WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

The new year brings new trends in interior colors, textiles, and themes. The easiest and least expensive way to provide a clean and fresh feel in your home is to paint. If your home is due for a "glow up" and you are shopping around for colors and ideas, consider the following.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

Valentine's Day is for love and deepening connections. Understanding how love is communicated and received could revolutionize Valentine’s Day and your relationships! The five love languages, a theory founded by Dr. Gary Chapman in his book The 5 Love Languages, is the idea that people have different ways of expressing and receiving love. When implemented, this can strengthen your relationship with your partner or child and enhance their emotional well-being. Pay attention to how your loved ones show love, or ask how they like to receive love. Use this to identify the following love languages.

WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM

The heart is more than just a symbol of love—it's the essential organ that pumps blood to power the body. February is Heart Month, a perfect time to focus on your pet's heart health. By taking proactive steps, from prevention to early detection, you can help ensure your pet's heart stays strong for years to come.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Since its inception in 2016, Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation has educated and empowered thousands of individuals across Virginia. This nonprofit organization has been on a mission to create a "Culture of Action"— a world where everyone is equipped and confident to save lives in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.

WRITTEN BY ZACH LETHBRIDGE

Whether you’re looking for a complete overhaul, smaller cost-effective changes to improve functionality or simply refreshing certain aspects of your kitchen to improve aesthetics, there are an array of options available to homeowners.  

WRITTEN BY REBECCA CHANDA

As women age, their hormone levels shift, leading to a variety of symptoms that can impact their quality of life. For many, these changes begin in their late 30s and early 40s. Symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and reduced libido can disrupt daily life and overall well-being. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) has gained attention as a solution for alleviating these symptoms. 

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE, PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

In a charming neighborhood in Chancellorsville, Christy Heussner and her husband, Bob, have built a life filled with creativity, family, and community. Their story began decades ago in the professional world.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Club Pilates Stafford, owned by Mitchell and Suzy Thompson, brings accessible, high-quality Pilates to the local community. Opening its doors in July 2023, the studio offers a range of group and private fitness classes incorporating both traditional and modern Pilates equipment. Its mission? To make Joseph Pilates' "contrology" method available to everyone.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE, PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

The Graham family is a portrait of faith, resilience, and ambition, living a life rooted in love and service in Stafford, Virginia. Tempest and Kingsley Graham, along with their three children—Janaria, Ethan, and Eleanora—have built not only a home but a cherished community around them. For the Grahams, Stafford isn’t just where they live; it’s where they thrive.

WRITTEN BY CHERICE TAYLOR

The start of a new calendar year means something different for each of us. For some, it's a chance to say goodbye to a challenging period and move forward. For others, it's an opportunity for a fresh start—time to set new goals and embrace new experiences. Many students are heading into the second semester of school with renewed ambitions, determined to finish strong. Some families are eagerly counting down the days to graduation, while others are considering homeschooling their children.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Founded and led by Patrick Wade, Arbor Tech has earned a reputation for exceptional tree care services. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Wade's journey began in 1998 when, at just 16 years old, he realized his passion for working outdoors. 

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE, PHOTO BY KAREN PRESECAN

For over two decades, Tortica Anderson has epitomized what it means to be a good neighbor, giving back to the Stafford community and blending her entrepreneurial expertise with a passion for service. Tortica balances her roles as a mother, business owner, and community outreach advocate, profoundly impacting those around her. Her story is a prime example of resilience, creativity, and a commitment to improving the world around her—one event, meal, or simple act of kindness at a time.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Diagnosed with ALS in 2020, Jessica "Jessi" Story chose a path of resilience and hope. With her best friend and advocate, Rebecca Church, Jessi launched the Fight ALS for Jess Foundation, a nonprofit that supports families affected by this devastating disease.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

It's January 2025, and like many of us, you are off to a great start with your New Year's resolution. Most resolutions involve something we give up or lose, such as dropping pounds. However, would anyone be daring enough to increase your size this year? Sounds crazy, right? But it's not what you are thinking. No need to panic. It involves something much more beneficial than making gains physically. Dare to make 2025 a year of increasing your size in personal growth. Build yourself this year so you can help build others. What can we improve or build this year that will make a lasting impact?

WRITTEN BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM

As the New Year begins, it’s the perfect time to embrace healthier habits—for yourself and your furry companion. Obesity is a serious health concern for pets, linked to a shorter lifespan and numerous weight-related conditions, including osteoarthritis, diabetes, respiratory issues, high blood pressure, kidney and liver disease, skin infections, and even certain cancers. Overweight pets often have less energy, interact less with their families, and struggle with mobility.

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

Solid hardwood is the embodiment of nature. Forests are captured in a single plank and placed in your home. Drops of water, nutrients from the soil, rays of sunshine, and the essence of the environment seep through. The touch of the grain, the swirl of the knot, the rich hue of the hardwood, and its natural strength, longevity, and affordability over time entice homeowners to consider this natural substance in their homes. 

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Castle Key Realty & Property Management LLC has been a steadfast presence in the Fredericksburg area since 2010, offering expert guidance in buying and selling homes. The company, founded in Maryland by Karen Beall during a challenging period for the real estate market, has flourished by prioritizing personalized service and building trust with clients.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Glenn Rohrabacher, the experienced owner of Local Heating & Air LLC, has been a fixture in the HVAC industry for over 25 years. His company, based in Spotsylvania, serves Fredericksburg, Stafford, and the surrounding areas, providing a full range of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services. With a steadfast commitment to honesty, integrity, and above all, customer satisfaction, Glenn's personalized approach has made Local Heating & Air a trusted name in the community.

WRITTEN BY MALLORY HARDGROVE, PHOTO BY KRISTIN MUSSELMAN

"In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends." These words from John Churton Collins couldn't ring more true for Jessica Story and Rebecca Church. 

WRITTEN BY KARIE OWENS

Christmas is a season of family, friends, joy, and giving. Warm memories of childhood traditions, romantic Hallmark movies, shopping for gifts, and laughter. Who doesn’t covet the warm and cozy bliss we all dream of for this season? It’s the most wonderful time of the year. But for some, the season of joy is a season of sorrow. There are those in our community who are hurting during the holidays. For some, the Christmas dinner table has an empty chair where a loved one used to sit. Someone just found out that they have a life-threatening illness, and this very well could be one of their last Christmas holidays to enjoy. Broken relationships and distance may bring a bittersweet taste to what should be only sweetness. Depression, loneliness, loss, and struggles are real, even during the holidays. How can we help those in our community who are hurting and bring hope during this time of year?