POY Nominees: Henry & Linda Nessul — Couple with community’s interest at heart

Henry and Linda Nessul moved to the Newcastle community in May 2020 from Virginia. In just the few short years they have lived in Newcastle, the couple has made a substantial impact.

Henry serves on the Newcastle Recreation Board and is a small-business owner in the community. He is also the former chamber of commerce president and did a lot of work there getting things up and running again.

“I had been president for two years and ran it through some pretty rough times and got it up to the point where we could hire an employee,” Nessul said.

As Henry stepped down, he was able to show the ropes to the newly appointed executive director, Jennifer Proffer, who said that he has done more than just help her get started.

“He has also just been a really good friend,” Proffer said.

While learning the ropes as the new chamber director, she realized all that Henry had done for the board.

“I have just seen how much he does for the chamber and how much time he put into it,” Proffer said. “It wouldn’t have kept going if it wasn’t for Henry.”

James Curren, previous chamber vice president, also had the pleasure of working with Henry on chamber matters when the duo labored together to jump-start the chamber.

“He has the community’s interest at heart,” Curren said.

Henry’s love for the community has pushed him to give back in any way he can.

“With his time and his energy and his money, he is very giving,” Proffer said.

Henry is also involved with the Handgun Hunters Charitable Foundation. The foundation hosts an annual competition in Weston County that brings handgun hunters in from around the nation. Chris Rhodes, another member of the foundation, has worked with Nessul in setting up the annual competition.

“He’s active in volunteer positions in our community,” he said. “He’s president of the Handgun Hunter’s Charitable Foundation and helps host our annual match.”

Henry enjoys the uniqueness and competitiveness of the sport. As an added bonus, he gets to be a part of something that gives back.

“The proceeds of this event go primarily towards veteran programs and other organizations that support the shooting arts,” Henry explained.

If you ask the Nessuls why they moved to Wyoming, they respond with one word — “freedom”, and one of the reasons Henry wanted to move to Wyoming was for gun freedom in particular. He decided to open his small business in Newcastle, and after his time with the chamber, he is excited to focus on his own business — Second Amendment Freedom Enterprises –- Wyoming.

“It is time to sit back and relax,” he said.

These days Henry loves getting some time to attend to his shop. Before moving to Newcastle he was a firefighter in Maryland and then later worked for the Central Intelligence Agency.

“Following his government career, he became interested in the firearms business. He apprenticed in my shop in Virginia and then opened his own shop,” Rhodes said.

His role as a small-business owner contributed to his success with the chamber and knowing how to help other businesses.

“It was crucial that he was there. He knows a lot about business, being a small-business owner himself,” Proffer added.

Since stepping down from the chamber, Henry still keeps his interest in community happenings.

“He goes to about every county and town meeting,” Rhodes said.

Henry’s wife, Linda, shares his desire to give back to their new home, and  was elected to Weston County Museum District Board in May 2022, shortly after moving to town. She serves as the board secretary, Museum Director Cindy Dysart has had the pleasure of working alongside Linda.

“She is very organized and detailed,” Dysart said, “as well as being highly respected.”

She said Linda has also been a valuable member of the board’s outdoor display committee.

“I am truly grateful Linda is on our board, as she has the ability to articulate and share her ideas logically, calmly and thoroughly with others,” Dysart said. “(She has) a willingness to help wherever needed.”

The Nessuls were clearly eager to jump in and be a part of the community upon their arrival. One of their favorite things about coming from the big city back east is the small-town charm they experience in Newcastle.

“Everybody is just nice,” Linda said. “Coming from back east, everybody there is always stressed out and angry about everything and you just don’t have that in Wyoming.”

The Nessuls really step up for the holidays. The couple sings in the annual Christmas Cantata and have recently joined the hand bell choir.

“We like to give to the community for the Christmas season,” Linda said.

They also hold an annual Christmas party at their home and invite friends and neighbors. This is a tradition the Nessuls have been honoring since they married over 30 years ago. They have opened their home to many different people and see many different groups interact through their holiday open houses. It is an inside joke between the two that everyone brings wine to a house party, so from their many years of hosting they have acquired a lot of wine.

“If you bring a bottle of wine, we are sending you home with two,” Linda said.

Linda’s favorite part of hosting the Christmas open house year after year is the cooking.

“The food part is always fun. I always explore new recipes,” she said.

Community members have loved spending some of their holiday season with the Nessuls and coming to eat some of Linda’s food.

“She’s a wonderful chef too!” Dysart said.

The open house has been a good way for the Nessuls to connect with the community and become involved more in Newcastle. Henry has put a lot of time and effort into making Newcastle the couple’s home.

“This is his home now, and he wants it to be good,” Proffer said, “I have seen his heart work in many ways in the community.”

“Even though he’s not from around here, he wants to make Newcastle a better place,” Curren said.

“We always tell people we came here to Wyoming because Wyoming is the way we want to live,” Linda said.