Blue Ridge Life™2012 – Portions of Route 151 From Greenfield through Nellysford were lowered to 45 MPH a few years ago. Some residents along and near the highway want the speed lowered to 45 MPH all the way from Rockfish Gap at Route 250 to Nellysford where it would then lower to 35 MPH.
Rockfish Valley
Nelson County, VA
A move is underway by some people living along and near Route 151 in the Rockfish Valley of Nelson County to make a consistent 45 MPH speed limit all along the highway with it dropping to 35 MPH in Nellysford before jumping back to 45 MPH all the way down to Route 664 (Beech Grove Road). Currently those areas along Route 151 that aren’t 45 MPH are marked as 55 MPH zones.
“Several of us in the Valley have been talking with Connie Brennan about the safety of RT 151 and the need to reduce the speed limit. Connie and Tommy Harvey have been trying to get the attention of VDOT and argue the case for reducing the speed limit to 45 from RT 250 to Beech Grove Road. They have now prepared a map showing the intersections defined as most risky by VDOT and have plans to take the case to the VDOT District representative and the Legislature. Connie has told us that petitions with signatures from as many citizens as possible would be an asset,” according to Peter Agelasto. He’s coordinating the effort by placing petitions for signature in public places such as the Nellysford Post Office. Agelasto lives along Route 151 just north of the Route 664 intersection that leads to Wintergreen Resort.
A snapshot of the petitions being distributed throughout the Rockfish Valley asking for speed limit reductions. Click on image to enlarge.
“We plan to pick them up after Jan 6, 2013 and give them to Connie and Tommy (Harvey). We want 1000 signatures or more, Agelasto added.
Blue Ridge Life™2012 – (left) Jeff Cornejo, co-owner of Blue Ridge InternetWorks in Charlottesville listens as business partner and additional co-owner Baylor Fooks of BRI addresses the Nelson Board of Supervisors Tuesday night – December 11, 2012.
Lovingston
Nelson County, VA
Representatives from Blue Ridge InternetWorks (BRI) met with the Nelson County Broadband Authority and the Nelson Board of Supervisors Tuesday night to discuss more about their plans as they prepare to rollout high speed broadband fiber internet to parts of Nelson County. BRI was recently selected at the network operator and a provider for the service.”As of tonight we already have about 300 or more inquires about our service from people in Nelson County,” said Baylor Fooks of BRI. The BRI duo told the board most of those were in the Afton zipcode thus far.
Also discussed by BRI was a possible plan of extended the current network beyond where it’s physically in the ground by merging it with copper technology. “It’s involved, but we are looking at extending the reach of the fiber network to others by using existing phone company copper pairs. This works approximately 3 miles out from the fiber connection giving subscribers DSL type speeds,” Baylor continued. The move would allow for many others to use the network in addition to those connected directly to fiber or by wireless services. Though approval wold have to come from companies like Verizon to lease their copper, Baylor said it is allowed by law.
More discussion continued into the meeting about rates. Several supervisors and BRI representatives said that while the curent business class rate structures were a good starting point (several hundred dollars a month) a vast majority of small to medium businesses, nor residences, could budget that for internet costs.
Clay Stewart of Stewart Computer Services also told the board he’s excited about the prospects of working together with BRI and the county to widen reach of his current wireless network that is already heavily concentrated in the southern part of Nelson, but expanding quickly into Afton. He too expressed concern about having affordable wholesale rates from the county.
As the meeting closed BRI said they should have some firm numbers worked up soon to see what the exact costs might look like to consumers. Committee members will meet with BRI in the coming weeks to get into more details about rates and installation charges.
Photo courtesy of: the-lynchburg-va-insider.com – Gerald “Monty” Montgomery know by thousands as the familiar face behind the bar at Wintergreen’s Stoney Creek Bar & Grill died on Tuesday – December 11, 2012. Monty had been retired from that job for many months before his death.
Nellysford
Nelson County, VA
Nelson County just became a bit more lonely Tuesday. Gerald “Monty” Montgomery passed on just before noon today. According to one of his former co-workers, Tabitha Nickell, now of Blacksburg, VA – “Monty had been ill over the past several months, but had good days and bad during his recent illness until his death today.”
Many of use will always remember Monty as that smiling familiar face behind the bar at Wintergreen Resort’s Stoney Creek Bar & Grill. Though he’d been retired from that position for a considerable length of time.
We don’t have any funeral info at this time but will update this post when we do.
Meanwhile many folks are expressing their sympathy and rememberances on Facebook this afternoon.
Blue Ridge Life™2012 – Photos By BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura – Laura Gastinger (Flora Virginia illustrator) holds a copy of the newly released book cataloging plants and thorough descriptions of every tree, shrub fern wildflower, grass and sedge in Virginia. The book premiered this past Sunday – December 9, 2012 during a ceremony at The Wintergreen Nature Foundation.
Wintergreen
Nelson County, VA The first completed Flora of Virginia since John Clayton’s work in the 1700’s was officially released this past Sunday – December 9, 2012 during a ceremony at The Wintergreen Nature Foundation in Nelson County. A flora is a reference book that describes the plants of a region and aids in their identification. In this case, all of Virginia.
Doug Coleman (Executive Director) Wintergreen Nature Foundation Executive Director) welcomes everyone to the Flora of Virginia Premiere on 12/09/12.
“This has been a 12 year project and it is the first completed Flora of the Commonwealth since John Clayton’s work in the 1700’s. TWNF and its Science Advisory Committee have been cheer leading and supporting this effort since its inception. It’s a 1,500 page Flora,” said Doug Coleman, Executive Director of TWNF.
Guests attended the Flora of Virginia Premiere on 12/09/12 at The Wintergreen Nature Foundation in NelsonCounty, VA.
Johnny Townsend (Flora of Virginia author co-author) and Laura Gastinger (Flora Virginia illustrator) at the Flora of Virginia Premiere on 12/09/12 at The Wintergreen Nature Foundation in Nelson County, VA
Darren Ball has been named the new Executive Director of Wintergreen Adaptive Sports
Wintergreen
Nelson County, VA
Darren Ball has been appointed Executive Director of Wintergreen Adaptive Sports following eight years as the Director of Programs and Services at the Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In his new position, Ball’s focus will be on continuing the strong legacy of exceptional adaptive outdoor sports and recreation programs that improve the lives people with a disability.
“I am honored to be a part of this wonderful organization,” Ball said. “Wintergreen Adaptive Sports has a rich history from which to grow and I look forward to increasing awareness of the organization and deepening its roots in the world of adaptive sports,” he added.
Ball is passionate about empowering people with disabilities and improving quality of life through the delivery of excellent programs. He also has a particular interest in outdoor recreation, growing up in eastern Kentucky and snow skiing from a young age in West Virginia and Colorado.
Recipient of a Masters in Education from the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education, Ball’s studies focused on life skills and transitional program design and development for students with disabilities. While a student he also served as co-director for a Charlottesville area outdoor leadership program.
Ball was president of the Outdoor Activities Club and led skiing and backpacking trips while an undergraduate student at High Point University. Following graduation he was a special education teacher in North Carolina.
He and his wife, Heather, and two sons live in Fluvanna County
Photo Via VDC: The newly released Virginia Highland Malt Whisky is the color of white wine and tastes of acacia honey and ginger. The barrel finishes transform it to copper and adds notes of dark chocolate, tobacco and raspberry. (Above – before & after)
They started out marketing their varieties of Eades whisky which was phased out after those batches all sold. Now Virginia Highland Malt will be the showcase whisky and it just recently was approved for sale in Virginia at the area ABC stores. “Virginia Highland Malt Whisky will be shipped to the ABC this week and we hope will be on the shelves around the 15th,” Pat Jones of VDC tells BRL. Just in time for Christmas gifts!
The Virginia Distillery Company starts with a fine malt whisky from the Highlands of Scotland, and then adds the distinct flavor of Virginia by finishing it for months in port-style wine barrels from a nearby winery.
The result is added complexity and flavor notes that transform a good whisky into an experience. Virginia Highland Malt showcases the Virginia Distillery Company’s dedication to crafting quality whisky that is always authentic and always a pleasure to drink – alone, with a cube of ice or in a carefully crafted cocktail.
The most visible ways the Virginia wine barrels transform the barrels is in color, but the taste is where the pay off really counts. The Highland whisky is the color of white wine and tastes of acacia honey and ginger. The barrel finishes transform it to copper and adds notes of dark chocolate, tobacco and raspberry.
Blue Ridge Life™2012: Photos By BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura : Josie Carter (daughter of Chris & Jessie Carter of Faber, VA) tells Santa what she has on her Christmas list at the annual lighting of the magnolia held this past Wednesday night – December 5, 2012 at Stoney Creek in Nellysford.
Nellysford
Nelson County, VA
Every year in the early days of December people make sure to attend the annual tree lighting, caroling, and visits with Santa at Stoney Creek Bar & Grill in Nellysford. This past Wednesday night everyone headed over for a wonderful evening. Santa even ditched the sleigh and reindeers for the night to let them rest up. Instead he arrived in style on a fire truck courtesy of Wintergreen Fire Department.
Carolers singing Christmas songs makes for a festive atmosphere at the Stoney Creek Tree Lighting Ceremony on 12/05/12The ghost of Clement Moore arrived to recite his poem “Twas The Night Before Christmas” at the Stoney Creek Tree Lighting Ceremony on 12/05/12Santa Clause arrives courtesy of the Wintergreen Fire Department and greets the children at the Stoney Creek Tree Lighting Ceremony on 12/05/12You can’t sing carols without hot chocolate to warm you up at the Stoney Creek Tree Lighting Ceremony on 12/05/12
Portions Via VDOT LYNCHBURG: The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to activate a new type of traffic signal with a flashing yellow arrow that will be used for the first time in VDOT’s ten-county Lynchburg District. The signal will be installed on Route 29 in the Lovingston area of Nelson County prior to December 24, 2012.
The new signal will display four arrows to regulate traffic flow: a red arrow to tell drivers to stop; a steady yellow arrow to communicate that the light is changing; a flashing yellow arrow which means drivers may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic; and a green arrow to show that the diver has the right of way to make a left turn.
View VDOT video above of the type of signals that will be installed in Lovingston soon.
Various studies have “concluded that the flashing yellow arrow was safer and more effective than the simple circular green light and other signal configurations at conveying to drivers that they need to yield before turning left.” The North Carolina and Oregon Departments of Transportation recently completed studies showing a 37 and 68 percent reduction, respectively, in left-turning crashes after a flashing yellow arrow was installed.
Engineers across the country have recently begun installing flashing yellow signals with nearly half of all states now having at least one. Among those installed in Virginia is the signal on Route 60 in James City County.
Blue Ridge Life™2012 : Photo By Yvette Stafford : North District Board of Supervisor Tommy Harvey and Nelson County Administrator Steve Carter (left) discuss a variety of issues Wednesday night, December 5, 2012 during a town hall meeting at RVCC. The most discussed topic was the status of fiber high speed internet across Nelson County.
Afton
Nelson County, VA
Updated By Tommy Stafford – 12.8.12 at 1:30 PM
Talk about awkward. Owning a magazine with a companion website that is covering the topic of a new fiber broadband network being installed here in Nelson County while sitting on an advisory committee for that very project. It’s no secret I have questioned some of the methods and disclosures of county officials along the way over the past year, (see story below) which eventually led to an exchange between myself and Nelson County’s administrator. For this reason, I have resigned this weekend from that committee so I/we can cover this issue in its entirety without any conflicts whatsoever. It’s the right thing to do.
I sent my letter of resignation and reasons why to Mr. John Taylor, the Chairman of that committee who lives at Wintergreen, along with Alan Patrick (vice chair) who lives in the Rockfish Valley in Nellysford. Both of these men are honorable people. They have worked hard on this project in an advisory capacity over the past year or so. I’ve nothing but praise for them. This move has nothing to do with them. To the contrary.
Below you will find the text of the letter I sent to Mr. Taylor Saturday morning.
Dear John,
I joined the Broadband Advisory Committee within the past two years despite my personal reservations regarding the notion of Federal taxpayer money being used to fund the creation of a local telecommunications infrastructure. However, once the stimulus funding had been secured, I surely did not want to see that money go to waste. Because of my previous experience in telecom (I was a managing partner in a tower / telecommunications company in Tennessee), and because my current publishing business relies on fast internet for productivity to meet deadlines, I figured I could offer valuable insight as this project progressed.
It has always been my concern that such an expansive project — though kick started with Federal stimulus dollars — would in the end prove to be unaffordable to most families and businesses in Nelson County. It was my hope the Broadband Advisory Committee could serve as a liaison between the County and its taxpayers. But for that, you need transparency.
To my dismay, an unpainted broadband tower was erected at Martins Store, not too far from where nTelos erected its cell tower, which met aesthetic design standards as it stood along a Virginia byway. Though the County made private carriers paint their poles and make them as discrete as possible in an attempt to blend into the scenery, the County failed to abide by its own rules leaving those living here and visitors to the Rockfish Valley with an eyesore.
I am concerened that somehow my recent remarks were twisted as though I blamed county staff for the problems we have encountered from top managers and administrators regarding transparency. That has never been the case. Conversely, I have personally championed their commitment and dedication throughout this entire project.
At the Town Hall meeting on December 5th at the Rockfish Valley Community Center, attendees were legitimately concerned as to the availability and pricing of the county’s broadband network. Though Blue Ridge Internetworks’ entry into the project as a manager/ISP is a positive, the fact that the Nelson County Broadband Authority has yet to announce workable, realistic rates, is worrisome. These rates will indirectly determine rates and packages set by local ISPs.
Given my vocal criticism of the process, as well as the fact that I publish a local magazine which has covered the project in it’s web version, I feel that it is best to step down from the committee to avoid any conflict of interest.
That said, I wish those involved in the process my very best. It’s my hope the project is successfully completed allowing fiber internet to be a reality in the near future.
It’s been a sincere pleasure serving with you and Alan along with other members of the committee.
Best Regards,
Tommy
Updated By Tommy Stafford – 12.7.12 at 4:15 PM On Friday morning December 7th, Nelson County Administrator Steve Carter called our office to express his displeasure with a quote that BRL/NCL Publisher Tommy Stafford gave regarding the status of the fiber project.”I read your post and was very disappointed about your comment that this project was off course or whatever you said, which is completely ridiculous, Tommy, and not very much appreciated,” Carter said in his voicemail. This is the paragraph and quote pulled verbatim from the original story:
Blue Ridge Life Publisher and a member of the Nelson Broadband Advisory Committee, Tommy Stafford, had a lengthy conversation by phone with Baylor Fooks of BRI on Thursday morning. “I am convinced they mean business and will do this right. Admittedly, beyond any control committee members had, this project has drifted off course and delayed longer than projected. But, I feel with Baylor and his team at the helm now, things will change rapidly, for the good,” Stafford said.
After a followup phone call and in fairness to Steve Carter, I told him I would gladly update the story with his feelings of dissatisfaction. Carter vehemently disagreed that the project had become adrift and said it was on target and within the guidelines of the federal requirements. I conveyed that myself and at least two other members of the advisory committee have felt out of the loop on the progress and decisions made within the past six months. There were additional concerns, that to date, not a single business or residence had been connected and only Nelson Government had use of the network.
But, again stressed that I felt things were back on track now that a network operator and ISP had been selected. Though throughout the conversation we disagreed on several points, it ended positively agreeing to disagree on some aspects.
Original Story from 12.6.12
Nelson County administrator Steve Carter and Board of Supervisor Tommy Harvey hosted a town hall meeting at the Rockfish Valley Community Center to announce that the Nelson County Broadband Authority has chosen Blue Ridge Internetworks to operate and manage the County’s fiber network. Central District Supervisor Connie Brennan couldn’t attend the meeting due to being ill. In a prepared statement, BRI founder Baylor Fooks said his company cannot promise “super high speed Internet to everyone in Nelson County,” it is assessing the need and will be “provisioning the areas with the deepest concentration first.”
Among the concerns expressed from would-be subscribers are the rate structures and availability of providers. Clay Stewart, CEO of Arrington-based Stewart Computer Services, mentioned at the meeting that he was investigating the possibility of providing wireless internet to the Afton area using the county’s fiber network. He encouraged potential subscribers throughout the county to notify BRI as the company continues its area study and development of service plans and pricing.
Blue Ridge Life Publisher and a member of the Nelson Broadband Advisory Committee, Tommy Stafford, had a lengthy conversation by phone with Baylor Fooks of BRI on Thursday morning. “I am convinced they mean business and will do this right. Admittedly, beyond any control committee members had, this project has drifted off course and delayed longer than projected. But, I feel with Baylor and his team at the helm now, things will change rapidly, for the good,” Stafford said.
Ironically, the only people currently with the actual use of the fiber network is Nelson County Government. Thus far, no private entities have had access to the network. That should change soon, with BRI entering the game.
According to BRI’s web site, the company is hoping to launch broadband service in early 2013.
Here is BRI’s official release Thursday morning:
The Nelson County
Broadband Authority has
Chosen Blue Ridge
InternetWorks to Operate
and Manage The County’s
Fiber Network
Nelson County To Become An American Fibertown.
Nelson County, Virginia, December 5, 2012: Nelson County is days from full deployment of a 30 mile fiber optic network and has chosen Blue Ridge InternetWorks to manage the new network. This means high-speed, fiber-optic Internet is headed to Nelson County.
The Nelson County broadband project constructed a fiber optic middle mile networkdesigned to provide a state of the art high-speed fiber optic backbone extending generally through the center of Nelson County from north to south, providing the ‘highway’ for private providers to enhance and expand broadband internet services in the county. Generally speaking the network runs from Afton through Greenfield and Lovingston ending in Colleen.
Blue Ridge InternetWorks will also be a private internet service provider using the network to deliver high-speed Internet services to customers within the County.
“Our goal is to bring affordable first class internet services to Nelson County. We are thrilled to have Blue Ridge on the Nelson County team. They are already working to design service offerings and packages to bring our local businesses and residents up to higher Internet speed,” says Thomas Bruguiere, Broadband Authority Chairman.
“This is a middle mile network,” says Baylor Fooks, founder of Blue
Ridge Internetworks. “This means we cannot promise super high speed Internet to everyone in Nelson County. What it does mean is that we are assessing need and will likely be provisioning the areas with the deepest concentration first.”
Kick off for high speed Internet in Nelson begins in 2013. The County maintains a very unique topography so Blue Ridge will be analyzing the network on a case-by-case basis. Fortunately this involves citizen and business feedback and input.
“Honestly this begins with consumers telling us what they need,” says Jeff Cornejo, of Blue Ridge Internetworks. “We really want to know who to serve first. To that we’d like consumers to go to our website or call us to register their interest. It’s the absolute key to getting high speed Internet coverage in your boardroom or living room in 2013.”
About Nelson County Broadband Authority: http://www.nelsoncounty-
va.gov/government/board-of-supervisors/broadband-project/
The Nelson County Board of Supervisors serves as the Broadband Authority which oversees the network. The project was funded by Federal ARRA funding, Commonwealth of Virginia block grants and local government funding. Additional information is available on the NTIA Broadband USA project site.
About Blue Ridge Internetworks (http://www.briworks.com)
Blue Ridge InternetWork’s headquarters and data center are located in Charlottesville, VA. Founded in 2000, BRI offers hosting, IT services and high-speed Internet access. BRI has a staff of 25 employees. This team plans, designs, implements and maintains high-speed data networks for more than 1500 customers.
BlueRidge Life™2012: Photos By BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura: In the wee morning hours of Thursday – December 6, 2012 crews at Wintergreen Resort in Nelson County, VA began making snow.
Wintergreen Resort
Nelson County, VA
With pre dawn Thursday morning temps in the upper 20’s to near 30°, Wintergreen Resort was able to officially begin making snow. BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura was up just before dawn and grabbed some shots there.
Donny Falls,with the Wintergreen Resort snowmaking crew checks coverage near the Blue Ridge Express ski lift near the Mountain Inn at Wintergreen Resort.
Snow makers at Wintergreen tell Paul they aren’t sure how long they can continue making snow depending on temps, but they are making it in ernest now and it’s not a test.
To keep up with slope conditions and progress at the resort throughout the season, you can click here or simply hover above on our site under News & Weather Alerts and click on slope report.
