Features

Trouvaille Brewing Offers Support to Federal Employees with 1-Cent Beer

By Uriah Kiser

Trouvaille Brewing Company, a veteran-owned craft brewery in Haymarket, offers federal civilian employees a small token of support during economic uncertainty—one beer for just a penny. The offer, available through March 14, 2025, is open to all current and recently separated federal employees as a way to show appreciation for their service and dedication.

The brewery, which is co-owned by five partners—three of whom work in federal civilian roles and two who are military veterans—understands firsthand the challenges faced by government employees. Trouvaille Brewing’s owners juggle full-time careers while managing the brewery, hosting events, and building relationships with their community. Their deep ties to the area and shared experiences have made them acutely aware of the struggles many local residents face.

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George Mason Women’s Basketball Pink Game Raises Awareness and Honors Breast Cancer Survivors

By Uriah Kiser
Cancer survivors being honored at the 2025 Play4Kay Pink Game at George Mason.

The George Mason University Patriots women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 76-66 victory over the University of Massachusetts during the annual #Play4Kay Pink Game at EagleBank Arena on Sunday, February 16. The event, sponsored for the sixth consecutive year by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC), brought together fans, survivors, and medical professionals to raise awareness of women’s cancers and honor those affected by breast cancer.

A Victory Beyond the Scoreboard

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Love, Music, and Classic Rock: Big Fat Doug Belford Experience Heats Up Occoquan

By Mike Salmon
Big Fat Daddy with Meri Schaefer and Brian Curtiss and John David Coppola with the peace sign. [Photo: Mike Salmon]

This combination of musicians is called “Big Fat Doug Belford Experience,” they rocked out a healthy list of covers for the appreciative crowd. The band was a combo of three members of a band called “Big Fat Daddy,” featuring Meri Schaefer, Brian Curtiss, John David Coppola on bass, and three others from Doug Belford Experience, which featured Doug Belford, Meri Schaefer, and Brian Curtiss. Meri Schaefer and Brian Curtiss play in both bands.

Sure, some of the songs are well-known covers from the heyday of rock and roll, but people dig those songs anyway. A beer or two feeds that love the staples in their rock list, including “Maneater” from Hall and Oates, “Psycho Killer” by the Talking Heads, and “Cinnamon Girl” by Neil Young. The tempo of the night stretched far and wide.

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Wildcat Battalion Marksmanship Team Qualifies for All-Service Championship

By Aya Karouane
The 2024-2025 MVHS MCJROTC Marksmanship Team | Photo: Aya Karouane

The Wildcat Battalion Marksmanship Team at Mountain View High has just qualified for the All-Service Championship, and they don’t plan on stopping there.

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Stefan Boutchyard Brings Fresh Culinary Vision to Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

By Uriah Kiser
Boutchyard

Fredericksburg’s Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has welcomed a new force in its kitchen: Chef Stefan Boutchyard. With a rich culinary background spanning Fredericksburg, Culpeper, and high-profile catering events—including the inauguration of President Donald Trump—Boutchyard is breathing new life into the dinner theater’s menu.

A Culinary Journey to Riverside

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Occoquan’s Mill Project Delayed, Spot on Mill Closes, and Firelight Night Returns

By Uriah Kiser

In the latest episode of the Occoquan Radio Podcast, host and mayor Ernie Porta shared updates on local business developments, an upcoming town event, and an economic recognition for Occoquan’s tourism sector, and more.

Mill in Occoquan Project Delayed

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Public Safety Officials Connect with Communities Over Coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts Events

By Uriah Kiser
Manassas police held Coffee with a Cop

Public safety officials recently gathered at Dunkin’ Donuts locations from Stafford County to Manassas to meet with community members in two separate events fostering engagement and conversation.

In Stafford County, Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins celebrated the grand reopening of their Next Generation restaurant on Warrenton Road with a unique community event on Saturday, February 8. Customers enjoyed free medium hot or iced coffee while participating in fun activities, including a prize wheel, face painting, and a visit from Dunkin’s mascot, Cuppy. As part of the event, local franchisee Pravina Bhalani hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and presented a $500 donation to the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Charitable Foundation.

Stafford County Fire and Rescue expressed their appreciation, stating, “Thank you to Dunkin’ (Warrenton Road) for the invite to their reopening and thank you for the generous $500 contribution to the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Charitable Foundation.”

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First Friday Kicks Off 2025 with Sold-Out “Souper Bowl” in Manassas

By Uriah Kiser

For those lucky enough to have secured tickets, the Souper Bowl offers a unique culinary experience, allowing participants to venture through downtown, tasting a variety of soups from both returning favorites and new contenders. Each restaurant has put its best ladle forward, hoping to win the title of best soup in town.

Here’s What’s on the Menu:

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‘Virginia, I’m Home’: Emily Woodhull’s Path From DC to Fredericksburg’s Music Scene

By Kelly Sienkowski
Emily Woodhull

A journey from DC’s Capitol Hill to the Shenandoah mountains led Emily Woodhull to Fredericksburg’s music scene. The 23-year-old singer and songwriter just released her first single, “Virginia, I’m Home.”

Woodhull grew up in Washington, D.C., and learned to play piano, guitar, ukulele, and drums by the time she was sixteen. Woodhull became the opening act for her father’s band, “The NativeMakers,” as they toured DC.

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Hoofs on the Ground: Inside the Prince William Mounted Patrol Unit

By Aya Karouane
Tristan and Dylan Nicolson of Woodbridge get a chance to pet horses from the Prince William County Police Mounted Unit. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

We spoke with Sergeant Jeramy Ramos, one of the officers on the Mounted Patrol Unit, to learn more about their role within the community. 

The Mounted Patrol Unit was established in 2006 as a part-time unit. Taking inspiration from a similar unit within Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department, the mounted patrol unit, the Prince William Police Department partnered with the National Parks Service at the Manassas National Battlefield Park to load the horses. 

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