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We have a lot of good stuff in this one. An award-winning biscuit shop with an incredible backstory, a Virginia lighthouse hitting the market, a local market this Saturday, and a spring carnival worth the drive. Plus Stafford County honored some truly deserving businesses last week.
Grab your coffee. Let's get into it. 💛
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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She Served in the Navy, Survived a Pandemic, and Built the Best New Restaurant in FXBG.
Jessica Wilkins went from Navy gas turbine mechanic to comfort food entrepreneur, and the path in between is anything but ordinary. When COVID-19 devastated her private chef business, Jessica pivoted and resurrected a biscuit recipe she had spent three years perfecting. The result? Biscuit Batch, now voted Best New Restaurant in the inaugural FXBG Neighbors’ Choice Awards by this very community. Behind every biscuit is a Navy veteran, a mother of three, and a woman who built something remarkable from scratch. Literally.
📍 9112 Old Battlefield Blvd, Unit 112, Spotsylvania, VA | @biscuitbatch_VA 🌐 biscuitbatch.com | 540-507-8028
👉 Hear Jessica's full story on the FXBG Neighbors Podcast and then go try the biscuits for yourself.
A Virginia Lighthouse Surrounded by Water Just Hit the Market
Built in 1891 and sitting in the Chesapeake Bay near Newport News, the Middle Ground Lighthouse is one of the most extraordinary properties ever to hit the market in Virginia. Accessible only by boat, this six story fully renovated lighthouse was purchased by the Billingsley family in 2005 for $31,000 when it was, by their own description, an absolute wreck. They spent three years transforming it floor by floor into a fully furnished home complete with solar panels, running water, HVAC, a propane kitchen, and breathtaking 360 degree water views from the wraparound balcony. It sleeps 10, has hosted as many as 45 guests, and has over 2,000 signatures on the walls from visitors who came by over the years. The Coast Guard still maintains the working light on top. Now in their 70s and with their kids out of state, the Billingsley family says it is simply time for the next chapter. Offers are due July 4th.
👉 Learn more and submit an inquiry at middlegroundlight.com
🏆 Business of the Year: Glamour Beauty and Brows Microblading by Kristal
💡 Innovation Award: Bill Carroll Foundation and The Groove Factory
🤝 Donald H. Newlin Community Stewardship Award: Hilldrup and SimVentions
Congratulations to every winner. You are exactly what makes Stafford County such a special place to live, work, and build something meaningful.
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 33,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
The Reid Team. Fredericksburg Born. Community Driven.
John and Tammy Reid are lifelong Fredericksburg natives with over 30 years of mortgage experience who believe homeownership is not a transaction. It is one of life's biggest moments. Their team at Union Home Mortgage delivers a hands-on, relationship-first approach for every stage of the homeownership journey, from first-time buyers to refinancing, VA loans, new construction, and more. Community is at the core of everything they do, and it shows.
📍 606 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 | 540-842-1484
👉 Ready to start your homeownership journey? Reach out to The Reid Team today.
Community Digest
A 10-Day Spring Carnival With Monster Trucks, Fireworks, and a Rodeo Is Happening Just Up the Road
If you are looking for a reason to get out this Memorial Day weekend and beyond, the Prince William County Spring Carnival runs May 22nd through May 31st at the Prince William County Fairgrounds and it is packed. Ten days of rides, carnival food, themed days, monster trucks, a demolition derby, Memorial Day fireworks, and a full rodeo to close out the weekend. Here are the highlights:
🚛 Monster Trucks: May 22nd and 23rd at 7 PM
🚗 Demolition Derby: May 24th at 7 PM
🎆 Memorial Day Fireworks: May 25th at 9 PM
🤠 Rodeo: May 30th and 31st at 7 PM 🎡 Rides, food, and vendors daily
Admission is $10 for event days and free May 26th through 29th. Children 4 and under are always free.
📍 Prince William County Fairgrounds
🗓️ May 22nd through May 31st
🎟️ $10 on event days | Free May 26-29 | Kids 4 and under always free
👉 Plan your visit: princewilliamcountyfairgrounds.com
Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at the Patawomeck Memorial Day Market This Saturday
Crafty Connections Events and Crystal Decatur Tuck are bringing a fun-filled community market to the Patawomeck Museum and Cultural Center this Saturday, May 23rd, from 11 AM to 4 PM. Shop local crafters and vendors, grab food and desserts from food trucks, dance to DJ music, and let the kids loose in the moon bounce, laser tag, and face painting area. A perfect way to kick off Memorial Day weekend while supporting local makers and celebrating one of Fredericksburg's most historic and meaningful cultural sites.
📍 Patawomeck Museum and Cultural Center, 638 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
🗓️ Saturday, May 23rd ⏰ 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM 🎟️ Free to attend
House Hunch FXBG
Can you guess the price of this real estate listing in Stafford based on just one photo? Here’s a hint: 4 bd, 4.5 ba, around 5,800 sqft. on around 7 acres.
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Want to feature your listing in House Hunch FXBG? Respond to this email for info!
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What’s Happening In & Around the ‘Burg
Here are some of the top events happening soon. Always check with the venue for the latest details. Got an event coming up? Add it to our calendar.
Wednesday, May 20
Location: Tales & Tails, 1010 Charles Street, Fredericksburg VA
Description: Join us for our monthly meeting of our Pupular Fiction Book Club where we discuss popular titles across all genres!
Location: Curio Wine Bar, 209, William Street, Maury, Downtown, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Perfect for anyone who wants to discover the full breadth of what Italian white wine has to offer.
Party Trivia for a Cause | 6:00PM
Location: Brock's Riverside Grill, 503 Sophia St, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Turning the nights into something meaningful—bringing people together for connection, community, and real local impact.
Live Music w/ Dave Nichols | 6:00PM
Location: Fredericksburg Historic District, 620 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A night of live music with the talented Dave Nichols at Courtyard Fredericksburg Historic District.
Thursday, May 21
What Remains: America 250 | 6:30PM
Location: Fredericksburg Area Museum, 907 Princess Anne Street, Darbytown, Downtown Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Curator Kylie Thomson reveals fascinating artifacts that shed light on Fredericksburg’s pivotal role in the American Revolution.
Location: Embrey Mill Park Soccer Field 3, 1600 Mine Rd, Stafford, VA
Description: An opportunity to sweat for a cause that directly supports girls in our local community.
Colonel E. H. Taylor Bourbon Tasting | 6:00PM
Location: Reclaim Arcade, 2324 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A chance not just to taste a lot of great whiskey, but to also do a deep dive and explore more about the distillery, the story, and they're offerings.
Friday, May 22
Location: City Vino, 100 Hanover Street, Maury, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Enjoy a guided flight of six distinctive Turkish wines with Lisa and Alexis Richmond of Ruby Imports.
Sunshine Concert Series | 6:00PM
Location: Eden Try Winery, 6818 River Rd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Featuring local music, sangria and charcuterie specials, seasonal mocktails, and golden-hour views.
Puppy Yoga | 5:00PM
Location: Old Dominion Humane Society, 3602 Lafayette Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Get ready to indulge in 30 minutes of puppy cuddles to melt away stress followed by yoga.
Line Dancing Night | 7:00PM
Location: Strangeways Brewing FXBG
Description: A high-energy night of line dancing led by Instructor Devyn, with DJ Delo spinning all your favorite tracks.
