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Growing up in Fredericksburg gives writer a special insight into Town & County magazine's Flashback feature. By Jennifer Strobel Date published: 3/18/2006 By JENNIFER STROBEL
"THAT'S WHERE I'M going My dad sat at the steering wheel of the green '54 Ford Victoria, my mom beside him, and 5-year-old me on her lap. I scrunched down so I could glimpse out the window to the top of the building he pointed to as we drove by. I'd never seen a big star like that on top of a building, and it made an impression. It was March 1961, nearly spring, time for a new beginning in this new place, the small town of Fredericksburg, near the big city of Washington. That's why my parents chose it, wanting the best of both worlds after several moves. My father would work at The Free Lance-Star newspaper at 303 and 305 William St. My mother, who stayed home, had it all mapped out for me, the youngest daughter. I would walk to the nearby elementary school, go to the local college, and belong to the local Lutheran church. I did, I did, and I still do. I must have been an amazingly docile child. For our first six years here, we lived two blocks from Lafayette Elementary School, now the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Then we lived in College Heights. Yes, I graduated from Mary Washington College, Class of 1977. I was confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in College Heights, and, detours notwithstanding, found my way back to the faith my mother intended. As my son said, "You've had the entire Fredericksburg experience." He should talk. He was born at Mary Washington Hospital, now attends the University of Mary Washington and took his girlfriend to Carl's ice cream stand, that neon-signed Fredericksburg landmark, on their first date. I love the looks I get. "You grew up here?" people ask in amazement. I have two responses, depending on my audience. Response No. 1: I cringe and change the topic as quickly as I gracefully can, imagining their secret thoughts that I must have some handicap of will that kept me grounded in the same spot for life. This is for people who complain about Dead Fred.
Date published: 3/18/2006
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