🌱 New Highway Marker Honors John Washington + United Way Volunteers

Hello, everybody. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Fredericksburg Patch newsletter — here to impart everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A shower and t-storm; humid. High: 83 Low: 67.
• Sunday: Humid with a thunderstorm. High: 86 Low: 71.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Fredericksburg Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Fredericksburg Patch newsletter possible.

Here are the top three stories in Fredericksburg today:

1. Fredericksburg city leaders have erected a new historic highway marker honoring the legacy of a formerly enslaved man. John Washington escaped to freedom on Apr. 18, 1862, and later wrote a narrative about his experiences. The marker was erected outside 900 Princess Anne Street, where Washington used to live. (PotomacLocal.com)
2. More than 50 volunteers from local businesses participated in the annual United Way Day of Action on Wednesday. Due to inclement weather, volunteers participated in a variety of indoor activities. Projects included constructing Little Free Libraries for local neighborhoods and assembling laundry baskets of supplies for families moving into new housing. (Fredericksburg.com)
3. The City of Fredericksburg has issued a notice of street closures downtown for Fourth of July Celebrations. Locations impacted include the 600-900 blocks of Sophia Street, the 100 block of Hanover Street, and the 100 block of Charlotte Street. Vehicles that have not been removed from these streets by 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Jul. 4, will be removed. (PotomacLocal.com)

Calling Fredericksburg business owners: reach local readers, attract a crowd, and make a splash with your events this summer! We have a limited number of sponsorships available to amplify your events and increase attendance among your target audience. Click here to learn more about our sponsorships.

Today and tomorrow in Fredericksburg:

Saturday, June 24

• The SpongeBob Musical At Allstate Community Theater Of Fredericksburg (3:00 PM)
• Pop Culture Trivia And Craft: Superheroes At Salem Church Branch Library (3:30 PM)
• Brisben Center Benefit Concert At Cornerstone Church (7:00 PM)

Sunday, June 25

• Black History Walking Tour At Fredericksburg Area Museum (11:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• Plenty of cats and dogs are still waiting to be adopted from Fredericksburg animal shelters. Click to meet Freya, Boni, and the other pets still searching for their forever homes. (Fredericksburg Patch)
• Heads up, house hunters! Here are the latest homes to hit the market in the Fredericksburg area, including a spacious 4,025 sq. ft., four-bedroom and five-bathroom home on Farrish Drive, listed for $620,000. (Fredericksburg Patch)
• You're invited to the Historic Kenmore Mansion today, Jun. 24, to celebrate Betty Washington Lewi's 290th birthday! Stop by from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to sip tea, play games, and more. (Fredericksburg, VA via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• SAT Practice Test, Proctored & Timed Live Online (June 24)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (June 27)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with your next update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.