Back To School
As kids of all ages prepare to go back to school this week, I am reminded of a pivotal time in my life, the summer of 1986. I left Heritage High School in Lynchburg, Virginia with a newly minted diploma and prepared for a summer of fun before my teary-eyed mom dropped me off in front of VCU‘s Johnson Hall a few months later.
It was a great time to be alive but things were so very different back then. In 1986, six million people got together to raise money for the less fortunate by holding hands and stretching across the entire continental U.S. In 1986, we wanted to participate in Hands Across America. Today, we avoid touching anyone’s hands.
1986 was a great moment for the arts as well. As I headed back to school I remember blasting The Bangles’ classic “Walk Like an Egyptian” on my boombox and paying $2 at the box office to see Rodney Dangerfield’s comedic masterpiece Back to School. “Why don’t you call me sometime when you have no class?”
However, 1986 was a year of great tragedy as well. The Space Shuttle Challenger fell from the sky. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant melted down. And The Oprah Winfrey Show debuted on television. Regardless, it was the good times that I remember the most. It was exciting and the future may have looked daunting, but I anticipated the wonderful things it would bring.
2020 has been a challenging year, and whether your kids are going back to school or “distance learning,” I hope they will remember the good things that happen this year and look towards a brighter future.
On Sunday, I will be dropping off my youngest, Jack, at JMU in Harrisonburg, and quite honestly, I don’t know which of us is more excited. If they do not cancel classes, I might see him at Thanksgiving. #tearsofjoy
Monday, August 17 — Beautiful Start To The Week
On Monday, Creative Director Art Webb, Client Services Manager Katie “The Boss” Rossberg, and Photographer Cade Martin traveled down to The Governor’s Land at Two Rivers to scout locations for an upcoming photoshoot. Needless to say, the beautiful waterfront community provided many picture-perfect opportunities, just like the one above.
Tuesday, August 18 — On The Move
On Tuesday, we received word that our clients at Williamsburg Landing are sponsoring Cycling Without Age Trishaw Williamsburg. Simply put, Cycling Without Age is a movement that started in Denmark to help seniors with limited mobility get back on their bicycles. On a daily basis, Williamsburg Landing’s very own, Joey Lotts, chauffeurs residents around on his cozy trishaw. When chatting about the joy rides, Joey shared, “It’s fun for me to listen to the stories that come from these rides.”
Wednesday, August 19 — New Sign Alert
Also this week, our favorite folks from Sycamore Vet received a new building sign to highlight their hospital hours. Special thanks to the team at Sign Crafters for the incredibly quick and beautiful install. If it’s time for your furry family member’s next vet visit, simply request an appointment on their website. You won’t even have to get out of your car…their technicians will escort your beloved pet in and out.
Thursday, August 20 — Setting The Tone…r
On Thursday, we hopped on Facebook Live for Episode 10 of Convos with Clients featuring longtime client Ric Withers of Wythken Printing. Fun fact: When Madison+Main was founded on September 30, 2005, Ric printed our first business cards. Today, his RVA-based team prints a plethora of promotional pieces for us, our clients, and many other mid-size businesses. Need floor decals? COVID-19 signage? Or literally anything printed? Wythken Printing will take care of you.
Friday, August 21 — The Numbers Are In
I know you’ve all been eager to hear about the successful COVIDWISE launch we helped with on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health. In just over two weeks, since the Governor announced that Virginia was the first state in the nation with an exposure notification app using Bluetooth Low Energy technology, more than 407,000 Virginians have downloaded the free app — which equates to 9.6% of Virginians 18-65 with a smartphone. If you would like to learn more about this amazing new tool and help Virginia stop COVID-19, visit covidwise.org.
A Few of Our Favorite Events
4308 Hermitage Road | Richmond, VA
October 24, 2020 | TBD
Our good friend, Bobby Kelland from Aflac, is gearing up for his second non-profit bike ride this year on behalf of Andrea Starr and the Forward Foundation. This time, it’s a 50-mile ride from Bryan Park to Ashland and back. The ride will raise money to support single mothers and provide them financial assistance for quality childcare, as well as educational workshops. Donate today online or text “Donate” and the amount to 804-352-2820 (ex: Donate $5) to help him reach his $15,000 goal by October 24.
Master Distiller’s Dinner at A. Smith Bowman Distillery
1 Bowman Drive | Fredericksburg, VA
November 14, 2020 | 6-9 p.m.
Smith Bowman Distillery and Earth Apple LLC have partnered to bring you a unique bourbon experience! Master Distiller Brian Prewitt will start the evening off with a guided tasting of rare Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Whiskies, accompanied by delectable small bites specially selected by Chef Jessica Wilkins. Following the tasting, Chef Jessica will treat guests to a 3-course dinner served with carefully crafted bourbon cocktails. Tickets will cost $125 per person and go on sale October 14 at 10 a.m. via Eventbrite.
Got an upcoming event you want to share? Can we come? Send us the deets!
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope…“
— Charles Dickens (A Tale of Two Cities)