©2009-2010 : www.nelsoncountylife.com : Marina Childs of Afton with one of the animals at Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary in our September 2009 story. Click to enlarge.

Charlottesville/Schuyler, VA
We first told you about The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary in our September 2009 issue of Nelson County Life Magazine. Click here to see that article.

Since that article last fall, the sanctuary has some great news!

The Perry Foundation has awarded a $50,000 Challenge Grant for the renovation of a barn on the grounds of Miller School for use by Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary. This award is contingent on a successful capital campaign with a goal of $118,000. Using this catalyst gift, grants from other foundations and donations from individuals must be raised to match, several times over, this important contribution to Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary’s growth. The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary board is committed to cultivating the relationships necessary to make this effort successful. The capital campaign began with 100% of the board making capacity gifts to meet the challenge made by The Perry Foundation.

Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary seeks to expand to an additional permanent and sustainable location that allows for additional and improved facilities and the infrastructure needed to rehabilitate more injured and orphaned wild animals, and in the future, to educate more people about their habitat needs. A successful capital campaign will raise the necessary funds to renovate the existing barn, create safe, species-specific outdoor caging and begin development of an educational curriculum in collaboration with the Miller School faculty.

In 2004, Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary was built around its founder’s family home. Baby animals soon took over an upstairs guest bedroom and animal diet shared the kitchen with human diet. Over twelve cages now house animals in the yard of the house, including a large cage for hawks. At any given time, the family shares space and duties with three college interns, animal care volunteers and sanctuary staff. In 2008, the Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary Board decided to expand the sanctuary to a more suitable and sustainable site. The Miller School, a private school in Batesville, offered to provide acreage and an abandoned barn for just this purpose.

More from our 2009 story The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary. Click image above to read more.

“A collaborative partnership between these two organizations has significant potential to enhance the operations of both. We are excited to move substantial operations to the beautiful grounds of the Miller School”, reports Nathou Attinger, Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary founder and president.

Miller School students will benefit from an experiential learning site that will provide educational opportunities to students in the areas of math, biology, chemistry, ecology and the environment. Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary will be able to care for significantly more injured and orphaned wild animals, increase its educational programming in the future and improve its facilities. The Miller School and Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary have initiated this collaboration with a five year lease with an option to renew for at least another five years.

The existing barn on the Miller School property will be renovated so that the orphaned and newly injured wildlife can be cared for there, rather than in Schuyler (where the older animals awaiting release will continue their rehabilitation). Renovation will require a new roof on the barn, a well and septic system, and work on the inside of the barn to create a nursery, staff area, bathroom, and storage facilities. In addition, outside cages and a fenced area will created.

Eventually, the Sanctuary will develop the infrastructure necessary for its larger education mission, building an education center for visiting school groups with a parking area and trail to the main buildings and outdoor classrooms. A curriculum will be developed to train Miller School students to serve as assistants to the wildlife rehabilitators, and also as docents for visiting school groups. Finally, outreach programs will bring education animals to other schools and facilities to educate the public about the needs of wildlife and the importance of habitat protection.

The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary was founded in 2004 with a mission to:
Provide care for injured and orphaned wildlife while they are being prepared for release back into the wild;
Inform our fellow citizens about what to do when they find an injured or orphaned wild animal, and who to contact for help with the animal; and,
Educate the citizens of Central Virginia about the habitats and needs of native wildlife.

Since the organization’s founding, the annual census has increased every year and Sanctuary staff have rescued, rehabilitated and released thousands of animals back into the wild. In 2009, Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary cared for 625 individual animals including songbirds, turtles, raccoons, chimney swifts, hawks, owls and opossum, among many other species. Animals come into care through direct referral and through the Wildlife Center of Virginia, which provides acute care to injured animals and depends on wildlife rehabilitators to nurse animals back to health and manage appropriate release

Photo via Nelson County Sheriff's Department : Jason Todd Cash was apprehended Thursday night near Schuyler, Virginia.

Schuyler
Nelson County, Virginia
After nearly two months on the run Todd Cash was apprehended Thursday night by lawmen. “He was captured in the Schuyler area on the Albemarle side late last night,” says Nelson County, Virgina Sheriff, David Brooks.

Cash was wanted on a list of several different charges listed below in earlier coverage.

Earlier story:
Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks, says his agency is looking for the man pictured above. Jason Todd Cash is wanted in connection with several felonies he committed back on January 24th. We first told you about the search by lawmen here.

Here’s the information Sheriff Brooks sent over this morning:

Jason Todd Cash
35 year old white male
5 ft 5 in tall
Blue eyes
Blonde hair

Last known address is 234 Midland Rd, Buckingham, Co. Mr. Cash also has connections in Nelson Co & Amherst Co.

Any information leading to his whereabouts, please contact the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office at 434-263-7050 or 877-570-8477(TIPS) Anonymous tip line

Wanted by Nelson County Sheriff’s Department on the following charges:
1- Felony – Assault & Batter by ramming vehicle
2- Felony – Attempt to kill police officer
3- Felony – Elude police officer
4- Felony – Driving habitual offender
5- Misdemeanor – Property damage less than $1000
6- Misdemeanor – Reckless Driving

©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Photo provided by NCSO. Nelson Sheriff, David Brooks, says Bill Packard of Schuyler is charged with stealing donations.

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
A grieving Nelson family was shocked to find that a donation jar they placed in a local store to help raise money for a friend’s final burial expenses had been stolen. “A donation jar was placed at Nelson Food Mart in Lovingston to raise money for a deceased friend who was cremated. On January 2nd a white male walked into the Food Mart, and said he was collecting the jar to deliver it to the appropriate person. On Monday January 4th the mother and daughter went to the store to collect the donation jar and discovered it had been taken,” Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks, tells NCL.

Sheriff Brooks went on to say the store clerk told the mother and daughter that the jar had been picked up by Bill Packard, age 49 of Schuyler, Virginia.

Sheriff Brooks says Packard was arrested on Tuesday – January 5th and is being held with no bond, charged with larceny.

An initial court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday – January 6th.

Anyone wishing to help out may send donations to:
(The Late) Russel Hudson
c/o Karen Truslow
55 Simpson Place
Faber, VA 22938

©2009 All Photos www.nelsoncountylife.com : By Lee Luther, Jr : Our June 2009 magazine spread about the renovated Harris Bridge power plant near Schuyler, Virginia. Click any photo to enlarge.

Schuyler
Nelson County, Virginia
We first told you about Jack Eggleston’s hydroelectric plant near Schuyler, VA in our June 2009 printed edition of Nelson County Life Magazine. Our story, Sweat Equity, was written by Aaron Lee and photographed by Lee Luther, Jr.

Jack Eggleston works inside the power plant back in the summer of 2009.

Recently Central Virginia Electric Cooperative in Arrington reached an agreement with Blue Sky Power to purchase the hydroelectric plant. “The plant was a natural fit for our Cooperative. It is located in the heart of our service territory, has withstood the high waters of Hurricane Camille and still has decades of useful life in its future. We expect it to serve our members for years to come,” said Gary Wood, CVEC President and CEO. The facility listed for $400,000.00 according to information posted on the pennlaird.com website with photos and information about the plant. The final purchase price was not disclosed as of this story.

The inside of the hydroelectric plant near Schuyler, Virginia.

In a news release, CVEC is classifying the 88 year-old hydroelectric power generation plant, situated on the Rockfish River in Nelson County, Virginia as a green energy source being added to its wholesale energy supply. The plant is one of the first electric power generation facilities in a largely rural county and was constructed to serve the needs of a nearby soapstone factory and the residents of Schuyler, Virginia. One of those residents was Earl Hamner, author and creator of the popular television show “The Waltons” that recounted the boyhood experiences of the author as he grew up in Schuyler.

Outside the power plant during the summer of 2009.

CVEC says, while the Harris Bridge Plant has a long history of service, it is also ready to meet future expectations of cleaner energy production, now that is has been rehabilitated by Blue Sky Power. The facility was certified in 2009 as having a low impact on the environment by the Low-Impact Hydropower Institute. The plant, as presently configured, will generate approximately 1,000,000 KWH’s of electricity and prevent about 500 tons of carbon emissions a year.

Concrete inscription on the old plant dating back to the early 1920's.

The plant went dormant for a number of years after the decline of the soapstone plant until it was repaired and restarted in the early 1980’s. Blue Sky Power, took on the project of renovating the plant in 2005, refurbishing the old generating equipment and installing new hydraulic control equipment. “Having completed the renovations and put this plant back in service, we are pleased to entrust it to CVEC because we know they will be good stewards of the project,” said Jack Eggleston, President of Blue Sky Power.

Blue Sky Power develops renewable power generation projects. Since its founding in 2005, Blue Sky has led and participated in over a dozen solar and hydroelectric projects with generation capacities from 0.5 to 10 MW.

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit, electric utility serving the rural portions of 14 Virginia counties.

Nelson Photographer, Ann Strober, has been selling a 2010 calendar with some of her best work. Part of the proceeds benefit The Rockfish Willdlife Sanctuary near Schuyler, Virginia

Nellysford/Schuyler
Nelson County, Virginia
Back in our September 2009 issue (#54 – page 25) we told you about The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary near Schuyler, Virginia. Since then local photographer and bird enthusiast, Ann Strober has been working on a 2010 calendar with some of her best work included in the calendar. She’s already sold out of the initial printing a few times. We bought ours just this past weekend! You’ve seen many of Ann’s great photos in our daily weather and many more archived in our online weather photo galleries here and here. Ann’s calendar does include some of her favorite bird shots, but there are plenty of other breathtaking scenes as well.

Our spread on The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary from the September 2009 issue. Click on photo to read the entire story..

The sanctuary was established in 2004 and is considered a wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary providing care for orphaned and injured wildlife from anywhere in Virginia.

Some of the many photos in Ann's 2010 calendar which helps The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary.

The cover of Ann's calendar.

The January section of the 2010 calendar.

If you are interested in getting one of the calendars to help benefit The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary, the cost is $20. You can contact Ann via email by clicking here Or by calling: 434.361.1891

Photos By Tommy Stafford : ©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Earl Hamner, Jr (right) walks with Carolyn Grinnell, President of The Waltons Int'l Fan Club, from his boyhood church Saturday morning in Schuyler. Virginia. : Click on any photos to enlarge.

Schuyler
Nelson County, Virginia
Decades after leaving Nelson County, Earl Hamner, Jr. comes back as often as he can. He was born in Schuyler, Virginia in 1923. We first told you about Earl’s return last week when he made an appearance at The Hamner Theater in Afton. The theater was named in his honor in 2005. Earl is the creator of The Waltons, a highly popular television series based on his childhood growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Nelson County. Over the weekend in Schuyler as part of a Walton’s International Fan Club event, Earl along with actor, Jon Walmsley (he played Jason on the television series) accompanied Earl back to his birth town of Schuyler.

Hamner, Grinnell, and Walmsley sit on the front porch of the house in Schuyler where Earl grew up as a young man. The house was just renovated and opened for a tour Saturday.

A crowd of fans wait outside the Hamner home place in Schuyler on Saturday.

Fans gather near the porch of the Hamner house to chat with Earl and Jon.

Before heading over to the restored childhood home of Hamner, a special chruch service was held inside The Schuyler Baptist Church where Earl attended church as a young boy in the 30's

Earl clutches an old light fixture preserved from the original church, given to him Saturday as a memento. Jon Walmsley watches in the background from a piano where he played hymns for the crowd.

Hamner was greeted by a packed house at The Schuyler Baptist Church Saturday morning.

Jon Walmsley plays the piano at Saturday's event in Schuyler. His wife Marion is to his left.

Rev. Tom Fowler and Earl sing from a hymnal at Saturday morning's special service in Schuyler.

Earl poses on the porch of his childhood home in Schuyler with his remaining siblings, the fan club president and Jon Walmsley with his wife Marion on the far right.

Jon Walmsley (Jason) chats with a fan inside the old Hamner house in Schuyler.

Folks pile into The Waltons Mountain B & B Gift Shop Saturday during Earl's visit back to Schuyler.

After leaving Schuyler, Earl headed to the Nelson County Museum of History where a special display of memorabilia was on display honoring Earl for his work.

Earl looks over an emmy he received for his television work. It is on display at the museum. Woody Greenberg with the museum and a close personal friend of Earl's is in the background.

Earl along with his real life sister, Audrey and Paul Saunders look at a picture of Audrey she discovered in Paul's book, Heartbeats of Nelson.

After visiting the museum, it was back to Charlottesville for a reunion dinner at The Doubletree. From there Earl heads to New York where he met his wife Jane decades ago, and later married. They will be celebrating their anniversary before heading back home to California.

©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Earl Hamner, Jr. during his last appearance at the Nelson County theater named in his honor. March 2007.

Afton
Nelson County, Virginia

Reception and Reading with Earl Hamner at the Hamner Theater Thursday, Nov. 5 from 6:00 p.m.

The Hamner Theater is hosting an evening with renowned author (and Nelson County native) Earl Hamner on Thursday, November 5th. There will be a reception and book-signing from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. At 7:30p.m., Earl Hamner will read from his beloved Christmas story, The Homecoming. He will be joined by the cast from the upcoming production of The Homecoming (on stage at the Hamner from November 19 to December 13). Admission for this benefit is $50, which includes reception, book-signing and reading. All proceeds will go to the Hamner Theater. Seating is limited, call 434 361 1999 for reservations.

Click on poster above for larger version and more details.

About Earl Hamner: Best-selling author Earl Hamner is well-known as the creator of a television series which drew as many as 50 million American viewers every Thursday night; THE WALTONS remains in syndication, and has aired in nearly every country around the world. It is perhaps less widely-known that his TV adaptation of HEIDI once bumped off the air a pivotal late-season pro-football game between the Raiders and the Jets. (The score was tied with 2 minutes to go.) Born in 1923, in Nelson County, Earl Hamner is also the author of six novels, including the best-seller, “Spencer’s Mountain”, which was made into a film starring Henry Fonda and Maureen O’Hara. His work has been awarded an Emmy as well as the most prestigious honor in broadcast journalism, the George Foster Peabody Award. He is the recipient of no less than six Christopher Awards, an award established to ’salute media that affirm the highest values of the human spirit; award winners encourage audiences to see the better side of human nature and motivate artists and the general public to use their best instincts on behalf of others.’

About the Hamner Theater: The Hamner Theater, a non-profit project of the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Nelson County, receives funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Donovan Foundation, the Perry Foundation and anonymous donors to support its mission of bringing professional theater to Nelson County and to foster new works for the stage.

###

Summary:
What – Reception and Reading
Who – Earl Hamner and The Cast of The Homecoming
Where – The Hamner Theater, at the Rockfish Valley Community Center, 190 Rockfish School Lane Nellysford, VA
When – Thursday, November 5 from 6:00 p.m.
Reception 6:00 – 7:00p.m., Reading 7:30 – 8:30p.m.
Tickets – $50 (tax-deductible)
Information 434 361 1999 or www.hamnertheater.com

©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : A diver with the Virginia State Police prepares to look for stolen items believed to have been thrown in the quarries near Schuyler, Virginia.

Schuyler
Nelson County, Virginia
Earlier this week folks in the Schuyler area of Eastern Nelson County saw a tremendous number of state police vehicles in the Glade Road area. Nelson County, Virginia Sheriff, David Brooks, tells NCL it was part of an underwater search at two different quarries in that area. “Stolen items were found around this quarry on Glade Road prior to this search. On September 16th and 18th a search warrant was served at a residence on Hunting Lodge Road. Three truckloads of items that appear to be stolen were removed from the residence during the two day search. Items found at the quarries were consistent with smash and grabs in Wingina and Schuyler,” Sheriff Brooks says.

A large number of state police vehicles park near the search area on Wednesday of this week.

Back in July numerous cars were broken into at the Wingina Landing. Sheriff Brooks believes some of the items recovered may be connected to those auto burglaries. “I knew the quarry would be an excellent source for the thieves to dispose of any unwanted property. I requested help from the State Police Dive Team. On Wednesday, we searched two quarries on Glade Road in Schuyler and items of interest were found in the quarries,” Sheriff Brooks continued.

A diver coordinates with one of the crew on the bank.

Sheriff Brooks says they are looking through reports now to match items found with victims.

NCL

Photos By Tommy Stafford : ©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Youngsters read lines at last night's audition for parts in the upcoming production of The Homecoming at The Hamner Theater in Nelson County, Virginia.

Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
Fall Begins Today @ 5:18 PM EDT
We told you over the weekend about the upcoming production of The Homecoming at The Hamner Theater later this fall. Sunday and Monday folks showed up to try out for parts in the highly popular pilot that inspired the long running television series, The Waltons.

The production is based on Earl Hamner’s life in the mountains of Nelson County near Schuyler set in the early 1930’s.

Just a few of the people showing up for parts in The Homecoming.

Check The Hamner Theater’s website by clicking here for more information about the performance schedules

©2005-2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : A photo from the very first production of The Homecoming @ The Hamner Theater in late 2005.

Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
After a one year sabbatical, The Homecoming will be on stage once again this fall at The Hamner Theater in The Rockfish Valley Community Center. The production is based on Earl Hamner’s life in the mountains of Nelson County near Schuyler set in the early 1930’s.

Auditions for the production that inspired the highly popular ’70’s show The Waltons begin this Sunday September 20 from 3-6 PM and again the following day on September 21st at 5-7PM at The Hamner Theater.

The original cast from the debut production of The Homecoming at The Hamner Theater in 2005.

“I feel so gratified because I still have so many friends there. It’s a feeling of coming home, always being home again,” says Earl Hamner from his California office. The theater was named in his honor. Earl turned 86 years old this past July and has personally visited the theater in recent years since its opening.

Earl Hamner speaks to a packed house during his March 2007 visit to the theater in Afton, Virginia named in his honor.

All of the productions of The Homecoming have been sold out in previous years due to the popularity.

For more information about the auditions go to www.hamnertheater.com or call 434 361 1999