Snake Season: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know
WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM
If you've ever walked a trail along the Rappahannock or let your dog off-leash in a brushy backyard here in the Fredericksburg area, you've likely shared that space with a copperhead without knowing it. July marks the peak of copperhead activity in our region, and because these snakes are masters of camouflage, encounters often happen in an instant. Rather than letting that knowledge keep you indoors, a little preparation goes a long way.
Research Study: Local Graduate Highlights the Need for Gender Equity in Sports Science
WRITTEN BY ABIGAIL NYINAKU
Ava Pendley, a Colonial Forge graduate in the class of 2026, transformed her personal experiences as a runner into meaningful research on female injuries in running sports. Her research, developed during her junior and senior years as a Commonwealth Governor’s School student, reflects her academic curiosity and lived experience, offering insight into how biological differences shape athletic performance and recovery.
Freedom to Learn: Building Independence Through Everyday Skills
WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR
Summer is often thought of as a break from learning — but for parents, it may be one of the most powerful teaching seasons of the year. With schedules loosened and more time at home, July is the perfect moment to step back and ask: Are we giving our children room to grow?
Rooted in Something Real: The Story of the Blais Family
WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE
PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN
Some people stumble into love. Jason and Aubry Blais stumbled into it, surrounded by dirt, gravel, and the sound of boots on a barn floor.
They met in 2016. When it came time to marry, there was only one place that felt right: Highland Barn. It's a rustic venue tucked into the Stafford countryside—the couple now owns and runs it together. On their April 2020 wedding day, the barn floor was still raw earth. It was unpolished and completely perfect—a fitting beginning for a couple who have always valued what's real over what's merely refined.
Commonwealth Piano Services: Keeping the Music Playing in Stafford
WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE
Commonwealth Piano Services offers a full range of piano care, including tuning, on-site repairs, regulating, voicing, inspections and diagnostics, Piano Life Saver installations, and cleaning. Honig has also been developing educational resources on his website to help pianists better understand their instruments. "I've started to add some educational resources to my website to help pianists better understand and care for their instrument," he says, "which I'm really excited about."
Where the Stage Belongs to Everyone: The Story of STEP VA
WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE
In performing arts, people with disabilities often face daunting barriers that include sensory overload, limited access, and few accommodations. Jan Monroe and her co-founders saw these not as obstacles, but as opportunities. In 2013, they created STEP VA, an organization promising "Sensory + Theatre = Endless Possibilities."
Buy Once, Buy Right: How to Choose Flooring That Stands the Test of Time
WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS
When it comes to flooring, that couldn’t be more true. Floors are one of the hardest-working surfaces in your home, quietly enduring foot traffic, furniture, spills, pets, and the general chaos of everyday life. Choosing the right floor from the start isn’t just a design decision, it’s a long-term investment in your home.
Built From the Inside Out: The Story of Maggie McIntyre
WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE
PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN
Sometimes, the life you've built no longer matches who you've become. For Maggie McIntyre, this shift was gradual. A marriage ended. Her career wound down. All the while, a neglected calling grew louder. Change happened through intentional choices made over time. Each decision was built on the last until Maggie eventually found where she was meant to be.
Student Athletes Reflect on Another Successful Year
WRITTEN BY KIRA POHWALA
As the school year comes to a close, student-athletes across Mountain View High School are reflecting on months of hard work, competition, and unforgettable memories. From early-morning practices to long meets and matches after school, athletes in every sport have spent the year balancing academics with their dedication to their teams. Now, with summer just around the corner, many are looking back proudly on everything they accomplished together.
Protect Your Hair from Summer Elements
WRITTEN BY KAT HALSTEAD
Summer is almost here, and I know I’m just as excited about the sun, pool, and all the outdoor activities as the next person; however, overexposure to the elements without proper protection can leave hair susceptible to environmental assault. Let’s talk about how things like the sun and chlorine can affect hair the way bleach does.
Beat the Heat: Home Performance Tips
WRITTEN BY DAN BOMAR
Home comfort isn’t something that stays the same all year long. As the seasons change, the demands placed on a home change as well. What keeps a home warm and efficient in winter may not accurately match the challenges that arrive with spring and early summer. At Comfenergy, we view home performance as an ongoing process—one that adapts throughout the year to create a healthier, more comfortable living environment in every season.
The Biscuit Lady: How Jessica Wilkins Built a Life Seasoned with Grit, Grace, and Family
WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE
PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN
There's a trailer people around Lake Anna recognize. They see it on the road, parked at an event, or at a local gathering. They know: the Biscuit Lady is here. For Jessica Wilkins, 36, that nickname is more than a fun local legend. It's a testament to relentless work, a deep love of food, and determination that never clocks out.
Beyond Medals: Riverbend Track Athletes Chase Life Lessons
WRITTEN BY LIYA ZEWDU
For track athletes at Riverbend High School, outdoor is more than running laps and competing in meets. The sport they compete in demands mental toughness, consistency, and dedication. There are lessons that many athletes carry beyond the track itself.
Kids Corner: Inspired Art Project from the Book A Stick is an Excellent Thing By Marylin Singer
WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE COX
June is a perfect time to create art outside and a stick is an excellent thing to use to create art. You can use it to make all kinds of art. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Is Organic Lawn Care Right for You?
WRITTEN BY Aaron Johnson
Organic lawn care offers a compelling alternative — one rooted in the same principles that sustained agriculture for most of human history. Like any approach, it comes with real benefits and honest trade-offs worth understanding before you make the switch.
Uplifting Communities, One Property at a Time: Meet the Owners of GEM Realty
WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE
When Stephanie Michael co-founded GEM Realty with her husband Glen, she had a vision that went far beyond buying and selling homes. With more than 15 years in real estate and property management, Stephanie has built a locally owned company serving Fredericksburg and the surrounding communities– and one that’s grounded in something larger than transactions.
A Place at the Table: How the Hackman Family Turns Grief into Welcome
WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE
PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN
On a quiet street in Stafford, Virginia, the Hackman home has a way of drawing people in. There's Shadow, a five-year-old Black Pyradoodle who greets everyone with a gentle tail wag. There's the smell of something delicious coming from the kitchen. And this year, there's Feras Abdalla, a 17-year-old from Israel, navigating American high school life with the kind of curiosity and adaptability that makes Jeff and Louise Hackman beam with quiet pride.
Parents Education Corner: What’s the Summer Academic Plan?
WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR
Summer is finally on the horizon. I remember sometimes being almost more excited about school being out for the summer than the kids. The day-to-day routine was finally getting a break, which meant we were getting one, too. The before- or after-school obligations were on pause for some of us and ramped up for others.
The Invisible Essentials: Keeping Your Pet Safe This June
WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM
Every summer, I see the same pattern. A family comes in shaken after their dog slipped out during a backyard cookout or collapsed on what seemed like a perfectly pleasant afternoon walk. These emergencies are rarely dramatic at first. More often, they start with quiet risks that are easy to miss in the middle of an otherwise happy summer day.
“School’s Out!”: Valuable Ways for Students to Spend the Summer Break Season
WRITTEN BY ABIGAIL NYINAKU
As the summer months commence, high school students have a range of opportunities to consider, from camps and jobs to internships and volunteer programs. For students hoping to stay active, gain experience, or strengthen their college and scholarship applications, now is the time to start looking. Many of the most desirable programs fill up quickly and have early deadlines, so planning ahead is essential!