On the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, we attended the fifteenth annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, honoring fallen American soldiers. A luminary bag with candle is lit for every soldier interred in the cemetery, for a total of 15,300 flickering lights. The idea for this memorial event started with area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and it’s the scouts who set up the bags, place the small American flags, and light the thousands of candles before dusk. I remember the days when my kids were scouts and we helped set up the site, and I’ve driven past the cemetery on the night of the luminaria before. But this was our first time walking the grounds as darkness fell. Taps are played every half hour, and despite the crowds, a respectful quiet was maintained throughout the cemetery. We avoided the large group tours that were being conducted, and found quieter areas to walk. After the usual cookouts and start-of-summer activities, the luminaria is a moving, peaceful way to commemmorate the day.

Scouts keep the candles lit:

Darkness starts to fall:

A lone Marine bugler plays Taps:

On the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, we attended the fifteenth annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, honoring fallen American soldiers. A luminary bag with candle is lit for every soldier interred in the cemetery, for a total of…

Buster Keaton was no slouch. As an artist, he knew comedy. As a filmmaker he knew what every independent filmmaker knows for sure: there is a lot you just have to do yourself. Writer, director, actor, and stunt man may be just a few of the hats he wore. With the boundless energy Keaton displayed […]

Every year hundreds of local scouts make 15,300 sand bags, add 15,300 tea candles, and put them out at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. It’s truly an inspiring site; my photos really don’t do it justice.

There’s just some things you can pair together and bake that turn out magnificent! Chicken and bacon are one of them! This simple and flavorful recipe with seasoned chicken legs, wrapped with a piece of bacon, and baked to perfection make this rec…

As we enjoy time with family and friends over the long Memorial Day weekend, let’s be sure to take a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their sacrifices help to maintain the freedoms we value and enjoy today.
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After fans of Norm’s Beer and Wine got word of the possible shutdown of their favorite craft beer store, they began a grassroots campaign to save the store. Apparently, the target of their wrath is listening. Fresh Market, who was given a non-compete c…

I watched on radar a northwest / southeast oriented line of storms marching toward our region this afternoon and noticed that the northern cells were maintaining the best organization as they propagated toward Culpeper.  Thus I chose that end of t…

Next up in our series on Port City Brewing is Optimal Wit. After enjoying the brewery’s Essential Pale Ale, I was looking forward to see what else the folks at Virginia’s newest brewery were producing.

Port City Optimal Wit is unfiltered and pour…

The new project from Pogo, formerly the keyboardist for Marilyn Manson. He also is a school buddy of one of my imaginary Internet friends, which is how I got introduced to his new project. Enjoy!