WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN & BLUUBOLTZZ LENZ

Tucked into The Glens subdivision in Stafford, on a wooded property with its own quiet stream, sits a home the Samuel family has come to call "The Samuel Oasis." It's a fitting name for a place that has become both a gathering spot for family and friends and a launching pad for community impact. For Weaver and Beverly Samuel, married 41 years, and their daughters Alyssa and Lindsay, life centers on two things: devotion to family and a deep commitment to the people around them.

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

Ever wonder how local students manage to land those competitive summer internships? It’s rarely by accident. While it is only September—and the school year is just kicking into gear with fall sports and the first grading periods—the time to start thinking about Summer 2027 is already here.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN & BLUUBOLTZZ LENZ

Every Saturday night in downtown Fredericksburg, a door in a back alley off George Street opens onto a staircase that most passersby never notice. Climb it, and you'll find yourself in a room with a stone wall on one side, a brick wall on the other, and original oak floorboards worn smooth by decades of footsteps — and, these days, by the shuffle-ball-changes of jitterbugs and Lindy Hoppers. This is Dance FXBG, and the man who built it, Joel Webber, wants you to feel like you've stumbled onto something secret.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Tucked inside a cozy 1957 home in Stafford County, Art Cart Kids Enrichment Studio has become a beloved creative haven for children ages 4–12 throughout Stafford and the greater Fredericksburg area. Founded by Stephanie Cox, the studio offers daytime and after-school art sessions built around imagination, child-choice, and open-ended exploration rather than step-by-step projects.

WRITTEN BY CORA SHIELDS

Hi Neighbors! My name is Cora Shields, and I am a senior at Riverbend High School. For ten years, I lived in the Pipe Run neighborhood before my family moved to Fawn Lake. I have come to deeply appreciate my home here in Old Dominion, surrounded by farmland, close-knit communities, and a rich sense of history. Growing up, I was inspired by the stories of great Virginians who came before me—stories that taught me to forge ahead into the unknown, stand firm for what I believe in, and build something meaningful from the ground up.

WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE COX

September is a wonderful time to look closely at the leaves around you. Every leaf has its own
shape, edges and tiny lines. Today, you’ll use those hidden textures to create creatures that
have never existed before!

WRITTEN BY AARON JOHNSON

Aeration creates small openings in the soil, allowing water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach grass roots more effectively. While spike and liquid aeration can provide some benefit, core aeration is the most effective method because it removes small soil plugs, relieving compaction and creating ideal conditions for root growth.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

For Amanda Blalock, home has never been about a perfect mold. It's about showing up. "Families are often expected to fit a certain mold, but in our home, we believe family can take many forms," she says of the household she shares with her fiancé, Roy Person, and her twins, Bebe and Jackson, both 18 and recent graduates of Riverbend High School. "Ours is built on love, loyalty, and showing up for one another every single day."

WRITTEN BY JIM HOOVER

Virginia is where our roots run deep. It's where my youngest daughter, Jamie Lyn, was raised and became a proud graduate of Riverbend High School. She grew up on these roads, played soccer on these fields, and built a life here before the world opened up to her. People called her my twin, the girl version of me. She had my stubbornness and my fire. But she was more than that. She made everyone around her better without being asked.

WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM

Summer is winding down, which means a steady stream of dogs limping into the clinic after one too many enthusiastic games of fetch. If your pup suddenly came up lame on a back leg, the culprit is often a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), the canine version of our ACL tear.
It’s a leading cause of hind-leg lameness, leaving owners facing a big decision fast: surgery or a conservative path? Here’s what both options involve, and why integrative medicine belongs in either plan.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Mimi officially stepped into the role of Executive Director of Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity on February 1, 2026, after transitioning into the position over the summer of 2025. But her connection to Habitat's mission runs much deeper than her start date. She spent nearly a decade with another Habitat affiliate before coming to Fredericksburg—long enough, she jokes, to catch what she and her colleagues call "Habitat-itis." "Once you have it, it stays with you," she says.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

That weekend flooring project on YouTube makes it look easy: rip out the old floor, click the new planks into place, done by Sunday night. But flooring is one of the few home projects where the mistakes don’t show up right away; they show up six months later, when boards start cupping, seams separate, or a warranty claim gets denied. Here’s what DIY installation actually risks.

WRITTEN BY KIRA POHWALA

If you're looking for a meaningful way to give back to the Stafford community this summer while spending time outdoors, volunteer at the Rappahannock Education Farm. This nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization reduces food insecurity by growing fresh produce for local food banks and food pantries. It also teaches sustainable gardening and farming practices, giving volunteers valuable hands-on experience.

WRITTEN BY DAN BOMAR

As summer temperatures soar, homeowners often notice hot upper floors, rising utility bills, and greater difficulty maintaining comfort. These issues are typically caused by cooled air escaping, hot air entering the home, or overall performance inefficiencies. Because home comfort needs change from season to season, Comfenergy takes a seasonal approach to home performance, helping homeowners stay cool, comfortable, and energy-efficient during the hottest months while minimizing energy waste.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

There's a moment Stefan Walter will never forget. He went into the Stafford County Animal Shelter looking for a service dog and was standing in the lobby when a staff member said, "If you're open to breeds, we have the perfect dog for you." Minutes later, Honey was brought through the door — a dog who had already been surrendered twice in her short life — and the room immediately shifted.

WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE COX

Whether your child is in preschool or headed to college, having an organized space to focus on school work is important to help children feel more confident. A special place for homework gives children a consistent space where they can keep their supplies together and build good study habits. This space does not need to be large or fancy—a small desk, table, or quiet corner can work well. When children know exactly where to find their materials and where to complete their schoolwork, homework becomes easier to manage and less stressful. An organized space helps children take responsibility for their belongings and develop independence that will benefit them throughout the school year. This month I will show you a fun and creative way to keep those supplies organized. 

WRITTEN BY LIYA ZEWDU

As summer break begins to wind down and students prepare to head back to school, one local tradition allows families and students to enjoy the last bits before the busy school year begins.

The Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair returns to the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds, located at 2400 Airport Ave., from July 24th through August 2nd. The fair is open from 5 pm to 10 pm on weekdays and 1 pm to 10 pm on weekends, giving families and friends plenty of time to enjoy one of the area’s biggest annual events.

WRITTEN BY FLAWN LAKE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

On July 4, 2026, the Fawn Lake Community Association turned Independence Day into a full‑day celebration in honor of America’s 250th birthday. The neighborhood hosted one of the most ambitious events in its history, blending patriotic tradition with the kind of small‑town camaraderie that defines life in Spotsylvania County.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

At just 18 years old, Bethany Ablondi has already built a life defined by artistry, advocacy, and an unshakable commitment to serving others. As Miss Spotsylvania County's Teen, a pre-professional ballerina, an award-winning cosplayer, and the founder of her own art company, Bethany's story is one of turning personal challenges into purpose — and inspiring her Spotsylvania County community along the way.

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

Relax, recharge, and take small steps now to support your student’s future success. Explore a few back-to-school details today and make this summer count.