WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

At the heart of the exhibition is a remarkable story of historical detective work by volunteer Steve Morin, whose passion for primary sources led to an extraordinary discovery. While digitizing materials from Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park's bound volume collection, Steve uncovered the diary of Lieutenant Horace Hill, a young officer killed during the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864. But Steve didn't stop at transcription. His curiosity drove him deeper into the story, ultimately leading him to connect the dots and “complete a puzzle.”

WRITTEN BY ADIA SHANEE

January is traditionally known as National Train Your Dog Month, a time when many guardians feel pressure to correct behaviors, sign up for obedience classes, or search for the perfect training program. But as someone who has spent years studying canine behavior through a trauma-informed lens, I offer a gentle but necessary shift:

WRITTEN BY MIKE MCCLANAHAN AND KIRSTIN PURCELL

Fredericksburg is entering 2026 with powerful momentum as the region welcomes the inaugural Live2Lead FXBG event on February 10 at the Fredericksburg Convention Center. This premiere leadership experience, created by John Maxwell Leadership, is set to bring world-class professional development directly to one of Virginia’s most dynamic, growth-minded regions.

WRITTEN BY LIYA ZEWDU

Riverbend High School's fall sports season featured major accomplishments across two programs, highlighted by successful regular seasons, postseason appearances, and growing team cultures.
Riverbend football put together one of its strongest seasons in years, finishing the regular season undefeated at 10-0. The Bears faced two of their biggest rivals, beating both Colonial Forge 41-27 and North Stafford 28-21.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

Originally from Western New York, Andie Ayers has spent the last 20 years writing her story in Fredericksburg—a narrative filled with dedication, reinvention, and an unwavering commitment to bringing people together. And, perhaps fittingly for someone whose life reads like a testament to resilience and connection, her own life has included a few, unexpected plot twists.

WRITTEN BY KIRA POHWALA


For Vildan Soguktas, leadership is a present responsibility, not a future goal. A junior at Mountain View High School in Stafford, Virginia, Vildan is a youth leader working at the intersection of planetary health, brain health, and mental well-being. Through global organizing, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration, she is helping to reframe environmental crises as deeply human challenges that directly shape mental health, equity, and resilience.

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

I am not a spreadsheet expert nor a pivot table professional. I am visual and I like paper lists, paper calendars, and Post-its! The point I’m making is that people/students keep track of things differently and that is okay as long as the system works for you.

WRITTEN BY ANDREA LEONARD

When it comes to keeping your property safe, beautiful, and well-maintained, having a reliable tree service is essential. For homeowners across Virginia, Arbor Tech Tree & Landscaping Service, LLC has become a trusted local partner. Based in Richardsville, this family-operated company has earned a reputation for professionalism, safety, and high-quality tree care.

WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM

I love being a part of this community, both through my integrative practice, Comfort Paws, and as an ER veterinarian at our local emergency clinic. It’s an honor to be that calm face when you walk through our doors worried about your pet.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

Four years ago, Kirstin and Sean Purcell made a decision that would change their family's trajectory. Trading the crowded streets of Northern Virginia for the slower pace of Fredericksburg, they sought something that many young families crave, but few successfully find: a genuine sense of community.

WRITTEN BY ABIGAIL NYINAKU

The holiday season at Colonial Forge High School shines a little brighter this year, thanks to the generosity and teamwork of the National Honor Society. Continuing a cherished tradition of community service, the chapter “adopted” a family in need—coordinating donations of gifts, clothing, and essential items to help ensure a joyful celebration.

WRITTEN BY WILL AND MARIA NEGRON

Hit The Spot Kitchen, we believe that the start of a new year is less about resolutions and more about intentional rhythms—the small habits, flavors, and choices that shape not just our meals, but our mood, our health, and our family connections.

WRITTEN BY MASON LEWIS

A new year is the perfect time to set fresh goals, and, for many homeowners, that includes building a healthier, more beautiful lawn. As spring approaches, now is the ideal moment to plan the services that will prepare your yard for a vibrant growing season. From routine care to long-term upgrades, Lewis Enterprises offers the expert support needed to make 2026 your yard’s best year yet.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

Some love stories begin with a dramatic moment—a chance encounter in a coffee shop or a serendipitous meeting under unlikely circumstances. For Shaunee and Dr. Jerald Lynch, their story started in the most ordinary of places: middle school in 1988, right after a basketball game.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

When considering an update to their flooring, most homeowners sort through a myriad of choices: soft or hard surface, hardwood or LVP, color palettes, finishes, and manufacturers. Less emphasized are the intricate nuances of transitions and their impact on the overall aesthetic of the floor. Transitions can make or break the style and continuity between floors from room to room. Here is what homeowners should know. 

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.