Archive for HAGARTY TALES
Discovery Publications honored as Small Business of the Year
Take a successful, loving couple and watch what happens when they get creative. More success.
On November 3, the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce recognized the accomplishments of Kathy Harper and her late husband Bill by naming Discovery Publications Small Business of the Year.
The launch of their publishing company fittingly occurred on lover’s day February 14, 1991. It originally targeted readers in a four-county area, including Fauquier. Today, there are two publications, Discover Fauquier and Discover Western Prince William, closing in on three decades of success.
Many of its readers characterize the free distribution paper as “the good feeling publication,” because of its focus on positive stories about local businesses.
Sadly, Bill Harper passed away of pancreatic cancer in 1996, but Kathy Harper and her staff of 14 have carried on and created a legacy for the man who conceived the idea for the paper.
Bill Harper was marketing director for Jefferson Savings and Loan Association and had previously started a similar paper called Leesburg Today. “The Discover publications were the brainchild of my husband and was first published on Valentine’s Day 27 years ago.
“Bill had requests from local businessmen to help them promote their businesses during a recession. The paper started in a one room office in the Ben Franklin store,” said Harper.
The Harpers hired a graphic designer, Susie Eastridge, after its first issue was released. She has been with the paper ever since. One of the hallmarks of the paper is the length of service of many of its employees; a justifiable point of pride for Harper in an age of employment hopping.
Prior to his death, Bill Harper taught his wife the marketing business. As a quick study and successful career woman in her own right, the lessons paved the way for the subsequent long running success of the company.
Today, her daughter Katie Quadrini is the sale representative for the Western Prince William edition of the paper. “Katie has worked for the paper for years, even when she was in school,” said Harper.
Her son Paul was in the Marine Corps for seven years attaining the rank of captain before leaving to begin a separate career of his own.
The two newspapers are published about 10 times a year generating some 85,000 copies per issue; 36,000 for the Fauquier edition and 41,000 for the Western Prince William paper. They are delivered free to residents via direct mail.
In addition to company profiles, a hallmark of the paper is editorial support for local businesses and nonprofits, including the hospital and sheriff’s department.” We focus on the positive slant. Our mission has always been to support the community with high quality advertising and friendly articles. A typical paper will range from 36 up to 56 pages,” said Harper.
In 2011, the publication launched a home and garden show held each spring so local businesses and clients can connect face-to-face. The 8th annual show was held at Fauquier High School last April.
The show brings together artisans and businesses in a tradeshow format and features a host of items for sale to beautify home and garden. Shopping, food and live entertainment make it a fun event.
Experience breeds success
Achieving the role of a successful publisher is not surprising when one considers Kathy Harper’s resume. She logged her first career at the United States Information Agency working at the Voice of America and for its Office of General Counsel.
“I worked in Canada, Iran, London among other places telling the American story. What I do today is tell the Fauquier and Prince William stories. Both Bill and I had communications backgrounds; me with the government and him in the private sector. We were also good communicators together,” said Harper.
The job is not without its challenges. Recently she received a compliment from a hospital employee for all the paper had done to support its programs, adding, “How do you guys make money with it being free?”
Harper explains it’s not easy given the cost of paper and postage today. “It’s very expensive to produce the paper. We have no subscriptions so we need to make money on the advertising.”
A loyal community of businesses is key to its survival so the laser-like focus on showcasing merchants in the two counties served is critical for success.
A testimonial from Ashley Simmons with Sky Meadows State Park is representative of the feedback Harper often receives, “Thank you for helping Sky Meadows State Park reach a wide audience with information about the fun things people can enjoy at our park.”
Another supportive comment came from the past president of the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, Cooper Wright, who said, “I hope everyone had a chance to see the wonderful article on the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra in the March edition of Discover Fauquier.
Kathy Harper reflects the positivity created by the Discover newspapers saying, “Life has been a good ride for me. I can’t say I regret any of it. I’m sad my husband isn’t here to share all of the good stuff that has happened with the paper. But I know he watches down on me and my employees.”
To catch the latest editions of Discover Fauquier and Discover Western Prince William visit: http://www.discoverypubs.com/
Published in the December 5, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Ten steps to a healthier you
Seasonal long-range forecasts are fun to peruse but don’t hold your breath they’ll come to pass. When we can get accurate weekly forecasts down pat, we might be more inclined to believe a three month one.
But, warm, cold, wet or dry you can be certain all of it will be visited upon us during our coming Mid-Atlantic winter. Now is the time to prepare for the messy onslaught to maintain peak health.
Spring will ultimately prevail and you want to be healthy to enjoy the returning balmy breezes.
A host of information is available from the internet on how best to survive and thrive during the winter months. But perhaps the most reliable source of enlightenment is to chat up a physician who has experienced winter’s woes first-hand and seen what it can do to his patients.
Fortunately, Fauquier County has a singular resource on the subject matter in the person of Dr. William Simpson. Simpson, co-founder of Piedmont Internal Medicine, has 25 years of experience under his stethoscope.
The good doctor sold his practice last year and this spring launched Doc At Your Door. It’s a throwback to how medicine was practiced a century ago. The concept is gaining traction as modern medicine becomes increasingly more impersonal.
We caught up with Dr. Simpson as he darted around the Fauquier County region visiting both homebound and ambulatory patients in their homes. His “office” has four wheels and fires up whenever there’s a need to treat patients ranging from youngsters to septuagenarians and older.
Dr. William Simpson
So doctor, what are your recommendations?
1.Protect yourself with flu and pneumonia vaccines. Everyone over six months of age should get a flu shot. The shots are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are proven safe.
The vaccines have been used for years and we see positive outcomes with their use. People with shots have less incidence of infection and if infected it’s less severe. The older you are the flu shot is even more important.
You also should have both pneumonia shots. They are typically indicated for people over 65. The first is called Pneumovax23 and protects against 23 types of pneumonia. A year after the first shot you should get a second one called Prevnar13 which protects against an additional 13 types of pneumonia.
Anyone over 70 that comes down with pneumonia can have a terminal outcome so it’s important to avoid infections with these shots.
If you do get the flu, get anti-viral medicine within 48 hours of the first symptoms. It can really diminish the severity of the flu.
- Wash your hands frequently and that includes using hand sanitizers in restaurants. You are handling menus and salt and pepper shakers that other people have touched. In restrooms grab a paper towel and turn the water off with the towel.
Also, don’t share or accept food from other’s plates or drinks at parties.
- Avoid getting damp and chilled. It’s not the dampness and chilliness that’s the problem. But if you have a virus in your system or not enough sleep, it allows those viruses to propagate.
- Be aware of enviromental dangers such as frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, shoveling snow, power outages, and stranded vehicles. Orthopedists see a spike in injuries after ice storms. The point here is be alert to these potential dangers and act in preventive ways to avoid them to the degree you can.
- Watch your weight. During winter there is a tendency to gain weight. You’re eating more and are often less active. It’s important to watch the calories; eating slowly is important. Avoid going back for second and third helpings and drink lots of water.
New Year’s resolutions are often centered on diets. But remember, the faster you lose weight the faster you are likely to gain it back.
- Avoid crash workouts. Jumping on a treadmill for 45 minutes to make up for a lack of exercise or to lose weight can result in tendinitis and shin splints. Start any exercise program slowly. Again, this is time of year orthopedists see a lot of such injuries.
- Take shorter showers and back off the real hot water which can dry the skin out. Avoid deodorant soaps like Dial and Safeguard and use ones like Dove which are gentler on the skin that don’t dry it out as much. Use body creams on dry areas to reduce itchiness.
- Be alert to stomach reflux. Don’t lay down for two hours after eating dinner because that aggravates the reflux response. Nicotine and alcohol further worsen reflux so eliminate tobacco and reduce alcohol consumption.
- Be alert to Seasonal Affected Disorder, or SAD. With diminished daylight during winter, depression can become a problem. Increasing the lightning in your home will help counter the problem. Also, the use of bright light therapy can help counter the effects of the syndrome. Such lights are widely available for home use.
- Finally, any urge to rake leaves or trim landscape during the winter months should be undertaken with caution. While the leaves of poison ivy plants will have dropped, the vines can still inflame skin with a rash. Be cautious when handling them.
All good advice. And for those medical emergencies or flu symptoms that needed immediate treatment, consider calling Dr. Simpson. A house call by this experienced professional may well be just what the doctor ordered. Visit his office at: https://docatyourdoor.care/
Published in the December 5, 2018 edition of the Fauquirer Times.
Online and local shopping take sting out of the madness
Gird your loins. The dreaded date this year is Friday, November 23. Fittingly, it will also be the advent of a full moon. Howlin’ at the cash registers.
But before we launch into strategies to survive one of the busiest shopping days of the year, how did Black Friday get its name?
Interestingly, the first event occurred 149 years ago. And it had nothing to do with shopping malls.
The forces behind the original use of the moniker were Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, two ruthless Wall Street barons who conspired to buy as much gold as possible, drive the price up and make a killing by selling it off. At least that was the plan.
Unfortunately—or fortunately—the conspiracy collapsed on Friday September 24, 1869 sending the stock market into a nosedive and bankrupting much of the American citizenry, both rich and less so. The first Black Friday was born.
Fast forward to Philadelphia in the 1950s. A pattern emerged of suburban shoppers and tourists swamping the city in advance of the Army-Navy football game held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
Cops had to work long hours to control both the rabid shoppers and the ensuing shoplifting. It was literally a black Friday event. Years later the term spread nationwide but carried with it a negative aura.
But the term itself had appeal to retailers who conjured up a more benign meaning for the label in the late 1980s, deigning the loss of profits as being in the red and successful sales scoring in the black. The “red to black” concept took hold and Black Friday became today’s shopping extravaganza.
Thirty percent of annual retail sales occur between Black Friday and Christmas. A bonanza for retailers trying to turn a profit and consumers looking for great deals.
Keyboard buying
Remember the early days of Amazon.com when the naysayers claimed the business model wouldn’t prevail? My, my, the power of a determined individual. Today, Jeff Bezos is the richest man on the planet; from zero to $147 billion in 24 years.
Imagine if Jeff had asked you to invest $50,000 in his little enterprise back then. Your return on that money would have been an incredible 14 million percent. And yes, 22 individuals coughed up the $50k. Lucky ducks.
It’s helpful to highlight Amazon’s success because in 2017 consumers spent $454 billion at their keyboards. Today, online sales rival in-store purchases.
And while Black Friday conjures up hordes of shoppers clawing at each other to score a 55-inch television, millions of shoppers dodge the crowds by peacefully tapping their keyboards.
The top five U.S. online retailers are Amazon, Ebay, Walmart, Etsy and Target. Expect to see tens of thousands of items on sale during the four-day weekend by these and a legion of other retailers with online presence.
Monitor the top websites two weeks in advance of Thanksgiving to learn what specials will be offered and exercise your credit card beginning on Turkey Day. You might also consider keeping some of your powder dry until Cyber Monday when the digital world unleashes a second wave of deals.
The keyboard is the easiest and most painless way to start tackling the Christmas gift list.
Going local
Regardless of the growth and popularity of online shopping, carrying plastic bags filled with goodies is an irresistible exercise for millions. The excitement of scoring a deal and walking out of a brick and mortar store with arms full of discounted merchandise can be shopping nirvana.
Dozens of Fauquier County stores will be offering great deals on a wide variety of merchandise so traveling deeper into Northern Virginia to visit malls and big box retailers is not necessary.
Our own Peeples, Marshalls, Warrenton Jewelry & Gifts, Jos. A. Banks, The Town Duck, McClanahan Camera & Sound, Carter & Spence, Tuesday Morning, Hobbies Etc, and many more local shops will be offering discounts.
Walmart will understandably get nationwide press for its deep discounts on electronics, toys, video games and other popular items. Our own Supercenter will be no exception. But balance the temptation of larger stores with the pleasure of a slower paced hunt at smaller businesses.
Thrift shops can also be a source of gently used kids’ toys, sports equipment and more. It’s a given you will not find more attractive prices on merchandise when considering a not new purchase.
If one is tempted to wade deeper into the shopping madness sans a long drive, Prince William County beckons with numerous retailers just 20 minutes away.
Swing by The Shops at Stonewall, Somerset Crossing, Virginia Gateway and other shopping centers scattered around the I-66 corridor. These venues are home to large retailers and smaller, gentler places to pull the credit card out.
And while we’re indulging in our annual buying spree for family and friends, let’s not walk past the The Salvation Army Bell Ringers without dropping some folding green in the red kettles. The Army’s 25,000 “soldiers” will collect over $130 million nationwide this season for the less fortunate.
Let gratitude be your attitude during the Christmas season by contributing to the Army or your favorite charity.
So, how best to prep for Black Friday? Start now to compile your gift list then scour the upcoming avalanche of radio, TV, newspaper and digital ads when they hit.
Plan ahead to save ahead.
Published in the November 21, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Warrenton veteran chambers third career as gun shop owner
Flying for the better part of a day at 70,000 feet qualifies as one remarkable job. Throw in the fact you’re piloting a U2 spy plane in the 60 degree below zero stratosphere on missions worldwide and you’d be hard pressed to lose the, “So what did you do for a living?” contest.
And yet, in a quiet gun shop on 5th street in Old Town Warrenton, there is a certified gunsmith selling high-end firearms whose resume belies a career that is the envy of many a wannabe adventurer.
Meet Dave Russell, 53, sans helmet and flight suit, who would argue his 24 years in the United States Air force was never thrill seeking but dedicated service to the Nation.
Dave Russell
“My father was in the Air Force and retired from Luke Air Force base from where we settled in 1983. I attended the Air Force Academy graduating in 1987,” said Russell.
He went on to pilot training in Miss. and became a T-38 instructor for four years. “I was a second lieutenant teaching other second lieutenants. That was interesting.” It was also an early signal of a man on the move.
From there he spent seven years flying AWACs, the Air Force’s long-range radar surveillance and control center aircraft. Think of a modified Boeing 707 with a huge pancake mounted on the rear of the fuselage. A plane with eyes and ears.
“I flew in the Middle East, Central America, the Pacific and a lot of places in between. It involved service from Desert Storm to Operation Southern Watch to three missions tracking Russia bombers flying in American airspace. I held all the pilot positions during that period with a crew of 40 on board,” said Russell.
In a big jump up the career ladder he was then accepted into the U2 program and spent a decade piloting the sophisticated aircraft based out of Calif.
For the more “experienced” among us, the U2 is associated with the dramatic downing of the spy plane in 1960 piloted by Francis Gary Powers. Today, there are some 33 such aircraft in operation with at least one flying somewhere round the clock.
Missions can span a wide range of objectives, including combating ISIS and other terrorist organizations. The high-tech cameras and sensors on board can detect a human figure at 70,000 feet.
Asked to describe a notable U2 assignment he said there were many but not enough time to describe them. Pushed further, he offered as a brief example the surveillance of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
“After Karina, I flew the first sortie over New Orleans sending imagery film back to FEMA and other disaster relief people. The images showed the extent of damage and what roads weren’t flooded so relief workers could find clear avenues of approach,” said Russell.
To emphasize the technology used, film was again shot as 70,000 feet. Why not closer? Because the camera equipment is focused for use at high altitude and can achieve the broadest area of coverage.
His last U2 flight was in 2007 and after military retirement he went on to other work in the intel community spending six years as a defense contractor.
Gun shop
After circling the globe for three decades, Russell chose to settle down in Warrenton and turned an avocation into a small business. Highflyer Arms is aptly named after his sky-high career.
Why gun sales? “When I was a young man in high school I was on the rifle team and in the ROTC. I shot every day through my high school years. I picked up an affection for firearms and for working on them,” said Russell.
During his years at the Air Force Academy he also instructed cadets on firearms use. If ever a job after his military career was foreordained, it was in gun sales and repair.
He opened his shop, located at 17 S. 5th St. Suite #O, in April 2004. “I’m certified in gunsmithing so we also have a smithing operation”, that enables customers to have repairs done on their firearms in addition to purchasing a wide selection of guns. His four employees are all veterans.
While rifles and shotguns are part of the shop’s stock, they are not a big segment of he business. Today, many buyers are interested in handguns for home and personal defense.
Russell is aware of the controversial role handguns play in today’s society but makes a case of their use in law and order.
“Virginia is a welcoming environment for concealed carry weapons and the vast majority of citizens are doing so safely and lawfully. There are studies showing where lawfully armed citizens engaged an active shooter, the situation was resolved faster than if there had been no one to intervene and counterattack.
“We have seen a growth in concealed firearms because Virginia allows it,” said Russell.
Engraving
A natural outgrowth of the gun shop is a new business both he and his wife Angie recently opened called Flying High Engraving. Again, his U2 career provides the name for the new shop located across the hall from the gun shop.
“Instead of sending engraving jobs out we now can do the work ourselves.”
The idea for the new venture came because Angie and her parents and brothers had been involved in engraving. The Russells were looking to expand their business and engraving both firearms and a host of other items was a natural fit.
Almost any object can be highly personalized by the professional engraving available at the shop, including trophies, coffee mugs, coasters, mementoes and more.
So, what’s next for the Russell family who seemingly have not slowed their pace of achievements since the beginning? “We are going to continue to run both these shops for a while and at some point, retire and spend time with our kids and grandkids,” said Russell.
The couple have two daughters and three grandchildren who live out of state. Both are married to military men so it’s obvious the rest of this story is yet to be written.
To learn more about the products and services of these high-flying enterprises visit the Russells at their website and on Facebook at: https://www.highflyerarms.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/flyinghighengraving/
Published in the November 14, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
VDOT saving lives one rumble strip at a time
What if every vehicle in Fauquier County could magically possess a lifesaving safety feature? With no direct cost to the owner.
“Sign me up,” would echo countywide.
Well rest easy and take no action. Over the next three years driving throughout the Piedmont will be safer than ever before. We have the Virginia Department of Transportation to thank for this gift of life.
VDOT has started a rumble fight that’s opposite of a word associated with harm. Instead, the department is saving lives and winning the opening rounds of an important roadway skirmish.
Rumble strips have been around for over half a century having first been installed on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey in 1952. Typically embedded on the side of interstate highways, they alert inattentive drivers with a tactile vibration and audible rumbling transmitted through the vehicle wheels to the driver.
If rumble strips could talk, their message would be, “You’re leaving your lane and headed for disaster.”
The safety feature goes by numerous nicknames including sleeper lines, alert strips, audible lines, sleepy bumps, wake up calls, drift lines, and most graphically, drunk lines. Call them what you may, but “guardian angels” might be the best moniker.
A case could be made that for the last several decades installation of rumble strips on interstate highways was the reverse of where they first should have been installed. Why?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises twice as many highway deaths occur on rural roads than urban and suburban streets and highways. Nearly 55 percent of all on-road fatalities occur on rural roads yet fewer than 20 percent of the U. S. population resides in small towns and rural areas.
One of the most dangerous acts any of us perform each day is getting behind the wheel and cruising through our scenic countryside.
“Some of the things that make Virginia beautiful can also make our roadways fairly dangerous,” said Nathan Umberger. Umberger is VDOT’s Culpeper District traffic engineer and tasked with managing the district’s highway safety improvement program.
“We look very closely at the amount of fatal crashes and crashes overall. We ascribe to vision zero deaths. We want all road users to arrive safely at their final destination.” Residents will notice with greater frequency either centerline or roadside rumble strips appearing on county roads in an effort to achieve that goal.
From 2014 to 2018, there were 255 fatal crashes in the nine-county Culpeper District that stretches from Fauquier County to Albemarle County; virtually all of the Piedmont. During that same period there were 67 fatalities in Fauquier County.
Cost & safety
There are numerous ways to improve roadway safety. These include widening pavement, clearing tree lines, grading and flattening slopes and other roadbed redesigns. But it comes with a high price tag. The cost-benefit-ratio of rumble strips is dramatic.
“I can cover 40 or 50 miles of roads with rumble strips for $100,000. But $100,000 doesn’t even pay for a tenth of a mile for paving or other road changes,” said Umberger. “It’s a very cheap countermeasure. Our goal is to cover the entire Culpeper district over the next three years for somewhere between $2 and $3 million.”
VDOT contractors perform the installation of the strips. At a price of 50 cents a foot, the installation cost covers traffic control, striping and any needed repainting of the road surface.
The machine used to lay down the strips is a modified version of what is used to mill worn roadbeds in preparation for repaving. The machine has a similar grinding head that can be adjusted to a specific width, depth and spacing.
Picture a custom-designed ice cream scooper with rotating teeth carving out dips in the roadbed that will produce the, “May I have your attention please” sound.
The machines are capable of covering up to 20 miles a day.
Umberger points out the three-year program will proceed with roadbeds that are in good surface condition. Application will not be undertaken with roads awaiting resurfacing since to do so would require reapplying the striping after the new paving occurred.
In the Culpeper district there are 70 miles of interstate highways, 732 miles of primary roads and 4,153 miles of secondary roads. The interstates have had the strips for years and the goal is to have all targeted roads stripped by 2022. There will be no installation of rumble strips on residential streets or in neighborhoods.
Results & concerns
Umberger underscores it’s still too early in the program to guarantee what the final outcome will be. But the past is prologue.
One dramatic early example of success is on Route 211 as it leaves Sperryville and ascends upward toward the Page County line to the entrance to the Shenandoah National Park.
From 2005 to 2010, there were 75 non-animal crashes on that stretch of roadway with an injury crash rate of 420 per 100 million vehicle miles travelled and a fatal crash rate of 39 per 100 million miles travelled.
From 2012 to 2017, after the rumble strips were installed, the same roadway experienced 44 crashes, or a 41 percent reduction, and injury crash rate reduction of 56% and a 100 percent reduction in fatalities.
A similar reduction of all parameters of highway safety occurred after the strips where in installed on Route 20 in Albemarle County north of Irish Road to the Orange County line.
Clearly, the promise of significantly saving lives and reducing injuries in the Piedmont is impressive. However, Umberger stresses he’s only into the first year of the accelerated program and the overall numbers are not yet where he wants them to be.
“The early results have been very good and we hope we can continue to see the success grow.”
Notwithstanding the obvious benefits of the program, Umberer opines there are some complaints associated with the strips.
“Some people don’t like the noise when their vehicle run over the strips. Others hear occasional road sound from their residences. We really need people to understand we are trying to get people to stay on the road and increasing drive awareness,” said Umberger.
The leadership and employees of VDOT are to be commended for aggressively pursuing policies that protect the lives of loved ones and friends.
Our part of the compact is to keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Safe journey.
Published in the November 14, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Warrenton resident leading collaborative effort to protect small businesses
The nightmare is all too real. A small business powers up its computer and prepares for a day of commercial gain. But something is amiss. The computer is operating but access to critical files appear to be frozen.
Then the dreaded email arrives. Pay now or lose all your data.
Another victim held for ransom.
The world of hacking is an omnipresent danger in our modern digital world. From the loss of personal information to threats against national security, there is seemingly no limit to the destructive force of those intent on causing harm.
But the danger to small firms is particularly pernicious. Who does one turn to to pursue the bad boys if the attack is launched against a company with limited resources?
A 21st Century Jesse James, without horse and gun, has you standing next to your computer with your hands held high in the air. The solution? Pay the requested $5,000 or more in Bitcoin and move on.
“Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to small businesses. Someone can totally freeze your computer by encrypting the data and forcing you to pay a ransom for the keys to get it back,” said Charlie Tupitza, CEO of the National Forum for Public Private Collaboration.
But why not call the cops? Because the local police and the county and have no jurisdiction. Call the FBI. About 99 percent of cyber attacks are below the threshold Feds will respond to.
You’re on your own.
Tupitza, 63, and a longtime resident of Warrenton, has spent his career supporting small businesses who do not have the resources to protect themselves.
“Professionally I’m in the middle of the cyber war. And we truly are at war.
“Right now, small businesses are being attacked by organized crime and Nation states because they have a lot of information. And because they are often the gateway to larger businesses,” said Tupitza.
The gold in the hard drives is intellectual property rights, financial holdings information, government contract data and much more. Criminals might attack a number of small firms holding government contracts to aggregate the data for illegal purposes.
Moreover, such attacks may not result in a demand for ransom because the hackers are after bigger fish and simply using several smaller fish to tap into the supply chain of information they are really seeking.
Collaborative effort
Given the challenges facing smaller entrepreneurs, Tupitza realized creating a “circle the wagons” approach could tap into many sources for the benefit of all. Among many of his cyber activities, he sponsors conferences where there were no main speakers. Rather, representatives from both small and large firms gathered to share ideas for the commonweal.
“We don’t want to delve into a specific company’s business. We want to keep the conversation at a common level and share good practices among all the participants.
“Picture 64 people in a room divided into tables of eight. Each participant has one minute to state why he or she is there and what they expect to get out of the meeting. We want everyone to come down from the cyber summit into the fertile valley of collaboration,” said Tupitza.
The result generates numerous ideas and recommendations for combating digital threats.
While there are insurance firms offering policy protection from attack, Tupitza highlights how such apparent help can be destructive.
“Some firms ask you to complete a detailed survey of 60 to 65 questions about your system. It may take two weeks to compile. And you may have very little knowledge about what you’re actually answering.
“If your agent asks more than five or six questions about your system, don’t answer them. You may make yourself even more vulnerable to attack.”
Tupitza also meets regularly with a host of Federal agencies to help them align messaging coming from the Federal government to small businesses.
“Cyber is confusing enough. Companies hearing from government agencies, lawyers, accountants, consultants, product providers and others make it very confusing to figure what should be done.”
As a licensed insurance consultant and president of RightExposure Tupitza also seeks to align insurance industry messaging with both Federal standards and product and service providers to make the subject matter easier to understand.
What to do
There a number of actions firms need to take to help protect themselves:
*Back up all data on a weekly basis; preferably on a recognized Cloud source.
*Maintain a strong firewall on your network with up-to-date patches.
*Create strong passwords with at least nine characters containing a capital letter, special characters (such as # ! % *) and a number.
*Scan your computer for viruses, spyware and other vulnerabilities on a routine basis.
*Visit only websites you trust, open only emails from known contacts.
For more information on the broader scope of his organization visit Tupitza at both: https://nfppc.org/ and http://rightexposure.com/
Renaissance Man
While cybersecurity is clearly a passion for Charlie Tupitza, it is not his end all.
“I am very energized and I don’t see myself slowing down on the subject of cyber security. There is so much need for small businesses to have help and it’s so much fun to contribute.
But, I also believe sitting kills.”
It’s obvious his life does not begin and end in the digital world when you consider the complete man.
He is a resident of Warrenton. Both of his children are graduates of Fauquier High School.
Let’s take a deep breath and see how Mr. T spends his off hours:
Coached youth soccer in Warrenton for four years and six years in Reston; hosts a weekly Christian men’s breakfast group; active member of Hope Christian Fellowship in Vint Hill; member of the Samaritans Pursue Program helping people in need after natural disasters; hikes, bikes and plays disc golf; member of the U.S. Masters Swimming National Championship Committee; founded the Warrenton Masters swim team.
And yes, still works full-time.
“Most importantly, however, is my faith in God, love of family, helping others and supporting small businesses. I am blessed with good health and good friends.”
Indeed, Tupitza embodies what makes Fauquier County a valued place to live and work.
Published in the October 24, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Four decades on Main Street and still thriving
The characteristics of ducks mirror one of Warrenton’s favorite shops: both paddle hard beneath the surface but one only sees calm and friendly faces.
Working hard while projecting serenity is the heart of a shop Fauquier County citizens know well. The Town Duck is the go-to place for gifts, jewelry, cheese, wine, gourmet foods and the freshest of fish.
The eclectic range of merchandise and down-home hospitality offered by the retail legend is why generations of shoppers have awarded it a long and fruitful life.
Founded by Robin Payne in the late 1970s, Bibi de Heller purchased it in 1986 and hired Annette Johnson a year later to help her run the shop. In 1993, de Heller moved to Switzerland and Johnson purchased the business.
de Heller returned to the states a year later and the partnership reunited and has been in play ever since. The winning team works flawlessly together and are still the best of friends.
Annette Johnson recalls with clarity her first impression of the shop. “I was not in retail and it was absolutely the last thing I thought I would do. But the minute I walked into that shop I loved it. There was such a sense of community there.
“My late husband was in the horse world and he fox hunted so I already knew many people in the county,” said Johnson.
Later, after Johnson purchased the business she moved it to 215 Main Street. The new location tripled the size of the original shop and business jumped dramatically. “There were days we could fill a USP truck with all the outgoing shipments.”
In 2008, the owner of the building did not want to renew the lease and the shop moved to its current location at 100 Main Street. “We’ve been here 10 years. How time flies.”
Today, de Heller focuses on the financial side of the shop, including bookkeeping. Owner Johnson manages the staff and merchandise.
So how did the shop get its name? There was no “Aha!” moment that struck original owner Payne. “She simply made the name up and then had a logo designed of a cute duck going shopping with a purse under its wing,” said Johnson.
The shop has hundreds of items for sale; “perhaps thousands,” if you include all the various soaps and jewelry items. Products range in price from $5 for a simple piece of jewelry to over $100 for a bottle of fine wine.
They have something for everybody, including a bridal registry. But the busiest day of the week is Friday…fish day.
Johnson had been selling fish for years but wanted to expand her selection and offer unusual items such as Shad Roe which run in the spring.
Today, over 500 people are on the shop’s email notification list that is posted every Wednesday. It describes what fish will be available on Friday. Customers place their order and pick up their fish on delivery day.
“We use J.J. McDonald from Md. who is one of the best fish purveyors in the business. We get a variety of fresh water and ocean fish each week.”
The selections are impressive: seasonal availability of Shad Roe, sea scallops, farmed Atlantic Salmon, Mahi Mahi, Arctic Char, Norwegian Cod, Flounder, Swordfish, Lane Snapper, Rockfish, Monk fillet Bronzini, Salmon, Bluefish, PEI Mussels, and Tuna loin.
If the finest bounty of the sea is your passion, be sure cast your line into The Town Duck’s pond.
Premium seafood calls for premium wine pairings and again the shop does not fail. Dozens of selections of high-quality wines are available. The depth of choice is so deep The Washington Post wine critic, Dave McIntyre, often lists the shop as a source for wines he has recommended to his readers.
While the satisfaction of providing Warrenton with quality merchandise, wines and fish is rewarding, Johnson is most proud of the employment opportunities she has provided to over 50 young staffers over the years.
“These young people have gone on to enjoy great careers—huge careers—and they still come back to see us. They’re now married and have children. It’s very gratifying. They loved working in the shop. We were like second mothers to them,” said Johnson.
Characteristically, Johnson goes on to say the success of the shop is centered on her staff. Two of her long-time loyal and experienced employees are Anne Schalestock and Robbi Ryan. “They keep the shop looking great and customers love them.”
In her closing thoughts, Johnson opines that, “I wish people would realize that in supporting not just my business, but any local business, what they’re helping to accomplish. The money stays in the community. I am a great believer in Main Street.
“I turned 76 this fall and I’m still here because I believe in it. I’m still soldering on. It’s a great shop; it’s been the greatest experience of my life.”
American poet Maya Angelou once said, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
The philosophy perfectly matches Johnson’s world view.
For a digital peek inside the world of Annette Johnson’s playground, visit http://www.townduck.com/
Published in the October 15, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
“Be Prepared” is more than a Boy Scout motto
First, an inside secret. A tried and true writer’s trick is to create a headline with a tantalizing list of actions. It creates curiosity and pulls a reader into the subject matter.
Why is that necessary? Because readers are notoriously fickle about jumping into a story to begin with and staying there once they’ve made the leap. And for good reason. There’s precious little time to waste in today’s hyper-world. Just get on with it.
But first some science.
Lists catch the eye. They also promise to deliver the goods in a quick and easy-to-read format. The brain is on a constant search for the new and the intriguing. Numbers pop to the forefront and pull us in.
Moreover, short lists offer the possibility of solving a problem quickly without unnecessary research. Psychologists have known for some time the more information we have at our disposal the worst we tend to feel. Too many choices complicate life.
Finally, lists create a sense of freedom. One can elect to act or them or not. Easy peasy.
Now…on to ten winter prep tips. And while these may appear somewhat obvious, we’ll focus on the logic of why to act now.
- Clean the garage
Here’s one of the least enjoyable tasks a homeowner faces. Not only does it involve dirty work but it creates stress about what to keep and what to pitch. The lack of pursuit typically results in a garage so full of stuff it’s difficult to move around in it. If you don’t act during the autumn, chances of cleaning up the mess during the winter months is almost non-existent. - Fertilize the lawn
Grass benefits from a boost in plant sugars that will help protect the plant roots from freezing. Those sugars are produced by chlorophyll when nitrogen is present in the plant. Apply a late-fall application of a slow-release granular 24-0-10 nitrogen- intense fertilizer to protect the roots from freezing and produce energy for a spring growth spurt. - Test for home drafts
A loss of home energy is both uncomfortable and costly. To test where heat may be escaping, close all doors and windows and turn on the bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. Then take a lit incense stick and hold it over any potential drafty area. If the smoke waivers and/or is pushed into the house, add insulation or calking to the offending leak. - Clean the chimney
It’s tempting to skip an annual chimney cleaning. Big mistake. There are over 25,000 chimney fires a year in the U.S. resulting in $125 million in property damage. Soot, blockages and creosote build-up is real and its lethal. - Place a bag or box of survival gear in your vehicle. Tens of thousands of motorists get stranded each winter. Two benefits accrue by planning ahead: it will build your confidence when out and about on a cold or snowy day. And, you may be able to offer help to a stranded motorist. Items to consider: jumper cables, small shovel, flares, flashlight, blanket, first aid kit, hat, gloves, energy bars and some folding cash.
- If you own a snowblower, fire it up. Nothing can be more frustrating than when eight inches of snow blocks your driveway and your snowblower goes on the fritz. Take the machine out for a test drive now when nary a flake is on the ground. Also change the oil and fill the tank with fresh gas.
- Get your flu shot. Millions of people come down with the flu each winter and thousands die. Yet many consider the shots a waste or worst. Flu vaccines are safe and cause antibodies to develop in your body, providing protection against deadly viruses. Put on your winter armor now.
- Fight the winter blues. 21 percent of the U.S. population suffers from either Seasonal Affected Disorder or simple winter blues. Be prepared to fight the blahs with bright clothing, a well-lit home, vitamin D, movies and books, positive friends, outdoor walks and wood burning fires, if available.
- Test run the furnace. It’s counterintuitive to fire up the furnace when it’s still in the 70s but a smart move nonetheless. Set the thermostat to 80 degrees and if heat is not forthcoming within minutes, try to run down the problem or call your HVAC company for service.
- Disconnect your outside hoses. Ever wonder why the useful life of hoses and their rubber washers seem to be limited? It could well be they’ve endured cold winters outside filled with water. The freezing and thawing takes its toll. Drain them and hang then in the garage. They will thank you in the spring with spraying delight.
There’s joy in tackling a “go do” list during a seasonal change. It’s the zest of blending the tried of a fresh beginning with the true of a job well done.
Bring on winter. We’re ready.
Published in the October 15 , 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Flint Hill restaurant rapidly losing hidden jewel status
The lyrics to the classic rock and roll hit “Green Door” centered on, “…what’s that secret you’re keeping?” But the secret behind a local dining establishment opened just five months is: it has no secrets.
Unless, of course, you’ve yet to discover its flavorful menu.
The latest casual dining establishment in the area is gaining a reputation for quality food, quiet ambiance and focused service.
The Blue Door Kitchen & Inn, located in the village of Flint Hill, opened in May and its owners Andrea Pace and Reem Arbid have quickly secured a warm spot in the tummies of local and Northern Virginia diners.
The restaurant could well have been called The Green Door except for a whimsical exchange between the two business partners shortly before opening.
“We kept coming up with names that neither of us cared for and I told Andrea, ‘You know, it doesn’t really matter. People change the name of restaurants all the time. For all that it matters, we could just call it The Blue Door,’” said Arbid.
“Hmmm, I kinda like that name,” responded Chef Pace. “So do I,” answered Arbid. Bingo. The restaurant had a name.
The color of the front door is a rich, deep blue and easily catches the eye of travelers passing by. But Pace did not want to be permanently locked into just a single color of blue. Arbid told him not to worry. “There are 50 shades of blue,” she assured him.
But the color of the door is of minor importance to those who have dined there. Walking through the door and enjoying its varied menu is their focus.
Old World experience
The heart of any eatery is the individual behind the range. Chef Pace, 52, is a native of South Tyrol, Italy, located in northeastern Italy on the border with Austria; he speaks both Italian and German. As a young man he studied at an Italian culinary school and then worked in a restaurant called Villa Mozart where he was further trained by a Michelin star chef.
Later his mentor moved to New York City to open a restaurant and Pace joined him as a sous chef. For nearly 20 years Pace worked at various restaurants in the Big Apple until he moved to D.C. in the early 2000s to continue his career.
In 2007, his extensive experience led Pace and Arbid to open Villa Mozart in Fairfax City. The fine dining establishment was named in honor of his original mentor and gained a wide following and critical acclaim.
Last year, he closed Villa Mozart with an eye toward establishing a causal dining restaurant in Northern Virginia. Successful fine dining reaps acclaim but it’s also a lot of work. The new goal was to ease the workload while continuing to draw on his extensive kitchen experience.
But a new location was not quickly forthcoming. Then one day they received a call from a previous customer who was traveling through Flint Hill and spotted the former Public House restaurant for sale. “Reem, I’m out here in Rappahannock county and I’m looking at a place that has your name written all over it,” said the ad hoc real estate agent.
“We had no clue where Rappahannock County was but we arranged to see the building. Our first reaction was, ‘wow,’”, said Arbid. The building was larger than they needed and included four upstairs guest suites, “But we fell in love with it.”
It also included an herb and vegetable garden, something Pace has always wanted to nurture as part of a restaurant. While a rainy spring and summer has been a gardener’s challenge, the future is colored green for more estate grown produce to be gracing menus.
In understanding the early success of the restaurant, keep the “past is prologue” in mind. Pace was trained in classic Italian cooking with an emphasis on simplicity and freshness.
“Andrea does not try to cover a plate with 16 different ingredients. His uses only four or five at the most. He tries to stay true to each ingredient. If there is artichoke in the dish, you will taste the artichoke,” said Arbid.
The chef’s menus fuse old world cuisine with modern technique and flair and include slow-cooked sauces and handmade pastas and pastries. Prices are moderate.
A major boost for The Blue Door was a recent positive review by the Washington Post’s food critic Tom Sietsema. The resulting publicity alerted many of their former customers of the new location and generated a spike in business.
“The nice thing about the review was a lot of our previous customers who we had not seen for a while came out and dined with us. It was fun seeing so many people from our past,” said Arbid.
Their goal, however, is to build clientele from the local community. Having never operated in a seasonal impacted business, the owners know winter months in a rural area can be a difficult business proposition. Local guests need to be converted to loyal diners.
There are no plans to expand beyond the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday service hours; Fridays and weekends include both lunch and dinner service.
“Our staff is young and it’s not large. When you come in we want to be able to give our customers great service and great food. We don’t want them to wait two hours for something to come out of the kitchen. We want to stay focused on excellent food and service,” said Arbid.
For information on reservations, hours, and lodging step through The Blue Door at https://thebluedoorkitchen.com/
Published in the October 10, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Chasing fall foliage in the Old Dominion
Virginia’s beauty is renown. From its beaches, to the Piedmont, to the Blue Ridge Mountains, planning a day or weekend getaway is a challenge handily met.
The question is where to go?
If the urge to hit the road strikes during the fall color season, the answer is almost a universal, “to the mountains.” With the Appalachians running the entire western spine of the Commonwealth, stunning views coupled with rural drives make heading westward an obvious choice.
This is particularly true for citizens of Fauquier County who live less than an hour from the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah National Park. The Elysian Fields.
But the question in many minds this year might be, “Will the monsoon-like spring and summer deaden the fall colors?” The short answer is, not likley.
In fact, October’s glory is already beginning to emerge on the high peaks of the Blue Ridge. Soon enough it will be showcasing reds, golds and yellows as they tumble down the slopes and into our backyards and local parks.
Temperatures are the driving force for a colorful display of autumn colors. The cooler the better. Evening temperatures in the 50s and 60s will accelerate the magical chemistry behind foliage.
Why the color?
At its height, fall’s forest fireworks seemingly creates abundant colors out of thin air. Where does this artist’s palette spring from? It’s been there all the time but the leaves’ work ethic simply hid it from view.
During the summer months each leaf is a wee food factory. The process occurs deep within each cell of the chlorophyll filled leaf. Sunlight strikes the chlorophyll triggering a transformation of carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates containing sugars and starch. Tree food.
During the vigorous growing season, the vibrant colors of fall are simply masked by the all-important chlorophyll. But when temperatures take a dip, so does the green machine’s activity level. Presto. Autumnal glory emerges.
The completion of this intricate process occurs when a special layer of cells develops at the base of each leaf stem. Slowly it weakens the bond between leaf and branch and the next thing you know we’re all raking piles of detritus off our lawns.
The circle is then completed. Like all living things, life springs from the earth and ultimately returns to its resting place.
Yet to contemplate too heavily on the science behind the beauty of an autumn landscape, is to lose sight of the joy of an afternoon drive through the countryside.
Where to go
The obvious answer is the mountains. But there’s one caveat to a day serenely driving the nearby Skyline Drive or Blue Ridge Parkway further south. Everybody else has the same idea. Yes, the views are impressive but a bumper-to-bumper caravan might not induce the relaxed frame of mind you’re seeking.
Consider an alternative. Head west on Route 211, north up Route 17 or south on Route 29. When you’ve pulled away from the population centers, select any secondary road off the main highway and let the endless backcountry roads take you wherever. The goal is to stay off the four lane highways as long as possible. Create your own custom designed backcountry road excursion.
One of the modern marvels of today’s technology is the GPS systems embedded in our vehicles, stand-alone auto units or cell phones. The fear of getting lost in rural areas is now a thing of the past. You can invest in a spirit of adventure without the stress of constantly asking, “Where are we?”.
The beauty of these day trips is experiencing rural Virginia at its finest. Since minimal traffic will be encountered, you’ll find few vehicles to deal with so you can amble along at 25 to 35 miles per hour; even slower when you hit gravel country lanes. Simply pull over when a local comes up behind you.
The payoff comes as you pass bucolic farms and pastures with peaceful grazing livestock, rolling hills with views up to the Blue Ridge and endless ponds and lakes. And of course, the amazing fall foliage.
With the density of wineries in our nearby counties you’ll likely stumble upon an occasional “grape shop” where you can take a break and responsibly enjoy its vineyard products and pastoral views.
Priming the pump
Here are just few suggestions for launching your private travel agency:
*Take Route 211 west past Amissville and take a right onto Poes Road South. Travel about four miles and take a right onto Crest Hill Road and then an immediate left onto Poes Road North. You’ll emerge on Rt 522 north outside of Flint Hill. Rappahannock Cellars is three miles north on Route 522.
*Take Route 211 west to Little Washington. In the village take a right onto Main Street and then a left onto Harris Hollow Road and travel Harris Hollow till it becomes Gid Brown Hollow Road and ends at Route 211. Quievremont Winery is on your left just before Route 211.
*Take Route 17 north to a right on to Route 245 to The Plains. Take a right on Route 55 and then an immediate left onto Halfway Road. Be adventurous here and take any upcoming left of your choosing to wander through beautiful horse country.
*Take Route 29 south and take a right onto to Freeman’s Road near Remington. The goal here is to simply “get lost” in the alternately open and forested landscape with several country road options to make it happen. Remember: your GPS is you bail out buddy.
These are just a few of the dozens of “carriage rides” awaiting spirited leaf peekers. Chances are you’ll develop some favorites you’ll return to time and again.
Now grab those car keys and start adventuring.
Published in the October 10, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Reaching for apple happiness
What does autumn air and fresh apples have in common? Beauty and crispness. And both are available in abundance in the Piedmont.
It’s commonly acknowledged our region possesses one of the loveliest landscapes in the Nation. Verdant pastures, dense forests, rolling hills, and clear steams are all framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains.
And then there’s the apples.
Virginia is the 6th largest apple producing state with some two dozen varieties of the red orb to choose from. By the time Thomas Jefferson had retired to his beloved Monticello he had planted over one thousand fruit trees on his “little mountain”, many of them apple trees.
Today, there are over 250 commercial growers in the Old Dominion tending 18,000 acres of apple trees. Virginia exports its apples to over two dozen states and 20 countries; much of the crop is made into apple juice, apple butter, apple sauce and apple cider; both sweet and hard.
To the good fortune of local residents, the majority of the apple crop is grown in the northwest section of our state. That’s also called our backyard. Seven counties in the region account for 8 million bushels annually, or 89 percent, of the entire state crop.
Chasing down a couple bags of fresh apples is as easy as backing out of your driveway. And for a fun and tasty family event, it’s difficult to find a better use of a day off.
This spring and summer will go down in the record books as one of the wettest in years. Nonetheless, local orchards have worked diligently to produce a good crop of apples.
The rainy challenges began early in the season. Since bees don’t fly in the rain, pollination was affected to some degree. During the growing portion of an apple’s life too much water affects the cell division of the fruit; a balanced amount of water and sun are ideal.
Mold and fungus are also problematic for fruit bearing trees. Nonetheless, all of these obstacles have been largely met and there is plenty of tasty red fruit available. Now is the time to take advantage of the orchardists’ hard labor.
Apples ripen at different times depending on the variety. Early maturing varieties include Honeycrisp, Paula Red and Jonagold. Deeper into the season you’ll find Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Red and Golden Delicious, Rome and many more hanging heavy on the trees.
Local Orchards
While there are numerous opportunities for apple picking throughout Northern Virginia, four nearby orchards are located in the Delaplane and Markham area: Hartland Orchard, Hollin Farms, Stribling Orchard and Valley View Farm.
In Rappahannock County, four more apple farms offer day getaways in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains: High Places Orchard, Jenkins Orchard, Muskrat Farms and Williams Orchard.
Stribling Orchard is one of the oldest farms in the area dating to 1812 with the sixth generation Stribling family tending the fruit. The family recently finished renovation of the 200-year-old farm house and now lives on the property full-time.
“We have an amazing group of family and friends that help us during the season which runs from July to the beginning of November,” said Stacia Stribling, who is an education professor at George Mason University. Her husband Rob works for Northup Grumman.
The 45-acre farm produces peaches and apples but 35 of the acres are devoted to apple growing. There are some 25 different varieties growing on site. “Red and Golden Delicious, Fuji, Crispin, Nittany, Granny Smith and York are the majority of our September and October apples,” said Stacia Stribling.
And what advice would Stribling give folks headed out for a day of picking happiness? “People who are not into farming think apples on the ground are not any good. There’s a lot of tremendous fruit lying on the ground.”
Fruit that reaches its peak of sweetness contains the most sugar and will fall naturally to the ground, signaling it’s time to take a bite. If such apples have recently fallen, they can be among the best fruit.
“I always tell people not to forget to look down.”
Stribling also cautions visitors to take the season’s rains into consideration and wear boots when walking through the orchard. She points out picking in a light rain has its advantages. “It’s actually quite refreshing. If you are properly dressed, it’s a lot better than picking on a hot day.
“Being in the peach and apple business is a lot of hard work but we love it. For us one of the rewards is getting to see and talk with our customers. Many tell us they came here with their children and now they come back and introduce us to their grandchildren,” said Stribling.
The family enjoys that their farm is a place for generations to come and re-visit. “We’re pleased to offer that to the public. There are lot of memories made here. We love being part of that environment,” said Stribling.
Planning a day of apple picking begins at your keyboard. Let your favorite search engine point the way to operating hours and directions to these apple-happy spots:
Hartland Orchard
Markham
www.hartlandorchard.com
Hollin Farms
Delaplane
www.hollinfarms.com
Stribling Orchard
Markham
www.striblingorchard.com
Valley View Farm
Delaplane
www.valleyviewva.com
High Places Orchard
Flint Hill-Huntly
https://www.facebook.com/pages/High-Places-Orchard/766464716797485
Jenkins Orchard
Woodville
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Shopping—Retail/Jenkins-Orchards-577604042620104/
Muskrat Haven
Amissville
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Muskrat-Haven-Farms/105164959550181
Williams Orchard
Flint Hill
https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsOrchard729/
Published in the September 26, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Tenth anniversary gemstone perfect symbol of shop’s success
If success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose, there’s no doubt a popular jewelry shop in Warrenton defines the meaning of the word. What makes it all the more gratifying, it’s a husband and wife team that made it happen.
And they have no intention of backing off.
“We have no plans on retiring. We love our job. We love our business. We have become friends with many of our customers, even attending weddings and funerals. I couldn’t imagine life without this business,” said Erin Driver, co-owner along with her husband Jim, of Warrenton Jewelers.
Where would you go for jewelry repair, precious gems, fashion jewelry and more if the shop owners had an attitude like that? Of course.
It all started when the couple moved from Virginia Beach in 1984. Jim Driver was a bench jeweler and both newlyweds worked at legendary Bailey, Banks and Biddle, the jewelry shop founded in Philadelphia in 1832.
After moving to Gainesville, they were struck by an entrepreneurial lightning bolt and never looked back. Jim Driver opened a repair shop in the back of a jewelry shop at Fair Oaks Mall. Erin Driver, a mother of three young ones, navigated through every mall in Northern Virginia picking up repair jobs for delivery to her husband’s workbench.
“Jim worked ‘eight’ days a week back then. We had over 21 accounts that we serviced weekly. It was long, hard work but it allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom for my three children,” said Driver.
In 1997, the couple moved to Fauquier County while retaining the Fair Oaks Mall contract. “My kids were growing up and I began wondering what was I going to do when they were out of school,” said Driver. “I started planning for when the kids left.”
A shop is born
In October 2008, a leap of faith was taken when the Drivers opened Warrenton Jewelers during the middle of the Great Recession. They drew strength from a life of hard work and met the challenge of selling jewelry in tough financial times.
“It was the worst recession we’d ever been in. I had hope and faith in our model and believed we’d succeed. There was no option to fail. I never thought we would,” Erin Driver.
Their store was located in the Sears shopping center area until a landlord relocation forced them to consider a new site. Nothing available made sense to the jewelers. In the six years they had operated there, many of the other stores had closed down.
Selling jewelry to a declining customer base did not make sense and Erin Driver began exploring taking the business to the other side of Lee Highway to the Northrock Shopping Center.
“We found two side-by-side stores and enlarged them into one 2,800 square foot shop and moved in July 2014. It was two doors down from Harris Teeter. It was the best thing we ever did. There was a significant increase in business when we opened. We average about 50 customers a day,” said Driver.
It turned out the demographics in the newer shopping center were significantly different than from across the street. Customers drawn to the old store were often focused on repair work. The new location saw a dramatic increase in foot traffic with buyers centered not only on repairs but other products and services the shop offered.
The store is now a one stop jewelry center where repairs are made on any type of jewelry. Additionally, they sell ladies handbags, fashion jewelry, rent tuxedos for proms and weddings and more.
“We also sell custom jewelry. You can come in and design your own ring on our large computer screen,” said Driver.
In discussing how the jewelry business has changed over the years, Driver said gold used to go for $300 an ounce and today trades for as much as $1,300. “People do not dress up and wear expensive jewelry as in years past. My clientele is 75 percent women and they come in and buy fashion jewelry that ranges in price from $20 to $200.”
But if fine quality gems and diamonds are what a buyer is seeking, the shop delivers. It carries unique gifts that others stores don’t. “We stock hundreds of jewelry items and have free gift wrapping. I tell my customers if they were not here last week they missed something because our products change all the time.”
The store is opened Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are opened on Sundays during the month of December.
With such extensive hours, vacations are prized by the owners, right? “We don’t take vacations just a couple of days off here and there because I don’t want to leave my ‘baby’. We get up every morning and love coming into work. Jim and I still feel this way after all these years,” said Driver.
The message is clear. If you’re looking for jewelry and more, feel the love and dedication when you walk through the door of 524 Fletcher Drive or visit online at https://www.warrentonjewelers.com/
Published in the September 26, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Divine Swine BBQ grilling tasty fun
It’s unusual for an entrepreneur to go from ashes….to ashes. It also highlights a business trait centric to becoming successful: keep on keepin’.
That’s exactly what Todd Eisenhauer is doing. His latest passion is southern styled barbecue produced in concert with long time grill master Tim Marcus.
Eisenhauer, owner of the successful Black Bear Bistro & Brick Oven, opened an upscale butcher shop in 2017 called Black Bear Mercantile at 19 Culpeper Street. For a number of reasons, it didn’t get traction and when an opportunity arose to convert the shop to a barbeque haven, Eisenhauer jumped.
“The shop didn’t work out because I think it was a little bit too high end. It was hard to get people to come down Culpeper Street for something like that. It was disheartening it didn’t work. I was sad to close it down,” said Eisenhauer.
But out of the ashes of the past have come ashes from Apple and Hickory woods used to slow cook the new eatery’s meats. And why is foot traffic better than the butcher shop days? “For one thing, they call smell those ribs,” said Eisenhauer.
Ahh. The old olfactory marketing ploy. Works every time.
Todd Eisenhauer Tim Marcus
Another key to the restaurant’s early success is the man behind the smoker, Tim Marcus. Marcus is an experienced barbecue man with years of grilling under his apron. Prior to linking up with Eisenhauer he ran a successful catering business called…Divine Swine.
Weekends still see him on the road cooking ribs and more for party crowds throughout the region.
“Tim is a great guy. He’s definitely coming into his own as part of a brick and mortar operation instead of just an outside business. He’s making a big difference here. We work well together. We’re having fun and I think it shows in the food we’re doing,” said Eisenhauer.
While the business is just a few months old, the owners are hitting the numbers they projected. With Marcus’ experience in catering it’s also seeing a surge in that segment of the operation.
“We will be doing a lot more catering. I know there are several barbecue shops in town but we’re not trying to be them. We have barbecue burritos, barbecue tacos. I’ve even done a barbecue ‘sushi’ roll with brisket inside with wasabi sauce. There’s going to be a lot of stuff you’re not going to see elsewhere,” said Eisenhauer.
Catering is not limited to nearby offices. Weddings and special events throughout the area are calling on the restaurant to tend to their guests’ needs. Menus can be designed to match a customer’s desires. “And we can drop the food off, or they can pick it up. The chafing dishes can be returned by them or we’ll pick them up. It’s completely up to the customer,” said Eisenhauer.
The shop is also developing an increasing amount of foot traffic from the town’s office denizens. The restaurant seats 15 people but many hungry workers simply pop in, order a carry out lunch and head back to their offices. “If you’re in our place 10 minutes, you’ve been in too long,” said Eisenhauer.
One example of a unique dish created by the entrepreneurs is a ramen bowl prepared with rib broth and fresh vegetables. Customers select grilled pork or chicken to top it off or some even get it with baby back ribs. “It’s dishes like that that are the fusion aspect of our food preparation,” said Eisenhauer.
In the near future, the restaurant will receive its ABC license to sell beer and wine. In addition to featuring Virginia wines, a selection of craft beers will also grace the menu. Pricing will be below what is typically charged for alcohol.
“We want to serve craft beer for $3 or $4. Anywhere else it’s going to be $5 or more. We want to be a relaxed, funky little place where you can grab a couple of beers, get a good sandwich or some ribs, leave happy and you’re not broke,” said Eisenhauer.
Since sauce is the heart of any barbecue operation, a selection is available to slather on the meats to your heart’s delight, including a South Carolina mustard sauce and a jerk sauce. They’ve even got a wasabi sauce. “Eventually will have those items for sale so you can take a bottle with you,” said Eisenhauer.
On Labor Day a new fan was pushing away from the counter with a satisfied look of his face and said, “It’s my first time here and that pulled pork was delicious.” It’s a common refrain heard by the barbecue mavens.
For now the hours of the restaurant will remain Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. but may expand to evening service in the future.
For a full menu and fun facts on how the latest barbecue in town is prepared, drop by http://www.divine-swine-bbq.com
Published in the September 19, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Note: This article is about my daughter Colleen who has never encountered a problem she didn’t view as an opportunity.
Haymarket mom creates national organization for children with rare hip disease
It was Halloween 2016, Colleen & Drew Rathgeber were taking their three children on a neighborhood candy walk. After ‘tricking’ out five houses their middle child, Kaelan, complained of an aching left leg and had to return home.
What should have been a fun evening for the young lass turned into an alarming ordeal for their parents. Within a few months the girl would be diagnosed with a rare hip disorder known as Legg Calve Perthes.
Named after three surgeons who discovered the disorder, it is commonly known as Perthes and primarily strikes children. When it affects adults, it’s vascular necrosis.
To envision its impact on a youngster’s life, think of any adult who suffers from a degenerative hip disease.
Debilitating. Painful. And a loss of lifestyle for those afflicted. But snatching joy from a youngster’s life is particularly difficult to deal with. Especially if they become wheelchair bound.
“It was rare for a three-year-old not be able to go further than a few nearby houses on Halloween. We took her to the doctor who diagnosed the problem as a virus affecting her joints,” said Colleen Rathgeber. “They said it would clear up in two weeks.”
Indeed, the problem faded until the Christmas holidays a few months later. Kaelan began limping again and displaying considerable pain with everyday movements.
While attending a neighborhood Super Bowl party in February 2017, one of their friends pointed out the child’s limp appeared to be more pronounced than ever.
After extensive blood tests by their pediatrician and x-rays from an orthopedic surgeon, the parents were assured their daughter was fine and would shake the limp over time.
Yet one month later, Kaelan was sent home by her gymnastics teacher because of the painful leg. “When she walked into the house her leg looked like it was detached from her body. She was dragging it behind her. It was scary and traumatizing and we immediately took her to pediatrician again.”
“After a full examination the doctor said it was either cancer or a rare bone disease that he had not seen in his 24 years of practice. He tended to rule out cancer since her white blood count was normal,” said Rathgeber.
The parents scheduled an appointment with a specialist at Children’s Hospital in Fairfax. “The doctor walked in with the original film in his hand and said, ‘It’s right there on the x-ray’”. She had Perthes.
Birth of Foundation
Roughly five in 100,000 have Perthes, most often striking children between the ages of 4 and 8. It is more common in boys. It evolves slowly as the blood supply to the affected hip is interrupted causing the femoral head, or hip ball, to ultimately fragment away.
If the hip receives constant high impact during the youthful stage it can alter its shape and lead to ongoing pain in adults.
Rathgeber began to research the disease in an effort to have Kaelan enrolled in a study group. Her singular most important contact was Dr. Harry Kim with the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, TX. Kim specialized in the disease and had formed a study group targeted at six to eight-year- old’s.
“The doctor said he had been working with Perthes for 25 years and couldn’t understand why there was no foundation to support research and awareness of the condition.
“The more I thought about that the more I could not shake the idea there was no single point of reference for parents seeking to better understand the disease and help treat their children,” said Rathgeber.
The working mom and mother of three–sons Kade, 8 and Bode, 3, round out the family—seemingly had little time to build and launch such a foundation.
But never underestimate the power of a mother’s love.
With the decision to move forward, Rathgeber applied for a 5013(c)-non-profit status. She was required to form a board of directors and asked a friend, Shelley Crawford, who was studying for her physician assistant’s degree and Dr. Kim to serve on the board with her. They agreed.
The Legg Calve Perthes Foundation was born.
Her motivation to act accelerated further when Kaelan was subsequently diagnosed as suffering from Perthes in both hips. The child is not wheelchair bound but does require the use of one on long day trips or whenever her hip pain dictates.
Dr. Kim also pointed out there was no event that enabled parents to meet annually and discuss their children’s conditions and receive updates on the disease’s research.
So Rathgeber planned and hosted, in concert with Dr. Kim, the first annual Perthes conference that was held in Dallas in October 2017. The day event was attended by 25 parents from across the country with 15 surgeons and 10 hospital employees presenting insights into the disease and its research.
“The parents felt they got more out of attending that conference than they had ever learned from their doctor or online. The disease affects the entire family and it was amazing to see these parents sharing their stories and crying together.
“They were all feeling similar pain, isolation and sadness because Perthes robs their child of their childhood. Restrictions include no running or jumping and it’s really hard to stop young kids from such activities,” said Rathgeber.
The positive news is 70 percent of cases resolve themselves by the age of 10 when the Femoral cap recovers its blood supply and regrows the hip ball.
“But that requires parents to restrict their children’s activities. If the hip ball is constantly pounded, it will flatten the head and require surgery which is very painful.”
Awareness & fundraising
Bringing her extensive business experience to bear on building the foundation, Rathgeber, who holds an MBA, sponsored a Perthes awareness event at a Washington Nationals ballgame in June. She, board members Crawford, and Dr. Benjamin Martin, were recognized on the ball field for their work.
Locally, the City of Haymarket issued a town proclamation in support of her foundation in June of this year and lit the town hall in blue lights in recognition of all those who suffer from the disease.
The foundation has also been accepted into the National Organization of Rare Disorders. Acceptance resulted in two additional members joining the board, doctors Wudbhav “Woody” N. Sankar and Jennifer Lane.
Additionally, an honorary member of the board is actor and TV host Cameron Mathison who had Perthes as a child.
Board member Dr. Woody Sankar believes the foundation provides a valued role because of the limited information available on the disease.
“The Perthes Foundation helps plug these gaps by providing invaluable support and networking opportunities. It has been amazing what Colleen has accomplished. She and the foundation have made a real difference in the lives of patients,” said Sankar.
On October 20, the Second Annual Perthes Family Conference will be held in Dallas, TX. The full-day event will showcase topics that matter most to families as they navigate through the Perthes lifecycle. As with the first conference, nationally known Perthes physicians will be in attendance to answer questions posed directly to the experts.
All of these activities require a budget and Rathgeber encourages anyone interested in her efforts to visit the foundation’s website and donate.
“There’s a lot of components to Perthes including the impact on the family. We’re really excited to continue to grow. Our efforts to address these issues have been personally rewarding for all of us involved in the effort.”
For more information on Legg Calve Perthes disease, its mission, educational efforts, research and donations visit https://perthes.org/
Published in the September 12, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
Office opening is homecoming for regional vice president
For 12 years Steve McCoy was the office manager for a propane company in Bealeton. He loved the job and the people of Fauquier County. But cream always rises to the top and when the company was sold in 1996, McCoy moved on to greener pastures and greater responsibilities.
Today, he’s pleased to call Fauquier home again. No, he’s not living here but he’s the regional vice president of Blossman Gas & Appliance with an office west of Fredericksburg.
McCoy knew Warrenton and the surrounding area well and the company was looking for an area to expand to so he pitched the idea to his company’s CEO. “He was in full agreement with my recommendation and today we’re located at 259 Broadview Avenue.”
Opened in March of this year, the newest entrant in the local propane market is off to a solid start. Paul Perkins manages the office with a staff of administrative, technical, sales and delivery personnel.
“Our Warrenton office is representative of all our offices. It’s located on the main street of town and staffed by local people who are serving the local community,” said McCoy. “We’ve generated 200 new accounts since opening. Our goal is to have 4,000 customers within five years.”
That’s a formidable challenge but 67 years of business experience will be brought to bear in achieving the goal.
Blossman Gas is the largest family-owned propane company in the United States. Founded in 1951, it’s headquartered in Ocean Springs, Miss., employs 800 people at 76 branches throughout Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and serves 150,000 customers.
Annually it produces 100 million gallons of propane sourced from the gulf coast, W.Va. and Pa. Its CEO, Stewart Weidie, is the third-generation leader of the firm and reinforces its commitment to the Fauquier region.
“We are heavily invested in the service side of our business from the person answering the phone to the technician serving your appliances. We’re here for you,” said Weidie.
McCoy underscores that commitment. “We make it easy to do business with us. We have a ‘service pak’ program that protects our customers from market volatility.”
The program stabilizes the cost per gallon of propane so customers can budget their energy costs and not be hit with unexpected rate increases.
One thorny issue that can arise when considering a different propane company, is the is the above-and-below ground storage tanks. “Some customers feel they are trapped because they have a tank owned by the company they’re doing business with.
“We make easy for customers to switch. With one call to our office we’ll take care of the issue. Customers do not need to get in the middle of the negotiations,” said McCoy.
When asked how soon a customer could begin service, McCoy’s quick response was, “I can make that happen this afternoon. And that would be with competitive prices and a payment plan with a price per gallon based on an entire season.”
The company also services commercial accounts. They currently have promotional programs for home builders, HVAC contractors, plumbing contractors and realtors that include seamless service changes from electric to propane.
Service to the construction industry includes leasing temporary heating equipment and selling fuel for uninterrupted service during cold weather construction. The firm sells and installs a host of gas appliances for new home construction.
Blossman markets a line of home interior and exterior products such as gas fireplaces, grills, water heaters, cooktops and clothes dryers. Interestingly, the firm will even convert small and large gasoline engines to propane, including lawnmowers.
McCoy points out today the United States is a net exporter of propane making it a competitive domestic energy source. It’s also a cleaner fuel than gasoline and diesel.
To underscore the service commitment offered by Blossman, if an emergency arises with either residential or commercial customers after normal business hours, the incoming call to the Warrenton office is routed to the firm’s call center in Ocean Springs, Miss. A local technician is then dispatched to the customer’s site.
In making a case for propane, Blossman points out gas is affordable, reliable, made in America, warmer than electric heat pumps, more efficient, widely available and environmentally friendly. What’s not to like?
As Steve McCoy oversees his latest pride and joy in Warrenton he says, “I’m ecstatic to be back in Fauquier County serving great people with a great energy source. I welcome everyone in the community to stop by our office. We want to get know everyone in our community.”
The Broadview office is opened Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; (540) 905-7758.
For information on service offerings, appliances and more drop by https://www.blossmangas.com/
Published in the August ,2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.
