WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

A dedicated group of volunteers is quietly changing lives one wooden ramp at a time, right here in our backyard. Servants At Work (SAWs) Virginia, a nonprofit organization founded in 2019, builds custom wheelchair ramps for people with ambulatory disabilities who are financially unable to afford such modifications to their homes.

WRITTEN BY MASON LEWIS

Hardscaping is a transformative process that goes beyond mere stone and concrete. It's about creating functional, long-lasting, and visually appealing elements that can turn your outdoor space into a beautiful extension of your home. Whether you're envisioning a new patio for entertaining or a retaining wall for erosion control, the potential is boundless. Proper planning and execution are key, and here are some crucial lessons and considerations to guide you on this exciting journey.

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

Did you know that “Celebrating Military Children and Youth: Building Stronger Character and Relationships” is the theme for this year’s Month of the Military Child? Purple Up! is on April 17, and to show support for all military children, people wear purple. Many in our area are active duty, retired, veterans, or know a family that fits that description. I am the daughter of an Air Force veteran.

WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA HUDSON

In a world where fitness options abound, it can be overwhelming to choose the best workout program for your lifestyle and goals. Traditional gyms have long been the go-to option, offering a variety of machines, free weights, and group classes. However, in recent years, F45 Training has emerged as a revolutionary alternative, providing an innovative, community-driven, and results-oriented approach to fitness. 

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

Earth Day is celebrated each April by planting trees, participating in community clean-ups, or contributing to local conservation agencies. At NK Floors, we observe the importance of being planet-conscious by offering eco-friendly products for every flooring need. Eco-friendly flooring and building products are designed to have minimal environmental impact throughout their lifecycle, including manufacturing, use, disposal, and recycling.

WRITTEN BY GREGORY WHITE

As a homeowner, it's crucial to grasp the complexity of your home's water system. One of the most vital, yet often underestimated, aspects of plumbing maintenance is backflow prevention. Understanding backflow can be the key to ensuring your family's health is not compromised by potential water contamination.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

In a bustling neighborhood where children play freely outdoors until dusk, the Ramos family has created a life centered around community, athletics, and family traditions. Stephanie and Fernando Ramos, Stafford County natives with deep roots in the area, have built a home where their three children can thrive in a supportive environment surrounded by friends and extended family.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

For over 25 years, Horace Crenshaw has been immersed in the world of golf—as a player, a golf sales associate, and now, as a certified instructor and business owner. His passion for the sport and desire to help others improve catalyzed the creation of Crenshaw's Sports and Fitness, LLC.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

F45 Training Stafford VA is more than just a fitness studio—it's a community-driven space where innovation, camaraderie, and results redefine the fitness experience. As part of a global network of over 1,400 locations, F45 Training specializes in high-energy, functional workouts that combine strength, cardio, and hybrid HIIT exercises, all guided by expert coaches and enhanced by cutting-edge technology.

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

Over the years, I've had the privilege of interviewing a wide range of individuals—from C-suite executives and television professionals to college professors and business owners. I started the Time Matters Podcast during the pandemic, where the focus was on professionals from diverse industries sharing insights from their personal journeys.

WRITTEN BY OSCAR ESPINOZA

Have you noticed a shift in home color palettes lately? Gone are the days of stark white walls and subtle accents. Instead, a bold new trend has taken hold: color drenching.

Color drenching is exactly what it sounds like: immersing a room in a single, saturated color. Walls, trim, outlets, and sometimes even ceilings are painted in the same hue, creating a dramatic, cohesive look.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Ginger Walker and the Give Back Team of Coldwell Banker Elite have redefined what it means to serve a community through real estate. Led by Ginger Walker, a REALTOR® since 2008, the team’s mission extends beyond helping clients buy and sell homes—it’s about making a lasting impact through community involvement and acts of kindness.

WRITTEN BY DAN BOMAR, COMFENERGY

A comfortable home starts with the right balance of temperature and humidity. Insulation combined with dehumidification can help in achieving this. Proper insulation helps regulate indoor temperature, keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By preventing heat loss or gain, it also reduces energy costs, making your home more efficient. Common areas to insulate include attics, walls, and crawl spaces.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

The Buskirk family's story is one of love, community, and a deep-rooted connection to Stafford. Jordan and Desiree Buskirk and their infant son Sullivan (affectionately called Sully) have built a home filled with warmth, shared passions, and an appreciation for family traditions and new experiences.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

Engineered hardwood is a popular flooring choice because of its durable design, smart aesthetic, and price point. Like natural hardwood, engineered hardwood boasts natural beauty and adds innovative design that stands the test of time. Solid, natural hardwood is cut directly from a specific species of hardwood. Engineered hardwood differs in that it is a multi-layered flooring product made up of a veneer of natural hardwood on top of a plywood or high-density fiberboard core. Let’s look at the basics of engineered hardwood.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

For 45 years, S.E.R.V.E., Inc. has been a cornerstone of hope and nourishment in the Fredericksburg community. As the region's largest and oldest food pantry, S.E.R.V.E. provides vital food assistance to thousands of residents across Stafford, Caroline, Spotsylvania, and King George Counties and the City of Fredericksburg and Quantico. Through their innovative 'open-choice' pantry model, S.E.R.V.E. not only empowers guests to shop for themselves, treating them with dignity and respect, but also significantly reduces food waste and ensures that guests receive the items they need most.

WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM

As an emergency veterinarian, I’ve seen how quickly a pet’s curiosity can turn into a life-threatening emergency. Each year, countless pets end up in the ER after ingesting common household items—many of which can be toxic. In honor of Pet Poison Prevention Month, here’s what every pet owner should know about common toxins, prevention strategies, and what to do if poisoning occurs.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

I sometimes consider myself a strong woman—a mother of nine, including giving birth to twins, twice. I have lived in two different parts of Africa. I have been at home with my children when someone tried to break in. I was medically evacuated out of the jungles of Cameroon for tropical illness. I have homeschooled and taught high school science at a local Christian school. I work alongside my husband in our business. I have had many struggles and hardships, some too painful to put to paper. I have tasted both victory and defeat. At times, I find myself lacking strength and I desire to grow into a woman who braves the dark. What qualities does a woman of fierce resilience possess?

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

When it comes to gathering with family, friends, or colleagues, food is more than just nourishment—it’s an experience, a centerpiece, and a conversation starter. That’s precisely what Burg Charcuterie delivers with its luxury charcuterie and catering services. 

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

When Aaron Johnson founded Uncle Onion’s Electric Organic Lawn Care, he had one mission in mind: to provide a better, safer lawn care alternative for families and the environment.