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Hey neighbor,
Old Dominion Humane Society just crossed 10,000 adoptions, a milestone thirteen years in the making, and we're celebrating with the story behind their very first and 10,000th rescues. Mark your calendar for October 18, when six downtown kitchens face off at the Burger Battle for Loisann's Hope House, and October 10 and 11, when Revolution on the Rappahannock brings reenactors, blacksmiths, and bagpipes to Pratt Park. We're also sending off Tim's II at Fairview Beach after 30 years on the river, pointing you toward Spatique and 1781 Brewing's Fall Festival on the 17th, and tipping our hats to ten local businesses honored for sustainability.
Grab your coffee. Let's dive in. 🌊
Dori
Neighbor Poll
Six downtown kitchens are throwing down for the Burger Battle, an afternoon of slider tastings, drinks, and live music at Riverfront Park on Sunday, October 18, from 12 to 3 pm, with proceeds benefiting Loisann's Hope House and the local families they serve. Time to settle the unofficial rankings before you taste for yourself.
Whose slider are you most excited to try?
Grab your wristband and settle it in person at burgerbattle2026.auctria.events.
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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10,000 Dogs Later: How One 20-Year-Old's Idea Became a Lifeline
Chrissy Hamilton was only 20, armed with a high school animal care class and a handful of dog crates, when she launched Old Dominion Humane Society in 2013. This August, that idea hit adoption number 10,000: a Great Pyrenees puppy named Ripley, whose foster calls him "the perfect dog."
It's a far cry from ODHS's very first adoptee, Sophie, pulled from a shed where she'd endured every season alone, her coat so matted a lollipop was tangled into it. "It's been a labor of love," Hamilton says. "We've rescued dogs from neglect, mistreatment, hoarding cases, puppy mills and more. Every rescue deserves a second chance." The rescue now takes in roughly 1,200 dogs a year, many pulled from crowded shelters facing euthanasia deadlines.
3602 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg. Adoption events are Wednesdays 5 to 7 pm, Fridays 6 to 8 pm, and Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm.
See available dogs, or learn about volunteering, fostering, and donating at olddominionhumanesociety.org.
Two Days of Reenactments, Blacksmiths and Bagpipes on the Rappahannock
The iron works along the Rappahannock near Falmouth was once called the "greatest Iron Works on the Continent." James Hunter's Rappahannock Forge made the muskets and tools that helped win American independence, and history books mostly skip it. The Freedom Forge Foundation is fixing that with Revolution on the Rappahannock: Hunter's Iron Works and American Independence, a two-day Stafford VA250 Commemoration Event at Pratt Park, 120 River Rd, Falmouth.
Saturday, October 10
Symposium, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, with six historians and collectors on Hunter, his guns, and self-emancipation at the iron works
Main event, 1 to 5 PM: military reenactments featuring the Commander-in-Chief's Guard Company (The Old Guard), living history, blacksmithing and forging, military honors, and bagpipes, recorders, fife and drums
Kid's Corner on the River, with colonial games, crafts, animals, historic relics, and the ghost of James Hunter
Heritage tours of Falmouth Historic Cemetery and Union Church at 3 PM (meet at the Ray Grizzle Activities Center, 60 Butler Rd, or walk the 1.5-mile trail from Pratt Park)
Sunday, October 11
Plaid to the Bone 10K at 8 AM, celebrating Scottish heritage with Clan Hunter joining this year, donuts and cider at the finish
Heritage tours resume at 11 AM
Free and open to the public with advance registration requested. A donation of $10 or more at signup helps cover costs and preserve the Hunter's Iron Works site.
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 52,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
Told "Everything Looks Normal" But You Still Feel Off? A Fredericksburg Practice Is Digging Deeper
Exhausted. Foggy. Burned out. Struggling with weight changes that don't make sense. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone, and House of Bloom Medical Aesthetics & Wellness wants you to know it's not all in your head.
This boutique, direct-pay practice on Lafayette Blvd is led by board-certified Nurse Practitioner Rebecca Chanda, who personally guides every patient's treatment plan from start to finish. No revolving door of providers. No being passed off. Just science-driven care that gets to the root of why you don't feel like yourself.
What sets them apart:
A deeper look: Comprehensive wellness evaluations and advanced lab work to uncover what's really driving your symptoms
Personalized plans: Hormone optimization, regenerative medicine, and customized treatments built around you
A full menu of services: BHRT and TRT, weight management, advanced injectables, laser rejuvenation, hair restoration, peptide therapy, and medical-grade skincare
Real results, fast: Many patients notice meaningful improvements within just a few weeks
Owned and operated by board-certified nurse practitioner Rebecca Chanda, NP, MS, AGACNP-BC.
Look your best. Feel your best. Schedule your consultation today at houseofbloommed.com or stop by 509 Lafayette Blvd, Ste B in Fredericksburg.
FXBG’s Got It
Highlighting a few things worth knowing around town:
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Ten Fredericksburg Businesses Just Won for Sustainability
The City of Fredericksburg's Clean & Green Commission named its 2026 Sustainability Award recipients: Fredericksburg Technology, Riverby Books, Feral Roots Conservatory, Phosphene Studio, Collage Spa, River Rock Outfitter, Dragonfly Yoga Studio, Latitudes Fair Trade, Fillagreen, and FOODE. Now in its sixth year, the program celebrates downtown businesses reducing waste, conserving resources, and supporting the community, everything from Riverby's 30 years of secondhand books to FOODE's food-waste audits and cooking oil recycling. Congrats to all ten. Read the full list at fredericksburgva.gov.
After 30 Years on the River, Tim's II at Fairview Beach Is Closing
Tim's II at Fairview Beach closes for good on November 1, after more than three decades on the water, with the owners heading into retirement. A new restaurant will open in the same building the very next day. Before then, come say goodbye, there's a commemorative t-shirt in the works and a Halloween party on October 24 promising one of the last big blowouts. The owners' other spot, Tim's at Lake Anna, stays open.
Spatique: Where Beauty Meets Purpose — FUNDRAISER
The Isaiah Benjamin Aronoff Foundation hosts Spatique, its 2nd Annual Women's Fundraiser, on Friday, October 17, from 11 AM to 4 PM at 311 Central Rd #7, Fredericksburg. An afternoon of self-care and fellowship, with every ticket supporting student scholarships and college care packages. Tickets are available here.
Fall Festival Returns to 1781 Brewing
1781 Brewing's Fall Festival is back Saturday, October 17, 11 am to 9 pm, with food trucks, crispy paninis, pony rides, local vendors, fire pits, and fresh pours from the brewery and winery. Live music runs all day: Danny Kensy at noon, Reckless Brigade at 2, and Cactus Jack closing out at 5:30. Learn more at 1781brewing.com.
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.
Friday, September 25
Campout in the Park | 5:00PM (through September 26)
Location: Motts Run Reservoir, Motts Run Reservoir, Spotsylvania County, VA
Description: We will provide the food, fun, and games; you provide your tent, sleeping gear, and smiles.
Suzie n Stephen Live | 7:00PM
Location: Strangeways Brewing, 350 Lansdowne Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Think campfire glow, heart‑on‑your‑sleeve lyrics, and toe‑tappin’ tunes that make you wanna sway, sing, or grab a brew and vibe out.
Location: Market Square, Fredericksburg Area Museum 907, Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: We’re prioritizing Fredericksburg’s local music scene with talented hometown bands taking the stage all season long.
Saturday, September 26
Fredericksburg Dog Mart | 9:30AM
Location: 12400 Herndon Road, Spotsylvania, VA
Description: Feature a dog show, an adoption showcase, amusements, demonstrations and ceremonies, as well food and beverages.
Location: Tater's Corner, 89 Chatham Heights Rd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Get hands-on with herbs and make your own bath tea while learning from an herbalist.
For The Girlies Market | 11:00AM
Location: Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #4123, 21 Cool Springs Rd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: There will be a giveaway of a Raising Canes gift basket and a fun sticker rally to earn prizes for supporting our woman owned vendors!
Barktoberfest | 12:00PM
Location: Strangeways Brewing, 350 Lansdowne Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: An afternoon of beer, food, vendors, and plenty of puppers.
Sunday, September 27
Sourdough Making Class | 2:30PM
Location: Tater's Corner, 89 Chatham Heights Rd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A hands-on sourdough making class, teaching the basics of mixing, proofing, and baking.
Bill and Jayne’s Excellent Adventure | 10:30AM
Location: Massaponnax Flea Market, 9040 Jefferson Davis Highway (also known as Patriot Highway), Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A bit of nostalgiaBill has a diverse array of new and vintage plastic models that include airplanes to detailed ships, to armor to car kits and die cast vehicles.
Crafty Readers- Fall Bookmarks | 10:00AM
Location: Tales & Tails Book Cafe, 1010 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A fall-themed craft session where readers make three bookmarks using dried leaves,pressed flowers,confetti at a book cafe.
Puppy Yoga | 10:30AM
Location: Awesome 'Possumz, 211 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Stretch, relax, and cuddle some adorable puppies!
