National Sandwich Day 2021

National Sandwich Day 2021

In honor of #nationalsandwichday our team is celebrating by ordering takeout from Lola’s and enjoying a delicious lunch together! While national sandwich day exists to honor the inventor of the sandwich (John Montagu) we are taking this time to take a breather and enjoy quality time with one another.

And if you are curious about some of the best sandwiches in Harrisonburg, we have attached our Lola’s order for those who would like their own piece of #nationalsandwichday.

Deborah: Smoben

Matty: SOS

 

Eastern Mennonite University: U2 Romeo & Juliet

Eastern Mennonite University: U2 Romeo & Juliet

Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) is paving the way in theatre productions with their creation of ‘U2 Romeo and Juliet under the direction of Justin Poole with musical direction by Jerry Holsopple featuring Prince Bellerose. This original performance features a classic story with a twist, utilizing the intense music from the legendary band, U2.

The show was excellent according to Charles’s summary, saying “as always the students at EMU have shown that they have exceptional acting skills and musical talents.”

We could not be more proud to have been a sponsor of this amazing performance and thrilled to sponsor many more art-focused events such as First Friday, featuring Matty Tesch and Andrew Stronge. Supporting the arts community is a primary focus for our firm as we believe beauty in all forms builds a better community for all.

theater seats at Eastern Mennonite University

While you might have missed out on viewing this season’s performance, community members know to expect another amazing theatre experience next year featuring Eastern Mennonite University’s talented ensemble. For those yearning for an immersion in the arts, stay tuned for the upcoming EMS High School Musical, Alice in Wonderland, the SVCC Choir Christmas performance, and for those seeking a little more adventure, the Any Given Child as we root for Nathan May (who has an amazing singing voice that he will not get to use in this competition).

Books and Brews

Books and Brews

We at the Gaines Group are beyond excited to sponsor another WMRA “Books and Brews” Night at Pale Fire. On Tuesday, November 9th, Joel Salatin will be discussing his latest book, Polyface Micro: Success With Livestock on a Homestead Scale.

stack of books on a shelf with a plant next to it

Books and Brews is an event that is very near and dear to our hearts and something we believe needs to be incredibly crucial not only for authors and creatives but for entire communities. This event allows authors to speak about their works and encourage community connection through reading. These past few months have been strictly digital but this upcoming November 9th event will be the return of in-person books and brews.

This event is amazing because we not only have the opportunity to support authors and local businesses but we get to support our local radio station WMRA. Supporting local radio is not only beneficial for staying up to date on community events and news but keeps us connected as members of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Public radio also doesn’t discriminate, it is a major form of media that is accessible to almost everyone. At a time when prices are rising and certain forms of media are less and less accessible, local public radio remains a key factor for inclusive connectivity.

Massanutten Technical Center (MTC) Housing Auction

Massanutten Technical Center (MTC) Housing Auction

Each year the talented students at Massanutten Technical Center (MTC) (https://www.mtcva.com/?fbclid=IwAR33Xupl6DyJEsNhr8Hp1mz4kLpFGsq8frswPGIytk4rsPo26pbMfyZV7go)  have an opportunity to build a house. This is a wonderful way to learn all that it takes to put together a home. Massanutten Technical Center not only provides excellent hands-on education but gives students real-world experience at the same time.

Charles Hendricks has served on the MTC Foundation (https://www.mtcva.com/mtc-foundation) for a number of years and has had the opportunity to work in many ways to support the school. He loves that MTC brings so many resources to local students that want to learn a trade before going out into a career or continuing on at a University. This past summer he returned to teach in the architectural camp for middle school students. The quality of education provided at MTC makes our community better as these students have hands-on experiences that they will use for a lifetime. Charles says “I am always blown away by the quality of teachers and their passion for the students. Of course, the administration at MTC is also top-notch!”


The house this year will be sold through sealed bids. Gaines Group Architects is proud to have designed the current version of home they have been building now for a few years. It has an efficient and open floorplan, 3 bedrooms, and 2 baths. There is an optional stair for a full basement or that space could become a closet if your lot demands a crawl space.


If you are in the market for a new house, take a look at this project. The quality will be exceptional and the purchase of the house itself supports the students for years to come.

Dairy Queen – Charter Colony

Dairy Queen – Charter Colony

Charter Colony Dairy Queen may be the most unique DQ in the commonwealth. This family-owned business strives to offer their guests comfort while they are enjoying comfort food. It is a must-visit when you are in Midlothian not only for some excellent soft-serve but also to sit by the fireplace, hang out on the patio, or just enjoy the two-story-tall dining room overlooked by our country’s founding fathers. This particular location is inspired by pop art and bright color schemes, and features gorgeous light fixtures making this ice cream shop even more unique.

When it comes to chain design you might think I have seen one so I have seen them all but the small details instilled within the Charter Colony location set it apart from the rest. The Warhol-inspired theme of the restaurant creates a fun, lighthearted atmosphere for the whole family to enjoy. Aside from just being visually pleasing, this location is also a great place to hang out with friends and family! This location also offers the opportunity to bring Dairy Queen to your home with the takeaway fridge!

If you are in the Midlothian area take the time to treat yourself to some ice cream and chicken tenders at this one-of-a-kind Dairy Queen location!