Date Archives: November 2018

On Giving Tuesday, our team at Old Dominion Realty can find no topic more fitting than recognizing the work of the Bill Blose Memorial Scholarship Fund, founded in honor of a former member of our team. Bill Blose was a special man – father to seven girls, exceptional real estate agent, beloved friend, and a strong supporter of community initiatives. While Bill may have left us too soon, his memory and charitable spirit live on through the Bill Blose Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarship grants to local student-athletes each year. Our real estate agents are here to tell you more about the Bill Blose Memorial Scholarship Fund, and about memories of the wonderful man that the fund honors.

The Bill Blose Memorial Scholarship Fund Recognizes Spotswood High Senior Student-Athletes

"As your children are growing up you need to be their parent, not their best friend so that when your children become adults, you can be their best friend."

– Bill Blose

While the scholarship fund is our primary focus in this post, our team can't help but think back to the memories of sharing an office with Bill Blose every day. According to Linda S. Goodson, Old Dominion team member and co-worker of Bill's:

"Bill was a gentleman who was a positive force, offering uplifting advice and support to everyone. He had a kind soul and a competitive spirit. He was one of a kind, and he is missed."

Bill brought passion to his work every day at Old Dominion Realty, helping people shop for Harrisonburg homes for sale with a friendly, personal touch. That's no surprise because Bill brought a lovable, outgoing nature to every situation. Betsy Blose, Bill's daughter, says her biggest memory is that her dad was "always there for his daughters and so many others," and how "he would greet those he knew and those he did not know with his big smile, open arms, and bear hugs."

Bill's love of the community was evident every day in his work and his support of community initiatives. The Bill Blose Memorial Scholarship Fund was established after his untimely passing to help local student-athletes from Spotswood High School take the next steps toward a productive college education.

Learn More about the Bill Blose Memorial Scholarship Fund and Past Recipients

Bill Blose loved sports and being a father, so a scholarship for local student-athletes who have taken an interest in their own future was a natural way to honor the man beloved by so many. Before Bill's untimely passing, his daughters had given Bill and his wife Ellen a trip to Ireland as a Christmas gift. While Bill passed away before being able to make that trip, the funds from the trip were used to seed the Bill Blose Memorial Scholarship Fund.

In celebration of his upcoming 80th birthday on February 5, Bill's family would like for people to celebrate Bill Blose by supporting his scholarship. To contribute to the Bill Blose Memorial Scholarship Fund, please visit the Rockingham Educational Foundation website.

Bill believed that team sports are a great way to prepare for the challenges of life, teaching invaluable lessons of cooperative effort, graciousness whether winning or losing hard work and discipline. So providing a scholarship that honors those qualities is a natural way to honor Bill's memory. Students can apply for the scholarship by writing an essay about how sports have prepared them for life. Entries are reviewed by Rockingham Education Foundation board members, who also interview entrants and present the scholarship every spring.

Past recipients of the Bill Blose Memorial Scholarship include: Kelsey Pack (2005), Alissa Michael (2006), Haley Pack (2007), Trey Jarrels (2008), Brennan Trick (2009), Makenzie Beam (2010), Erin Greene (2011), Austin Folsom (2012), Robbie Failes (2013), Caleb Detamore (2014), Elizabeth Dofflemyer (2015), Andrew McDaniel (2016), Adam Dofflemyer (2017), and Blair McGloon (2018).

Bill's family is grateful for the overwhelming support that the community has shown to the scholarship fund, and to honoring the memory of a man who meant so much to so many people. The Bill Blose Memorial Scholarship fund will continue to reward local student-athletes who wish to pursue higher education.

Our team at Old Dominion Realty is proud to honor the memory of Bill Blose, and highlight the work being done in his name today. If you wish to become a part of one of the communities that Bill supported, we'd love to help. Contact us at Old Dominion Realty to get started.

Can you believe Thanksgiving is here? During Thanksgiving weekend, you'll find a diverse selection of fun, family-friendly events and attractions going on throughout the community. Our real estate agents have the details on six exciting events in Harrisonburg, VA on Thanksgiving weekend (and beyond!) for this year.

1. Rocktown Turkey Trot and Gobble Gobble Kids Dash – Thanksgiving Day
   Thanksgiving Day runs have become a popular tradition in communities across the country, and you can enjoy a holiday run this year close to home in Harrisonburg. The Rocktown Turkey Trot (8:30 a.m.), held in conjunction with the Gobble Gobble Kids Dash (8 a.m.), is a great opportunity to get the whole family moving before you sit down for your Thanksgiving meal.
   
   
2. Make Thanksgiving Dinner Reservations at Harrisonburg's Joshua Wilton House Inn
   Located at 412 South Main St. in Harrisonburg, VA, the Joshua Wilton House Inn is a fantastic place to spend your Thanksgiving holiday. With an elegant setting in a Victorian-era home, the Joshua Wilton House offers an excellent atmosphere in addition to a three-course meal prepared by some of the most talented chefs in the Harrisonburg area. It's a popular spot, so reservations are recommended.
   
   
3. Just Say 'Ohm' for the Holidays – Register for a Yoga Class in Harrisonburg
   Looking for the perfect way to get your mind and body in sync for the holiday season? Head to The Center: A Yoga and Pilates Studio located 217 S. Liberty St., Suite 201 in Harrisonburg to sign up for a yoga class just in time for the holidays. The Center offers classes for all skill levels, including a special "Burn the Bird" class on the day after Thanksgiving.
   
   
4. Start Your Christmas Shopping in Harrisonburg on Small Business Saturday – November 24
   Shopping local is a fantastic way to support the local economy during the holidays, and Small Business Saturday on Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect excuse to start your local holiday shopping. Downtown Harrisonburg is loaded with diverse small businesses, where you can find a truly unique gift for everyone on your list
   
   
5. Too Much Black Friday Shopping? Relax at Blue Stone Vineyard in Nearby Bridgewater
   Whether you're shopping for Christmas gifts or Harrisonburg homes for sale, sometimes it's nice to take a break from the hustle and bustle of a busy season. With a scenic location at 4828 Spring Creek Rd. in Bridgewater, VA, Blue Stone Vineyard is the perfect place to get away from it all. Enjoy beautiful countryside views and an enchanting atmosphere, while you sample Blue Stone's best for the holiday season.
   
   
6. Bonus Christmas Event: Don't Miss the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting December 7
   While this one doesn't take place until after Thanksgiving weekend, it's definitely an item that you'll want to mark on your calendar for the holiday season. The Harrisonburg Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony features a new theme each year, and this year's theme is Capture the Magic. The best views of the parade for spectators are often found along Main St., between Gay St. and City Hall. After the parade, stick around for the tree lighting ceremony at City Hall, followed by a performance by the James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes.

No matter the time of year, there's always something fun and interesting going on in Harrisonburg. So why not extend your stay? Contact us at Old Dominion Realty to buy and sell homes throughout the Harrisonburg, VA area.

Christmas comes but once a year, and our friends in the Staunton, VA area know how to celebrate the season in style! If you're in the neighborhood looking at Staunton homes for sale, be sure to set aside some time to check out these great holiday activities in the Shenandoah Valley.

1. Find Christmas Gifts at the Staunton Augusta Arts Center
   For the art lover on your Christmas list, there's no better place to find the perfect gift than the Staunton Augusta Art Center. The 2018 Art For Gifts exhibit lasts from November 9 to December 30, featuring a juried holiday shopping boutique with original fine arts and crafts by 60 incredible artists.
   
   
2. Attend the Frontier Culture Museum Christmas Fair
   The Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia tells the story of the thousands of farmers, artisans, and other pioneers who migrated to colonial America in the 17th and 18th centuries. Head to the museum on Friday, November 23 and Saturday, November 24 to experience the annual Christmas Fair. Admission is donation-based and includes holiday-themed activities, great food and drink, caroling in the courtyard, and a holiday artisan and craft fair. 
   
   
3. Share Christmas Tea With Friends
   The perfect place to spend some quality time with someone special this holiday season, the Anne Hathaway Cottage Tea Room offers traditional Victorian High Tea, as well as light lunches, English pub fare, and afternoon cream teas. Reservations are now being accepted for the Christmas season.
   
   
4. Create Your Own Christmas Heirloom
   Sunspots Studios is famous for its live glassblowing demonstrations and beautiful glass gifts. But this holiday season, they're offering an opportunity to create your own work of art with Blow Your Own Ornament workshops. Open to anyone ages 7 and up, it's a great way to create a unique gift or start a new holiday tradition for your family.
   
   
5. Make a Delicious Holiday Treat
   Our mouths are watering just thinking about the 3rd Annual Paris Cake Company Gingerbread Workshop, which comes to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center on December 9. Limited space is available, so contact the Paris Cake Company by phone or email in advance to reserve your spot, and then head to the Conference center at 1 p.m. on the 9th to assemble your gingerbread house. All the decorating supplies you need will be provided, along with a variety of delicious refreshments. 
   
   
6. Tour Historic Staunton
   The Historic Staunton Foundation Holiday House Tour is one of the most anticipated events of the holiday season in Staunton. Now in its 46th year, this annual event offers an opportunity to explore the architecture of some of the most beautiful homes in the Stuart Addition Historic District and downtown Staunton. Tours take place on December 1 and 2. Visit the official website to learn more about the houses and the tour route!
   
   
7. Watch the 'I'll Be Home for Christmas!' Parade
   Staunton puts on a spectacular holiday parade every year. This year's event dubbed the I'll Be Home For Christmas! Parade begins at the corner of North Augusta and Beverley streets at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 26. It's a popular event, so get there early to grab a good spot to watch all the floats, bands, and businesses walking by.

The holiday season is also a great time to go house hunting, and our real estate agents have a wealth of experience helping folks find their dream homes in the Staunton area. Contact Old Dominion Realty to learn more about how we can help you get started on the road to homeownership. 

The town of Moorefield, WV,  founded in 1777, is an example of the historic, family-friendly communities that you will find throughout West Virginia. From locally owned businesses operated by the same families for generations to structures standing the test of time since we founded the community, you'll often find evidence of the past blending with the present in Moorefield.

Of course, Moorefield residents focus on the city's future, and there's exciting news to share about what to expect for our community. Moorefield has been selected to participate in a community revitalization project, backed by the West Virginia Community Development Hub's "Cultivate WV" program, and our Moorefield real estate agents have more information on how this opportunity will help create an even brighter future in the community.

Moorefield Selected to Participate in Community Revitalization Program

Stepping onto the historic streets of Moorefield, WV is a little bit like traveling through time, with structures from every era of the community's history, and community members who are more than happy to help new residents feel at home. When he's not busy helping house hunters find Moorefield, WV homes for sale, Old Dominion Realty team member Mike Crites has been busy investing his time as part of the team behind the community revitalization project in Moorefield. The Cultivate WV program focuses on creating new opportunities in West Virginia's communities, and we're excited to see what the program has in store for Moorefield.

Learn More about What the Cultivate WV Program Brings to Local Communities

The Cultivate WV program from the West Virginia Community Development Hub (aka The Hub) is designed to put the power in the hands of local community members. The team at The Hub supports the process by helping engaged community members identify challenges within the community, and develop solutions for overcoming those challenges. Cultivate WV also makes valuable outside resources available to those community members, to help ensure that the process is a success.

The process starts by engaging and mobilizing residents who are invested in the future of the community while creating a dialogue about what matters most to members of Moorefield. Cultivate WV often helps West Virginia towns undertake new community projects, support local entrepreneurs and help the small business community grow, develop/restore downtown areas, nurture its infrastructure, and secure funding for essential community projects. Securing the input and cultivating the solutions proposed by engaged community members allows the Cultivate WV project from the Hub to make a unique, meaningful impact on the future of each community that it visits.

How the Claude Washington Benedum Foundation Creates Opportunities in West Virginia

This unique opportunity to develop the future of Moorefield, WV wouldn't be possible without the funding of the Claude Washington Benedum Foundation, a philanthropic organization which has long supported community projects in West Virginia. The Claude Washington Benedum Foundation is committed to investing in communities throughout West Virginia, along with Southwestern Pennsylvania towns that border WV. The Foundation focuses on providing grants for essential development needs, including economic development, community development, education, and health & human services. It will be exciting to see how the funds from the Claude Washington Benedum Foundation are put to work to invest in economic and social initiatives throughout Moorefield, WV.

Your Moorefield WV Real Estate Professionals

Are you interested in finding a front-row seat to discover what the future has in store for Moorefield? Our experienced, local real estate team is here to help! Contact us at Old Dominion Realty to buy and sell homes throughout the Moorefield, WV area.