August 2012.qxd - Front Porch

front porchYEAR 16 • ISSUE 182 • AUGUST 2012 Frontporchfredericksburg.com

T H E R E G I O N ' S free C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N ELocal Good News Since 1997

A Mom’s PrideAlex Mills Onstage

3

Jake’s SouthernExposure

8

ItalianRenaissance

FXBG Style9

“Lord Claude”Mary Belle Green

19

Titans of ArtHyperion is 18

12

John D.Holmfeld

A Final Giving24

Mike SkinnerVinyl & Vintage

30

The 10th StageAre You There?

31

Y O U R G U I D E T O T H E L O C A L G O O D L I F E

How many 14 year-olds have youmet who knew what their passion was andpursued it from that point on? I know onewho did.

He is a local 23 year-old. He is a2007 graduate of Massaponax High Schoolwhere he excelled in Drama. He attendedThe Governor’s School for PerformingArts in Theatre the summer following his

sophomore year. He won manyawards while in high schoolincluding Best Actor in the State hisjunior and senior years.

He attended college where he hada starring role in the fall productionand enjoyed his brief time on thecollege stage. However, thingsweren’t going as planned. He says ofthat time, “I didn’t feel like Ibelonged. I felt like a stranger onthe campus that I was supposed tobe calling home. I wasn’t loving mycollege experience and that’s thereason I chose to move on.” So he

made the decision to leave school to followhis passion.

He returned home in the summerof 2008 and was quickly cast in a localproduction that featured his drama coachfrom high school and a fellow graduate.As it turns out, a founding member ofSynetic Theater from Crystal City, VA, wasin attendance at the performance. He was

so impressed by what he saw that heinvited our young actor to Crystal City foran audition. The audition went well andhe was immediately accepted into theSynetic family.

He’s been with Synetic now forfour years, about to start his fifth, and hashad great success. He has garnered severalHelen Hayes award nominations includinglead actor, supporting actor, and ensembleand has had several leading roles; namelyPuck in Midsummer Night’s Dream (May2009), Iago in Othello (June 2010), andRomeo in Romeo & Juliet (December2011). He will be starring as Jekyll andHyde in the upcoming fall season atSynetic. He is currently performing asJohn Quincy Adams in Bloody, BloodyAndrew Jackson at Studio Theatre.

As you may or may not haveguessed by now, this driven, focused, hard-working, handsome, talented, andcharming young man is my son, Alex Mills.His Dad and I are so incredibly proud of

him. We have never known anyone morepassionate about pursuing his dream. Weunquestionably give him our support andlove. This is not an easy career to pursue,but for Alex it’s not a choice—it’s hispassion.

Lyn Mills is a high school businessteacher and proud mom.

front porch fredericksburg August 2012 32 August 2012 Front porch fredericksburg

Cover Photo by Arch Di Peppe

Pride and Passionan actor’s story

By lyn mills

con

ten

ts closeups

3 Pride & Passion....an actor’s story

8 master of awe....jake waltham

19 belle amie.... Beautiful Friend Mary Belle

porch talk4 on the porch...life in fredericksburg

Messages

5 yoga all over

6 Days gone by: fxbg postcard collection

9 “burgs italian renaissance

10 retired on the back porch

11 space magic

12 Vino: to be young & freshin the kitchen with bonnie

13 season’s bounty: thin makes the cakes

14 15 principles: a roadmap for success

15 craft beer month

16-17 Calendar of Events

18 Our Heritage... the crhc collectionhistory’s stories.: moncure daniel conway

20 companions: emergency preparedness

21 quiet moments: a half step from 1900arts of the titans to benefit empower house

22 Senior Care: protect seniors from fraud

23 wellness: anti-inflammatory dietgreen remedies

25 scene & heard...in the ‘burg!

26 phantom @ riverside dinner theatre

27 community link

28 fxbg music: matt montoropoetryman Frank fratoe

29 10 ½ won’t dowit & wisdom of rim

31 the 10 stages of fred

...And more!6 Fredcamp: be openhanded

7 one big historic make-over

24 the late john d. holmfeld...giving again

30 close enough for horseshoes & hand grenades

19

30

26

311 William Street540-3371-22727 www.lapetiteaubergefred.com

OOppeenn ffoorr LLuunncchh && DDiinnnneerr MMoonn - SSaatt

Rob Grogan Editor

PhotographerArcher Di Peppe

Contributing Writers & Artists

A.E.Bayne Megan ByrnesAna Brigos Joshua CamelliCollette Caprara Ashliegh ChevalierBonnie De Lelys William ColliganArch Di Peppe Frank FratoeJoAnna Cassidy Farrell Joe GherloneWilliam Garnett Ralph “Tuffy” HicksMike Jones Karl KarchHeidi Reszie Lewis Lyn MillsJo Middleton Vanessa MoncureAmy Pearce Mary Lynn PowersRegina Price Susan Carter Morgan Paula Rose Wendy Schmitz

Emily Taggert SchrickerSara Mattingly Matt ThomasRebecca Thomas Christine ThompsonRim Vining Steve Watkins

Front Porch Fredericksburg is afree circulation magazine

published monthly by Olde Towne Publishing Co., Inc.

Virginia Bigenwald Grogan, Publisher.

The mission of Front PorchFredericksburg is to connect the

diverse citizenry of Fredericksburgwith lively features and informative

columns of interest to our community’s greatest resource,

its people.

Messages from our readers arewelcome. All submissions must be

received by e-mail by the 19th of themonth preceding publication.

Writers are welcome to requestWriter’s Guidelines and query the

Editor by e-mail.

Front PorchFredericksburg

1281 Jefferson Davis HighwayPMB 208

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Phone: 540-220-1922E-Mail: [email protected]

Web Site:www.frontporchfredericksburg.com

The opinions expressed in Front PorchFredericksburg are those of the contributing writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of

Front Porch Fredericksburg or its advertisers.

Copyright 2012 Olde Towne Publishing Co., LLC

All rights reserved.


“You never know the impact youhave on a child.” Every year at this time,while parents are shuffling their childrenoff to Target, Old Navy and Comfort Shoesahead of the new school year, teachers areprepping for the academic and socialrigors of a new crop of kids and classes. Atvarious points during the year, those sameparents will communicate with those sameteachers, and all year long parents andteachers will be communicating with thechildren. It isn’t easy – for any of them —child, parent, student or teacher. But it isessential and the outcomes matter.

Looking back, I recall that“impact” both ways as though it wereyesterday. Since studies have shown thatyoung children retain negative experiencesmore clearly than positive ones, it isimportant how we adults approach thenew school year. It’s a fresh start, and asBuddha says, “No matter how hard thepast, you can always begin again.” Beginagain – no greater opportunity exists thanthat; a chance to make amends, spreadpositive karma like sprinkles on a cone;instill positive memories into the psychesof children.

Parents matter in that; teachersdo, too. I can still name most of myelementary school teachers from 1957 to1966, and their impact. Mrs. Bradshawtaught us to be thoughtful of others; Mrs.Wise taught cursive writing; Miss Jost gaveus an enduring thirst for history; Mrs.Pawlak was Mrs. Discipline; Mrs. Brackenlet us get hands-on with science; and Mr.

Ayles taught us leadership. No SOL’s. No‘No Child Left Behind’. Yes to musicclasses, 3D projects, and Phys-Ed everyday.

High school was so different;Christian and all male. Two teachers stickout – Brother James Farrell, who explainedhow Genesis and Darwin do not conflictwith each other; and Brother Andrew, whoencouraged me to become a writer.College memories include ProfessorCornelius McCarthy and Judge RaymondNovak engraving my mushy skull withlessons about “doing what you know andlove” and “not taking kindness asweakness”. Judge Novak taught “juvenilejustice”. I met up with him again – infamily court – at a hearing of one of thejuveniles I taught. Ray Novak had alwaysgiven this repeat offender a break in hopesof his potential. Not this time. Not afterstealing a car. “Son, you have taken mykindness as a weakness,” he ruled, thenordered the boy to serve the maximumjuvenile penalty allowable under the law.

As a counselor-teacher, I learnedtwo valuable lessons about “impact.”First, Charlie T returned to our treatmentprogram but not before telling the courthe would prefer juvenile lockup because“Mr. Grogan doesn’t like me.” After soul-searching, I discovered the roots ofCharlie’s sense of discord: he hadreminded me of my younger self and Iknew he just needed a push to do better.Second, James C came to me from northPhiladelphia. Physically threatening, talland muscular, and with a knife scar on his

face, James was a true peer leader – in anegative way. He was also blind to hispotential within. Our nine monthstogether were mentally draining, andwhen he left for vocational school, I hadbut a glimmer of hope for him. Two yearslater, James approached me on a Phillystreet, wearing a custom-tailored suit ofhis own creation. He introduced me to hisbeautiful wife and darling little girl. Andthen he thanked me…

Beginning again, we each havethe chance to start over once the bell ringsto open this school year. I hope we are onthe same page. And I hope you will enjoythe pages of this month’s magazine.

ON THE PORCHbegin again

Robgwrites

When I first came toFredericksburg 22 years ago, the onlyyoga in town was taught by Ren Fields inwhat was then the Unitarian UniversalistChurch, and is now Eileen’s Bakery andCafe, on Caroline near the library. Theyhad to clear out the chairs from SundayService to make room for yoga mats. Andnot everybody had mats back then, either.Some used towels.

Ren now has a beautiful studioover in the old hospital building at 2400Fall Hill for her Fredericksburg HealingArts & Yoga. And seemingly every gymand certainly every YMCA offers yogaclasses. With dozens of yoga teachers inthe area, I’d say Fredericksburg’s evenbecoming something of a yoga Mecca.Check out our Facebook group some time—Project Yoga Fredericksburg— to findthe names of teachers and practices thatmight interest you.

I’ve been teaching power yoga atthe Stafford Y for several years, but knewthere wasn’t much being offereddowntown. I’ve been interested for awhilein doing something there as well —

convenient for downtown folks before orafter work. So when Paul Cymrotmentioned some available space in hisRead All Over Bookstore at 307 William, Ijumped at the opportunity to add somemore classes.

For now, we’re doing a FamilyYoga session at Read All Over on Tuesdayevenings at 7 in the back room on the firstfloor. (Don’t be put off by the ghost; heseems to like yoga a lot, and he definitelylikes young people.) This past Tuesday, 25of us — 10 kids, 15 adults — gathered foran introductory vinyasa/flow yoga class.Highlights of the evening: Everybody in abig rocking, roaring Lion pose. And, ofcourse, savasana, the corpse pose.

Friday mornings at 9, I teach anadvanced vinyasa/power/Ashtanga class atRead All over — basically an athletic formof yoga with more movement andstrength poses (and sweating) than you’llfind in most hatha yoga classes. (There’salso more cardiovascular benefit to thekind of yoga I do — though perhaps a littleless sweating — than in hot or Bikramyoga.) Though the Friday morning class is

fairly advanced, even relativebeginners are welcome and should beable to keep up, and benefit, as long asthey’re mindful of necessarymodifications, and occasional breaksin Extended Child Pose.

Yoga for me has becomesomething more than a daily practice,certainly more than a physicalworkout — though it’s that, too.Yoga’s a lifestyle, and a mindset, and aspiritual path for me and millions ofothers. I love the physical benefits ofyoga: the strength it gives me, and theflexibility, especially now that I’m wellnorth of 50. But I’d be lying if I didn’t tellyou that it’s this sense of stillness andpeace I get through my practice that is thegreatest gift I’ve received from yoga.Teaching these classes, I get anopportunity to give a little somethingback.

You get some, you give some.You be thankful always for your blessings.The world seems to work best that way.

Steve Watkins is a professor emeritus ofEnglish at the UMW and author of

several award-winning books, including“Down Sand Mountain” and

“What Comes After.” For informationabout his yoga classes, email

[email protected].

Drop-ins welcome at his power yogaclasses at Stafford YMCA (Mon 9 a.m.,

Wed 9:10). Cost is $7. Suggestedcontribution for yoga classes at Read All

Over is $5/individual, $10/family.

messages

I catch every issue of FrontPorch and love the hometown feel of thispublication. I love that it featureseverything from news to recipes to travelto the arts, etc.Lyn Mills, Spotsylvania

NOTE: Read Lyn Mills’ story about a localactor she knows so well, in this issue.

Hi Rob:Thank you so much for

publishing the Joe Wilkinson article inFront Porch. All of us at Brush StrokesGallery are grateful to you and pumpedup by your support to the local artists. Itis very encouraging to have someone intown with your caliber doing this greatservice of public interest and free ofcharge.Again, Thank you!Merian C. Stevens, Brush Strokes Gallery PS.: I wish I had done that nice write upon Joe. Collette Caprara did it. She is agreat writer!

Rob:Just finished reading the

account in July’s Front Porch of yourdelightful birthday dinner (“Paired andPersonal”) — thanks so much to you, andto Brian (Downing), for all thecompliments! Brian and I wereserendipitous counterpoints and workedwell together behind the scenes, which isvital for a successful event. But it wasthe fact that you and Virginia are idealhosts — gracious, amiable andaccommodating — that made the entireexercise, from planning to cleanup, acomplete delight. Thanks again forincluding me in the fun!Drema

NOTE: Drema Apperson is a Personal Chef(540-907-6069) and member of the U. S.Personal Chefs Association

Hi folks,Love the paper and was hoping

we could get a subscription sent to theoffice. I figure any paper that promotesa head shop like you did with NaturalMystic needs to be read every time itcomes out.Jeff Curtis, Orange, VA

NOTE: Jeff Curtis is with the OrangeDowntown Alliance. We now distribute themagazine in Orange.

In Memory of Linda Kay McAfee May 23, 1962 - July 3, 2012

Front Porch joins the community in itsprayers and condolences, and shares thejoy of knowing that Linda was an angelwho touched so many hearts and lives,

especially Roy’s.

My error. It must have been the heat!

Last month’s art piece was written byCollette Caprara, who has a story in this

issue as well. - Rob

About the Cover:On his way to a photo shoot,Arch Di Peppe was seduced

by a crepe myrtle tree.

YOGA ALL OVER “this sense of stillness and peace”

by steve watkinsi

For Sale Now at Amazon.com

Author: J Robert Du Bois Edited by Rob Grogan

I am not one who is good withtools. So when Pam Jewett-Bullock,“Keeper of Small Details” and recruiterextraordinaire, mentioned a volunteerposition for the Fred Camp mission, I kindof backed up and tried to explain to herthat any handy tool guy kind of stuff Iusually turn over to more capable hands!She explained there were many roles tomake a camp like this work. So, I agreedto fill in the first two days as go-fer (theguy who goes searching at Lowe’s for theright piece to a toilet, or other things thatthe crew has not taken to the site.) Let meexplain first that this is a camp for teensrun through numerous churches in ourarea that fills a need for repairs to homeswhere the owners are financially orphysically unable to do the repairsthemselves. The camp runs one week ayear.

So back to the volunteer position– I reported for duty at FredericksburgChristian School in Spotsylvania where thecampers resided for the week. The kidswere already out at their assigned sites,but the gofers and dispatchers were thereto fill their roles as needed. All of thework sites were spread throughout thearea, one almost as far as Orange, and onein the opposite direction in King George. Iwas amazed at the amount of work thatthe teams planned to accomplish in aweek. There were eight crews, with anassigned adult camper and a handyman,

and then 6-8 teens to actually do the workwith them. These teams performed thingsfrom replacing screen doors to buildingentrance ramps to facilitate handicappedindividuals. Each site had an extensive listof repairs that would be accomplished bythe end of the week.

Though I really did not havemuch of a job to do, I felt part of thisgroup immediately. Some I know from the

St. George’s community andFredericksburg, but many were from otherchurches in the area, and all seemed towelcome each other back as old friends. Asa newbie, I was made to feel that each cogin the wheel was important. The camp is

in its 14th year, and the staff list is closeto 50 people who perform the aboveduties, and some behind the scenes jobs(like cooking, clean-up, dispatching etc.)By this point, Fred Camp has beenorganized to a science, and runs asprecisely as military drill.

The website for Fred Camp(Fredcamp.org) has photos of thedifferent sites, and archives that showprevious years. It is pretty amazing whatthe kids accomplish alongside theseasoned handy people. I could describesome of these dedicated individuals whocome back year after year to give theirtime to the community, but there were somany I feel I would be slighting someone.One volunteer explained that the rewardin seeing the pride in the young faces wasenough for them. I am hoping to be ableto join this group again next summer.Their motto for the year was “Be OpenHanded,” which was derived from a quotein Deuteronomy 15:11 - “There willalways be poor people in the land.

Therefore I command you to beopenhanded with those of your peoplewho are poor and needy in your land.” -The volunteers involved with the FredCamp project take this quote seriously.

Mary Lynn Powers is a Stafford Countyresident and frequent contributor to

Front Porch.

Evoking a twist on the words ofRonald Reagan to Mikhail Gorbachev maybe a bit hyperbole, but the excitement isbuilding for the BikeWorks wall mural at104 William, scheduled for an artisticmakeover from August 1-28. Art studentinterns are teaming up with artist/teacher Mirinda Reynolds to scale the 35-40’ vertical wall together and give thatpart of the downtown cityscape a welcomemakeover.

Students Mallory Morgan(Colonial Forge HS), Will Baker (JamesMonroe HS), Kaitlyn Novalski (StaffordHS), Cami Parrish (FredericksburgAcademy), Rachel Kaufman (Brooke PointHS), and Ray Wygant (GermannaCommunity College), with the help ofmentor-painters Carol Coffman and TroyHowell of the local arts community, and,of course, Mrs. Reynolds, will do theartwork in time for a First Friday,

September 7th reception at the mural,

from 6-8P, in celebration of theircollaboration.

The 40-foot cinderblock side of104 William Street, home of the Bikeworksbicycle shop owned by Tom Eskam,currently shows a red outline of a bikerwith ivy creeping up the faded wall. Thewall will be thoroughly scraped, cleaned,primed, re-painted with a base coat, and anew design will welcome 18,000 ChathamBridge drivers a day!

The new mural will feature ayoung bicyclist viewing the city fromChatham Heights and will have a vintagepostcard feel to it, with a feature showingthe year, 1728, that Fredericksburg wasfounded by an act of the General Assemblyof the Commonwealth.

Mirinda, whose first mural was anunauthorized “choo-choo in my childhoodbedroom” at age 2, says the five studentsreceived a week-long one-on one trainingand hands-on experience with mural-

painting. Each will be awarded a $100scholarship and be recognized by the CityCouncil and the Fredericksburg ArtsCommission, who are funding the projectin cooperation with property owner,William Sale. This arts funding is thefirst large city project to be completelyfunded by the city, and more projects arebeing planned currently (see page 27).

The art-in-action begins August1 and is expected to be completed byAugust 26 or 28. “Stop by and watch thecreative forces add some local art toFredericksburg’s cityscape,” Mirindaposts on the project’s web page. TheFirst Friday reception will be, as Mirindasays, “the celebration of one big wall!”

Sara Mattingly, senior editorialassistant for the magazine, is at the

Olympics in London, as a writer.

6 August 2012 Front porch fredericksburg front porch fredericksburg August 2012 7

Snead’s Asparagus FarmSupport Local Green Space & Local Farmers

Enjoy Snead Farm Produce at Sunken Well Tavern, Otter HouseLaPetite Auberge, Bistro Bethem, J Brian’s, & Olde Towne Butcher

Watermelon, Okra, Tomatoes, Squash & Corn

10 mi. S.E. of downtown on right side of Rt. 17

Open 9-5 Daily ~ 540/371-9328 ~ sneadsfarm.com

CSA: Pick-up Every Wednesday thru Aug, first Wed Oct & Dec

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Sunken Well Tavern The Otter House20 Littlepage 370-0911 theotterhouse.com 1005 Princess Anne 656-2969

OUR GANG IS HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL !

EAT WELL DRINK WELL LIVE WELL

IN CLOTHING FROM LOCALFAVORITE MADELINE RUTH

One Big Historic Makeover“Mrs. Reynolds, Spruce up that wall!”

By sara mattingly

Roxbury Farm & Garden Center

www.roxburyfarmgarden.com601 Lafayette Blvd. 540.373.9124

Knowledgeable Staff & Quality Products

Established in 1929-Celebrating Our 83rdYear

Days Gone ByCourtesy of the William T. Garnett Collection

Looking south on what is now Caroline Street shows "Main Street" with several horses & buggies and properly dressed pedestrians.

The tall utility pole at right is an odd eyesore, like a cell tower today.

Reach William T. Garnett at 540-424-2448.

FRED CAMP“be openhanded”

By mary lynn powers

1313+ Fans Want You

to Join

Front Porch

on

In the 15th and 16th centuries asingle people dominated Europe and all itsaffairs. Was it the Spanish kings andqueens of Aragon and Castile, flush withNew World gold? Was it the French Valoisand Bourbon monarchs whose militarymight and nationalistic fervor inspired byJoan of Arc consolidated the glory ofFrance? Was it the powerful AustrianHapsburg emperors and their Germanprinces who ruled from the Danube to theRhine? No, it was the Italians from theirfractious city-states of Florence, Genoa,Pisa, Pavia, Milan, Rome, and Venice whoconquered Europe, not with armies, butwith ideas, with art, with invention, withfood, and most of all with style!

By the mid-16th century, all themajor cities of Europe had embracedItalian architecture, sculpture, paintings,customs, and fashion. The Italians of theRenaissance had inspired the Europe thatAmerican tourists know and love.Monuments to this creative people areseen around the piazzas of Florence, thechateaus of the Loire, and the palaces ofMadrid. The Renaissance was a rebirththat enriched commerce while enrichingthe creative soul.

We may be seeing historyrepeating itself, albeit on a much smallerscale, here in Old Town. A commercialrebirth is happening on William andCaroline. Growth and design has begun toflourish downtown. Anchored by suchoriginal innovators of art and intellectualpursuit as LibertyTown, Riverby Books,and Hyperion, new and expandingbusinesses combine art and innovation;places like Horseshoes and Hand Grenades,Kybecca, and Bistro Bethem. Even withWeymouth Upholstery’s retreat into thecountryside, Maestro Weymouth’sincredible work in textiles, like theGobelins tapestries of the Renaissance, canstill be commissioned and adorns manyhomes and businesses.

Of course, no Renaissance wouldbe complete without the inspiration of theItalians. Luigi Castiglia (in photo) fromNaples has taken his well-establishedWilliam Street eatery and transformed itinto a palazzo of wood oven pizza andother food fit for a meal with the Medicis.Luigi, a culinary Michel Angelo, is anartisan who paints our palates with apalette of flavors. On east Caroline,Carmelita Scholes, originally from Sicily,and her business partner Pam VanCuren(the Dutch Renaissance gave us theFlemish masters) have created an atelierof home decorating, called Emporio, thatallows the Fredericksbourgeois to adorntheir homes with European style and fine

hand painted furniture. If Raphael orRembrandt were here, they would have tobuy their Annie Sloan chalk paint fromEmporio as it is the only authorized dealeraround.

The newest Italian to inspiredowntown with her artistry is Paola Barralof the ornate fashion salon Cose BelleBoutique on west Caroline. This chateauof couture brings us European fashionsure to seduce and satisfy Fredericksburg’sfeminine side. The former native ofPiemonte on the Italian/French border is aRenaissance woman who holds a doctoratein biological science and had donned awhite lab coat at VCU as a cancerresearcher. Paola’s eye for beautifuldesign clothes the women ofFredericksburg in beautiful things, or, asshe says in her native tongue, “cose belle.”

Fredericksburg has been enrichedby these three Italians — Luigi with hiscuisine, Carmelita and her decorative arts,and Paola with her fine fashion. But onedoes not need to be Italian to embraceand add to our local Renaissance. Stillmore entrepreneurs with creative visionexcite our senses. Some may find thisarticle overindulgent with its hyperbolebut the Renaissance was all aboutoverindulgence and self-promotion, wasn’tit? So let the Italian Renaissance continueand thrive in Old Town Fredericksburg; weare all enriched by its presence!

William Colligan, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army(ret., Iraq War, Bronze Star), is a secondgeneration Italian American (mother’s

side), Director of Undergraduate Studiesat National Intelligence University,

Washington DC, and a Docent/Guide atthe James Monroe Museum.


E`Una Bella CosaThe burg’s Italian Renaissance

is “a beautiful thing”

By William Colligan

Ever since he was a kid, JakeWalther has had a talent for lightingthings up. From his first forays intofireworks during family trips toPennsylvania, and throughout histraining with light and sound at FullSail University in Florida, he has beendrawn to spectacle. Even after a severespinal cord injury derailed a promisingcareer with Ringling Brothers in 2005,Walther never wavered from his dreamof owning his own business andworking in public arenas. Today, heruns Southern Exposure Pyrotechnicsin Fredericksburg, combining creativityand expertise to dazzle crowds across thestate of Virginia with jaw droppingfireworks displays.

Spectators at Walther’s showsknow they are witnessing somethingspecial. With the use of composingsoftware and integrated equipment, andwith the help of a trained physical crew,Walther electronically fires shells from hislaptop and controls on his chair. Hedesigns with the thrill in mind throughuse of close proximity consumer classfireworks; and whether he uses groundbased displays or rockets, the effect isalways intimate and unique.

Walther credits the VADepartment of Rehabilitative Services asbeing instrumental in getting SouthernExposure off the ground, assisting witheverything from paperwork for ATFlicenses to fronting the initial capital thatallowed him to purchase his computer. Hequips, “I can’t go out there and strap aroad flare to my wheelchair. The firingsystem that they helped me purchase inthe beginning was the key to makingSouthern Exposure happen.”

As it turns out, Walther’sgreatest challenge in running SouthernExposure has not been confinement to awheelchair, nor did the accident hinder hiscreativity; rather, the challenge has beenpatience with his crew while giving expertdirections. He lauds them for theirprofessionalism and enthusiasm, “I had toconsider what people would be excited tohelp with when I decided on a businessmodel. Lighting is time intensive andrequires skilled technicians. People would

rather assist with something fun likea fireworks display, and they can betrained to set up a display withoutprior expertise. Once the physicalset-up is finished, I am integral tothe action because I compose thedisplay prior to the show andcontrol the firing of the shells frommy laptop and chair during it.”

Through word of mouth,Internet advertising, and repeatcustomers, Walther has seenSouthern Exposure flourish. It is

unique in Virginia in that most companiesconcentrate on large, professional classshows that run upwards of $30,000 to$50,000 a pop. While he holds a license todo large shows, Walther prefers to providesmaller ones for community events andweddings at a lower cost to the customer.He elaborates, “For the past three yearsI’ve been doing the All American Barbequeat the YMCA on Butler Road, which I willdo again this year, and I did the 2011season opener of the Celebrate VirginiaLive concert series. I’ve done a number ofweddings across the state. This is mysecond year doing a July 4th display for aneighborhood in Chesterfield, and Irecently did a large show for TrumpWinery. I prefer the smaller shows, whichallow me to be part of the action; largershows are exciting too.”

Walther says, “The best thingabout my job is definitely the ‘ohs’ and‘ahs’ from the audience, and being able todo something special for people that theycan’t otherwise do for themselves. Thereare many things I can’t do for myself, sowhen I can provide something for othersin that same situation, man, does thatmake me feel good. When clients say, ‘Youreally made my night,’ that’s what makesme happy.”

For information about SouthernExposure Pyrotechnics visit

www.southernexposurepyro.com, orcontact Walther directly at

[email protected]

A.E. Bayne is a teacher and writer whohas lived and worked in Fredericksburg

for 14 years.

Master of AweJake Walther

By A.E.Bayne

When Matt Ferguson firstdiscovered ShelfGenie®, he realized thedesign solutions they create would solvethe problems and frustrations that he hadheard his mother and his wife Beverlycomplain about when they used theirkitchens. In fact, he realized everyonewith a kitchen could benefit because thefrustrations are universal. Amen to that!I spend more time clinging and clangingpots and pans or searching for cupboarditems than I do cooking.

So along comes Matt who says,“Everything just clicked, and the idea ofcreating organized and efficient spacewhere everything is accessible in the heartof a home made sense.” To us, to, Matt.

ShelfGenie® custom designs,builds and installs the amazing Glide-Out™shelving system into existing cabinets.

They turn cluttered cabinets andpantries into organized spaces,where all items easily glide out of

difficult base cabinet space with the touchof a finger. I sound like a spokesperson,but it’s true what this system will do.

“The product is so versatile, andwhile most home improvement projectsare costly and time consuming, adding ourGlide-Out system is affordable and easy,”cheers Matt. A professional designer doesa complementary consultation to developa custom solution forthe existing cabinet orpantry to increasestorage by up to 50%.As a homebuilder, Mattrealized how ShelfGeniewould improve thedesign andfunctionality offrustrating kitchenspace.

“Since weretro-fit existingcabinets, we are a homeimprovement that isfast and affordable andhas tremendous andimmediate impact. Weare in and out in less than a day so youdon’t lose use of your kitchen for anextended period of time. We are a fractionof the cost of a kitchen renovation.”

What really excites Matt aboutShelfGenie is how much his clients liketheir space afterward. They don’t have tocrawl into cabinets to find lids or pots (likeI said). “Plastic storage containers are nottumbling out of the cabinet.”

Matt’s design solutions are basedon customers’ needs. “What frustratesthem about their cabinets comes outduring a design consult, which is really acreative brainstorming session unique toeach client. We create designs to helpthem de-stress, get them organized andmake the space more efficient by makingsure everything fits.”

While kitchens and pantries arethe most popular places to use Glide-Outshelves, they work in almost every cabinetin the home. Bathrooms, closets andhome offices all benefit from addedstorage space and organizational optionswhere none existed before. Cabinets areorganized, and storage is accessible,efficient and clutter free.

Shelfgenie is a national brandwith truly local roots. Fredericksburgnative P. Allan Young (the son of the Rev.Paige Young), at left in photo with Matt, isthe CEO and became involved with then“Shelf Conversions” in 2004. The conceptstarted in Richmond in 2000 and Youngwas hired as a consultant. He bought andfranchised the business in 2007 asShelfGenie, which now has 60independently owned franchisesnationwide with more to come.

Matt and Beverly were among theearly franchisees. They operate theFredericksburg and Richmond Markets.“We have built a strong national brandand that’s important because we put alifetime warranty on the product and theinstallation. Our growth shows ourstrength as a company, and our customerscan rest assured we are going to be here toservice that lifetime warranty,” Matt says.So there, the genie’s out of the lamp!www.shelfgenie.com

Editorial assistant Amy Pearce organizedthe editor’s workspace and wishes she’d

known about ShelfGenie then.

front porch fredericksburg August 2012 11

One meaning for the word“august” is venerable by reason of age. Iqualify, therefore, for being venerable, or,if you prefer, august. This is my month.Old. Venerable. August. Who’da’thought? There is an exception, however,to my venerability, so to speak, and as itwere. That is when, in August, I’m outsidein the heat and humidity pulling weeds inthe early dawning hours. August, in thatactivity, I am not. What I am is wringingwet with perspiration. I, as those in theknow say, thermoregulate inbucketfuls. My poor white head iswringing wet, and no matter how beautifulmy shampoo from the early morningshower smells, my head has a decidedvinegar odor. I am, in truth, a mess.

I used to exercise atJazzercise. While jumping about in thosehigh intensity moves my venerable self,let’s be frank, I sweated profusely. I’d lookaround and most of the women there werelike me. Dripping. But, there were alwaysthe cool girls. In spite of their jumpingand pumping there was not a wet spot onthem. They will qualify in their old age, inAugust, as august. One can but hope thatwhen they reach menopause their glandswill come alive, and they will, perish thethought, sweat.

As long as I stay on the porch,drinking the house wine of the South,eating cantaloupes, the superb fruit ofVirginia’s sandy fields, and Farmer

Snead’s “Sweeties,” slathered with thatFrench butter to which the girls fromgourmet Feast-O-Rama introduced me, I’llbe august in August. Dry as a chip, whitehair smelling like that wonderful coconutshampoo, instead of rancid vinegar. I’lladd a little soothing summer music frommy portable disk player, perhaps DavidWilson’s “there’s a small hotel,” which Ipicked up from Bob Whittingham’s shopwhen he featured those easy listeningtunes.

Soon August will be gone, and I’llhave to try for age’s venerable demeanorduring the coming months. September isa good month even though a littleconfusing. It was named for the Latinword meaning “seven,” which Septemberonce was when the year started inMarch. But, what the hey, thisseventh/ninth month is hummingbirdtime. They’ll be flying over on their wayto be languishing among the flora andfauna out there in beautiful CostaRica. They’ll be stopping by to eat lots ofnectar so they can weigh about a pennyand have energy for the long journey. Ofcourse they waste so many caloriesbattling each other for a special place atthe feeder, that you wonder how they evergain weight. Their flights of fancy as theydo their alpha thing are incredible to

watch. They remind me of kindergartenboys pushing and shoving each other to befirst in line. But my nectar filled feedersare in position, my house wine filled withice is in place, and off I go for a nap,retired and buck naked out here on theback porch.

Jo Middleton is august from January through December.

10 August 2012 Front porch fredericksburg

Support Your Small Businesses

Space Magic !ShelfGenie comes to fxbg

by amy pearce

Get Yourself A Little Financial Aid for School!

212 William Street,Fredericksburg540-373-5513

Mon-Fri 9-5:30; Sat 9-5

Fair Market Prices PaidWanted:10kt, 14kt,18kt and dental gold

Unwanted Gold? We Want It!

Retired & Buck NakedRetired & Buck NakedOn The Back Porch

hummingbird ready

by jo middleton

606 Caroline Street Old Town Fredericksburg

373-7847gemstonecreations.org

Where Fredericksburg Gets Engaged

Tuesday - Saturday 10-5 ~ Wednesday 10-6:30

Change is Natural !

Plan your Meeting or Event at the Courtyard by Marriott

We offer onsite Catering

540.373.8300

620 CAROLINE STREETFREDERICKSBURG VA 22401

Well, there are all kinds ofpancakes in the world — the thickbuckwheat cakes your great-grandmothermakes for you, with at least a pound ofbutter and a healthy dose of King Syrup…or the breakfast pancake buffet at home,w/ bowls of mix-in fruit, chocolate chips,even sausage and bacon. And how aboutsummer corn cakes, fresh-cut-off-the-cobcorn mixed in batter and pan-fried? Ormaybe scallion pancakes or the annualShrove Tuesday Pancake Suppers, orWestern oatcakes with berries.

The very-thin pancakes - we callthem crepes; they originated in France –are served sweet or savory. ‘Crepe’ meanscurled - so they are usually filled w/ adessert filling or a dinner filling, thenfolded on themselves. The recipe is justlike the usual pancake recipe except thebatter is very thin, and is swirled in a hotbuttered crepe pan, cooked on one side,then picked up on an edge and turned overto briefly cook. Stack w/ wax orparchment paper rounds until all batter isused. Extra crepes can be frozen.

The first crepe I ever ate was a‘mille crepe’, so called because it seemedlike 1,000(mille) crepes were layeredtogether and sliced like a pie - every layerhad a caramel glaze, barely dusted withcinnamon. Wow! Anyone making butterycrepes in the vicinity of children, withfruit, maple syrup or whipped cream,should make lots of extra. That pancake-yirresistibility combined with quick-foldedgoodness: yum.

BLENDER CREPE MIXPrepare and refrigerate about

one hour before making crepes. Restingthe batter makes a smoother, sturdiercrepe. Place in blender 2 eggs, 3 T. meltedbutter, 1 c. all-purpose flour mixed w/ ¼each salt and baking powder, ¾ c. milk and½ c. either tap water or sparkling water.Blend 30 seconds or until smooth. When

ready to fry, stir completely, thenmelt a small amount of butter in acrepe pan or any short frying pan(5-8”, nonstick), swirling aroundjust enough butter to cover thepan. Cook crepe on one side untilis possible to pick up and turnover. Cook approximately 15seconds or until firm. Stack asabove.

CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM FILLINGRehydrate one 4-oz. pkg. wild

mushrooms, reserving the water. Whenrehydrated, saute in 4 oz. butter,additional 8 oz. crimini, white mushrooms,½ c. minced shallots - add ½ c. white wine,1 tsp. chicken base; reduce by half. AddS&P, garlic powder, tarragon; stir in 1 c.heavy whipping cream, reduce again byhalf. Stir in 2 c. diced white meat chicken,1 T. minced fresh parsley, shreddedParmesan cheese, until cheese melts andmixture heats through. Fill cooked crepes,arrange in buttered pan. Grate mixture ofSwiss and gruyere; sprinkle liberally atop.Bake uncovered 375F until cheese meltedand dish golden brown. Two per personfor lunch, three at dinner w/ a nice mixedgreen salad and crusty bread.

DESSERT FILLINGSTo the original blender mixture,

add 3 T. sugar, 2 tsp. grated lemon zestfor dessert crepes made w/ fruit. Spreadcrepe w/ sweetened cream cheese, fold,saute til brown in buttered pan, turn out,serve next to seasonal fresh fruit. For anyfruit filling - Macerate fruit in mixture ofsugar and juice or liqueur. Fold cookedcrepe into quarters, heat in butteredskillet until lightly browned. Place 3 onplate, cover w/ fruit mixture, sprinkle w/10X sugar. Traditional French crepesSuzette cover w/ grated orange zest andGrand Marnier, then set alight beforeserving. My childhood memory of a mille

crepe has many layers w/ caramel betweeneach layer, cut to resemble a cake, servedw/cinnamon-scented sweet whippedcream. A great mille crepe w/ a Southerntouch has layers of apple butter, w/ mapleice cream.

Almost every country in theworld has a variation of crepes, pancakes,and waffles that is quickly grilled, sauteed,baked or fried - a quick confection, orfilling savory. Not hard to concoct or tosaute, but OH the compliments you receive- plus the bonus of eating every slightlytorn crepe; have butter and syrup handy!

Vanessa Moncure was FXBG’s premiercaterer back in the days of her Chez V

Catering company.

It’s August, it’s hot! For yourlate Summer sipping there’s a region inthe world with wines perfect for this timeof year. Vinho Verde refers to not onlythis wine’s style, but also the northwestregion of Portugal known for its fresh,aromatic, white wines. It means “greenwine”, but it is not green in flavor, ratherit refers to its youth and exuberance. It isa seasonal wine, not meant to age, andshould be drunk within the first 18months of its release.

The region is bordered by theAtlantic Ocean, Rias Baixas, Spain,mountains and a river on each side of it.The region is then divided into nine sub-regions. The recommended white grapesfor the DOC are Alvarinho, Arinto, Avesso,Azal, Batoca, Loureiro and Trajadura.

Another, very interesting fact ofthe region Vinho Verde is the vines aregrown trellised up ten feet off of theground. They train the vines to go high ontrees, fences, telephone poles. Manygrowers then use the land below to planttheir family’s vegetables. A lot of raincomes off of the Atlantic Ocean so thegrapes are protected from waterloggedsoils.

The two most successful anddominant white varietals are Alvarinhoand Loureiro. Conde Villar Alvarinho,2010, offers mild and refreshinggrapefruit and pineapple with delicateacidity. Alvarinho tends to produce lowyields and can reach higher alcohol levels;generally (and in this case) it is grown inthe Minho area in the very north by theSpanish border.

My current favorite hot day wineis Encostas do Lima Vinho Verde, 2011.The grapes are Loureiro and Trajadura.The Trajadura is blended with theLoureiro. Trajadura offering loweracidity, higher alcohol. The Lourerirocontributes the aromatic, peach, apricot,apple and orange blossom accents. It hailsfrom the Lima sub-region of Vinho Verde.It’s low in alcohol, has a light spritz andlight tropical fruit flavors. It’s good for aluncheon white, or as a good friend said,“it’s a great example of when a simplewine can offer the greatest pleasure andmost perfect fit for a weekday meal.”Sardines and other seafood are the localstaple and Vinho Verde is ideal for them.

The region of Vinho Verde is alarge geographic area, but the region isfilled with small growers. In supportingsmall growers this time of year, stay coolwith your local foods and this refreshingsummer wine. A perfect pairing (and youdon’t need to turn the stove on) is Snead’sFarm’s Cantaloupes and peaches.

See Chef Blake’s soup recipebelow. Ahhh!

3 Canteloupes2 C Greek Style yogurt6 Peaches3 cucumbers1 C mint simple syrup1/2 C Rice wine vinegar1/4 C lemon juiceBlend & season with sea salt. Addfresh crab, fried oyster or chilimarinated grilled shrimp.

Aby Bethem offers the wines in thisarticle for retail sale at Bistro Bethem.


Vinoto be young and fresh

By aby bethem

SSammy ammy T’T’ ssServing Great Food Since 1981

801 Caroline Street (540) 371-2008vegetarian/vegan/burgers/chicken/seafood

open 11:30 am DailyStill Owned by the Emory Family

DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG’S

Home of the “Camper Special” & the Best Burger in Town

In the KitchenIn the Kitchen

Loving summer! Outdoor picnics, hiking, summer festivals - and these recipes will travel well in a picnic basket

or make a cool supper at home.

with bonnie De Lelys

6 T olive oil2 lbs small red potatoes14 oz kosher salt3 T malt vinegar

Bring 2 qts of water to boil, stir inpotatoes and salt, cook till done - 20 - 30min. Drain and transfer to a wire rack,let dry for 10 min. Transfer potatoes toa oiled, lipped baking sheet and flatten

potatoes with a large spoon, brushpotatoes with ½ of the vinegar andseason with pepper. Roast until wellbrowned, 25 - 30 min, brush withremaining vinegar and transfer toserving dish. Leftovers make great homefries!

SALT AND VINEGAR POTATOES (or get a bag of Salt potatoes at Wegmans, follow instructions

and sprinkle with malt vinegar)

Bonnie De Lelys is innkeeper at the Richard Johnston Inn.

4 - 6 oz boneless chicken breasts2 ozs Taleggio cheese cut into 4 sticks8 thin slices of prosciutto3T olive oil

Cut pocket in the thickest part of thechicken and insert 1 stick of cheese,season with salt and pepper. Lay 2 slicesof prosciutto on work surface, placechicken in center and wrap slices around

it. Repeat w/ remaining chicken. Brushw/ olive oil, grill over medium fire 8 min.per side. Transfer to platter and tent w/foil, let rest for 5 min.

GRILLED CHEESY CHICKEN BREASTS WITH PROSCIUTTO

1 lb jumbo shrimp (Costco is the best)1 garlic clove2 t balsamic vinegar1 t zesty mustard1 t Dijon mustard½ t lemon zest plus 1 t lemon juice 8 oz baby arugula

Season shrimp with salt and pepper.Heat 2 T olive oil in skillet over mediumhigh heat, ad shrimp and cook until

pink. Transfer to plate and let cool.Combine vinegar, mustard, garlic, lemonzest and juice in large bowl and slowlywhisk in 3 T olive oil. Toss arugula anddressing together, top with shrimp andshaved Parmesan cheese to taste. Greatfor a cool supper or a picnic (do not adddressing until ready to serve).

SHRIMP AND ARUGULA SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE

FREDERICKSBURG

Forget theHeat!

Sizzle in a Cooking Class

in Our Cool Kitchen!

374-0443

www.shopwhittingham.com

1021 Caroline Street

Season’s Bountythin makes the cakes

By vanessa moncure

Olde Towne BUTCHERYour Source For LOCAL Produce

Snead’s Farm & Blenheim Organic Gardens Now Available!

Corner of William & Charles StreetDowntown Fredericksburg

540.370.4105www.oldetownebutcher.com

Open: 9am - 9pm Monday through Saturday; 11m - 6pm SundayLee Russell Proprietor


TheSoup & Taco,

Etc.

Serving TraditionalMexican, Tex-Mex Foodand Something More!!

Tuesday to Saturday11am-9pm

Sunday 11am-6pm

Phone: 540-899-0969E-mail: [email protected]

813 Caroline St.

Love On TapFirst-Ever August Virginia

Craft Beer Month

101 William Street

Party PlanningAvailable!

540.371.2233HOURS:

Mon - Sat 11 to 4 pmClosed Sun

Sandwiches BarbecueHot Dogs Desserts

Seems simple enough, but I betyou don’t do it. Maybe you are not awareof the amount of negative self-talk yougenerate or its real impact. Until Istopped and paid attention, I didn’teither. When I did it astounded me. Everypass in the mirror was an opportunity tojudge myself quite harshly, saying things Iwouldn’t think of a stranger, let aloneverbalize. Yet these thoughts persistedlike a hamster on a wheel, trapping me ina cycle of putdowns.

It’s crucial for successful weightloss (or success of any kind) to put a stopto the running criticisms. You may beunwittingly sabotaging your success rightout of the gate. I am not suggesting beingunrealistic about necessary weight loss, orto ignore that you will feel more attractiveonce you do. I am saying that you need tostart the process from a place ofemotional health and that means theinternal dialog must be kind andsupportive. It is possible to be honestwith yourself about the need to loseweight and to feel good about the personyou are today.

Did I get intensive therapy andwork through all my childhood issues todo it? Nope. I didn’t get hypnotized, joinan Ashram, travel to a distant location oranything really drastic to undo thepattern of negative thinking. I tackled itone negative thought at a time, diligentlyreplacing them with kinder, more accuratethoughts until it became second nature.

To be clear I am not advocating someoneskip therapy if that is needed, just that itisn’t required to repair flawed thinkingpatterns.

My revelation began about fivepounds into my own weight loss journey.I made the decision that I was no longerenduring the put-downs. It was onlycausing me unnecessary pain. Icommitted to replacing every negativethought with a genuine compliment andtaking the time to proactively say nicethings to myself. Let’s just say it didn’tcome naturally at first. In fact, it felt likeI was being a big phony. I was so out oftune with being kind to myself that I hadto fake it in the beginning. To get the ballrolling I began admiring what I did likeright away. I focused on attributes I wasproud of and reminded myself of my valueas a whole person. More than waiting forthe negative thoughts to come andpushing them away, I tried to take chargeof my thought process and set it in theright direction. When negative thoughtscrept in (and sometimes still do) I calledthem out immediately and replaced themwith a kinder observation. You’ve nodoubt heard the phrase ‘fake it ‘till youmake it’? That is exactly what I am tellingyou to do. Even if it feels strange andunnatural, do it. It has taken work forpositive affirmation to become reflexiveand I am still vigilant.

Supportive thoughts will propelyou forward because you will feel youdeserve to do well. They will give youconfidence in your ability to meet thechallenges ahead and help you to feelmore comfortable in your body, now andwhen you have realized your goals. I wasliving my life cringing at the next unkindthought. No wonder I found weight lossso challenging. I was working in a hostileenvironment.

One of the biggest rewards ofsaying nice things to yourself is theinternal peace it brings. Critical thoughtskeep you anxious and wary, kind thoughtscalm the mind and leave you free topursue healthy behaviors that will get youthe trim body you desire. Instead offacing the scale and waiting to feel goodabout yourself, you will be starting from aplace of worth.

The simplest ideas can be themost difficult to implement, at first.Practice saying nice things to yourselfuntil it becomes a habit and once you getthe hang of it, never stop

Rebecca Thomas is a downtown resident,aspiring self-publishing author and

partner at kybecca. You can follow herposts at

Facebook.com/rebeccathomas.me

15 Principlesprinciple #4 - say nice things to yourself

By rebecca thomas

Virginia’s reputation asa destination full of local flavorhas a new experience to toutwith the first-ever Virginia CraftBeer Month. “Love on Tap” is anod to the state’s Virginia is forLovers slogan and local craftbeer on tap at more than 40breweries and hundreds ofrestaurants across Virginia. Themonth-long celebrationculminates with the first-everVirginia Craft Beer Festival,August 25, at Devils BackboneBrewery in Nelson County.

The Virginia tourismoffice has created a new,interactive maponwww.Virginia.org/craftbeer tohelp visitors find craft breweriesopen for tastings and tours, andto plan a visit. The site alsofeatures special events andVirginia craft beer travelpackages.

Rita McClenny, interimpresident and CEO of theVirginia Tourism Corporation,calls our state’s craft breweries“ideal places for people who lovelocal beers, outdoor adventure andexploring small towns and cool cities.” Shecites “The Virginia craft beer scene,combined with our 220 wineries” as areason that “Virginia a top destination forculinary travelers looking for true localflavor.”

“August Craft Beer Month is ahuge opportunity for us to show whatVirginia craft beer is all about,” saysMichael Killelea, Chairman of the VirginiaCraft Brewers Guild and brewer at LegendBrewing Company.

Below is just a taste of specialevents that beer lovers can experience inVirginia, with many more listedon www.Virginia.org/CraftBeer:

Virginia Craft Beer MonthSunday Brunch at Blue Mountain Brewery- Celebrate Virginia Craft Beer Month witha delicious brunch menu featuring localsausage gravy over toasted buttermilkbiscuits, veggie and sausage breakfastburritos, quiche of the day, waffles andmore. Live music at 2:30 p.m. Enjoy thebrewery’s craft beers and stunning viewsof Blue Ridge Mountain views from anindoor seating area or the outside terrace.11A to 3P. August 5, 12, 19, and 26.

Virginia Craft Brewers Fest atDevils Backbone Brewing Company - TasteVirginia’s award-winning craft beers in anamazing outdoor setting with music, foodand more at Devils Backbone BrewingCompany, located in Roseland at the baseof Wintergreen Mountain. Craft brewersfrom around the state will be on hand topour local beer and compete in theVirginia Beer Cup competition. August25. 11A to 8P.

Craft Beer Dinner at Wild WolfBrewing Company - Celebrate VirginiaCraft Beer Month with the chef’spresentation of fresh seasonal dishespaired with Wild Wolf craft beers. August28. 6P.

Our local Fredericksburg BrewPub and The Blue & Gray Brewing Co. canbe reached athttp://brewpubfredericksburg.com/ andhttp://www.blueandgraybrewingco.com/for information on their events andactivities.

Compiled by Sara Mattingly, senioreditorial assistant at Front Porch.

The General StoreRestaurant

Italian/American FoodMonday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm

371-40752018 College Ave.

Fredericksburg

Since 1978

WELCOME TO OUR

GREAT OUTDOORS

It’s Beautiful ~Night and Day! Celebrating our 4th

Anniversary withSpecials All Month!

*Some events run same day weekly or more thanone day.

wednesday, august 1*Snead Farm CSA: Pick-ups every Wed thru Aug,first Wed Oct & Dec. www.sneadsfarm.com 540-371-9328

Phantom starring Patrick A’Hearn opens at TheRiverside Center thru Oct 14. riversidedt.com,540-370-4300. See story!

*Events at The Kenmore Inn, 1200 Princess Anne,371-7622/•kenmoreinn.com: Wine Dinner Series1st Wed every month! Live music every Thurs730P! Elegant Sunday Brunch in Main DiningRoom 1130A-230P

*First Annual Fredericksburg Music Festivalthroughout the month at the Colonial Tavern, 406Lafayette Blvd. Weekly, Wed-Sat w/ two bands eachnight. Tickets: $10 a night (Wed-Sat); $20 Sat

*The Soup & Taco, Etc. 4th Anniversary: All-monthspecials begin today! Thru Aug 31. 813 Caroline

*Black Dynamite Trio Wednesdays at Otter House:Jazz, Fusion, Funk 9P. No Cover. 21+

*Callin’ all pickers! Scott Wagner & Emily Barkerhost weekly open mic/jam at Rec Center/Pool Hall.9-11P

Art Journey: An Exhibition of Paintings by VirginiaArtist, Barbara Duke Jones at The MontpelierCenter for Arts & Education thru Aug 29

First Wednesday, F’burg Blues Society. 7P.Shannon’s Bar & Grille, Central Park

F’burg Area Museum & Cultural Center Thrill onthe Hill exhibition looks at history of Soap BoxDerby in FXBG. Thru Aug

thursday, august 2*Every Thursday Live Music: @ kybecca wine bar,402 William. 8P; *College Night at Otter House:DJs; 10P. No Cover. 21+; *Kenmore Inn live music,730P-1030P; *Tru Luv’s Live Acoustic Rock Thurs& Fri 7-10P; 1101 Sophia, 373-6500; *Open mic 8PYakadoos, VA Go Girls Jam, Hosted by Lisa Lim(Every Other Thurs)


first friday, august 3PONSHOP’s T-Shirt Showcase, “Tailor-Made 2.”Opening Reception 6-10P. Screen-printed shirtdesigns from PONSHOP, Nightmare Inc., Icy GrapeIncident Clothing and Somaphony. Exhibition:Thru Sept 2

Brush Strokes Gallery “Hot Fun!” Exhibit & FirstFriday Reception: All Member show invokes themeof summer and characteristic weather w/ its call tosummer pleasures and pastimes. Thru Sep3. 6P–9P

Summer Juried show “Fredericksburg Plein AirExhibit.” Main Gallery, LibertyTown. 5-9P. 41landscapes; local spots of interest depicted. EdKing’s Rappahannock Triptych won first place.Ends Sept. 2

Sabor Afrocubano plays Market Square 7-9P

Sunset Syndicate at The Otter House: LocalFavorites playing own organic blend of Blues andRock. The Otter House, 1005 Princess Anne. 21+

FCCA Frederick Gallery exhibition: John HolmfeldCollection. See story in this issue. OpeningReceptions 6-830P. 813 Sophia

Art Exhibition and Opening Reception 6-9P.Virginia Wine Experience, Upstairs Gallery. 826Caroline

Opening Reception: Art First Gallery’s new show. 6-9P. Exhibit up daily, 11-5

Music Every First Friday - Wave on Wave acousticduo at the Courtyard Marriot 6-9P. 620 Caroline.Country, Blues, Rock n Roll, w/ Doyle Green,guitar, Gina Clark, keyboard. No cover

First Friday at The Creative Side 5-9P. 846-8920

Artful Dimensions: 911 Charles

*Fridays@The Last Resort. St. George’s Church

*Potomac Point Winery live music every Fridayevening thru Nov 15. 275 Decatur Rd (Exit 143A,Aquia)

saturday, august 4First Saturday in Mary’s Garden, MW House.Included w/ tour admission

*Orange Downtown Alliance, Orange, VA: 2012Farmers & Artisans Market every Sat in FaulconersHardware parking lot. Food Fest, Aug 11.orangedowntownalliance.org

Family Restaurant Week: Go to VisitFred.com formenus and schedule of events. Farm fresh food,family and fun! Festival opens 10A-2P at HurkampPark. Family Restaurant Week runs thru Aug 12 w/Early-Bird, 2-course dinners for $20.00 and kids’meal specials at over a dozen restaurants

*Bluemont Concert Series 730P at Maury Stadium.$5/person, $4/Bluemont Friends, Seniors,$2/under 12; no pets, alcohol or smoking. Rainvenue: JMHS. Aug 4 - Pan Masters; Aug 11 - BillEmerson & Sweet Dixie; Aug 18 - Furnace Fountain,Appalachian folk

Luau Party at Massad Family YMCA, 212 Butler Rd.7P-Midnight. Island Gerry and Ocean Drive. Pricesand details: 540/371-9622, x1016

It’s Salsa Night at The Otter House! Hot n’ Spicy!930P-130A. 1005 Princess Anne. 21+

sunday, august 5*AM1230 WFVA “Community Link” 8-830A.Meghann Cotter of Micah Ministries. Hosted byTed Schubel. Listen at www.wfvaradio.com/


*Jams: Read All Over Books: Jazz 230P; ColonialTavern: Jazz 7P; *Sunken Well Tavern: Bluegrass 7P

monday, august 6*Pat Egan & Alex Caton (Irish Fiddle Tunes,Ballads) play “Music on the Steps” 7-8P. CRRL,1201 Caroline. Bring lawn chair, blanket, picnic.Rain venue: library theater

Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) FredericksburgAerie #4123 is proud to host the Doobie-Doo GolfClassic at Lee Hill Golf Course. All proceeds benefitBrian Strobel Memorial Fund

Art Opening for Elizabeth Seaver at BistroBethem. 6-9P. Hors d’ouvres, cash bar. 309 William

Donations Needed for Aug 10-11 School DressingDays: New and gently worn school clothes, shoes inall sizes, backpacks, new socks, new boxers andunderwear, toiletries. Drop off at Bragg Hill Family

Life Center thru Aug 10. Donations by checkpayable to Interfaith Community Council SchoolDressing Days

tuesday, august 7*Restoration Yoga: Tue & Thurs Noon-115P. Freetrial: 582-9600

Tour Spotsylvania water treatment facility, learnprocess of cleaning water from flush to river andhow Spotsylvania recycles 100% of biosolids. Pre-register online. 930A-12N. Free

Mary Lawrence Hicks: Live music w/ 3$ drinkspecials. 8-11P. All ages, no cover. Bistro Bethem,309 William

friday, august 10*School Dressing Days: community event assistsfinancially disadvantaged families w/ schoolclothing and supplies. Bragg Hill Family LifeCenter, 400 Bragg Hill Dr. Fri & Sat, 9A-6P. Info:373-2294, 785-2682

The Blues Tips : A Night at The Otter - Rock n SoulRhythm Revue. 10P-130A. 1005 Princess Anne.21+

saturday, august 11*School Dressing Days: community event assistsfinancially disadvantaged families w/ schoolclothing and supplies. Bragg Hill Family LifeCenter, 400 Bragg Hill Dr. Fri & Sat, 9A-6P. Info:373-2294, 785-2682

Orange Downtown Alliance, Orange, VA: Food Fest.orangedowntownalliance.org

*Bluemont Concert Series 730P at Maury Stadium.$5/person, $4/Bluemont Friends, Seniors,$2/under 12; no pets, alcohol or smoking. Rainvenue: JMHS. Aug 11 - Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie;Aug 18 - Furnace Fountain, Appalachian folk

Second Saturdays at the Museum! 10-2P. Students12 and up at Area Museum. Tour and sketcharchitecture, brainstorm about its future. $10;bring lunch. RSVP Janelle Kennedy by Aug 8:[email protected], or 540-371-3037, ext. 142

Tie One On — Learn many different ways to wearversatile batik sarongs and try your hand at tyingone on! Join us at Ten Thousand Villages at 1030Aand 130P for free workshop. 785-9967 to RSVP.1937 Carl D. Silver Pkwy, Central Park.fredericksburg.tenthousandvillages.com

sunday, august 12*AM1230 WFVA “Community Link” 8-830A.Elizabeth Barnett, Rappahannock Area HealthDistrict Caroline Office-Dental program for kids;Chris Folger, Spotsylvania Greenways. Host TedSchubel. Listen at www.wfvaradio.com/

Ladies High Tea for a Cause at the EverSewEnglishShoppe in Eagle Village 3P-7P. Learn about PSC(Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis) and how you canhelp! Free food and drink provided byEverSewEnglish. Chocolatier provided by ThriventFinancial. 1217 Jeff Davis Hwy. 540-371-3547www.eversewenglish.com

monday, august 13The Sunday Times Band (Rock ‘n’ Roll favorites)plays “Music on the Steps” 7-8P. CRRL, 1201Caroline. Bring lawn chair, blanket, picnic. Rainvenue: library theater

tuesday, august 14Larry Hinkle & Friends play live music w/ $3 drinkspecials 8-11P (all ages, no cover) at Bistro Bethem

thursday, august 16Under the waters of the Rappahannock: Join FORExecutive Director, John Tippett, for refreshingswim and snorkel. Gear provided. Minimum age 8.6P-8P. $5 indiv/$15 family

friday, august 173rd Friday, 830A business ladies’ free networking“TIPS”. Call Ellen Baptist, 548-0652

The Hackensaw Boys Live at The Otter House. Oldtime mountain and bar music. American songsabout life. 10P-130A. 1005 Princess Anne. 21+

saturday, august 18*Bluemont Concert Series 730P at Maury Stadium.$5/person, $4/Bluemont Friends, Seniors,$2/under 12; no pets, alcohol or smoking. Rainvenue: JMHS. Aug 18 - Furnace Fountain,Appalachian folk

Massad YMCA: DJ Tony B, Sunset Syndicate Band,Zumba w/ Cheryl Martinez; Games, contests,prizes, hula hoop lessons, free food by Kiki’sLunchbox, flaming hula hoop shows;fireworksdisplay by Jake Walther (see profilestory!). Prices and info: 540/371-9622, x1016

Free Vegetarian Cooking class every 3rd Sat. 2-330P. Free Meditation 4-5P. Porter Library

The Former Champions Play the Otter House. LiveElectronic Rock. Dance if compelled. 10P-130A.21+

sunday, august 19*AM1230 WFVA “Community Link”. 8-830A. 1stDistrict Congressman Rob Wittman; Rob Groganand newly-elected Arts Commission president SethCasana w/ commission member George Solley.Host Ted Schubel. Listen at www.wfvaradio.com/

monday, august 20*Sabor Afrocubano plays “Music on the Steps” 7-8P. CRRL, 1201 Caroline. Bring lawn chair, blanket,picnic. Rain venue: library theater

tuesday, august 21Jon Wiley Trio - Live music w/ 3$ drink specialsfrom 8-11P. All ages welcome, no cover. BistroBethem

thursday, august 23Happy 20th, Alexis!

friday, august 24Love Canon Live at The Otter House brings backthe Rad. 80’s covers, Bluegrass Style! 10P-130A.21+

saturday, august 25Improve Your Home and Life w/ Feng Shui! CherylShotwell, Feng Shui Solutions, Session 1 of 5: 1-4P.$30. Intro to Feng Shui, Color Secrets andApplication, 5-Elements Crucial Balance. HealingArts & Yoga Center, 2300 Fall Hill Ave, S-211. Info:540-878-8953, cherylshotwell.com

Gender Defender 5K aboard Marine Corps BaseQuantico. Pink- and blue-themed challenge. 7P.Runners 16 and older. $35: receive pink or bluetechnical T-shirt. All finishers get race coin andcarnation or bottle opener. Award winners earnMCM champagne flutes and beer steins. Register:marinemarathon.com

The Recliners: A Night at The Otter — For theLounge Lizard in us all. 10P-130A. 21+

American Music! Concert Series. UMW Faculty JazzCombo. 7-9P. Market Square. Free. famcc.org

sunday, august 26AM1230 WFVA Community link: Karen Hedelt, Citytourism/eco dev issues; Clint Van Zandt, RetiredFBI agent & Spotsy resident, Latchkey kid safety.Host Ted Schubel. Listen at www.wfvaradio.com/

monday, august 27*Denim & Lace (Country, 50’s & 60’s Rock ‘n’ Roll)play “Music on the Steps” 7-8P. CRRL, 1201Caroline

tuesday, august 28Tyler Reese Jazz Duo: Live music w/ 3$ drinkspecials 8-11P. All ages, no cover. Bistro Bethem

wednesday, august 29Art Films at The Library: 7P. Statue of Liberty -Filmmaker Ken Burns’ definitive portrait that wonnominations for both an Academy Award and anEmmy. (2004/60 min.). 1201 Caroline

thursday, august 30Via Tutori Workshop #3: Get dirty w/ this year’sVia Colori artists. Learn more about streetpainting from local artists. Panel discussion.Moderater: Via Colori FXBG Director, SueHenderson. Artful Dimensions Gallery, Charles St.6P. Free.www.viacolori.com

friday, august 31Full moon canoe float. Minimum age 6 years. Meetat City Dock. 730P-10P. Backup date: Sept 1. $15indiv/$45 family. Register: riverfriends.org/events

If you are reading this 182nd issue of FP, thank an advertiser!

If you are an advertiser, list your event.

Deadline for Sept is Aug 20. Paste your event inan email to [email protected] or go to

http://frontporchfredericksburg.com/calendar/submitcalevent.cfm for both print and e-eeditions.


august 2012… Get ready for school, and enjoy summer’s final events.

CALENDARof events

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CompanionshipMeal PreparationMedication RemindersLaundry

Light HousekeepingShopping/ErrandsPersonal CareFlexible Hours

Call for a free, no-obligation appointment

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Framed Work on CanvasWatercolorsGreeting CardsJewelryCommission Work

2191 Sebastian RoadFredericksburg, VA 22405

540-446-5639

~ Peggy Wickham Art ~

– a man of words, a man of peace

Across the RappahannockRiver, the small community ofFalmouth (which, likeFredericksburg, was establishedby the General Assembly in 1728)is the birth place of severalfamous people. Basil Gordon, amerchant from Scotland isbelieved to be the first millionairein the United States that livedthere along with Gari Melchers,whose Belmont is a historicalshrine. There is one man notmuch is written about and he isMoncure Daniel Conway, anAmerican abolitionist, author andUnitarian minister.

Moncure was born inFalmouth in 1832 at 305 KingStreet near the RappahannockRiver. The home is still standing.

His father was a judge and farmer and owner of several slaves. He graduated fromDickinson College in 1849 and after a short period of time he became a Methodistminister in Virginia. During this period of time he became influenced by Ralph WaldoEmerson and Emerson’s religious and political views on “transcendentalism.” Conwayentered and graduated from Harvard University. He accepted ministry in the UnitarianChurch; however, his anti-slavery views along with his involvement in the attempt torescue the fugitive slave in Boston, resulted in his moving to Ohio where he was theeditor of a paper. Conway escorted several of his father’s former slaves to safety inOhio after they had fled from Virginia.

He became editor of the Commonwealth in Boston and wrote “The GoldenHour” and “The Rejected Stone”, strong stories about emancipation. In 1862 he left hisministry due to his dissatisfaction with the social conservatism of Unitarianism. In1863, Conway went to London to convince the British that the Civil War was a war ofabolition. His efforts failed, as the Confederacy would not communicate with him.

He refused to return to the United States as he no longer felt welcome. Heresided in Venice, Italy with his family for a short period of time before moving toLondon. In 1868 he was one of the speakers at the first open meeting supportingwomen’s suffrage in England. He was a good friend of Robert Browning, Charles Darwinand Charles Dickens. In 1875 he reconciled with his Falmouth family. In 1897 hereturned to New York with his wife who wished to die in the United States, which shedid on Christmas day. Conway became dissatisfied as the Spanish American War startedand he moved to France to devote his life to the peace movement and writing. MoncureConway died alone in a Paris apartment on November 15, 1907. The Conway Hall inLondon is named in his honor.

Tuffy Hicks, like Moncure Conway, has a prevalent and prominent name inFredericksburg. “Hicks” and “Moncure” as surnames are known to everyone who has

lived here for any length of time.

You may know her for when shewas married to the late Allen “Codger”Green, who created the FredericksburgLamp at his Copper Shop. Or perhapsthrough Missy Mama, the stray cat whoguarded her front porch. Or maybe youhave lived downtown forever and knowher broad smile and her “Come on in!”These days her memory isn’t what it usedto be, but within minutes her stories ringwith contagious laughter.

Mary Belle, 85, has lived a fulllife, and she loves to talk about it. Storiespunctuated with, “Lord Claude,” and“Heavens to Betsy,” are always followed bya laugh you can’t help but reciprocate.Her eyes shine through her glasses as sheexplains why she doesn’t nap in her pink,wing-backed living room chair, angled tosee what’s happening outside. “I amafraid someone will look in the windowand think I’m dead!”

On good days, she’ll regale youwith stories of growing up in the city.Riding her bike up and down Caroline,sneaking off to Jones Grocery store for asoda with friend Pat Clark, or babysittingour now-Mayor Mary Catherine Greenlawwhile her mother shopped. These, ofcourse, were simpler times.

Mary Belle’s family hailed fromthe Northern Neck, where she spent mostsummers. As one of the first waitresses atthe Tide’s Inn in Irvington, she got all thebig tables of locals. “I’d introduce myself,and it never failed... someone would say, ‘Iknow who you are. I’m your cousin!’”

During high school and a fewyears after, she was lead singer with JessePine’s orchestra, touring locally — “alwayswith their mama as chaperone.” It wasduring one of those performances thatCodger first laid eyes on her. “I guess Iwas pretty good,” she says. Codger andMary Belle made a life together, movingaround the Burg, then to Richmond, andeven the Bahamas. There’s hardly a placein town she hasn’t worked: TheApothecary Shop, the gift shop aboveUlman’s Jewelry, J.C. Penney’s (on Carolinebefore the mall), to name a few.

But her mostinteresting job had to be withMiller and Rhoads in Richmond.Her son Allen Green III calls ither “spy” job. “They woulddress me up with a hat andpocketbook and send me off tocheck prices in other stores. Iguess that’s legal, right?” sheasks, smiling. “Some days I’d goout two or three times withdifferent hats so people in otherstores wouldn’t notice I’d beenthere.”

Her face lights uptalking about the Bahamas inthe late 60s when Codger took a

job there in real estate. Working at aseaside hotel, Mary Belle often ran intothe rich and famous – like Bob Hope andTennessee Ernie Ford (who loved herVirginia roots). Even though she toldDiana Ross she “couldn’t carry a tune in abucket,” they eventually became friends.“They were all just like real people, “ shesays. Which is probably what they’d sayabout her.

These days Mary Belle doesn’t goout much, but doesn’t lack for company.When she isn’t feeding the stray bunny inher backyard or watching The Today Show“to figure out what day it is,” she’ll readfrom the stacks of magazines surroundingher chair. Allen, who now owns theCopper Shop, will stop by with lunch, sonBill drops in from Virginia Beach, anddaughter Hertzie drives up fromRichmond — recently with a mantle clock.“I forget these days,” Mary Belle says,“what day it is, what time it is.” But thosemoments don’t fluster her. “I guessthings don’t ruffle me, except when I getall the way to the top of the stairs andcan’t remember why. I usually bring downan extra roll of toilet paper in case thatwas the reason.” She laughs at the 18rolls she now has downstairs.

Mary Belle’s wooden cane sitshandy for walks to the corner or tothreaten friend and neighbor WilsonGreenlaw, who stops by to tease and giveher a hard time. She gives it right back.Robyn Danchik, who delivers her mail,makes a point to notice if her newspaperis gone (“she’s up”) or her door is closed(“AC’s on or she’s resting”), and alwaysstops for a story. And when Mary Belletakes to the red bench on her front porch,people honk and wave, calling “Hey MizzG!”. “Lord Claude, it’s never quiet aroundhere,” she says, in a drawl as thick ashoney. I get the feeling she doesn’t mindat all.

Susan Carter Morgan writes from herDowntown Writing Studio atLibertyTown Arts Workshop.

front porch fredericksburg August 2012 19 18 August 2012 Front porch fredericksburg

OUR HERITAGEHistoric route 1 remembered

by emily taggert schricker

Moncure Daniel Conway

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

his

tory

’s s

tori

es

If you follow the signs of USBusiness Route 1, winding your waythrough Downtown Fredericksburg, youmay be traveling on a road that holdsmore history than you realize. Today wecall the road Princess Anne Street; in 1926it was named US Route No. 1; during itsconstruction, the newspapers referred toit as the Washington-Richmond Highwayor the Richmond-Washington Highway(depending on the location of the writer),and when it opened in 1927 it was billedas the Jefferson Davis Highway. Today weknow these names, which call to mind avariety of roads. Yet when the automobilewas still a novelty and road maintenancewas still a new idea, these were all thesame location, the one main highway fromMaine to Florida by way of Princess AnneStreet, Fredericksburg, VA –- US Rte No. 1.

What started out as a muddyroad that hindered as well as helpedautomobiles, had been transformed into asmoothly paved concrete surface after 24years of legislation, meetings andconstruction. On May 28, 1927 thesplendid celebration of its completionwould be fitting of all the work that wentinto it.

For the opening of theWashington-Richmond Highway,Fredericksburg prepared to host 30,000visitors. The Virginia highway, part of thelarger Jefferson Davis Highway, was nowcompletely concrete and inspired anillustrious day of ribbon cuttings,luncheons, pageants and formal dances.The festivities began at 10 o’clock in themorning of May 28th, when one blueribbon was cut a mile and a half north ofOccoquan by the Mayor of Alexandria,William Albert Smoot, and one grey ribbonwas cut 19 miles north of Fredericksburg,by Virginia Governor Harry Flood Byrd.The parties then progressed on toFredericksburg and their places in thereviewing stands to watch a grand two-hour pageant unfold.

Presented in the pageant was acollection of American History as well as

English History. Three generations oftransportation history, an array of bands,costumes and armed forces rounded outthe show. That evening, two large danceswere hosted in town to bring the grandcelebration to a close, one at the MauryHotel, the other at the Elks Home.Perhaps the best news of the day wasreported by The Washington Post: “Everyhighway leading into the city was filledwith automobiles and, while traffic wasdense, there was no accidents or disorderreported.”

If you enjoyed this step back intohistory, then join us on September 8,when the Historic FredericksburgFoundation, Inc (HFFI) sponsors acelebration of Historic Route 1 andDowntown Fredericksburg through the20th century. Events will focus on theoriginal Route 1 corridor along PrincessAnne, exploring the heyday when thissimple road brought a non-stop flow oftravelers through DowntownFredericksburg.

The day-long Vintage Route 1Event will include a ticketed StreetcarTour of Princess Anne (the original Route1), a free self-guided tour of Caroline andWilliam Streets, children’s activities,classic cars, oral history collection, avintage fashion show and much more. Allevents, except the Streetcar Tour, are freeto the public and suitable for all ages. Formore information, to purchase tourtickets or find out how you can getinvolved, visit the Historic Fredericksburgwebsite www.HFFI.org , call our offices at540-371-4504 or contact me [email protected]. For a closer look at theJefferson Davis opening archives, visit theCentral Rappahannock Heritage Center(CRHC), 900 Barton St. #111 (540-373-3704).

Emily Taggart Schricker, a volunteerand board member at HFFI and avolunteer at the CRHC, works at

Dovetail Cultural Resource Group. Emily lives in town with her husband

and their pug, “Dookie”.

Central RappahannockHERITAGE CENTER

Volunteers neededto process historical documents

and aid researchers. Training provided.

Phone 540-373-3704 or email [email protected]

The Heritage Center Maury Commons 900 Barton St Fredericksburg

Open to the public for scholarly research

William T. GarnettANTIQUES

Mark A. MoyersANTIQUES

Historic Fredericksburg 540-226-7064540-424-2448540-373-5949

Belle Amiemeans “beautiful Friend”

by susan carter morgan

front porch fredericksburg August 2012 21 20 August 2012 Front porch fredericksburg

Colorado was burning in June.Not only were there record-breakingtemperatures, but there was a ragingwildfire encroaching on the city causingmandatory evacuations of manyneighborhoods. Shelters had been openedat local high schools for people that hadnowhere else to go, but the shelters didn’ttake pets and that created a problem forthose with furry family members. Wherewould they go? Who would take care ofthem?

Many of you may think, noproblem just head to a hotel; well with35,000 folks evacuated for almost a weekthere weren’t enough hotels taking petsand some folks didn’t have the funds topay for them. What about boarding themat kennels or vets? Boarding facilitiesfilled up fast and without proper vaccinedocumentation, many animals couldn’tfind a room at the inn. This left volunteerorganizations to find not only large spacesfor hundreds of pets, but all the suppliesfor them as well. This got me thinking,what would I do in an emergency?

Everyone should have a plan for their petsin case of emergency. Frankly, your planshould have a backup plan just in case.For instance, maybe some of the evacueeshad a plan for their pets to stay withfriends down the street; well that is uselesswhen the whole street has fire damage. Sowhat is the best way to plan for theunforeseeable?

You can’t foresee all thepotential problems you may face in anemergency, but you can help by beingprepared. I’m not talking paranoid,doomsday, conspiracy theory prepared,just organized and thoughtful prepared.

First, have copies of your pets’medical records on hand. This includes

not just theirvaccinations butinformation on anymedications or specialfoods they need. Isuggest keeping a copyin your glove box, afriend’s house, and inyour email inbox; thisway no matter whathappens you have themfor boarding ormedication refill needs,and your pet will beaccepted and cared forproperly.Next, I suggest you keepa bag handy with a threeday supply of items yourpet may need should you

be forced from home. This is what theRed Cross recommends for people, and Ithink your pets should be no different. Inaddition to three days of food and water,be sure to have at least three days ofmedications, and pack the following:

Backup collar with current ID tags(include your vet information on the ID)Two leashes

BowlsBlanketCrate or collapsible crateSomething to chew on for dogs to

relieve stressTowelsFirst aid kit for pets (you can find

them online or some stores carry them)List of locations you can go with yourpets (family, friends, hotels, shelters)

This is just a list to get youthinking and hopefully to increase yourawareness that your pets need you toconsider them as well. Luckily ColoradoSprings is a pet friendly city and accordingto reports no pets died in this fire, noteven horses, because everyone workedtogether to care for every misplacedcreature, not just the humans.

Keeping your pets safe is yourresponsibility. Sadly, Fido can’t do it forhimself and many cities will not devoteresources to helping pets. If you takesteps now to prepare for a disaster, thenhopefully your entire family, including thefurry members, will survive any tragedy.It takes a little bit of time and preparationto create a survival kit for yourself andyour pets. Heck, it’s so easy go ahead andmake two! You can never be too prepared.I hope you never have a reason to usethose kits, but if you do, you’ll be glad youtook the time to make them.

Wendy Schmitz lives in Colorado Springs.

540/374-0462www.woahvets.com 10 Walsh Lane

Stacy L. Horner, DVM; Gary B. Dunn, DVM; Melanie Bell, DVMSandi L. Pepper, DVM; Melissa A. DeLauter, DVM ; Arlene Evans, DVM

Full Service Hospitalfeaturing:

Grooming Salon Canine Boarding

in Our Indoor/Outdoor RunsDog Training &

Behavioral Consults with certified dog trainer

Feline Boarding in OurSpacious Multi-room Condos

Serving you & your companion animals for 15 years

Wags & Purrs Pet Au Pair Services

Last Chance Vacation?Back-to-School Shopping?

Leave the Dogs to Me while You get things Done!

Cats and Dogs:Walks, Feedings, Playtime.

Call Alexis Grogan at 540 - 903 - 0437Serving Southern Stafford & the City

Companionsemergency preparedness

by wendy schmitz

810 Caroline Street(540) 371-5684

Give a Child Something to Think About

Books, Games, Amusing Novelties

M-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm

As soon as the electricity goesout, I get that same sinking feeling I getwhen I look at a bad poker hand. Now, I dohave flashlights. I probably have at leasteight of them in all shapes and sizes. Theproblem is finding one. Of course, the onesI can find have no batteries or dead ones.There is a bulb and that is promising, butI won’t find out that it is bad until I findsome batteries. I do have candles, but theyare never in the same place as thematches. I stumble around in the darkbecause dark is the only time the lights goout. Why is that?

Ok, I havethe matches andthe candles, and Ihaven’t set myselfon fire yet bringingone to the other.We now have someflickering light, so Igo to the kitchen,not so fast as tomake the hot waxspread across thecandle hand. I havedone that before. I have to find a saucerbecause I only have candles that producecopious amounts of melted wax, and Idon’t want to spend time scraping thehardened wax off the dressers, walls, andpets, if and when the lights come back on.You would think I would be betterprepared. You would be wrong.

These are familiar rituals but notnecessarily good ones. I have oftenthought about preparing some kind ofemergency box with all the things I willneed when the lights go out. I never getpast the “thinking about it” stage. I dohave an old 1960’s transistor radio, and Ieven know where it is. It takes one ofthose square (really rectangular, we havealways called them square) nine voltbatteries. I think there are only six nine-volt batteries left in the universe. We

would lick the top when we were kids, andif your tongue tingled, there was juice.Who invented that ritual? I want to listento the radio so that they can tell me theyhave no idea when the lights will be backon. For fun we call the electric companyand listen to the recording telling us theytoo have no idea when the lights will comeback on.

The house will soon be 900degrees, so we go around trying to open asmany windows as we can. This is anotherone of those bad rituals where wesuddenly discover all over again how many

windows refuse to open.Did you know it is possibleto get a hernia trying toopen windows? We neveropen windows except whenthe electricity goes out. Welive in a climate-controlledbox that stays 70 degreesall year long. Why does 70degrees feel so cool in thesummer and so warm inthe winter? I would

recommend the governmentstudy that, except we already have enoughgovernment studies.

There will be no sleeping tonight.We will just lay there in a puddle of sweatand pray for morning. I remember thedays before air conditioning. My room wasupstairs and the pointed roof trapped theheat. It isn’t easy to sleep in an oven. I gota morning paper route just so I wouldhave a legitimate reason to get up at four-thirty in the morning and escape thepuddle and the heat.

Suddenly, after about 72 hours(Rob and Virginia Grogan once lostelectricity for ELEVEN days) the lightssuddenly return to a big cheer. Yeah!!!!!!!We have learned our lesson. We will beprepared next time. No, we won’t.

Archer Di Peppe’s book of Quiet Moments was published in 2000.

Quiet Momentsa half step from 1900

By archer Dipeppe

ThisSucksThe Titan Hyperion has brought

the sun over the skies for centuries, andwe have been providing our communitywith coffee and latte art for 18 years.There is more to the staff than justRosettas in your cup of joe, and we inviteyou see what Arts our staff has to offer onSunday, August 26. Musical talents will fillthe caffeinated air as we debut the artpieces of several talented members of our

Hyperion staff. We encourage you tocome out to see and hear what these hardworking Titans have to offer.

All sales from artwork on displaywill be matched by Hyperion Espressoin the form of a donationto Empowerhouse, Supporting Survivorsof Domestic Violence.

The pieces will be on displayuntil the end of October, but the musicaltalents, including Nathan Masters (above)and Ray Woodruff, will be heard

exclusively on Sunday, August 26th.Thank you for making us a

successful part of your community! Wehope to see you for our celebration thismonth through October.

Ana Brugos is a partner in HyperionEspresso, 301 William. Hyperion’s namemeans “watcher from above” or “he who

goes above” from the Greekwords hyper and iôn. In a sense,

Hyperion Espresso has been watchingover downtown Fredericksburg for 18

years now. Congratulations, and thankyou to Ana, Dan Peterson, and their

barista bunch. - RG

Arts of the TitansCelebrating the 18th Anniversary of Hyperion Espresso

By Ana Brugos

online:www.save7lives.org

in person:Dept. of Motor Vehicles

Part 1: All About Beef

As promised in my June article,“Inflammation, Friend or Foe?” I want togive you information on pro-inflammatoryfoods to avoid. Since I wrote in Februaryon the dangers of sugar, I will focus onfatty acids now. One way you can helpkeep inflammation under control is to becareful of the types of fats in your diet.The most damaging is the trans-fats.Trans-fats are naturally occurring in smallamounts, but occur in much greateramounts in fats that have beenchemically altered, such ashydrogenated fats, orpolyunsaturated oils that havebeen heated too high or toomany times.

In recent decadessaturated fats have been given abad name. The most maligned ofthese is animal fats. It isimportant to understand that allnaturally occurring fats containa variety of saturated, mono-unsaturatedand polyunsaturated fats in variousproportions. Some contain a much higherpercentage of one of these types of fats.For example, animal fats are higher insaturated fats so they are labeled as such.Polyunsaturated fats include the omega-3,omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids. All ofthese fats are important and combine tomake up the composition of our cell walls.The saturated fats, such as cholesterol,give the cell walls structure and solidity;the polyunsaturated fats give it flexibility.Healthy cells need both qualities.

In talking about inflammation,we concentrate on omega-3’s and omega-6’s since they are essential fatty acids,meaning that our bodies cannot makethem and we must get them from our

diets. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats are anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory,respectively. Many experts believe ourdiet in past decades provided an evenbalance of omega-3’s and omega-6’s or a1:1 ratio. Today, the typical American diettends toward a ratio of 1:10 or worse.This means for every anti-inflammatorygram of fat in our diet, we consume 10grams of pro-inflammatory fats. Is it anywonder inflammation has become such ahealth problem?

So let’s discuss that most dreadedof the saturatedfats – red meat.Most cattletoday are grainfed, a veryunnatural dietfor a cow thatresults in beefthat is very highin the pro-in f lammatoryfatty acids. Add

to this the growth hormones and otherdrugs given to the animals and you startto see how red meat has earned its badname. By contrast, grass-fed cattle have amuch higher percentage of the omega-3or anti-inflammatory fats. However, itseems all grass-fed cattle are not createdequally. I recently attended a talk by localfarmers, Mike and Molly Peterson, whopractice “sustainable agriculture” atMount Vernon Farm in Sperryville. Theyexplained that sometimes a cow calledgrass-fed has only been pastured up untilthe last 90 days, and then is fed grain untilslaughter.

Since a cow puts on most of itsfat in the last 90 days, this beef is notmuch different than a wholly grain fedcow. Conversely, according to Pasture

Perfect, by Jo Robinson, grass-finished beef(from cows pastured up until slaughter), isfour times lower in fat than grain-fed beef.To top that off, not only is the overall fatcontent of the beef much less, but thepercentage of the anti-inflammatoryomega-3 fats is much higher. In fact, theomega-3 to omega-6 balance of grass-finished beef is almost 1:1, compared toup to 1:5 in grain-fed beef.

As you can see, there is much tolearn about the types of foods thatpromote and combat inflammation. Staytuned for my next article in October as Icontinue to illuminate the anti-inflammatory diet.

Dr. Christine Thompson leads us tobetter health at

Whole Health Chiropractic onBridgewater Street,

899-9421.

You don’t need to go far in ourcommunity to hear the stories aboutseniors who have been scammed. Maybeit’s a call from a con man posing as agrandson of an elderly woman, beggingfor money to get out of a jam. Or, anolder adult who unwittingly gives her bankaccount information to a thief, thinkingshe’s talking to a bank staffer. Or, eventhe family member that’s desperate formoney and exploits their parents orgrandparents.

According to experts, the topthree crimes targeting seniors are identitytheft, Medicaid/Medicare and medicationfraud, and financial exploitation. A 2011MetLife study reported the annualfinancial loss by victims of elder financialabuse is estimated to be at least $2.9billion, a 12 percent increase since 2008.Local senior care experts like me areurging families to be alert for scammerswho may be targeting their senior lovedones with a variety of sophisticated cons.These frauds have the potential to putlocal seniors at greater risk of losing theirlife savings, their homes, and their trust inothers. They can also have a physical andemotional impact. Their quality of life canbe affected by becoming reclusive,embarrassed and distressed, and/orsuffering from poor self-confidence.

So, what makes seniors such anattractive target? For one, they are the

fastest-growing segment of thepopulation. Second, these olderadults may be financially stableduring an unsettled time in oureconomy. They are also viewed asbeing more vulnerable and trusting.And, when crimes do occur,scammers feel less likely to becaptured. Part of the problem isthe lack of reporting of the crime.An AARP study found only 25percent of victims over age 55 havereported to authorities that they’vefallen for a scam. They may keepquiet because they are ashamed.Or, because they are afraid to beseen as vulnerable or unfit to livealone, a perceived threat to a loss ofindependence.

However, by arming older adultswith information and helping themfeel more secure, seniors can havethe confidence they need to protectthemselves from scammers andfraudsters. Our organization feelsthis is such an important issue thatwe launched a websitewww.ProtectSeniorsFromFraud.comspecifically to educate families andseniors about how to protect

themselves from financial abuse. Thewebsite includes many excellent videos,articles, and tips. I highly recommenddownloading the “Senior Fraud ProtectionKit” which includes valuable informationand checklists to help seniors stay safe athome. I particularly like the “Scam ProofYour Senior Checklist”, and the “What toDo If Your Senior Has Been Scammed” onepage guide. A great tip is to have a familymember monitor a senior’s bank accountfor unusual activity.

Our region is fortunate to have awonderful organization called theSpotsylvania/Stafford Regional TRIAD. Itis a non-profit joint venture betweenSpotsylvania and Stafford lawenforcement and the Fredericksburg AARPChapter 3396 whose function is to reducecriminal acts on senior citizens throughtraining and educational presentations.Contact Deputy William Lee at540.507.7177 for information. Withthese resources, you and your loved onescan protect yourselves from sophisticatedscammers.

Karl Karch is a local franchise owner ofHome Instead Senior Care, a licensed

home care organization providingpersonal care, companionship and home

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Green RemediesJOANNA CASSIDY-FARRELL

CUKES

Often called a vegetable butreally a fruit; cucumbers are one ofnature’s many medicines that growout of the flower and bear seeds of theplant like an apple.

A vegetable is any plant thatconsists of the seed (garlic), root(potato), a leaf (lettuce) or a stem(broccoli) that is used as food before itflowers.

A cucumber comes to us in theheat of summer because it literallycools the body temperature downwhen eaten. This makes a greatnatural medicine for hot flashes dueto menopause, a hot bodytemperature from sunburn or from afever.

When a cucumber is eaten, itbecomes a natural cleanser for thecolon because it is a water plantbringing irrigation to the body. Thefiber, if eaten with the peel, not onlyflushes the colon but also coats andprotects the lining of the colon withmucilaginous properties.

The cucumber is also goodmedicine for the bladder, spleen,stomach, large intestines. It is used inskin products and its juice is arefreshing preventive wash for acne.If you remove the peel where themineral content is the highest, it willloose 25% of its nutritional propertiesof vitamin A, C, Iron and calcium.

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Ken Higgins (at left) of J.F.Fick gave a“Tips” workshop on serving responsibly, toparticipants from Bistro Bethem includingMatt Mastalski and Derek Shea on a recentday-off Monday. All 11 aced the multiple-choice test and snacked on pizza. Soundslike my kind of test (Because booze andpizza).

Overheard at Otter House:(talking about an ex-roommate) “Shewould never clean up, and I like to runaround the house naked a lot.” I mean, Ican’t blame them. Who wants to runaround naked in a dirty house? Ew!

Seen: Dave Hitchens (below)scored a new spot behind the front desk atthe Courtyard Marriott downtown. Ifaffable were to be personified, Dave wouldbe that person(ified). Seriously, go downthere and say hi to him and get back tome. Perfect position for a guy like that.

From the sound of things, youmay think NASA is building a newheadquarters on William Street, what withthe LCD screens, stars on the ceiling, glowin the dark bar and other space-y, cosmicaccoutrement, but no! It’s not NASA! It’sthe Orion, the new sushirestaurant/lounge/bar that’s opening upsmack in between Castiglia’s and the soon-to-be-open Vivify burger lounge. OwnerRyan Bullock has got his head in theclouds, in the best way.

Seen: Two of my very favoriteformer Hyperion co-workers were in townfor a brief time last month. Sarah Applebyput in a few hours behind the bar and AlexPittman breezed through for (literally) 15minutes at the start of one of Sarah’sshifts.

86’d: Bistro Bethem long-timefavorites, Brian Downing (below) andKimberly Suttle clocked in for the lasttime last month. Both graduated fromUMW in May and apparently wanted to“start careers” and “use their degrees”. Wewill miss you!

Lauren Roan-PParks and ChrisParks welcomed baby Grace (below) intothe world last month; the little lady istheir second kiddo. Their first, Liam,seems to love his new role as big bro.

Heard: Jay Starling played asurprise Brokedown Boys show at theKenmore Inn, Green Boys played aimpromptu show at the Otter House, astheir original venue, Market Square, wasrained out (tell me, what wasn’t rainedout last month?).

Happy July birthdays to GarrisonRule (now in LA), Michael Geddes (voice ofthe Idiomatics), Jessica Sutton (expecting),Brandon Newton (below, currently at the

Cape), Amber Hildebrand (eating ice creamin Alabama), Ray Woodruff (celebrating aparticularly monumental number), AshleyPoe (my current Pinterest crush), SethCasana (Sethfest XXX1) and Blake Bethem(yet another monumental number – metwith a monumentally surprising party puton by his crafty wife Aby).

Seen: Rebecca Thomasworking/people watching at HyperionEspresso, Eyeclops Studio’s Ken Cramptonsmelling the fresh peaches at Wegman’s,Mike Skinner, owner of Horseshoes andHand Grenades, bespectacled at bistro,James Zitz (below) hanging out at 909Saloon, Dan Peterson and Ana Brugos,owners of Hyperion Espresso, making aquick stop at Giant, catching me making arather girly purchase (ok, ok, I’ll tell yousince you begged. 2 Fashion magazinesand 2 pints of gelato. It’s summer.)

When life hands you a days-longpower outage-inducing storm on the eveof your best friend’s baby shower thatyou’ve been planning for months,you…wait a week and throw her a mini-shower at your house. While it was a bigbummer to cancel Laura Craig’s big babyBBQ bash due to the no power thing, herfriends Danielle Payne, Alex Capshaw-Taylor, Betsy Park (and me), quickly pulledtogether a Mexican food-themed bash. Wehad gifts to give and polka dotted strawsto use!

Oh, and speaking of babies andDanielle Payne, congrats to her and herbearded husband, Michael Payne; the pairis expecting their first bebe on the eve of2013!

Cheers to Robert and JoseGonzalez and the rest of the Soup andTaco crew! The beloved Fredericksburgspot is celebrating 4 years this month. Besure to stop by through August to takeadvantage of their celebratory deals andspecials!


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The Late John D. Holmfeldgiving back ... Again

Pragmatic and passionate inlife, the late John D. Holmfeld hadmade his wishes clear – he wouldremain that way after he was gone.This month, his family honors hiswishes, as The John Holmfeld ArtCollection (61 artworks, all created bylocal artists) is the focus of a specialexhibit and silent auction at theFredericksburg Center for the CreativeArts through Aug. 31 (OpeningReception First Friday).

The show catalog is availableat www.fccava.org/ under theFrederick Gallery tab, August 2012 (21pieces have already sold online). The“John Holmfeld Art Collection” wasdonated by his family after his passing inOctober 2011. All proceeds benefitpreservation of FCCA’s Silversmith House“Building Fund”.

Joe Di Bella, a distinguishedProfessor of Art at the University of MaryWashington who served as chair of theDepartment of Art and Art History andDirector of University Galleries, and wasinstrumental in the establishment ofUMW’s Ridderhof Martin Gallery, offersthis testimonial (excerpted here) to Mr.Holmfeld:

“Too infrequently do individualsof candor, discernment, fine-tunedintellect and gentle nature come into ourlives. But then, because of this rarity,those individuals impact us and challengeus in ways that make them memorable

above so many others. John was one ofthose rare ones… He was passionatebut not in a theatrical way. You couldsee in his eyes the intense mentalprocesses at work before he spoke…Let’s say John often spoke withannotations. He was, after all, awriter.”

John Holmfeld, Di Bella explains,was known as a skilled, professionalwriter who exercised the higheststandards of grammatical structureand clear syntax, and also, he goes onto emphasize, “…a hands-on, face-to-face kind of person and was committedto the art of direct, persuasivecommunication…”

The “Pragmatic, rational,insightful, opinionated” Mr. Holmfeldwas, says Di Bella, “…at the same timecompassionate and temperate. Hisbroad smile often ended long andlearned discussions on a full array oftopics. That smile also would precedehis greeting of a friend. In both

circumstances John took pleasure in theworth of the individual. He made each oneof us feel important to him… of course weall found great worth in him as friend,advocate, mentor, and example of agenerous and active life.”

John Holmfeld cared about art inevery form. He once walked into adowntown bar, not for a drink but to handbartender and Front Porch owner RobGrogan a slip of paper on which John hadlisted the month and year of every issue ofFront Porch that was missing from TheVirginiana Room at the CentralRappahannock Regional Library. Johnwanted to be sure the archive would bemaintained and complete.

His passion for the arts was wellknown and demonstrated by his countlessactions. After retiring from a

distinguished career in the space industryworking on rockets in California,researching for the Library of Congressand the Science & Technology Committeein the U.S. House of Representatives, andwriting several technical reference books,John Holmfeld came to Fredericksburglooking for an active arts communitywhere he could join arts organizations andsupport the full spectrum of the arts.

John loved books, poetry,literature, history, music, nature andprobably most of all art. He supportedmany organizations including theRichmond Ballet, the RichmondSymphony, the Fredericksburg PopsOrchestra and the University of MaryWashington music programs and artgalleries. He served on many boardsincluding the University Gallery Counciland the Fredericksburg Center for theCreative Arts, where he sponsored andarranged an annual Docent Luncheon tohonor the volunteer docents at FCCA.

The JohnHolmfeld ArtC o l l e c t i o nexhibit is one toattend as botha tribute toJohn and as anactive show ofsupport for theFCCA buildingfund. Johnwould like that,passionately.

Many people from the arts communitycontributed to this story. - RG

TICKETS:(540) 370-4300, (888) 999-8527riversidedt.com

STARRINGPatrick A’Hearn with

Quinn Vogt-Welch

AUGUST 1 THRU

OCTOBER 14

“Joan’s Still Life” by Paula Rose

“Life with Grapefruit” by Heidi Reszies Lewis

In 2008, local artists lodged thecomplaint that the City was not doing itspart to support the arts. CouncilmanGeorge Solley (in photo) responded withstatesmanlike leadership, working withfellow Council member Kerry Devine toexplore what the City could do better.Their conclusion was to broaden themission, community participation, andactivities of Fredericksburg’s Fine ArtsCommission. “Almost every city that has aviable arts community has some sort ofofficial or quasi-official organization toinstitutionalize support for the arts on thepart of the government,” said Solley.

Thus, the Fredericksburg ArtsCommission (fredarts.com) was created toadvise council on “artistic, aesthetic, andcultural aspects of the city,” and makerecommendations to promote art, arteducation, and awareness, whilecontinuing to serve as a conduit for artsgrants. The commission, comprised of up

to 11 members, includes representativesfrom organizations that develop artsprojects (schools, the university, non-profits), and local artists. Julie Perry, ofthe city’s tourism and economicdevelopment department, serves on thecommittee, as do councilors Solley andDevine. “Some artists may not be used toworking in the organizationalenvironment of an official governmententity, so we serve as a liaison between thereally, really ‘government’ part and whatthe commission does,” said Solley.

Action-oriented communityinvolvement continues to be envisioned aswell. “It’s critical and essential to how thecommission can best serve thecommunity,” said Solley. “We can’t dothings by ourselves and we want to workwith people not on the commission tomove forward and implement our variousprojects… (and) initiatives (they) want todo themselves...”

The commission established anArts District downtown that offers waiversand tax incentives; accomplished themural panels in the 800 block of Caroline,and the “awareness” banners throughoutthe city (created by Bill Harris, BetsyGlassie, Johnny Johnson and Paula Rose).

The city will again host Via Colori(ViaColori.com), September 21–23 atRiverfront Park on Sophia. MichaelWilliam Kirby, its Featured Artist this year,was hailed by The Los Angeles Times as“one of the best street painters in theworld” and has won the title of MasterStreet Painter in every major EuropeanStreet Painting festival. Local artist CarolIglesias is the Signature Artist. Solleyconsiders Via Colori a gateway to an evenlarger event in the future — an annualthree-day Arts Weekend featuring arts,music, and performances by the fullspectrum of the arts community (Note:FXBG’s Music Festival runs Aug 1–Sept 1;Art Attack is Sept. 8th. Both are privatesector initiatives).

The Arts Commission recentlywelcomed four new commissioners —Michelle Crow-DDolby (Gari Melchers/Belmont), Harvey Gold (RappahannockPops, Arts & Cultural Council, UMWPhilharmonic), Kimberly Kemp (Stage

Door Productions), and Ryan Poe (Rapp.Independent Film Festival, FredericksburgAll Ages) – and its new chair, Seth Casana(founder/ leader of Elby Brass), whose can-do, innovative, solution- orientedleadership style and experience brings abevy of creativity and energy to the helm).The public can attend Arts Commissionmeetings on the first Tuesday each month,7:00PM at City Hall.

Casana and Solley will appear onWFVA’s Community Link on Sunday, Aug.19 at 8:00 a.m. (listen live atWFVAradio.com or AM1230 WFVA) tounderscore the importance of establishinga permanent performing arts venue andto promote the removal of outdated/counterproductive restrictions on artisticventures.

Collette Caprara, a local writer andartist, is a member of the ArtsCommission. Amanda Palmore

contributed additional information onVia Colori.


What’s behind the mask? Therenowned Broadway version isunrevealing. If you want the back story,the finely-written glimpse into the leadcharacter’s soul – and the answer to myquestion – you must hear and see MauryYeston and Arthur Kopit’s rich score,convincing narrative, and dramaticmusical performance. They come togetherin the critically acclaimed version ofPhantom, now playing at Riverside Center.

And who better to play the leadcharacter, “Eric”, in the Virginia dinnertheater premiere production at Riversidethan Patrick A’Hearn? (above) “No oneelse” says Rollin Wehman, Riverside’sGeneral Manager.

Patrick, who is Rollin’s associateartistic director, has been there, donethat. In St. Louis, Mo, and in West Chesterand Syracuse, NY, his performance as Ericin the Yeston-Kopit version of GastonLeroux’s classic novel, Phantom of theOpera, added dramatic depth to the leadcharacter. It is Patrick’s Phantom ofchoice, and he should know – he’s alsoplayed in the touring company of theWebber version.

“The back story in this versionreaches Eric’s inner soul. There is not alot of ‘what’s behind the mask’ in theWebber version,” he tells me as we sitbackstage just before a rehearsal for the

August 1st opening of Phantom, whichruns through October 14.

“This one is a little moredemanding,” he says of the role, “bothvocally and dramatically,” adds Rollin.

Once again networking with NewYork City, Virginia CommonwealthUniversity, and Richmond’s BarksdaleTheater, just as he has for some of theprevious Riverside productions, Patrick

has signed an experienced actress anddirector to his Phantom roster. QuinnVogt-WWelch, a New York City-based actressand singer, co-stars as “Christine”, thephantom’s love interest. Patty D’Beck,(below) a theater professor at VCU, directsthis very first dinner theater productionof Phantom in the United States. Thismusical version is sure to please even thestaunchest supporter of the Andrew LloydWebber version.

And the critics agree whole-heartedly. Forexample, the Chicago Tribune’s review ofthe Yeston/Kopit version says the“musical score is superior to the Webberversion” and “comes with a deeper humanstory that relies more on relationshipsthan crashing chandeliers.”

Patrick A’Hearn and Quinn Vogt-Welch(whose voice enchants listeners of both

recorded music and live theater scoresalike), pull off a stunning performance ofthe relationship between Eric andChristine. And it’s all at Riverside. Call540-370-4300 for tickets and dinnertheater reservations, or visitriversidedt.com…

As we wrap up our interview,Patrick foreshadows next season’s theaterschedule with a couple of hints of what isyet to come: Next July, look for somethingfrom show-biz about the FrenchRevolution… and look for the possiblereturn of a smash hit star in a trans-Atlantic classic… Names? You’ll have towait until Patrick A’Hearn takes the maskoff the next big thing at Riverside DinnerTheater.

Rob Grogan and his staff write aboutregional theater every other month in

Front Porch.

Phantom of Choice A window to eric’s soul

By Rob Grogan

CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY LLIINNKKCourtesy of WFVA and Front Porch

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There is a song called, “Ninety-Nine and a Half Won’t Do” but for BigSister Penny and Little Sister Shakyra, Tenand a Half Won’t Do. Their relationshipbegan with the Rappahannock BigBrothers Big Sisters (RBBBS) when LittleSister Shakyra turned 10 ½. During theirfirst outing Big Sister Penny took Shakyrato a local restaurant to celebrate her 10 ½birthday. “I was so surprised because Ididn’t know I was 10 ½” says Shakyra.Penny had spent countless hours gettingto know as much as possible about hernew Little Sister prior to being matched.When Penny learned of Shakyra’s birthdate she realized Shakyra was now 10 ½and thought not only will it be a birthdaycelebration but a “teachable moment” forher Little Sis. This was the beginning of amentor and mentee relationship built onlifelong learning beyond 10 ½ years.

Big Sister Penny and Little SisterShakyra have been matched in the RBBBSprogram for over a year. They live inclose proximity of one another and sincethat introduction Shakyra has becomefamily to Penny and her 21-year old son.Penny says “I really like kids a lot andenjoy being around them so when my sonleft home for college, it was not a harddecision to make to volunteer as a BigSister and the opportunity to be a friendand mentor to Shakyra has been a greatlearning experience for me”. Pennydescribes Shakyra as “funny and smartwith a gentle soul, she keeps me on mytoes”! Big Sis says watching Little Sistergrow and become more confident in herabilities has been very rewarding, and allthe rewards are definitely worth thecommitment of being there for Shakyra.

Something else very excitingabout Shakyra is her love for gymnasticsand cheerleading. Most of their initialconversation at the beginning of theirrelationship evolved around Little Sister’senthusiasm toward becoming a gymnast.Shakyra didn’t stop there but decided tofurther pursue gymnastics by enrolling inthe local Parks and Recreation beginner’sclass. Penny supported her throughoutthis endeavor by picking her up fromschool every Thursday and taking her togymnastics practice. After practice wasover, they would grab a bite to eat andtalk about some of Little Sister’s strengthsand areas for improvement. Since thattime, Shakyra has graduated from thebeginner’s class and was accepted in theLevel 3 Gymnastics team that has localcompetitions in the King George area. Bigand Little often discuss topics such ashealthy eating and making betterdecisions. To be a successful gymnast, it isalso important for Shakyra to keepfocused on getting good grades, especially

since she is an honor roll student and istaking advanced math classes.

Shakyra comments, “I am sohappy that I met my awesome friend andBig Sister Penny!” When asked of Shakyrawhat is her favorite thing to do withPenny, Shakyra replies, “being part of theGuinness World’s record as Vampires atKings Dominion”. Shakyra alsoexperienced bungee jumping, rockclimbing and participated in the Relay forLife for the first time with Penny. Some ofthe other activities you might find themdoing are swimming, biking, canoeing,skating, constructing a dollhouse, goingout to eat and just hanging out. Pennywrites, “Little Sister Shakyra is reallystarting to evolve into a young lady; whenI look into the future, I can see myselfattending her high school graduation,preparing her for college, watching herget married, and holding her first child”.Big Sister Penny is a “BIG” for life!

Regina Price is Enrollment and MatchSupport Specialist at Rappahannock Big

Brothers Big Sisters.

Yes folks, every few years webring you Blue Moon Specials on vehiclesthat can only exist in myimagination. Much like the magicalScottish town of Brigadoon which onlycomes to life for a single day every 100years, Blue Moon Motors only operates inthose months with two full moons… thesecond one being the Blue Moon. (Seedisclaimer information below.)

Since we won’t be coming backaround until 2013, any of you withwarranty work or service needs on thevehicles bought since Autoknown andBMM started business in February 2000,please contact us to schedule yourappointment in August of 2013 when wewill once again be open for business,however briefly.

In the meantime check out our2012 Blue Moon Specials!

2012 Derecho. Zero to Ninety MPH inseconds, absolutely no control overwhen you will get started, where you willend up or how long the payments mightlast. We can, however, pretty muchguarantee one hell of a ride.2007 Haboob. Paint is only slightly dullfrom the wind whipped sand. Be thefirst on your block to hit 70 MPH on thecrest of a wall of sand.1980 Sirocco. VW made a good try withthis one but they missed the point bynot tying it to all the other winds of theMediterranean. The Sirocco was quick,but like the wind they didn’t last long.2011 Mistral. Also a wonderful play onthe Mediterranean wind theme but thisone is a cold dry French wind from thenorthwest. Think of pairing it with aPinot.

Yes folks, there is little but thewind whipping around in my brain thismonth. Kind of like holding a Coke bottleout the window of a moving car… greatsound but kind of fleeting.

This thought process all beganwith the harsh storms in late June, whichunfortunately did a lot of damage andthere was a tragic loss of life. For this weare saddened and pray we won’t see thatmagnitude of storm again. But comeon! When the weather geeks informed usit was Derecho we were all pretty surethey were making it up.

(Actually, Gustavus DetlefHinrichs first used the phrase in 1888 todescribe a July 1877 storm that sweptacross the state of Iowa. Super fast, notrees or mountains or much of anythingto slow it down but no way to record thespeed either. Kind of like a run on theBonneville Salt Flats before thestopwatch.)

As for the Blue Moondisclaimer…

Even though the blue moon istouted as the second full moon in a monthand even I put faith in that myth, a littleresearch has revealed I was wrong. Yep,wrong. The blue moon is actually thethird full moon in any meteorologicalseason having four full moons.

This is a lot like figuring outwhen Easter falls but different. Actually,while this August does have two fullmoons, one on the 2nd and the second on

the 31st , there is not a blue moon thisyear because the next full moon isn’t untilafter the autumnal equinox in Septemberand therefore does not fall in summer,hence, i.e., therefore and what-what…there are only three full moons thissummer.

This information is not intendedto stop devotees of Blue Moon Brewing Co.from planning some serious howling at

the moon beer festivals on the 31st. Idon’t think we should tell them.

Rim Vining’s moon mission has not leftthe ground; you can still reach him at

[email protected]


His name is Matt Montoro.Guitar Player, Studio Owner, Producer,Songwriter, and the list goes on and on.Matt is a renaissance man – and in thiscurrent progressive music industry, onehas to be.

Matt’s studio, Third StreamMusic & Design, is a top tier local studio.There is something to be said for a radio-ready recording that meets pro-levelspecifications. A produced sound can opendoors a standard demo might not. And,Third Stream Music & Design can developa solid professionally designedpromotional package around the music,including websites, video, photography,press kits, and other necessarypromotional materials. Matt has workedwith various artists including KellerWilliams and Matt’s own all-star band, TheThird Stream Giants.

Matt’s eclectic blend of influencesand inspirations bridging from Zeppelin toPearl Jam to Phish to Charlie Hunter andCurtis Mayfield have led him to funk andjazz, which is effortlessly expressed whenhe performs with The Giants. Itundoubtedly comes through in his customcompositions, which have been used for

several Indie film scores,with Scholastic, andABC’s hit show,Cougartown.Matt founded the TheThird Stream Giantsfour years ago. Frontedby Fredericksburg’sfavorite vocalist andNBC Today Show TalentWinner, AnthonyCampbell, with Ben Hiteon keys, Toby Fairchildon drums, Percy Bert onbass,and a funky horn

section, this act never fails to get a crowdgrooving. Their debut album Cool Humanis featured with well modern funk originalmusic and their live performances haveearned them regional and nationalrecognition, including winning DC’sHottest 5. Yes, they are working on a newalbum —- so stay tuned.

You can see this funky, soul crewbreak it down at the Colonial Taverndowntown Saturday, August 18 at 10p.m.as one of Fredericksburg Music Festival’sfeatured acts. Stone Music Management &Entertainment has produced this monthlong local music festival. It begins August1 and rocks on through September 1 withFredericksburg’s best independent musicalacts and other traveling acts as well. Theline up covers a variety of genres: Ask Fred(R&B/Soul/Blues), Lisa Lim Band(blues/funk/rock), Hunter Wolfe & ARE(blues/rock), Sunsette Syndicate(Pop/Rock), Sabor Afrocubano (Latinbeat), Gaye Adegbalola & Roddy Barnes(Blues), Sons of Solomon (Reggae), PeteMealy & Laurie Rose Griffith(Americana/Folk), The Idiomatics (ModernIndie Rock), The Dixie Power Trio(Zydeco). There are a few solo and duoacoustic acts as well: WAMMIE Nominatedduo Chatham Street, Denim~N~Lace, CoriBlanch, Abbe Buck. There are so manymore, so find out atFredericksburgMusicFestival.com

Visit Third Stream Music andDesign at 3SMD.com or contact Matt [email protected]. Anthony Campbell andThe Third Stream Giants are atThirdStreamGiants.com. Like it. Love it.Share it.

Ashleigh Chevalier, who is classicallytrained in vocal performance and hasperformed everything from Gilbert &Sullivan to Mozart and Henry Purcell,

chooses to share her soul on stagebelting rockin’ blues.

FXBG MusicFrom studio to stage withRenaissance man Matt Montoro

by ashleigh chevalier

THE POETRY MANTHE POETRY MAN- BY FRANK FRATOE

You make everything all right. –Phoebe Snow

StrStrengthength(From Psalms 3.7)

In the darkest hourwhen all seems lost,right is incoherentand beyond our power.

The meek will inheritearth’s fate to come,as abundance of peaceif they fight within.

Only courage inbornwill storm men free,where past victoriesand fires have been.

Frank Fratoe “celebrates life and itssources” with his current poetry.

AutoKnown Betterwelcome to blue moon motors!

By Rim Vining

SupportingLocal

ArtistsSince 1997

Front PorchFredericksburg

Come Play With Us This Summer

540-371-4526 207 William Street www.ymsfred.comCertified Experienced Staff

YAMAHA MUSIC SCHOOL OF FREDERICKBURGLocated in Downtown Fredericksburg for Over 40 Years

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“10 ½ WON’T DO”

By regina price

For the first time, the sciencebehind people who move toFredericksburg is revealed as a helpful toolin identifying others and understandingourselves.

Stage I - Hidden Treasure.Whether as a recruit or happenstanceadventurer, all who visit here have thesame initial reaction: “How cute! I can’tbelieve this is so close to Washington andI’ve never even been here!” Theenchanting architecture downtown, senseof history and patriotism, and the charmof what sounds like Southern accentsspawns deeper exploration followed by areturn visit and Stage Two.

Stage II – The Wrestle. As thereturn visitor wanders Caroline andPrincess Anne streets, and detours onresidential arteries like “Charles” or“Prince Edward,” he imagines moving towhat he now simply calls “Fred.” Heenvisions a life of brass bands andmechanical cash registers, of butchers and

bakers, of friendly handshakes and“suppers” that begin at five. Peaceful,well-adjusted people happy to watchthe fireflies twinkle complete his visionof this good life.

Stage III – The Quill. A visit to areal estate office heralds this mostcritical leg of progression. Stage Threesare often identified by overheardconversations like, “I would have to payTRIPLE for a place like this inAlexandria.”

Stage IV – My Oyster. Stage Fouroccurs when you begin to believe thatFXBG has everything and cite a handfulof local businesses like Goolrick’s andSammy T’s as examples why Fred is thebest of all worlds: Cosmopolitan andquaint, savvy but simple, city andcountry, Northern and Southern, bigand small.

Stage V – Ruby Slippers. Even theTechnicolor wonders of Oz can’t keep aStage Five from the monochromaticcomfort of Fred, and he rarely travels

beyond Stafford or Spotsylvania.Vacations to Myrtle Beach or Rehobothare replaced by daytrips to Colonial Beach.Visits to NYC yield to afternoons in ourCentral Park.

Stage VI – The Stirring. TheStage Six almost never goes beyond citylimits and begins to notice little things,asking himself such tough questions as: Isthat really a Southern accent? Was thata smile or a grimace? Why do only thestore owners make eye contact? Whydoes that man look scared? What dothey mean when they say that’s how they“do things” in “Ole Fuddicksbug?”

Stage VII – Panic. The roadconfiguration here was designed to handlethe rebelliousness of Stage Seven. Streetsare one-way or end and begin again inunrelated areas, and the Seven can’tremember how to get out. If he manages,he is lured onto Route 17, only to bedirected through loops and circles intoexhaustion.

Stage VIII – Acceptance. Like thecaged hamster who figures out his wheelgoes nowhere, the Stage Eight retains avacant calm, traveling by foot on the samestreets that lured him. Erratic, oftenswinging his arms wildly or with no visiblehead motion, he is usually quiet butoccasionally misbehaved. In his mind, heis home.

Stage IX – The Snap. After weeksor years, magic happens; an epiphany,really. Stage Niners recognize thereactually IS nothing outside FXBG; the restis only a purgatory from which newcomersappear. Everything this world has to offeris right in front of him – and withinwalking distance.

Stage X – A New Beginning. Thegiddy Stage Ten craves more. He studiesart forms, embraces the mores, begins toreplace words like “right here” with “rah-cheaah,” and speaks of “salt fish” asthough it were real. He appears as localcolor, when he may be from New Jerseyoriginally. Those memories pop up only indreams; he lives in bliss.

The Stage Ten recruits outsiders.The truly gifted are appointed to positionsin wheeled trolleys or faux steamboats.Everyone shares the responsibility ofGreeter. Parking spaces are limited tonewcomers who still drive. A train stationhouses a German restaurant to attractpeople from really far away. The blissfulTen assumes his role in the circle of life,spreading the word of ultimate joy to thenewcomer. He is at peace.

Mike Jones' family moved here in 1979to a house that his father, a diplomat,

still owns and always returned tobetween overseas assignments.

Mike, a graduate of William and Marywhose career in casino marketing hastaken him across the country, movedback from Sonoma, CA last February

and lives on Caroline Street, Downtown.


The Ten Stages of FredBy mike jones

ARCHER DI PEPPECAGA

CERTIFIED APPRAISER

Insurance Riders Estate SettlementsDivorce Cases Damage Claims

Oral or Written AppraisalsSPECIALIZING IN ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

Certified AppraiserCertified Appraiser’s Guild of America

[email protected] (540) 373-9636

Close Enough For...horseshoes and hand grenades

by joshua cameli

When I first walk in toHorseshoes and Hand Grenades(1009 Princess Anne), I am transportedback to my childhood. Vintage pinball andarcade games line the walls and aroundthem hang a collection of art by up andcoming local artists. There are stacks ofcomics that you can rummage throughand the floor itself is a stunning collage ofcomic book covers. Racks of vintageclothing fill the floor and classic consolegames such as Super Nintendo areavailable to play and purchase. Acustomer comes up and asks to listen to aselection off of a Cat People’s album fromthe wide selection of vinyl albums in thestore. But it’s not really a store,Horseshoes and Hand Grenades is a multi-media antique and art gallery for the lostgeneration, and is the brain child ofFredericksburg native, Mike Skinner,whose stated mission on facebook is “Tosupply our demographic with the greatestthreads and grooves in town.”

Mike grew up in the variousantique stores that were owned andoperated by his parents and has a love forvintage clothing and vinyl albums. Healways envisioned having a place of hisown that would celebrate the past and tiein today. After getting away from hisparents business, Mike worked for a coupleof record labels, but hated having toanswer to someone else and knew hiscalling lay elsewhere, so he saved hismoney and opened a booth in an antiquemall downtown.

Business went well and in late2009 to early 2010 Horseshoes and HandGrenades opened up on Caroline. Mikechose to open his business in downtownFredericksburg, because “it feels like onebig family,” Mike says, “When you comedowntown it feels like going to Cheers.”He also noticed what he calls an,“Awesome, blossoming art community”

and wanted to have a place where theseartists could display their work. As aresult of this vision, Mike set his sights ona bigger space and opened his currentspace on Princess Anne on June 23. So far,Mike is very happy with the new location,“I think it’s the perfect time and theperfect place.”

Already, every artist who has hadtheir work displayed there has sold one ormore of their pieces illustrating a desirefor the work of a new generation of artiststo be seen, and making Horseshoes andHand Grenades a new showcase for localartists. The new location is also largeenough to host bands and it is notuncommon on a Friday night for them tobe holding an all-ages show with a lineupof up and coming musicians. In essence,Horseshoes and Hand Grenades is tryingto cultivate the future of downtownFredericksburg and channel its artisticenergy.

Stepping into Horseshoes andHand Grenades is like taking a step backand a step forward at the same time.Come in take a look around and play avintage 1970’s pinball machine, get acomic, browse through the records (no cdor mp3 ever could sound as good as apiece of vinyl), or support your localartists’ amazing work on the walls inside.

One last thing, before you enterHorseshoes and Hand Grenades a stand uppiano sits outside against the window. Iasked Mike what was the purpose, hereplied, “Because it (Fredericksburg) is anart driven, music driven town. It’s therefor all to play and to fill the streets withmusic. It’s also there just to have onemore thing for people to scratch theirheads about.” Remember to support yourlocal artists and the artist within.

Joshua Cameli is big brother at The Otter House and

The Sunken Well Tavern.

Documents

August 2012.qxd - Front Porch