Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/1034354
6 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • October 2018 PUBLISHER Leigh Anne Van Doren Tabitha & Jamie Nelle's mom EDITOR Chris Jones Quincy, Hayden & Olive's dad MEDIA & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Megan Walsh: Mia, Noelle, and Adelaide's mom DESIGN & PRODUCTION Cheryl Carter, President, Carter Creations Alex, Kate & Jackie's mom WEBMASTER Karen Charney Joshua & Spencer's mom SOCIAL MEDIA Brenda Sapanghila Archer, Maddox & Oliver's mom CALENDAR & COOL THINGS TO DO ELETTER Leigha Pecher: Jake and Luke's mom EDUCATION AND INFANT ELETTERS Debra Caffrey Aidan's mom parent fredericksburg & family Entrepreneur of the Year PROUD FOUNDING MEMBER ADVERTISING PHONE 540-429-3572 EMAIL leighanne@fredericksburgparent.net CALENDAR & SOCIAL MEDIA E-MAIL webmaster@fredericksburgparent.net EDITORIAL PHONE 540-429-3572 E-MAIL fredparenteditor@gmail.com SNAIL MAIL P.O. Box 7884, F'burg, VA 22404 www.fredericksburgparent.net The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertisement, editorial or listing that does not meet the publication's stan- dards. No part of this magazine may be reproduced with out permission. Listing and advertising rates are available upon request. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information con- tained herein, however, the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Listings and advertisements are sub- ject to typographical errors, ommissions and/or change without notice. For terms and conditions please visit our website at www.fredericksburgparent.net © Copyright 2018 Nurture, Inc. All rights reserved. LIKE facebook.com/ FredericksburgParent SIGN UP www.FredParent.net TWEET twitter.com/fredparent PIN www.pinterest.com/ fredparent FOLLOW @fredparentmaga- zine "Two o'clock," the customer service representative muttered. "Two o'clock?" I ques- tioned. "Two o'clock," he echoed. "That's the soonest." It was over. For the first time in my life I would be repeating an academic level. The rub—it was my final quarter before graduation. I dashed through the glass double doors, sprinted across Liberty Avenue, darted up Penn Avenue and into the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I raced up the five flights of stairs to get to Mr. Easter's classroom. As I walked in I puffed, "Mr. Easter, I need another extension. Just until two." He stopped stuffing his soft briefcase. "Noon was the dead- line, Chris," he said. I slumped in defeat. I wanted to blame Washington Reprographics for not getting my project printed fast enough. I wanted to blame Mr. Easter for not understanding that by failing me, I wouldn't be able to graduate on time. I wanted to blame someone. But he didn't fail me. I failed me. I was to blame, and it was a sickening feeling. One lazy action—putting off my project until the deadline—cost me $3,000 and three months of my life. I returned for the fall quarter and graduated that December. That was 20 years ago, but that lesson is still fresh in my mind. Each year when fall hits, I recall that day standing in front of Mr. Easter absolutely crushed. But as they say, experience is the best teacher and had I not failed that class, I wouldn't have gotten the great first job right out of college that I did, and I may not be on this page with you now. My entire trajectory changed in my favor because I failed. Life's strange like that. It hurt, but I cherish the journey it took me on. In this issue, Practical Pantry columnist Debra Caffrey shares a happy accident she had in Europe that changed and enriched her life and Christina Katz runs you down memory lane with fun, not-so-scary classics you can share with your kids this month. Fall is a wonderful time of year to make lasting memories. From creative costume ideas and pumpkin decorating to exciting outings at the pumpkin patch, this issue has it all. So round up your kids and enjoy the season. Make memories your kids will look back on, grow from and cherish. Memories WRITTEN BY CHRIS JONES letter to readers FALL