Calendar Community Members Information
Nokesville Biz October, 2003
Representative Tom Davis Secures Funds for Nokesville Revitalization
Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA 11th) announced in late July that the House of Representatives had approved funding for several Northern Virginia projects, including $200,000 for the revitalization of Nokesville’s historic main street, Fitzwater Drive. The money will be used to help meet some of the needs and goals identified by the community, local organizations, businesses and the Nokesville Business Association, such as streetscape improvements and increased cultural activities.
Nokesville Business Association President Jim Hobbs was instrumental in attracting Congressman Davis to the idea of helping the revitalization of this community. After visiting and touring Nokesville, Davis promised to help secure funding for it.
The Association is planning a meeting with the leaders of Nokesville’s community organizations to consolidate ideas for using that money. If you are a member of any of the many civic groups here or just the ordinary citizen, the Association encourages you to forward your ideas. We want to help better the community, for the businesses and for the residents.
October’s Big Day for Nokesville
The
Nokesville Ruritan Club will hold its annual Brunswick Stew Day on Saturday,
October 18, starting at 11:30AM. Under the big tent near the Welcome sign, you
can enjoy your all-you-can-eat meal for $6.00 or carry out a quart-size
container of the secret recipe. You can also purchase goodies from the bake
sale. All Ruritan proceeds throughout the year are donated to support community
activities and services, students, and the needy. Brunswick Stew Day is one of
the Club’s biggest annual events.
But, that’s not all that’s happening in Nokesville on that day! Nearby, the Asociation will hand out the 2003/2004 Nokesville Business Directory, sell Nokesville gear, display member business cards, and greet the community.
The barbershop chorus, Bull Run Troubadours, will sing a variety of tunes from noon to 1:00PM. The Nokesville Neighborhood Library will hold a book sale, with predominately children’s books, from 10:00AM until 1:00PM. Local story-teller Glenna Ohlms will be there to entertain audiences of all ages from 10:30 to 11:30AM.
There will be a craft bazaar across the street at the Brethren Church. Table rental is $25 and proceeds benefit the Nokesville Elementary School Shoe Fund. Contact the Church at 703-594-2685 for further information.
All the participating activities look forward to providing a fun day for the community!
Calling All Members to Vote for a New Board of Directors
It’s election time for the Nokesville Business Association’s Board of Directors!
It’s also your opportunity to nominate and vote for a candidate for each position. Member levels Bronze and above have nominating and voting privileges. However, for this month only (October 2003), Associate Members also will be afforded the opportunity to submit candidates’ names and vote. New officers will be nominated at the October General meeting, voted in at the November General meeting, and installed at the December General meeting.
The present top four Directors are: President Jim Hobbs; Vice President Tony Slaga; Treasurer B.J. Thomas; Secretary Dona Swanson. According to the by-laws, these officers may not hold their current offices for more than two consecutive years. As such, Slaga and Swanson must leave their current positions. While all four seats are open for nominations and voting, these two must be filled by other persons!
If you know a willing person who can help – or you are that someone – please step forward. We need your help to better this community while preserving its unique qualities. The Association is looking forward to an exciting year. Nokesville has dedicated funds coming to it, the Friends Uniting Nokesville (FUN) is forming, the community organizations are coming together, and residents are speaking up.
Please contact Tony Slaga at 703-594-3168 or ajslaga@nokesville.net to submit your nomination for the Nokesville Business Association Board of Directors.
Spotlight on Lowe’s Plumbing
Patricia Lowe is used to the surprised look on some customers’ faces when she shows up at the job. After all, they called a plumber. They quickly learn how capable and knowledgeable she is.
Patricia had already been a water treatment specialist and operations manager with Culligan for 14 years before opening Lowe’s Plumbing in 1997. As such, her services include testing and treating water, including well, for hardness, iron, bacteria and acid.
Her husband Keith is a master plumber who started plumbing with his uncle at aged twelve. Before Lowe’s, he was a service manager with Culligan and is also trained in residential and commercial water treatment.
While they’re both qualified in commercial and residential work, Patricia and Keith stay busy with the latter side: new homes, remodeling and contracting with Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse. The firm also does gas work. The recent Hurricane Isabel has added somewhat to the Lowes’ workload: flooded basements, sump pump replacements, and well pump resets.
The company slogan is, "If water runs through it, we do it!"
Patricia said that Lowe’s Plumbing is very customer oriented. They don’t push unnecessary services and equipment but will tell the customer what may be needed later.
"I try to be a cut above. I always wanted to be different," Patricia said.
Lowe’s will break ground in December for a new company office and warehouse.
Nine employees make service calls, including Patricia and Keith. Two daughters, a son-in-law and mother-in-law work with Patricia, and one full-time and two part-time employees hold down the office.
"It’s a family business," Patricia said.
Patricia is a sixth-generation Nokesvillian. She attended Brentsville but graduated from Vienna before attending Culligan’s school in Northbrook, IL. Keith is from Harper’s Ferry, WV, but many of her employees were raised in Nokesville.
Patricia said, "I love Nokesville because it’s quiet. My family is here, my background is here, my friends are here. It’s a hometown place."
Office employee Meg Gomez added, "People still wave to you."
Lowe’s tries to put money back into the community for the kids. It has sponsored Brentsville District Youth Baseball for the past three years, supports BDHS basketball, football and softball, donated to Nokesville Elementary for school supplies, and supports the Nokesville Day parade.
Contact Patricia Lowe at 703-594-3700 for more information.
The Nokesville Business Association Welcomes in These New Members
Whiteley Design Studio: Family-owned business specializing in authentic Italian plasters imported from Verona, Italy, faux finishes, trompe l’oeuil, and more for homes and businesses. Contact Lynn Whiteley at 703-335-5522, www.whiteleydesignstudio.com, or lhw@whiteleydesignstudio.com.
Creative Contracting, LLC: Residential and commercial masonry for 26 years, Nokesville-based since 1985. Undertakes a variety of projects throughout Northern Virginia, including a recently-completed structure in Fairfax. Contact Jim and Jean Gehlsen at 703-594-3330 or jgehlsen@att.net.
Jim’s Emu Ranch: Raises and sells emu meat and by-products. Emu is an excellent alternative to red meat, its oil is used for medicinals and skin care; other emu products are available. Contact Jim Rowlette at 703-594-3526, www.jimsemufarm.com, or emooman@email.msn.com.
Prince William Dance Academy: Dance studio at Nokesville Square offers ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement, Irish dance and more for children aged three and up with all levels of experience. Adult classes are also available. Kim Thomas has over 25 years of experience as an instructor. Contact her at 703-594-3223 or kimtthomas@hotmail.com.
Mary Carol Ivie, Herballife Independent Consultant: Distributor for the international wellness and weight loss products company. The Herballife line includes weight management products, vitamin, mineral and anti-oxidant supplements, immune support products, skin and hair care products, and products targeted for men, women and children. Contact Mary Carol Ivie at 703-754-0452 or lose4good@msn.com.
Nokesville Business Association Apologizes for the Confusion
The Association apologizes to its members and potential members for any confusion caused by the combination of membership levels, newsletter ads and Directory ads. We are working to improve and simplify and we welcome your feedback. Please email Association President Jim Hobbs at jim@bassettehomes.com.
Thank you, Chris Taylor
The Board of Directors thanks Christine Taylor for the tremendous amount of work she did to publish the Nokesville Business Directory and the Biz newsletters. Without her dedication, these publications would not have come about. We sincerely appreciate your efforts and wish you the best.
New at the Library
Here are a few books that might be of interest to business owners and managers. Visit the Nokesville Neighborhood Library to borrow these and many more management and self-help titles.
Bringing Out the Best in Others: 3 Keys for Business Leaders, Educators. Coaches and Parents by Thomas K. Connellan, 2003. Explains how to apply the three keys: believe in the other person; hold him accountable; provide supportive feedback.
The Extraordinary Leader: Turning Good Managers into Great Leaders by John H. Zenger and Joseph Folkman, 2002. Identifies five core competencies for effective leadership.
Make Their Day: Employee Recognition That Works by Cindy Ventrice, 2003. Outlines elements of recognition that are more effective than unwanted trinkets.
The Joy of Success: 10 Essential Skills for Getting the Success You Want by Susan Ford Collins, 2003. A guide to personal satisfaction and commitment to put to use immediately.
Upcoming Events
If you have upcoming events you want in this column for the January-February 2004 timeframe, please contact Gail Williams at 703-594-2669 or gracedak@erols.com.