It’s common to catch our team members focused on work while silently humming along to familiar tunes in our ears. Working in a studio environment gives us the ability to easily collaborate and join forces on our design work, but we collectively enjoy the inspiration and mood-boosting effects of listening to our favorite tunes throughout the day.
We have varying tastes in music throughout our team, but we enjoy recommending both our old and newfound favorites to each other. In honor of #UniveralMusicDay, we are sharing a compiled playlist of the go-to tunes we turn to.
To check out the playlist, it’s free to access and play HERE on Spotify. Bonus points to anyone who can guess which songs were suggested by which team members!
It’s #NationalMascotDay and our team enjoyed reminiscing about our days proudly representing our schools and favorite teams. A few of us are brainstorming a mascot for the Gaines Group (we are open to suggestions!) Until then, enjoy a few photos of our team members showing off their school mascot pride.
Pictured above is the JMU Duke Dog showing off a Gaines Group shirt, Charlie posing with the University of Tennessee mascot, and Charles with a Virginia Tech Hokie bird (mocking the bird).
In honor of the Seinfeld-inspired holiday Festivus, our team is celebrating by airing our grievances in preparation for a fresh start this new year. Festivus is a playful holiday that turns away from the consumerism of Christmas and instead celebrates letting go of negative feelings and moving on before 2022.
Charles: Air-permeable insulation – you would never use a blanket that has holes in it, engineers – they are all math and gravity and no whimsy, gravity – it is always limiting our cool ideas, people that sing loudly to spread Christmas cheer, just kidding, love those people!
Deborah: Matty leaving us to move halfway across the country, companies that redesigned their pens so the caps don’t stay securely attached to the end of the pen anymore, resulting in several new felt tip pens being thrown around during site measures…looking at you #sharpie ! Harrisonburg smelling like dog food on the most gorgeous days, house hunting right now is a roller coaster of emotions that I don’t want to be a part of anymore, the building code books deciding to switch to the cheaper/thinner kind of paper.
In honor of #nationalsandwichday our team is celebrating by ordering takeout from Lola’s and enjoying a delicious lunch together! While national sandwich day exists to honor the inventor of the sandwich (John Montagu) we are taking this time to take a breather and enjoy quality time with one another.
And if you are curious about some of the best sandwiches in Harrisonburg, we have attached our Lola’s order for those who would like their own piece of #nationalsandwichday.
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.
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.
