Roseland/Lexington
Nelson & Rockbridge County, VA
“Yes, quite an accomplishment. In Virginia Eagle’s (DB’s distribution rep) territory which goes from Blacksburg to Front Royal and Charlottesville. Devils Backbone is number two in new draft sales of all beer styles behind Bud Light. Great work by my entire team.” That’s how Steve Crandall, founder of Devils Backbone Brewing sums up the news that DB had become the 2nd top selling new craft brew in the country in 2012 according to Dan Wandel from Symphony IRI, a company that tracks grocery store scan data.
BlueRidgeLife™2013 – Photos By Paul Purpura : The start of the annual Wintergreen Adaptive Sports Mardi Gras Parade kicked off from the top of Potato Patch, down Upper Dobie and then crossing over to Lower Diamond Hill at Wintergreen Resort this past Saturday – March 2, 2013
Wintergreen Resort
Nelson County, VA
Everyone got on their Mardi Gras best as part of the annual tradition at Wintergreen Resort. Wintergreen Adaptive Sports puts on the event each year around this time as ski season is getting close to winding down. There may be a few more weeks left, but the colorful parade on the slopes always signals the end isn’t far away.
The theme for 2013 Mardi Gras was TV Land.
According to WAS:
“The afternoon was filled with tubing races and the popular synchronized ski contest. Finally, at the end of the day, staff and volunteers gathered under the tent in the parking lot near the Hut for a Cajun Supper and announcement of volunteer awards.”
WAS makes it possible for sports and skiing enthusiasts to participate regardless of their disability. The annual Mardi Gras parade honors the programs very first student.
“Mardi Gras at WAS is held every year in honor of the program’s first student, Vince Fiore. He was an avid skier, and the fact that he had only one leg did not dampen his enthusiasm for sport or speed or athletic endeavor. His spirit of joyful determination is what we celebrate every year in our students and our volunteers,”
according to the WAS.
See you on the slopes next year and on the water this summer!
Above is a VDOT flier announcing a public meeting on March 14, 2013 at The Rockfish Valley Community Center. The meeting is to discuss potential changes to Route 151 through the Rockfish Valley from Route 250 south to Route 664 (Rockfish Gap to Beech Grove Road heading to Wintergreen) Click on image to read larger version.
VDOT has been doing some preliminary studies on the highway in recent weeks to come up with suggestions about speed limits and other improvements.
Photo Courtesy of Yvonne Buswell: This suggested speed of 45 MPH sign went up in the last week of February 2013 just north of AM Fog and Blue Mountain Brewery on Route 151 near the Nelson / Albemarle County Line. The area has become more congested over the past several years with the additional traffic heading down 151 to breweries, wineries, restaurants, the resort, etc.
The current move to have additional speed reductions and intersection improvements is not related to now mothballed Project 151 or its members.
The VDOT notice says:
Stop by between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to view displays and learn about the project. VDOT staff will be available to answer your questions.
Review project details at www.virginiadot.org, at the meeting, or during business hours at VDOT’s Lynchburg District Office at 4219 Campbell Avenue in Lynchburg. Please call ahead at 434-947-6559 or to ensure appropriate personnel are available to answer questions.
Give your written comments at the meeting, or mail them by March 24, 2013 to Mr. Rick Youngblood, Virginia Department of Transportation, 4219 Campbell Avenue, Lynchburg, 24501. You may also email lynchburginfo@vdot.virginia.gov. Please reference “Route 151 Corridor Study” in the subject line.
Photo Courtesy of LVFD: This home on Bobs Creek Lane at Lake Nelson in Arrington, VA was a total lost Saturday evening – March 2, 2013
Lake Nelson / Arrington
Nelson County, VA
Numerous area fire crews responded to a house fire Saturday night March 2, 2013 at 53 Bobs Creek Lane in Arrington. That’s near Lake Nelson. When crews arrived the home was fully engulfed in flames, but everyone inside was thankfully out.
Fire crews worked for several hours to make sure all flames were out.
Image Courtesy of facebook.com/wxeast: This computer model from midday Saturday – March 2, 2013 – indicates a strong likelihood of a significant winter storm for the Blue Ridge of Virginia and much of the state late Tuesday into Wednesday of the coming week.
Central Virginia Blue Ridge
As I’ve been mentioning for the past several nights in my audio weathercast, the possibility of a significant winter storm is trending more likely as of Saturday evening. For roughly the past three days many weather computer models have hinted at the potential for a major winter weather event. By major I mean inches and inches of snow. Not out of the question for the month of March in Virginia as winter is still hanging on, but influenced by spring struggling to start getting a foothold.
Here’s what some area meteorologists have said during the day on Saturday:
Travis Koshko – CBS-19 Charlottesville : Heads up next Wednesday, central Virginia. One *possible* outcome of our next storm system is significant accumulations of snow. Stay tuned.
Sean Sublette – ABC-13 – Lynchburg: Snow odds upgraded to 75%. Increasingly concerned about a 6″+ snow for all areas. Writeup later this evening.
Jamey Singleton – ABC-13 – Lynchburg -Looking more like a huge, possibly heavy snow next Tue – Wed…
Joe Bastardi – weatherbell.com & former AccuWeather.com met: Wow GFS ensembles have DC around 1.3 inches of liquid 1962 storm had 1.32 with 4 inches snow, but crushing amounts west!
Henry Margusity – AccuWeather.com met: And the trend continues to come north ever so slowly. This is going to be a wild storm.details yet to come
In other words, they are taking it seriously.
By no means is this an absolute assurance of a major white out event, but even I am leaning that way now, and I almost never get excited about computer models days and days out. This one is different. And it’s been agreeing for some time now.
No, don’t panic. But yes, I filled up all of our cars tonight with gas, and made sure our generator was operating and ready to go. So, IF, such an event does take place we beat the frenzy of everyone else trying to get ready at the last minute. I suggest you do the same. In addition to snow, heavy wet snow that is, we will have wind with this event, so it could mean power outages if it all comes together.
I’ll be following this closely from here on through mid week right into and after the storm. So start looking for regular updates here and on our social media feeds.
Blue Ridge Life Magazine™2013 : Photo by Tommy Stafford : No one was hurt Thursday afternoon – February 28, 2013 – when a school bus and Airstream collided on Glenthortne Loop just outside Nellysford in Nelson County.
Near Nellysford Nelson County, VA
No one was hurt, but plenty of feelings probably were! The school bus above and an Airstream being pulled by a truck collided Thursday afternoon, February 28, 2013 on Glenthorne Loop just outside of Nellysford.
Photo Courtesy of Fred Fletcher: The view of the accident from the north side looking south on Glenthorne Loop.
“No one was hurt and there was only one student on the bus at the time. His mother came to the scene and picked him up,” said Nelson Emergency Services Director Jaime Miller.
Photo By Julie Woodson via FB : This school bus accident happened Tuesday – February 26, 2013. on Route 698 about one mile east of Route 627 in Buckingham County.
Buckingham County, VA
Below are press releases from the Virginia State Police regarding two different school bus accidents one on Tuesday – February 26, 2013 the other this Wednesday morning in Augusta County. They are unrelated.
At 4:18 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 26), Virginia State Police Trooper K.D. Nelson was called to the scene of a single-vehicle crash. The crash occurred on Rte 698 about a mile east of Rte 627 in Buckingham County.
A Buckingham County school bus was traveling east on Rte 698 when the rear wheels started sliding on the slick, mud-covered, gravel road. The bus then ran off the right side of the road, struck the embankment and two trees, and then overturned onto its side across the road.
Three of the 13 students on the bus were transported by from the scene to Southside Hospital for treatment. Another five were later taken to the hospital for treatment. None of the students suffered serious injuries. The driver, a 47-year-old female Buckingham resident, was not injured in the crash. No charges will be filed.
Right after the crash, the driver and the students were able to take refuge from the rain and cold temps in a nearby residence. VDOT responded to assess the road conditions. The students were a mix of elementary, middle and high school.
Unrelated school bus accident in Augusta County on Wednesday – February 27, 2013:
THREE INJURED IN AUGUSTA COUNTY CRASH
AUGUSTA CO. – A school bus driver and two students were injured Wednesday morning (Feb. 27) in a two-vehicle crash in Augusta County. At 7:26 a.m., Virginia State Police Trooper Z.J. Blevins was called to the scene of the crash in the 1100 block of Lee Jackson Highway/Route 11.
An Augusta County school bus was southbound on Route 11 when it pulled off onto the right shoulder to turn around and head north on Route 11. (The shoulder is wider at this location to allow for the bus to make the turn safely and legally.) As the bus pulled across the southbound lanes to head north, it pulled out in front of a southbound 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was unable to avoid the bus and struck it in the side.
The driver of the bus, Bruce K. Pugh, 61, of Staunton, and two students were transported by ambulance to Augusta Health for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. There were approximately 30 elementary and middle school students on the bus at the time of the crash. Pugh was wearing a seat belt.
The driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ann S. Schooley, 53, of Staunton, was not injured in the crash. Schooley was wearing a seat belt.
Pugh was charged with failure to yield the right of way.
Photo Courtesy NPS Webcam – From Byrd Visitor Center looking South: Trees in the higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive were encased in ice Tuesday afternoon – February 26, 2012.
Skyline Drive / Blue Ridge Parkway, VA
If you weren’t in the mountains of Central Virginia or the ridges of Skyline Drive you probably just experienced a cold rainy late February day. But those in the higher elevations, say about 1000 feet or higher saw plenty of ice. So much so that Wintergreen Resort in Nelson County, VA shut down the slopes for part of Tuesday. Everything will be operating normally on Wednesday.
Photo By BRLM Photographer Marcie Gates: Ice encases this walkway light at Wintergreen Resort on the Devils Knob side Tuesday afternoon – February 26, 2013.John Howard of Devils Knob also captured this shot of ice encased tree limbs Tuesday afternoon atop Wintergreen Mountain near the Blue Ridge Parkway just north of Reed’s Gap.
Blue Ridge Life Magazine™2013 : Photos By Tommy Stafford – (Left to Right) Craig Duddleston, Lyna Watson, and Jimmy Arrington of Nellysford, VA look through old photos dating back to the 70’s at a remembrance for Richard (Frog) Moore. Sunday – February 23, 2013 at the Lake Monocan Clubhouse in Nellysford.
Nellysford / Lake Monocan
Nelson County, VA
Friends said their final good-bye this past Sunday afternoon at a remembrance get together to reflect on their relationship with Lake Monocan legend, Richard (Frog) Moore. We first told you about Frog’s passing in this post back on February 6, 2013. Frog lived in the small house on the north side of the lake for over 30 years. Most remember him as the friendly man on the porch that would wave as they walked the loop trail going right by his house. He was our cover story Frog Pond back in July 2011.
Henri Weems (background center) reflects on his relationship and memories of Richard (Frog) Moore at a remembrance this past Sunday afternoon – February 23, 2013 at the Lake Monocan Clubhouse, just steps from Frog’s old home place of over 30 years.
A group of roughly 30-40 people turned out to tell their stories and relationships about a man that became legendary for his “never meeting a stranger” personality. The group read poems, laughed, cried and poured thorough hundreds of photographs that Frog’s family recovered from his him on the lake. Many of the photos date back decades showing some of Nellysford’s history of that time. “I have such good memories of fishing, playing cards, and just visiting with him over the years,” said Sarah Leake Shelton during the Sunday ceremony. Those same sentiments were echoed time and time again as people around the room remembered Frog.
Sarah Shelton (right) looks through old photographs of herself and Frog at Sunday’s remembrance ceremony Sunday – February 23, 2013.
Frog is gone, but his memory will surely live on at the lake thousands visit each year. Dan Butterfield of Stoney Creek helped organize the Sunday get together. Dan says he’s working on a plan to have a permanent memorial placed at the lake in memory of Frog. We’ll keep you posted as details become available and how you can help.
Blue Ridge Life Magazine™2013 : Photos By Tommy Stafford : And they’re off! Over 300 participants in the 2nd annual Mad Anthony Mud Run take to the course this past Saturday – February 23, 2013 in Waynesboro’s Coyner Park. Blue Ridge Life was one of the sponsors for the event. Click on any image to enlarge.
Waynesboro
Augusta County, VA
With temps hovering just above freezing over 300 runners took to the Mad Anthony Mud Run this past Saturday morning February 23, 2013. It’s part of The Shenandoah Valley’s Premier Running Series. The Waynesboro run is put on by their parks and recreation department.
The 4 mile course looped all around Coyner Park just off of Route 340 South of Target. At one point runners had to go through water under I-64 making it to Home Depot then heading back to the main course to finish up.Blue Ridge Life Magazine Publisher, Yvette Stafford scales the Brandywine 6 foot wall at the 2013 Mad Anthony Run held Saturday February 23rd in Waynesboro, VAThe first male to finish completed the course in just over 28 minutes. That is booking folks! Tad over 6 minute mile. WOW!It’s more than just competition. The run is about having fun. Eric Biggs of Waynesboro is showing how much fun he can have sporting his kilt to compete in the race. Remember it was about 34 degrees at the start of the race!The three member team called The Growler Girls head for the finish line at the 2nd Annual Mad Anthony Run held in Waynesboro on Saturday – February 23, 2013.Judges were so impressed with The Growler Girls (left to right) Gail Miller-Waynesboro, Sara Schultz-Fort Defiance, and Shelly Murphy of Mount Sidney, that they were awarded top in the their class for one of the best costumes in the race. The tell me they never spilled a drop!This pair won top in their costume division dressed as none other than Mad Anthony!BRLM Publisher Yvette Stafford (left) and running buddy Amy Winter from Nellysford give a thumbs up after clearing the wall at the Mad Anthony – Saturday Feburary 23, 2013Leti Hansen of Crozet scales the 6 Foot Brandywine wall while husband James waits before picking back the race.Dwayne Jones, Director of Waynesboro Parks & Recreation and organizer of the Mad Anthony, hands out awards for the race on Saturday – February 23, 2013.Sponsors at this year’s race.
