WRITTEN BY LIZ HENSEL, PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

Leashes of Valor is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded by Marine Corps Captain Jason Hagg. Jason served for 13 years in the Marine Corps before being medically retired, after being injured in Afghanistan. This was not his first injury. He had been injured before and in true Marine fashion, he kept going until in his words, “I zigged instead of zagged.”

WRITTEN BY LIZ HENSEL

Michelle is a franchise owner who has been the owner of Wine & Design of Fredericksburg for the past 9 years. It was a bittersweet serendipitous moment that led her to open her own franchise. The closest Wine & Design to her at the time was in Richmond. Her friends were all going, and she was supposed to go too, except that the theme was Paint Your Pet. Michelle had just rehomed her dog, and it was just too sad to attend.

WRITTEN BY SHUNAKA WHITE

As our neighborhoods steadily grow with new construction, the median age of houses in our county is 23 years old. Homes purchased when our families were younger, activity levels higher, health at its peak, change as we change. Change as we age. The friendly communities and multi-level homes that welcomed us on moving day may not serve us as life happens and our needs, abilities evolve.

WRITTEN BY BRITTANY JACQUES

Brittany Jacques is the pen name used of this husband-and-wife team who came together to compile some of the best vodka cocktails. Originally from Florida, they put these recipes to use once they realized what “95 Traffic” meant.

With school out, friends are coming into town to celebrate the holidays, and the grill ready! Here are some recipes to include in your next get-together!

WRITTEN BY SAM DE JAGER

Travel, sojourn, expedition, trek, excursion, odyssey - just some of the many words for travel. Do you love to travel or does the thought of travel stress you out? (We can talk about that another time…) What are the benefits of travel? There are some obvious benefits while others may be less apparent. Travel is one of the best ways to relax & unwind, whether it’s a long weekend just hours from home or an exotic expedition on another continent. We lead such stressful lives and travel is a great way to reduce stress and improve our health, allowing us to live in the moment and appreciate life.

WRITTEN BY LIZ HENSEL, PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

Heather and Dan Kampans both attended North Stafford High School, yet their paths wouldn’t cross until 18 years later. Both were rebuilding their lives post-divorce when Dan reached out to Heather online. Being coy, Dan has asked Heather a question he clearly knew the answer to. However, it didn’t click for Heather until two weeks later, that he wanted to continue their conversation.

Still healing from a divorce, Heather chose the least romantic setting for their first date. She had zero thoughts of re-marrying at this point. Life had other plans.

WRITTEN BY AUBRY BLAIS, THISTLE MEDICAL SKINCARE STUDIO, PHOTO BY BONNIE TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Thistle Medical Skincare Studio is a boutique medical spa located in Stafford, Virginia and is the home of your skin experts in medical facial aesthetics and skincare. Our team of aesthetic professionals strive to be your “beauty best friends” where we believe in a no-pressure approach to skin care that’s attainable for everyone!

WRITTEN BY AUBRY BLAIS, THISTLE MEDICAL SKINCARE STUDIO, PHOTO BY BONNIE TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Thistle Medical Skincare Studio is a boutique medical spa located in Stafford, Virginia started in May of 2018 and is the home of your skin experts in medical facial aesthetics and skincare. Our team of aesthetic professionals strive to be your “beauty best friends” (as a client had once mentioned) where we believe in a no-pressure approach to skin care that’s attainable for everyone!

WRITTEN BY DAVID STEWART, DOMINION SEPTIC, INC.

Maintaining a healthy septic system isn’t always top of mind for homeowners—but it should be. While it’s no fun paying fees for regular septic system maintenance every few years, the alternative is far worse. Replacing or repairing a malfunctioning septic system starts in the thousands of dollars and goes up from there.

WRITTEN BY DAVID STEWART, DOMINION SEPTIC, INC., PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

For more than 15 years, David Stewart has been a trusted resource for septic system needs throughout Stafford County. His expertise in designing and inspecting these critical aspects of everyday life has been a huge asset to the community he serves. From his background in working for local government and consulting to now running successful businesses, David understands what it takes to deliver exceptional work you can rely on.

WRITTEN BY MICAH CUNNINGHAM, JMS CONSTRUCTION

The signs telling you to replace your windows are obvious, right? Not always! There are several warning signs that can go unnoticed to the untrained eye. If you are unsure whether you should replace your windows or not, look for and evaluate the following:

WRITTEN BY MICAH CUNNINGHAM, JMS CONSTRUCTION

Here is a list of a few things you should know and consider when looking to hire a contractor for a project at your home.

WRITTEN BY DORI STEWART, PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

Homeowners and business owners in the Fredericksburg area know that when they’re in need of renovations or repairs, JMS Construction can be there to provide top-quality service quickly and affordably. They’ve been a trusted name in the community since 2018, and there’s a reason they’ve been so successful. They consistently produce high-quality work that impresses their clients, and they clearly enjoy what they do.

WRITTEN BY LIZ HENSEL

Stafford Marketplace will be the new home for Club Pilates Stafford. Pilates is a form of strength training but doesn't use traditional strength training exercises. The workout emphasizes improving muscle tone rather than building muscles, producing greater stability and endurance. Rather than bulking you up, Pilates is designed to cultivate a longer, leaner look. It leads to greater flexibility, functional movement, and may even reduce your likelihood of injury.

WRITTEN BY KAREN PRESECAN

In a few weeks your social feeds will be filled with joyful images from proud parents of graduating seniors. If your senior is graduating, don't forget to get in the picture! My son graduated with the class of 2022, and I was so caught up in the emotion and joy of the day that I didn't have anyone get an image of the four of us together on that day. I'm a photographer by profession, how could I miss that? Because I'm a mom first. That day was all about him, and it was easy for me to drop the ball on those family images. It happens to us all, but this is a reminder to take a moment that day.

WRITTEN BY DORI STEWART

For more than 15 years, Karen Presecan has been using her creative eye and passion for photography to deliver images that truly stand out. Throughout her career, Karen has been capturing memories for families, seniors, pets, businesses, dance studios, and schools. She has a unique talent for bringing out the best in her subjects and capturing their personalities in a way that is both natural and timeless.

WRITTEN BY RAPPAHANNOCK ORTHODONTICS

If you are considering starting your journey towards a healthy, beautiful smile you may want to pay a visit to the friendly team at Rappahannock Orthodontics in Stafford. The moment you walk through the door you will know your future smile is in good hands. Dr. Caspersen and his team can deliver customized care to address each patient’s unique orthodontic needs.

WRITTEN BY DORI STEWART

When Fredericksburg seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia are ready to move into an assisted living home for more comfort, care, and relaxation, they may not know where to look. This is a huge decision, and they (and their families) want to make sure they find the perfect fit. They want a new home that lets them live out their lives with dignity, community, and security.

WRITTEN BY LIZ HENSEL

Yard work seems like the never-ending task on any family’s honey-do list. Regardless of the season, there is always work to do to maintain a picturesque landscape. Lewis Enterprises, LLC is here to take away the stress of keeping your yard beautiful all year ‘round.

WRITTEN BY DORI STEWART

Where do you turn when you’re looking for a hardworking team of flooring experts in Stafford? Well, if you’re like many locals, you call up Pacheco’s Hardwood Floor, a name that’s familiar to many Northern Virginia homeowners, and a name that calls to mind high-quality craftsmanship and excellent service.