FP Phillips (FP) seen in this October 2008 photo I took of him driving across the parking lot in front of his carwash and Basic Necessities. FP was a permanent fixture around the Nellysford area and known by thousands. FP passed away on Friday July 22, 2022, after complications from heart surgery.
Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia
By Tommy Stafford
{scroll down for memorial service / obit info}
I remember the very first time I met FP. It was either late 99 or early 2000 shortly before moving to Nelson permanently. He was behind the counter of the old Valleymont Grocery he owned in Nellysford. He was working on a crossword puzzle as he often did.
Once we moved here for good FP was still behind that counter working on those crosswords and dispensing wisdom to customers that would come through. From locals to visitors, everyone knew FP. His family has been part of the Nelson backdrop for decades. Wintergreen Hardware, Blue Ridge Pig, and many more, just to name a few places folks would be familiar with today. FP’s siblings, and other relatives are still part of the legacy. FP leaves behind 3 wonderful children of his own as well.
FP could be quiet until you got to know him, then he would open up and tell jokes that would fill the air with laughter. He was major intelligent often discussing history, politics and medical procedures with me right on the parking lot of the car wash.
One of the biggest compliments FP ever gave me was on that very parking a few years after our kids came along. I was at Basic Necessities most days back then. He saw me loading up the kids as I often did once we finished eating. He said, “Tommy you have a beautiful family there. You’re doing it right, being with them. They grow so fast. Don’t forget that.” He’s right, they do.
FP joins a growing list of people now gone. People we’ve come to know over the nearly 2 decades living here. Ones we have been honored to call friends.
Time marches on and losing people that have become so familiar in our daily lives is inevitable. Yet, that still doesn’t make it easy or less sad.
FP, you will be missed. Not seeing you on that tractor hauling hay down 151 or sitting behind the counter at the hardware store is going to be so very odd. But I am so very glad I was able to know you and speak to you often over the years.
“CVEC is continuously working to maintain a safe and reliable transmission and distribution system for our members.
Construction of the transmission line to the Wintergreen substation is progressing well and crews must now change out the poles where the Wintergreen tap connects to the main line. In order to do this safely, CVEC has planned two separate outages* that will affect the Wintergreen, Laurel Springs, and Peggy’s Pinch substations.
The first outage will take place on Monday, July 18, beginning at 11:00pm and will last approximately six hours. A second 6-hour outage will take place on Monday, July 25, beginning at 11:00pm to safely replace additional poles and equipment on the main line.
In the event of inclement weather, the outages will take place on Tuesday, July 19 and Tuesday, July 26, both beginning at 11:00pm.
*Members are encouraged to review and follow the FDA guidelines regarding perishable foods.”
Via Storm Prediction Center : A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the counties highlighted in blue above until 10 PM Monday night – July 18, 2022.
8:12 PM / THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CANCELLED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 473 FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
IN MARYLAND THIS CANCELS 9 COUNTIES
IN CENTRAL MARYLAND
ANNE ARUNDEL HOWARD MONTGOMERY PRINCE GEORGES
IN NORTH CENTRAL MARYLAND
CARROLL
IN NORTHEAST MARYLAND
CECIL
IN NORTHERN MARYLAND
BALTIMORE BALTIMORE CITY HARFORD
IN VIRGINIA THIS CANCELS 17 COUNTIES
IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA
ALBEMARLE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE GREENE NELSON
IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA
ARLINGTON CITY OF ALEXANDRIA CITY OF FAIRFAX CITY OF FALLS CHURCH CITY OF MANASSAS CITY OF MANASSAS PARK CULPEPER FAIRFAX FAUQUIER LOUDOUN PRINCE WILLIAM
IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA
MADISON RAPPAHANNOCK
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ABERDEEN, ALEXANDRIA, ANNAPOLIS, ARLINGTON, ARNOLD, ASPEN HILL, BALTIMORE, BEL AIR, BETHESDA, BOWIE, CAMP SPRINGS, CATONSVILLE, CHANTILLY, CHARLOTTESVILLE, CLINTON, COLLEGE PARK, COLUMBIA, CROZET, CULPEPER, DUNDALK, EDGEWOOD, ELDERSBURG, ELKTON, ELLICOTT CITY, ESSEX, FAIRFAX, FALLS CHURCH, FALLSTON, GAITHERSBURG, GERMANTOWN, GLEN BURNIE, GREENBELT, GREENFIELD, HAVRE DE GRACE, HERNDON, JOPPATOWNE, LAUREL, LEESBURG, MADISON, MANASSAS, MANASSAS PARK, MCLEAN, ODENTON, PARKVILLE, PIKESVILLE, POTOMAC, RANDALLSTOWN, RESTON, ROCKVILLE, SEVERN, SEVERNA PARK, SILVER SPRING, SOUTH GATE, STANARDSVILLE, STERLING, SUITLAND-SILVER HILL, TOWSON, WARRENTON, WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON, WESTMINSTER, AND WOODBRIDGE.
(Scroll down for specific county outline areas)
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 473
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
145 PM EDT Mon Jul 18 2022
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Western Connecticut
District Of Columbia
Northern Delaware
Maryland
New Jersey
Southeast New York
Eastern Pennsylvania
Northern Virginia
Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia
Coastal Waters
* Effective this Monday afternoon and evening from 145 PM until
1000 PM EDT.
* Primary threats include…
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
A tornado or two possible
SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will intensify this afternoon along a
corridor from northern Virginia into southeast New York. The
stronger cells will pose a risk of locally damaging wind gusts.
The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 45
statute miles either side of a line from 25 miles south southeast of
Elkins WV to 25 miles east of Poughkeepsie NY. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU3).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.
WOUS64 KWNS 181744
WOU3
BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 473
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
145 PM EDT MON JUL 18 2022
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 473 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
ADAMS BERKS BUCKS
CARBON CHESTER COLUMBIA
CUMBERLAND DAUPHIN DELAWARE
FRANKLIN FULTON LACKAWANNA
LANCASTER LEBANON LEHIGH
LUZERNE MONROE MONTGOMERY
MONTOUR NORTHAMPTON NORTHUMBERLAND
PERRY PHILADELPHIA PIKE
SCHUYLKILL WAYNE YORK
ALBEMARLE ARLINGTON AUGUSTA CLARKE CULPEPER FAIRFAX FAUQUIER FREDERICK GREENE HIGHLAND LOUDOUN MADISON NELSON PAGE PRINCE WILLIAM RAPPAHANNOCK ROCKINGHAM SHENANDOAH WARREN
VIRGINIA INDEPENDENT CITIES INCLUDED ARE
ALEXANDRIA CHARLOTTESVILLE FAIRFAX FALLS CHURCH HARRISONBURG MANASSAS MANASSAS PARK STAUNTON WAYNESBORO WINCHESTER
Photo by BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura : Fireworks filled the sky over Wintergreen Resort Sunday night July 3rd, 2022 as part of their annual celebration.
Wintergreen Resort
Nelson County, Virginia
The weather was perfect and the skies were filled with a display of brilliant fireworks at Wintergreen Resort this past Sunday night. It’s part of their annual 4th of July celebration that’s been going on for years.
BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura has been photographing the event each and every year.
Photo Courtesy of Kathy Kreeger : Route 29 southbound just north of Lovingston in Nelson County was blocked by a tree across the highway Friday afternoon. It was just one of many locations across several counties hit hard by severe thunderstorms. June 17, 2022.
Central Virginia Blue Ridge Area
Severe thunderstorms moved into the area late Friday afternoon causing considerable damage and power outages in its path.
Additional multiple large trees down in SE Nelson Co, generally near Gladstone, from severe storms. Rescue & VDOT assisting removal. Power out in numerous parts of County as well. Tommy #vawx@CBS19Weather@TravisKoshko@NWS_BaltWash@NWSBlacksburg
Thanks to Kevin Hitt of Lake Nelson for these photos. Kevin tells us trees are down everywhere there, but a path has been cut to allow cars to get through. June 17, 2022
Thanks to Kevin Hitt of Lake Nelson for these photos. Kevin tells us trees are down everywhere there, but a path has been cut to allow cars to get through. June 17, 2022
Thanks to Kevin Hitt of Lake Nelson for these photos. Kevin tells us trees are down everywhere there, but a path has been cut to allow cars to get through. June 17, 2022
A large tree is across power lines in the Town of Amherst late Friday afternoon when severe storms moved through the area. June 17, 2022.Graphic via CVEC :In addition to trees down, a few thousand customers were still without power as of early Friday evening. June 17, 2022
As of 7 PM Friday evening, the majority of the severe weather had moved east out of the area. Quieter, milder and much less heat and humidity is arriving for the coming weekend.
FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON
Augusta-Rockingham-Western Highland-Eastern Highland-Central
Virginia Blue Ridge-Western Pendleton-Eastern Pendleton-
Including the cities of Monterey, Wintergreen, Harrisonburg,
Staunton, Sugar Grove, Riverton, Ruddle, Brandywine, Hightown,
Franklin, Waynesboro, Oak Flat, and Stuarts Draft
841 AM EDT Tue Jun 14 2022
…FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON…
* WHAT…Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE…Portions of Virginia and eastern West Virginia, including
the following areas: in Virginia, Augusta, Central Virginia Blue
Ridge, Eastern Highland, Rockingham and Western Highland. In
eastern West Virginia, Eastern Pendleton and Western Pendleton.
* WHEN…Until 3 PM EDT this afternoon.
* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flash flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– Showers and thunderstorms will produce heavy rainfall with
localized rainfall amounts around 1 to 3 inches possible
within a couple hours. The heaviest rain will be late this
morning through midday.
– Please visit http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood
safety and preparedness information.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
At approximately 2:05 am, on Saturday, June 11, 2022, units from Albemarle County Fire Rescue and Albemarle County Police Department responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash on the 3600 block of Dick Woods Road.
The driver of the vehicle, 21-year-old Harlan Franklin Shifflett III of Crozet, VA, died at the scene of the crash.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Albemarle County Police Department’s Fatal Crash Reconstruction Team. This is the seventh fatal crash investigated by ACPD in 2022. This count does not include fatal crashes that occur in Albemarle County that are investigated by Virginia State Police.
Milling and paving operations on westbound Interstate 64 require overnight alternating lane closures on Afton Mountain in Augusta County. The work is scheduled for Monday through Thursday nights for about six weeks starting June 13. Motorists should be alert for lane closures from the Nelson/Augusta County line (near mile marker 100) to exit 96 (Waynesboro/Lyndhurst).
During certain phases of the project, there also will be overnight closures of the on- or off-ramps between westbound I-64 and Route 250 (Three Notch Mountain Highway) at exit 99 (Afton/Waynesboro). Digital message signs will provide detour information.
All work is weather permitting.
Virginia traffic alerts and traveler information are available by dialing 511 or visiting http://www.511Virginia.org.
The VDOT Customer Service Center can assist with reporting road hazards, asking transportation questions, or getting information related to Virginia’s roads. Call 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623) or use its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/. Agents are available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.
The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at http://www.VirginiaDOT.org.
The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
Photo By Tommy Stafford : Liz Salas (center) in this 2008 photo coordinating the upcoming annual Nature Foundation at Wintergreen Sara Ott Golf Classic. On the left is Jack Daly who helped coordinate the event each year, on the far right is the late Frank Ott. The tournament was originally named in honor/memory of his wife that passed away in 2008.
Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
By Tommy Stafford
I first met Liz Salas Fravel of the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen way back in the early 2000’s. Back then I was helping emcee the annual Sara Ott Golf Classic. It’s still a major yearly fundraiser for the Nature Foundation. Fast forward to well over a decade Liz became a regular that I interacted for many years. She was legit. Hardworking, tirelessly coordinating events for the foundation.
There’s Liz on the far right in the ball cap at one of the annual golf tournaments back in the fall of 2009.That’s Robin Ott MacDonnell on the far left holding none other than a very young Adam Stafford! Robin is the daughter of the late Frank and Sara Ott. The tournament is named in memory of her parents.
I just sort of thought Liz would always be there. She’d become such a permanent fixture at the Nature Foundation. We worked together on so many projects during the years from our weather station up there, to all sorts of other things dealing with the magazine.
I was a bit saddened, I must admit, when I heard Liz was leaving the Nature Foundation to take a new job as a project manager with Mary Baldwin that’s a bit closer to home. Excited for her, yes, but it will feel odd knowing she’s not a fixture up on the mountain as she has been for the last 24 years.
I’ll leave you the words Liz wrote in her final newsletter for the Nature Foundation in a recent email blast. We will miss you Liz, happy trails and good luck!
“To the Most Wonderful Members a Person Can Have,
The honest truth is that when I came to work at the Nature Foundation in my twenties I thought I’d be here for a few years. I learned to ski when I was maybe five, owning Potato Patch, Diamond Hill and eventually Eagle. For the record, Tyro is still my favorite. 24 years later, my chapter here is ending and a new adventure awaits. I never planned to stay 24 years. But the truth is that I fell in love with you, all the people I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years.
The community opened their homes and hearts to me. I often tell people that I’m the favorite daughter of this family and that family and I truly believe it. You shared your stories with me and through the years this little community became way more than a job to me. I believe that everybody has a story and I genuinely want to hear it. You talked and I listened.
People have asked me what I want to say as I turn the page to my next chapter. Thank you. You always answer my calls when I need one more thing, you volunteer more hours than I can work and you’ve welcomed me into your homes and shared your lives with me. Wintergreen is truly the most amazing community in the world, made up of the most amazing people. You are the reason this place is special.
