by cbhendricks | Jan 25, 2019 | citizen architect, community, Rotary
It is that time of year again, The Rock Rotary annual Car Raffle Party! Get your tickets for the Rock Rotary party supporting local non-profits today! This annual event is hosted at JMU’s Bridgeforth Stadium Club Level on February 23, 2019 from 7:00 pm – until. The event benefits several local non-profits that do great work in our community including First Step, Generations Crossing, and The Rotary Foundation. Your donation of $150 provides one pass to get into the party and one chance to win a 2018 Ford Fiesta Hatchback while helping your community. This must attend party includes an vast spread of food and drink along with some of the best networking in the valley. Join us this year for a special scale Soap Box car race event. Just send me an email or call for your ticket. I would love to see you there.
First Step: A Response to Domestic Violence believes that all people have the right to live without violence or the fear of violence. This organization is dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence through support and education. First Step says abuse is not always physical. Threats of violence, destruction of property and / or pets, name calling, humiliating you in front of family and friends, putting you down – all of these things are abuse. Abuse is not caused by alcohol. It is not caused by stress. Abuse happens when one person seeks to hold power over another. First Step supports people who are living with violence or the threat of violence in their lives.
Generations Crossing‘s mission is to provide high quality, innovative adult and child care for our ethnically and economically diverse community. Unique to this program is an opportunity for adults and children to develop meaningful relationships with all ages within their loving, inter-generational setting.
The Rotary Foundation transforms gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. This foundation enables our club to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. This fund supports our local club’s grant program that has in recent years supported a grant for On the Road Collaborative, Big Brother Big Sister, and Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation.
So get your ticket as soon as possible before they are sold out. This event allows you to help three non-profits, attend a great party, and gives you a chance to win a new car!
by cbhendricks | Jan 23, 2019 | architecture, community, project update
The culinary arts classroom at Massanutten Technical Center was in need of a revamp. The existing classroom was built in 1972 and according to MTC Director Kevin Hutton “It just wasn’t up to date with where it needed to be.” He worked with his staff to develop a revised layout to meet the needs of today’s culinary arts curriculum. He then gave us a call to work with the school to develop a construction plan. We did a code review of the plan, made a few modifications, evaluated the removal of the existing wall, and developed permit plans for their construction use.
The culinary arts program has 50 students. There are 30 first-year students and 20 in their second year. The Bistro at MTC will reopen to the public in February of this year. The students and instructor, Tara Roberts work together to develop a menu that is feasible and works within their budget. The students prepare the meals, find out more about the menu on the MTC website.
The bistro serves lunch on Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays. Kevin Hutton says the renovation took a 70’s kitchen to a state of the art facility. The space is available for rental as a kitchen and banquet room. “It’s totally open to the community,” Hutton said. “We’re making it a place that you can reserve and we can provide the catering for events.”
by cbhendricks | Jan 8, 2019 | citizen architect, community, Rotary
Congratulations to Judith Trumbo, Business Person of the Year, Welhelmina Johnson, Diversity Leadership award, the Thompsons for the Family Farm Steward award, and Rocktown Kitchen for Entrepreneur of the year at this year’s Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. You are all doing incredible things in our community, thank you so much for your service and dedication.
At this year’s banquet I was given the Community Champion award by the Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce. It is humbling to get recognized for something that others are doing more and better than you. There are so many in my life that give their time to good and deserving causes, organizations, and movements and do it more and better than I am able. There are many that I know that have made their life mission service to others. There are many that give so much more than I am capable or willing to give, each of them volunteering for a better community.
I am fortunate to work for and now own a business that for the past 31 years (20 of which I have been part of the organization) has made serving others a primary focus. In fact, everyone in the business has a cause they are passionate about from church to civic organization to animal rights to law enforcement to education to soccer to women’s rights. I am surrounded by people who get life through giving to others in time, money, and talent. So to get recognized for the little I do is greatly appreciated. Just to be nominated by one of the hardest working business leaders in our community is an honor in itself. I so appreciate the circle of support I have in this industry and community.
Volunteering for a better community, in my opinion, is the only way we are going to achieve just that. We cannot wait on regulations, laws, or politicians to make it happen. We each need to reach out to a brother or sister and help them up that next step. It can be as simple as a smile to warm a dreary day or it can be joining an organization like Rotary to magnify your efforts around the world. You could join an organization like Shenandoah Valley Partnership with the idea that a rising tide raises all boats and work to build an even stronger economic future for the valley. Maybe your passion is for Harrisonburg’s downtown, you can join, volunteer, and support the efforts of HDR as they support the healthy growth of our downtown community. Want to make a lasting impact – offer to provide job shadow opportunities for a student at Harrisonburg High School – just contact Bethany and she will set you up. Want to share your passion with a larger group of students, check out the amazing work being done by On the Road Collaborative. If you think technical education is important, find ways to support Massanutten Technical Center through sharing time, donation, or talents. Like to bowl, consider helping Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County by bowling for kid’s sake. If you want to support local music, Red Wing Academy is one of the best I have ever experienced for instrumental knowledge and the Shenandoah Children’s Choir for vocal musical talents. There are so many opportunities to help, we have started putting links to organizations we love here to make it easier for you to find them. It does not take a lot of effort to make a huge difference, from wearing pink to swinging a hammer, there are lots of opportunities to do good in this community.
Thanks to all that do so much to build a better community, especially to those that offer kind words and gestures of support like taking time to write a nomination or just reaching out on a gloomy day!
by cbhendricks | Nov 21, 2018 | artwork, community, First Friday
Each month on the First Friday we host a new artist art opening in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
December 7, 2018
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Gaines Group Architects
141 W. Bruce St. Suite 201
Harrisonburg, VA
Please join us to take your own picture with Santa, listen to Red Wing Academy students perform, and purchase art work from Eastern Mennonite School students at this month’s open house. We will have cookies and drinks available. Note the special hours!
ART SHOW
Title: EMS Seasonal Student Artwork
Media: Photography, Drawings, & Mixed Media
Artists: Eastern Mennonite School Student Work
Bio: We Serve is a student-led organization at Eastern Mennonite School which focuses on service projects and events in the local community. The club is sponsored by Rockingham County Rotary as a chartered Interact Club. Previous outreach projects include meals for the Open Doors shelter for the homeless, volunteer work at Anicira (the local no kill animal shelter), meals for Ronald McDonald House families and a local road clean up. Students raise money each year to help fund these projects that benefit our community.
This year, EMS students have created various forms of artwork for display and sale to support their future projects. In appreciation of the changing seasons, many of the pieces will celebrate the fall, winter, and upcoming holidays.
VISIT WITH SANTA
Visit with Santa in the R.S. Monger & Sons Window and Door Showroom, then come upstairs to check out the goodies.
RED WING ACADEMY
We are also thrilled to welcome back Red Wing Academy students to our space again this year.
Red Wing Academy is open to non-beginner violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, mandolin and banjo students. Students will receive individual and group instruction from highly trained music teachers and will also be coached by members of The Steel Wheels throughout the week. Daily curriculum will include group classes, mini lessons, improv and jam sessions, technique and tone development, stage performance, electives, recreation, panel discussions, and more. Each day will close with a camp wide rehearsal to practice for Red Wing performance.
Throughout the 4-day workshop, students will learn several tunes to perform collectively. On Friday, July 12th, 2019, the Academy experience will culminate at Red Wing Roots Music Festival with a live, on-stage performance with The Steel Wheels.
Email academy@redwingroots.com or call 540-588-0332 for more information.
Red Wing Academy is hosted by Eric Brubaker of The Steel Wheels as a four-day intensive camp held at Eastern Mennonite University on July 7-10, 2019.
by cbhendricks | Nov 9, 2018 | architecture, citizen architect, community, Rotary
The holiday season is upon us and our list of fun events is growing. Please mark your calendars!
December 1st:
Cookie Tour as part of the Winter WonderFest – The Depot is the pick up location for the Cookie Tour box. This tour has stops at Agora Downtown market, withSimplicity, Yellow Button, Green Hummingbird, Walkabout Outfitters, Lady Jane, Larkin Arts, OASIS Fine Arts and Craft, and Virginia Quilt Museum. The self-guided tour allows you to spend an afternoon shopping downtown and you get gourmet locally made cookies! Get your tickets HERE.
If you bring in a colored Depot on the 1st we will have a Gaines Group flashlight for you (while supplies last).
December 1st
That same day there is an art market at Larkin Arts from noon – 6pm, photos with Santa at Hardesty Higgins Visitor’s Center from 1pm – 3pm, Polar Express at 4:30 in Court Square Theater (shop at a downtown retailer during the Winter Wonderfest and get into the show for free), Caroling throughout downtown, and the Grinch will be on the prowl. It sounds like an incredible day of fun downtown.
December 7th
Art Opening and Holiday party at the Depot – join us for our annual Holiday Party. Visit with Santa in the R.S. Monger & Sons Window and Door Showroom, then come upstairs to check out the goodies.
Of course, bring your colored depot to get a Gaines Group flashlight (while supplies last). We are hosting student artists in December from Eastern Mennonite School to benefit the EMS Interact We Serve Club. This club does at least one service project for the community through the school year!
We are also thrilled to welcome back Red Wing Academy students to our space again this year.
Red Wing Academy is hosted by Eric Brubaker of The Steel Wheels as a four-day intensive camp held at Eastern Mennonite University on July 7-10, 2019.
Red Wing Academy is open to non-beginner violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, mandolin and banjo students. Students will receive individual and group instruction from highly trained music teachers and will also be coached by members of The Steel Wheels throughout the week. Daily curriculum will include group classes, mini lessons, improv and jam sessions, technique and tone development, stage performance, electives, recreation, panel discussions, and more. Each day will close with a camp wide rehearsal to practice for Red Wing performance.
Throughout the 4-day workshop, students will learn several tunes to perform collectively. On Friday, July 12th, 2019, the Academy experience will culminate at Red Wing Roots Music Festival with a live, on-stage performance with The Steel Wheels.
December 7th
Holiday Parade Downtown – the 2018 parade is themed Capture the Magic. Starting at the Rockingham County Office Building at 7:00 am this annual event brings together the entire community. Claim your space along the street route early in the day for the best views of the floats, trucks, and the big guy at the end.
December 8th
Christmas at Crossroads Gingerbread House Contest is returning this year. During this annual event at Crossroads Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center you can experience the small strength and beauty of candles in the still and silent darkness allowing respite from the hubbub of commercialized Christmas chaos. Take this time to reflect on the experience of Advent preparations as they might have taken place 100 years ago. For tickets and more information go HERE. This annual event also includes a Gingerbread House Contest – don’t limit yourself to the traditional house – go all out and design / build something cool. We are going to serve as the design judge again this year! There will be more information coming and a good chance you will want to be named winner!!!
In addition to the traditional candlelight tour there will be hands-on family crafts, live music and singing, and holiday refreshments.
by cbhendricks | Oct 25, 2018 | artwork, community, First Friday
Each month on the First Friday we host a new artist art opening in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
November 2, 2018
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Gaines Group Architects
141 W. Bruce St. Suite 201
Harrisonburg, VA
First Friday Art Opening – Art and Activism
Media used in “Art and Activism” includes photographs by activists, textile work, and steel maquette which illustrate the motivation for and progress toward the creation of “The Defenders” moveable steel sculpture by Mark Schwenk and Cheryl Langlais, which opposes the 2 pipelines to be constructed by Dominion Power [now renamed Dominion Energy] across WV and VA to deliver fracked gas to the coast for shipment to foreign buyers. Funding for the full size sculpture came from local donations and a Kickstarter effort produced by Rosie Lynch and Ana Rampy. Prints of Karen Ryder Lee’s original painting of the Great Gray Owl, symbol of this project, will be for sale. The sculpture is now installed in Stuarts Draft near where pipeline is to travel across land visible from 3 local schools. It will be moved to several more sites in pipeline pathway of pipeline construction.
