Fredericksburg Parent

28 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • November 2023 This is a monthly column featuring winners and nominees of the 2023 FredParent Family Favorite contest. WRITTEN BY LENORA KRUK-MULLANAPHY family favorites Family Favorites 2023 Winner Awesome Possumz "Fredericksburg Parent & Family" magazine's 2023 Family Favorites' list is out, and there are many interesting activities in which to participate, places to visit and restaurants to try that have been chosen as top- notch by readers. Winner of Family Fun Indoor Activity is Awesome Possumz, which boasts a store called Possum-bilities. Visitors will find the store is filled with wildlife and nature-related gift items, artwork by local residents and a possum or two hanging around. Stop in on Marsupial Monday, where you'll see an Awesome Possumz Ambassador throughout the day. You never know who's going to show up—Bobbi Sue, Bruiser, Sweet Pea, Porkchop, Panda and more. Don't leave without picking up one of the many possum-related items for a memento or a special gift, from hoodies, T-shirts and mousepads to throw blankets, mugs and tote bags—and so much more. Awesome Possumz offers an education program that teaches about native and often misunderstood wildlife. The hour-long program includes the nat- ural history of the Virginia opossum, their "super powers," where they live, what they eat, how they help the environment, how you can help them, time for questions and interaction with an Ambassador Possum. The following is a suggested list of groups that can benefit from booking a program: • Garden Clubs: Learn how possums assist in the garden. • Community Groups/Homeowner Associations: Learn why possums shouldn't be feared and what to do if you find one. • Daycare Centers/Schools: The programs meet the Standard of Learning criteria for Natural History and Life Sciences and can be adjusted based on age and grade levels. • Girl/Boy Scouts: Learning about these cute critters will make for a fun- filled meeting. • Retail Businesses: You can attract new visitors to a store when the Ambassador Possums are around. • Companies/Employers: Nothing livens up a staff meeting by bringing them education with possums. • Parties/Gatherings: Invite one of the adorable Ambassadors to a social gathering for a memorable event. The program fee is $150 for one hour of quality Ambassador time within a 60-mile radius of Fredericksburg. Visit Possum-bilities to meet an Ambassador, pick up a gift and check out the local art. The store is located at 211 William Street (2 nd floor) in Fredericksburg. To find out more about Awesome Possumz, a calendar of events, education programs and a full list of items for sale, visit the website at awesomepossumz.com.

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