Photo Courtesy Of Virginia Schweninger : Virginia's daughter, Lisa, along with her grandson and some friends pose for a shot in the recent brutal blizzard near Kansas City earlier this week.

Smithville, MO
No, we only got rain here in Nelson, but as you know by now many other parts of the US got hammered. Virginia Schweninger, Nelson’s favorite harpist sent us this shot of her daughter Lisa, grandson, and friends braving 5° and blowing snow in the recent blizzard. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

We won’t be looking at anything like that in the next few days, though we have a slight chance for some wintry precip by Friday night changing all to rain on Saturday.

Photo Courtesy of CBS-19 Meteorologist, Travis Koshko : Snow covers the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Afton Overlook this past Sunday afternoon. 1.30.11

Blue Ridge Parkway
Nelson County, Virginia
It’s nothing like last year’s snow cover. Remember that? But it’s still a beautiful scene up there right now. Plenty of snow fell along the BRP last week. CBS-19, Meteorologist, Travis Koshko, took a few snapshots up there while on a Sunday hike. He said we could grab a couple. Thanks Travis!

Photo Courtesy of CBS-19 Meteorologist, Travis Koshko : Snow still covers the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Afton Overlook this past Sunday afternoon 1.30.11.

You can always get the latest conditions along the BRP in Virginia by clicking here for the BRP Hotline.

Photos By Ann Strober : ©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Ann Strober captures the rare lunar eclipse over Nelson County that coincides with the start of winter 2010.

Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia
We know exactly where Ann Strober was very early Tuesday morning on December 21st 2010. Behind the camera patiently waiting for a rare lunar eclipse that hasn’t coincided with the start of winter since 1638! WOW!

The eclipse as it was just beginning over the skies of Nelson County, Virginia early Tuesday morning, December 21, 2010.

Thankfully a large area of cloudiness held off until Ann could grab these fantastic shots. Though the Winter Solstice doesn’t’ officially being until 6:38 PM EST Tuesday evening (11:38 Coordinated Universal Time UTC) it is a very rare event indeed for the two to happen on the same date. More on Winter Solstice here from timeanddate.com And lots more on the lunar eclipse here from The Washington Post.

The eclipse shadowing about 50% of the moon as seen over Nelson County, Virginia 12.21.10

Thanks Ann for either staying up late or getting up very, very early to grab these photos!

If you are a Nelson Mag Facebook friend, you can view the entire sequence of Ann’s pictures by clicking here. We have shared them to our profile. If you aren’t our Facebook friend become one.

Photo By Yvette Stafford : ©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : A VA State Police Chopper circles over Chapel Hollow Road in Afton Thursday morning as part of a manhunt.

Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
Updated 1:09 PM EST
Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks tells NCL the search for the two suspects in Afton has been called off. The sheriff says his men will remain at Rockfish River Elementary School through the end of the school day simply as a precaution. As of this post the two have not been apprehended.

Updated 11:52 AM EST
CBS 19 in Charlottesville tweets: “Suspect arrested in Afton search, Jose Rodriguez, tells #CBS19 truck accidentally slid into VSP car, doesn’t know why other two guys ran. – Rodriguez says he’s only charged with failure to wear seat belt. Ruth Showalter talking to cops now, more details shortly”

Still nothing new at this hour, building, barn and woods near the area continue being searched. K-9 dog is now being used for tracking.

©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Photo By Yvette Stafford : Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks (left) coordinates the security setup at Rockfish River Elementary School as a precaution during the manhunt in Afton (Thursday morning 12.2.10)

General Area Where Search Is Underway

Updated 10:39 AM EST
Sheriff Brooks, “A search of barns and buildings in the area is underway where suspects could hide.” VA State Police chopper now searching general area around Chapel Hollow Road. We continue to stay on scene at school as a precautionary measure to keep suspects from possibly entering.”

Updated 10:18 AM EST
Nelson Sheriff David Brooks confirms a VA State Police Chopper is on the way to the scene as well as a K-9 tracking dog. “We’re looking for a black male and a Hispanic male. One is wearing a green jacket and the other is wearing tan pants. They may have been spotted earlier in the area of Pounding Branch Road. The state trooper was attempting to make a traffic stop when the driver backed up striking the trooper’s car. Two of the people in the car fled on foot, the trooper apprehended the third,” Sheriff Brooks tells NCL.

Deputies are on scene at Rockfish River Elementary School as a precaution to make sure the suspect don’t enter there.

Updated 9:48 AM EST
Virginia State Police and Nelson County Deputies are on the hunt at this hour for two men that apparently hit a state police car and ran. A total of three people were involved, but state police have one in custody. “A search is underway in the area of Afton Family Medicine,” says Nelson Sheriff David Brooks.

Nelson County, Virginia
Nelson County Public Schools (VA) will be closed on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 due to snow.

Photos By Paul Purpura : ©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : A 5-8 inch blanket of snow covered everything at Wintergreen Resort by Saturday afternoon. Click to enlarge.

Nelson County, Virginia
For most folks the Saturday snow was absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. Up in the higher elevations between 5-8 inches of a heavy wet snow fell by late Saturday. The higher the elevation, the higher the snow amounts. Down below in the the Rockfish Valley some locations saw nothing more than a snow/rain mix with no accumulating snow whatsoever.

Other wide area snowfall totals by going here to the NWS.

Previous coverage here and here.

In addition to mother nature, man kicked in and started making snow this weekend at Wintergreen Resort.

The snow turned deadly in the afternoon up on Afton Mountain along Route 250 just inside the Nelson County Line. Crews worked for a long time on the accident that briefly shut down Route 250 for the afternoon. CBS-19 in Charlottesville has more here.

In an unrelated accident, a Virgina State Trooper lost control of his car and flipped on I-64 near the 103 mile marker. His injuries were not life threatening.
NBC-29 follows the story here.

Look for the snow to slowly end this evening with only an inch or so more accumulating in the higher elevations.

Sunday looks to be sunny & cool.

Help the headless horseman find his head again this year!

Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
MountainSide Petting Farm Trick-or-Treat. Roam the petting farm for a howling good time. Pet the lovable barn yard animals. Little goblins will receive Halloween surprises throughout the farm including a silly cemetery and a not so haunted forest.

Help the headless horseman find his head again this year!

Oct 31, 2009
5pm to 7pm.
$5.00
RSVP 434-361-0203

Present: Mr. Allen Hale, Ms. Connie Brennan, Mr. Tommy Bruguiere, Mr. Tommy
Harvey and
Mr. Joe Dan Johnson

2010 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM – Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve the 2010 program
as presented by Mr. David Blount.

VDOT REPORT – Supervisors voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution to hold a public
hearing following VDOT’s review to consider Rockfish River Road (Rt. 617)
from Rt. 29 to Schuyler as a Scenic Byway.

NELSON COUNTY SERVICE AUTHORITY REPORT – Mr. Tim Castillo presented a
history and overview of the Authority noting 9,452 housing units in Nelson
with the Authority serving approximately 2,621 with public water or public
sewer (27%). Mr. Castillo reviewed each county system and the improvements
needed for each system in future years totaling $17,304,160. He then
reviewed the current annual debt service of $714,334 after the county’s
$162,818 funding for fire protection. Mr. Castillo said that the biggest
challenge is to provide a municipal service in a rural area. Mr. Hale noted
that the systems are not self-supporting. The Supervisors said that they
would review the information and stated that they are still very interested
in the Authority taking over the Piney River system.

COURTHOUSE PROJECT/UPDATE – Mr. David Thompson reported on the current
status of the work on the project and noted two areas that require Board
attention:

1. The jail renovations do not include providing insulation to provide
substantial cost savings from air conditioning and heating for the new
bathroom areas and
2. The new work will impact the Health Department Building with grade &
elevation changes along the new road and its curbing. The future status,
given some of the issues discovered during the current construction phase,
should be discussed to give clarification to the design team.

Mr. Thompson reported that the preparation of the lower parking lot is a
primary objective of Blair Construction and that once the lower parking lot
is opened the other parking areas will be closed. The public will access the
courthouse using only the front steps, located at the old Magistrate’s
Office, which will require that the existing front steps be kept open for
access and the renovations to those steps be made at a much later date,
after the new utilities & upper parking lots are completed.

Supervisors requested that Mr. Thompson walk them through some of the issues
with the Health Department Building already uncovered. They tabled further
discussion pending that inspection and in order to obtain additional
information from Wiley Wilson.

DISPOSITION OF COUNTY OWNED PROPERTY/FORMER ROCKFISH VALLEY ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL – Supervisors tabled discussion to review the proposed Conditions for
Sale:

1. Sale price of $16,548 representing the County’s costs of repairs and
improvements, payable in installments.
2. Deed restrictions and reservations:
a. Right of reverter to the County if use of the property as a community
center and for recreational and athletic activities should cease;
b. Use by the County of the property for recreational and athletic
events provided such use is in keeping with the reasonable management and
scheduling procedures established by Rockfish Valley Community Center and
upon payment of the reasonable expenses associated with such use;
c. Right of the County to use the property for a polling place at no
cost to the
County; and
d. Right of the County to draw water from the well to be located on the
Rockfish Valley Community Center property together with an easement for
necessary pipes and for ingress and egress to maintain and repair, at the
option of the County, such pipes and the well.
3. Survey at Rockfish Valley Community Center’s expense establishing a
division line acceptable to the County and fixing the location of easements
of right of way suitable to both parties.

FY09-10 GENERAL FUND BUDGET – Ms. McCann reported on updated revenue/expense
numbers resulting in a $66,356 shortfall in the General Fund and a surplus
of $33,248 to the School Fund with enrollment at 1,920 and with the VRS
premium holiday. She noted that the School Fund estimate depends on final
enrollment numbers.

MEMORIAL POLICY/PROCEDURE – Supervisors voted 5-0 to adopt the proposed
policy to establish guidelines for naming county-owned facilities and
structures.

STREET IMPROVEMENTS/ARC OF THE PIEDMONT – Supervisors voted 5-0 to adopt a
resolution authorizing Arc of the Piedmont to repair and maintain Second
Street between the Stevens-Varnum House on Main Street and the Harker
property. The improvements would allow for safer parking and better access
for staff working with the physically-challenged clients of the Arc.

ARTISAN TRAIL PROJECT – Supervisors voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution
authorizing the County Administrator to seek grant funding from the Virginia
Department of Housing and Community Development and to enter into agreement
with the Artisans Center of Virginia to administer and complete a project to
study and develop a trail loop as a part of the statewide Artisans Center of
Virginia Artisan Trail Network.

SPECIAL USE PERMIT/MR. & MRS. JEREMY SCOTT KENNEDY – Postponed at the
applicants’ request until the Board’s November 10th meeting.

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/MR. PAUL CANGIALOSI – The applicant has applied for a
permit to operate a carry-out pizzeria at 917 Gladstone Road in Gladstone,
on property zoned Agricultural. Mr. Boger reported that the property is the
former post office building with an apartment upstairs and is served by
public water and sewer. He noted that the Planning Commission had
recommended approval with two conditions: 1) any signs on the building be
unlit and 2) operating hours are to be no later than 10:30pm. With no Public
Comment, Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve the permit deleting the first
condition recommended by the Planning Commission.

During discussion, Mr. Bruguiere said that the permit does not need added
restrictions. Ms. Brennan said that the restriction makes sense since it is
in a residential area. Mr. Johnson said that no one in that neighborhood is
complaining about a pizza place.

PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT/LOT SIZES IN A-1 AND R-1 WITH NELSON
COUNTY PUBLIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS – The proposed amendment would allow
single-family and one two-family detached dwelling unit on a single lot with
a minimum lot size of 30,000 sq ft when utilizing the Nelson County sewage
disposal system in A-1 and R-1 districts. Mr. Johnson asked why the sewage
system would be limited to the Nelson County system when a developer might
want to put in a private system. He said that that could allow for denser
development. Mr. Harvey noted that residential development does not pay for
itself in tax dollars and needs to be discouraged.

During Public Comment, Ms. Kim Cash, Montebello, said that the intent of the
amendment is to allow a landowner to utilize a smaller lot size in areas
already served by the Nelson system. She said that a developer who wants to
put in a denser development should be requesting a rezoning from the County
or a variance to the requirement from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Further discussion tabled for review of the proposed amendment.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS’ REPORT – Mr. Carter reported on the following:

– Faber Collection Site Project – construction contract awarded to C. W.
White Construction Company of Appomattox with a bid of $406,316.14. Work was
scheduled to begin on October 12th.
– County Collection Service/Public Schools – the School Board has
authorized the county’s assumption of solid waste collection services with
termination of Waste Management’s services on January 1, 2010.
– Health Department relocation – three sites are under consideration 1)
Region Ten’s new office facility; 2) Annie Land Plaza space; and 3) the
former CVEC office building.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUILDING – Mr. Hale said that making a decision on the
future of the building would be premature without input from the architect.
He said that the Board does not have the cost estimates to demolish the
building. Mr. Harvey said that there is a lot of work going on that the
county does not want to have to tear out later. Mr. Bruguiere said that any
money put into that building is throwing good money after bad. Further
discussion was tabled for more information from Wiley Wilson.

Meeting adjourned.

Copyright 2000-2009 by Rural Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Reports may
be reprinted or excerpted with attribution.
————————————————————-

©2009 www.perrielloforcongress.com : Congressman Tom Perriello will be in Nelson County, Virginia Thursday night August 20, 2009 at The Nelson Center in Lovingston.

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia

“Tom In Your Town” is a chance for constituents to meet one-on-one with Congressman Tom Perriello to discuss policy issues, give suggestions, or to get help with federal programs like Medicare, Social Security, or veterans’ benefits. Here’s how it works: come by anytime during the time period and sign in. Meetings are first-come, first-served. After the constituent meets with the congressman, one of the staff members will be there to follow up with any concerns. All are welcome. Scheduled meeting time 5:30PM – 7:30PM

Event Date: Thursday 20th of August 2009 05:30 PM

Location/Address: The Nelson Center / 8445 Thomas Nelson Hwy., Lovingston

Contact Telephone Please call 1-888-486-6487 for more information

This post was submitted by Shelby Ralston.

Present: Mr. Allen Hale, Ms. Connie Brennan, Mr. Tommy Bruguiere, Mr. Joe
Dan Johnson
Absent: Mr. Tommy Harvey

PUBLIC COMMENT –

Ms. Kim Cash, Montebello, said that the Supervisors had recently sent a
resolution of intent to the Planning Commission directing that they review
and make a recommendation on lot sizes in areas of the county with public
water and sewer. She said that in that resolution, the Board had given the
Commission 60 days to complete its review and that it was logistically
impossible for the Commission to meet that deadline. Ms. Cash said that
more importantly though, is that the issue is a serious one for the county
and should be discussed and considered by both boards before a decision is
made.

Ms. Cash said that the issue is whether a smaller lot size is appropriate in
agricultural areas with public water and sewer. She said that in some ways,
it would make more sense to rezone the areas to a higher density and
designate them growth areas in the Comprehensive Plan. She noted that it had
been argued that rezoning would place more restrictions on the landowner,
but said that a landowner who wants to put in higher density housing should
face more regulations. She asked that the Board allow the Commission the
time to really consider the issue and the consequences. Ms. Cash said that
the county owes it to the taxpayers who are paying for the infrastructure
and will ultimately pay for the development.

RESOLUTION OF INTENT/CORRESPONDENCE FROM PLANNING COMMISSION – Mr. Carter
presented a request from the Planning Commission for an extension of the
60-day requirement, noting that the time would expire prior to their
September meeting and not allow enough time for review and public hearing.

Mr. Bruguiere said that it may take 75 days because of the advertising
schedule, but that he did not want to make it open-ended. Supervisors voted
4-0 to add an additional 45 days (for a total of 105 days) while encouraging
the Commission to act as expeditiously as possible.

Meeting adjourned.

Copyright 2000-2009 by Rural Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Reports may
be reprinted or excerpted with attribution.

Photos By Paul Purpura : ©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Larry Allen Smith, Artistic and Executive Director of WPA talks to folks at Wednesday night's opening.

Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
Wintergreen Performing Arts officially kicked of their 2009 season Wednesday night on the mountain at Wintergreen Resort in the Evans Center. This year’s theme is Appalachian Roots: A Cultural Kaleidoscope and events run from July 6 to Aug. 2. Each week of the month-long festival features a part of the Appalachian Trail. Our Paul Purpura was on hand to grab these shots from the opening night which included a meet and greet reception as well.

The night kicked off with Appalachia Waltz Songs from the Southern Mountains, Old American Songs, Sets I and II and Octet in E-Flat Major” to celebrate the official start of the 2009 Wintergreen Summer Music Festival.

Josep Caballe-Domenech (third from left) from Spain, is a guest composer for this weekend's opening events.

“This year, festival-goers will find everything from theater, dance and film events to visual art exhibitions, cooking classes and wine tastings. There will even be a 5K Run/Walk event festival planners are calling “Appalachian Routes,” says Larry.

This year's season continues until August 2nd.

David Witmer with WPA meets with people attending Wednesday night's opening.

For more information about this year’s Summer Music Festival and a look at world-renowned cellist Tanya Anisimova from Nellysford who will be playing at this this year’s festival, click here.

©2009 NCL Magazine : Photos By Tommy Stafford : Around 50 people from 13 different area churches bag up food at Grace Episcopal Church in Massies Mill Wednesday afternoon.

Massies Mill
Nelson County, Virginia
For the second time in less than a year, area churches have banded together to do the unthinkable. They have packed thousands of meals for needy folks, this time in about two hours. The group met Wednesday afternoon at Grace Episcopal Church in Massies Mill where the assembly line cranked out meals for 10,000 people in about 2 hours. We first told you about the effort back in the Fall of 2008 when area churches had their inaugural event.

Volunteers carry large bags of grain into Grace Episcopal Wednesday afternoon.

Sarah Loken who helped coordinate Wednesday’s event says, “This year we have lots more people.” The event is part of Operation Sharehouse that provides meals for needy people around the world. It’s part of the umbrella organization Stop Hunger Now based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Area church volunteers seal bags of rice and other grains at Grace on Wednesday afternoon.

The idea originated when Grace Episcopal’s Rector, Judy Parrish, attended a North Carolina conference in early 2008 where they packaged around 11,000 meals in just over two hours. “What I like about this effort, is there are no age boundaries. There’s something here that everyone can do from the very young to the very old, and we are all helping people that have very little to eat,” Judy told NCL Wednesday afternoon as the first 1000 meals had just been packaged.

A youngster serves as a runner taking packaged meals to the next table for sealing before being boxed up for shipment around the world.

Every time 1000 meals were packaged a giant gong was sounded to mark the passage of the next thousand!

Church volunteers tape up boxes used for shipping in Operation Sharehouse.

Betty Brown of Nelson County carefully measures grain going into one of the bags before it's sealed.

You can learn much more about Operation Sharehouse and Stop Hunger Now by clicking on their website here.

Congrats to everyone from all of the 13 area churches for a tremendously successful effort!

Event Date: Saturday 11th of July 2009 12:00 PM

Location/Address: Humpback Rocks Mountain Farm, Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 5.8

Contact Telephone Please call (540)943-4716 for more information

This post was submitted by Jackie Heath.

Event Date: Wednesday 22nd of July 2009 10:00 AM

Location/Address: Humpback Rocks Mountain Farm, Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 5.8

Contact Telephone Please call (540)943-4716 for more information

This post was submitted by Jackie Heath.

Event Date: Saturday 3rd of October 2009 06:30 PM

Location/Address: Holiday Inn, Emmet St. Charlottesville, VA

Contact Telephone Please call 434-263-5251 for more information

This post was submitted by Delores Clatterbuck.