Wintergreen Fire & Rescue Chief Curtis Sheets was recently recognized in a governor’s award as the Outstanding EMS Administrator in Virginia.
Release Via Virginia Department of Health
The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding EMS Administrator
The Kent J. Weber Trophy
As an EMS administrator, Curtis has worked tirelessly to improve EMS services
within his own agency, Wintergreen Fire and Rescue, as well as within Nelson
County. As Chief of Fire and Rescue, he became an advocate for
employee training, health initiatives and the strengthening of the agency,
which increased staffing numbers and qualification levels. Curtis also
strongly supported efforts in cross-training fire and rescue providers and
volunteers, which resulted in a paid staff of 17 firefighters and paramedics,
and a wealth of volunteers who provided 24-hour, weekly patient care to
the community. His leadership and communication skills assured his
continuous support from the community, management and elected
officials. In addition to contributing to the Nelson and Augusta County EMS
system, he served at the regional level as chair of the Nelson County Emergency Services Council
and president of the Thomas Jefferson EMS Council. Curtis’ significant contributions to Virginia’s local,
regional and state EMS system are exceptional and greatly valued in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Photos Courtesy of NBS: North Branch students help Scott Cohrs, owner and chief pilot of Bonaire Charters, deflate a hot air balloon this past Monday – November 11, 2013 as part of a lesson in physics for students there.
Afton
Nelson County, VA Special To BRL By Bonnie Holliday
Scott Cohrs, owner and chief pilot of Bonaire Charters, spoke with North Branch middle school students on Monday, 11/11, as part of a unit on physics. After a power point presentation and great questions from the students, the class headed out to the school’s soccer field to see a hot air balloon in action. After a small test balloon filled with helium was released, it was determined that there was too much wind to safely inflate the balloon using propane. However, the pilot stretched the balloon across the field and inflated it on the ground using a fan.
Thanks to Monica Bautista for making and sharing the video above.
Bonaire Charters pilot Scott Cohrs releases a test balloon filled with helium.North Branch students Trena Garland and Lily Gates hold onto the hot air balloon as it starts to inflate on the ground.Caroline Lancaster, Scott Cohrs, Kahlil Banning,and other students wrestle the balloon back into its pack.
Photo Courtesy of Nelson FFA: The entire Nelson County delegation at the recent National Future Farmers of American convention held in Louisville, KY. Some members of the delegation placed first in the nation.
Louisville, KY – Nelson County, VA Special the BRL By Ed McCann Sr. – NCHS
While at the Convention the Nelson Senior FFA competed in the National FFA Forestry Judging and the National Meat Evaluation and Technology Career Development Events in Louisville Kentucky.
The National Meat Evaluation and Technology sponsors from Cargill International Corporation left to right Mr. Ed McCann FFA advisor, team coach, Jenny Elgin, Ben Fitzgerald, Zach Phillips, Phillip Saunders, national sponsor from Caregill International.
The Nelson Senior FFA Meat Evaluation and Technology team competed against 42 other state winning teams from across the nation. One Hundred and sixty four students competed in the event. The team placed 3rd in the entire nation. Ben Fitzgerald earned a gold medal and placed 14th, Zach Phillips earned a gold medal and placed 16th Phillip Saunders earned a gold medal and placed 23rd, and Jenny Elgin earned silver medal and placed 63rd. This is the highest rating a Nelson County FFA Meat Evaluation and Technology team has ever achieved in the 59 years of Nelson County FFA history.
The National FFA Meats Technology and Evaluation CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ skills and competencies in evaluating and identifying meat carcasses and products. Event components include a general knowledge exam; beef carcass evaluation; identification of wholesale and retail cuts of beef, lamb, and pork; quality and yield grading of beef carcasses; a team meat merchandising event; and solving of a meat formulation problem. The Nelson County High school team has competed and won in the state contest in late March, in Blacksburg on the campus of VA Tech. This gave them the privilege of representing Nelson County and Virginia at the National FFA Convention & Expo. The event was held at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., is one of many educational activities at the National FFA Convention & Expo in which FFA members apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.
The national forestry team being recognised on the main convention stage at Freedom Hall as the national champions L-R Mr. Ed McCann, FFA advisor, Jesse Carter, Zach Barnes, Jamie Conner, and Jack Taggart
The Nelson Senior FFA Forestry judging team placed 1st in the Nation while competing against 40 other state winning teams from across the nation. Over 160 students competed in the contest.
The forestry judging event is sponsored by Husqvarna and John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
The National FFA Forestry Career Development Event is a competitive event that tests students’ skills and knowledge in the area of forest management. Event components include a general forest knowledge exam, tree identification, timber cruising, tree/forest disorders identification, a chainsaw practicum, forestry issues interview, surveying, wood product Identification, forestry tool and equipment identification, and a team activity.
The Nelson Senior FFA team competed in, and won, the local, regional and state levels, of competition earning them the right and privilege of representing Nelson County and Virginia at the National FFA Convention & Expo.
This shot was taken immediately after the awards dinner with gift axes from Husqvarna Corporation on Friday night. Left – right Ed McCann, advisor and coach, Jesse Carter, Zach Barnes, Jack Taggart, Jamie Conner, National Sponsor representative from Husqvarna, National Sponsor representative from John Deere.
The event was held at Bernheim Forest in Clermont, Ky., is one of many educational activities at the national convention in which FFA members apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.
Jack Taggart was first in the national contest earning a gold medal. Jamie Conner was second in the nation and earned a gold medal; Zach Barnes was 19th in the nation and earned a gold medal. Jesse Carter was 43rd and earned a Gold medal.
This is the first time an FFA team from Nelson County has won a national contest in the 59 year history of the school. This is also the first time a team from Nelson County High school has won a true national contest. The team was also the first state forestry team made up of all freshmen when they won the state contest in May of this year. This was the only team from Virginia that won one of the 24 national FFA contests. They were also one of the youngest teams to compete in the national contest.
While in Louisville the Nelson County High school FFA chapter was recognized in the 2013 National chapter awards program. The program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters from throughout the country that successfully complete activities that encourage the members to grow as individuals, work as a team and serve others in their community.
Ms. Emma Saunders, the Nelson Senior FFA chapter vice president, was honored with a bronze rating in the national FFA proficiency award program for her work in the area of diversified crop production.
Nellysford
Nelson County, VA
When you mix Barefoot Bucha in wine barrels from Veritas and Pollak, then brew it up, you end up with one very special belgian style beer.” Although it has been done before a few other times in the world I believe this is a first for Virginia,” said Danny Wolf, the brewmaster at Wild Wolf Brewing in Nellysford.
Above BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura talks with Mary & Emily about part of the process. Click the orange and white play button to listen.
1st row (L-R) Mary Wolfe – Owner of Wild Wolf, Danny Wolf – Brewmaster at Wild Wolf, Stephen Dickerman – Cellarman and Assistant Brewer at Wild Wolf : 2nd row (L-R): Nick Dovel – Manager at Pollak Vineyards, Emily Pelton – Winemaker at Veritas, Brian Natale – Brewing Assistant at Barefoot Bucha, Ethan Zuckerman – Owner of Barefoot Bucha, Bob Sweeney – Brewer at Wild Wolf all got together this past Monday – November 11 to begin the process of their special collaborative brew.Several varieties of Kombucha made at Barefoot Bucha.Two wineries donated barrels for the Kombucha: 2 in foreground were Petite Bordeaux from Pollak Vineyards, 2 in background were Merlot from Veritas.
Lovingston
Nelson County, VA
To say it’s been a tough season for the Nelson County High Governors Football program would be an understatement. But in spite of the 0-10 record for the season, the team continued to play hard and continues rebuilding after losing several valuable seniors a couple of season back. This past Friday night our BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura head over to Lovingston to grab some shots of the final game of the 2013 season.
#5 Payton Galloway QB/DB tries to get a way from a Gretna Hawks lineman#56 Spencer Weres OL/DL – The look on his face conveys the feel of the 2013 season.#2 Kelly Kirby II WR/DB on a short running play.
The areas in pink are under a Red Flag Warning until 5PM Sunday for enhanced threat for wildfires due to dry conditions and high winds.
URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE – RED FLAG WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
1227 PM EST SUN NOV 10 2013
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-NORTHERN BALTIMORE-
HARFORD-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-PRINCE GEORGES-
ANNE ARUNDEL-CHARLES-ST. MARYS-CALVERT-AUGUSTA-ROCKINGHAM-
SHENANDOAH-PAGE-WARREN-CLARKE-NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-MADISON-
RAPPAHANNOCK-LOUDOUN-ORANGE-CULPEPER-
PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-STAFFORD-SPOTSYLVANIA-
KING GEORGE-NORTHERN FAUQUIER-SOUTHERN FAUQUIER-
1227 PM EST SUN NOV 10 2013
…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON
FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA…SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL MARYLAND
AND WASHINGTON DC.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
RED FLAG WARNING FOR THE POTENTIAL OF RAPID WILDFIRE GROWTH…
WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON.
* HUMIDITY…20 TO 30 PERCENT.
* WINDS…WEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.
* FUEL MOISTURE…7 TO 8 PERCENT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW…OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…AND WARM TEMPERATURES CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.
&&
$$
URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
850 AM EST SUN NOV 10 2013
…WILDFIRE DANGER THIS AFTERNOON…
.STRONG WESTERLY WINDS WILL FOLLOW A PASSING COLD FRONT ACROSS THE
REGION LATER THIS MORNING INTO THE AFTERNOON. THIS IN COMBINATION
WITH LOWERING HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL LEAD TO CRITICAL FIRE
CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE BLUE RIDGE.
VAZ022>024-033>035-102200-
/O.UPG.KRNK.FW.A.0001.131110T1800Z-131110T2300Z/
/O.NEW.KRNK.FW.W.0001.131110T1700Z-131110T2300Z/
ROANOKE-BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE-FRANKLIN-BEDFORD-AMHERST-
850 AM EST SUN NOV 10 2013
…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM EST THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR AREAS ALONG AND
JUST EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM EST THIS EVENING. THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH
IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
* AFFECTED AREA…IN VIRGINIA…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 022 ROANOKE…
FIRE WEATHER ZONE 023 BOTETOURT…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 024
ROCKBRIDGE…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 033 FRANKLIN…FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 034 BEDFORD AND FIRE WEATHER ZONE 035 AMHERST.
* WINDS…NORTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…20 TO 25 PERCENT DURING THE AFTERNOON.
* TEMPERATURES…IN THE 50S HIGHEST ELEVATIONS TO THE LOWER 60S
ELSEWHERE.
* IMPACTS…RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL BE ABOVE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER
THRESHOLDS AND WIND CRITERIA WILL BE NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER
THRESHOLDS THIS AFTERNOON FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF A STRONG…
DRY COLD FRONT. THESE CONDITIONS WILL COMBINE TO CREATE
DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW…OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL
CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.
Wintergreen Resort
Nelson County, VA
You know winter can’t be far behind when the annual Snow Sports Instructors Rehire Clinic takes place at Wintergreen Resort. A few days ago returning instructors along with new ones attended the weekend clinics in preps for the 2013-2014 season that’s estimated to kick off December 14th, weather permitting.
Director of Mountain OperationsTodd Clarke spoke about what’s new for this season. The big surprise was new uniforms.A general idea of the new uniforms ski instructors will be sporting during the 2013-2014 winter season. The new uniforms will be green with black trim.
Let’s hope the weather cooperates and everything starts on track, if temps this coming week are any indication, we’re headed the right direction!
Listen as Taylor Smack describes the special collaborative brew between Blue Mountain & Devils Backbone. Hit the orange and white arrow to play.
Afton / Roseland
Nelson County, VA
Many times in the past as part of the area’s Brew Ridge Trail mini-guild of Central Virginia brewers Blue Mountain Brewery & Devils Backbone have worked together on collaborative brews, but this is their first project working only with each other. “I met Brian Martin at Sedona Taphouse in Charlottesville during a Blue Mountain event there. He told me he had a few very rare beers–including a 1996 Westvleteren 12, which would sell on Ebay for hundreds of dollars–that he wanted to get together with me and taste. So we set up a private rare beer tasting at Sedona and I called Jason, because that kind of beer has to be shared with other brewers in the know. During the tasting, Brian was effusive about Blue Mountain and Devils Backbone being his two favorite breweries. He convinced us to get together and do a collaboration brew of his favorite style, the Belgian Quadrupel,” said Taylor Smack, co-owner of Blue Mountain. From there the idea took off and the group got together over the past week or so at both breweries to make their own versions.
Photo By Tommy Stafford : Mandi Smack, co-owner Blue Mountain Brewery, is joined y her husband and co-owner Taylor Smack and Jason Oliver, head brewmaster at Devils Backbone Brewing in Roseland this past Monday – November 4, 2013 as the trio worked on Devils Backbone’s version of the Belgian Quadrupel.
“An enormous beer often approaching 11 or 12% alcohol by volume. Jason and I have worked together on many of the Brew Ridge Trail collaboration brews and have always enjoyed collaborating, so we figured why not? Thus, I now have a freaky high-octane brew bubbling away,” Taylor added.
Jason and Taylor tell is the special brew will be ready in a few weeks!
Geographical happenstance can be credited for the members of Nelson County’s next up-and-coming hybrid band-baby coming together.
“We all met because we were all living on Creekside Loop in Beech Grove. That’s where we all kinda got connected,” says singer and guitarist, Jacob Paul Allen (also a member of side project HoboJac).
Accompanying Jacob are the Dennis sisters, Genevieve and Gabrielle, creating a perfect harmony on vocals, while their younger brother, Daniel, also assists with vocals and guitar. And although Jacob is relatively new to the music scene, the rest of the gang has been musically inclined since childhood. Performing in years of chorus and almost a decade’s worth of high school musicals between the three of them, these brothers and sisters are no stranger to the spotlight.
“We really appreciate that people have gone out of their way to support us,” says Gabrielle, UVA grad and Legal Assistant for Rutherford Law Group in Lovingston. “And we encourage people to keep coming out and keep listening as we go.”
Finding their forte in the crosswinds of modern and the more folk-Americana side of county, this group is proud to sound a little different.
“The covers that we do, we’re trying to make them our own, so that it’s not just another, ‘Oh we’ve heard this before’ kind of deal. We’re trying to add our own harmonies and our own twists to it and really make it original,” explains Genevieve, who also teaches at North Branch School.
With big dreams to match their big voices, the local music scene will hardly satiate this group of gorgeous go-getters.
“I think the overall goal is to not be just a local, play every weekend around town kind of band,” says Jacob. “I think we may do that at the beginning, play one or two shows a month, but we definitely want to get out and travel if we can.”
Currently a student at UVA, Daniel says him and the group couldn’t be more excited about their upcoming plans.
“We’ve all worked together, we’ve all lived together, and it would be hard to find a closer group of people to make music with,” Daniel adds.
Catch the band at Durty Nelly’s Pub in Charlottesville November the 7th at 7:00pm – Iffin’ you know what’s good for you.
