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.

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

November. Wow, it’s November. One minute it's Halloween, the next you're staring down your
kid’s semester deadlines and the sheer logistics of Thanksgiving dinner. The good news is,
through all the rushing and planning, this season has a natural undertow of gratitude and
community that pulls us all toward what really matters.

WRITTEN BY KIRA POHWALA


For many students at Mountain View High School, music isn't just notes—it's a community and a way of life. Junior Nikoloz Matiashvili, who has played piano for 10 years and guitar for three, says, "Music has changed my life for the better. I would be a very sad person without it—it fills my house with melodies that my family loves, and has brought me out into the community."

WRITTEN BY SHANE HEATH

After 25 years of building decks and patios, I’ve learned that protecting your home starts with two simple questions—and every trustworthy contractor should be glad to answer them.

When I first started out as a carpenter more than two decades ago, I thought success was all about craftsmanship—the perfect cut, the tightest joint, the smoothest finish.

WRITTEN BY MASON LEWIS

As the vibrant colors of fall fade and leaves begin to blanket your yard, it’s easy to put off cleanup until “later.” But those piles of leaves can do more harm than you think. Beyond creating a messy appearance, excess leaf buildup can smother your grass, invite pests, and even lead to mold or disease. Proper leaf removal is an essential part of seasonal lawn care—and a key step in keeping your property healthy and beautiful year-round.

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 DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM

November marks both National Pet Cancer Awareness Month and Senior Pet Health Month.  A cancer diagnosis is never easy, but being informed can help families make confident decisions that honor comfort, dignity, and their pet’s best interest.   

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Ashley Lavin, owner of HOMEstretch Services, has built a thriving home improvement business on the foundation of reliability, integrity, and genuine care for her customers. Operating throughout the Fredericksburg to Woodbridge region of Virginia, HOMEstretch Services specializes in painting, flooring, remodeling, light handyman, and clearouts—offering comprehensive solutions for homeowners seeking to transform their living spaces without the stress and uncertainty that often accompanies such projects.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

As a parent, Tammy knows firsthand how starting kindergarten can be both exciting and a little scary—for kids and even for parents. That’s what inspired her latest book, Eric the Colorful Cricket Starts Kindergarten. It follows Eric, a bright and lovable little cricket, on his very first day of school. Through Eric’s eyes, young readers get a fun and reassuring story to help them face their own first-day jitters with confidence.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

When Malanna Henderson's father took her to see Oliver! on Broadway, something transformative happened. "It was mesmerizing," she recalls of that childhood experience that would ultimately shape her life's work. Now, as the founder and artistic director of Somewhere in Time Productions, Henderson is creating opportunities for other storytellers to experience that same theatrical magic—but from the other side of the curtain.