WRITTEN BY ADIA SHANEE

Last month, we explored why dog education requires unlearning the idea that obedience equals confidence and that control equals safety. Now we’re seeing why that matters. As the weather shifts, I hear the same concern: “My dog was doing fine… and now they’re reacting to everything.” Pulling increases. Barking escalates. Walks feel tense instead of peaceful.

WRITTEN BY LIYA ZEWDU

Black History Month is more than decorations in the hallway or themed spirit days. It’s about recognizing, learning, and celebrating the history of those who fought for our rights and made a huge impact on our lives today. Here at Riverbend, the Black Student Union plays a major role in making sure that impact is remembered, honored, and shared throughout the school community.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

For nearly four decades, Burke & Burke Insurance has been safeguarding what matters most to families and businesses across Virginia. Founded in 1985, this family-owned and operated agency has built its reputation on personalized service, deep expertise, and a genuine commitment to client education.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

When the Delcid family, comprised of Mercedees, Edvin, and their children, moved to Fredericksburg in 2020, they weren't just seeking a fresh start, they were planting the seeds for something far more ambitious: a multi-generational, multi-household family compound built on faith, shared values, and an unwavering commitment to raising their children together.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

In a cozy Stafford home with a backyard garden dotted with whimsical gnome figurines, local author Mora Soan has found inspiration for a children's book series that's capturing young imaginations across the region—and encouraging them to try new things!

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

The transition from "March Madness" to summer break happens in a flash. Now is the ideal time to secure engaging opportunities for your children. Whether you are looking for local spring break activities  or full-summer enrichment, here are the top local resources for families in Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania.

WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM

As March arrives in Virginia, there is a familiar shift in the air. The days stretch a little longer, the sun feels warmer, and our pets often sense it before we do. Dogs linger at the back door; cats seek out the warmest windowsills. Suddenly, everyone seems ready to shake off winter and get moving. But while the Virginia spring arrives quickly, our pets’ bodies often lag behind.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

Sarah and Steve's story began in 2008 at a Super Bowl party during Steve's first tour at Quantico. "The Giants and the Patriots were playing, and it was when the Giants won and ruined the Patriots’ perfect season," Sarah recalls. But it was a July 4th baseball game at the Richmond Squirrels that sealed their fate. Deciding to leave a marriage proposal to chance, they proposed something more fun: they agreed to get married if they caught a foul ball during the game.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

Inviting a flooring company into your home is more than choosing a product. It’s about trusting a team to guide you through a transformation. At NK Floors, we believe a successful flooring upgrade begins with education, personal attention, and a commitment to quality at every step. From the first measurement to the final walkthrough, our goal is to deliver a seamless, first-class experience that exceeds expectations.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

When Anne Little and her husband Carl moved to Fredericksburg in 2002, they noticed something missing from the playground behind their house: trees. Children were forced to play on scorching hot slides under the blazing summer sun with no shade in sight. That simple observation sparked a 17-year mission to restore Fredericksburg's urban landscape, one tree at a time.

WRITTEN BY KIRA POHWALA

February isn’t just about Valentine’s Day. It’s also International Boost Self-Esteem Month, a meaningful moment in the school calendar to focus on confidence, resilience, and kindness towards ourselves and others. In the midst of winter’s routine and academic pressure, this month reminds students that self-worth matters just as much as grades, sports, or weekend plans.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

The couple, Michelle and Saeed Riddick, still remember that fateful day on the subway, where Michelle had "her discman playing and a book in her hands” after a day of errands and shopping. Saeed Riddick was heading home from work when their eyes met. "Something about her presence drew me in," Saeed recalls, and he started a conversation that neither of them could have imagined would change their lives forever. "That chance meeting turned into dates, laughter, and a love that only grew stronger with time," Michelle adds.

WRITTEN BY KAT HALSTEAD

How you feel about how you look affects how you feel about yourself. When your hair looks good, you feel more confident in social settings, more comfortable in photos, and more like the person you want to be. It's not shallow. It's not vain. It's self-care.
And the new year is the perfect time to reinvent yourself and try something new.  Maybe it's that bold color or cut you've been pinning on Instagram, the product you've been eyeing for months, or finally addressing growth concerns or styling struggles that have been frustrating you. Whatever it is, now is your moment.

WRITTEN BY BRIAN BECK

Picking the right contractor for your remodel can be daunting. Many start by looking for the lowest price or fastest start date; however, there is another aspect to consider: How well does your contractor communicate with you during the pre-construction phase?  This is the period when you and the contractor will develop your project plans, agree on your budget, and finalize all project details. While the pre-construction phase may feel uneventful, it is where many of the problems that occur during construction are avoided or identified and resolved.

WRITTEN BY LIYA ZEWDU

Riverbend High School is collaborating with Mary Washington Healthcare to support students who have experienced the loss of a loved one. They are introducing and launching a
peer-support grief group designed to help students better understand their emotions, develop healthy and efficient coping mechanisms and skills, and connect with others who are going through similar experiences. School counselors such as Veronica Powell emphasized that this opportunity is not therapy; it’s instead a guided support group focused on both understanding and processing grief.

WRITTEN BY ADIA SHANEE

February is recognized as Dog Education Month — a time meant to encourage learning, growth, and better understanding between dogs and the people who care for them. But here’s the reality many guardians are quietly discovering: we don’t lack dog education. We have a surplus of incomplete and outdated information. For decades, dog education has focused almost entirely on control. Sit. Stay. Heel. Don’t pull. Don’t bark. Don’t react. Behave.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

In the peaceful community of Fawn Lake, Gary and Toni Woods have found something more valuable than all the beautiful places they’ve lived throughout their 57-year marriage: proximity to family. After decades of moves—from San Francisco to San Diego, Hawaii to Hilton Head Island—the couple made their most meaningful relocation, or “permanent change in station (PCS),” in 2024, settling just minutes from their son, Peter; daughter-in-law, Lyndsay; and grandsons, Matty and Tyler.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

In a world where healthcare can feel impersonal, One Orthodontics stands apart as a locally owned practice built on relationships, expertise, and a shared dream that began on the first day of dental school.

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

We love our children and want the best for them, but sometimes we struggle to find the right balance—doing too much or not enough. Consider the first-grade homework signed in perfect, blue-ink penmanship, or the high school athlete who wouldn’t do extra credit to pass a class. These real-life examples show how well-meaning actions can inadvertently impede a child's growth.

WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM

Your dog yelps while playing in the yard and comes up lame, or your cat suddenly stops jumping on the bed. You head to your family veterinarian, who performs the vital “detective work.” They conduct an exam, take X-rays, and run bloodwork to ensure your pet is healthy. You leave with a diagnosis—like a "torn ligament" (CCL) or a "slipped disk" (IVDD)—and a bottle of pain medication. Perhaps you are even referred to a specialist for surgery.