Best. Neighbor. Ever.

At the beginning of 2025, Visit Occoquan asked the community to highlight which neighbors make Occoquan so special. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this request, but what I heard back from businesses and residents was nothing short of heartwarming.

As of November 2024, the Town of Occoquan has 1,035 residents. Being a town this size outside the Washington, DC metropolis has it's benefits and challenges. We may not have a big hotel or even a grocery store, but we throwback to an era of small community and neighborhood camaraderie. These folks not only know your name, but your dog's name, kid's name, mother-in-law's name, and they probably have a key to your house as well. TL;DR - we love the small town life.

So who makes up our friendly and unique town of Occoquan? Let's take a look:

Mike Ostergard

Mike and his pup are a constant presence in town. Ollie is formally known as Sir Ollie of Occoquan and less formally as the Vice Vice Mayor (because he knows everyone and campaigns for treats!). Mike and Ollie stop by local businesses and chat with neighbors, just to see how everyone is doing.

One of his regular stops is Hello Jackson Home Fragrance, where owner Jordan Sanders always gives Ollie a treat. "Mike and Ollie are true Occoquan icons," says Sanders. "They bring so much light and joy to our neighborhood and Mike is always offering us a kind conversation and a hug. And Ollie - as he not-so-patiently waits for his treats every day - is always with him. It doesn't matter the weather or day, Mike and Ollie always stop by to say hello and check in with me."

When popping by Ballywhack Shack Cafe for lunch, Mike is the first to ask the staff if they need help carrying a package or fixing something around the cafe. Owner Sherry Mangas met Mike the day she took over her original eatery space, the little Shack on Mill Street. She and her husband were setting things up and for weeks Mike checked in each day, offering help. 

"We talked of his amazing career as a news corespondent, his wife who (at the time) had recently passed away, his dog Ollie's health, our mutual love of Occoquan, and of course his hobby of trains and models," said Mangas.

When she took over the cafe's new spot on Commerce Street, she told Mike she was trying to figure out what to do with the large empty wall on one side. "Mike said he could build me a model train and I agreed. All for the love of it. No payment -  just the glory of sharing his passion for his project with the public. It is a centerpiece in the Cafe that delights so many!" shared Mangas.

In addition to being a great neighbor, Mike is a frequent and friendly face as a volunteer for town events. "Mike is an absolute delight!" remarks the former Town of Occoquan Event Director Julie Little, "He is incredibly generous with his time, volunteering hours at every festival, and he's so well-thought of that vendors specifically ask for him to sit at their booth while they take a break. Mike’s presence certainly brightens up the community!"

Helaine & Bob Love

Helaine and Bob may have only lived in Occoquan for a few years, but their impact can be seen throughout the community. You might see Helaine popping around town with the grandkids on the weekend. A retired third grade teacher and mother to three, she was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2017-2018 in Stafford county. Now retired, Helaine loves living in a walkable, riverfront town.

Bob serves on the board of the Occoquan Historical Society as well as Town Planning Commission and is Committee Chair for the town's Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7916. But his volunteer board positions are not why people nominated him. He is well known as the guy who will jump in to help anyone at any time. The first words out of his mouth are typically "What can I do? How can I help?"

Town Mayor, Earnie Porta told us, "Together Bob and Helaine not only consistently volunteer for town events, but make it a point to attend ribbon-cuttings, dedications, commemorations, and other activities, even on occasions when those may not be of significant interest to them -- they do it to be supportive. And they always say thank you. Frankly, you couldn't ask for more from a town resident."

Which should come as no surprise. After all, Bob served as a Marine Officer for 30 years around the globe and was a civil servant and member of the Senior Executive Services before he retired.

According to neighbor Henry Brinton, Bob will always be a Marine. "On December 7, 2021, I told him that a member of my church was turning 100 years old that day. Jim had been born on December 7, 1921, and the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on his 20th birthday. He joined the Marines and served in the South Pacific. Bob was so impressed that he dropped everything he was doing, researched Jim's service record, and then joined me in a birthday visit to Jim's retirement community. Bob thanked Jim for his service, told the community about the ships Jim had served on, and gave him a challenge coin. What a thoughtful 100th birthday gift!"

Originally printed in the Spring/Summer 2025 Occoquan Visitor's Guide.