From a Harley Davidson to a well proportioned building, there can be beauty created by the human hand. We can design something that has grace and beauty or something that does not. This is a choice that is made by someone in the process to an end. These choices impact the influence a creation has over those that encounter it in the future. If there is a nicely designed and maintained landscape, there is more care taken not to step on it and trample the beauty. Where there is a beauty created, the human spirit is lifted.
So why does this matter? How does this shape human activity. In Roanoke, there was once a tall wall next to the road. The cars driving through this neighborhood traveled at a high-speed just passing through. A neighborhood came together and decided this wall needed beauty. So they went through the process to get permission, hire an artist, organize volunteers and painted the wall. The result now is that cars slow down to look at the wall. The yards surrounding the wall across the street are kept a little more manicured than before. The restaurant across the street is going to be renovated because “corporate thinks it should be a better resident in such a beautiful neighborhood.” Even better, the community came together, got to know each other, and crime rates went down. This is the power of design. When you introduce beauty to an object, it radiates out into those experiencing the place.
This is the power of a beautifully designed outdoor park in the middle of a downtown. It brings people together, inspires creativity, sparks economic growth, reduces crime, and empowers those living in the place.
However, it is not just the walls that need painted or parks that can be built. It is the everyday objects that impact our lives. We need design even in our benches and buildings because we need beauty. It brightens our spirits and in this day and age of so much turmoil, we all need brightness.
I have heard from some of you and I know you agree, 2016 was not the best of years…. There seemed to be a cloud of negative over much of the year. Certainly this happens each Presidential election cycle, but this year seemed somehow more sticky. In addition, I faced some of the most challenging times of my adult life this year resulting in some burn-out through the year. There seemed to be more death this year or perhaps I am just coming to an age where more people who have had influence over my life are passing. In any case, it was sad to see so many go including my Aunt Debbie and my favorite musician of all time, Prince. Violence around the world somehow seemed louder and closer to home this year more than I ever remember – especially through the hate filled comments on social media. Let’s face it, 2016 had a lot of wrong going on.
However, there was good that came out of all the rubble over the last 12 months. There is a silver lining. In face, so much was GOOD that happened in 2016, here are some of our stories.
I started my year off right with these beautiful souls and a trip to see my mom, dad, brother, and nephews – our New Year Day tradition. Each day I get to spend with them is truly a treasure. I need to make sure I focus on that as I do love to give my time to all sorts of efforts around the community – this is the one that is most important.
Our Rotary Club continues to change the world by putting service above self.We have so much in this community and together as a group of Rotarians, we can share our gifts with the world. This year we raised money for many good local organizations, packed food for the hungry around the world, hosted a Soapbox Derby, and so much more.
We moved into our new office at the DEPOT!!!!also HERE. I have literally fallen in love with this building. I am so thankful to Jim Monger for allowing us to be part of the project and to have our office here. It is such a joy to work in a building like this one.
I got to bowl for Kid’s Sake on the SVBA team! I do love events that help kids, this one especially benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County. Want to be part of my team this year?
I was able to go on a field trip with Sophia to Washington D.C. Each day I get to spend with my girls is such a treat.
I got to see George Clinton lay down the funk in Roanoke. This was the third time I have seen him play live and probably the last time. He remains a great performer, but has lost some his gusto.
We broke ground on our Net-Zero house.This one is being built by Mark Bergman. Our clients make everything else we do possible, I am very thankful for those allowing us to design “green” homes in the community.
I attended City Works Expo and got to hang out with some cool people, learn some new stuff, and see this incredible art. Thanks to Brad for getting me to attend. This conference was inspirational. The oddest part was at this particular conference, I was one of the old guys. I guess it is a sign of the times, but also uplifting to see so many younger than me looking for innovative ways to build community.
I ran a few races, each time improving my time a little over the previous. One of the biggest lessons I have learned this year, I need to take care of me so I can better take care of others. The time has come to stop putting it off.
We marched in Harrisonburg to raise awareness of climate change. Really, anytime I get to hang out with Charlie is a great time, but walking in this parade and showing my girls how much our future depends on them was powerful. We have a problem. We can, I hope, solve the problem. We just need to adjust our priorities.
We broke ground on our Carbon Neutral House.This is another Beck Builders project and another client I am thankful for giving me a chance. I look forward to sharing more with you about this project.
I had a chance to do a BUNCH of energy audit to help folks in the community reduce their energy bills. There is so much work that can be done to reduce your monthly energy bills and our community impact on the environment. I have knowledge about the solutions and I am happy to share it with you. Just call for an energy audit.
I got to spend some special time with this beautiful lady. I need to do this more – I love my family and I need to spend more time with them!
We attended Red Wing Roots! The Steel Wheels have quickly become my favorite musical group. We were in a position this year to be able to sponsor this event that it turns out a LOT of our clients attend. What a fun-filled three days of music and community!
The girls and I went to see this bush cut out in my likeness and to ride some rides .
I got to see this guy wearing this shirt on facebook! I think he may be a UVA Fan now!
This project in downtown Harrisonburg is almost done. We love saving old buildings through design. This new apartment building on South Main street is being renovated by Nesselrodt Construction.
I hope you have a chance to remember all the GOOD that happened for you in 2016. Going through this list certainly lifted my spirits. I think I am ready for 2017.
Many people make resolutions for the new year. These often fall by the side of the road as you carry on in a busy life. Here are some things to check your home for that will provide payback through reduced energy bills and increased comfort all year-long.
The architectural details in Williamsburg are truly special. The brick walls have moss growing over the top softening their surface and providing color. The variety of fence styles and types are diverse and varied. I have to imagine there is significance to the different styles, but I did not find any documentation of such.
There are many styles of gates and passages. The discovery that is allowed through these borders gives the visitors more depth to the experience.
There is a variety of signs marking the stores, taverns, and shops. These signs reinforce the architecture.
Even the hinges on the shutters have a variety of styles and types leaving the visitor opportunity to think about form and function.
The door locks range from sliding locks, chains, to padlocks. These locks add texture and detail that enhance the architectural story.
Even the hinges on the fences offer a variety of interests.
This bird house seems to be a luxury suite.
The doors show their age while telling a story of time past.
The wells offer interesting textures.
Window trim and shutters tell a story of function and style.
From the rich to the poor, those living in mansions to log cabins, Williamsburg tells a story of cultural development. The wall paper with intricate detail is such a luxury that many others could never even fathom owning.
One of the best decisions I have made in the last 8 years was to join Rotary. This organization amplifies the good you can do in your community and around the world. Rotary International is a service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. “It is the duty of all Rotarians,” states the Manual of Procedure “outside their clubs, to be active as individuals in as many legally constituted groups and organizations as possible to promote, not only in words but through exemplary dedication, awareness of the dignity of all people and the respect of the consequent human rights of the individual.” The Rotarian motto is “Service Above Self.”
Rotarians pledge the 4-way test at each meeting. This is a great reminder of how to live life, serve your community, and simply how to be better.
Our club, Rotary Club of Rockingham County meets each Tuesday of the week (except holiday weeks) at Golden Pony in Harrisonburg for breakfast at 7am. We organize a soapbox derby in Harrisonburg and a car raffle to benefit Generations Crossing and First Step. We partner with other clubs (Harrisonburg Rotary,Bridgewater Rotary) to organize the Harrisonburg Strawberry Festival to benefit parks in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. The Ronald McDonald benefit golf tournament done jointly with Waynesboro East Augusta is always a great event. We donate books to the Massanutten Regional Library, have a grant to help supply food backpacks at county schools, and work to end polio partnering with Harrisonburg-Massanutten Rotary with their Polio Tailgate party. Our weekly meetings raise money for the Collins Center and we have donated books to the Broadway-Timberville Rotary Little Free Library. It is a great group of people dedicated to “service above self.” If you want to visit to see if this club is a good fit for you – let me know. If a 7am breakfast meeting each week is not right for you, let me introduce you to members of one of the lunch clubs. There is work to be done and we need you to be a Rotarian to get it done.
