WRITTEN BY GINGER WALKER

Ask most homeowners when to list their house, and you'll hear the same answer: spring. It's a deeply held belief that March through May is the golden window, and anything after that is a mistake. But if you're a Stafford County homeowner waiting for "next spring," you may be missing the strongest opportunity of the year. The truth is, late summer is one of the best times to sell, and the data, along with years of local experience, backs it up.

WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE COX

As your child explores, chooses, and creates, confidence begins to take root. They discover that their ideas matter, that challenges can be worked through, and that they are capable of figuring things out. This is a place where independence is nurtured, creativity feels easy and open-ended, and every child leaves feeling more sure of themselves than when they arrived.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.