Nokesville Biz  December, 2004

Community Tree Lights Turn On December 11

            Everybody’s in holiday mode and the NBA is joining in. It’s sponsoring the Third Annual Nokesville Christmas Tree Lighting on December 11, starting at 5:00PM, and it will be more fun than ever.

            The tradition of the tree lighting by a distinguished local senior resident will be continued. This year, the tree will be lit by Robert Beahm, a life-long resident and Nokesville historian. Two musical groups will entertain the crowd afterward, with the good chance of some singalongs. The eighth-graders of Marsteller Middle School Advanced Chorus will sing a few selections and Pastor Mark Godfrey of the Nokesville Church of the Brethren has put together a community choir with other local churches.

            The Brethren Church will hold its live nativity scene, the event which reflects the real reason for the season, at 6:30PM and 7:30PM.

            For those who want to linger outside as they enjoy the holiday mood, there are buggy rides by Lacey Lane Carriage Company around Free and Nokes Streets and a visit by Santa.                Fingerfoods and hot cider await everybody in the Brethren’s fellowship hall. To help a member business (Asset Management) in its fundraising for a local family’s medical expenses, the NBA will have a free-will donation barrel in the hall.

            The annual tree lighting is a gift from Nokesville-based businesses to the community in appreciation for its support. The tree is at the corner of Nokesville Road and Fitzwater Drive and the Brethren Church is on Fitzwater, almost directly across.

            The members of the Nokesville Business Association hope to see you there!

New Board of Directors Voted In

            The 2005 Board of Directors of the Nokesville Business Association was voted in at the November General Meeting. Congratulations to Tom Basham and Stan Keys, the new President and Vice President, respectively. Gail Williams and BJ Thomas will continue in their respective positions as Secretary and Treasurer. J.P. Landahl is still the Membership Chairman and Keys will remain as Fundraising Chairman.

            The members of NBA very much appreciate the diligent work of outgoing President Jim Hobbs, who has promised to remain active as we work to help improve Nokesville.

            Contact information for the Board is on the back of each newsletter.

Message from the New President

            TAG  – I’m it! Once again, I find myself President of the Nokesville Business Association and it’s humbling and challenging at the same time.

            Fortunately, I’m blessed in my role this time, as Jim Hobbs and his Board of Directors have steered a bold course over the past two years. They have set the bar high while providing a foundation for great things. I look forward to getting together the new Board in January to refine the organization’s goals for 2005.

            In addition to continuing the programs currently underway, I hope to see action in the following areas: special attention to businesses wanting to base or expand in Nokesville; the streetscape program; expanded website features for businesses and the community; increased coordination with other local associations.

            Please feel free to e-mail me at tom@nokesvilledesign.com with any suggestions that you may have. I am excited for the future of the NBA and hope to continue to serve the organization and community with honor and distinction.

Second Get to Know Nokesville Business Expo Is in the Works

            The Nokesville Business Association will sponsor the Second Annual Get to Know Nokesville Business Expo on February 19, 2005 at the Nokesville Volunteer Fire Department.

            It’s a free opportunity for Nokesville-based businesses and potential customers to meet. The community can discover some of the wide range of services and merchandise available right here. While businesses may not sell at the Expo, they may display their wares, take orders for services or merchandise, offer door prizes/giveaways. In other words, short of on-the-spot sales, almost anything goes to highlight your business!

            The first Expo, held last February, attracted about 25 businesses, churches and organizations and about 50 visitors. In addition, there were door prizes, photos with Sponge Bob, and free hot dogs and drinks.

             The Second Get to Know Nokesville Business Expo is expected to be even better because of early promotions and even more businesses based in Nokesville.

            This Expo will run from noon to 3:00PM in the Bingo Hall at NVFD. Contact Gail Williams to reserve your table.

Spotlight: River Run Soap Company

            Ponder this: You’re in one of those chain bath and body stores looking for some special gifts. Across the country, thousands of others are doing the very same thing. So, then, how special can those soaps really be?

            Want some really special bath gifts? Contact River Run Soap Company in Nokesville for original, handmade, uniquely-scented creations. Lisa McCord has many artistic talents and she has directed them to her soap-making business, now just over one year old.

            Lisa has been making soaps for awhile before that, though. She was making glycerine soaps for Christmas gifts, and since everyone liked them, she found herself constantly going to Michael’s for supplies. It finally dawned on her that she could create them as her own business.

            Lisa said she taught herself to make soap and threw in a plug for a community resource. “I learned everything I know through the Nokesville Library.”

            She found soap-making fun, addictive and satisfying to her artistic side, which includes needlepoint and quilting.

            “I found something that’s fun to do. And I’m proud of the products because [they’re] natural. No preservatives.”

            In addition, she finally gets to respond to a question she always wanted to answer affirmatively. She said that in earlier craft shows, people were asking if the glycerine soaps were homemade.

            “I wanted to say yes, but answered handmade. Now I can say yes.”

                        Lisa makes soaps using natural oils (coconut, palm, olive) and a wide variety of scents. Lavender is her favorite, though she never liked the scent until she started making soap. She comes up with her own combinations, primarily using supplies ordered from Washington state, as there’s no supplier in the east. She has just started making olive oil soap for people with sensitive skin and acquired her own animals to make emollient goat’s milk soap.

            Lisa’s creations don’t simply come in fragrant bars wrapped in the River Run label. There’s an array of types and styles, such as: shampoo bars; fisherman’s, kitchen, gardener’s, laundry soaps; men’s shaving soap; dog shampoo bar; children’s soaps (glycerine) in cool shapes or toys inside; soap on a rope. They’re not only available as individual bars, but for party favors, baby showers, wedding gifts, Bar Mitzvahs, and in gift baskets that she puts together for any occasion.

            Lisa gets the word out about River Run by attending craft shows, fairs, and passing out business cards. She was just at the Nokesville Elementary show and will attend the upcoming Loch Lomond show and a few others for Christmas. She’s already started on Valentine’s Day specialties.

            Asked why she named her business River Run, Lisa said she loves the river and so do her boys. She grew up along one in New Jersey and now lives near Kettle Run.

            On the door of her drying/storage room is a small poster she picked up at a reunion. She heeds this life lesson that so many entrepreneurs (and wouldbes) might be interested in. “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

            Lisa’s husband, Jason, is currently building her website, which should be up and running shortly. It’s www.riverrunsoaps.com. You can email Lisa McCord at myriverrun@aol.com or call 703-594-3006.

Accent!  Sports4kids.com

            As the name implies, Sports4kids.com sells sporting goods on line and its national clientele includes schools, churches and individuals who want hard to find sporting gifts for youngsters.

            Charles and Meryem Grammic began their internet-based businesses in 1997 when he was unable to find golf clubs. They began selling these and a wide variety of other sporting goods on line. Sports4kids.com carries gear with logos from all the NFL teams, as well as NFL, NCAA and MLB replica uniforms. It also sells Halloween costumes, flag football supplies, sleds, Snoopy golf clubs and much more.

            Meryem Grammic talked about a new product called Hooplines, which she described as “fantastic”. The patented basketball marking system uses the highway-type tape to create an instant basketball court.

            Contact Sports4kids .com at info@sports4kids.com, or (703) 754-9977 or visit their website www.sports4kids.com.

The Nokesville Business Association welcomes these new members:

            Lois Clayborne: Real estate consultant at Keller Williams office in Manassas. She deals with commercial and residential listing and buying. Contact her at (703) 330-2222 X373 at the office, (703) 919-5953 (cell) or lcalyborn4@aol.com.

            Cedar Forest Cabinetry and Millwork, LLC offers custom handcrafted cabinetry, bookcases and trim work from design through installation. All products are branded and sighned by the craftsman.Contact Greg Chezem at 703-753-0644 or info@cedarforestcabinetry.com.

A Few Corrections to the Directory

            The Nokesville Business Directory, distributed beginning on Brunswick Stew Day, is still available at the Nokesville Neighborhood Library and at Patriot Bank. While this booklet was put together carefully, unfortunately some errors were made. We are working to get corrections out to the extent possible through this publication, inserts to outstanding booklets and through the website.

            We apologize for any inconvenience these errors have caused.

Page 26  –  John Hinkle. Add phone number 703-594-3000, Prince William County. Address is Nokesville, VA 20181-2320.

Page 61  – Under Insurance, add John Hinkle Financial Services, 703-594-3000.

Page 62  – Restaurants, Joe’s Pizza; the correct phone number is 703-594-2126.

Minutes from the October and November General Meetings

October 19, 2004:

$          Feedback about the Directory given out at Brunswick Stew was positive. Hobbs

thanked BJ Thomas, Robin Roge and Anita Martindell for manning the NBA booth, Chris Taylor for publishing the Directory, and Taylor and Gail Williams for publishing the newsletter.

$          As of this date, the NBA has 90 members.

$          Elections will be held in November and Hobbs is not running, saying it’s time for new

blood and ideas. The new board will be recognized in December and take office in January.

$          Jerry Jacobs addressed the members regarding a fundraiser for someone needing help

with medical bills. (The event was cancelled shortly thereafter; further details are in the official minutes.)

$          Brentsville District Supervisor Wally Covington was guest speaker. His primary subjects

were continuing development and roads.

$          Accounting Solutions and Tax Services, Inc hosted the night’s network social before the

meeting.

November 16, 2004

$          The Tree Lighting will be on December 11 at 5:15 (later changed to 5:00). There will be a barrel for free-will donations in the fellowship hall of the Brethren Church to raise money to

support Jacobs’ original idea to help.

$          Hobbs wants the community to know that the NBA is not just a regular business

association. We give back to the community (Tree Lighting, Directory, Expo, Sign).

$          There was a discussion initiated by a visitor concerning posting of resumes and other

information on the website to make it more of a resource to the businesses and community.

$          Tracy Wormack, Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, hosted the network social

before the meeting.

Holiday Happenings

$          Victory Baptist Church: Live Nativity on Friday, December 17, 7:00PM and 8:00PM.

Candle-light Christmas Eve service, 6:00PM. 12650 Aden Rd, Nokesville. 703-594-2933.

$          Nokesville Church of the Brethren: December 11, 6:30PM and 7:30PM  – live nativity.

December 17, 6:30PM  – Youth groups invite community to join them in Christmas caroling in Nokesville. Hot chocolates and refreshments follow. December 19, 11:00AM  – Service with Christmas music by all choirs and children’s program. December 24, 7:30PM  – Christmas service and Communion.