The Friends of Happy Retreat is a non-profit organization, formed in early 2006, by a group of citizens committed to preserving Happy Retreat as an educational and cultural landmark for public benefit. The organization was approved by the Internal Revenue Service for 501 (c) 3 status as a public charity. The Friends of Happy Retreat is working closely with the City of Charles Town and has the full support of Mayor Peggy Smith.
Many Directors have an interest in and experience with historical preservation as well as expertise in non-profit management and fundraising. The Board is complemented by an active and dedicated group of volunteers who assist in carrying out the mandate and activities of the corporation through various committees. Additional volunteers are welcome and encouraged. To join and/or support the Friends of Happy Retreat, please contact Curt Mason, President, by email:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
FRIENDS OF HAPPY RETREAT
Executive Committee
President. Curt Mason has a BS from Oregon State University and a Masters in Physical Oceanography from Texas A&M. He retired from the Federal Government with thirty-six years service as a coastal oceanographer. During his career he served in various managerial positions planning and directing major programs for the Corps of Engineers and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. He received the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal in 1998 for his work coordinating National Disaster Reduction budget initiatives within NOAA and the Department. Curt's interests in historic preservation led him to restore three historic properties, two of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. One of them, White House Farm in Summit Point, WV, is his current home and dates to 1742. He is a member of the South Jefferson Public Library Board, the Jefferson County Historical Society Board and the Shenandoah Region Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America
Vice President. Walter Washington is a direct descendent of Samuel Washington (1734-1781), brother of President George Washington and Charles Washington. He has a law degree from American University and is a practicing attorney in Charles Town. He serves on the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission and is on the Board of the Jefferson County Historical Society. He is also a Board member of West Virginia University Hospitals and is Secretary of West Virginia University Hospitals East. Walter is the owner of Harewood, Samuel Washington's home built in 1770 near Charles Town.
Treasurer. Ann Paonessa-Amore earned a Bachelor’s degree from Fordham University in 1990 and was named to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She is the managing member of BAKKA, LLC, owner of historic commercial property that recently received the Vision Award from the City of Charles Town’s Historic Landmarks Commission for its renovation project. She is a former Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and has eight years experience as an event manager for LMT Communications. She serves as the secretary of the City of Charles Town’s Parks and Recreation Commission
Secretary. Paulette Sprinkle is the Executive Director of the Jefferson County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She has a Masters Degree in Strategic Leadership from Mountain State University and 30 years experience working in tourism, historic preservation, and education. She has been awarded a lifetime membership to the Washington County, Maryland Historical Society for her efforts in preservation. In addition, she has been presented two Governor’s Citations from the State of Maryland for various projects. Presently she sits on the Board of the Washington Heritage Trail. A talented graphic designer, she created the Washington County, Maryland flag.
Board Members
Dwane Casteel has attended Freed-Hardeman University, Shepherd University, Delaware Technical and Community College, and Southern Christian University. He has served as minister locally and in other states for forty years, and has made 45 missionary trips to China and the Caribbean. He has served on the Citizen Advisory Board of the Harpers Ferry Job Corps Center. He presently serves as a member of The President's Ambassadors For Christian Education of Ohio Valley University, Vienna, WV. He has extensive experience in fundraising and resource development. He currently serves as Associate Director of Development for the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc. of Nashville, TN, which provides relief supplies through local congregations where natural disasters have struck. He has recently accepted the position of Coordinator for the Annual Caribbean Mission Forum, which provides information and resources for Churches of Christ missions in the Caribbean.
Marjorie Gaestel is a native of Point Pleasant, NJ, where she attended Ocean County College. She is a member of the Point Pleasant Historical Society, an avid genealogist and a daughter of the Union Army. She is retired after being employed for 25 years as a bookkeeper with the Point Pleasant Board of Education (PPBOE), where she handled a $10M budget and developed and managed Quicken programs for the PPBOE Student Activity fund. Currently she is a part-time bookkeeper for Blue Ribbon Property Management, Inc, in Jefferson County. Marjorie has traveled extensively throughout Europe and very much appreciates American history, particularly the history of the Washington family. Marjorie also owns two small antique businesses. One is in Round Hill, VA and the other, "Maggie's Place," is in Bunker Hill, WV.
Nelson Parkinson a native of the Eastern Panhandle, is the Assistant General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express of Charles Town. After a brief stint with the Treasury Department, he joined the Air Force in 1965. During his enlistment, he served ten years in Communications, going on to serve eleven years as an Air Force Recruiter. He has also served with the U.S. State Department in Rome, Italy for five years. He and his family have traveled throughout Europe, visiting many historic sites. Over the last fifteen years Nelson has gained valuable experience in the retail and hospitality fields. He has always had a strong interest in the preservation of historic sites and archives.
Mark Reinhart has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, and is a Special Programs Manager in Electrical Engineering at the US Patent and Trademark Office. Mark is very active in community and civic affairs. He is a member of the City of Charles Town Citizens Advisory Council and a Commissioner on the Charles Town Historical Landmarks Commission. He is a former Board member of the AIDS Network of the Tri-State Area in Martinsburg, WV, and is an active volunteer for the Jefferson County Museum.
Dan Rowzie is retired from the US Navy’s highly successful POLARIS, POSEIDON and TRIDENT submarine missile program as an independent evaluator from concept to operation. This involved working with leading edge management systems while tracking the cost, schedules and the technical developments for each major weapon subsystem. For the final five of his 40-plus years of government service he served as the Program’s Inspector General. Dan is an avid automobile enthusiast, historian and appraiser. He has served in various national positions, as well as treasurer for the Porsche Club of America, and is currently president of the Washington Metro Area Porsche 356 Owners Group. He serves as docent at the historical racing museum, Eastern Museum of Motor Racing, York Springs, PA. Dan also volunteers for Good Shepherd Caregivers, providing transportation for several dialysis patients
Bill Senseny bio coming soon
