Nokesville Business Association: Looking Back and Forward

The Nokesville Business Association has been in existence since October 2000 but 2002 seemed to be the year that NBA gained prominence in the village it wants to serve. Now it looks forward to continuing its mission: to encourage the establishment, growth and promotion of businesses within the Nokesville area. It also aims to revitalize the community and maintain the rural character of Nokesville.

In late 2000, a small group of business persons and other interested parties organized with a goal strengthen Nokesville’s business climate and, with residents and organizations, help make Nokesville a better place to live and work. They formed the non-profit Nokesville Business Association, a non-profit organization.

Since its founding, the NBA has sponsored or participated in several projects that helped highlight Nokesville’s businesses and enhanced enhance residents’ enjoyment of and pride in their community.

One of NBA’s first goals, and most ambitious project, was the development and construction of the Welcome to Nokesville sign at Route 28 and Fitzwater Drive, the map designation of Nokesville’s location. The estimated cost was $3300 and NBA had to get to work with fundraising. The Association offered T-shirts and sweatshirts, limited-edition prints and greeting cards and accepted donations. The shirts were imprinted with the popular Hawkins barn dancing animals artwork and prepared by Mike Squires (Kaleidoscope Screen Printing, Nokesville). Marge Whetzel (Whetzel’s Corner), a Nokesville artist, drew limited-edition prints of the barn’s painting, framed and unframed. Scott Lewczak (Artworks), who also designed the Welcome sign, designed the greeting cards depicting the barn.

These items were offered for sale at Nokesville Day 2001and 2002, Ruritan Brunswick Stew Day 2001 and 2002, the two concerts in Nokesville Park and in various establishments throughout Nokesville.

The sign was ready for display on Nokesville Day, June 1, 2002. The dedication of the sign, along with the flagpole donated by the Nokesville Ruritans, was held on October 19, which became a big day for the village. The sign and flagpole were presented to the community on the traditional Ruritan Brunswick Stew Sale Day, always held on the third Saturday in October. In addition, the NBA held a yard sale, the library sold previously-read books, and the Nokesville Brethren Church sponsored a craft bazaar. Prince William Count Clerk of the Court Dave Mabie and Brentsville District Supervisor Ben Thompson spoke at the ceremony, praising the hard work of those involved in bringing about the sign and the community for its support and pride in the hometown, including its churches, schools and volunteer organizations, like the NBA and Ruritans. Nokesville Boy Scout Troop 671 raised the flag and Colonel Gary West, a Nokesville resident who was on duty at the Pentagon on 9-11, offered patriotic songs.

Nokesville’s first tree lighting near the Welcome sign was co-sponsored by NBA and the Nokesville Ruritans and inspired by Stanley Keys, a member of both organizations. Because of the rain, after the tree lighting by life-long resident Anna Hooker, the program was continued inside the Brethren Church across the street. Many Nokesville resident came along to sing holiday songs and hear Brentsville District High School (BDHS) Jazz Band and BDHS Treble Choir.

Dona Swanson has become a prominent community activist. She has served as NBA’s Secretary since its inception and has been deeply involved in all aspects of its work. In early 2002, Swanson conceived of and carried out a two-concert series at the pavilion in Nokesville Park to encourage the community to visit, picnic and enjoy free music, as well as raise the awareness of NBA’s work. The theme of the first concert, held on June 23, was "Let Freedom Ring"; it featured the Prince William Community Band, with a pre-show by the SKB Project Band, a small jazz ensemble. The second concert, on July 27, had an Irish music theme, led out by the Woodbridge Flute Quartet. The featured performer was Patrick Mulhern, a nationally-known Irish tenor and Nokesville resident.

Another NBA accomplishment was the development of a website for Nokesville, www.nokesville.net or www.3sa.com. The website contains NBA membership information, the Nokesville businesses and links to their websites, the NBA newsletter, community events, a brief history, local weather. Webmaster Jim Russo called the website a different way to put Nokesville on the map.

The bi-monthly Nokesville Biz newsletter is distributed to all businesses in the Nokesville zip code and extra copies are available at the library.

As often as possible, speakers share knowledge and updates on issues of interest to the members, such as computers, telecommunications and development. A big issue in 2002 was the transportation referendum placed before northern Virginia voters, including Prince William County. The NBA sponsored a debate at the September General Meeting concerning the referendum’s impact (success or failure) on the Nokesville area. Nokesville resident Dave Mabie and attorney Jim Young, who stood in for Delegate Robert Marshall who represents the area, debated their opposing opinions.

There are about 250 businesses in Nokesville, the overwhelming majority of which are home-based. This is one of the reasons many residents of Nokesville and the surrounding communities are unaware of the great variety of businesses located there and this is why the Nokesville Business Directory is so helpful. It is a comprehensive listing of the businesses, churches, schools and organizations in Nokesville, regardless of membership. Businesses who respond to the invitation to be included in the directory are listed by category and alphabetically and can purchase ads within the subject heading for better visibility. The first edition, distributed on Nokesville Day 2001, was so well-received by residents and visitors that printing was doubled for 2002. The 2003-2004 Directory will be available on Brunswick Stew Day.

NBA membership is open to businesses within the Nokesville zip code, though applicants outside the area can be accepted if deemed appropriate by the Board. One outstanding example is the Bull Run Observer, published by Randi Reid, who was 2001 Nokesville Day’s Citizen of the Year.

NBA board members are voted in for one-year terms at the November General Meeting, recognized at the December meeting, assume office in January and may serve for a maximum of three years.

The NBA’s first Board of Directors consisted of Thomas Basham (President); Anthony Slaga (Vice President); Stanley Keys (Treasurer); Dona Swanson (Secretary). The new board was voted in December 2002 and is now comprised of Jim Hobbs, Tony Slaga, BJ Thomas and Dona Swanson, as well as the Immediate Past President.

Hobbs wants to greatly increase NBA membership, remain helpful to businesses, make the town more attractive to businesses and, therefore, customers. In short, he wants everybody to "Get to know Nokesville."