WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

Sometimes, the life you've built no longer matches who you've become. For Maggie McIntyre, this shift was gradual. A marriage ended. Her career wound down. All the while, a neglected calling grew louder. Change happened through intentional choices made over time. Each decision was built on the last until Maggie eventually found where she was meant to be.

WRITTEN BY KIRA POHWALA

As the school year comes to a close, student-athletes across Mountain View High School are reflecting on months of hard work, competition, and unforgettable memories. From early-morning practices to long meets and matches after school, athletes in every sport have spent the year balancing academics with their dedication to their teams. Now, with summer just around the corner, many are looking back proudly on everything they accomplished together.

WRITTEN BY KAT HALSTEAD

Summer is almost here, and I know I’m just as excited about the sun, pool, and all the outdoor activities as the next person; however, overexposure to the elements without proper protection can leave hair susceptible to environmental assault. Let’s talk about how things like the sun and chlorine can affect hair the way bleach does.  

WRITTEN BY DAN BOMAR

Home comfort isn’t something that stays the same all year long. As the seasons change, the demands placed on a home change as well. What keeps a home warm and efficient in winter may not accurately match the challenges that arrive with spring and early summer. At Comfenergy, we view home performance as an ongoing process—one that adapts throughout the year to create a healthier, more comfortable living environment in every season.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

There's a trailer people around Lake Anna recognize. They see it on the road, parked at an event, or at a local gathering. They know: the Biscuit Lady is here. For Jessica Wilkins, 36, that nickname is more than a fun local legend. It's a testament to relentless work, a deep love of food, and determination that never clocks out.

WRITTEN BY LIYA ZEWDU

For track athletes at Riverbend High School, outdoor is more than running laps and competing in meets. The sport they compete in demands mental toughness, consistency, and dedication. There are lessons that many athletes carry beyond the track itself.

WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE COX

June is a perfect time to create art outside and a stick is an excellent thing to use to create art. You can use it to make all kinds of art. Here are some ideas to get you started:

WRITTEN BY Aaron Johnson

Organic lawn care offers a compelling alternative — one rooted in the same principles that sustained agriculture for most of human history. Like any approach, it comes with real benefits and honest trade-offs worth understanding before you make the switch.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

When Stephanie Michael co-founded GEM Realty with her husband Glen, she had a vision that went far beyond buying and selling homes. With more than 15 years in real estate and property management, Stephanie has built a locally owned company serving Fredericksburg and the surrounding communities– and one that’s grounded in something larger than transactions.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

On a quiet street in Stafford, Virginia, the Hackman home has a way of drawing people in. There's Shadow, a five-year-old Black Pyradoodle who greets everyone with a gentle tail wag. There's the smell of something delicious coming from the kitchen. And this year, there's Feras Abdalla, a 17-year-old from Israel, navigating American high school life with the kind of curiosity and adaptability that makes Jeff and Louise Hackman beam with quiet pride.

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

Summer is finally on the horizon. I remember sometimes being almost more excited about school being out for the summer than the kids. The day-to-day routine was finally getting a break, which meant we were getting one, too. The before- or after-school obligations were on pause for some of us and ramped up for others.

WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM

Every summer, I see the same pattern. A family comes in shaken after their dog slipped out during a backyard cookout or collapsed on what seemed like a perfectly pleasant afternoon walk. These emergencies are rarely dramatic at first. More often, they start with quiet risks that are easy to miss in the middle of an otherwise happy summer day.

WRITTEN BY ABIGAIL NYINAKU

As the summer months commence, high school students have a range of opportunities to consider, from camps and jobs to internships and volunteer programs. For students hoping to stay active, gain experience, or strengthen their college and scholarship applications, now is the time to start looking. Many of the most desirable programs fill up quickly and have early deadlines, so planning ahead is essential!

WRITTEN BY GINGER WALKER

If you've owned your home for 2+ years, you've likely built meaningful equity. Stafford's market has appreciated steadily, and selling now lets you lock in those gains, walk away clean, and fund your next chapter, whether that's a down payment elsewhere or simply peace of mind.

WRITTEN BY VIKTORIYA TKHORYK

Summer is all about feeling confident in your skin, and with the right approach, you don’t have to pause your progress during the warmer months. At Thistle Medical Aesthetics, we focus on strategic, summer-safe treatments that keep your skin healthy, glowing, and protected while accounting for increased UV exposure, heat, and outdoor activities.

WRITTEN BY MICHELLE ROJAS

For many people, Goodwill is best known as a place to donate clothing and shop for secondhand finds. What’s less visible is the work it does beyond the stores, using a portion of its sales revenue and federal funding to create career opportunities and support the local workforce. Rappahannock Goodwill creates convenient opportunities for residents to shop and donate with 2 e-commerce sites, 15 retail stores, and one of the largest Goodwill stores in Virginia, now open in Stafford’s England Run shopping center.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

Before picking up a hammer or calling a contractor, every homeowner asks: Will this pay off? Whether you're preparing to sell or building long-term equity, not all home improvements are equal. Some projects recoup a fraction of their cost; others return more than you invest. After years of helping homeowners transform spaces, here's our breakdown of the improvements with the best return on investment.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

The Power Players “In Full Bloom” event didn’t just bring together women business leaders; it also inspired meaningful connections and elevated the visibility of women shaping the region’s economy. The results were profound: participants experienced new collaborations, discovered resources, and left with renewed purpose for their businesses.

WRITTEN BY ABIGAIL NYINAKU

Colonial Forge High School’s auditorium was electric on Thursday, March 19th, as students gathered for the highly anticipated Talon’t Show, an annual celebration of creativity, courage, and the diverse talents of our Eagles. From soulful melodies to energetic band performances, every act radiated passion and personality. The event, hosted by the spirited duo Lindsay Lee and Jackson Goodlet, kept the crowd buzzing with excitement and laughter from start to finish.

WRITTEN BY ADIA SHANEE

As the weather warms up, dogs are suddenly included in everything. Outdoor dining. Markets. Festivals. Errands. Social gatherings. And somewhere along the way, many guardians begin to believe: “My dog should be able to go everywhere with me.”