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Women’s Groups Share Care for Community
By SARAH ETRO
Member, Round Hill Woman’s Club and Round Hill Junior Women’s Group
When it comes to the women of Round Hill uniting to respond to
needs within the community, the more things change, the more they
stay the same.
In 1946, when 10 women formed the Round Hill Woman’s Club, Loudoun
County’s population was 20,000. Today’s population is 258,000, and
nearly 40 women claim membership in the newly-formed Round Hill
Junior Women’s Group. Yet the purpose of both groups is the same: to
gather, share community concerns, and help residents through
difficult times.
In past years, the Woman’s Club held rummage sales, talent and
fashion shows, square dances, and suppers to provide support to the
Hospital, Fire Department, and Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter.
The club also supported Round Hill Elementary School by providing
playground equipment, landscaping, and supplies and instruction to
music and arts programs. They also operated a clothing closet at the
school, a project similar to one the Junior Women have planned for
this spring.
The Woman’s Club started a tradition that continues to make Round
Hill a strong community. The 19-member Woman’s Club welcomes the
enthusiasm of the Junior Women’s Group, and look forward to working
side-by-side on meeting community needs.
To join the Junior Women’s Group or to suggest a service project,
call (540)338-9588 or email
roundhillwomen@hotmail.com. |
COUNCIL CORNER
The Council has decided that Potts Barn has too much damage to
restore. (Photo by Kim Ramsey) |
Time Takes its Toll on Potts Barn
Council Votes to Remove Historic Structure |
By FRANK ETRO
Mayor, Town of Round Hill
After all of its years as a landmark, Potts Barn on the eastern
gateway to Town has finally succumbed to the effects of time.
Having just recently received title to the property from Round Hill
Investors, the Town Council has decided that the damage to the
structure caused by a tornado, two hurricanes, wind storms and
vandals has exceeded the Town’s ability to restore or renovate the
structure. So it is with great sadness that the Council ordered its
removal.
Presently the Town is seeking an agreement with a contractor who
will salvage the wood for renovation products or use in a structure
to be located elsewhere in return for removal of all materials and
site clean-up. The stone foundation and property walls are to remain
intact. It is hopeful that this work will be completed in the very
near future.
In the meantime, the Planning Commission and the Council’s Land Use
Committee will be conducting a public process in order to make
recommendations to the Town Council on how to proceed with this
civic property in the future.
The original concept, as introduced during a joint planning process
between the Town, Round Hill Investors and the County in 2001,
attempted to preserve/restore Potts Barn for potential civic uses
such as a farmers market or trail head facilities. This was seen as
a way of strengthening the gateway into Town, providing an unchanged
historic setting on both sides of East Loudoun Street and preserving
the area’s open spaces, stream corridors and floodplain.
At that time, a community-wide survey was conducted that indicated
that there was a 50-50 split among the community as to whether the
barn should be restored or rebuilt.
Unfortunately, during the lengthy process of annexing the land into
the Town, adding planning policies for those parcels to the Town
General Plan and finalizing the transfer of the property to the
Town, the barn’s condition deteriorated significantly to the state
it is in today.
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In other news, congratulations are in order for Utility Coordinator
Debbie Hartman, who recently earned “Office Worker of the Year”
award from the Virginia Rural Water Association in a statewide
competition.
The Town would also like to welcome Rob Kinsley as the new Zoning
Administrator; former ZA Brad Polk has been promoted to Town
Administrator. |
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