Annual Meeting!
March 19 6 PM, Theater, downtown Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Come hear about all the stuff from 2019-20. Free! Bring a friend! It’s a good way to tell about all the fun and interesting programs and activities that the Fred-Este group offers, both to members and to the community.
Membership Dues!
You MUST have paid your dues for 2020-21 in order to vote!
Membership levels: $20, Member; $35, Family; $100, Sustaining. Payment may be made on line at our website, www.fred-este.org/membership, or by check, payable to
Fredericksburg-Este Association, PO Box 157, Fredericksburg, VA 22404 *note the zip code!; Or you may pay at any of our events—such as the upcoming March 13 Lecture at St. George’s!
·Sustaining Membership--$100: We are a membership-based non-profit organization. Our Sustaining Members are a big reason that we are able to offer lectures, concerts, and other activities FREE to our community.
Our Free Lectures offer expert guest speakers on wide Italian subjects. In early days, our attendance was between 20 and 30. We now average between 70 and 90.
Our Concert Series brings professional performers of Italian compositions. In early days, our attendance was between 40 and 50. We now average between 80 and 100.
Our Pizza Palooza pairs beer, pizza and rock ‘n roll for a minimum entrance fee. Often cited as the ‘Burg’s second highest event attendance (4th of July is tops), this September party is our signature event. We average over 1,000 in attendance.
Joint Sister City Annual Pot-Luck Dinner
Our 4th Annual all-sister city pot luck dinner Friday, March 27 6-9 PM. Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal Street. Traditional Dress Welcome. MEMBERS ONLY! Tickets, $12. Only 100 available. Purchase online by March 23rd at Eventbrite, Or mail Check made to SFA, to Roger Engels, 314 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Please note your sister city on the memo line.
The sister cities rotate the hosting of this fun event. This year, it is our German Sister City group, Fredericksburg-Schwetzengen. Members of the sister cities bring a dish of their sister city’s national cuisine—with ample servings—to share. Members wear typical dress, and mingle with the memberships of all the associations.
Lecture: Northern Italy of the Otzi Iceman.
March 13, 6:30 PM, St. George’s Church, George Street Entrance. Dr. Billy Chestnut, independent scholar of ancient Italy, talks about not only the ancient Otzi Iceman, but also about the Neolithic civilization and culture of this famous murdered and mummified Alpine hunter and herder.
April & May Este Invite
Our Este friends extend housing and hosting for any of our Este members during the Flower Festival week, the end of April. Also, on MAY 14-20, we are invited to Este’s English sister city, Leek, for its sister city weekend and Vespa Festival ride. Please send your interest questions to fredeste2015@gmail.com.
La Befana
What a romp! Our annual Epiphany dinner, this year held at Renato’s, brought over 60 folks together for Italian dishes and wine, and a special visitor! Thank you, Ann Tebbutt, Pat Baughman, Claire Simpson, Linda Westerman, Cathy Herndon, Chip Willis, Bill Hatch, and Scott Walker for all you did for this fun event!
Lecture: The Roman Kingdom
Our friend Dr. Rusty Neal talked about the Kingdom of Rome in a PowerPoint program, from Romulus and Remus to the beginning of the Empire. Very interesting and very well attended.
Wine Tasting
Odile Prior and friends put together a fine evening of wines and cheeses. CityVino again worked with us on selections, and Frazer Wood Elements again offered its magical venue for this popular event. Graze, tutti!!
Summer Student Exchange
The Rappahannock Rotary and the Este Rotary are pairing to bring Este students to Fredericksburg the first two weeks in July. The second two weeks will see the Este students hosting their Fredericksburg counterparts. Interested? Email thechipwillis@yahoo.com for more information.
Mark your Calendars
Este Adult Delegation visit:
September 11-20. There will be 10 adults, and they will be able to experience Pizza Palooza for the first time! Interested in helping/hosting? Email fredeste2015@gmail.com.
Pizza Palooza! September 19
Market Square. Our signature event! Fun to be there, fun to volunteer! Interested? Email fredeste2015@gmail.com.
Lecture Oct. 9
Italian Composers, by Dr. Brooks Kuykendall, UMW. St. George’s Church, George Street Entrance. Italian composers featured at the William Carter Memorial Concert, Oct. 30, St. George’s nave.
Italian Composers Concert Oct. 30
Nave, St. George’s Church. The Fredericksburg Chamber Chorale presents a choral works concert of Italian composers. Free.