©2011 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Photo By NCL Valley Photographer Hayley Osborne : Hundreds of family and friends gathered Tuesday afternoon at the Oak Ridge Carriage House to remember and bid farewell to John Holland Jr. who passed away on December 16th.

Arrington / Oak Ridge Estate
Nelson County, Virginia
It was a somber and reflective afternoon for the thousands of people who knew John Holland, Sr of Oak Ridge Estate. A memorial service was held for the 56 year old husband, father, businessman, and true friend to Nelson County. A special service was held at 2PM on the grounds of Oak Ridge followed by Internment.

We quietly touched on the news of Mr. Holland’s passing on our Facebook magazine page over the weekend.

Out of respect to the family we have been very guarded in any coverage, but wanted to send our thoughts and prayers along to the family of a man that’s meant so much to those of us living here in Nelson. We mourn with you.

More background here from the obituary in The Daily Progress.

©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Photos By Hayley Osborne : An annual tradition, the blessing of the hounds on opening day this past weekend at Oak Ridge. November 7, 2010

Oak Ridge Estate / Arrington
Nelson County, Virginia
Each fall the rolling hills at Oak Ridge Estate come alive with an annual tradition. This past weekend (November 7, 2010) The Oak Ridge Fox Hunt Club held their opening hunt. A tradition that spans decades and decades here in Central Virginia.

Club members leave the Oak Ridge mansion to begin Sunday's hunt.

According to the ORFHC website:

“The Oak Ridge Fox Hunt Club was founded in 1887 in Lynchburg and transferred to the Oak Ridge Estate in 1910. The group was a nationally recognized hunt in Nelson County for three years, although more informal fox hunting occurred throughout Thomas Fortune Ryan’s ownership. Ryan himself was an avid hunter. The Bedford Hunt was established as the institutional successor after World War I. In 1993, Dr. Rita Mae Brown, Master of Fox Hounds, re-instituted the Fox Hunt at Oak Ridge.”

Riders in the open fields of Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, Virginia.

The hunt is more about tradition than actual hunting. The ORFHC site continues:

“We respect the traditions of this greatest of sports without being haughty. The Oak Ridge members are warm, delightful people and if they have a motto surely it is: A stranger is a friend I haven’t met yet.”

Stuart Jones receives the Jean Beagle award at this past weekend's hunt.

The beautiful Oak Ridge Estate mansion where the annual hunts kicks off each November.

ORFHC member, Lindsey Osborne, gets ready for this past Saturday's opening hunt.

Some of the wide open area at Oak Ridge where riders enjoy the opening hunt.

An ORFHC member dressed in hunt attire this past Saturday - November 7, 2010

Oak Ridge Fox Hunt Club on the web: http://www.oakridgefoxhuntclub.com/

Photo By Tommy Stafford : ©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Despite a rainy Sunday morning, Rita Mae Brown, Master of Foxhounds - Huntsman, talks to riders just before the start this past weekend. Click any photos to enlarge.

Arrington
Nelson County, Virginia
It was a cool and damp start for the 2009 Oak Ridge Fox Hunt Club’s (ORFHC) opening hunt held this past weekend at Oak Ridge Estate. The club has been in around since 1887 when it was originally founded in Lynchburg. It was moved to Oak Ridge in 1910 and Rita Mae Brown re-instituted the Fox Hunt at Oak Ridge in 1993.

Rev. Judy Parrish of Trinity Episcopal Church in Massies Mill performs the annual blessing of the hounds, horses and riders before the hunt starts.

Though the event is called a hunt, it’s not actually a fox hunt, but a simple tradition of running the hounds each fall in the rolling property of SE Nelson County, Virginia. ORFHC web site says, “We respect the traditions of this greatest of sports without being haughty.”

Anne Fortune Henderson speaks to Adam and Yvette at the opening hunt. Anne Fortune, allows use of her 1000 acres at Cherry Hill for various club activities and hunts.

And the hunt of the 2009-2010 season begins!

Though the morning started rainly, but afternoon the sun peeked out from time to time with the rain ending.

The ORFHC web site says formal season usually begins the first Sunday in November: Sundays are formal and Fridays are informal. We now go out two Wednesdays a month which are also be informal. The season ends on the Sunday closest to March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day. (Lots of Irish blood in our human pack!) Cubbing will begin again the first Friday after Labor Day.

ORFHC on the web at: www.oakridgefoxhuntclub.com

©2009 NCL Magazine : Photo By Yvette Stafford : (Left) Deb and Richard Bulissa, owners of Orchard House B & B in Lovingston chat it up with other business owners at Thursday night's dinner.

Arrington
Nelson County, Virginia
Seldom do the businesses here in the county get a night all of their own, but once a year they do! The Nelson County Economic Development Authority held their annual Business Appreciation Dinner Thursday night in The Carriage House at Oak Ridge Estate. The event allows businesses owners to chat with one another in a relaxed atmosphere, and is a way of saying thanks for all they do in Nelson.

Nelson EDA Board Member, Steve Crandall (left coat & tie) and Joe Lee McClellan, owner of Nelson Nelson County Cable, serve up some of the delicious food at Thursday's event.

The annual event draws over 100 attendees.

©2009 NCL Magazine : Bo Newell, Julie Bendle, Betty Graham and Nancy Newell receive recognition for their tireless work with SPCA's Almost Home Pet Adoption Center.

Arrington
Nelson County, Virginia
Clearing skies and mild temperatures made the perfect backdrop for this year’s Animal House Ball held in the Carriage House at Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington. For nearly a decade the event has been held yearly or every other year to help raise money for The Almost Home Pet Adoption Center just north of Lovingston, Virginia.

The evening began with cocktails under a beautiful sky on the outdoor patio of The Carriage House.

Live auctioneer Bo Newell lets the crowd know the silent auction ends in 10 minutes!

Before the live auction and music later in the evening, guests were treated to a fantastic dinner!

A highlight of the evening is always when Bo Newell takes to the stage with the live auction!

For all of his years of volunteering with SPCA Bo was presented with this replica doggy footstool so her can put his feet up for a bit!

Dr. Beth Luzaich, DVM poses with Yvette during the ball. Yvette found out she just got the winning bid on her lady bug painting in the silent auction!

Money raised from The Animal House Ball goes directly to Almost Home for operating dollars at the shelter.

Congrats on a fantastic 2009 ball!

Photos By Diana Garland : ©2009 NCL Magazine : Folks play the crap table at Saturday's Denim & Diamonds to help raise money for The American Cancer Society

Arrington
Nelson County, Virginia
It was a night filled with cowboy boots, big hats, and lots of denim! Denim & Diamonds was held Saturday night in The Carriage House at Oak Ridge Estate to help raise money for The American Cancer Society. Our Diana Garland was there, camera in hand, of course! She sent back these images of everyone having a big time, country and western style!

In addition to the mock casino on hand folks attending last night’s event enjoyed yummy heavy appetizers and cocktails.

Later this year in May Nelson’s first Relay for Life will be held. You can click here for more info from ACS.