Town Talk

“Age is just a number.” Joni Briganti of Spotsylvania is a dedicated coach and accomplished athlete. As a member of Team USA, she’s set to compete in the Triathlon World Championships this October in Australia. Joni shares her coaching philosophy: Encourage. Inspire. Ignite.

The Hatch Act, which limits political activity by federal employees, is an issue in the Fredericksburg City Council races. Councilwoman Susanna Finn says she remains a candidate. Other topics include data centers, historic preservation, and the challenges facing local government.

Caitlin Glauser, Amy Godkin, and Victoria Levi talk about the impact of the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, which provides support to children and families facing pediatric cancer. ASK has expanded its programs across Virginia, including a significant increase in services available in Fredericksburg. ASK offers emotional, educational, and financial support to families during their cancer journey, making sure no child or parent faces it alone. Join ASK for a fundraising golf tournament this September at Lee’s Hill Golf Club. askccf.org or golf4ask.org

Jason Tickle with Central Rappahannock River Habitat for Humanity says construction on nine new homes in Ladysmith is set to begin soon. We talk about their new strategic plan that includes projects across in Westmoreland, Essex, King and Queen, and Richmond counties. Tickle says you play a critical role in affordable housing as a volunteer and donor. For more information or to get involved, visit crrhfh.org.

Ensuring that stories from around the area are collected, protected and shared. The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving local history. Roger Lawson, Billy Withers and Florence Barnick talk about the center’s work at 900 Barton Street in the gym of the old Maury School. The center, run entirely by volunteers, offers access to archival materials and supports local research efforts. crhcarchives.org

The Sound of Music at Riverside August 20th thru October 26th. Riverside's Patrick A'Hearn joined by Tim Rogan (Captain Von Trapp) and Sarah Mae Anderson (Maria). riversidedt.com

Executive Director Anne Darron highlights expanded education programs for both students and teachers. New this year are Group Garden Tours, offering a fresh way to explore the historic Mary Washington House and Hugh Mercer Apothecary gardens. Darron also provides updates on recent graffiti at the Mary Washington Monument, previews the Bourbon and Boxwood fundraiser coming in October, and invites individuals and groups to get involved through volunteer opportunities. washingtonheritagemuseums.org.

Mayo Carter and Danae Peckler preview Victory and Valor: World War II 80th Anniversary, a two-day commemorative event celebrating the legacy of the Greatest Generation. On Friday night, guests can step back in time at a lively USO Dance held at the historic former USO Club—now the Dorothy Hart Community Center on Canal Street—with period music, dancing, and vintage attire encouraged. Saturday’s events include a community blood drive and an open house featuring exhibits and stories from the World War II era. hffi.org

Inform Fredericksburg advocates for transparency in city government. Matt Kelly and Rick Pullen discuss the professional development travel expenditures of School Board members Jarvis Bailey and Malvina Kay--questioning value to taxpayers. Also a discussion on endorsed city council elections.

President and CEO Sam McKelvey and Curator of Collections Kylie Thomson preview upcoming events including At Home Archivists and Escape the Museum. We talk about donating items and the FXBG History Archive--fxbghistoryarchive.org The museum is free and open to the public seven days a week this summer, offering fun and educational programs for all ages. Did you know you can also become a museum member and support local history? Membership offers special perks while helping the museum grow its community impact. famva.org

Terry Rensel and Tim Talbott of the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust highlight the recent purchase of a crucial seven-acre tract along Brock Road and preview their annual fall conference, happening September 12–14. cvbt.org

Terry Rensel and Tim Talbott of the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust highlight the recent purchase of a crucial seven-acre tract along Brock Road and preview their annual fall conference, happening September 12–14. cvbt.org

Sgt. Steven Curtis of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and Juanita Shanks of FailSafe-ERA preview Sounding the Alarm, a special event happening this Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM at Hope Aglow Empowerment Church in Olde Greenwich. This event is part of an ongoing effort to support that community. Sgt. Curtis says what the area needs most are people willing to give their time and businesses ready to invest in playgrounds and recreation centers to create safer, more supportive environments for youth. failsafe-era.org

Dave the Computer Guy with Techs in the Burg on Lafayette Blvd. shares tips for fixing your Wi-Fi, getting ready for the end of Windows 10 (October 14th), and knowing when a VPN helps.

Collection Development and Discovery Manager-Youth Specialist- Joe Prince and Fredericksburg Assistant Branch Manager and Adult Services Department Head Erin Creighton. Ever wondered how the library picks its books? Summer reading is winding down. Spotsylvania branches will soon have extended hours. The Library of Things continues to grow. librarypoint.org

Kelsey Bracewell, Director of Education, Insurance, and Membership at the American Canoe Association (ACA), with insights on Smart Start for Safe Paddling, a safety-focused resource she helped compile. The booklet is designed to introduce paddlers of all levels to essential safety practices. It’s part of a broader educational toolkit that also includes a student workbook and a facilitator's guide. She says it's a valuable resource for instructors, schools, camps, and clubs. The material is organized around four key areas: Smart Gear – What to wear and bring for safety and comfort. Smart Plan – Preparing for your trip with weather checks, float plans, and more. Smart Decisions – Making sound choices on and off the water. Smart Skills – The paddling techniques and rescue basics every paddler should know. You can learn more or access the resources at americancanoe.org.

Edie Evans with Rappahannock Area CASA—Court Appointed Special Advocates—tells how they support vulnerable children across the region. CASA volunteers work with children in the court system to ensure their voices are heard and their best interests represented. The next volunteer training begins August 25. The deadline to sign up is August 11. More information at rappahannockcasa.com. Vic Culp talks about The Downtown Mile on September 6—a one-mile race in downtown Fredericksburg. The race is a major fundraiser for CASA. Registration and details at runfarc.com.

Megan Samples and Sam Shoukas preview the Point in Time Count on July 24 — a key effort to assess homelessness in the region, done every January and every other summer. They also spotlight the Regional Housing Summit on Oct. 16 at the Fredericksburg Convention Center — bringing together leaders to tackle housing challenges. Info: gwregion.org Also a look at the System Gaps Analysis, highlighting unmet needs in the region’s homelessness response.

Kathleen Daley-Becker and Von Young preview this year’s Fur Ball, taking place August 23rd at the Fredericksburg Convention Center! It’s the biggest night of the year for animal lovers—and a critical fundraiser supporting the lifesaving work of the Fredericksburg SPCA. Get your tickets before August 8th. We also shared updates on six dogs and cats who were rescued from the Texas floods. However, there’s been a recent outbreak of Panleukopenia—a dangerous virus affecting cats. (It’s the “P” in the FVRCP vaccine!) We discussed what this illness is, how it spreads, and what steps the SPCA is taking to protect feline lives going forward. Plus, a reminder: hot weather poses serious risks for pets. Never leave them in cars, and keep water and shade accessible at all times. fredspca.org