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).
Architect, family man, explorer, and coach; all of these are hats worn by Gaines Group team member Paul Tassell. Paul began his career at the Gaines Group in 2002 and we are excited to share more about him and his journey below.
Paul grew up in Albemarle County where from a young age, he was drawn to the arts. He remembers spending much of his time sketching and drawing which snowballed into an interest in architecture. Following this interest, he attended Virginia Tech to study architecture and design. Through his studies, he enjoyed being exposed to architecture from both the artistic and the building science side. During his 4th year, he had the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to Europe with the architecture department visiting 9 countries over 4 months. These travels greatly influenced his appreciation of architecture and its global influences.
After graduation, Paul moved to Charlottesville to be close to his family and began his career with the Gaines Group. His talent was quickly recognized, and he continued to grow within the firm and eventually achieved his architectural license in 2016. As he reflects on his 20+ year tenure thus far at the Gaines Group, he most appreciates working at a small firm that allows him to work on every part of a project. He especially enjoys producing conceptual renderings at the beginning of a project and figuring out the many building details.
Paul has been an integral part of countless projects but says his favorite was designing an addition to his daughter’s preschool which is housed in a historical building in Charlottesville. He also enjoyed working on the Minor-Nelson House addition which turned into an investigation to recreate a historically accurate front porch and detailing.
Outside of being an architect at the Gaines Group, Paul spends much of his time with his wife Linde and two daughters, Ainsley (9) and Mabyn (6). They are an adventurous family with a history of being involved in both Boys and Girls Scouts. Their love for the outdoors has taken them on many trips to Virginia State Parks, Yellowstone National Park, and even a visit abroad to France. A soccer player himself, you can also find Paul on the sidelines coaching different teams. “Coach Tassell” has been working with different skill levels since 2006 and has recently been able to coach both of his daughters.
Service to my community is my why. It has shaped our business mission statement and it drives my decisions. How can I do the most good for others often allows me to decide what committee to give time to and what non-profit to support. The one organization that does it better than any other, the one that allows me to serve your community and mine and serve those around the world, is Rotary International. So I want to invite you to come to learn more about Rotary on June 7th from 5 pm – 7 pm at Beyond Restaurant.
Service to your community, with Rotary, starts with weekly meetings to build deep friendships while learning more about the community. Each week we have speakers join us to talk about a topic, often are area non-profit, that is also doing good. These weekly meetings are important to build the community among members so when it comes time to do a service project, such as hosting the Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby, we join together not just as Rotarians, but as friends.
I am proud to be a Rotarian and would be proud to invite you to our meeting to learn more. If our weekly Tuesday morning breakfast club is not the right fit for your schedule there are other incredible groups. We often join forces in the valley and team up with other Rotary Clubs to have an even bigger impact.
Our club has helped support some amazing efforts across the valley and around the world. From the Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby to PurMadi to supporting First Step to picking up trash along Rt 42, we work hard together to do good.
When the war started Rotarians immediately sprung into action and started feeding people. The train workers did not leave their posts for a full month as they volunteered to help evacuate and Rotarians provided hot meals to the workers. They also were delivering food and heaters to bomb shelters. They had to use small vans because large trucks could not navigate the broken roads. In Kyiv, they worked hard to distribute medicine and supplies to the elderly that could not leave their homes. Many Rotarians started taking in pets that were left behind to the point where their homes appeared to be small zoos. They also worked to set up shelters in schools for those displaced, setting up sleeping and eating areas. Rotarians also started setting up water filter systems as the public water distribution systems are destroyed and wells are contaminated.
The Rotary Clubs in Ukraine have added members since the war started as they continue to recruit others that want to put #serviceaboveself. Their Rotary Club committee members meet daily to be able to have a rapid response to needs. The clubs are purchasing medical vehicles, generators, and fire trucks using Rotary Grant funds.
There are 62 Rotary clubs in Ukraine and membership is growing.
You can sponsor a family relocating to the USA HERE.
First Fridays at the Depot are full steam ahead and we are excited to feature artist Charlie Raisner at our next gallery opening on June 3rd, from 5:00-7:00pm. Charlie is a talented artist specializing in scenic watercolor paintings. He shares more about himself and his artwork below.
“There are a multitude of beautiful and interesting places around this marvelous world that God has created. I am thankful for the opportunity to represent a few of them in watercolor painting. There are many lovely sights in the Shenandoah Valley and in other locations that I have visited. I consider myself fortunate to be able to share with others my view of some of these places (and people). I do this with watercolor painting on site, or more often in studio, from my recollection and my personal photos. My paintings are representational, impressionistic and in some respects realistic. In addition to recognized extraordinary views, I look for the beautiful that often can be found in the ordinary and may be overlooked. My paintings are all original watercolors of scenes I have personally observed.
After retirement from the U. S, Government, I began watercolor painting in 1994 in a Lifelong Learning Institute at Furman University. Since then, I have taken part in numerous painting classes and workshops. In 2009 I moved to the Bridgewater Retirement Community to be near one of my daughters. I am a Signature Member of The Shenandoah Valley Watercolor Society in Harrisonburg and have taken part and received awards in their annual juried show at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. I am also a member of The Beverley Street Studio School in Staunton. I have exhibited at numerous local venues (and galleries such as OASIS).”
This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing many of you there! See the event page and RSVP here.
We are excited to feature pieces from the talented group of local artisans known as Rocktown Urban Wood. These craftsmen have a passion for making quality pieces that bring joy and function to their customer’s lives. From custom dining tables to wall hangings, mirrors, and cutting boards, their portfolio houses a variety of one-of-a-kind pieces. Each of their unique pieces is crafted from locally sourced wood and they partner with local individuals and companies to ensure surrounding resources can be used to their fullest potential.
We invite everyone to stop by the Depot on Friday, May 6th between 5:00-7:00pm to check out their work. Visit our event page here to RSVP and learn more about this event. We look forward to celebrating the arts in our community and seeing many of you there!
Cutting boards custom-made by Rocktown Urban Wood.
