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Nelson: VDOT To Hold Route 151 Corridor Study Public Meeting On March 14, 2013

Yvette Stafford
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Nelson: VDOT To Hold Route 151 Corridor Study Public Meeting On March 14, 2013
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.

Afton
Nelson County, VA
Back in December 2012 we told you about an effort underway by Peter Agelasto of Nellysford, and other petitioners, to make changes to the speed limit along Route 151 through the Rockfish Valley. We also ran an online poll during that time as well, click here to see those results.

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.

Back in 2007 Project 151 and Tommy Stafford (publisher of this site and Blue Ridge Life Magazine – then Nelson County Life) along with other area residents, led the charge to have changes made to Route 151 after a mother and her two young daughters were all killed in an accident at the intersection of Greenfield Road and Route 151. Two other people were killed that same year on Route 151 making a total of 5 fatalities in 2007. Eventually that intersection was widened and the speed limit was reduced along targeted sections of 151. Fatalities dropped dramatically, but accidents along Route 151 are still common.

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.

Nelson: SE County Fire Departments Respond To House Fire At Lake Nelson

Yvette Stafford
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Nelson: SE County Fire Departments Respond To House Fire At Lake Nelson
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.

Signficant Winter Storm Becoming More Likely For Blue Ridge Area Of Virginia Tuesday Into Wednesday

Tommy
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Signficant Winter Storm Becoming More Likely For Blue Ridge Area Of Virginia Tuesday Into Wednesday
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.

Till next update!
Tommy

Nelson: Airstream vs. School Bus – No Injuries

Yvette Stafford
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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.

Buckingham: Tuesday Weather May Have Contributed To School Bus Accident

Yvette Stafford
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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.

All lanes were reopened by 8:15 a.m.

Icy Up Above – Rainy Down Below

Tommy
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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.

By Wednesday the ice will be a distant memory. Tommy talks about temps in the mid 50’s with sunny skies in his weathercast!

Nelson: Remembering Frog – Friends Reflect & Say Good Bye To Lake Monocan Friend

Tommy
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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.

We’ll miss you Frog. RIP our dear lake friend.

Augusta: 2nd Annual Mad Anthony Mud Run – Cold But Fun!

Yvette Stafford
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Augusta: 2nd Annual Mad Anthony Mud Run – Cold But Fun!
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, VA
The 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, 2013
Leti 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.

Congrats to everyone at the 2013 Mad Anthony Mud Run! You will be able to see the race results by clicking here. They should be available soon!

To see all of the photos BRLM shot at the race, head on over to our Facebook Page by clicking on the photo above.

Nelson: Old Floors AT RVCC Get New Look!

Yvette Stafford
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All photos courtesy of Henri & Elaine Weems : After years and years of basketball games, concerts, dances and on and on, the old auditorium floors in the Rockfish Valley Community Center were refinished recently to bring out a new look! Click on any photo for a larger view.

Afton
Nelson County, VA
For over a year now renovations have been underway at the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton. The former elementary school is now home to several businesses and a meeting place for monthly and annual events. The most recent renovations have been taking place with the old auditorium floor in the main part of the building.

A view of the finished floor from the stage looking back into the auditorium.

Refinishing the floors was no easy process. And time consuming.

Over a period of five days workers sanded then refinished the old floors dating back to 1938 inside the RVCC auditorium.
Crews place sealer on the refinished floors at RVCC.
The foyer entrance to the auditorium ready for the varnish coat.
The foyer after the final coat. Shiny!

The money to refinish the floors was raised during a Floor Us campaign beginning in the fall of 2012 and ending that December.

RIP Cheryl Tompkins – Former Stoney Creek Pharmacy Owner Passed Away On Thursday

Tommy
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™2006-2013 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : Cheryl Tompkins and her inseparable companion K9 Scruffy in a July 2006 photo shortly after moving her Stoney Creek Pharmacy to Valley Green Center in Nellysford. As we have followed over the past 3 years, Cheryl had been battling cancer. On Thursday – February 21, 2013 Cheryl passed away at her home in Augusta County.

Waynesboro/Nellysford, VA
I first met Cheryl Tompkins about 9 years ago. She was the pharmacist at Stoney Creek Pharmacy inside the old Afton Family Medicine clinic near Bland Wade Road. Shortly after that Cheryl bought the business and continued operating it from that location until moving it to Valley Green Center in 2006. Cheryl was a pistol to say the least. We became instant friends, and always did business there. Her smile was as big as life, and contagious too!

Cheryl (left) and a buddy rider from the Motor Maids Motorcycle Club in front of her original pharmacy in Afton in 2005. Cheryl was an avid motorcycle rider for years.

Friday morning I got the call no one ever wants to get. Our friend and that smiling face that thousands came to know behind the counter at Stoney Creek Pharmacy over the years, was gone. “Tommy, I have some bad news. Cheryl is gone. She passed away yesterday, “Tasha Hall told me. She was one of Cheryl’s best friends and had worked with her for years and years at the pharmacy. She’s still there today with the new owners that bought Cheryl out back in 2011.

Cheryl (center in denim top) and the entire Stoney Creek Pharmacy gang in front of the Valley Green Center location in June of 2009.

We followed Cheryl’s battle with breast cancer pretty much from the beginning. She wasn’t bashful about letting people know what she faced and how she was coping. She always told us she wanted people to not be afraid, hoping her story would help people battling cancer feel more at ease about their own journey.


Above: Cheryl pictured in our July 2009, then Nelson County Life, article while undergoing one of her many chemo treatments at UVa in Charlottesville. Click on the image to read that story.

Cheryl initially beat her breast cancer and eventually returned to the pharmacy ready to move on. But, several months later she knew something wasn’t right, sadly the cancer had returned. This time vigorous. But not swayed Cheryl dug in for the fight once again. Eventually it all took a toll and she needed to sell the pharmacy and concentrate on getting herself on the mend.

Cheryl and Scruffy back in 2006 during her relocation from Afton Family Medicine to Valley Green Center in Nellysford.

As hard as she tried, it wasn’t in the cards. Cheryl slipped away from all of us this past Thursday. If there had to be one hero in all of this, and there have been many, it was her husband Allen Cash. Allen married Cheryl some years back knowing he might be facing this day. It didn’t deter him. He loved Cheryl with all of his heart, and stood by her side day and night.

Cheryl (left) and her husband Allen Cash back in June 2009 during one of her chemo treatments at UVa.

Cheryl hasn’t been behind the counter now at Stoney Creek Pharmacy for well over a year. But I still pictured her there even after she sold it. Now with Cheryl being gone for good. I’ll still picture that perky, happy, smiling pharmacist behind the counter, and remember with a smile her dog Scruffy right there beside her.

RIP Cheryl, you made a big difference in the lives of countless people along the way. It’s your turn to rest now. The pain is gone.

We’ll all miss you dearly.

Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home in Waynesboro is handling the arrangement, you can click here to get more information on services.

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