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UPCOMING EVENTS - CRIME REPORT
Huckstep's Garage; A Free Union Institution Closes its Doors
Posted by NBC 29 : Apr 22, 2011 4:52 PM
The garage started servicing cars, trucks, and farm equipment back in 1946 and the business has stayed in the family ever since.
An Albemarle County landmark is closing its doors. Huckstep's Garage has been serving customers in Free Union since the 1940s. The garage started servicing cars, trucks, and farm equipment back in 1946 and the business has stayed in the family ever since.
But on Friday, that all came to an end, and not by choice.
Carol McIntosh, one of Huckstep's customers said, "It's a good place to come if you suddenly need a little service like a flat tire or something like that."
Long time customers are helping the Hucksteps clear out their body shop. After 65 years serving the Free Union area, the garage is closing up shop.
Downtown Free Union really isn't that big to begin with. There's a country store, a post office, a gas station, and Huckstep's Garage, so people who live here say its closing is a big deal.
Keith Morris, another customer added, "It's going to hurt the community, not only me but everybody who's in the area."
While the Hucksteps themselves did not want to speak with us on camera, friends and customers say recent financial troubles did the shop in. In the last couple of weeks, neighbors started a petition pleading with the landlord to keep the shop open. Some even offered to help pay bills.
"It's my understanding that more than one member of the community was willing to step in and make sure that those financial concerns would be met by friends and neighbors," said McIntosh.
"We've tried and tried to get the landlord to let him stay, but I think some other people have been trying but we don't know what's going to happen," explained another loyal customer, Trenton Bailey.
There's a clearer picture of what's going to happen outside the shop. Friday was the last scheduled business day and workers took down the signage that's adorned the building since the 1940s.
"We're gonna miss this place," said Bailey.
From here, nobody's quite sure if the shop will open up elsewhere or if this is it. The Hucksteps hope their landlord eventually has a change of heart.
Kemper A. Maupin Kemper A. Maupin, 90, of Free Union, died on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at his home.
He was born in Albemarle County, on January 30, 1920, one of 10 children born to the late Cecil and Ora Loving Maupin. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Cordella "Della" McAllister Maupin.
Kemper was the owner and operator of Maupin Brothers Store in Free Union for more than 50 years and he was a member of Free Union Church of the Brethren.
Kemper was a veteran of The United States Army and in 1944 he was awarded the Purple Heart at the Battle of Anzio in Italy and was a member of the VFW. He was a member of the Free Union Lodge Hall and was an avid fisherman and bird hunter. He loved going for his Sunday motorcycle rides and when he and Della were first married he piloted her around the Charlottesville-Albemarle skyline.
He is survived by his three children, Mike Maupin and his wife, Margaret, Janet Moscicki and her husband, Jeff, Tim Maupin and his wife, Dee, all of Free Union; his six grandchildren, Raleigh Maupin, Jody Maupin, Jordan Paige Maupin, J.C. Moscicki, Brennan Maupin and Jarrad Moscicki; a brother, Milton "Pete" Maupin and his wife, Terry, of Florida.
A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday August 29, 2010, at the Free Union Church of the Brethren with the Reverend Pat Mellott officiating. Interment will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 4 until 6 p.m. Saturday, August 28, 2010, at the Teague Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank Dr. Moors and Billy and Dot McAllister for their attention and care of Kemper.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Free Union Church of the Brethren Building Fund, Post Office Box 213, Free Union, VA 22940.
By TED STRONG
Published: August 27, 2010
Kemper Maupin started working at the Maupin Brothers Store in Free Union so long ago that no one can quite remember when it was. The well-known local storekeeper died Thursday, in his sleep and at home. He was 90.
“He was a good man,” said neighbor and customer David Wood of Free Union. “He was always fair. He’s going to be missed in the community.”
A veteran of the Battle of Anzio, which was part of the Allies’ invasion of Italy during World War II, he returned to the states and went to work for a store in Advance Mills, said his daughter, Janet Moscicki of Free Union.
Later, he and two of his brothers — he had nine siblings — took over the store the previous generation of Maupins was running in Free Union. The brothers with whom he was running the store, Galen and Garland, died in the 1960s, but he kept working at the store, said Marguerite Shepherd of Albemarle County, his sister-in-law.
He was working 30 to 40 hours each week when he was 88 and 89, Timmy Maupin, his son, said.
He had to cut back his hours drastically within the last year but was still working the week he died, Moscicki said.
“That’s what kept him going,” Timmy Maupin said.
As Maupin decreased his time at the store, his son, Mike, took over much of the responsibility, and now will have to go on without his father.
Kemper Maupin’s family described him as a quiet man who loved meeting and talking with people. They recalled his sense of humor, too.
“I loved to hear him laugh,” said Jeanne Maupin of Albemarle County, his sister-in-law.
At Halloween, he would greet trick-or-treaters at the store.
“He would offer them an onion first,” Moscicki recalled.
The children looked crestfallen until he then let them pick out a candy bar instead, she remembered.
He remained active throughout his later years. Besides continuing to spend time at the store, he kept mowing his yard and driving himself, though his hunting was supplanted by wildlife watching, said his daughter-in-law, Margaret Maupin.
“He and his wife were so sweet to everybody,” customer Alice Howard of Charlottesville said.
She added, “We would talk about the old people up through here. That’s all we talked about, and he never turned his back on anyone.”
When he bought into the store, it was housed in a building across the street from its present location. In 1961, the brothers built a new building for the store, across the street at its present location, said Timmy Maupin.
Now, the tin sign reading “Maupin Bros.” is streaked with rust, though the inside of the store remains orderly.
Car wax, blaze orange hats, cans of Pepsi and shovels are all offered for sale.
A blackboard at the back advises customers that, among other things, hog pellets run $12.50 and 60 pounds of concrete mix is $4.25.
In the early days, the selection was even more extensive, Margaret Maupin said.
“It was one of those you-go-there-and-get-everything-you-need kind of stores,” she said.
It also served as a social center for the community.
Sometimes customers would leave parcels for one another at the store, or ask the family to relay messages to other customers, if they happened in, she said.
Kemper Maupin had been married to his wife, Della, for 58 years when she died a few years back.
Howard, who grew up near the store, recalled a sea of flowers at the store’s doorway at the time. The day after Kemper died, bouquets were again arranged around the door. Behind the glass, a sign notified folks of his death.
“Thank you all for being his family of friends,” the sign read.
A local postal delivery vehicle lost its brakes and crashed in August, 2009. This photo was taken of the vehicle shortly after VA State Police left the scene.
2008 Christmas Tree Lighting
HIGHLIGHTS
Thanks to the Free Union Home Makers!!!
Free Union Parade 2007 PHOTOS
It is with a heavy heart that we report that Della Maupin passed away on Wednesday June 6th. Our condolences go out to her family and all those that knew and loved her. |
50th Anniversary
Free Union Christmas Tree Lighting
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Free Union 4th of July Parade 2006
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Channel 29 News vehicle did a live broadcast from the center of Free Union in September 2005 during a tornado watch. No tornado was seen. |
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Free Union 4th of July Parade 2005
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"I came around the corner just past the VDOT station and there he was eating the remains of a slow possum. He flew up over my car and perched in a tree."
said local resident. |
The perp is around 8 inches tall and has black hair. UPDATE: Animal Control was called on this very same dog the following week . Strange Coincidence or revenge? We will stay on this story as details unfold. |
This letter was recently discovered by local Free Union Crime Watch deputies. It was delivered anonymously in a residents mailbox WITHOUT postage. This is a violation of Federal Law Title 39 and carries a fine of $500.00 per occurrence. Free Union forensic experts are working to determine the source of the letter. A local hand writing expert has been consulted and we are certain the source will be exposed. We have eliminated all dog owners, reducing the pool of perps to just a few. More info on this as the evidence reveals. |
Free Union Crime Stoppers™ were once again called to action when a brazen burglar smashed and entered the store in the early morning hours. Two units caught the action. The vehicle was a dark Mercedes convertible. Perp attempted to enter the store by unscrewing the light bulb on the back loading dock and drilling thru the back garage door. When that failed to produce results, they attempted (and failed) to smash thru the front door which was replaced in 2004, after another break in (see below). The new tempered version didn't break and the now frustrated criminal broke thru the front glass window and climbed in , leaving a perfect boot print. Forensics are working on identifying the boot and it's owner. Sadly unit one, once again failed to arrive on scene in time to catch the thief or see the perp. They did however shoot the detailed photos that we are certain will lead authorities to an arrest soon. Free Union Crime Stoppers is offering a $100,000 BAR for information leading to the arrest of this person.
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November 14, 2004 Thieves made another bold night time robbery at the Maupin Store in Free Union. At 2:30am robbers shattered the glass front door and entered the store. The target of the classic "smash and grab" robbery appeared to be cigarettes and the always valuable and easy to turn over $100,000 Candy Bars. It appeared the vehicle was parked to the right of the store and upon driving off leaked a large amount of fluid. It didn't appear to be water. Anyone with information or other help can contact F.U.C.S at this email address. |
October 14, 2003
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A large gust front moved thru Free Union June 6th, 2002. It brought down the large Red Maple in town. Half of Free Union Road was blocked until VDOT came by and cleared the brush from the road. |
Thanks to Kevin Mitchell l(above photo left) and Paul Showalter for helping Mark Neisser (above photo right) clear the tree. The house was spared by steel cables installed after the Neissers purchased the property. |
SPRINT DSL
UPDATE(This update posted Sept. 4, 2004)
I have Sprint™ DSL running at my house! They were very helpful on the phone helping me set it up . THANK YOU SPRINT!!!!!!!!!! The wait is over. Free Union is now in the 21st century.
(This update posted August 30, 2004)
I logged onto the http://sprintdsl.com web site this am and was told DSL IS AVAILABLE. I ordered it and am told my account will be up Friday. I find this hard to believe and will keep you posted.
(This update posted August 14, 2004)
Here is a DSL alternative for DSL if Sprint continues to drag it's feet.
Greg Kelly at CVEC (gkelly@forcvec.com) the other day:
"We haven't set a schedule for BPL deployment beyond the market pilot area of Colleen and Martins Store (substations). Our intent is to extend broadband throughout our distribution system but we are the first rural utility to offer the service so we have no historical data. Logistics and scheduling are therefore difficult to predict with any certainty. If all goes well with the initial deployment and CVEC decides to proceed with rapid deployment utilizing multiple crews, then we could be working in your area sometime next year. I am sorry that I cannot be more specific today but should be able to offer something definite within the next 60 days."
(This update posted August 4, 2004)
July 30th has come and gone and it's no surprise there is no DSL. The equip is all ready now we are waiting on the paperwork. September 30th. Don't hold your breath.
(This update posted JUNE 2, 2004)
After reports of lots of activity at the new DSL box from our DSL patrol I check with Sprint for a update. Sprint engineers in Cville report a date of July 30th.
(This update posted May 27, 2004)
The 1st Quarter of 2004 has come and gone and still no DSL. However, progress has been made. The optical cable has been run to the switcher box across from the Brethren Church in Free Union and a new DSL ready switcher box has been installed. Our inside source tells us that we are looking at a realistic August 31st date.
There is a ray of hope on the DSL situation. After finally reaching someone helpful in SPRINT CUSTOMER SERVICE that actually knows what is going on, we have a tentative time schedule for DSL.
In the 1st Quarter of 2004 they have funding approved to run the fiber optic cable needed to use DSL to the local station by the Brethren Church in Free Union (THIS HAS HAPPENED). Then in the 2nd Quarter of 2004 (April) they have plans (if funding is approved) to install the equipment at that station to upgrade it for DSL.
FreeUnion.com would like to thank SPRINT for giving us the first helpful information. Check here for more updates and info as it becomes available.
We have been promised DSL by Sprint but still no results. FreeUnion.com is starting a letter writing campaign to draw attention to our cause. We have had over 50 signatures on our DSL petition. WRITE
A LETTER MAIL TO:This address was given to us by SPRINT
but all letters sent there have been returned!!! USE THIS ADDRESS: Sprint Charlottesville |
A Free Union resident just got this in the mail. We checked the Sprint web site to see if they are actually doing DSL here....and the answer is NO!
May 8, 2002
Good news - Sprint FastConnect DSL service is now available to more of our local customers than ever. As we continue to extend our service, we wanted to let you know that you live in an area in which recent Sprint FastConnect DSL expansion has occurred. Simply call 1-800-SPRINT DSL and talk to one of our representatives to find out whether the benefits of Sprint FastConnect DSL are available to you.
And those benefits are numerous!
For example, if you sign up by July 31, 2002 you'll receive FREE use of a DSL modem, FREE self-installation, a $50 rebate,* plus a FREE month of service.
Experience the Internet at lightning-fast speeds.
What used to take hours with dial-up only takes seconds with Sprint FastConnect DSL. And now that it's available to you, you can watch streaming videos, download files and view the latest information in no time at all. Plus, with Sprint FastConnect DSL, you'll get two lines in one - which means you can talk and surf at the same time!Receive a special limited-time offer.
Sign up today and you'll receive a special introductory offer:
• FREE use of a DSL modem
• FREE self-installation
• $50 rebate
• One FREE month of service (after activation and handling charges)
There couldn't be a better time to try it.
Try Sprint FastConnect DSL today and leave dial-up in the dust. But hurry, this limited-time offer won't last. Call 1-800-SPRINT DSL or visit sprint.com/dsl and receive a FREE webcam or DVD player when you purchase online.Sincerely,Jennifer Thorn
FastConnect Marketing Manager
August 20, 2002
We are trying to get DSL to Free Union. There were over 50 signatures on the Post Office Petition.
Thank you for your interest in Sprint FastConnect¡ DSL, Sprint's high-speed Internet connection. We received your petition listing the local interest in DSL. All of the petitioners' phone numbers (or access lines) have been checked for availability. All are within the areas served by the Charlottesville Main and Charlottesville North central offices. These central offices do have DSL equipment deployed. Your specific access lines, however, do not qualify for DSL because they are behind Digital Loop Carriers (or DLCs.) Currently DLCs do not support DSL. Technology to provide DSL service over DLCs is being tested. We will contact you as soon as a DSL solution becomes available in your neighborhood. In the meantime, you might consider Integrated Services Digital Network (or ISDN) high-speed Internet connection, an alternative high-speed option that is possibly available.
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A historic building in Free Union is in the process of being saved from the elements and gravity. Local Doctor, Bruce Campbell has completed the leveling and a new foundation to the old Harris Store aka(Free Union Community Hall). The building was brought up 4 inches on one side and cables were added to pull in the bulging walls.
2007 
On Friday, Dec. 3rd 2004 a bald eagle was seen on Free Union Road
CRIME WATCH • dateline Oct 23, 2009
Unsubstantiated claims of a "dog startling" in the early morning hours have been rumored. In the wee hours of October 23rd, the victim claims that a terrier ran into her yard without permission and caused her to "nearly have a heart attack". We have included a composite drawing of the suspect as well as an EKG from the victim.
CRIME WATCH • dateline May 5, 2008
November 21, 2007 4:20am
