FEBRUARY 2019 NO. 167 PRICELESS (FREE!)
THE FREE BOOK BUS • THE TROUT HOUSE • ROB ROY’S TRAIL RIDE 21 10 FEBRUARY 2019 Blue Ridge LIFE271
We will Meet or Beat Most Cash and Prescription Plan Prices. Approved Provider of Piedmont Community Health Plan Prescriptions Independent Distributor 16076491
STONEY CREEK PHARMACY
2831 Rockfish Valley Hwy, Nellysford, VA M-F 9-6, Saturday 9-2 Closed Sunday and Holidays. 24 hour prescription refills: 434-361-0370
With a heart for serving the community he loves, Bob Ladd is here to help manage your health. Visit us on Facebook to reserve your spot in one of our exciting classes on how to live your best life!
Quality skin care in my community?
Yes, please!
Our Afton office is open and accepting new patients! 10950 Rockfish Valley Hwy Lower Level Afton, VA 22920 www.shenandoahdermatology.com
Call today! 540-885-4500 2
Blue Ridge LIFE
FEBRUARY 2019
Nelson County… it’s a lifestyle! Nelson County
Wi n t e r g r e e n R e s o r t
1620 Little Piney Road National Forest Treasure! Long (more than 2,500 feet!) frontage on a native trout stream deep in the George Washington National Forest. Used as a hunting camp, the sellers are ready to pass this special place to new owners. Their camp is located in a level area overlooking the stream and the National Forest. Beautiful sites for a cabin or residence. Electric routed along paved state road frontage. Camp includes firepit, circular graveled road and 5 camp trailers (“as is/ where is”) will convey. Within a half hour of Amherst amenities. $139,000
1573 Vistas Step inside this tastefully renovated two bedroom end unit and enjoy the breathtaking mountain and valley views! You can even watch the night skiing on the popular Eagle Swoop slope. Updated with painted cabinets and new appliances in the kitchen, and vanities in the baths. All you need to do is hang your clothes in the closet and begin enjoying your time in the mountains! A short walk to tennis, golf, and the Wintergarden Spa/pool. Would make an excellent rental unit. $239,500
16422 Crabtree Falls Highway Stunning home with views of the mountains sitting atop 9.07 acres. The 2 BR, 3.5 BA home has 3 stories, decks and a 3-car garage with a second floor. The main floor has an open design with a living area, kitchen and dining room with cathedral ceiling and a stone gas FP. Master has a large walk-in closet and his/hers baths. Third floor loft has sitting area overlooking the den, half bath and BR. Basement rec room has a mahogany bar, 2 BR, 1 BA and woodstove. Near AT, Crabtree Falls, National Forest, the Parkway and I-81. Half hour plus to Nellysford via Route 56 and 14 miles to Wintergreen Resort via the Parkway. $575,000
1464 Ledges This 2 BR condo has fantastic long-range mountain views in to the Rockfish Valley. It’s a popular rental property (rented as a 1 BR), with thoughtful interior updates and tasteful furnishings. A rare 2-story in Ledges, this has 2 fireplaces, one in the living room and one in the downstairs bedroom that lives like a private apartment. Fully furnished, with 6-seat table (with leaf), sleep sofa, custom window treatments. New deck upstairs and a walk-out patio downstairs. Many upgrades include new walkways, decks, siding, drainage, landscaping and more. Ample parking and firewood too! $184,900
137 Painter Mountain Lane This country home on 1.92 acres is the perfect mountain retreat for anyone looking to get back to nature. It has 2 BR and 2 BA and has a gas fireplace and eat-in kitchen. Close to Crabtree Falls, Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway. $85,000
PRICE REDUCED! 952 Blue Ridge Drive The many features in this 5 BR, 4 BA home include tile floors throughout with radiant heat, top-tier Brazilian soapstone kitchen countertops and tile backsplash, handsome wood railings, wood ceilings, exotic tile application in baths, and the list goes on. Relax on the full front and rear porches. The living room with stone fireplace, family room downstairs and loft room offer elbow room for everyone. Only minutes from the Chestnut Springs swimming pool, golf and the resort amenities. This would be a wonderful rental income property. $329,900
Pheasant Run lot Great opportunity to build your own business in the thriving Nellysford community. Just down from the shopping center, behind an art gallery and next to Wild Wolf Brewery, this is a prime location for a lucrative endeavor. Level and open for easy access and building. Zoned B-1 with restrictions. Perfect for retail, office, coffee shop and more! $45,000
175 East Catoctin Drive Unique location offering both Shenandoah Valley and golf course views! Renovated kitchen and baths, 2 master suites, hardwood floors in the living area, 2 stone fireplaces and more await you. Open concept in the living area for entertaining, and the bonus room and bedroom layout make it perfect for extended family and friends. Large rear deck with firepit overlooking the 12th fairway of the Devils Knob course. Enjoy the views and all the other features this immaculate 5 BR home has to offer. $424,500
282 Phillips Lane Wonderful mountain views! Arts and Crafts 3 BR, 2 BA home with front gabled porches, screened back porch and deck with views and privacy, and fenced yard. Quality construction— Superior Walls foundation, fiber cement siding, composite decking, stone pillars, vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, stone fireplace, granite countertops in kitchen and baths, first-floor master with walk-in closet and bath, 2-car garage, unfinished basement. Located in Nellysford just 30 minutes to Charlottesville. $419,900
403 Devils Knob Loop This well-maintained, one-owner home has 5 BR, 3.5 BA, 2 attached garages and can accommodate large or multiple families. Perched on a wooded parcel for privacy and for seasonal mountain views! Open flow for entertaining and access to decks. Master suite with private bath and jacuzzi tub, vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, loft area/office, rec room, beautiful fixtures/finishes to include tile inlays, hot tub and paved drive. Access to golf course and easy stroll to trails. Furnished. $398,000
(800) 361-5155 • (434) 361-2440 • www.MountainAreaRealty.com 2788 Rockfish Valley Highway • Nellysford, VA 22958
FEBRUARY 2019
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Community
Roy Wheeler’s Mountain and Valley Properties contributes a portion of every sale to a local organization. This month’s RW gift goes to The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen.
Service
Customer surveys in 2018 indicate that 99% of our clients rated us excellent or very good and would recommend us to their friends and family!
Integrity
Our Wintergreen office and agents have never had a legal dispute or real estate board complaint since establishment in 2006. Beautiful Views!
1438 Highlands Condos
Enjoy easy living in this beautiful one-bedroom condo with spectacular views of the mountains and ski slopes. Close to pool, fitness center, restaurants and shops. Full kitchen with granite counters and bath vanity, washer and dryer in unit, wood burning fireplace in family room. $137,500. Call Steve Marianella (434)566-1293.
Great Investment!
Breathtaking Views!
99 Deerberry Ln
Nice furnished 5 bedroom home that could be your vacation getaway or investment rental. Annual revenue almost $30,000 with much of the ski season pre booked. One car garage, quiet and secluded location on cul de sac, and open layout perfect for entertaining. $364,900. Call Steve Marianella (434)566-1293.
Well Maintaned!
1814 High Ridge Court Condos
Positioned on one of the higher floors at High Ridge Court, this just renovated condo at Wintergreen Resort offers views of the Blue Ridge Mountains which will take your breath away! The elevator makes this condo accessible w/out having to walk up a single step & covered parking is another benefit not available at other condos. $189,000. Call Gavin Sherwood (434)962-0226.
Amazing Views!
Endless Views!
16 Buckhorn Ln
A truly elegant home sitting atop Virginia’s Premier Four Season Resort offers all the modern conveniences & beauty you could want! Stone fireplace leads your attention all the way up to the gorgeous pine cathedral ceilings which run thruout the foyer, great room, & gaming loft. $415,000. Call Gavin Sherwood at (434)962-0226.
1596 Vista Condos
Awesome view from this 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo with updated kitchen and tasteful furnishings. Open floor plan with lots of light. Wood burning fireplace. Walk across the street to golf and tennis. Short walk to ski (behind Highlands), the aquatics center, fitness center and Trillium Foundation. Ready to move in and enjoy spectacular sunrises and star gaze from your deck at night. $229,000. Call Lauri Powell 540-718-1470.
40 Timber Ridge Ln
Extraordinary mountain views from this unique 5 bedroom house, on level lot with a hard-to-find large fenced backyard, perfect for children and dogs. Completely renovated inside and out. Designer furnishings, cabinetry, high end appliances. Gourmet kitchen to please any chef. $1,400,000 Call Lauri Powell 540-718-1470.
Meet our agents and the organizations they are proud to be a part of: Steve Marianella
Gavin Sherwood
Marjolaine Marianella
Gavin@sherwoodteam.com (434) 962-0226
SMSales1@aol.com (434) 566-1293
Marjolaine.marianella@gmail.com 434-326-2828
Wintergreen Adaptive Ski
WNF, Friends of WG and Nelson Co. Youth Recreation
Charles Bindig
Cbindig@gmail.com (571) 209-7306
The Nature Foundation at WG
Lauri Powell
LPowell@TheChaseTeam.com (540) 718-1470
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation Monticello
www.RW-MVP.com | 434-361-1490 725 Beech Grove Rd, Roseland, VA 22967 Partnering with Roy Wheeler Realty Co. 4
Blue Ridge LIFE
FEBRUARY 2019
Custom Homes | Major Additions | Renovations
License Class A - (BLD) 32216A
434.316.0090
RMGantt.com FEBRUARY 2019
Blue Ridge LIFE
5
Editors & Publishers Yvette Stafford, Tommy Stafford info@blueridgelife.com
a mom & pop since 2005
Blue Ridge Life magazine (formerly Nelson County Life) is published monthly by The Afton Group, LLC and is distributed free of charge. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Advertising deadlines are the 15th of every publishing month. For advertising information, download our ratecard at BlueRidgeLife.com or contact us at info@blueridgelife.com. Views reflected by our advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or the company. Blue Ridge Life Magazine, published by The Afton Group, LLC is pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing oppotunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise ‘any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, or handicap, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.’ This magazine will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this magazine are available on an equal opportunity basis.
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Blue Ridge LIFE
FEBRUARY 2019
Contributors Linda Crowe Victoria Beecher Godfrey Stephanie Gross Kate Simon Advertising sales@blueridgelife.com Address: The Afton Group, LLC P.O. Box 455, Wintergreen, Virginia 22958
434.361.0104
Have a story idea? Email us at info@blueridgelife.com
february 2019
,
Yolks for Folks
Eggs picked daily by humans, laid by hens that enjoy a life on pasture, and nest on fluffy piles of hemp. Sold by the dozen at Tuckahoe Antiques, Rt. 151 in Nellysford.
10
the free book bus Sharon Stone is the driving force behind a library on wheels.
Maple Brook Farm ROSELAND, VIRGINIA
Where in my talent contract do I get royalties for use of this photo?
#hensonhemp
from
21
vertical farming Once a trout house, a historic Boars Head Resort building is reborn.
26
on the road with rob roy Sarah Murphy’s saddles up for a peaceful protest against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
inside basic necessities ................. 9 cover story ...........................11 ask the dr. ......................... 22 at home with marlo ......... 23
on the cover Photo credit: Stephanie Gross Sharon Stone steps aboard The Free Book Bus, a library-on-wheels delivering books to kids. Story starts on page 11.
thepublishers I don’t want to make any grand, sweeping assumptions, but I think it’s safe to say my kids know to stay away from the yellow snow. It’s the red and blue snow they’re obsessed with. “Mom, I’ll be outside,” Adam informed me as he strapped on a headlamp before heading out into the dark snowy night: Boots, pants and a long sleeve shirt. I quit nagging him to bundle up about two meltdowns ago. I’m not sure where they picked up the habit but the kids like to take a cup or bowl of shaved or crushed ice with them to bed. I think they think it’s fancy. If crushed ice on your night stand is fancy, then freshly fallen fluffy snow from your yard is the locavore’s version of that. Adam honored the delicacy by scooping the snow into one of “mommy’s nice bowls,” meaning if he drops it, a least our set that used to be four, would be down to only two, an even number at least. When he came back, I already had the fridge door open for him. We have a jar with reddish liquid and another one that is a shade lighter than the blue brilliance of 2000 Flushes.
Reaching for the one that looks like blue toilet water, Adam carefully drizzles the coloring over his zero-mile dessert. “Pretty good?” I ask him. His mouth, numb with blue snow, mumbles back an “Uh huh,” as he goes up the stairs to his bedroom, before settling in for a restful night of nearly 11 hours of sleep. Let me repeat that: 11 hours of sleep. People pay big money for the promise of experiencing a fraction of that. Maybe all they need to do is avoid the yellow snow and get the blue stuff. Enjoy! Yvette and Tommy Stafford
FEBRUARY 2019
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BEER My Valentine Dinner $ 35 per person Feb 14 | 5-10 pm
Seafood Night Feb 15 | 5-10 pm
Live Music Jacob Paul Allen Salad with baby spinach, dried cranberries, feta, and a champagne vinaigrette Petite filet mignon with smashed red bliss potatoes and green beans almondine or Chicken cordon bleu with smashed red bliss potatoes and green beans almondine PLUS a BEER! Any 8 oz house or seasonal beer (<7%ABV)
NEW! HAPPY HOUR Mon-Thurs 3 - 7 PM Visit wildwolfbeer.com for more info on specials and events!
Live Music Matt Johnson
F e b r u a r y
Live
on
Fridays 1 - renee ruth 8 - alex arbaugh 14 - jacob paul allen 15 - matt johnson 22 - gypsy town
Now on Tap! Beer styles collide as this hoppy amber lager highlights the best characteristics of a lager, IPA and malty ale all in one sip! It warmed our heart to have the opportunity to make this special brew with Wintergreen Adaptive Sports. A portion of the net proceeds will go to support Wintergreen Adaptive Sports - All we see are possibilities! 4.5 ABV | 30 IBU 2461 ROCKFISH VALLEY HWY â&#x20AC;˘ NELLYSFORD, VA | WILDWOLFBEER.COM 8
Blue Ridge LIFE
FEBRUARY 2019
basicnecessities By Kay Pfaltz www.basicnecessities.com www.kaypfaltz.com Healthy Eating for Body, Soul and Planet Since I’ve devoted 2019 to writing more about the pairing of wine and food, I figured I should come clean and say that while I write a lot about Bordeaux and Entrecôte or Cote Rotie and venison, I stopped eating meat over fifteen years ago. While I’m a vegetarian, verging on vegan, I think probably the healthiest diet is that which works for you physically and spiritually — an individual matter. For many this may well be an omnivore diet, with minimal meat consumption. Having traveled around the world to many developing countries and eaten more body parts and organs, and more kinds of animals than I care to think about, I’m not against meat eating. I am against industrial farming, which inflicts suffering on billions of animals, pollutes our planet and is unhealthy to humans (hormones, chemicals and antibiotics.) But tradition and ritual surrounding meals, particularly that roast sitting center stage, are powerful in connecting humans.
Winter is a Great Time to Tour the Best of Wintegreen
The issue is not so much killing as it is inflicting suffering simply for pleasure or maximum profit. Hunting, if done well, is far better than factory farming. I’d like to see a world where we honor and value the animals who sustain us; where, if we kill them, we bless them and consume the entire beast, as is done in many cultures; and where we support only local, small farmers, which for our ever growing population would mean less meat consumption. Not a bad thing in combating climate change, when you consider that cows produce their fair share of methane, and one pound of meat requires some 2,500 gallons of water to produce, whereas a pound of wheat takes only about twenty-five. Even France, a nation of carnivores, is changing slowly, making way for more vegetarian restaurants. Witness Alain Passard’s Arpège, once a bastion of grilled meats and now a gastronomic temple to beautifully prepared vegetables. I wrote about food and wine in Paris for years and I’ve not forgotten the taste of confit de canard with a glass of Gaillac, so I feel I can write
MLS# 573912
$115,000
738 Laurelwood 2BR, 2 BA condo on one level at short walk to skiing, restaurants, The Market. Private swimming pool.
with first hand knowledge, but also with a conscience that I’ve said what I believe. No one likes to be preached to, so having this behind me, I won’t feel the need to write “buy locally and humanely sourced meats” every, single time. Cheveau, St. Amour, 2016 (organic) – With Valentine’s day around the corner, this elegant Cru Beaujolais is the perfect fit. Plus it pairs well across the board. Out to dinner, and someone having tuna steak, another having Ratatouille, and still another choosing Fettuccine Carbonara? Reach for a Cru Beaujolais. The acid will cut through the creamy Carbonara, cleansing your palate, while the soft fruit won’t overpower the veggies, actually pairing sublimely with tomatoes and eggplant. It’s no surprise the greatest proportion of wine lists in Paris wine bars are devoted to Cru Beaujolais and wine from the Loire, as these tend to be lighter wines with higher acid content. In short, ideal companions for food. Other pairings for Cru Beaujolais: saucission, rilettes, roast chicken, lentils with carrots and garlic. $25.99
MLS# 584042
$129,900
Café Wine and Cheese Shop A taste of Europe in the Blue Ridge!
Introducing Pop-up dinners with Chef David Blackstock Intimate tasting menus paired with wine Call for details or join our newsletter 2226 Rockfish Valley Highway Nellysford, Virginia ph: 434.361.1766 www.basicnecessities.us
Friend BASIC NECESSITIES Visit us on Foodwaze Review us on Trip Advisor and Yelp
MLS# 572162
$185,000
2041 Stone Ridge
128 Eagles Court
Nice 2BR, 2 BA floor plan with golf fairway views. 1,130 sq ft, gas logs fireplace, furnished. Winter sunset views.
2BR, 1.5 BA condo. Ski in-ski out. Beautifully renovated, furnished. Low condo fees. On rental.
Dima Holmes 434.962.2252 DimaDHolmes@gmail.com
MLS# 584116
P.O. Box 706, Wintergreen VA 22958 WintergreenResort.com
$274,900
MLS# 584559
$299,500
MLS# 581990
$575,000
635 & 636 White Oak
27 Veery Lane
36 Pinnacle Drive
2 condos combined into a great floor plan of 4BR, 4 BA villa. Large deck, two patios. Walk to skiing. Furnished.
4BR, 3 BA nicely updated home on the golf course. Open floor plan of 2,098 sqft. Conveys furnished. Successful rental property.
Ski in-ski out home on top of Tyro slope. 4BR, 4 BA, 2,530 sq ft. Large addition in 2005, conveys furnished.
FEBRUARY 2019
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CHARLOTTESVILLE STORY by LINDA CROWE PHOTOGRAPHY by STEPHANIE GROSS
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Blue Ridge LIFE
FEBRUARY 2019
The Free Book Bus “Each book was a world unto itself, and in it I took refuge.” – Alberto Manguel, A History of Reading
Think about your favorite books, the ones you have on your shelf right now. The ones you packed and unpacked as you moved from place to place. The ones you can’t quite move along, the ones you’re reluctant to loan in case they don’t make it back home. To Kill a Mockingbird, The Education of Little Tree, Cat’s Cradle, The Tolkien Trilogy, Fahrenheit 451, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Grimms Fairy Tales, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Lonesome Dove, Harry Potter, Mother Goose, A Child’s Garden of Verses. The books you’ve been collecting since you were old enough to read. Children’s books in particular were on Sharon Stone’s mind as, with one child in his freshman year in college and the other a junior in high school, she contemplated her next steps in the world.
FEBRUARY 2019
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continued from page 11
“What do I love? I love children’s books,” she thought. “That day I went outside to walk my dog and I told my neighbors: ‘I’m going to get a bus.’ I went home and put together my website and Facebook page. I decided to name it what it was: The Free Book Bus.” The primary mission of The Free Book Bus is to enable all children to have a home library, especially those who cannot easily access or afford books. “ I think libraries are essential,” Stone, whose mother and grandmother were both librarians, says, “but not everyone has a working vehicle to get to the library or access to a bookmobile stop. Having a home library not only allows kids to have that encapsulated knowledge in their homes, it also allows them to experience having a book collection. I absolutely support people having and using their local libraries and - I think it’s essential to own books and have them in the home.” The secondary mission is to foster a love of reading in kids ages 0-18 by visiting schools, daycares, and community events. Stone believes when an adult reads to a child, they create a little personal world that they get to live in together. It’s also (especially for lap readers) a time of quiet and physical contact. “Some of my best memories of my boys being little are of the story time years, when I got to have them in my lap and read to them.” continued on page 14
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Blue Ridge LIFE
FEBRUARY 2019
Valentine's Beer Dinner THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
6:30 PM
FIVE COURSE DINNER PAIRED WITH BLUE MOUNTAIN BEERS, HOSTED BY BREW MASTER TAYLOR SMACK. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT BLUEMOUNTAINBREWERY.COM
AND
Join Us
ALL DAY ON
VALENTINE'S DAY FOR OUR SPECIAL
Heart Shaped Pizzas
February 14 only! Carry Out Also Available.
OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK
MONDAY – SATURDAY 11 AM – 10 PM
9519 CRITZERS SHOP ROAD (RTE. 151) AFTON, VA
540-456-8020
SUNDAYS 11 AM – 9 PM
BLUEMOUNTAINBREWERY.COM
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Fountain Room
Four-course menu* with exclusive local pairings from: Loving Cup Organic Vineyards, Bryant’s Small Batch Cider, and South Street Brewery. With live music from Small World Records. *Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available. Please mention food sensitivities in your reservation.
VALENTINE’S CELEBRATION . . . . . SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH | 11AM-6PM
Feb. 14-17 | Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Dinner; Sunday Brunch
Reservations required – call or email today! (434) 361-1101 or info@mark-addy.com Grand Re-Opening: The Fountain Room will be open Thursdays-Saturdays all year long! Now accepting reservations for dates starting Feb. 14. Reservations may be accepted Sunday-Wednesday for parties of six or more by request.
Tours and Tastings daily 299 eades lane lovingston, Virginia 22949 www.vadistillery.com | @vadistillery FEBRUARY 2019
Blue Ridge LIFE
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continued from page 12
And when a child reads for herself, she creates a world that she gets to inhabit and build at will in her mind. When she rereads the book, she gets to visit the creation and the characters as she imagined them. As Stone says, “there’s great comfort in opening a favorite book and finding everyone right where you left them.” But first, she needed a bus. So her husband, Derrick Stone, located a set of buses that was going up for sale in New Jersey. Now all they needed was money. So Derrick sold his own truck. Funds in hand, they bid on four buses and lost. But they submitted the winning bid on the fifth vehicle, a 16-passenger school bus. They drove it back to Charlottesville and got busy. Derrick removed the seats and build shelves. Sharon installed indoor/ outdoor carpeting and put the lettering on the side Her mother made curtains. The Free Book Bus was ready to roll. After that things began to snowball for them. A foundation heard about her project and funded their plan purchase new books for a Christmas distribution at the Nelson County Food Pantry. The idea was for people to be able to select books to put under the Christmas tree. By anyone’s definition, that first bus excursion was a success. “That day we gave out 461 books,” Stone says. One 7-year old girl took away a Spiderman book. A fifteen-year old girl came on the bus and was delighted to find The Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, five of which she took home. “I’d also like the Free Book Bus itself to be a special place that kids and adults find a little magical,” Stone says. And magical it is, with its colorful curtains and carpeting and irresistible book covers inviting readers both young and old to open them. “The kids were instantly comfortable picking out their books on her bright and cheerful bus,” said Teacher/Director Sarah Gerome after a recent Free Book Bus stop at Hillside School in Charlottesville. “The community work that Sharon Stone is doing is a wonderful addition to the outreach activities the families here at Hillside have been participating in.” What’s in Sharon Stone’s personal library? The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis (“I spent a lot of time in the woods trying to find an entrance to Narnia.”) The Hobbit, by J. R. Tolkien, (“It sits by my bedside and I open it at random to see what the hobbits are up to.”), Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson (my boys learned to read on Calvin and Hobbes), and a tiny copy of The Little Fur Family by Margaret Wise Brown. Thanks to the Free Book Bus, children are building their personal libraries and Stone is learning about the power of a good idea. “Every time I mention this to someone, the response has come back ten-fold – I never expected something like this to happen in my life.” BRL
On the road since November, The Free Book Bus is looking for more places to go in evenings and on weekends. Donations of gently-used books in good to excellent condition, gas cards and cash are always welcome. FreeBookBus.com has a donation button and contact information for Sharon Stone as does the Facebook page which also tells the story of the Free Book Bus with photos and comments from delighted fans.
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Blue Ridge LIFE
FEBRUARY 2019
February Adventures BASECAMP BREWPUB & MEADOWS
OUTPOST TAP ROOM & KITCHEN
2/3
2/3 2/7 2/8 2/14
BIG GAME PARTY, 6PM UNTIL END OF GAME
2/15 2/16 2/21
GREG WARD, 6:30-9:30PM
2/22 2/23 2/28
KYLE & JUSTIN, 6:30-9:30PM
200 mosbys run, Roseland, VA • 434.361.1001
Private Big Game Party, 6pm Distillery Lounge
Skip the hassle and watch the game in style with a comfortable environment, an all you can eat buffet and private bar. Sign up on Eventbrite; $50 per person
2/10-14 2/14
Brew Ridge Trail Week
Chocolate and beer pairings. We have paired up with Gearhardt's to offer these amazing chocolate and beer flights.
Second Annual Valentine's Day Beer Dinner, 7:30-9:30pm The Summit
Treat your Valentine to a 4 course meal crafted by our Executive Chef, Frank Debons, and our Brewery Manager, Aaron Reilly. Sign up on Eventbrite to save your spot. $65 per person, discount for couples.
2/14-17
Saint Valentine Celebration Brewpub
Join us in the Brewpub for French specials all week, including French cuisine paired with DB beers and French cocktails featuring DB Distilling Co. spirits.
2/16
Mississippi Leg Hound, 6-9pm
2/21
Agriculture Class- Small Gardening Tools, 7-8PM
Acoustic duo
The Summit
Learn about gardening tools with Jessie Carter, AgriTourism Manager at Devils Backbone. In this class we cover the use of both powered and hand tools in the home vegetable and ornamental garden.
2/23
Mississippi Leg Hound, 6-9pm
WEDNESDAYS
GROWLER GRAB DAY, 11:30AM - 10PM
Acoustic duo
DBbrewingcompany.com
50 northwind lane, lexington, VA • 540.462.6200
SUNDAYS WEDNESDAYS TUESDAYS
Football Food Specials & Game will be on TVs
GAME NIGHT: UNO, 7-9:30PM Hosted by Dizzle
RAGTOP, 6:30-9:30PM Acoustic Duo
SINGLE’S NIGHT: POWER BALLADS KARAOKE, 7-10PM Hosted by Lex Vegas Karaoke
Reggae
UNLUCKY & LONESOME, 6:30-9:30PM Old Time Americana
GROWLER GIRLS, 6:30-9:30PM Taco Thursday Social – Taco Specials & “Beeritas”
Reggae/Soul
BRUCE ALLEN, 6:30-9:30PM Country Acoustic
NICK ANDREW STAVER, 6:30-9:30PM Rock/Blues Solo Artist
BRUNCH SPECIALS & BEER MIMOSAS, 11:30AM-3:30PM GROWLER GRAB DAY, 11:30AM-10PM BURGER, BEER, BRAINPOWER, 6:30-8:30PM $10 Burger – Two Extraordinary Chef Crafted Burger Specials for just $10 +tax Special pricing on pints between 6:30–8:30PM Trivia – test your knowledge over a great burger and a pint
ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2018 Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Roseland, VA
Blue Ridge Getaways Planning your next Wintergreen or Nelson County vacation?
434-263-4881
Whether a romantic getaway, family ski trip, or corporate retreat, we have you covered!
Mark your calendar for our
Rabies Clinic on March 23, 2019.
At Lovingston Veterinary Hospital 9 AM to 12 PM. $10 per vaccine. Please bring previous rabies certificates in order to receive a 3 year booster.
Affordable accomodations—2 BR condo to 4 BR homes Actively looking for more homes for our program—call today!
434-946-5059
888-788-0731 or 434-361-0034 • Nellysford, Virginia www.BlueRidgeGetaways.com
• UNPLUG • RELAX • EXPLORE • FEBRUARY 2019
Blue Ridge LIFE
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Top Selling Real Estate Office &
#1 Sales Team For Over 44 Years!
Over 1.5 Billion Dollars of W We Were Pleased To Particip 8 RAVENS ROOST PT 15 RED CEDAR CT 419 BLACKROCK CIR 21 WEEPING ROCK LN 1296 BLACK WALNUT DR 714 LAURELWOOD CONDOS 366 CEDAR GLEN CLOSE 13 WESTWOOD CONDOS 1863 WINTERGREEN DR 338 DOBIE CONDOS 76 COLEMAN PL 23 BLACKROCK CIR 431 HUNTERS PT 11 FERNWOOD CT 897 BLUE RIDGE DR 634 PEDLARS EDGE DR 1451 LEDGES CONDOS 98 NORTH FOREST DR 21 ARROWWOOD LN 4 GUMTREE DR 770 LAURELWOOD CONDOS 410 CEDAR GLEN CLOSE DR 170 MOUNTAIN INN CONDOS 23 STONEY CREEK WEST 478 BLACK ROCK DR 2112 MONOCAN DR 1409 HIGHLANDS CONDOS 614 BLACK WALNUT DR 640 WHITE OAK CONDOS 35 SMOKE RISE LN 2204 TANNERS RIDGE CONDOS 280 FOOTHILLS DR 370 E CATOCTIN DR 39 LAKESIDE CLOSE 170 ROSEWOOD DR 19 TEABERRY CT 906 DIAMOND HILL CONDOS 59 HUNTERS PT 188 SHAMOKIN SPRINGS TRL 710 LAURELWOOD CONDOS 766 LAURELWOOD CONDOS 2228 TANNERS RIDGE CONDOS 738 CHESTNUT RIDGE RD 752 LAURELWOOD CONDOS 1262 LAUREL SPRINGS DR 2237 TANNERS RIDGE CONDOS 661 CEDAR MEADOW DR 306 WHITE OAK DR 1923 HIGH RIDGE PL CONDOS 235 TIMBERS CONDOS 766 BLUE RIDGE DR 250 TIMBERS CONDOS 1625 OVERLOOK CONDOS 184 MOUNTAIN INN CONDOS 325 STONE ORCHARD DR 725 LAURELWOOD CONDOS 184 WHITE OAK DR 221 CEDAR GLEN CLOSE 142 CLUB HIGHLAND 36 CAMPING RIDGE CT 131 HICKORY SPRING RD 2047 STONE RIDGE CONDOS 3214 NORTH RIDGE CONDOS 2011 STONE RIDGE WOODS 1537 CLIFFS CONDOS 257 TIMBERS CONDOS 1687 MONOCAN DR 479 THREE RIDGES CONDOS 28 COLTSFOOT LN 637 WHITE OAK CONDOS 54 PEDLARS EDGE DR 2036 STONE RIDGE CONDOS Mountain Sales Office: 39 Mountain Inn Loop, Wintergreen Resort, VA 22958
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14 Reasons T With Wintergre
Wintergreen Thanks Ou Customers For Maki Another Succ wintergreenrealestate.com
To Learn More, Contact Us Today! 434.361.0500 / 800.325.2200
Wintergreen Properties Sold! pate In These Sales In 2018!
To List & Sell een Real Estate
n Real Estate ur Clients, s, & Agents ing 2018 cessful Year!
3208 NORTH RIDGE CONDOS 465 THREE RIDGES CONDOS 2139 FAIRWAY WOODS 2067 STONE RIDGE CONDOS 25 RED CEDAR CT 1509 CLIFFS CONDOS 419 THREE RIDGES CONDOS 3215 NORTH RIDGE CONDOS 423 THREE RIDGES CONDOS 2037 STONE RIDGE CONDOS 360 HIDDEN SPRINGS LN 2127 FAIRWAY WOODS 421 THREE RIDGES CONDOS 2082 STONE RIDGE CONDOS 491 THREE RIDGES CONDOS 131 EAGLES CT CONDOS 733 JEFFERSON DR 187 PINNACLE DR 1619 OVERLOOK CONDOS 424 THREE RIDGES CONDOS 340 DOBIE CONDOS 20 BLUE RIDGE CT 1519 CLIFFS CONDOS 68 INDIAN POINT TRL 2 TRILLIUM CLOSE 903 DIAMOND HILL CONDOS 1564 VISTAS CONDOS 21 A TRILLIUM CLOSE 14 SHENANDOAH RIDGE CT 0 TINKLING SPRING DR 1610 OVERLOOK CONDOS 1626 OVERLOOK CONDOS 1924 HIGH RIDGE PL CONDOS 1511 CLIFFS CONDOS 1568 VISTAS CONDOS 322 DOBIE CONDOS
95 W ELKWOOD DR 1535 CLIFFS CONDOS 336 DOBIE CONDOS 1428 HIGHLANDS CONDOS 16 SHENANDOAH RIDGE CT 1516 CLIFFS CONDOS 91 WOODLILY LN 558 FAWN RIDGE DR 133 PEDLARS PT 342 DOBIE CONDOS 445 CRAWFORDS CLIMB 30 APPLE BLOSSOM CT 12 FAIRWAY OAKS LN 24 COLTSFOOT LN 71 TYRO LN 548 LAUREL SPRINGS DR 1815 HIGH RIDGE CT CONDOS 77 DEN TREE LN 453 CEDAR GLEN CLOSE 791 SHAMOKIN SPRINGS TRL 49 LAKESIDE CLOSE 268 SADDLEBACK KNL 224 DEER SPRINGS LN 90 GREENSTONE DR 119 COLEMAN PL 325 WOOD NETTLE LN 71 ROSEBAY LN 53 SOUTH ROCK TREE LN 371 STONEY CREEK EAST 18 COOPERS VANTAGE 2173 LAUREL SPRINGS DR 401 SAWMILL CREEK DR 220 SADDLEBACK KNL 215 ROSEWOOD DR 47 WOOD THRUSH LN 147 CEDAR GLEN CLOSE
Valley Sales Office: 3079 Rockfish Valley Highway, Wintergreen Resort VA 22958
FEBRUARY 2019
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Rockfish River Gallery Fine Art and Exquisite Crafts from Virginia
55 Artists & Artisans – We Are Unique ! Here are a few of the items that we have: lots of cards, five different jewelry makers’ jewelery, local Virginia authors’ books, witches, fairies, watercolor, oil, acrylic, pencil sketches and mixed media paintings, hand-made clothing, dolls, hand-made wooden toys, local music, blown glass and stained glass, strange fish, pottery and on and on ...
Part Of Our Mission Is to Allow As Many As Possible Local And Extended Local Artists And Artisans To Display Their Work and to Promote Art in the Community at Large. We now have more than 50 artists, Artisans and Authors Displaying their Work
Rockfish Valley Community Center 190 Rockfish School Lane, Afton, VA 22920 We are open all year Weds. through Sat. from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. 434 - 294 - 4668 Check our website for info, map and news. www.RockfishRiverGallery.com
asktheDr. By Dr. Steve Schmitz Afton Family Medicine Dear Dr. Steve, What is a good diet for health? Weight loss diets abound, but what should we eat just to be healthy? For a longer answer I would encourage you to read Michael Pollan’s Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual. For my boiled down version of general healthy eating, read on. We should pay more attention to foods than macro-nutrients (fats, carbs, and protein). Carbs are the bad guy right now, fats were not long ago – but really we need and can be healthy eating both. Better than vilifying macro-nutrients, let’s try to eat healthy versions of all of them. Try to make one half of all meals fruits and vegetables. Five or more servings of fruits and veggies per day lowers the risk of heart disease by 30% compared to not eating them. Nine servings per day is even better! Whole grains are much healthier than processed grains. The more processed they are, the more inflammation they cause, so avoid the white bread and white pasta. Legumes are great for our vascular
system, try to eat 1-3 cups per week. Fiber (remember those 5+ fruit and veggie servings?) reduces cancer, helps fight cardiovascular disease, and helps us process sugars. Saturated, mono-unsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats are all essential nutrients. Try to increase the ratio of unsaturated fats to saturated fats in your diet to reduce heart disease. Go for healthy fish, green veggies, and nuts for the healthy fats. Speaking of nuts, a handful of nuts per day has been shown to lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and mortality! As for eating animal products, one can eat healthily with or without them. For those who eat meat, emphasizing fish, dairy, eggs, and fowl is the healthier way to go. Processed meats have the most significant negative effects, so avoid those. As for beverages, water is king! Dr. Steve Schmitz is a licensed medical doctor based in Afton. This column is provided as a service to readers of Blue Ridge Life Magazine and it does not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers of this magazine. If you have a question about your personal health, please consult your doctor.
S E N TA R A A F T O N FA M I LY M E D I C I N E
CALL US TODAY!
434-263-4500 8535 Thomas Nelson Hwy Lovingston, VA 22949
FOSTERFUELS.COM PROPANE • GAS LOGS • TANKS • HEATERS • GRILLS & MORE 18
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FEBRUARY 2019
DISCOVER WHY PEOPLE TRUST SENTARA AFTON FAMILY MEDICINE OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:30am-5pm 10950 Rockfish Valley Hwy (SR151), Afton, VA For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit sentara.com or call (540) 456-6710. Follow us on Facebook @MarthaJeffersonHospital, and Twitter @MarthaJefferson.
athome
Looking Up 2018 Year end residential real estate summary for Nelson County
withMarlo
By Marlo Allen Marlo Allen is a licensed Realtor residing in Nelson County
The past few years have been more encouraging for sellers. 2018 also ended with some high notes. Here is a market summary for Nelson County. *Sales figures were pulled from the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors (CAAR) Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Countywide Overview: 296 residential properties sold in 2018, which represents an 18.4% increase from 2017 when 250 properties sold. Statistical Comparisons: Recap - Q1-Q4 2017: 250 sales, median $233,000, average price $288,881, average price per sq ft $135.86, average days on market (DOM) 176, median DOM of 81. Q1-Q4 2018: 296 sales, median $232,250, average price $287,281, average price per sq ft $138.44, average DOM 147, median DOM of 82. When compared to other Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors markets, Nelson had the strongest growth in number of sales. The previous
year, Nelson led the pack in growth for median and average sales price. Hence, there have been positive strides for the past two years giving much needed encouragement to sellers in Nelson. While we had tremendous growth in number of sales for 2018, the selling price of properties basically remained the same. Change in average price of -0.6%, average price per sq ft of +1.9%, and median price of -0.3%. Another positive is the reduction of average days on market of 16.5%; cumulative days on market decreased by 20.3%. The inventory of homes available, currently 203, continues to dwindle with 9.8% fewer homes on the market compared to this time last year. Buyers have fewer home options in the county/non-resort (49) and Stoney Creek (9), while Wintergreen inventory remains fairly high with 145 residential properties for sale, which is still 4.6% fewer than a year ago. Sellers: With proper marketing,
Marlo Allen
condition, and pricing, properties can sell quickly; 88 properties sold within 30 days on market in 2018. Sales Summary by Locality: Nelson County sales encompass 3 main markets, Wintergreen (mountain) with 157 sales at an average price per sq ft of $135.65, Stoney Creek (valley) with 41 sales at an average price per sq ft of $143.84, and all other non-resort or county properties with 98 sales and an average price per sq ft of $140.67. When comparing sales in 2018 with 2017, all 3 markets experienced growth. Stoney Creek had the greatest growth with a 46% increase in the number of sales, but price per sq ft was slightly lower by 1.5%. Wintergreen had positive growth in sales at a 22.7% increase, but remained constant on price per sq ft with only a marginal 0.3% increase. County sales increased by 4.3% and the price per sq ft also improved by 5.2%. The non-resort, county locality with the most sales was Afton with
434-996-3525
18, representing 18% of that market. Monthly/Quarterly Sales Breakdown: The strongest sales months were October with 32 sales and September with 31 sales. The slowest months were July with 19 sales, followed by March and May which each had 20 sales. 2018 Quarterly Summary: Q1-68, Q2-65, Q3-78, Q4-85. Q4 recognized the highest number of sales while Q2 achieved the fewest. Historically the second half of the year outperforms the first half. Variables such as location, views, acreage, condition and features can affect values. For further explanation and comparison relative to a property you want to sell or purchase, contact a real estate professional. Marlo Allen, frequently referred to as “That Girl,” calls Nelson County home. In fact, she grew up in Nelson County and helped found Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery of Nellysford. Marlo provides real estate services in Nelson and surrounding counties.
InsistOnThatGirl.com
Coveted Afton location! Greenfield Rd; #583361; $139,000
Salesperson of the Year 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Make 2019 count! Buying or selling, call Marlo. Specializing in: Nelson County – Wintergreen – Stoney Creek
Marlo G. Allen
Associate Broker Cell: 434.996.3525 Web: InsistOnThatGirl.com Email: Marlo@InsistOnThatGirl.com
Insist on that girl!
10 acres of pasture with great mountain views and creek! Land is gently rolling with multiple building sites. Surrounded by large acreage parcels for privacy. Great opportunity to build a home and have acreage for mini-farm with livestock, chickens, gardens, and more. Coveted Afton location with easy access to Route 151 (only 3 miles) for commuting to Charlottesville, Crozet, Waynesboro, or Fishersville. Ideal area for recreation near Wintergreen ski resort and the wine and brew trail along Nelson 151.
Marlo is a top-producing agent throughout Nelson County, Stoney Creek and Wintergreen. FEBRUARY 2019
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Cancer.
A powerful enemy requires powerful allies. Nearly one-third of people in the U.S. will develop cancer in their lifetime. But every year, more people survive by early screening and detection. As the only cancer center in the region to partner with Duke Health Cancer Network, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re bringing the latest in cancer care research and treatment home to Augusta County. That means even when facing a diagnosis of cancer, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re surrounded by the leading minds. To learn if you should have a cancer screening, call (833) AHC-HLTH to get connected with an Augusta Health physician.
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CHARLOTTESVILLE STORY STORY by YVETTE by YVETTE STAFFORD STAFFORD
PHOTO BY JACK LOONEY
the Trout House
An iconic Boars Head Resort building is reborn as a high-tech vertical farm designed by Babylon Micro-Farms
PHOTO BY YVETTE STAFFORD
FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2019 2019
Blue Blue Ridge Ridge LIFE LIFE
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Garden Weeks April 8-11 & April 15-18
Stay 2 nights for $100 Spend a few hours a day gardening* in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains while enjoying everything The Mark Addy has to offer: • Two-night stay in historic home • Three-course breakfasts • Vouchers for discounts at local wineries and breweries • Discounted massages, winery/ brewery tours, and more * Cloudy skies?No need to worry – there’s lots of indoor spring maintenence to do!
Call (434) 361-1101 or visit www.Mark-Addy.com for more information or to book your stay today! PHOTO BY JACK LOONEY
ANTIQUES
continued from page 21
TuckahoeAntiques.com Rt. 151 Near Wintergreen
CovesvilleStoreAntiques.com Rt. 29 south of Charlottesville
VeronaAntiques.com Rt. 11 north of Staunton
This picture is posted on a sign at the entrance of the newly-renovated Trout House at Boars Head Resort. Decades ago, guests could dip a net and “fish for dinner.” The building is now the site of a high-tech vertical farm designed by Babylon Micro-Farms that grows micro greens used by Executive Chef Dale Ford.
It’s been years since guests at the Boars Head Resort could walk over to the curiously sunken building in between two ponds, dip a net and fish for dinner. Originally a spring house, the building was later stocked with trout, and those dinners at the Boars Head became legendary. The fishing-for-your-dinner thing didn’t last and the building sat dormant for years, aging silently into a diamond in the rough. “I thought maybe we would be able to use this space as kind for a cellar,” explains Executive Chef Dale Ford, a jolly guy raised in Indiana, today wearing a classic white chef ’s hat. The building is humid and he quickly sheds his Carharrt jacket. “Growing up in a farming community when I was a child, that was something that we always did. We harvested vegetables, and put them in the cellar, canned them, and I remember doing that with my family so I wanted to try and utilize something like that here in this space.” And because the building used to be a spring house, and because it used to be stocked with trout, Chef Ford was thinking its next use could be aquaponic in nature. Maybe they’d have fish here again, and maybe the nutrient-rich environment could somehow symbiotically support a vegetable garden. But that’s a lot of “maybes.” Thankfully, a pair of Millennials came to the rescue.
continued on page 24
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Are You Ready for Tax Time? We can help organize your small business records and make sense of the tax maze. Call us today to schedule a free “get acquainted” meeting.
C e r t i f i e d P u b l i c Ac c ou nt a nt s
Providing Quality Tax Services for Individuals, Trusts, Estates, and Small Businesses 2741 Rockfish Valley Hwy • Nellysford, Virginia • 434.361.9650 www.R-CPA.net
PHOTO BY JACK LOONEY FEBRUARY 2019
Blue Ridge LIFE
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Brady S. Nicks
Come warm up with one of our
Attorney-at-Law,
Counselor, and Officer of the Court, serving Citizens of Nelson and Surrounding Counties in Matters before the Courts, Civil or Criminal, or between Parties.
Daily Soup Specials
MAC’S Country Store FRIED CHICKEN
The Best Around Burgers – Salads – Sandwiches Selection of Va Foods and Wines 7023 Patrick Henry Hwy, Roseland
434-277-5305 Mon-Sat 6am-8pm Sun 9am-8pm EXXON GAS 24/7
Consultations are Confidential and Free. 434-263-4141 All Client calls returned within 24 Business Hours. Office Located on the Courthouse Grounds, Lovingston. nicksatlaw.com continued from page 21
OLD WORLD CARPENTRY “hoch die zimmererkunst” Jens Müller
6997 Rockfish River Road Schuyler, VA 22969 434.831.5998 CUSTOM SAWING WITH A WOOD MIZER PORTABLE BAND SAW
oldworldcarpentryvirginia.com
We have room for your STUFF.
Call today for our competitive rates. FOUR SIZES: 5 x 10 10 x 10 10 x 15 10 x 20
200 Afton Mountain Rd, Afton, VA 22920
434-361-2445 or 800-361-5155
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“The initial concept is that a 6 foot by 4 foot area would feed a family of four,” explains University of Virginia studentturned-entrepreneur Alexander Olesen, co-founder and CEO of Babylon Micro-Farms. Inside the newly-renovated trout house are two vertical shelving units outfitted with grow lights that beam down on trays of sprouting greens. “What we found is modules like these can actually be adapted to fit in all sorts of dead spaces. In urban areas there are actually more than we even realize: basements, back offices, rooms.” Or in this case, trout houses. You might say Alexander is the big picture guy behind this project. He was taking a class on sustainability when the epiphany hit him. In a hydroponic system, you can grow plants with 90% less water. “That’s going to change everything,” he thought. “If we could build one little system, this has legs.” But he needed someone who thought like an engineer. You know, the guy your roommates said could fix broken gaming systems and MP3 players. The guy in the HackCville club with the curly hair and glasses, Graham Smith. “I used to trade people repairs for Chipotle burritos but then people started taking advantage of it too much and I had to tell people where people could get a repair.” Graham was the kind of whip-smart lad who might have driven his folks a little nutty with his tinkering. “Every time my dad or dad mom want to get rid of something, I would take it apart first to make sure there wasn’t anything I could use in there.” Armed with a knack for problem solving, Graham says he and Alexander got to work and built their first prototype. “Version 1 was probably a 6 foot by 4 foot table made out of an old decomposing fence and actually, I don’t think it ever worked. We used pictures of it with the lights on to get
PHOTO BY YVETTE STAFFORD
interest and a little bit of money to build ones that did work.” Now successfully past the prototyping stage, Chef Dale is beaming at the Babylon Micro-Farms greens growing in the old Trout House, just a quick walk from the kitchen. The topsy turvy winter weather would otherwise wreak havoc on a winter garden, but inside a controlled environment, the green sprouts are thriving. “I tell ya, the scarlet kale there is delicious,” Chef Dale says, before picking off a horseradish green for me to sample, full of bold flavor, like the kale. “There’s a lot of it that I picked just yesterday. It has a fantastic flavor to it, young .. all the way at the top here these nasturtiums .. you see a lot of it in menus today. Chefs will use the flower of a nasturtiums and its great flavor. I really enjoy using the leaves of it. That is a fantastic flavor. It almost acts as a palette cleanser. It’s aromatic and spicy to where it forces your mouth to salivate and it cleanses your mouth from the first to the last bite. It’s really unique.” 240 gallons of water are pumped through the system daily as lights shine down for 16-18 hours to simulate day and night. “We don’t have a fall season so it allows us optimum growth for the entire year.” Quality and yield. It’s what picky chefs value and this is finally something Dale can control just yards away from the kitchen. If there’s a downside, it’s having to build menus around the 42 to 47 day germination-to-harvest period. But to be able to revive a piece of Boars Head history into something modern and productive is a clear bonus. “Looking at this space, it doesn’t look anything like it (used to be),” Dale says. “It was used as a storage facility. It was a paint shop. It had a great little sign that told the story of what it was 25 years ago, but my role is to tell the story of what it is today.” And you can find that story woven thoughtfully on Chef Dale’s menu. BRL FEBRUARY 2019
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We are currently buying old barns, sheds, cabins, and houses for salvage. have one to sell? call us.
Meade Shirley 540-241-9075 elkmountaincontracting.com
Festival Rockfish Valley Community Center February 9th 12-7pm Join us as we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Brew Ridge Trail with live music, local beer and food, fun for the whole family Suggested $5 Donation to benefit RVCC
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FEBRUARY 2019
Greg Ward Sally Rose Band Sun-Dried Opossum
12-2 PM 2:30-4:30PM 5-7PM
AFTON
[ nelson county ]
STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY by YVETTE STAFFORD
For Sarah Murphy, a peaceful protest against a pipeline meant saddling up and hitting
the Road with Rob Roy
FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2019 2019
Blue Blue Ridge Ridge LIFE LIFE
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I meet Sarah Murphy at a farm in Afton whose owners have agreed to take in Rob Roy, her 25-year-old Percheron/ Thoroughbred cross. Both are now spending the new year recovering from a grueling 3-month, 400 mile give-or-take trail ride that traced a section of the route along the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline. “If he was a baby when we got him, he would be going off to college now,” Sarah says of her companion, who has been in the family 18 years. “He’s majestic when he’s not being a grouch,” Sarah tells me later in a text. Not sure if the horse was named after the 18th century Scottish outlaw — or maybe the Scotch Manhattan cocktail — the bond the duo formed on the protest ride is inseparable. A contradiction in terms, the quietly flamboyant “Willy of the Mountain” as he calls himself, saw Sarah on the tail end of her trip as she approached Afton Mountain. He joins us today in black boots more city than country. “She was walking her horse up the mountain and I saw her so I pulled over. ‘Follow me up and be a spotter car,’ she told me, and I said, ‘Okay.’” A hot dog and a brush with death later (tractor trailers are hard to avoid on a horse), a friendship was formed as Willy escorted Sarah and Rob Roy down the mountain to the farm in Afton off old Route 6, where they are together again. “I liked your spirit, you know,” he turns to her to say. She brushes it off and I cannot help but stare at the man’s manicure. “When the world make me mad, I go get my nails done.” And Sarah apparently hops on a horse. continued on page 30
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TAYLOR MADE BUSINESS SERVICE, LLC
Upcoming Events
p: 434.361.2208 • f: 434.361.2131 TaylorMadeSvc@gmail.com
“Next Year” is Now! Let’s tackle 2019 together. New 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Year’s Resolutions Bookkeeping Payroll Tax Prep Online Banking Bill pay Notary services
NELSON COUNTY, VIRGINIA
n March 7 - Blooming Flowers Before Their Time with Meg Laughon n March 16 - Apple Tree Grafting with John Hoskins and Matt Fortune n March 21 - Tick Borne Illnesses and Native Plants with Dr. Joe Pond n April 18 - Herb Day with Chris Casey n April 24 - An Abundance of Dahlias with Bev Lacey n April 25-27 - Plant Sale at Pharsalia Please register online: www.PharsaliaEvents.com
434-277-5231
If you are ready for a faster internet connection, you are ready for Exede Broadband.
• Rated #1 for delivering promised speeds • Up to 4 times faster than average DSL • Speeds up to 12 MBPS • Great for streaming video & movies, video chatting and sharing photos and files quickly Call today to learn more!
7th Annual Valentine’s Day Run at Cardinal Point Vineyard
Nelson Cable, Inc. 400 Front St. / P.O. Box 395
434.263.4805
BECERRA LAWNCARE Call Today for a FREE Estimate! Contact: Carlos Becerra
434-962-3266
Saturday, February 9, 2019 info & registration: CORKSCREWRACING.COM
Firewood • Debris Cleanup • Wood Chipper Mowing • Weed Eating • Pruning/Weeding Tree Trimming • Planting/Fertilizing • Mulching Spraying Weeds • Raking Leaves • Much, much more ... FEBRUARY 2019
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continued from page 28
Documented on her Tumblr page (acponhorseback.tumblr.com) Sarah and Rob Roy’s peaceful protest began on September 26 at Shenandoah Farm in Staunton and took them all the way to past Weston, West Virginia, before doubling back to hoof it home for the holidays. A fine arts major from James Madison University, Sarah’s love of horses began with her grandfather, the one who was a logger in Pennsylvania. “He used to pull the logs by horseback. So we would go down and he would take the whole family on overnight trail rides and sit under the stars.” It would be years before the worlds of logging and horseback riding would once again intersect in Sarah’s life, this time as she and Rob Roy traced the proposed pipeline route, some of which has already been cleared and logged. As heartbreaking it was for her to see the topography changed to benefit a project she is morally against, it was just as heartwarming to meet folks who thought differently. There was the night the wife of a Dominion pipeline worker took them in. “I learned a lot when I stayed with them,” she tells me quite matter-of-factly, without the slightest bit of resentment. “I think that’s a lot of the conversation that needs to happen ... We sat down and had a rational discussion about it and it happened time and time again.” Like when Rob Roy got stuck in the mud and Sarah seriously thought the creature had taken his last steps. “There’s a lot of things we ask horses to do in general that are against their instincts but he kind of rises to the challenge … We came down an old
pipeline route that t-boned into the new one and that was really steep. And I know we did at least a 33 degree incline and that just about killed us.” Not to mention the everyday obstacles like interstates and the infrastructure supporting them. There was the time Sarah and Rob Roy came up on a culvert on a man’s cattle farm. Going through it was the only way they’d be able to cross I-79. “When he does it, it always makes me have that proud feeling … I learned from him to take it as it comes. It’s always one foot in front of the other. If you think you can’t go any further, there’d always that little bit extra of a push.” An extra push, when you’re stuck in the mud. These are certainly easier things said than done. But if Sarah came off a trip with a takeaway, it’s that her pipeline protest was much more about a woman going solo on her horse. “When I meet people, he is just an instant connection. Regardless of how you feel about the pipeline, I’ve connected with people in so many different ways … We are all so busy and we all have our lives and for someone to take someone in that they don’t know just because they are trying to do this thing, it becomes bigger than about me or him.” Alone among the hills and stone Though summer sun and winter snow The eagle he was lord above And Rob was lord below – Big Country, “Restless Natives”
BRL
Love is in the hair. Beech Grove Salon 434-361-1810
910 Beech Grove Rd (Rt. 664) Roseland, VA
30 30
Blue Ridge LIFE Blue Ridge LIFE
NOVEMBER 2018 FEBRUARY 2019
IMAGES VIA ACPONHORSEBACK.TUMBLR.COM
Wild Virginia is hosting an evening with Sarah Murphy February 20, 2019 at 6:30 PM in the education building at the Ivy Creek Foundation on Earlysville Road in Albemarle County. For more information, visit WildVirginia.org.
North Branch School Invites you to attend
OPEN HOUSE
Feb. 12, 9:30-11:30 AM and 5:30 - 7:30PM Inclement weather date: Feb. 15, 9:30-11:30 AM and 5:30-7:30 PM
• preschool-8th grade • small class size • outdoor time & nature exploration • building academic, artistic, & social confidence Financial Assistance and Scholarships available
Find out how affordable a North Branch education can be. Call today.
Focus! Aim High! Work Together! 540-456-8450 www.north-branch-school.org
North Branch does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color or income & actively seeks minority students.
FEBRUARY 2019
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InsistOnThatGirl.com
Marlo Allen
434-996-3525
Get Results: Go with Marlo! FREE consultations and targeted guidance on price, condition, and marketing. Salesperson of the year at Mountain Area Realty 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
NE
S TO
EEK
R YC
1381 Monocan Dr; #573001; $799,000 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Approximately 30 minutes to Charlottesville! Georgian Manor circa 1810 with custom restoration and expansion in 2001 to provide old world charm with modern efficiencies and luxuries; Main house 3Br/2.5Ba; Guest cottage1Br/1Ba; Garage/Workshop; 6.3ac
Livebeautifully in Nelson County Marlo G. Allen, Assoc. Broker 434-996-3525 InsistOnThatGirl.com
434-996-3525 Blue Ridge LIFE
Marlo Allen
InsistOnThatGirl.com FEBRUARY 2019