WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

When Craig and Anna Houlette decided to make Stafford their home in 2016, they brought with them not just their growing family, but a vision for building something meaningful in a community Craig had fallen in love with years earlier.

WRITTEN BY SHANE HEATH

Every season (yes, even in the winter months), I meet homeowners who've dreamed for years of transforming their backyard — envisioning a place where water and stone meet in perfect balance, where evenings glow with reflections of the sky, and where the line between home and nature disappears. They're ready to take the leap. They start making calls, collecting bids, and imagining next summer by the pool.

WRITTEN BY DAN BOMAR

When winter arrives, many homes suffer from drafts, uneven temperatures, and rising heating bills. It’s not just the cold outside—it’s what’s happening inside your home. Heat escapes through gaps in walls, windows, floors, and ceilings, while cold air sneaks in just as easily.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

When Nicole McDaniel was just a small child, she would ride along in the truck with her father, Kevin Parker, picking up trash from job sites while he checked on roofing work and spoke with homeowners. Little did she know those early days would shape not just her career, but her entire life's trajectory.

WRITTEN BY KIRA POHWALA


As we enter the holiday season, the Stafford community is coming together to give back. Students, families, schools, and local organizations are dedicated to spreading kindness and helping families in need through food drives, clothing resources, and acts of service.

WRITTEN BY LIYA ZEWDU

Laila Henley, a dedicated and hardworking senior, has made the most of her time at Riverbend High School. From sports and clubs to academics and leadership, Henley's high school journey exemplifies balance, growth, and passion.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

In today’s society, anxious or fearful dogs are often misunderstood as “problem pets.” Adia is changing the story. Her Fredericksburg business, Woof Houze, provides a rare refuge—a trauma-free sanctuary where dogs with big feelings can finally relax.

WRITTEN BY DIANA H. D’ALESSANDRO, Attorney-at-Law

For most people, real estate is the most valuable asset they own. Whether it’s a primary residence, a second home, a rental, or an inherited property, the rules surrounding ownership can get surprisingly complicated. Below are five common mistakes even well-intentioned property owners make:

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

That time of year is upon us. The Christmas trees and splashes of jubilee fill the shopping centers, while pumpkins intermingle with an impending sugar plum fairy takeover. Holiday cheer is rushed in with the ever-familiar cacophony of chaos. The calendar explodes with school parties, work parties, and family gatherings. Checklists, gift lists, food lists, and to-dos galore!

WRITTEN BY MORA SOAN

This activity is brought to you by the author of the children's book, Jacob in Japan! Jacob is a gnome who lives in New York. He owns a beautiful garden on the rooftop of a skyscraper. He is a picky eater and he only eats ordinary bland food. One windy night, Jacob falls into a magic flower pot. He wakes up in Japan. What will he do next? Will Jacob starve himself or will he find a way to enjoy and experience Japan? With an open mind, he may discover new and delicious foods that he never knew existed.

WRITTEN BY ABIGAIL NYINAKU

This year, Stafford County Public Schools held the 15th annual Band Together to Fight Hunger fundraiser to support local hunger relief efforts. Proceeds from the event support the SERVE Food Bank and its partner agencies, providing meals to families in need. What began as a small collaboration over a decade ago has grown into one of the county’s most impactful traditions, bringing students, families, and residents together for a night of rhythm, unity, and giving.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

The Bear River Institute of Healing Arts has officially opened in Fredericksburg, Virginia, marking a significant milestone for professional wellness education in the region. As an institution approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), Bear River brings accredited massage therapy training to a community with a growing demand for holistic healthcare services.

WRITTEN BY SUZANNE THOMPSON

The holidays are a special time to welcome celebration, gift-giving, warmth, and connection with those we care about. At the same time, we might worry that any progress we have made in our health and fitness will be interrupted during this season. Here are some great tips to help you keep up with your goals while still enjoying the season.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Every student-athlete deserves to feel celebrated. That's the philosophy behind Karen Presecan Photography's senior banner service. This heartfelt tradition honors the dedication and hard work of young athletes and performers at the end of their high school journey and senior season.

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

The holidays are almost here. The kids will be on break, and our young adults will be home for a bit, too. How do we bring everyone together without getting the side-eye or having someone bow out of family time?

WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM

As the year winds down and holiday lights begin to twinkle, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the moments and relationships that mean the most. For those of us who share our homes with animals, these quiet moments are often filled with the comforting presence of our pets: the gentle thump of a tail, the soft nudge for a snuggle, the familiar rhythm of paws padding across the floor.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

For Jacquelene D'Amico, magic isn't found just in fantasy, but it is discovered in the everyday moments spent with her three children exploring the Fredericksburg area. Her debut children's book, The Adventures of Trollee and Alice, emerged from those very moments, transforming imaginative playground games into a heartfelt literary adventure.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

When Courtney and Mike Dorsey first met as student athletes at Portland State University (PSU) in 2006, they had no idea their shared passion for athletics would one day become the foundation of a thriving business in Stafford, Virginia. Courtney ran track while Mike played football, and nearly two decades later, their love of fitness continues to shape not only their careers but their family life with their three children: Easton, 12, Kinsley, 11, and Hadley, 9. 

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

When a child receives a cancer diagnosis, the entire family's world shifts on its axis. Hospital stays, treatment schedules, and medical decisions consume every waking moment, leaving little room for the mundane necessities of daily life. But what if someone could wave a magic wand and take care of some of those burdens? That's precisely what Fairy Godmother Project does for families navigating the darkest chapter of their lives.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

2026 is on the horizon, ushering in a new era for floor design. Homeowners and designers are seeking floors that blend the warmth of nature, harmonious textures, and sustainable materials. Floors will not only be soft and beautiful, but durable and grounded. Let’s look into what the new year’s floor design exudes.