Eric Cox and Gina Richard of Cox Farms
Each year, the Centreville Day Planning Committee honors deserving people and businesses during the opening ceremony of the Centreville Day festivities. And at the Oct. 19 event, Supervisor Kathy Smith (D-Sully) and Fairfax County Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole presented the following awards:
Business of the Year: Cox Farms
In 1972, Cox Farms provided produce in Centreville and Vienna. It’s been a family business since 1975, beginning with the partnership of husband and wife, Eric Cox and Gina Richard, who took a risk and purchased 116 acres on Braddock Road, despite naysayer remarks claiming, “Nobody will ever travel that far out.” In 1985, they expanded their summer-produce stand to include a fall festival, which has grown exponentially to be the highest attended fall festival in the Washington Metropolitan area, attracting thousands of people daily.
Written on the Cox Farms website is the following statement: “We have seen generations grow alongside us, and we consider helping our neighbors an important responsibility that we take seriously. Through partnerships and our cultivated community initiatives, we hope to provide local families and organizations with resources and activities that lead to healthier, happier communities.”
In addition, Cox Farms has donated more than $75,000 via its holiday donation program and has also provided other support to families in need. And thousands of kindergartners in Title I schools throughout the Washington Metropolitan area have visited Cox Farms for free.
Citizen of the Year: Nick Anderson
Nick Anderson is the director of after-school activities at Stone Middle School and has been there for 17 years. The four-hour after-school program includes enrichment activities, homework help, community service and intramural sports. He’s shared his knowledge and provided leadership to other middle schools and to new specialists. And students and parents alike appreciate the extra effort he makes to keep everyone informed, offer a variety of opportunities and ensure that every student has a reason to be at school.
Known to the students as Mr. A, Anderson enjoys working with them and helping them make positive decisions. When he first came to Stone, it had just five clubs – and now there are more than 30. In 2011, he organized girls hip hop and jazz dance teams – making Stone the first FCPS school to create a competitive dance program.
While middle school can be a challenging time for many students, Anderson is an encouraging and friendly role model who helps guide their development and helps them set life goals. He also hires high-school students who’ve graduated from Stone to return there as mentors and coaches.
Dennis Hogge History Award: Al Schenck
New this year was the Dennis Hogge Community History Award. Hogge died earlier this year but loved history, owned many of the buildings in Centreville’s Historic District and was an advocate for historic preservation.
The first award in his name went to Al Schenck of Centreville’s Newgate community. A Centreville resident since 1972, he’s shared the knowledge and experiences he’s gathered, honoring more than 50 years of Centreville’s history.
He’s appreciated for his talent as an oral historian, relating memories that include the first Giant and People’s Drugstore at the Newgate Shopping Center, when Braddock Road crossed Route 29 by the original Centreville Elementary School, Ewell’s Restaurant and worshipping in the First Baptist Primitive Church in the Bull Run Post Office Road area.
In 2023, Schenck was ordained as a deacon at Mount Olive Baptist Church. His service to his church and community include providing security for the church, fostering a supportive relationship with Centreville Elementary by providing food and backpacks, and enthusiastically serving on the 2024 Centreville Study Task Force.
Community Partner: Mike Coyle
Until recently, Mike Coyle was Supervisor Smith’s chief of staff and previously served on former Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey’s staff. Altogether, he’s given his time, talent and expertise to Sully for 24 years. During that time, he’s helped both residents and supervisors with decisions and plans involving everything from roads to land use to assistance with pets.
“His institutional knowledge remains invaluable,” said Smith. “The Friends of Historic Centreville have known and worked with Mike for many years and wanted to take this opportunity to show their grateful appreciation for his support of Centreville Day and his work as a public servant.”