Y O U R G U I D E T O T H E L O C A L G O O D L I F E front porch T H E R E G I O N ' S free C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E Local Good News Since 1997 YEAR 16 • ISSUE 182 • AUGUST 2012 Frontporchfredericksburg.com A Mom’s Pride Alex Mills Onstage 3 Jake’s Southern Exposure 8 Italian Renaissance FXBG Style 9 “Lord Claude” Mary Belle Green 19 Titans of Art Hyperion is 18 12 John D. Holmfeld A Final Giving 24 Mike Skinner Vinyl & Vintage 30 The 10th Stage Are You There? 31 18 Our Heritage... the crhc collection history’s stories.: moncure daniel conway closeups 20 companions: emergency preparedness 21 quiet moments: a half step from 1900 arts of the titans to benefit empower house Pride and Passion 3 Pride & Passion 22 Senior Care: protect seniors from fraud ....an actor’s story 23 wellness: anti-inflammatory diet green remedies 8 master of awe ....jake waltham 25 scene & heard...in the ‘burg! 26 phantom @ riverside dinner theatre an actor’s story 19 belle amie .... Beautiful Friend Mary Belle 27 community link 19 28 fxbg music: matt montoro poetryman Frank fratoe 26 By lyn mills 29 10 ½ won’t do wit & wisdom of rim sophomore year. He won many so impressed by what he saw that he awards while in high school invited our young actor to Crystal City for porch talk 31 the 10 stages of fred including Best Actor in the State his an audition. The audition went well and junior and senior years. he was immediately accepted into the 4 on the porch...life in fredericksburg He attended college where he had Synetic family. Messages a starring role in the fall production He’s been with Synetic now for 5 yoga all over and enjoyed his brief time on the four years, about to start his fifth, and has 6 Days gone by: fxbg postcard collection college stage. However, things had great success. He has garnered several weren’t going as planned. He says of Helen Hayes award nominations including 9 “burgs italian renaissance that time, “I didn’t feel like I lead actor, supporting actor, and ensemble 10 retired on the back porch belonged. I felt like a stranger on and has had several leading roles; namely the campus that I was supposed to Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream (May 11 space magic ...And more! be calling home. I wasn’t loving my 2009), Iago in Othello (June 2010), and him. We have never known anyone more 12 Vino: to be young & fresh college experience and that’s the Romeo in Romeo & Juliet (December in the kitchen with bonnie passionate about pursuing his dream. We 6 Fredcamp: be openhanded reason I chose to move on.” So he 2011). He will be starring as Jekyll and unquestionably give him our support and 13 season s bounty: thin makes the cakes How many 14 year-olds have you made the decision to leave school to follow Hyde in the upcoming fall season at ’ 7 one big historic make-over love. This is not an easy career to pursue, met who knew what their passion was and his passion. Synetic. He is currently performing as 14 15 principles: a roadmap for success but for Alex it’s not a choice—it’s his 24 the late john d. holmfeld...giving again pursued it from that point on? I know one He returned home in the summer John Quincy Adams in Bloody, Bloody contents who did. passion. 15 craft beer month 30 close enough for horseshoes & hand grenades of 2008 and was quickly cast in a local Andrew Jackson at Studio Theatre. He is a local 23 year-old. He is a production that featured his drama coach As you may or may not have 2007 graduate of Massaponax High School 16-17 Calendar of Events from high school and a fellow graduate. guessed by now, this driven, focused, hard- Lyn Mills is a high school business 30 where he excelled in Drama. He attended Cover Photo by Arch Di Peppe As it turns out, a founding member of working, handsome, talented, and teacher and proud mom. The Governor’s School for Performing Synetic Theater from Crystal City, VA, was charming young man is my son, Alex Mills. Arts in Theatre the summer following his in attendance at the performance. He was His Dad and I are so incredibly proud of 311 William Street 540-3371-22727 www.lapetiteaubergefred.com Open for Lunch & Dinner Mon - Sat 2 August 2012 Front porch fredericksburg front porch fredericksburg August 2012 3 ON THE PORCH YOGA ALL OVER Rob Grogan Editor Photographer “this sense of stillness and peace” Archer Di Peppe begin again Contributing Writers & Artists “You never know the impact you Ayles taught us leadership. No SOL’s. No by steve watkinsi A.E.Bayne Megan Byrnes have on a child.” Every year at this time, ‘No Child Left Behind’. Yes to music Ana Brigos Joshua Camelli while parents are shuffling their children classes, 3D projects, and Phys-Ed everyday. When I first came to convenient for downtown folks before or fairly advanced, even relative Collette Caprara Ashliegh Chevalier off to Target, Old Navy and Comfort Shoes High school was so different; Fredericksburg 22 years ago, the only after work. So when Paul Cymrot beginners are welcome and should be Bonnie De Lelys William Colligan ahead of the new school year, teachers are Christian and all male. Two teachers stick yoga in town was taught by Ren Fields in mentioned some available space in his able to keep up, and benefit, as long as Arch Di Peppe Frank Fratoe prepping for the academic and social out – Brother James Farrell, who explained what was then the Unitarian Universalist Read All Over Bookstore at 307 William, I they’re mindful of necessary JoAnna Cassidy Farrell Joe Gherlone rigors of a new crop of kids and classes. At how Genesis and Darwin do not conflict Church, and is now Eileen’s Bakery and jumped at the opportunity to add some modifications, and occasional breaks William Garnett Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks various points during the year, those same with each other; and Brother Andrew, who Cafe, on Caroline near the library. They more classes. in Extended Child Pose. Mike Jones Karl Karch parents will communicate with those same encouraged me to become a writer. had to clear out the chairs from Sunday For now, we’re doing a Family Yoga for me has become Heidi Reszie Lewis Lyn Mills teachers, and all year long parents and College memories include Professor Service to make room for yoga mats. And Yoga session at Read All Over on Tuesday something more than a daily practice, Jo Middleton Vanessa Moncure teachers will be communicating with the Cornelius McCarthy and Judge Raymond not everybody had mats back then, either. evenings at 7 in the back room on the first certainly more than a physical Amy Pearce Mary Lynn Powers children. It isn’t easy – for any of them — Novak engraving my mushy skull with Some used towels. floor. (Don’t be put off by the ghost; he workout — though it’s that, too. Regina Price Susan Carter Morgan child, parent, student or teacher. But it is lessons about “doing what you know and Ren now has a beautiful studio seems to like yoga a lot, and he definitely Yoga’s a lifestyle, and a mindset, and a Paula Rose Wendy Schmitz essential and the outcomes matter. love” and “not taking kindness as over in the old hospital building at 2400 likes young people.) This past Tuesday, 25 spiritual path for me and millions of Emily Taggert Schricker Looking back, I recall that weakness”. Judge Novak taught “juvenile Fall Hill for her Fredericksburg Healing of us — 10 kids, 15 adults — gathered for others. I love the physical benefits of Sara Mattingly Matt Thomas “impact” both ways as though it were justice”. I met up with him again – in Arts & Yoga. And seemingly every gym an introductory vinyasa/flow yoga class. yoga: the strength it gives me, and the Rebecca Thomas Christine Thompson yesterday. Since studies have shown that family court – at a hearing of one of the and certainly every YMCA offers yoga Highlights of the evening: Everybody in a flexibility, especially now that I’m well face, James was a true peer leader – in a Rim Vining Steve Watkins young children retain negative experiences juveniles I taught. Ray Novak had always classes. With dozens of yoga teachers in big rocking, roaring Lion pose. And, of north of 50. But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell negative way. He was also blind to his more clearly than positive ones, it is given this repeat offender a break in hopes the area, I’d say Fredericksburg’s even course, savasana, the corpse pose. you that it’s this sense of stillness and Steve Watkins is a professor emeritus of potential within. Our nine months important how we adults approach the of his potential. Not this time. Not after becoming something of a yoga Mecca. Friday mornings at 9, I teach an peace I get through my practice that is the English at the UMW and author of together were mentally draining, and several award-winning books, including Front Porch Fredericksburg is a new school year. It’s a fresh start, and as stealing a car.