Millville Spotlight: Plowman's Windows & Doors

Photo by Bill Horin/ArtC. Story by Rob Laymon/ArtC.

Joe and Carole Plowman know several ways to brighten a life.

You can do it by installing windows and doors in clients’ houses, as the Plowmans have done for many years with their family business, Plowman’s Windows and Doors on Vine Street, letting in the freshness of the outside and the light of the sun.

Or you can use your community engagement to spread goodwill, donate time and even sponsor money to deserving causes in town, as the Plowmans have also done for many years.

They have more than once received the city’s Pride in Millville Award. And they have at all times received the gratitude of citizens for their work—with Millville Babe Ruth baseball, Little League, Youth Soccer and much else.

“Of course there are limits to how much time we can put out,” said Carole Plowman. “But to me it’s very important to keep extracurricular activities available for youth, because there is so little available to them.”

This work begins to look familial, which is also satisfying. Joe and Carole have two children and a grandson in the business, along with Joe’s sister, and employees who have worked with them for 10 years or more.

This wealth of satisfied customers adds to that. With such a long tenure in town, much of their business comes through referrals. Sometimes, though, customers hesitate to move forward, and then Carole Plowman steps in.

“I will occasionally get that phone call afterward that says I can’t believe how differently this job went compared to what my expectations were.

“We always make a follow-up call, and I always hear about how polite our installers were. It was as if we were never there, except now they have these new windows and doors.”

Plowman’s Windows and Doors

118 E. Vine St.

856-327-2841

Millville Spotlight: Holly City Familly Center

Photo of Samantha Silvers by Bill Horin/ArtC. Story by Rob Laymon/ArtC. C

Like a Phoenix risen from the ruins of a former YMCA, the Holly City Family Center on Mulberry Street continues in its new life.

The center offers a pool with water fitness classes, a weight room, a cardio studio, childcare, a sauna, and a dedicated spin room. It features all the hallmarks of a professional fitness establishment—with one major exception.

“Everyone wants a basketball court,” said Samantha Silvers (pictured), Executive Director of the center. “But that part of the old YMCA was converted to housing units, so we have no court. That’s the trade we had to make.”

It turns out there are many trades to make when running a community family center instead of a hard-core barbell dungeon by the mall.

For one, leadership wears multiple hats. Silvers also serves as the Executive Director for the Housing Authority, which owns and operates the center, but she regularly fills in as a front-line staffer when things get busy.

“First I have to remember where I parked so that’s always a challenge,” said Silvers.

Managing a diverse clientele is another balancing act. The Family Center embraces the town's entire demographic, hosting seniors, parents, teens, and toddlers. On any given day, the facility juggles summer camps alongside senior aquatic fitness classes.

Ultimately, the center's non-profit status dictates its bottom line. The primary objective is keeping the community involved, not maximizing revenue.

To achieve this, Silvers and Facility Director Karen Chiarello handle much of the daily heavy lifting themselves.

“We are a non-profit, so we are not trying to jack up prices,” Silvers said, “but we must charge enough to keep the building operable. The more we can do between us, the less staff we have to hire.”

Holly City Family Center

8 East Mulberry Street

(856) 293-0609 |

website: hollycity.org

Millville Spotlight: Full Circle Training

Photo of Lisa Swift by Bill Horin/ArtC. Story by Rob Laymon/ArtC.

Something happens when you train in safety protocols like CPR and first aid. You add skills to your resume and adjectives to your character — words like competent, careful, resourceful. Best of all, you move in a world that feels less fearful than before.

Lisa Swift (pictured) knows that feeling well. Since 2019, Swift has owned and operated Full Circle Training, a comprehensive certification service located on Mulberry Street—and available wherever the need arises.

“I picked that name because we encompass everything in safety training and certification,” Swift said. “I teach all different forms of safety credentials that might be needed by businesses or individuals.”

Those programs include Basic Life Support from the American Heart Association, and First Aid/CPR/AED from the American Red Cross. For corporate clients, she provides Security Officer Training in compliance with the Security Officer Registration Act (SORA), which mandates state-certified training for professional guards.

Beyond standard corporate compliance, Full Circle offers specialized personal safety courses. These include the National Rifle Association’s Refuse To Be A Victim seminar, the American College of Surgeons' Stop the Bleed class, and even specialized babysitting safety courses. If a client needs a specific safety capability, Swift finds a way to deliver it.

What is harder to quantify is the confidence Swift imparts to her students.

“I have had students come back to re-certify and tell me they used the techniques they learned in my class to save a choking victim or deploy an AED,” Swift shared.

To accommodate her growing clientele, Swift keeps her calendar flexible. “Here at the office, I schedule regular classes where individuals can sign up directly through the website. But I will also travel to businesses to conduct group sessions on-site. As long as I can fit it into the schedule, I will make it happen.”

Full Circle Training

14 E. Mulberry St.

Millville, NJ 08332

856 238-6300

Website: fullcircletraining.org

Email: info@fullcircletraining.org