REFRESH Nelson County Life Magazine HERE for the latest updates:

Photography by Tommy Stafford
Nelson County Life Magazine - Copyright 2007
Danny Watson campaign continues
Nellysford, Virginia

Ok if any of you have been driving by Wintergreen Hardware lately, you have no doubt seen the brown van parked around the hardware store and car wash. Several days ago we showed you Danny Watson’s effort to promote Ron Paul for president.

We’ve been stopped all over the place and asked if we knew what it was about. Your mind is not playing tricks. Our own Danny Watson has made it a mission to organize a Ron Paul for President campaign right in Nellysford. Danny’s so serious about this he’s been enlisting help from all over the place.

Last weekend it seems Danny had his agents, youngsters on skateboards, out to do a little campaigning!

As you entered the drive to the store you’d be greeted and ask to vote by the skateboarder!

Not bad, not bad. Danny is getting very organized, mmmmmmmmm.

Good thing they have the ball bearings for the skateboard there!

REFRESH Nelson County Life Magazine HERE for the latest updates:

Photography by Tommy Stafford
Nelson County Life Magazine - Copyright 2007
Nelson Farmers Market
Nellysford, Virginia

You read about him in the publisher’s statement on page 5 of the current issue of Nelson County Life Magazine. This past weekend Jerky decided to show his face in public just to let folks know he’s not ashamed over that little carcass incident last month during the thunderstorm.

Jerky is quite the dog. Like most of us he enjoys having a cup of coffee and a scone before starting his day.

Jerky has become a bit of a social dog due to all of his exposure in the magazine. Here Milly Colella of Nellysford stops to ask Jerky for an autograph.

Knowing that his popularity began long ago as a puppy with kids petting him, he never gets too arrogant. Jerky loves kids and always makes time for a pet or a head scratch.

Though Jerky is very outgoing and much the social dog, he was a bit overwhelmed by all of the attention and folks at this weekend’s market. He just decided to plop right down in the middle of the tent and watch! No thunder and no carcasses!

REFRESH Nelson County Life Magazine HERE for the latest updates:

Our friend, Jeff Vogelgesang, of Heards Mountain sent this in this morning. I just had to laugh, lots! I agree we have to exercise caution in this post 9-11 world, but…….

Note to Josh Palumbo at Wintergreen Nature Foundation, please don’t let them do this to our station up there!

From: Jeff
Date: August 1, 2007
Subject: Weather station mistaken for bomb

From the Roanoke Times

Weather station mistaken for bomb

A bomb-squad recently blew up a “suspicious looking box” mounted to a tree near the Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Roanoke, Virgina. Turned out that the “bomb” was actually an amateur weather station placed there by an employee of the Center.
An employee had placed a putty-like substance around the box to make it weather proof.

The investigation is concluded and no criminal charges will be filed.

Lots of people have e-mailed or stopped us on the street asking how they find something if it’s not listed or at the top. Remember our site is active & constantly updated throughout the day. If we have lots of storm warnings then those posts alone can move the previous posts down quickly.

We never delete any of our site content, it’s there forever! The easiest way to look for something is by using the handy search field on the upper left hand side of the screen just under the NCL Weathernet Stations box. Simply put in a keyword for what your looking for and anything like that comes up.

Another way is by searching categories, like a specific community, or event. If you want to see what’s happening or coming up event wise, look under the datebook category. Or if you want to see anything we’re ever done about Shipman, go to that category. That’s it, that’s all there is to it! The categories box is just under the recent comments box.

Give it a spin!
-T-

REFRESH Nelson County Life Magazine HERE for the latest updates:

Story & photo by Tommy Stafford
Nelson County Life Magazine - Copyright 2007
Nellysford, Virginia

If you’ve been driving down Route 151 in Nellysford lately, you’ve certainly seen the construction taking place along the highway between Wintergreen Real Estate and Wachovia Bank. NCL can confirm Nellysford is on its way to getting its newest financial business next year. UVA Credit Union is breaking ground on their latest branch slated to open in 2008.

Above, construction crews in Nellysford are busy working on the latest UVA Credit Union location to open next year.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to build this new facility to better serve our Nelson community members.” said Alison DeTuncq, President/CEO. “Currently the closest branch for our members to use is our Crozet branch, recently relocated to 250W Shoppes at Clover Lawn. UVA Community Credit Union was founded more than 50 years ago, right here in Central Virginia. When you join a credit union, such as ours, you’re a member-owner in an organization that’s devoted to the financial well-being of you and your neighbors.”

UVA Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative that provides a wide range of convenient and professionally managed financial services to its more than 50,000 members. Credit union membership is available to those who live or work in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, or Orange

Scheduled to open in early 2008, the 3,200-square-foot facility will feature three drive-thru lanes, a drive-up ATM with envelope depository and two computer kiosks. Services available at the new branch will include business lending, as well as a full menu of retail services, including mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and investment services.

Nelson County residents and those employed within the county have been eligible for credit union membership since 2004, when UVA Community Credit Union was granted an expanded multi-county community charter.

REFRESH Nelson County Life Magazine for the latest updates:

Today is an important day for Nelson County and its native son, Earl Hamner, Jr. Today our friend Earl turns 84 years old. He was born back in 1923 in a small hospital room in what was then the Schuyler Hospital. Today it’s a beautifully renovated home that Isis Ringrose of Schuyler owns. Ironically she remains one of Earl’s best friends today though they met later in life.

Above in 2005, Earl looks toward the area in the old Schuyler Hospital where he was born on this very day back in 1923. Today it’s the home of Isis Ringrose.

Earl became an instant friend of ours after first meeting him in 2005. Since then we talk on occasion by telephone and e-mail. Today Earl lives in California near Los Angeles. We jokingly call him the California Country Boy today. Everything you’ve ever heard about him being the nice gentleman, is true. We are so fortunate to have Earl contribute his poetry and occasional stories to Nelson County Life.

Above, Earl poses with us along with Jim Person and his family. Jim Person wrote a huge selling biography, From Walton’s Mountain to Tomorrow, on Earl back in 2005. This was at a reception in Isis’ home in 2005.

Above, in March of this year, Earl signs a photo for one of his younger fans that only knows his hit television series, The Waltons, through reruns. Earl was back here in March 2007 for a brief visit and to see The Earl Hamner Theater built in his honor.

At age 84 and nearly two decades since The Waltons ended, Earl is still as popular as ever. During his March 2007 visit to The Earl Hamner Theater inside the Rockfish Valley Community Center, it was sold out and packed.

Today has a special meaning for Yvette and me as well. We found out just after first meeting Earl that his birthday coincides with our wedding anniversary. So Earl, though you may be way out there on the West Coast now and far from that Rockfish River where you played as a child, we will raise a glass in your honor from your home here in Nelson County, Virginia.

Happy 84th Earl from all of your friends, family and fans back here Virginia!

REFRESH Nelson County Life Magazine HERE for the latest updates:

Photography by Tommy Stafford
Nelson County Life Magazine - Copyright 2007
Oakland Museum 1807 Lawn Party & 200th Celebration
Near Colleen : South of Lovingston, Virginia

We briefly told you Monday about the neat 1807 Lawn Party held this past Sunday at Oakland Museum. They were showing off some of the progress there and also celebrating Nelson and Virginia’s 200th birthday. Scroll to the bottom of this post for video.

Here’s more of the still pics we promised.

Above, Beth Goodwin far right in costume, gives folks a tour of the Oakland Museum and highlights some of the progress made during the past year.

Here, Bernie McGinnis of the museum, talks to the crowd about the renovations thus far and what’s to come.

Believe it or not, one of the proudest accomplishments is a huge new parking lot with plenty of space. Now there’s lots of room for folks to park and visit!

You caught a glimpse of, Kaleigh Smith of Roseland on Monday’s weather. She’s the daughter of Betsy and Stuart Smith and the granddaughter of, Beth Goodwin, directly behind her. Both were dressed up just like you would have seen folks way back in 1807!

In between tours and a bit of cake, lots of music entertained the crowd.

Look for more photos in NCL’s August issue!

Photo by Tommy Stafford
Nelson County Life Magazine - Copyright 2007
Nellysford, Virginia

Talk about a great Friday evening! Jeff & Jan played at Stoney Creek Bar & Grill as part of their weekend summer music series on the deck outside. The weather cooperated, the place was packed, the wine selection was perfect, the tunes were great, and Dale was a perfect host at our table! And what great musicians here in and near Nelson County!

Jeff & Jan are just one of the many acts this summer outside at Stoney Creek Bar & Grill. The manager there, Sindri Linen, has booked some great acts for the rest of the summer. Saturday night July 7, Pixy-Led plays on the deck.

The entire weekend has lots of great entertainment all over the place. Robin Wynn is another favorite over at Cardinal Point Winery earlier in the day. We’re heading over when she starts at 4PM!

Enjoy, the weather will be great all weekend long!
-T-

Photography by Tommy Stafford
Nelson County Life Magazine - Copyright 2007
Beech Grove, Virginia

Though thunderstorms were looming in the distance, that didn’t stop members of the Nelson Rotary Club from holding their annual picnic and awards supper at Wintergreen Winery Thursday evening. Other than a shower at the very end of the supper it was a perfect night along banks of the Rockfish River.

Above members and guests chow down!

Members and invited guests pose above for their awards picture. These people were recognized for their service above and beyond to the organization. From left to right, Jim Hall (incoming Rotary president for 2007-08), Mona Kaufmann, Bill Howard (current & outgoing Rotary president), Foxie Morgan, Richard Morgan, Shirley Greer, Bob Greer, Bob Ward.

Check out Wednesday’s new video.
On the lower left in the video widget! Al Stacey was the pilot as I shot video over the James River. The first boat you see is that of Brian Roberts featured in the July issue of NCL on page 40. They hit the stands today!

Enjoy
-T-