1953. (above) Huge and heavy with the smallest engine offered that year. The Supersonic Six was not super in any way, shape or form but they thought the whole thing through right down to a poplin fabric top meant to feel like dragon skin. In metallic green it is a sight to behold. The fact that Kaiser was the man who built all the Liberty Ships in WWII, which were pretty much steel boxes, might explain the styling cues.

It is through mythology where automobile branding really takes off. Since the days of horse drawn buggies and all through the age of the automobile there have been many versions of the phaeton which is essentially any open four wheeled conveyance without weather protection. Looking a little deeper we find that Phaeton was the son of Cylmene and Helios the God of the Sun. Helios carried the sun across the sky each day in a golden chariot. And wouldn't you know it one day Phaeton decided he would take the sun across the sky and yeah, he screwed it up.

So Zeus, the all-powerful, shot him out of the sky.

While we don't know the full story it could have been that Phaeton (now badged as a modern VW with roll-up windows) wasn't alone when he messed up. He might have actually been joy riding with Eos (another VW and a convertible!) Her heavenly job was to let in the sun every day. Now it seems Eos was also cursed with insatiable sexual desire so distracted driving might have been the issue.

Here was young Phaeton looking good, cruising the heavens in his Dad's open chariot with cute little Eos and she's got her top down to let the sun in and the next thing you know BAM! Zeus knocks him right out of the sky. Now he's going to have to tell Helios how his chariot got smashed up and he'll probably be grounded for a month and Eos is going be on her own.

Then again, he might have hooked up with Electra who had her share of problems as well. (That's a curvy, sexyfinned Buick from the 50's if you wanted to know) She was so distraught over the murder of her father Agamemnon by her mother and step-father that her mind was a jumble of crazed emotions. Freud built a career working that one out. So if the poor boy had tried to deal with her and drive the sun across the sky, it had to be the perfect mythological storm like trying to text, change Pandora and order from Grub-Hub while merging into the Hampton Tunnel.

So before you buy your next car… do a little research.

~autoknownbetter @ gmail.com

Rim Vining, humorist, friend and a devoted community volunteer

Art in Burg

Art Galleries in March

painting in the East Asian manner. Ahe has an art studio at Canal Quarter Arts, where she teaches watercolor to adults and children, as well as acts as an experienced artwork juror.

Aja Albertson

"Creating Elegance on Silk"

Works by Janey Harrington

Artful Dimensions, 922 Caroline St

Opening Reception, First Friday, March 3, 6-99pm

portrait, still-life, and more. Artwork media will include acrylic, assemblage, collage, drawing, oil, photography, printmaking, textiles, three-dimensional objects such as jewelry and sculpture, and watercolor.

. ~Anne Timpano

Art Studio

241 E Charles St

“Wanderings”, Lois Baird

Opening Reception First

Friday, March 3, 5-99p

Brush Strokes Gallery, 824 Caroline St

"Wanderings" is a new oil painting exhibit throughout March. Lois invites viewers to join her in journeys along a spectrum of roads and pathways that will take them as far as their imagination leads.

Lois says that an inspiration for this exhibit was a quote by J.R.R. Tolkien, "Still round the corner there may wait, a new road or a secret gate." This sentiment serves well as a guide to tapping into a dimension of life that is not evident when we focus only on the destination of our travels. Anticipation of a "secret gate" opens one's eyes and heart to be alert and appreciative of aspects of a scene that are visually delightful and seem to tell a story, as the subjects of "Wanderings" do.

Ar works are a reminder that the journey itself may be as valuable, or more precious, than the destination and bring to mind another Tolkien quote: "Not all those who wander are lost".

Collette Caprara

Featured Artist, Dee Ann Layton

Canal Quarters Arts

1517 Princess Anne St

Dee Ann Layton. Layton is an active member of the Sumi-e Society of America, and the National Capital Area Chapter of Sumi-e, which promotes brush

Janey Harrington remembers the moment she fell in love. It started with her brush touching silk and the creative juices percolating in her head. Harrington still gets chills taking about what has become her passion. The self-taught artist follows her own process of layering dyes to create one-of-a-kind colors. Her eye-catching designs and brilliant hues are stunning and luxurious. Flowers, dragonflies, and abstracts are her favorite subjects. Each design is unique, some with as many as 40 layers of dye. Visit Artful Dimensions Gallery in March to see her masterpieces.

~ Sally Cooney Anderson

“March Madness” All Member Show Second Friday, March 10, 6-99pm

The Artists' Alliance 100 Taylor St, Suite 101 Colonial Beach Gallery open Sat-SSun, 11a -55p

Benji Collins, who brings to the table a brimming enthusiasm and talent for creating his art work and ideas. Benji is an illustrator, mark maker and portrait artist native to Fredericksburg, Virginia. Even at an early age, his time was spent with pencil in hand, furiously trying to depict the greater machinations and oddities flying through his head Benji is a maestro of the fantastically absurd; drawing chimeric forms, beautiful bodies and the wonderfully bizarre in a palette that can only be described as vivid. .

~ Aja Albertson

All Member Show

Opening Reception First Friday, Art First, 824 Caroline ST

The gallery will present works in all media, featuring a wide range of subjects and artistic styles. Subject matter will include abstraction, landscape,

The Artists' Alliance (AA) at Jarrett Thor Fine Arts is celebrating March Madness at the gallery. Member artists are bringing in work that has lingered too long in their studios, and seeks new homes (at bargain prices). This is a rare event at AA, and will last through the weekend. Additionally, we will feature a group exhibit, New Awakenings, appropriate for the season. AA members also are displaying their painting, photography, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, and wood furniture. runs thru April 9

Rob Rudick

810 Caroline Street, Downtown 540.371.4099

Artist on Site Saturdays

Featured Artist, Benji Collins Darbytown

Dee Layton@ Canal Quarters Arts

“Eight Points”,Robyn Ryan“Autum Hues”,Beverley Coates “Sunrise Princess Anne St”,Lynn Abbott

“Down Memory Lane”, Lois Baird @Brushstrokes

Janey Harrington @Artful Dimensions

Rob Rudick “Seasonal Confusion” @Artists’ Alliance

“Purple Tulips”, Sophia Constantine @Art First

Visitors to Fredericksburg's Liberty Town Arts Workshop would have been enchanted if they happened upon Bill Harris' Sunday oil-painting class recently and perused the works-in-process of his student artists. One piece that would have attracted their attention is Helen Karnath's depiction of the Rappahannock infused with the brilliant light of sunset that makes its way through a bank of dark clouds, dappling a stand of trees and reflecting on the waters below. "I love the river and hope that this painting will convey the spirit and mood of a peaceful evening," Helen said.

As uplifting as the painting is, its impressiveness will be multiplied ten-fold when folks learn of its back-story. That begins with Helen's lifelong love of painting. Now 81, Helen created her first painting, a horse, when she was ten. As a high-school student in Suffolk, VA, she received art instruction from Mary Perts (who had her own back-story, having come from an aristocratic Russian family and losing several loved ones in the Russian Revolution.) After graduating high school,

Helen continued painting with Perts in her home.

Wherever life took her, Helen found an art teacher and mentor who enabled her to pursue her passion. These included a co-worker in a peanut company in Virginia, and Steven Walker , an acclaimed artist in Columbus, Ohio, where she lived for 16 years. Helen's only hiatus from her lifelong dedication to and delight in painting were the years she dedicated to caring for her children.

In 2015, Helen and her husband, Jim, moved to Fredericksburg to be close to four of their grown children who lived in the area. She immediately began searching the Internet and visiting galleries and studios throughout the city to find an art teacher. That was when she found Bill Harris and began taking his weekly class, where she continues to paint today. "I love the camaraderie and helpfulness of all of the students in that class. And Bill is a dedicated teacher who will give pointers or a demonstration of how to deal with a challenging part of

Helen Karnath a profile in resilience

by collette caprara

your painting," she said.

In July 2022, in a tragic life-changing moment, Helen suffered a paralyzing stroke "My son Tim and I were sitting in the living room talking and suddenly I realized my right arm was going numb," she recalled. "Tim had taken EMT training and recognized what was happening and called an ambulance immediately." Although action was taken so quickly and time is of the essence in mitigating stroke damage, Helen lost the use of her right hand and foot

Amazingly, as soon as she completed her regimen of physical therapy, Helen determined that she would paint again and began exploring what she could do with her left hand. Incredibly, the beautiful Rappahannock Sunset painting she just completed was done with her left hand

Humble about her awe-inspiring artistic accomplishment, she says matterof-factly, "One part of your body takes over when another part doesn't work. For example, if you lose your sight, your sense of smell may become stronger."

Because she can no longer navigate the stairs to her basement studio, Tim set up a table with some art supplies upstairs and she is working on some art projects at home. Tim drives her to her weekly class at Liberty Town and helps her in and out with her walker. She completed her first left-handed painting in class last week.

Helen reflects on her accomplishment and resilience with humility and determination. "I think you just have to accept what's been given to you. It's still hard and I get frustrated sometimes when I am painting and my left hand doesn't do what I want it to do. But you just have to take a breath and dive right in." Her advice to others facing challenges in their lives is simple and clear: "Do what you want to do."

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

Annual Beeping Egg Hunt for visually impaired children

By Michelle Crow-Dolby

sensory activities, plus verbal descriptions and "Touch Tours" of Gari Melcher's studio art gallery and home, which allowed visitors to explore various features of Belmont with their hands.. For more information or to RSVP, contact Education and Communications Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby, 540-6541851.

Since 2011, the Education Department has invited visually impaired or blind children and their families to participate in a Beeping Egg Hunt. This annual event is reminiscent of the Easter parties Corinne Melchers , with her husband's encouragement, would host for local children each year at Belmont, complete with Punch and Judy shows, egg rolls, fanciful invitations, and plenty of favors.

Our specially designed plastic eggs, which were made and donated by the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators volunteers, emit a chirping beeping sound that allows visually impaired children to retrieve them using their hearing. Sighted siblings are encouraged to participate by wearing a blindfold. The event also includes a petting zoo, a "Touch a Tractor" station,

Gari Melchers Home and Studio is a 28-acre estate and former residence of the artist Gari Melchers and his wife Corinne. The property, which is operated by the University of Mary Washington, is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Located at

admission charge. The museum also serves as the official Stafford County Visitor Center . For directions and other information, call (540) 654-1015 or visit the museum website at www.GariMelchers.org.

Michelle Crow-Dolby is the Education and Communications Manager at Gari Melchers Home & Studio

Annual Beeping Egg Hunt

Sunday, April 2 from 2-44pm Gari Melcher Home & Studio (Belmont) 224 Washington St

224 Washington St. in Falmouth, Va., a quarter mile west of the intersection of U.S. 1 and U.S. 17, it is open daily with an

Get Out & Enjoy the Outdoors! free outdoor amenities

By Todd Brown

Want to go do something fun, be active, and it won't cost you anything?

Yes, FREE! The City of Fredericksburg's Parks, Recreation and Events has the outdoor parks, open space, recreational facilities and amenities to provide you with multiple opportunities to be active at your own pace. Spring is right around the corner, so it is time to get outdoors and take advantage of the many city amenities that you can use for free to promote good health and wellness in your life. Whether you are an avid athlete, weekend warrior or someone looking for that fun activity, there are so many places just outside your doors.

Of course the outdoor activities come loaded with benefits to your mental and physical well-being. Let's start with the fact that cities, town and counties with greater recreation opportunities also have higher rates of physical activity, lower health care expenditures and lower obesity rates. Plus, there is an increase in the much needed Vitamin D production from

at the same time. Individuals who work out with others have more accountability to stay with an exercise program, and feel supported in reaching their goals. For example, our trails have markers that can help you reach your distance goals We also have brand new fitness equipment along the Heritage Trail, designed to expand your routine workout. Even the dogs can get their exercise in at the Cossey Dog Park, while you relax watching your best four-legged friend having fun. Let's admit it, being outdoors is enjoyable, interesting, fun, engaging, creative, challenging, and FREE!

a ball, fly a kite, or try a new sport like Pickleball, it is all here

Try these exercises out: squat jumps, v-ups, sit-ups, bear crawl, glute bridge, step-up (if walking the trail folks could use one of the benches), tricep-dips (again, use the benches). If you wanted to add variety you could include: forward lunge, walking lunges and reverse lunge. If not ready for that, enjoy a nice stroll on the trails.

This tables shows where each activity can be found and enjoyed at a park or trail.

What are you waiting for? It's time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors!

exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D has been linked to boosting your immune system, bone production, and improving your mood.

Parks, trails and open spaces are also places for wonderful social interaction. Plan to meet a family member or friend to catch up and get a workout in

These are only a few of the many benefits the great outdoors gives all of us. The City of Fredericksburg has so many choices that cater to it citizens' diverse interests and needs. Whether you are looking to shoot hoops, jump on the river in your canoe, kayak or tube, throw or kick

Todd Brown is the Director of Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events.

Heritage Trail Fitness Equipment

]

C o m p a n i o n s

march into spring

by gerri reid, dvm

March rolls in like a Lion and out like a Lamb. Spring is coming but let’s hope the weather does not treat us too bad. As seasons begins to change, we will start preparing to get outdoors more. This means more outdoor activities such as hiking, walking and running not only for you but for your pet. Time to get out in the sun and head to the beach, right? So, let’s talk about how to prepare your pet for the Spring.

First, make sure your pet is all up to date on vaccines Rabies vaccination is one vaccine that is required by the State. Other vaccines recommended include Distemper/Parvo, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella (Kennel Cough). These vaccines become important as you begin to plan your vacations as you may need to board your pet at a Boarding facility. Lastly, have your pet tested for heartworm disease as this test will also test for tick borne diseases. These diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. Therefore, if you take your pet outdoor even just to use the bathroom, there is a risk of your pet contracting these diseases.

Now that you have updated the vaccines, let’s not forget ensuring that your pet is parasite-ffree. Some pet owners enjoy taking their pets to Daycare or Dog Parks to play with other dogs. Your pet can contract parasites from other dogs by coming in contact with their stool. Checking your pet’s stool for parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and tapeworms is important as some of these parasites can also be transmitted to you. As Veterinarians, it is our responsibility to educate and prevent the transmission of these zoonotic diseases. Your Veterinarian may

recommend deworming your pet and giving monthly heartworm pills. These medications not only prevent heartworm disease but it also prevents intestinal parasites.

We can’t forget about fleas and ticks People always think fleas/ticks die off in the winter when actually Veterinarians tend to see plenty of skin related issues caused by these parasites. It is highly recommended to keep your pet on flea/tick prevention all year. Fleas can transmit tapeworms and ticks transmit diseases such as Lyme disease. There are topical preventions, oral preventions and even high-quality flea collars. Your Veterinarian will recommend which product is best for your pet. But one thing is for sure, it is a Must-Do for your pet as the summer months approach.

Cabin Fever happens to all of us including our pets. As much as you are ready for Spring to come, the sun to come out and the days to get longer, your pet is more than ready! They are ready to start basting in the sun, playing fetch and swimming in the pool. So, do them a favor and get them ready to Spring into action and prepare for the Dog Days of Summer. Get your pet’s vaccines updated, give monthly flea/tick prevention as well as heartworm prevention and ensure they are parasite-free. Make an appointment today with your Veterinarian.

Dr. Gerri S. Reid is the Owner/Veterinarian of Reid Mobile Veterinary Services. 540-623-3029; reidmobilevetservices.com ; facebook eVetServices

THE THE POETRY MAN POETRY MAN

By Frank Fratoe

Join Me Join Me

You overcome distress or start an endeavor by awakening yourself to find simple things become the perfection they are to begin with.

For wherever one goes look down to the land or upward to the sky and see them faultless taking us through time as our journey follows.

The freezing in winter and hardship it causes are converted by thaw which shows up later to cast the emptiness into waves of foliage.

When we join together to experience all this in so doing I am you.

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

Astrology & You

sedna: big things, small packages

By Dianne Bachman

of her existence has expanded our perspectives on our solar system. It may also be instrumental in understanding ourselves and our relationship with nature.

March 7 Full Moon in Virgo. With the excellent critical thinking skills that Virgo offers, time to take a deep dive into your needs and emotions. Journal any insights as taking a look back will come in handy at some point in the future.

Though we don't hear a lot about her, Sedna is an important player in our current and future astrological weather. Sedna is a dwarf planet that was discovered on November 14, 2003, from Mount Palomar observatory. Located beyond the Kuyper Belt in the Ort Cloud, her orbit around the Sun takes about 11,530 years to complete. She was named for the Inuit goddess of the sea and all marine animals. Certainly, the discovery

When a planet or asteroid is discovered, its name is thought to reflect the essence of the planet's qualities, thus, creating an archetype. Sedna's energies are deep and watery. As Alan Clay, humanistic astrologer has proposed, "And from the myth we get the idea that it relates to various unconscious experiences which come from our heredity, that will push us to a painful crisis of transcendence, where we are forced to let go of our old spiritual framework and rise to a new consciousness."

On a collective level, this could point to the balance between humans and nature. Though she was detected in 2003, her discovery was announced in March 2004. December of that year a tsunami in the Indian Ocean killed over a quarter of a million people. Not long after, Katrina hit the US. It is not that planets cause these events, but rather they can be seen as messengers and warnings arising from our own unconscious; as above, so below, and vice-versa. There are connections that we do not fully understand, but it appears that Sedna is a timely messenger, reminding us of the fragility of nature and our responsibilities of stewardship. Sedna has been in earthy Taurus since 1966 and will enter the sign of Gemini in June, though will travel back and forth in retrograde until 2024. Stay tuned for June 2023 for a more detailed dive into Sedna.

And now, here is what the astrological weather looks like for March. It is a month of new beginnings, with so many personal planets changing signs!

March 2 Mercury enters Pisces. Allow yourself to dream and imagine all the possibilities. Intuition is high, so practice listening. It is most likely more accurate than you give it credit. The next few days can be dreamy, creative and are supported by a Venus conjunction to Jupiter.

March 7 Saturn enters the sign of Pisces, giving us a nudge to be consistent with our creativity or spiritual practices. There is wisdom to call upon as we gain life experience through time.

March 16 Venus enters the sign of Taurus and squares Pluto. Focus is on relationships to others or ourselves. Pluto asks us to be honest, assess what is working and to do away with what is no longer relevant in our lives. The difficulty with this Pluto transit is equal to the degree in which we hang on to people and things we have outgrown.

March 19 Mercury enters Aires. Independence, courage to try something new is favored. New ideas can be popping, but be mindful of possible tension created by a semisquare with Uranus. Pay attention to flashes of intuition or new thoughts.

March 20 Sun enters Aries. Time to honor the warrior spirit. Courage, independence, new pathways are favored, but temper impulsivity with bouncing new ideas off others you trust. Maybe good to slow down, be mindful of any movement forward. If you feel tired, rest!

March 21 New Moon in Aries. What a wonderful time to plant the seeds for initiating something new! The full moon in Libra in April brings forth the creative and harmonious energies to manifest those Aries seeds.

March 25 Mars enters the sign of Cancer. Emotions can take charge, so take life slowly over the next few days. Check any tendency to be reactive. Instead, step back, take a breath, and move forward only when your emotions and intuitions are grounded and stable..

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

Artwork

"Sedna" by Germaine Arnaktauyok, circa 1998

Fredericksburg Sketches

A visual Celebration of our community

By Paula Raudenbush

St George’s From Foode

My friend Kathleen and I had brunch recently at Foode and we sat at the table by the front window. I was facing the window and the church across the street was begging to be sketched. (Buildings do talk to me sometimes…) I felt that I wanted to accentuate the colors I was seeing so I left the inside (and Kathleen) in black and white.

I'm starting to get excited about spring even though, as I write this, it's still a couple months away. The jonquils and tulips are up so I'm hoping they'll survive a hard freeze which is still possible. I'm looking forward to warmer weather so we can get outside to sketch again. I've missed that this winter.

I'm still printing some of my sketches and have them for sale in my studio at Libertytown Arts Workshop (Studio 24). Stop by and say hello.

Paula Raudenbush is an admin for the Fredericksburg Chapter of the Urban

Spring is upon us and that means community events, runs, walks, etc. Community events present an excellent opportunity for businesses to engage with people in their town Community involvement includes but is not limited to sponsoring an event, volunteering, or doing your own charity drive.

There are a bunch of sponsorable events to choose from, so how do you pick? Start with the events that are closest to you heart Maybe it's an SPCA walk to support animal rescue. Or maybe it's a run that donates to the Food Bank. To be consistent , try supporting a community event once a quarter. It's good to note that being involved in a community event typically requires a financial contribution. Additionally, you might have the opportunity to distribute branded business swag such as pens, magnets, chip clips, etc. By planning your involvement quarterly, you can budget effectively for these expenses. When

Great things happen for your business

By Mandy Smith

reviewing a sponsorship agreement, be sure to understand exactly what you're getting as a sponsor. Are you getting logo placement at the event, on the t-shirt, on the website, business tagged in a post? Make sure your sponsorship dollars equal logo placement and brand recognition When in doubt, ask for clarification.

If you're thinking, "I don't have it in my budget to financially support a community event", that's okay! Consider volunteering! Your business can help with a "Day of Service Project", volunteer at a local animal shelter, or help pack meals at a local food pantry. There are plenty of groups in the area that would love some extra help! Not only does it feel great, but it's good team building!

If you can't find something you want to be involved with, then plan your own charity drive! Most charities have a way for you to do an online drive or a "drop off" style drive at your business. For

example, the Fredericksburg Food Bank allows businesses to host a virtual food drive You can share the drive link on all your social media platforms and put it on your website. Another option is a "drop off" style drive. For example, a coat drive for the Salvation Army or a toy drive for Children's National Hospital

There are many positive things that happen when a business becomes more involved in the community.

1) Increasing Brand Awareness

2) Building Trust with the Community

3) Spreading Positivity Creates a Business Culture that attracts employees and customers.

There are endless opportunities to support your favorite local charitable groups and community events. At B101 5 our passion is supporting our community.

We challenge you, our local business owners, get involved! Great things will happen!!

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