WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

Some families collect postcards or tiny souvenirs from their travels. Not the D'Amico family, though; Michael, Jacquelene, and their three daughters collect adventure stories. And, now, thanks to Jacquelene’s newly published children's book, they're sharing those adventures with young readers across the Fredericksburg area.

WRITTEN BY ABIGAIL NYINAKU

In an era where gun violence has risen at an alarming rate in American schools, one student decided to take a stand. Motivated by the frightening rise in school shootings and a personal desire to ensure that schools remain safe havens, Colonial Forge High School senior Naa Ankrah devoted her research project to a simple but powerful idea: improving communication through a student-crafted school safety protocol pamphlet.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

In a world where families often feel stretched thin and isolated, The Meadow Church offers something increasingly rare: a place where they can be fully supported, both spiritually and practically. Founded by Ebonee Davis, this nonprofit church has grown from a calling that began years before it had a name, evolving from Vaughn's Meadow LLC into an organization that now serves as the spiritual heart of comprehensive family support.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

One of the most impactful updates for a homeowner is new floors! They can transform the atmosphere while adding value and charm. However, the cost of materials and labor can add up quickly. How can you finally afford your flooring upgrade without breaking the bank? Fortunately, beautiful flooring renovations can be executed with careful planning, informed material selection, and knowledgeable installation.

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 MALLORY HARDGROVE

Fredericksburg author Malanna Henderson didn't always take her writing seriously. As a child who devoured Nancy Drew books and stayed awake inventing stories to lull herself to sleep, she viewed writing as a personal hobby—something to entertain herself during lunch breaks at work. But after years of starting and stopping a novel, Henderson made a pivotal decision. "Once I realized how many years I put into it, I decided to give it a real shot," she recalls.

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.