Town Talk

Xander Hernandez and Lisa Dunnivan talk about fostering future service dogs with Leashes of Valor, sharing how the program works, the training involved, and the impact these dogs have on veterans—Xander from personal experience and Lisa through fostering about eight dogs—while encouraging others to consider opening their homes to help.  leashesofvalor.org

Cornelia Rutherford, Fox Mealo Cornell, and Carmon Cornell preview the 2026 Ren Faire at the Lake Anna Winery, running May 9 through June 7, and discuss the need for volunteers—especially during current weekend set-up—while highlighting the Faire’s strong sense of community and its focus on education and family-friendly experiences.  varf.org

Patrick A'Hearn, CEO and Producing Artistic Director of the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, talks about the theater’s current production of Little Women: The Broadway Musical, running through April 26, previews upcoming shows Guys and Dolls and The Mousetrap, and discusses how Riverside continues to build its reputation as a strong and growing presence in the acting community.

Danae Peckler of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation discusses the work of historic preservation in Fredericksburg and the challenges that come with maintaining older structures in a growing community. She also talks about the role preservation plays in supporting the local economy and why she would like to see an economic impact study to better measure that contribution.  hffi.org

As Curry Roberts prepares to retire as president of the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance at the University of Mary Washington, he reflects on a career in public service and economic development. He discusses his time in state government. The conversation also covers major regional projects, including data center growth, a proposed medical school, and efforts to rebrand the Fredericksburg area. Looking ahead, Roberts shares what’s next—from potential consulting work to fishing to Virginia Tech athletics.

Annie Brulatour, Salem Church Librarian, and Darcie Caswell, Director of Youth Services, highlight the importance of early literacy for young children. They say building reading skills early helps kids succeed as they grow and into adulthood. The conversation also features Grow A Reader programs and “Library of Things” kits--offering hands-on activities families can check out to support developing readers.  librarypoint.org

Mark Travis, Long-Term Care Supervisor, and Amy Swift, Social Services Director, talk about why Long-Term Care services are so important for families in Spotsylvania County. They say these programs help older adults and people with disabilities stay safe, supported, and as independent as possible in their own homes. The discussion also takes a closer look at why Long-Term Care matters locally and clears up some common misconceptions about who qualifies and how the services are used.

Dave Muraca and Allison Ellis highlight upcoming events at Kenmore and Ferry Farm. These include 18th Century Game Night on March 20, Colonial Faire on April 4, and the Virginia 250 event “Drums Along the Rappahannock” on April 25. For more details, visit Kenmore.org.

Associate Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement Mark Thaden and Executive Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando preview Mary Wash Day, a high-energy 24-hour giving event running from March 25 at noon to March 26 at noon. The event highlights the power of participation, with challenges and matching gifts designed to multiply donations and unlock even more support for the University of Mary Washington. They also look ahead to Reunion Weekend (May 29–31) and the 100th anniversary of the beloved Devil-Goat Day celebration.

After helping preserve and interpret the region’s Colonial past, Executive Director Anne Darron is preparing to retire in April. The Mary Washington graduate reflects on her career in historic preservation, the importance of protecting local landmarks, and the power of museums to tell the stories that help shape the community.  washingtonheritagemuseums.org