Welcoming Back Jim Harrover!

We welcome Jim Harrover back to Atlantic Builders as a full time team member. Jim has been with Atlantic for 9 years and has recently been working with us on a contract basis. With the rebound in the economy and home sales in the Fredericksburg area, it is great to have Jim back full time.

Jim acts as warranty manager. He helps with quality inspections, pre-settlement demonstrations, and punch out of new homes and for occupied homes. His personable nature makes everyone, especially homeowners, like him. "I meet homeowners with a smile, treat them honestly, and let them know I am here to help them anyway I can," notes Jim.

Here’s what some of our homeowners have said about Jim:

"I just want to let you know how pleased I have been with the services provided by Jim Harrover... Jim has been very responsive and has gone beyond what I could have ever expected. As a result I have put in a good word to a friend at Mary Washington Hospital."
-- Frank Gibbs

"Mr. Jim Harrover (has) worked on numerous warranty issues (and his) work has been nothing short of phenomenal. In addition to (his) world-class performance (his) motivation and professionalism... has been second to none...period."
-- Mohammed A. Khan, Jr., Colonel, USAF

Jim has spent 22 years in the construction industry after spending over 20 years in the general aviation field. Jim Harrover was awarded the Purple Heart as a helicopter crew chief. He served as an E4 for two years, and in one tour in Vietnam where his helicopter was shot down three times. Jim grew up in Lorton, VA.

Jim can fix anything and has a garage stocked with every tool imaginable. His garage – and home – are in Fairview Beach where he lives with his wife Janet. Jim enjoys boating on the Potomac River, and bait and bottom fishing by the channel markers. He likes socializing in the friendly atmosphere of Fairview Beach, and he and his wife enjoy wine tastings at Ingleside Winery in nearby Westmoreland County.


Adam M. Fried

Why Are Chinese Mothers Superior?

If you want to be challenged about your parenting style and how you raise your children, then check out an article in the Jan. 8/9 Wall Street Journal: “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior”. The article was written by Yale University law school professor Amy Chua and is her take on why so many Chinese and other immigrant parents seem able to raise academically advanced children.

Some things she never allowed her daughters to do:
- Attend a sleepover or playdate
- Watch TV or play computer games
- Get any grade less than an A
- Play any instrument other than the piano or violin
- Not play the piano or violin

Chua notes, “What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you’re good at it. To get good at anything you have to work, and children on their own never want to work, which is why it is crucial to override their preferences. This often requires fortitude on the part of the parents because the child will resist”.

While Chua’s admitted behavior toward her daughters is a little scary (Chua threatened to take her 7 year old daughter’s doll house to the Salvation Army and to withhold food for the rest of the day for refusing to continue practicing the piano), but she claims her girls have good self-images because once they master things, they become happy.

The WSJ essay is excerpted from her book “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” and was published 1/11/11. Chua answered questions Thursday 1/13/11 on the WSJ blog: blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market.

Taking Inspiration from The Special Olympics

My brother Jon Fried was born mentally handicapped. When he was a baby, the doctors advised my parents that he would never walk or talk. They were wrong. Now he is almost 50 and continues to win the Gold Medal in Tennis in the International Special Olympics. He plays at a very high level.

Please click on the link (http://www2.dailyprogress.com/sports/2011/jan/13/fried-set-special-olympics-tennis-tourney-ar-771174/) to see an article about him and the Special Olympics tennis tournament he will help host this weekend. I hope you are inspired to help out Special Olympics.

- Adam Fried

2010 Was A Year To Celebrate!

As Atlantic Builders wraps up 2010, we have much to celebrate for the year. We have exceeded our goals and have done it with the addition of excellent employees to round out our team. We have many wonderful and delighted customers celebrating the New Year in their new homes. Our trade partners have been very instrumental in working with us to deliver top quality homes at the best possible price. A win for everyone.

One of our proudest accomplishments this year was partnering with Homes for Our Troops and the community to deliver a specially adapted home to our friend and hero, Sgt. Steven Kiernan.

Through working with Homes for Our Troops, we discovered the art of Sgt. Peter Damon, whose painting ‘Summer Sidewalk’ now adorns the entry wall in our office foyer.




Our team has much to be proud of this year, and we look toward 2011 with much joy and hope. And of course the excitement of building two more homes for our wounded veterans.

We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season!

Atlantic Builders Charity Contest Winners

Congratulations to Janis Snider of Fredericksburg, VA & Lisa Moore Gee of Seattle, WA who have been chosen out of all the entries in our December contest. Janis & Lisa will both receive a $100 Visa gift card and we will be writing a check to their charities.

We have posted the winning entries below and would like to thank all of those who participated!

Janis Snider, Fredericksburg VA., writes....My favorite charity is Micah Ministries. It’s a local organization which involves several churches in the downtown area but which encompasses many people of varied political beliefs, numerous religious affiliations, and differing walks of life. It’s a group of people who are striving to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly....I am involved with Micah Ministries via several directions:  I volunteer as a cook and bottle washer in the preparation of breakfast meals for the homeless at the Micah facility on Princess Anne Street, next to Fredericksburg Baptist Church.   I also prepare meals for the Micah Respite House, a residential "home" where homeless people can recuperate from serious health issues.  I give of my time.  I also contribute monetary gifts, material goods, and prayer support for this very worthy endeavor.  Perhaps the greatest reason for my interest in Micah Ministries stems from the concern of the people who are served by Micah Ministries:   They are our neighbors, friends, loved ones, and relatives who need a helping hand.  I also greatly admire the staff of Micah Ministries:  They all repeatedly prove their love and compassion for those they serve.      

Lisa Moore Gee, Seattle WA., writes....One way I like to give back is via the Ronald McDonald House, specifically my local one in Seattle,WA.  Since I was a young child this has been a charity close to my heart. My grandma donated to them, usually a substantial donation which would go to a family.  There was one family with a young boy who was ill and they wrote back to my grandma and thanked her for her donation.  The family corresponded with my grandma for years, even after their son lost his battle with his disease.  To my grandma it was just an act of kindness. To this family it meant their child could be treated and they wouldn't have to stress about where the money came from.  My grandma also sent cards for birthdays, Christmas and other holidays.  Just like she would for all of her grandkids, she would stick $5 or so in the cards so the boy would have something for himself as well.  The family told her that he really appreciated this and by sharing the letters and pictures with me, my grandma taught me the importance of giving back.  She also would put the change in the box in front of the register after every order at McDonalds.  This is something I have carried on in my adulthood, and am teaching to my children.  It's just pocket change, or what’s left after placing an order.  But it adds up and it goes to someone who could really use it.  I also recently made a donation of $100 to the Seattle area Ronald McDonald House and look forward to helping to make small changes in the life of others.

We would like to wish every one a safe and happy holiday!

New Richland Forest Model Home Opens!

The Sweetbriar model home at Richland Forest celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, December 11, 2010. Hours are 11 am -5 pm Mon., Thurs., Fri., Sat., and Sun.

“The Sweetbriar is our newest home design and it is so flexible that the structural option combinations are incredible. Homebuyers can choose from morning rooms, sun rooms, family room extensions, breakfast nook extensions, study extensions, and first floor bedroom options,” notes Community Sales Manager Charlie Baity. “And now that we are open here at the new model home, I will be available to show homebuyers how much room they will have.”

The basic Sweetbriar design is 2,300 square feet, but the model is shown with a family room extension and a finished basement that increase its size to 3,300 square feet. The Sweetbriar in Richland Forest starts at $339,900.

“I love getting out with our customers to walk all the large acreage home sites (3 acres +) that we have to offer in Richland Forest,” enthuses Charlie Baity. “The community even has access to the Rappahannock River through the conservation easement owned by the City of Fredericksburg.”

In addition to the Sweetbriar, a quick delivery Chelsea model (with 3,310 square feet of living space!) is under construction for occupancy in March 2011. This Atlantic Builders’ most popular design configuration, according to Charlie Baity.

A Grand Opening event at the Sweetbriar model in Richland Forest is scheduled for January, 2011. Don’t Miss It!

To get directions or to learn more about Richland Forest, please visit www.atlanticbuilders.com. Contact Charlie Baity at 540-295-4284 or cbaity@atlanticbuilders.com for sales information.


Adam M. Fried

Atlantic Builders Opens Widewater Village Model Home

The Graham model home in the gated community of Widewater Village opens on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 11 am. Located in North Stafford County just a few miles from the Quantico Marine Corps Base, the Graham model (lot 379) is available for $288,850. Atlantic has “the only new 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage home with a basement and a front porch in North Stafford County for below $300,000,” exclaims Community Sales Manager Michele Gillenwater.

Among the amenities included with HOA dues are trash pickup, basic cable, lawn mowing, and use of the community pool. For more information, please visit Immediate Delivery Homes at www.atlanticbuilders.com.

Community Sales Manager Michele Gillenwater will be available in Widewater Village on weekends (Sat. and Sun.) from 11 am to 5 pm and by appointment. She can be contacted at 540-891-0001 or mgillenwater@atlanticbuilders.com. For directions, please visit www.atlanticbuilders.com.


Adam M. Fried